NORTHERN RAILWAY

World's highest railway station in Ladakh at 17,244 feet: India planning a Rs 1.3 lakh crore railway line that will break China's record

World's highest railway station: India is planning a 489-km Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway line costing an estimated Rs 1.31 lakh crore. The proposed corridor could feature the world's highest railway station at 5,256 metres beneath Tanglang La, surpassing China's existing record. Here's what we know about the ambitious Himalayan railway project, its route, tunnels and strategic importance.

South Eastern Coalfields files DRHP with SEBI for IPO; Coal India to offload 66.8 crore shares

Coal India subsidiary South Eastern Coalfields has filed its draft papers with SEBI for an IPO comprising an offer for sale of up to 66.81 crore shares. One of India’s largest coal producers, SECL reported higher revenue and profit and plans to list on the BSE and NSE.

Diljit Dosanjh in the crosshairs? Delhi Police arrest 3 over pro-Khalistan graffiti at two metro stations

Delhi Police have arrested three people, including a woman, over pro-Khalistan graffiti targeting singer Diljit Dosanjh at Jahangirpuri and Shastri Nagar metro stations ahead of his October 30 concert. Police allege the accused acted on instructions from an SFJ-linked associate and were offered financial rewards for defacing public property.

Delhi-Lucknow bullet train journey in 2 hours 12 minutes compared to 6 hours 25 minutes by Vande Bharat: What the Northern Corridor proposes

Delhi and Lucknow could be connected by a bullet train in 2 hours and 12 minutes under the proposed Northern Corridor approved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has also shared estimated travel times for Agra, Kanpur and Varanasi as the planned network is set to extend from Delhi to Guwahati.

Bullet train to Northeast: PM Modi approves Delhi-Guwahati bullet train corridor expansion, extending proposed route to Assam via Varanasi, Patna and Siliguri; CM Himanta thanks Centre

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has welcomed the extension of the Northern bullet train corridor from Siliguri to Guwahati, saying Delhi-Guwahati travel could take under eight hours. PM Narendra Modi has approved the Northern corridor, which will connect major cities across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal before reaching Assam.

IGL partners with Delhi Division of Railways for commercial PNG supply

Indraprastha Gas Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Northern Railway for gas supply. The agreement covers the supply of Commercial Piped Natural Gas to 22 designated railway locations. These locations include laundries, rest houses, and base kitchens in Delhi and surrounding areas. Initial consumption is estimated at 3,000 Standard Cubic Metres per Day, replacing LPG and diesel usage.

Not just Vande Bharat Sleeper, bullet train too on the cards: UP may soon get faster rail connectivity with Delhi, Agra, Lucknow and Varanasi

'Bullet train will cut Delhi-Varanasi journey to 3.5 hrs': Ashwini Vaishnaw reveals mega plan to slash travel times to Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra and Patna

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has shared proposed travel times for the Northern Corridor of India's bullet train network, including a journey between Delhi and Varanasi in 3 hours 33 minutes. He also highlighted the role of Vande Bharat Sleeper trains in improving overnight connectivity and outlined plans to develop Kashi railway station into a major transport hub.

Railways will replace 500 kg of LPG & 2,500 litres of diesel daily with PNG at 22 sites under IGL deal; Delhi, New Delhi and Anand Vihar among stations covered

Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL) has partnered with Northern Railway's Delhi Division to replace LPG and diesel with piped natural gas (PNG) at 22 railway establishments across Delhi-NCR. The initial supply of 3,000 SCMD is expected to replace around 500 kg of LPG and 2,500 litres of diesel daily. The agreement is part of the government's PNG Drive 3.0.

JK Lakshmi Cement breaks ground on Project ‘Kamakshi’ in Assam, marking its first footprint in the Northeast India

JK Lakshmi Cement Ltd has launched Project Kamakshi to create an integrated cement plant in Assam. The plant will have a capacity of 2.5 million tonnes per annum and a 1 million tonne clinkerisation unit. An investment of Rs 11,000 crore is planned for this project, which will primarily serve the Northeast market. The project aims to generate over 2,000 jobs and strengthen the local economy.

1st look inside Delhi–Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper: Opaque cabin window, softer berths & features that may make passengers ecstatic

Delhi–Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper: A video by content creator Akshay Malhotra offers a glimpse inside the first-class cabins of the proposed Delhi–Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper Express. The train is expected to cover around 760 km overnight, with features including privacy glass, reading lights, charging points and cushioned berths. The service is also expected to offer First, Second and Third AC accommodation, with stops at Ghaziabad, Aligarh, Kanpur Central and Prayagraj.

Coal India’s stockpile is shrinking fast as coal dispatches outpace production

Coal India has experienced a 49% cut in coal stocks over the last half-year. This notable decline comes amid a 7.6% surge in offtake, despite a 2.5% dip in production levels. The coal production reached 321 million tonnes, with an impressive dispatch of 384.20 million tonnes. Particularly, the inventory saw a steep 52% decline during the September quarter, reflecting diverse trends among its subsidiaries.

Closed on Diwali: 15+ railway reservation centres in Delhi to remain shut or operate for limited hours on November 8; check full list before visiting

Several railway reservation counters across Delhi-NCR will operate for limited hours or remain closed on November 8 due to Diwali. Three centres will offer partial services until 6 pm, while 15 others will shut during the evening shift from 2 pm to 8 pm. Six reservation offices will remain closed for the entire day. Here is the complete list of affected centres and their timings.

Andhra Pradesh, Odisha rush to evacuate people before Cyclone Arnab's early morning landfall

Cyclone Arnab is approaching the Andhra Pradesh coast, prompting extensive preparations in both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Authorities have cancelled numerous train and flight services to ensure the safety of travelers. Thousands of people have been relocated to cyclone shelters across the affected regions in preparation for the storm's landfall. Emergency teams and supplies have been mobilised to respond to the cyclone's impact effectively.

Nearly 4,000 shelters set up, emergency forces on standby as Odisha, Andhra brace for cyclone Arnab

The Indian Railways cancelled at least 50 trains in the region as a precaution, while traffic restrictions were imposed on many coastal roads in the region. Two IndiGo flights connecting Vijayawada with Chennai and Bengaluru were also cancelled during the day.

Cyclone Arnab Tracker live: When and where will the very severe cyclonic storm make the landfall and how strong will it be?

Severe cyclone Arnab is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coast on October 28, bringing strong winds, heavy rain and a possible storm surge. Authorities have shifted more than 1,300 pregnant women to hospitals, cancelled flights and stepped up railway monitoring. West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand have also issued weather alerts or evacuation preparations ahead of the storm’s wider impact.

6,200 special train trips for festive travel: Railways boosts services by 30% for Diwali, Chhath Puja; check Delhi-Patna, Delhi-Howrah & other routes

Northern Railway has planned over 6,200 special train trips for Diwali and Chhath Puja, a 30% increase from last year's 4,666 trips. The additional services aim to ease the festive rush on routes connecting Delhi and other northern cities with Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. Extra ticket counters, staff and security arrangements have also been introduced at stations.

Serbian Elections: How a student protest born after a railway station canopy collapse ended right-wing Aleksandar Vučić’s 12-year grip on power

Serbia’s student-led movement has emerged victorious in the October 25, 2026, parliamentary election, dealing a major blow to Aleksandar Vučić’s 14-year political dominance. The movement began after a railway station canopy collapsed in Novi Sad in November 2024, killing 16 people. Demands for accountability grew into nationwide anti-corruption protests before the students entered electoral politics. Vučić conceded defeat based on preliminary estimates, although official results were still awaited.

Indian Railways wants zero alcohol in loco pilots' blood, but what if tests detect traces without drinking? The rule under review

The Railway Board is yet to decide whether loco pilots should face disciplinary action when blood tests detect very low alcohol levels despite negative breathalyser results. The issue came under scrutiny after the 2025 Bilaspur train collision, in which 12 people died. Railway medical officials and the Commissioner of Railway Safety have called for a review of the zero-alcohol rule, citing limitations in laboratory testing.

Indian Railways reservation counters across Delhi-NCR to remain closed or partially open on November 8

Indian Railways will partially or fully close several PRS counters across Delhi-NCR on November 8 for Diwali 2026. Some offices will provide limited evening services, others will shut from 2 pm to 8 pm, while six locations will remain closed for the entire day. Passengers should check their reservation office timings before travelling to book train tickets.

Tibet earthquake: CTA President says "damage could be much more", cites limited access to information

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7 occurred in Tangnezong district, Nakchu, northern Tibet. Initial reports indicate that 16 people died, while dozens sustained injuries due to the quake. Over 300 houses have reportedly collapsed, with rescue operations currently underway in the affected areas. Emergency response teams have been activated to assist those impacted by the disaster.

China-Europe rail and India’s long road to Eurasia

India is focusing on connectivity initiatives such as the International North-South Transport Corridor and the IMEC. Geopolitical tensions have challenged India's ambitions to establish reliable connectivity with Europe. In contrast, the China-Europe freight network significantly expands trade routes across Eurasia. The expansion provides multiple routes and helps mitigate disruptions in maritime transport. A shift in India-China relations may further enhance India's connectivity options with Eurasian markets.

Railways' Big Kashmir Plan: New warehouses near Anantnag & Pampore stations to help apple growers and saffron traders reach bigger markets

Northern Railway has invited tenders to develop warehouses near Anantnag and Pampore railway stations in Kashmir under its Cargo Related Facility policy. The facilities, along with a proposed warehouse at Bari Brahmana near Jammu, aim to improve storage, reduce transportation costs and support apple growers and saffron traders.