Anti-begging drive faces challenges as children continue selling trinkets at city intersections
PHED sounds early alarm, drafts summer water crisis plan before Diwali
Raj to elect sarpanch, ward panch in phase-I panchayat body elections today
Fire erupts at Dudu solar plant, tenders rushed from Jaipur, Ajmer
Farmer body flags Raj HC backlog, seeks fewer holidays and more judges
College teachers seek poll duties matching pay scale, status
Sugar boards across Raj schools to promote healthy eating
Railway pensioners protest, demand pension reforms, submit memo
6 trains originate from Khatipura as NWR plans suburban expansion
JDA plans to launch three key traffic projects this fiscal
Ramganj left out again as JMC plans pre-Diwali clean-up
Man held for killing live-in partner in Jaipur flat
Probe begins into Raj Police data breach in Jaipur
Festive rush chokes Walled City markets as parking woes worsen
Dotasra alleges political vendetta as Raj govt scraps Sikar master plan
Ex-min Hemaram Choudharys wife elected sarpanch unopposed for 7th time
Drunken man kills elder brother in Bundi
Bus collides with truck near Reengas, 18 devotees injured
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat was an Ajatshatru of modern politics: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Oct 23 (IANS) Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat paid tribute to former Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, describing him as an Ajatshatru of modern politics, a leader with no enemies, and an ideal public servant who remained connected to the common people. Speaking to the media on the occasion of his birth anniversary, the Union Minister said Bhairon Singh Shekhawat rose from an ordinary family to the office of Vice President through hard work, perseverance, political acumen and his deep understanding of public concerns. He said Shekhawats political journey, marked by challenges and ups and downs, set an example for leaders across generations. Many politicians in Rajasthan and other parts of North India had benefited from his guidance and experience, learning from his leadership and administrative approach. Describing him as a towering banyan tree of Indian politics, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the former Vice President maintained close ties with Rajasthan even after assuming the countrys high constitutional office. He continued to nurture relationships with villages, hamlets, known locally as dhanis, and panchayats. Highlighting Shekhawats contribution to public welfare, the Union Minister said the Antyodaya scheme reflected his commitment to improving the lives of poor and disadvantaged communities. During his tenure as Rajasthan Chief Minister, beginning in 1977, initiatives related to food grain distribution and food-for-work programmes were undertaken to support vulnerable sections of society. Shekhawat said these measures demonstrated the importance of inclusive governance and ensuring that public welfare initiatives reached those most in need. He also highlighted the former Chief Ministers role in expanding grassroots political participation through Panchayati Raj institutions. According to the minister, elections to these institutions on party symbols helped the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strengthen its organisational presence in villages, remote settlements and tribal areas across Rajasthan. Referring to the ongoing Panchayati Raj elections, the Union Minister expressed confidence that the BJP would receive public support similar to that witnessed in the local body elections. He claimed that the BJP had secured support in more than 70 per cent of urban local bodies across Rajasthan. In western Rajasthan, he said, the party had formed governing boards in 36 of the 41 local bodies. Shekhawat expressed confidence that this support would translate into a strong performance in the Panchayati Raj elections.
Petrol Diesel Prices October 23, 2026: Check Fuel Rates in Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur and Other Cities
Petrol and Diesel Price Today, October 23, 2026: Fuel prices remain an important part of household budgets, particularly for people who travel daily by car or motorcycle. Changes in petrol, diesel and compressed natural gas (CNG) rates can directly affect commuting expenses, transportation costs and...
Minister Aathawale Defends Election Integrity Amid Opposition Allegations
Central Minister Ramdas Aathawale addresses election integrity, dismissing opposition claims of vote theft during a recent event in Jaipur. Minister Aathawale Defends Election Integrity Amid Opposition Allegations
Rajasthan: ACB arrests director, lecturer and teacher of Global BD College in bribery case
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Oct 23 (IANS) Acting on the directions of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Headquarters, the ACB unit in Banswara conducted a trap operation on Friday and caught Bhupendra Jain, a Chemistry teacher at Global BD College, Barodiya, Banswara district, red-handed while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000 from a complainant. The college director, Siddhant Jain, and Political Science lecturer Dr Siddhant Jain were also arrested in connection with the case. The ACB's Banswara unit received a complaint alleging that the director, a lecturer and a teacher of Global BD College, Barodiya, were demanding bribes in exchange for facilitating attendance-related matters for students despite their low attendance throughout the academic year and issuing internship letters. Following the complaint, the ACB verified the alleged demand for a bribe. During verification, the college director, the Political Science lecturer and Bhupendra Jain, a Chemistry teacher, were allegedly found to be demanding Rs 20,000 from each student and agreeing to accept bribes. Under the supervision of the concerned ACB Range Superintendent of Police, Piyush Piyush, a trap operation was conducted on Friday under the leadership of Deputy Superintendent of Police Ratna Singh Rajpurohit of the ACB Banswara unit, along with the team. During the operation, Bhupendra Jain, Chemistry teacher at Global BD College, Barodiya, Banswara, was caught red-handed while allegedly accepting Rs 5,000 from the complainant. The college director and Dr Dominique Jain, Political Science lecturer, were also arrested after their alleged key roles in the bribery demand came to light during the investigation. Further questioning and investigation are underway under the supervision of senior ACB officials, including Additional Superintendent of Police Smita Shri and Inspector General of Police S. Parimala. Further legal action will be taken under the relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the investigation will continue.
Direct Train Service from Jamshedpur to Jaipur to Begin on October 26
A new direct train service between Jamshedpur and Jaipur will launch on October 26, enhancing travel options for passengers. Direct Train Service from Jamshedpur to Jaipur to Begin on October 26
Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan sparked nostalgia among fans after sharing a warm hug at the recent International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) press conference in Mumbai. The two actors, who were among Bollywoods most widely discussed couples in the early 2000s, exchanged smiles and pleasantries at the event, with videos of their interaction subsequently circulating on social media. The moment unfolded as Kareena stepped down from the stage, where she had been sharing the spotlight with Salman Khan and other attendees. Shahid, who was standing nearby, caught her attention, and the two greeted each other with a hug before briefly exchanging pleasantries. Their cordial interaction quickly caught the attention of fans, many of whom associated the reunion with their popular on-screen pairing in Jab We Met. Both actors made distinct fashion choices for the press conference. Kareena arrived in an all-black ensemble featuring a top and a tailored skirt, while Shahid opted for an all-white silhouette. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bollywood Hungama (@realbollywoodhungama) This is not the first time their friendly interactions at an IIFA event have generated interest online. In early 2025, the actors also exchanged greetings at an IIFA press event in Jaipur. Responding to the attention their interaction received at the time, Shahid had said that it was nice if people felt happy seeing them together, while adding that they often crossed paths in everyday life. Shahid and Kareenas relationship was widely followed during the early 2000s, when they also appeared together in films such as Fida (2004), 36 China Town (2006) and Chup Chup Ke (2006). Their most celebrated collaboration remains Imtiaz Alis Jab We Met (2007), in which they played Aditya and Geet. The film went on to become a popular romantic drama, and their on-screen chemistry continues to be remembered by audiences. The actors later appeared in Milenge Milenge, which was released in 2010, and were also part of the ensemble cast of Udta Punjab (2016), although they did not share screen time in the latter film. Both have since moved on in their personal lives. Shahid is married to Mira Rajput, while Kareena is married to Saif Ali Khan. Their latest interaction at the IIFA press conference offered a glimpse of their cordial equation at an industry event, bringing renewed attention to a pairing that remains familiar to Hindi film audiences. The press conference was held ahead of the upcoming IIFA awards event in Abu Dhabi. Also Read: Photos: Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Rashmika Mandanna, Kareena Kapoor Khan and others snapped at IIFA Digital Awards press conference
22, 24 carat Gold prices down across other cities on October 23
Drought in Rajasthan: Ashok Gehlot questions government, Kirodi Lal Meena responds
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Oct 23 (IANS) Rajasthan is facing a rainfall deficit this year, with several districts experiencing drought-like conditions. The shortfall has raised concerns in western Rajasthan, particularly in Jodhpur, Barmer, Jaisalmer and Balotra, where shortages of water and fodder are affecting rural communities. The situation has also sparked a political exchange between former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Agriculture Minister Kirodi Lal Meena of the Bhajanlal Sharma-led government. While Gehlot has urged the state government to provide immediate relief to affected farmers, Meena has said that a survey is underway to assess the extent of the damage. Rainfall has reportedly fallen to its lowest level in 17 years, in sharp contrast to last year, when the state recorded its highest rainfall in 108 years. The rainfall deficit has raised concerns among farmers and livestock owners, who are facing difficulties due to the shortage of water and fodder. With Panchayat elections underway in the state, the issue has also become a point of political debate, with the Congress demanding urgent assistance for affected rural communities. Agriculture Minister Meena said that eight to ten districts had received below-normal rainfall. He added that government officials and District Collectors were closely monitoring the situation. According to Meena, the Revenue Department is conducting a survey to determine the extent of the impact. He explained that the government would consider further action based on the survey findings and initiate relief measures once the assessment is complete and drought conditions are officially declared. In early October, Ashok Gehlot raised concerns about the worsening situation in western Rajasthan and shared figures highlighting the number of villages reportedly affected by drought-like conditions. According to the figures cited by Gehlot, approximately 2,000 villages in Jodhpur, 2,460 in Barmer, 1,216 in Balotra and 961 in Jaisalmer were facing drought-like conditions. He urged the Bhajanlal Sharma government to take immediate steps to provide relief to farmers in these areas. Gehlot's concerns centred on the impact of deficient rainfall on agriculture and rural livelihoods, particularly in areas where access to water and animal fodder has become increasingly difficult. The effects of inadequate rainfall extend beyond crop losses. Reduced water availability can affect livestock, drinking water supplies in rural areas and the livelihoods of farming families. Livestock owners are particularly vulnerable when fodder supplies decline and water sources become scarce. The Agriculture and Revenue departments are assessing conditions in the affected regions to determine the extent of the shortfall and its consequences. Meena said the government was receiving reports from officials and that the findings would guide decisions on declaring drought conditions and providing relief. Once the assessment is complete, the government is expected to determine the appropriate measures under established procedures. The timing and scope of relief will depend on the survey findings and the official decision on drought declaration.
Bhatti calls for strengthened security at TGSPF passing parade
Hyderabad: Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Friday, October 23, called for strengthened security in the state while attending the 36th Raising Day parade of the Telangana Special Protection Force. Vikramarka lauded the SPF personnel handling security at power plants in Jaipur, Yadadri and Bhadradri Kothagudem. Power plants bring light, and it is Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Oct 23 (IANS) Voting for Sarpanch and Ward Panch posts in the first phase of Rajasthans Panchayat elections will be held on Saturday, across 3,314 gram panchayats in 16 districts. Around 8.5 million voters are expected to exercise their franchise, with polling scheduled from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. A total of 9,886 polling stations have been set up for the first phase of polling. Vote counting will begin after polling concludes, and the results are expected to be declared the same day, although the process could continue late into the night. Unlike previous elections, in which Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were used for these posts, voting will be conducted using ballot papers this time. Each voter will cast two votes, one for the Sarpanch candidate and another for the Ward Panch candidate. However, the use of ballot papers is expected to make the counting process more time-consuming. Votes for Ward Panch candidates will be counted first, followed by those for Sarpanch candidates. Results are expected to be announced by late evening or night. Recounts in closely contested seats or cases involving disputes could delay the final results further. The elections are not being contested on party symbols, and political parties are not issuing official tickets. However, the contests remain highly competitive, with local political equations and village-level rivalries often playing a decisive role. Barmer has the highest number of candidates in the first phase, with 419 contestants for Sarpanch posts and 3,029 for Ward Panch posts. In Jodhpur districts Balesar Panchayat Samiti, candidates arrived with their supporters on Friday to file their nominations. The election for the post of Deputy Sarpanch will be held on October 25. The elected Ward Panchs will choose the Deputy Sarpanch, and general voters will not participate in this process. Meanwhile, Bikaner District Election Officer, Nishant Jain, has issued notices to 28 employees for remaining absent from their assigned election duties. They have been directed to submit their explanations within three days.
COD parcel you never ordered? Watch out! It could be a scam
A Chandigarh lawyer spent Rs 19,500 on a taxi to reach Jaipur after IndiGo cancelled his flight the night before a court appearance. The consumer commission ordered the airline to pay Rs 7,352 with interest and Rs 7,000 in compensation.
At Jaipurs City Palace, Forevermark celebrates diamonds and individuality
Gauravi Kumari speaks about the personal meaning of jewellery, festive dressing and celebrating oneself, as Forevermark unveils its latest campaign against a backdrop of royal grandeur
After retiring from the State Bank of India, Chhaju found himself facing a tax exemption cap of Rs 3 lakh on his leave encashment totaling Rs 9.53 lakh. Determined to secure his rightful benefits, he appealed to the ITAT Jaipur, which sided with him and extended full tax exemption. The tribunal admired prior cases that upheld similar claims from fellow retirees, proving advantageous for Chhaju.
Solar projects told to cut generation by 20% as state struggles limited storage capacity
Retired army colonel shoots himself dead at home in Shyam Nagar
Was Battling With Multiple Health Issues, Family Tells Cops
Two workers die of suffocation, 4 injured in Sitapura SEZ gold unit fire
Barmer couple killed as high-tension wire snaps, falls on cattle enclosure
BM Birla Cup (4-goal) tournament: Team Mayfair Polo defeat Team RPC 75.5 in the second match
UK-based Unbounded Foundation appoints Rajesh Bhardwaj as Trustee and Chairman, Fundraising & CSR
Rajasthan Senior Football Championship begins; around 600 players from 33 districts to compete
Power cut disrupts work at state secretariat
Two limestone mining projects close to Rajs Great Indian Bustard priority area get clearance
JDA clears Rs 47.8cr for Gopalpura underpass
Youth critically injured as truck hits bike in Ajmer, driver flees
Convicted prisoner flees open jail in Bikaner
Police lodges FIR and massive hunt launched to nab him
Raj BJP launches statewide campaign to counter Cong on SIR
Rape accused escapes from Sikar jail
PNGS Reva Diamond Jewellery posts 62% Dussehra sales jump, opens Jaipur store
For the Navratri-Dussehra period, the certified natural diamond jewellery retailer posted sales of 38.53 crore, up 35.01% y-o-y
Tiger Shroff firing incident: 4 accused sent to Police custody till Oct 26
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 22 (IANS) The four accused, including two women, arrested in connection with the Tiger Shroff firing case were produced before a magistrate's court on Thursday. The court has now sent the suspects to Police custody till Oct 26. The Delhi Polices Special Cell, NDR unit, arrested four accused in the firing incident on October 20. The four suspects arrested have been identified as Kunal, 21, and Sumit, 19, from Sonipat (Haryana), Radha, 23, from Sitapur (Uttar Pradesh), and Babita, 23, from Azamgarh (Uttar Pradesh). If the reports are to be believed, the accused fled to Surat in Gujarat after the incident and boarded a Jaipur-bound train from there. The suspects reportedly planned to go to New Delhi and eventually escape to Nepal from there. However, they were arrested by Mumbai Police in Kota, Rajasthan, before they reached Delhi. Meanwhile, the police sources also claimed that the accused practised shooting before the attack. The reports also suggest that a misfire took place while they were testing the weapon in their hotel room in Mumbai's Andheri area. The Mumbai Police sources further revealed that the accused disclosed during the interrogation the location where they had test-fired the weapon. The weapons were reportedly test-fired as the accused wanted to ensure that the firearm was functioning properly before carrying out the attack on Tiger. Both the suspects are believed to have successfully fired the weapon during the practice session. It was also revealed during the investigation that a misfire occurred while the accused were testing the gun in their hotel room in Andheri. Sources claim that one of the bullets was fired onto the bed during the incident. However, the shot failed to raise any suspicion among hotel staff or anyone else in the hotel.
Fire at Jaipur Jewelry Factory Claims Two Lives, Five Injured
A fire in a Jaipur jewelry factory resulted in two fatalities and five injuries, prompting emergency response efforts and an ongoing investigation. Fire at Jaipur Jewelry Factory Claims Two Lives, Five Injured
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 22 (IANS) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Thursday said that he has failed to understand the reasons behind opposition parties' criticism of India hosting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Mumbai. He also listed past instances when leaders have met foreign leaders outside Delhi. I didn't get that. They don't like Mumbai? I mean, they have something against Mumbai? I think it is a great city, it is our financial capital. It is our Bollywood capital. It has got so much going for it. Maybe Mumbai doesn't like them... I have no idea why they have this reservation, said EAM Jaishankar while speaking at the NDTV World Summit. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had last week taken a swipe at the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Rubio's meeting EAM Jaishankar in Mumbai, terming it as summoning. EAM Jaishankar then went on to list a few examples when India has hosted visiting foreign leaders outside Delhi. If going out of Delhi to meet a foreign leader or a foreign counterpart is summoning, I can give you a lot of examples. Mrs (Indira) Gandhi went to Shimla to meet Bhutto. Was she summoned? Salman Khurshid went to Jaipur to meet a Pakistan PM. Was he summoned? he asked. We are adults, let's have an adult conversation. Let's leave, you know, said EAM Jaishankar amid a round of applause from the gathering at the venue. EAM Jaishankar hosted counterparts from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States in Mumbai on October 19-20 and also attended the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the independence of the US as a Guest of Honour. Last week, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had also dismissed any criticism about the choice of Mumbai as a venue for EAM Jaishankar's bilateral engagements. It has been the practice for the last decade or so that we have hosted foreign dignitaries outside Delhi. To just give you some examples, Prime Minister hosted the Prime Minister of Spain in Baroda. He hosted Chancellor Merz in Ahmedabad. Prime Minister of Mauritius was hosted by him in Varanasi, and the External Affairs Minister hosted the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Goa. He hosted the Foreign Minister of Botswana in Kevadia in Gujarat, and the External Affairs Minister also hosted the Heart of Asia Conference in Amritsar. So, that was just to give you a few examples of the meetings of leaders, of dignitaries that have happened outside of Delhi, stated MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Friday. /as
Jaipur Tourist Police Reunites Lost Child with Family and Aids Stranded Travelers
Jaipurs Tourist Police successfully reunites a lost child with his father and assists stranded tourists from Mumbai. Jaipur Tourist Police Reunites Lost Child with Family and Aids Stranded Travelers
Kareena Kapoor hugs ex-boyfriend Shahid Kapoor at IIFA 2027 press conference
Kareena Kapoor Khan and Shahid Kapoor grabbed attention at the IIFA 2027 press conference in Mumbai when they shared a warm hug off stage. The former couple had a similar reunion at IIFA 2025 in Jaipur
Rajasthan Weather Today: After several days of changing weather conditions, Rajasthan is expected to experience a temporary break from rainfall on Thursday, October 22, 2026. According to forecasts attributed to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and its Meteorological Centre in Jaipur, mainl...
Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], October 22: Yogesh Arvind Puranik's Decoding The Ramayana: An Ancient Blueprint for the Modern Mind has debuted on Amazon Kindle at #2 in Success - Hot New Release and #3 in Myths, Legends & Sagas, sharing the Top 3 with Jeffrey Archer's Adam & Eve (#1) and Megan Shade's The Washwoman at the River's End (#2). The dream debut, as Puranik described it on social media, adds fresh commercial momentum to a landmark year in which the Indian author and management thinker has received seven national and international literary awards. The honours recognize a body of work spanning more than twenty books across fiction, poetry, and philosophy, with critical attention centred on the novel The House of Anand Rathore and Decoding The Ramayana.
Gehlot, Dotasra condemn removal of photographs from Raihan Vadras exhibition in Delhi
22, 24 carat Gold prices down across other cities on October 22
Rajasthan panchayat polls: Jaipur leads with 14.70% polling till 10 a.m. in first phase
Ajmer recorded a polling percentage of 13.63, followed by Alwar at 13.55% and Kota at 13.39% till 10 a.m.
Rajasthan NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Round Provisional Merit List Out - Download PDF
Rajasthan NEET UG Medical and Dental Admission/Counselling Board, Jaipur, has released the Stray Vacancy Round Provisional Combined Merit List for MBBS and BDS admissions on 21 October 2026. The official 72-page PDF includes 1,793 candidates whose document verification and prescribed deposition processes were completed.
Festival Travel Calendar: From Pushkar to Jaipur Lit Fest and Makar Sankranti kites
2 electrocuted ahead of Cong campaign meet
2.4 lakh voters added to state electoral rolls
BM Birla Cup (4-goal) Tournament: Dino Dhankhar fashions Team Jaipur win over Team RPC
Teenage Jaipur shooter Hardik Jain wins gold medal in 10m air pistol event at India Open in Bhopal
508g heroin seized near Sriganganagar border
Housing mkt in slowdown grip, but demand for high-end projects up
Cong candidate dies by suicide a day before polls in Barmer
6,926 candidates in fray for first phase of panchayat polls today
Jhunjhunu police arrest 2 brothers for killing father, burning body
Agri min promises drought relief after survey
Scrub Typhus cases surpass 2025 tally in nine months
Sharma govts calculated decision: Letting Congress sit-in drag on amid election prep
Cong ends sit-in after Jaipur police refuse zero FIR
8 held after clash over kids argument in Jaipur
Sindoor, tears and dhaak mark Ma Durgas farewell
Man, 2 nephews found dead in Dholpur; cops suspect Murder
Govt orders fresh audit of pay fixation of employees
Jaipur airport to handle 1,010 weekly flight movements in winter schedule
Bus operators seek scrapping of Heerapura boarding point for Khatu Shyam Ji
Walled City markets to stay open till midnight; traders seek metro services till 12.30am
HC dismisses plea against nomination rejection in panchayat polls, cites bar on court interference
Raj ranks 2nd in National Nutrition Month, Jodhpur tops state
Rajasthan Police issues advisory as cybercriminals hack accounts using fake QR codes
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Oct 21 (IANS) Rajasthan Polices R-4-C (Rajasthan Cyber Crime) wing has issued an advisory outlining ways to identify scams and protect against them as cybercriminals are targeting individuals by hijacking their WhatsApp accounts. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Cyber Crime, V.K. Singh, said cybercriminals use techniques such as fake QR codes, social engineering and OTP theft to gain unauthorised access to WhatsApp accounts. Once an account is compromised, scammers contact people on the victim's contact list, often seeking money under the pretext of medical emergencies or other urgent needs. They may also circulate suspicious links to further their fraudulent activities. Police officials said that cybercriminals use several methods to gain control of WhatsApp accounts, including tricking users into linking their accounts to unknown devices through fake QR codes or malicious links, impersonating friends, officials or customer support representatives to obtain OTPs, verification codes or two-step verification PINs, exploiting suspicious applications to gain unauthorised access to SMS messages, notifications or accessibility permissions and tricking users into installing remote-access or screen-sharing applications to take control of their devices. Warning signs to watch for are that users should remain alert to the following indicators of a possible account compromise: The Rajasthan Police has advised citizens to follow precautions to protect their accounts. They said that QR codes received from unknown individuals, websites or unsolicited messages should not be scanned; two-step verification and a strong PIN should be enabled; an OTP, registration code or two-step verification PIN should not be shared with anyone. The Rajasthan Police has urged citizens to report such incidents, including attempted fraud, promptly to the nearest police station or cyber police station. Complaints can also be registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at cybercrime.gov.in. Victims of financial cyber fraud should call the national cybercrime helpline at 1930 without delay.
World Banks SUTRA project to transform Rajasthans urban landscape
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Oct 21 (IANS) The World Bank has prepared a proposal for the Sustainable Urban Transformation in Rajasthan Accelerated (SUTRA) project, aimed at improving urban amenities, strengthening infrastructure, promoting tourism and enhancing the financial and administrative capacities of urban local bodies across Rajasthan. The proposed project has an estimated cost of $385.7 million, equivalent to more than Rs 3,500 crore. According to the latest documentation released by the World Bank, the project will cover 32 urban local bodies across four major urban clusters, namely Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota and Bharatpur, along with 28 associated satellite towns. The combined population of these areas is projected to exceed 7.8 million by 2026. The initiative aims to promote planned urban development, strengthen civic infrastructure and improve access to essential services, making cities more liveable and resilient. The project proposes a range of initiatives across the four urban clusters to conserve and revitalise historical and cultural heritage, improve urban transport and connectivity, strengthen solid waste management, and upgrade civic amenities. These interventions are expected to improve urban mobility, enhance the quality of life for residents and unlock tourism potential. Given Rajasthans rich cultural heritage and its numerous historical attractions, the conservation and development of heritage areas will be an important component of the initiative. The project will also seek to address key urban challenges, including water scarcity during periods of extreme heat and waterlogging during the monsoon season. Improved infrastructure and urban services are expected to help cities respond more effectively to these recurring problems. The proposed project also aims to strengthen the financial and administrative capabilities of urban local bodies. According to World Bank documentation, measures will be introduced to improve revenue administration and debt management. Another key objective is to enhance the borrowing capacity of urban local bodies and develop mechanisms to mobilise private and commercial capital for urban infrastructure development. These measures are intended to improve the financial sustainability of municipal institutions and support long-term investment in urban services. The Rajasthan Urban Infrastructure Development Project (RUIDP) will serve as the implementing agency for SUTRA. According to the project timeline outlined in the documentation, the World Bank is expected to review the project's technical design by December 10, while formal approval by its Board is anticipated by July 2, 2027. The proposed financing package includes a $270 million loan from the World Bank's International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), supplemented by $115.7 million in funding from the Rajasthan government. The initiative is expected to provide a framework for coordinated urban development across the selected clusters, with an emphasis on improved infrastructure, stronger municipal governance and more sustainable cities.
