In FY25, NHAI to monetise 2,741 km roads

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is looking to monetise 33 stretches of national highways during the current financial year (FY25) through its toll operate transfer (TOT) and infrastructure investment trust (Invit). These stretches include Lucknow-Aligarh, Kanpur-Ayodhya-Gorakhpur, and Bareilly-Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh, Gurugram-Kotputli-Jaipur bypass and Jaipur-Kishangarh in Rajasthan, Panikoili-Rimuli in Odisha, Chennai Bypass in Tamil Nadu, and Muzaffarpur-Darbhanga-Purnia highway in Bihar. Cumulatively, the 33 stretches, spanning 2,741 kilometres (km) earned approximately Rs 5,000 crore revenue in FY24.

NHAI Identifies 33 Highway Stretches For Monetisation Through ToT/InvIT Modes

The identified stretches include Lucknow-Aligarh, Kanpur-Ayodhya-Gorakhpur, and Bareilly-Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh, Gurugram-Kotputli-Jaipur bypass and Jaipur-Kishangarh in Rajasthan, Panikoili-Rimuli in Odisha, Chennai bypass in Tamil Nadu, and Muzaffarpur-Darbhanga-Purnia highway in Bihar.

Pending for 41 Years, Supreme Court Asks Patna HC to Conclude Muzaffarpur Club Litigation Within Six Months

A division bench of the Apex Court headed by Justice Bela Trivedi and Justice Pankaj Mithal passed the orders over a Special Leave Petition (SLP) by the family of Usha Sinha, former Union Minister, and her sons for the modification of the Patna High Court order dated February 26

Modi govt gave Bihar raw deal: Cong

Modi govt gave Bihar raw deal: Cong The Congress attacked the Modi government on Tuesday over key issues of Bihar, and asked why has the state not been granted special category status as promised. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh hit out at the prime minister ahead of his poll rallies in Bihar. ''Today's questions for PM Modi as he heads to Bihar: Why hasn't Bihar been granted Special Category Status as the PM had promised?'' Ramesh said on X. When will the Modi government address the flooding of the Kosi river and what happened to the airports that the PM promised, he asked. ''Jumla details below: After 10 years in power at the Centre, and 15 years in power in Bihar, why has the Modi Sarkar failed to deliver Special Category Status in the state? As per the Centre's own Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Report, Bihar ranked as the poorest state in India, and 52% of the state's population lacks access to requisite health, education and living standards,'' Ramesh said. In 2013, the Raghuram Rajan Committee recommended a new methodology for devolving funds that is based on a multi-dimensional index instead of SCS to account for a state's economic backwardness, he pointed out. ''In 2014, when campaigning for his current position, Mr. Modi effectively promised special state status for Bihar. Ten years later, what is the Modi Sarkar waiting for? Why has the PM forgotten the people of Bihar?'' he said. Noting that every monsoon, the Kosi river floods its banks, completely devastating the surrounding area, Ramesh said millions of people are affected by the Kosi's flooding - standing crops are regularly ruined and families are displaced for months on end. ''The double-engine sarkar builds and rebuilds embankments, only for them to be inevitably washed away during the next flood. Residents have likened this to the 'goose that lays the golden eggs' -- popular sentiment holds that the BJP's favoured contractors are receiving kickbacks each time an embankment is rebuilt,'' he alleged. ''Apart from this, the BJP government loves to blame upstream Nepal for opening the barrage gates, without making any diplomatic efforts to find a solution. Why is the Modi Sarkar ignoring the plight of millions of flood victims?'' he said. Has the misery of people in Mithilanchal and Kosi become another opportunity for the BJP's monetary gain, Ramesh asked. ''PM Modi promised an airport in Purnia on 18th August, 2015. Six years and three Nitish Kumar U-turns later, his government is yet to fulfil the promise. In Muzaffarpur, the Modi Sarkar promised a fully operational airport by Diwali 2023. Today, not a single flight lands in the airport. In Bhagalpur, the Administration has barely started the process to set up a commercially viable airport - after years of empty promises from the BJP and JDU,'' he said. For a Government that claims to have focused on infrastructure development, why has the Modi government given Bihar such a poor deal, Ramesh asked. ''Why have these three airport projects been neglected for the last ten years?'' Ramesh said and asked the PM to break his ''silence'' on these issues.

Encephalitis: Chamki fever cases increase again in hospitals, children are most affected; Know how to stay safe

Every year a large number of children are admitted to hospitals due to encephalitis, due to which the risk of death is also seen to be high. The government is continuously running a campaign to prevent this dangerous disease, although it remains a big threat. According to recent media reports, cases of Chamki fever are once again increasing in some districts of Bihar. In Muzaffarpur, about 14 people have been admitted to the hospital after showing symptoms of Chamki fever, although the test reports of the patients are still awaited. According to reports, 7 children each were admitted to the hospital in the PICU of Muzaffarpur on both Saturday and Sunday. The team of doctors is continuously monitoring the children. A blood sample has been sent for testing, the report is awaited. Health experts have advised all people to continue taking measures to prevent fever. Let us know what are the causes of Chamki fever and how can children be kept safe from it. Cases are being seen in Uttar Pradesh- Bihar Many states of Bihar have been victims of this serious disease Muzaffarpur is one of them. For the last several years, cases of encephalitis in many states including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have been a cause of great concern for health experts. Cases of encephalitis can be caused by both bacterial and viral infections. Due to this, the risk of brain inflammation increases which can also have serious side effects. Although this disease can occur at any age, children have been seen to be its biggest victims. What are the causes of encephalitis? The problem of encephalitis can occur due to viral-bacterial infection, autoimmune inflammation, insect bites, or some types of diseases, in which there is swelling in the brain. About 70% of encephalitis cases are caused by viral infection, with young children (one year of age and younger) and the elderly (65 years of age and older) being most at risk. In case of an encounter with the virus, there may be a problem of swelling in the brain. The symptoms of this disease worsen with time and in some situations, it can even be fatal. What are its symptoms? Encephalitis usually starts with symptoms like fever and headache. If this problem is not noticed or treated in time, it can lead to seizures, confusion, loss of consciousness, and even coma. Its symptoms become severe with time. In these conditions, severe headaches, vomiting, confusion, memory problems, difficulty in speaking and hearing, and unconsciousness can occur. Health experts say that everyone needs to remain vigilant to prevent encephalitis. Especially in cities where cases have already been reported, there is a need for everyone to take special precautions regarding the health of children. What to do to prevent encephalitis? Health experts say the best way to prevent viral encephalitis is to avoid contact with viruses that can cause the disease. For this, it is most important to take care of cleanliness. Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water. Do not share clothes and bedding. There is a risk of getting this disease due to the bite of some infected mosquitoes, hence it is important to take special care of the cleanliness of the surroundings. If you or your child is showing symptoms of this disease, go to the hospital immediately. (PC: ISTOCK)

Bihar: Tejashwis parivartan patra promises five new airports, jobs

PATNA : Toeing the line of Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), which is a part of the Opposition INDIA bloc, promised in its election manifesto on Saturday to provide 200 units of electricity free of cost to the poor and farmers of Bihar. They stated that a separate commission would be established to investigate the increasing rates of electricity. Releasing the partys election manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav also announced plans to provide one crore jobs and Rs 1 lakh to economically weak women every year on the occasion of Rakshabandhan. The former Deputy Chief Minister also declared that five airports would be made operational at Muzaffarpur, Raxaul (East Champaran), Purnea, Gopalganj, and Bhagalpur to enhance connectivity. These airports are essential for the states economic advancement, tourism, and youth facilities. Additionally, the RJD leader promised to abolish the Agniveer scheme launched by the Narendra Modi government at the centre. The manifesto, called Parivartan Patra, pledged to accord special status to Bihar and offer special packages for all-round development. The election manifesto outlined 24 promises with a focus on generating employment and enhancing the economic independence of the poor. The party also pledged to provide a cooking gas cylinder for Rs 500 and reintroduce the old pension scheme. The manifesto promised to implement the remaining propoals of the Mandal Commission. For the benefit of peasants, the party plans to engage in discussions with farmers to devise agricultural policies. Tejashwi said, If our government comes to power, the process of providing jobs will begin from August 15. Two quit RJD, join JD(U) Lalu Prasads RJD received a major setback after its two senior leaders, including former MP Ahmad Ashafaq Karim, resigned from primary membership, accusing top leadership of doing injustice to Muslims in distribution of tickets for ensuing Lok Sabha polls. Ashafaq, a former member of Rajya Sabha, was expecting ticket for Lok Sabha election from Katihar. However, the seat went to Congress under seat-sharing formula among constituents of Opposition grand alliance in the state.

BJPs sitting MP from Muzaffarpur Ajay Kumar Nishad joins Cong

New Delhi, Apr 2 (UNI) BJPs sitting Member of Parliament from Muzaffarpur in Bihar, Ajay Kumar Nishad on Tuesday joined Congress at the party headquarters here in presence of senior leaders. Nishad joined the party in presence of Pawan Khera Chairman, Media & Publicity Communication Department, Mohan Prakash Incharge Bihar and Akhilesh Prasad Singh Bihar... The post BJPs sitting MP from Muzaffarpur Ajay Kumar Nishad joins Cong first appeared on Central India's Premier English Daily .

BJP's sitting MP from Muzaffarpur Ajay Kumar Nishad joins Congress

BJP's sitting Member of Parliament from Muzaffarpur in Bihar, Ajay Kumar Nishad on Tuesday joined Congress at the party headquarters in presence of senior leaders.

BJP's Muzaffarpur MP resigns after denial of ticket in LS polls, joins Congress

PATNA: Sulking over denial of ticket for Lok Sabha election, BJP MP Ajay Nishad on Tuesday joined Congress and is likely to contest election from Muzaffarpur on the party ticket. Nishad joined the party in the presence of senior Congress leader Pawan Khera, AICC In charge of Bihar, Mohan Prakash and state Congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh in New Delhi. Prakash contended that Nishad joined Congress without putting any conditions. After joining Congress, he commented in 'X, Today I have accepted membership of the Congress. If there is an order from the high command, I will go to the people's court. Earlier, he posted a comment in X, Respected Nadda Ji (BJP president J P Nadda), shocked by the betrayal of BJP, I resign from all posts and primary membership of the party. Respected @JPNadda ji, shocked by the betrayal of @BJP4India , I resign from all posts and primary membership of the party. @JPNadda , @BJP4India @BJP4Bihar Ajay Nishad (@NishadSri) April 2, 2024 BJP replaced Ajay Nishad with Rajbhushan Nishad in the fifth list of candidates released by the party. Nishad had won Lok Sabha election from Muzaffarpur on BJP ticket in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. His father, former union minister Captain Jai Narayan Nishad had also represented Muzaffarpur seat four times. Besides Nishad, BJP has dropped two more sitting MPs, union minister Ashwani Choubey and Chhedi Paswan. While BJP leadership succeeded in assuaging the ruffled feelings of Choubey, Chhedi reportedly continues to be unhappy with BJP leadership over the denial of ticket. Nishad was denied the ticket after adverse feedback against him. His supporters held a protest during Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai's recent visit to Muzaffarpur, holding him responsible for denial of ticket to their leader. On the other hand, the BJP-led NDA has allotted the ticket to Raj Bhushan Nishad, who had contested previous Lok Sabha elections as a VIP candidate. He was defeated by Ajay Nishad, who is denied ticket this time following an internal survey conducted by the saffron party.

BJP MP from Bihars Muzaffarpur, Ajay Nishad, joins Congress

The News Mill

Bihar: Two-Time BJP MP Ajay Nishad Joins Congress Over Being Denied Lok Sabha Ticket From Muzaffarpur

'Shocked By Betrayal' BJP MP Ajay Nishad Quits Party Ahead Of Lok Sabha Polls

Ajay Nishad was reportedly miffed with the BJP after he was denied a ticket fromMuzaffarpur.

BJP MP from Bihar's Muzaffarpur Ajay Kumar Nishad joins Congress

Nishad joined the Congress at the AICC headquarters in the presence of Bihar Congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh, AICC in-charge of state Mohan Prakash, party's MP from Kishanganj Mohammad Javed and AICC head of media and publicity department Pawan Khera.

Bihar BJP leader and two-time MP from Muzaffarpur, Ajay Nishad to join Congress today

New Delhi [India], April 2 (ANI): After the BJP denied him a ticket from Muzaffarpur, party leader Ajay Nishad, will join the Congress Party on Tuesday ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Ajay Nishad is a two-time MP from Muzaffarpur. Ajay Nishads office told ANI that Ajay Nishad is disappointed after the party denied him a ticket from Muzaffarpur and thats the reason he will join the Congress Party today. In its fifth list of candidates, the BJP gave the election ticket to Raj Bhushan Nishad from Muzaffarpur, who was defeated by Ajay Nishad in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls

5 Must-Watch Hindi Movies of 2024: From Action to Crime Thriller

As we dive into 2024, the world ofHindi Bollywood cinemais poised to deliver a captivating array of films that promise to entertain, inspire, and resonate with audiences. From gripping action thrillers to heartwarming comedies and inspiring biographies, the lineup for 2024 is diverse and exciting. So, grab some popcorn, settle in, and get ready to add some amazing best Hindi movies to your watchlist! List of Best Hindi Movies to Watch in 2024 Main Atal Hoon (2024): A Sincere Tribute Directed by Ravi Jadhav, Main Atal Hoon is a biographical film that takes us on a journey through the life of the 10th Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. If you want more detailed articles on this type of movie then you can visit TamilYogi, a movie review site. Starring the versatile Pankaj Tripathi in the titular role, the film aims to pay homage to Atals illustrious legacy. Although the movie doesn't delve into every detail of Vajpayee's political career, it beautifully portrays Vajpayees multifaceted persona by offering a glimpse into the defining moments that shaped him as a leader. We see his early days as a fiery orator and poet, his rise through the ranks of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and his stints as both opposition leader and Prime Minister. The film highlights his commitment to diplomacy and dialogue. Overall, Main Atal Hoon meticulously showcases Atals journeyfrom his interest in poetry to his role as a freedom fighter and eventually a politician. The film captures the essence of Atals multifaceted persona. Besides this, the film avoids chest-thumping patriotism and focuses on authenticity, and the commendable performance from Pankaj Tripathi is just the icing on the cake. So if you admire Atal Bihari Vajpayee or are interested in modern Indian history, this film is definitely worth watching. Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya (2024): A Whimsical Comedy Directed by Amit Joshi and Aradhana Sah, Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya is a delightful blend of romance and sci-fi that takes us on an unconventional journey where love transcends the boundaries of humanity. The story of the film revolves around Aryan (played by Shahid Kapoor), a brilliant robotics engineer who works for her aunt's robotics company and visits the US on her invitation. During his official assignment in the US, he meets a high-functioning female robot automation Sifra (portrayed by the delightful Kriti Sanon) who acts like a human. Unknown to reality, Aryan falls in love with her but later gets to know shes actually a robot, and her aunt used this ploy to test whether he can distinguish robots from humans or not. However, as their bond deepens, Aaryan grapples with the blurred lines between human emotions and artificial intelligence. Overall, Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya is a lighthearted and entertaining watch, perfect for a casual movie night that offers a desi twist to the romantic comedy genre with a sci-fi touch, distinguishing itself from Hollywood counterparts. The concept of falling for a robot brings a whacky idea to the table, and if you want to witness an impossible love story that challenges reality itself, give this one a watch. Bhakshak (2024): A Struggle for Justice Bhakshak is a Hindi crime thriller that premiered on Netflix and is loosely based on the horrific Muzaffarpur shelter home case of 2018 that sent shockwaves across the nation. The central story of Bhakshak revolves around a struggling journalist, Vaishali Singh (played by Bhumi Pednekar), who runs a local news channel alongside her aging cameraman, Bhaskar (portrayed by Sanjay Mishra). In one night, she gets tips about some missing girls from the shelter home when her informer hands her a damning social audit report on a shelter home run by the politically influential Bansi Sahu (played by Aditya Srivastava). Vaishalis investigation uncovers a horrifying truth: the shelter home is a facade, masking the systematic abuse of young girls. Fueled by a sense of justice, Vaishali teams up with a courageous survivor named Sudha and a supportive police officer, SS Jasmeet Kaur. However, their pursuit of the truth is full of danger, as the people behind the abuse are powerful and well-connected, wielding threats and intimidation to silence Vaishali. The film chronicles her struggle to expose the perpetrators, navigate the corrupt system, and bring the abusers to justice. Overall, Bhakshak is a well-thought-out film aiming to expose systemic flaws without sensationalism, and subtly, it champions feminism without being preachy. It is surely something you would like to watch. Article 370 (2024): A Journey of Unity Directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale, Article 370 is an intense Hindi political action drama film that takes us on a gripping journey through the tumultuous events surrounding the abolishment of Article 370 of the Indian Constitutiona move that united the state of Jammu and Kashmir with India. Highlighting patriotism and historical significance, the story of the film revolves around the aftermath of the 2016 Kashmir unrest, where a young local field agent named Zooni Haksar (portrayed by the talented Yami Gautam) embarks on a secret mission to end terrorism and billion-dollar economic conflict by abrogating Article 370 without bloodshed. As unrest simmers in the valley, Zooni embarks on a secret mission that challenges her loyalty, courage, and personal sacrifices. In the film, Yami Gautam portrays the resolute Zooni, while Priya Mani and Arun Govil add depth to the ensemble cast. However, Yami Gautams portrayal of Zooni is the heartbeat of the film because her determination, vulnerability, and unwavering commitment to the cause resonate deeply. The film also shines because of its female-centric narrative, and instead of focusing on typical antagonists, it emphasizes the abolishment of the bill itself. This absence of a traditional villain keeps the seriousness intact. There is a detailed article on Filmyzilla on this movie, you can read it. So, if you want to explore the nuances of Kashmirs struggle, witness a gripping narrative, or gain insights into the challenges faced by security forces, Article 370 offers a thought-provoking cinematic experience. Fighter (2024): A Sky-High Adventure Taking inspiration from the iconic 'Top Gun: Maverick' and using the Palwama attack as a model, Fighter combines adrenaline-pumping action and patriotism that you would love to embrace. Starring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone as the main cast, this Bollywood military drama takes us into the adrenaline-fueled world of elite fighter pilots. Lets talk about the films story. In the wake of the 2019 Pulwama attack and the subsequent Balakot air strike, two exemplary Indian Air Force pilotsShamsher 'Patty' Pathania (played by Hrithik Roshan) and Group Captain Rakesh 'Rocky' Jai Singh (portrayed by Anil Kapoor)take center stage. They come together to form the Air Dragons, an IAF squadron tasked with combating internal and external threats. Their camaraderie, rivalry, and unwavering commitment to the skies form the backbone of this adrenaline-fueled drama. However, its the tactical scenarios and how the IAF outsmarts the Pakistan Air Force that make this film more thrilling and appealing. Overall, Fighter is a high-octane thriller that doesnt hold back on breathtaking aerial sequences. The chemistry between Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone sizzles, and their performances elevate the film. So, if you are a fan of fighter jets and want to see breathtaking aerial sequences and high-octane dogfights, Fighter is for you. It is available on multiple online platforms that allow you to binge-watch this and many more. There we have it, folks! The year 2024 holds immense promise for Hindi cinema, with a diverse range of films that promise to entertain, inspire, and provoke thought. So whether you're a fan of gripping narratives or soul-stirring performances, there's something for everyone. So, grab your popcorn and get ready for a cinematic journey like no other!

Oppn deal: RJD 26, Cong 9 and Left 5

PATNA : The RJD-led Mahagathbandhan in Bihar, which is a part of INDIA bloc at the national level, on Friday announced seat-sharing arrangements for the Lok Sabha elections in the state. As per the seat-sharing deal, the RJD will contest 26 out of the 40 seats in the state. While the Congress will nominate its candidates on nine seats, CPI-ML will field its candidates on three followed by CPI and CPM on one seat each. The RJD has already nominated the candidates for the first phase of election to be held on April 19. Former state minister and senior RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui announced the seat-sharing arrangements among constituents of the grand alliance in the presence of RJD state president Jagadanand Singh and Bihar Congress chief Akhilesh Prasad Singh. Former deputy chief minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav was, however, conspicuous by his presence. Earlier, he was scheduled to announce the seat-sharing deal among constituents of the grand alliance. RJD, Congress, CPI-ML, CPI and CPM are allies of the grand alliance. RJD will contest Gaya, Nawada, Jehabanabad, Aurangabad, Buxar, Patliputra, Munger, Jamui, Banka, Valmikinagar, Purvi Champaran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Vaishali, Saran, Siwan, Gopalganj, Ujiarpur, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Jhanjharpur, Supaul, Madhepura, Purnea, Araria and Hajipur seats. Congress has been allocated Kishanganj, Katihar, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur (SC), Paschimi Champaran, Patna Sahib, Sasaram (SC) and Maharajganj seats. CPI-ML will field its candidates on Ara, Karakat and Nalanda seats, CPI on Begusarai seat and CPI(M) on Khagaria seat. RJD Rajya Sabha member and spokesperson Manoj Jha, who was present at the press conference, said that the names of the candidates would also be announced soon. He claimed that the seat-sharing agreement has been reached through consensus and the INDIA bloc would win all 40 seats. Disagreements over some seats among allies, however, delayed the official declaration of the agreement. Pappu says wont rebel over purnea Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, who joined the Congress last week hoping to contest from Purnea in Bihar, on Friday ruled out the possibility of fighting as a rebel candidate, after the seat went to RJD. However, he spoke of friendly fights in several seats among INDIA bloc partners.

India renews agreement to export electricity to Nepal for next three months

India renews agreement to export electricity to Nepal for next three months At a time when Nepal is facing a power crisis, India on Friday renewed the agreement to export electricity to Nepal for the next three months. Under the agreement, which was to expire on March 31, Nepal can import a total of 554 MW electricity from India between 6 am and 6 pm. Nepal's domestic electricity production currently stands at around 1,200 MW while the country's demand for electricity is 1,800 MW to 2,000 MW during this period. Nepal is experiencing a shortage of electricity as most of the domestic power plants in the country are based on a run-of-the-river system and during winter, there is less water in the rivers. We have received the notification about the renewal of the agreement to export electricity to Nepal until June end, Chandan Ghosh, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) spokesperson, told PTI. The Himalayan nation can import 500 MW of electricity from the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur cross-border transmission line and 54 MW through Tanakpur, Ghosh added. After mid-June, Ghosh said, Nepal will be in a position to export electricity to India. The Kathmandu Post newspaper reported that the NEA had sought permission to import 650MW through the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur transmission line but with permission only for 500 MW import, Nepal may face 10-hour-long load shedding. Quoting the officials, the report said Nepal is still lobbying with India for power supply during additional hours.

India renews agreement to export electricity to Nepal

India renews agreement to export electricity to Nepal India on Friday renewed the agreement to export electricity to Nepal as per the Himalayan nation's request two days before the expiry of the pact on March 31, an official said. We have received the notification about the renewal of the agreement to export electricity to Nepal until June end, Chandan Ghosh, Nepal Electricity Authority spokesperson, told PTI. Under the agreement, Nepal in total can import 554 MW electricity from India between 6 am to 6 pm, he said. The Himalayan nation can import 500 MW of electricity from the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur cross-border transmission line and 54 MW through Tanakpur, Ghosh added. Nepal is experiencing a shortage of electricity as most of the domestic power plants in the country are based on a run-of-the-river system and during winter there is less water in the rivers. Nepals domestic electricity production currently stands at around 1,200 MW while the countrys demand for electricity is 1,800 MW to 2,000 MW during this period. After mid-June, Ghosh said, Nepal will be in a position to export electricity to India. As per the agreement, Nepal will be able to import electricity from India from 6 am to 6 pm.

Bihar's Grand Alliance announces seat-sharing pact: RJD to contest 26 seats, Congress 9, CPI-ML 3, CPI and CPI(M) one seat each

PATNA: The Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), the opposition coalition in Bihar including Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress and Left parties on Friday announced that the RJD, its largest constituent, will contest 26 out of the states 40 Lok Sabha seats in the upcoming elections. The Congress will contest nine seats, followed by CPI(ML) on 3 seats, and CPI and CPI(M) with one seat each. Former state minister and senior RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui announced the seat-sharing arrangements among constituents of grand alliance in the presence of RJD state president Jagadanand Singh and other leaders. The RJD will contest the following seats: Gaya Nawada Jehabanabad Aurangabad Buxar Patliputra Munger Jamui Banka Valmikinagar Purvi Champaran Sheohar Sitamarhi Vaishali Saran Siwan Gopalganj Ujiarpur Darbhanga Madhubani Jhanjharpur Supaul,Madhepura Purnea Araria Hajipur The Congress has been allocated Kishanganj, Katihar Bhagalpur Muzaffarpur Samastipur (SC) Paschimi Champaran Patna Sahib Sasaram (SC) Maharajganj Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India (MarxistLeninist) Liberation will field its candidates from Ara, Karakat, and Nalanda seats. The CPI and CPI(M) will contest Begusarai and Khagaria seats, respectively. Friday's announcement has come as a rude shock for former MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav who recently joined the Congress by merging merged his party - Jan Adhikar Party (JAP) - with the grand old party. He had staked his claim on the Purnea seat, which has now been given to the RJD. Bima Bharti, who resigned from JD(U) and joined RJD, has been nominated as the RJD candidate from Purnea. However Yadav told media he was happy with the decision. No one can separate me from the Congress' flag. I welcome the decision of Congress leadership to strengthen the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar. I will go amidst the people with the resolve of establishing the flag of Congress in Purnea. Jan Adhikar Party leader Pappu Yadav joins Congress, merges his outfit VIDEO | Here's what Congress leader Pappu Yadav ( @pappuyadavjapl ) said on Purnea Lok Sabha seat being given to the RJD. No one can separate me from the Congress' flag. I welcome the decision of Congress leadership to strengthen the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar. I will go amidst pic.twitter.com/vUPll6MYR8 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 29, 2024 (With Online Desk inputs)

Mahagathbandhan announces LS seat-sharing for Bihar; RJD to contest 26, Cong 9

Mahagathbandhan announces LS seat-sharing for Bihar; RJD to contest 26, Cong 9 The RJD-led Mahagathbandhan in Bihar on Friday announced its formula for seat-sharing, with Lalu Prasad's party laying claim on nearly two-thirds of the state's 40 parliamentary constituencies, virtually steamrolling allies - the Congress and three Left parties. The RJD will be contesting 26 seats, nine more than it had fought in 2019 when it drew a blank. The Congress has got nine seats, as many as it had contested in the last elections, followed by CPI(ML) Liberation (three) and CPI and CPI(M) (one each). The belated announcement, coming a day after filing of nomination papers for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls was over, was made at a press conference here addressed by RJD national spokesman and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha, state Congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh and state-level leaders of CPI(ML) Liberation, CPI and CPI(M). Tejashwi Yadav, the Mahagathbandhan's leader in the state legislature, was scheduled to address the press conference but remained conspicuous by his absence. Jha said names of candidates would be announced soon and claimed: ''We have arrived at a unanimous decision, demonstrating a cohesiveness that you may not find in the NDA. We will defeat them at the hustings''. Notably, the RJD had fielded its candidates for the four seats of Gaya, Aurangabad, Jamui and Nawada, which go to polls in the first phase, much to the annoyance of its allies, particularly the Congress which wanted to give ticket to former MP Nikhil Kumar. Moreover, CPI and CPI(M) have already announced their candidates for Begusarai and Khagaria seats. According to the seat-sharing formula, the RJD has also wrested from the Congress Purnia, a seat the latter has been contesting in the past few Lok Sabha polls. Recently, Lalu Prasad, the RJD president, gave party ticket for the seat to JD(U) turncoat Bima Bharti, stopping short of making a formal announcement. The Congress had last week inducted Pappu Yadav, a three-term former MP from Purnea, whose wife is also a Rajya Sabha MP of the party. Yadav had been hopeful of getting the ticket from the seat claiming that an assurance to the effect was given to him by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. There were murmurs that Prasad, whose ''blessings'' Yadav had sought before he went to Delhi and merged his Jan Adhikar Party with the Congress, was suggesting that the former Purnea MP try his luck from Madhepura, which he had won on an RJD ticket in 2014, or Supaul which his wife had represented more than once. However, that option, too, seems closed as both seats have been claimed for itself by the RJD and it remains to be seen what is going to be the next move of Yadav who has been dropping hints that he will not flinch from fighting as an Independent from Purnea if the need arose. Among the seats given to the Congress are Kishanganj, Bihar's lone Muslim-majority constituency that the party has been winning for some time, and adjoining Katihar where senior leader Tariq Anwar lost by a thin margin in 2019, having won in 2014 on an NCP ticket. Other seats given to Congress include Patna Sahib, where the BJP has been seemingly invincible, Bhagalpur, where party MLA Ajeet Sharma wanted to field Bollywood actress daughter Neha Sharma, who has refused, and reserved constituency Sasaram, a bastion of late Deputy Prime Minister Jagjivan Ram, whose daughter and former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, has won the seat a few times but reportedly excused herself this time on account of old age. Other seats assigned to the Congress are Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, West Champaran and Maharajganj. The CPI(ML) Liberation has been given Nalanda, a pocket borough of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whose JD(U) has had an uninterrupted run on the seat for decades. The Left party has also been given Arrah, where the sitting BJP MP is Union minister RK Singh, and Karakat, which the NDA has assigned to former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Morcha. However, the RJD has denied the CPI(ML) Liberation Siwan, where the Left party has for long been involved in a bloody feud with late strongman Mohammed Shahabuddin. Having fielded Shahabuddin's widow Hina Shahab in the last two general elections, without success, the RJD is now understood to have given up on her and looking for other candidates. Hina Shahab has, meanwhile, received support from Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM which has said it will campaign for her if she contested as an Independent or on ticket of ''a like-minded party''. The RJD has also kept with itself Saran, formerly represented by Lalu Prasad, where his Singapore-based daughter Rohini Acharya is likely to make her debut. Also in the RJD kitty is Pataliputra, where his eldest daughter Misa Bharti may again try her luck after tasting defeat two times on the trot. A high-decibel contest seems on the cards in Hajipur, where the RJD will be challenging Chirag Paswan's bid to claim his late father Ram Vilas Paswan's political legacy, amid fears that estranged uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras, the sitting MP, could play spoilsport. RJD will also contest Munger, which it seeks to wrest from former JD(U) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh ''Lalan''. The party has given ticket to the wife of gangster Ashok Mahto for the seat. Other RJD seats are Buxar, Banka, Valmiki Nagar, Purvi Champaran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Vaishali, Gopalganj, Ujiyarpur, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Jhanjharpur and Araria.

INDIA Block to announce seat sharing in Bihar on today

Sources tell ET that there is possibility that RJD can exchange Supaul giving Madhepura to Congress from where Pappu Yadav can fight the election. Pappu Yadav on the other hand is still adamant on Purnia seat. Congress will get Sasaram, Katihar, Patna Sahib, Bettiah, Valmiki Nagar, Maharajganj among others. Congress is also likely to get one seat between Muzaffarpur and Bhagalpur.

AIMIM to contest 16 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar

Patna: The AIMIM on Thursday announced that it has decided to contest the 16 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar. State President Akhtarul Imam said that party candidates will contest the Darbhanga, Pataliputra, Kishanganj, Madhubani, Katihar, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Sheohar, Purnea, Araria, Sitamarhi, Karakat, Maharajganj, Samastipur, Paschim Champaran and Valmiki Nagar seats. Also ReadTelangana Congress may favour 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 .

Travel tips: Railways ran 540 special trains on the occasion of Holi, see the complete list here and how to book tickets.

Holi festival will be celebrated this time on 25 March. In this festival of colors, people meet their loved ones and apply colors to each other. Some celebrate this festival of colors with their friends and some with their family. At the same time, people who stay out of their homes due to studies or jobs, etc. also go home on this occasion. In such a situation, people travel by train to go home, but on the occasion of Holi, it is very difficult to get a train ticket and the crowd at the railway station also increases a lot. Keeping this in view, this time Railways has run some special trains for Holi. So let us know about them and also how you can book tickets. You can know about this further... So many trains were run Indian Railways has run some special trains for Holi, so that the passengers do not face any problems. For this, 540 special trains have been started by the Railways. In such a situation, you can book tickets for these trains and reach your home for Holi. While Railways has run so many trains, many special trains for Bihar are also included in it. For example, according to the information given by the Railways, trains have been run on other routes like Delhi to Patna, Delhi to Bhagalpur, Delhi to Muzaffarpur, and Delhi to Saharsa. You can book tickets like this:- Step 1 To book train tickets, first of all, go to the official website of IRCTC irctc.co.in/get/train-search After this login here, if not then register and create an account. Then choose where to start the journey and where to get down and also the date of the journey Now click on the search Step 2 After this, a big list of trains will appear in front of you, where you will get information about special and all other trains. Then choose your train, choose class, and fill in the passenger information Then enter the captcha code and make payment through online mode. By doing this your train ticket gets booked. However, confirmed tickets are subject to availability. (PC: ISTOCK)

BSEB 12th Bihar Board Result 2024 Topper: Muzaffarpur Boy Dreams of IAS After Topping Exams

Abdul Qadir Ansari, a resident of Pakki Sarai village, has emerged as the district topper in the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) Class 12 Arts stream examinations for 2024. Scoring an impressive 452 marks, Abdul has set his sights on conquering the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Exam and becoming an IAS officer. He has already begun his preparation journey, drawing inspiration from his idol Vikas Divyakirti.

Holi Specials: Indian Railways Unveils Festive Train Schedule

In preparation for the busy Holi festival on March 25, Indian Railways hasrolled out around 540 special train services to accommodate the surge in passengers. These additional trains will link major cities like Mumbai, Patna, Gaya, Katra, Varanasi, Saharanpur, Prayagraj, Pune, and Ambala. Notably, there will be more departures from New Delhi to meet the increased demand. The Ministry of Railways has outlined that these extra trains will cover important national routes such as Delhi-Patna, Delhi-Bhagalpur, Delhi-Muzaffarpur, Delhi-Saharsa, Gorakhpur-Mumbai, Kolkata-Puri, Guwahati-Ranchi, New Delhi-Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Jaipur-Bandra Terminus, Pune-Danapur, Durg-Patna, and Barauni-Surat. This year, compared to last year, there will be 219 additional services to ensure passengers can travel conveniently. Railway officials have also mentioned the deployment of extra security units to manage crowds effectively. Special Trains Schedule for Holi 2024 Here's a rundown of some special trains announced for Holi 2024: New Delhi - Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan Express (04033) running on March 22nd and 29th. Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan - New Delhi Express (04034) operating on March 23rd and 30th. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra - New Delhi Reserved Express (04075) available on March 24th and 31st. New Delhi - Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Reserved Express (04076) running on March 25th and April 1st. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra - Varanasi (01654) operating on March 24th and 31st. Varanasi - Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Express (01653) available on March 26th and April 2nd. Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan - Subedarganj Special (04141) running on March 25th and April 1st. Subedarganj - Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan Special (04142) operating on March 26th and April 2nd. Amritsar - Gorakhpur Express (05005) available on March 20th and 27th. Gorakhpur - Amritsar Express (05006) running on March 21st and 28th. Amritsar - Chhapra Express (05049) operating on March 22nd and 29th. Chhapra - Amritsar Express (05050) available on March 23rd and 30th. Additional Trains for Holi 2024 In addition to the listed trains, extra services include: Weekly specials from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) Mumbai to various destinations. Weekly superfast specials from Pune to multiple destinations. Special services from New Delhi to Udhampur and Varanasi. Special services for Vaishno Devi pilgrims from New Delhi. Trains from Delhi to Varanasi operational three days a week. A weekly special train from Katra to Varanasi. A special train from Howrah to Banaras on March 23rd. Booking and Safety Measures for Holi 2024 Passengers can book tickets from reservation counters at railway stations or through the official IRCTC website to obtain e-tickets from home. To ensure traveler safety, additional Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel have been stationed at key stations. Officers are also on standby at significant stations to ensure smooth train operations. Regular announcements regarding train arrivals, departures, and platform numbers will be made to assist passengers effectively. Lunar Eclipse and HOLI 2024: A Unique Celestial Coincidence

BJP announces candidates for 17 LS seats in Bihar, drops Union minister among 3 sitting MPs

BJP announces candidates for 17 LS seats in Bihar, drops Union minister among 3 sitting MPs The BJP on Sunday announced its candidates for 17 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, dropping three sitting MPs, including Union Minister Ashwani Kumar Choubey. According to a list of nominees released by the party in New Delhi, Choubey, who was elected from Buxar for the second consecutive term in 2019, was replaced by Mithilesh Tiwari, a senior BJP leader and a former MLA. The party also dropped its incumbent MPs Chedi Paswan and Ajay Kumar Nishad from Sasaram and Muzaffarpur constituencies respectively. The BJP fielded former MLA Shivesh Ram for Sasaram, while Raj Bhushan Nishad, a greenhorn in the Lok Sabha polls, would contest the Muzaffarpur seat on a party ticket. Vivek Thakur, a Rajya Sabha member, was fielded from Nawada, where the BJP would be contesting this time, instead of its ally Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). All the remaining 14 candidates are sitting MPs, who will seek re-election from their respective seats. Union ministers R K Singh, Giriraj Singh and Nityanand Rai will seek re-election from Ara, Begusarai and Ujiarpur Lok Sabha seats respectively. Former union ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad was renominated from Patna Sahib, Radha Mohan Singh from Purvi Champaran, Rajiv Pratap Rudy from Saran and Ram Kripal Yadav from Patliputra. Sanjay Jaiswal will contest from Paschim Champaran, Ashok Kumar Yadav from Madhubani, while Pradeep Kumar Singh from Araraia, and Gopal Jee Thakur from Darbhanga will seek re-election. Janardan Singh Sigriwal from Mahrajganj and Sushil Kumar Singh from Aurangabad were also fielded again. Nine of the candidates are from the upper castes, who are known to be, by and large, BJP supporters in Bihar. BJP sources were also tight-lipped over the party's failure to field a woman candidate in Bihar. In the outgoing Lok Sabha, the party's lone woman MP from the state, Rama Devi, represented Sheohar, a seat which has gone to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) this time.

BJP announces candidates for 17 LS seats in Bihar, drops three sitting MPs

BJP announces candidates for 17 LS seats in Bihar, drops three sitting MPs The BJP on Sunday announced its candidates for 17 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, dropping three sitting MPs, including Union Minister Ashwani Kumar Choubey. According to the list released by the party in New Delhi, Choubey, who was elected from Buxar for the second consecutive term in 2019, was replaced by Mithilesh Tiwari, a senior BJP leader and a former MLA. The party also dropped its incumbent MPs Chedi Pawasan and Ajay Kumar Nishad from Sasaram and Muzaffarpur constituencies respectively. The BJP fielded former MLA Shivesh Ram for Sasaram, while Raj Bhushan Nishad, a greenhorn in the Lok Sabha polls, will contest the Muzaffarpur seat on a party ticket. Vivek Thakur, a Rajya Sabha member, was fielded from Nawada, where the BJP would be contesting this time, instead of its ally Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). All the remaining 14 candidates are sitting MPs, who will seek re-election from their respective seats.

TMC Lodges Complaint Against West Bengal Governor for Election Interference

Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) against West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose, alleging his illegal interference in the upcoming General Elections to the Lok Sabha 2024. The party accuses Governor Bose of attempting to establish a parallel office akin to that of the chief poll body. In its complaint, the TMC urges the ECI to restrain Governor Bose from running what it terms a parallel electioneering system under the name and style of Log Sabha. The party alleges that Governor Bose has initiated the launch of a Lok Sabha portal, purportedly for direct communication with the public during the electoral process.According to the complaint, the TMC asserts that Governor Bose's actions constitute a violation of the Model Code of Conduct announced by the ECI. The party contends that the Governor's initiative of Log Sabha is an improper and unauthorized attempt to supervise the elections, infringing upon the jurisdiction and authority of the ECI. The TMC's complaint underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity and impartiality of the electoral process, calling for strict adherence to established protocols and regulations governing election procedures. It expresses concern over any potential disruption or interference in the electoral process, emphasizing the need for transparent and fair elections in West Bengal. The complaint signifies the TMC's commitment to upholding democratic principles and ensuring the sanctity of the electoral process. It underscores the party's vigilance in safeguarding the rights of voters and preserving the integrity of democratic institutions against any perceived infringement or manipulation. Muzaffarpur Court Grants Former MP Anand Mohan Acquittal Ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha Elections Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann's Vocal Critique of BJP's Alleged Suppression Tactics Following Kejriwal's Arrest Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah's Optimism for Congress Success in Upcoming Lok Sabha Elections and Call for Unified Action

Lalu Prasad Yadav's RJD Set to Field Two Daughters in Lok Sabha Elections !

Patna: I n the lead-up to the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, speculation abounds as Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav gears up to nominate two of his seven daughters as candidates.Sources suggest that Misa Bharati and Rohini Acharya are the anticipated contenders for the Patliputra and Saran Lok Sabha constituencies respectively. Notably, Ritlal Yadav, a former strongman turned politician, had emerged as a frontrunner for an RJD ticket from the Patliputra Parliamentary constituency. His frequent visits to the official residence of former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi sparked curiosity regarding his potential candidacy.Addressing the media amid speculation over his candidature, Ritlal acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the Patliputra seat, emphasizing the familial bond and deferring to the decision of his elder sister. When questioned about his personal aspirations, Ritlal expressed indifference towards who assumes the role of MP, stating, Whether it's a brother or a sister, what difference does it make?Refusing to name any specific opponent, Ritlal asserted his determination to defeat the incumbent Patliputra representative. In a separate development, Bihar BJP chief and deputy chief minister Samrat Chaudhary courted controversy with his remarks about Lalu Prasad Yadav, alleging that Lalu had taken his daughter's kidney before nominating her for the upcoming elections.The RJD promptly condemned Samrat's comments, with spokesperson Sarika Paswan criticizing his choice of words. Amidst speculation surrounding the Mahagathbandhan alliance in Bihar, RJD has initiated the process of distributing symbols to its candidates. Following suit, the Communist Party of India (CPI) declared Awadhesh Kumar Rai as its candidate for the Begusarai constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Muzaffarpur Court Grants Former MP Anand Mohan Acquittal Ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha Elections Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann's Vocal Critique of BJP's Alleged Suppression Tactics Following Kejriwal's Arrest Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah's Optimism for Congress Success in Upcoming Lok Sabha Elections and Call for Unified Action

India Launches 'Operation Indravati' to Evacuate Citizens from Haiti Amid Chaos

New Delhi: I ndia has initiated 'Operation Indravati' to evacuate its citizens from the violence-stricken Haiti to the neighboring Dominican Republic. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar confirmed the launch of this rescue mission in a social media post. Haiti, situated in the Caribbean, has plunged into turmoil with armed gangs seizing control of its streets, leading to the virtual disappearance of the government.As part of the ongoing operation, 12 Indian nationals were safely evacuated on Thursday. India begins Operation Indravati to evacuate its nationals from Haiti to the Dominican Republic. 12 Indians evacuated today. Fully committed to the security and well-being of our nationals abroad. Thank the Government of the Dominican Republic for their support, Jaishankar wrote on X. The decision to implement Operation Indravati follows earlier remarks made by Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, during a weekly press briefing on March 15.As you know, there is a crisis in Haiti. And if required, we will evacuate. We are ready to evacuate. And if required, we will do that, Jaiswal stated, as reported by the media. HAITI IN CHAOS DUE TO GANG VIOLENCE Haiti has been grappling with a state of emergency triggered by recent violent attacks.Haiti, a Caribbean country, has plunged into chaos due to gang warfare. The US has airlifted non-essential staff from its embassy and the country has declared a state of emergency. On March 12, Prime Minister Ariel Henry, stranded outside the country, resigned.This comes after gangs attacked airports, police stations, and prisons. Thousands of jail inmates have fled too.Jimmy Cherizier, popular as 'Babekyou' or 'Barbecue', is a 47-year-old rifle-toting former police officer and the leader of the notorious 'G9 and Family' gang and is now the most powerful man in Haiti, reports the media. The ongoing chaos has prompted widespread displacement, with tens of thousands forced to flee their homes, adding to the already significant number of internally displaced persons due to gang violence. Gang control in Haiti's capital has reached 80%, according to the UN, with fighting ongoing in the remaining areas.In response to the violence and theft in the Caribbean country, a control room and emergency number were set up to help Indian citizens leave Haiti safely.We've set up a control room at the Ministry of External Affairs and emergency hotlines, Jaiswal said at the press conference, as reported by the media. TMC Lodges Complaint Against West Bengal Governor for Election Interference Lalu Prasad Yadav's RJD Set to Field Two Daughters in Lok Sabha Elections ! Muzaffarpur Court Grants Former MP Anand Mohan Acquittal Ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha Elections

Indian Railways to run 540 trains in festive season

In this ongoing festive season of Holi, for the convenience of rail travellers and to clear extra rush of passengers, Indian Railways is running 540 train services. Trains have been planned to connect major destinations across the country on railway routes like Delhi- Patna, Delhi- Bhagalpur, Delhi-Muzaffarpur, Delhi-Saharsa, Gorakhpur- Mumbai, Kolkata-Puri, Guwahati- Ranchi, New Delhi- []

During Holi season, Indian Railways notifies 540 services to connect major destinations

During Holi season, Indian Railways notifies 540 services to connect major destinations By Nishant Ketu In this ongoing festive season of Holi, for the convenience of rail travellers and to clear the extra rush of passengers, Indian Railways is running 540 train services. Trains have been planned to connect major destinations across the country on railway routes like Delhi-Patna, Delhi-Bhagalpur, Delhi-Muzaffarpur, Delhi-Saharsa, Gorakhpur-Mumbai, Kolkata-Puri, Guwahati-Ranchi, New Delhi-Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Jaipur-Bandra Terminus, Pune-Danapur, Durg-Patna, Barauni-Surat, etc. As per the statement of the Ministry of Railways, Central Railway has notified 88 train services, while East Central Railway will run 79 train services. Eastern Railway will run 17, Eastern Coastal Railway will run 12, North Central Railway will run 16, North Eastern Railway will run 39, North Frontier Railway will run 14, Northern Railway will run 93, North Wester Railway will run 25, South Central Railway will run 19, South Eastern Railway will run 34, South East Central Railway will run 4, Southern Railway will run 19, South Western Railway will run 6, West Central Railway will run 13 and Western Railway will run 62 train services. It is also notable that crowd-control measures by forming queues at the terminus stations under the supervision of Railway Protection Force (RPF) staff for orderly entry of passengers in unreserved coaches are being ensured. Additional RPF personnel have been deployed at major stations to ensure the security of passengers. Officers are deployed on emergency duty at major stations to ensure the smooth running of trains. Staff are deployed in various sections to attend to any disruption of train service on priority. Measures have been taken for frequent and timely announcements of arrival/departure of trains with platform numbers. (ANI)

Railways to run 540 extra trains to clear Holi rush

New Delhi, March 21 (IANS) Indian Railways is running 540 train services to clear the rush of passengers in the ongoing Holi festive season, the Ministry of Railways said on Thursday. Trains have been planned to connect major destinations across the country on railway routes like Delhi- Patna, Delhi- Bhagalpur, Delhi-Muzaffarpur, Delhi-Saharsa, Gorakhpur- Mumbai, Kolkata-Puri, []

BJP to win all 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, claims Shahnawaz Hussain

BJP to win all 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, claims Shahnawaz Hussain Bharatiya Janata Party leader Shahnawaz Hussain on Tuesday expressed confidence that the BJP-led NDA would secure victory on all the 40 seats in Bihar in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. There are no political differences between the parties and everyone is happy, he said. We are going to win 40 seats in Bihar. No one is angry with us. People of Bihar are happy with us and when the public is happy then everyone is happy, Hussain told ANI. The BJP will contest the Bihar elections in alliance with the HAM, the Rasthriya Lok Morcha and Chirag Paswan's LJP., Shahnawaz Hussain said that the alliance in Bihar is strong and good. It is a very good alliance in Bihar, last time BJP was fighting on 17 seats, this time also BJP is fighting on 17 seats. JDU had 16 MPs last time. Chirag Paswan's party has been given 5 seats, one seat has been given to Upendra Kushwaha and one seat has been given to Jitan Ram Manjhi's Ham Party. It is an excellent alliance, he added. Some of the seats that we had earlier too have been exchanged, there has been a change among ourselves, but most of the seats are the same which were fought last time. This time there is a double-engine government, so we are working on how to win 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar. We have to win 40 seats in Bihar under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and this time NDA will win 400 seats. Bihar will contribute 10th per cent to this mission, he added. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will contest on 17 seats, Janata Dal-United (JDU) on 16 seats, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) (Ram Vilas) on 5 seats, Hindustani Awam Morcha and Rashtriya Lok Morcha on one seat each in 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Meanwhile, Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) President Pashupati Kumar Paras resigned from the post of Union Minister on Tuesday and said that injustice has been done with us and our party. The seat-sharing arrangement was announced by Vinod Tawde, BJP's General Secretary, at a joint press conference held by members of the Bihar NDA alliance on Monday. Bihar will see polling in seven phases. The first phase of polling will be held on April 19, the second phase on April 26, the third phase on May 7, the fourth phase on May 13, the fifth phase on May 20, the sixth phase on May 25, and the seventh phase on June 1. The BJP will field candidates in key constituencies including Pashchim Champaran, Purvi Champaran, Aurangabad, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Maharajganj, Saran, Begusarai, Nawada, Patna Sahib, Patliputra, Aara, Buxar, and Sasaram In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA, consisting of BJP, JDU ( (Janata Dal-United), and LJP (Lok Janshakti Party), secured victory by taking the lead on 39 out of 40 seats. Meanwhile, the Mahagathbandhan, led by RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal), INC (Indian National Congress), and RLSP (Rashtriya Lok Samta Party), only managed to secure one seat. The Lok Sabha Elections 2024 will be held in seven phases from April 19. Counting of votes on June 4. (ANI)

Seven-phase LS polls in Bihar from Apr 19

Seven-phase LS polls in Bihar from Apr 19 Lok Sabha polls to 40 constituencies in Bihar will be conducted in seven phases, the Election Commission said on Saturday. Voting will take place in the state on April 19, 26, May 7, 13, 20, 25 and June 1, it said. The results will be declared on June 4. The bye election for Agiaon (Bhojpur) assembly constituency will also be held on June 1. In the first phase on April 19, the Lok Sabha constituencies that will go to polls include Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada, whereas elections will be held in Kishanganj, Katihar, Purnia, Bhagalpur, Banka in the second phase on April 26. In the third phase on May 7, Jhanjharpur, Supaul, Araria, Madhepura and Khagaria will go to polls, and on May 13, elections would be conducted in Darbhanga, Ujiarpur, Samastipur, Begusarai and Munger Lok Sabha seats, the EC said. While the Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Saran and Hajipur seats will go to polls in the fifth phase on May 20, Valmiki Nagar, Paschim Champaran, Purvi Champaran, Sheohar, Vaishali, Gopalganj, Siwan and Maharajganj will see voting on May 25 (sixth phase). Nalanda, Patna Sahib, Pataliputra, Arrah, Buxar, Sasaram, Karakat and Jahanabad will go to polls in the seventh and final phase on June 1, the commission said. The by-poll in Agiaon (Bhojpur) has been necessitated following the disqualification of sitting CPI (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation MLA Manoj Manzil. The total number of electorate in Bihar is 7,67,77,731, including 3,65,97,674 females.

IIT graduate arrested in fake cancer medicine case

New Delhi, March 14 (IANS) In a fresh development in the fake cancer chemotherapy medicines manufacturing scam busted by the Delhi Police, a B.Tech graduate from IIT (BHU) Varanasi was arrested from Bihars Muzaffarpur, a Crime Branch official said on Wednesday. Police said that Aditya Krishna, 23, was arrested from his native city Muzaffarpur and []

IIT-BHU graduate eighth person to be held in spurious cancer drug racket

Seven people were arrested a day earlier; BTech graduate was running a chemists shop in Bihars Muzaffarpur

Four killed, nine injured in road accident in Bihars Muzaffarpur

Patna, March 13 (IANS) Four persons were killed and nine others critically injured on Wednesday after a speeding SUV rammed into a stationary truck in Bihars Muzaffarpur district. The incident occurred around 3 a.m. when the victims were returning from Muzaffarpur after attending marriage function, Rampur Hari police stations SHO said. Preliminary investigation revealed that []

Bihar Girl Elopes With Camera Man Hired For Her Brother's Wedding: Police

A minor girl in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar has allegedly eloped with a camera person whom her family had hired for the videography of her brother's wedding, a police officer said on Tuesday.

'Sanatana Dharma' remarks: Bihar court issues summons against TN Minister Udhayanidhi

PATNA: A court in Bihar on Tuesday took cognisance of a complaint and issued summons against Udhayanidhi Stalin, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader and son of Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin, for his remarks on Sanatana Dharma. Udhayanidhi Stalin, who is a sports minister, has been booked under section 298 (hurting religious sentiments) of Indian Penal Code (IPC). A bench headed by Manoranjan Jha acknowledged the complaint and issued a summons against Udhayanidhi Stalin asking the latter to appear before the court either personally or through his lawyer for bail. The court has scheduled the next hearing for April 1, 2024. A practising lawyer of Ara civil court in Bhojpur district of Bihar had lodged a complaint against Udhayanidhi under sections 120 (B), 153(A), 153 (B), 295 (A) and 298 of IPC. Advocate Aditya, primary witness in the complaint, highlighted that Indian law for passing remarks on caste and religion. Udhayanidhi triggered a controversy following his speech at Sanatana Abolition Conference in September last year. He had compared Sanatana Dharma to disease like mosquito-borne fevers and coronavirus', saying it needed to be eradicated similarly. Another similar complaint case has been filed in a Muzaffarpur court by advocate Sudhir Kumar Ojha.

Bihar: 18 Months After her Kidneys Were Removed, Dalit Woman Still Waiting for Transplant Despite Govt Assurances

Sunita Devi's kidneys were removed at a private nursing home in Muzaffarpur district in September 2022 by Dr RK Singh, who has been absconding after that, and police have yet to arrest him.

Bihar Police arrest two shooters of Lawrence Bishnoi gang

Patna, March 7 (IANS) Bihar Police on Thursday said that they have arrested two shooters of the dreaded Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The police said that the operation was jointly carried out by Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi Police late on Wednesday night. The police have identified the shooters as Sunil Karolia, a native of Jaipur and Shahnawaz []

PM Modi Opens Rs.12,800 Cr Infrastructure Boost in Bihar's Champaran

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inagurated a series of projects worth Rs.12,800 crore in Bihar's West Champaran district on Wednesday. These projects encompass various infrastructure initiatives focusing on rail, road, and petroleum and natural gas development in Bettiah. Among the key inaugurations, PM Modi launched the Indian Oil's Muzaffarpur-Motihari LPG Pipeline, spanning 109 kilometers. This pipeline holds significance as it will enhance access to cleaner cooking fuel not only in Bihar but also in neighboring Nepal. Additionally, the Prime Minister dedicated Indian Oil's LPG Bottling Plant and storage terminal in Motihari. The terminal is strategically positioned to serve as a vital supply point for exporting petroleum products to Nepal. It is expected to cater to eight districts in North Bihar, namely East Champaran, West Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Muzaffarpur, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, and Madhubani. The newly established Bottling Plant in Motihari is poised to streamline the supply chain, particularly benefiting markets connected to the Motihari Plant. Congress Urges PM Modi to Address Caste-Based Census in Bihar Visit PM Modi Inaugurates 17-Kilometer Extension of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor

PM Modi unveils projects worth Rs 12,800 crore in Bihar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced projects worth Rs 12,800 crore in Bihar, unveiling them at a program in Bettiah, West Champaran. The projects included the inauguration of the 109-km-long Muzaffarpur-Motihari LPG pipeline, Indian Oil's LPG bottling plant and storage terminal at Motihari, and the foundation stone laying for the city gas distribution project in several districts.

Congress Urges PM Modi to Address Caste-Based Census in Bihar Visit

Patna: The Congress launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his visit to Bihar to inaugurate various development projects, urging him to address the issue of caste-based census in his speech. Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary in-charge communications, criticized the PM, anticipating him to disseminate falsehoods during his address. In a Hindi post on X, Ramesh urged the PM to address the significant issue of socio-economic caste census amidst his anticipated statements. He posed four questions to the PM, questioning the delay in conducting the regular census, scheduled for 2021, and the non-disclosure of caste-related data from the 2011 Socio-Economic Caste Census. Ramesh also questioned the vision of the new NDA government in Bihar regarding social and economic justice for disadvantaged communities highlighted in the census. He reiterated Congress's commitment to conducting a nationwide comprehensive socio-economic caste census if voted to power in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Caste census has been a central theme for the Congress in the upcoming general elections. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch infrastructure-related projects worth around Rs. 12,800 Crores in Bettiah, West Champaran district. Among these projects, he will inaugurate Indian Oil's Muzaffarpur - Motihari LPG Pipeline, aiming to provide cleaner cooking fuel in Bihar and neighboring Nepal. Additionally, he will dedicate Indian Oil's LPG Bottling Plant & storage terminal at Motihari, facilitating smoother supply chains and strategic export opportunities to Nepal. Shatrughan Sinha Criticizes BJP's Handling of Ram Mandir Publicity PM Modi Inaugurates 17-Kilometer Extension of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Accuses PM Modi of Misleading Claims on Fund Allocation

On second Bihar tour in less than a week, PM to unveil projects worth Rs 12,800 crore

On second Bihar tour in less than a week, PM to unveil projects worth Rs 12,800 crore Amid a soaring political temperature in Bihar in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Tuesday set foot in the state for the second time in less than a week. Modi is scheduled to visit Bettiah town, the headquarters of the West Champaran district, in the afternoon and unveil projects worth Rs 12,800 crore. Former state BJP president Sanjay Jaiswal, who is the local MP, came out with a video message, urging the people to ''turn up in large numbers and welcome the dearest member of our family''. Jaiswal's refrain of ''humaare parivaar ke sabse pyaare sadasya'' came in the backdrop of the BJP's ''Modi ka Parivaar'' campaign, in response to a jibe of RJD president Lalu Prasad at a rally in Patna on Sunday. Prasad, whose three children, including heir apparent Tejashwi Yadav, are in politics, had taken potshots at Modi, taunting him for having no family of his own. The RJD leader was apparently sore over Modi's speeches at back-to-back rallies in Aurangabad and Begusarai districts of the state a day earlier when the PM had unveiled projects worth more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore. Modi had lambasted RJD, and its ally Congress, for having used the social justice plank as a ''shield'' to justify ''corruption and dynastic politics''. He had also expressed delight over the BJP-led NDA, which had swept the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in Bihar, looking in good shape with the return of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who heads the JD(U). By winning back Kumar, the BJP succeeded in breaking his tie-up with RJD, Congress and Left, which would have made Bihar an uphill task for the NDA. The prime minister has of late been travelling to different parts of the country to launch development projects, with just days left for the Election Commission to announce Lok Sabha polls and the imposition of the model code of conduct. Among the projects to be launched at Bettiah are an LPG line between Motihari and Muzaffarpur, which would be inaugurated, and an LPG bottling and storage plant of Indian Oil at Motihari, which would be dedicated to the nation. According to state BJP media co-incharge Danish Eqbal, the PM's aircraft will land at Kushinagar airport in adjoining Uttar Pradesh, which is about 100 km from Bettiah. He will reach the venue of the function in a helicopter.

Supreme Court to hear plea challenging remission granted to ex-Bihar MP Anand Mohan

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a plea challenging remission granted to former Bihar Lok Sabha MP Anand Mohan, who is serving a life term in the 1994 murder case of the then Gopalganj district magistrate, G Krishnaiah. Uma Krishnaiah, the wife of the deceased magistrate, has moved the top court challenging the Bihar governments decision to release Mohan prematurely. A two-judge bench of Justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanathan is set to hear the petition on Monday. Mohan was released from Bihars Saharsa jail in April last year after serving more than 14 years in jail. He was prematurely released and granted remission following an April 10, 2023 amendment to the Bihar prison manual by the state government. From coolie to IAS officer: Friends, kin recall slain Krishnaiahs struggle, triumph & tragic end Victims status no factor to deny remission: Bihar govt defendsconvict Anand Mohan's release On February 6, the Supreme Court asked Mohan the gangster-turned-politician of Bihar to surrender his passport and asked the Centre to make its stand clear on his premature release issue. The top court had also the former MP to record his presence every fortnight at the local police station. Upon his conviction in the murder case in 1994, Mohan was released after serving more than 14 years in jail, as the Bihar government had, in its notification, ordered to free him. Terming the notification not a good decision, Uma Krishnaiah in her plea said, It is submitted that it is a well-settled principle of law that Imprisonment for life means full natural course of life and cannot be mechanically interpreted to be 14 years. It means that imprisonment for life lasts until the last breath, Umas petition read. Krishanaiah, a 1985 batch IAS officer, was only 37 years old when he was killed in Muzaffarpur by a mob led by a few politicians, including Mohan.

PM to intensify campaign for LS polls from today

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the likely announcement for election dates for the 18th Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend at least 29 programmes across 12 states and UTs over the next 10 days, starting from March 4. As a part of inaugurating and laying foundation stones for various projects in line with making India as a developed nation by 2047, Modi will visit Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, West Bengal and Bihar again between March 4 and 6, besides other states thereafter. In his first leg of the visits, the PM will visit Telangana on March 4 to inaugurate or lay the foundation stones for multiple development projects worth more than Rs 56,000 crore. According to an official statement issued by the Prime Ministers Office on Sunday, after Telangana, Modi will visit Tamil Nadus Kalpakkam the same day. On March 5 again, he will inaugurate, dedicate and lay the foundation stones for multiple projects worth Rs 6,800 crore in Telangana, and the same day, he will visit Odisha to announce development projects worth Rs 19,600 crore. On March 6, the Prime Minister will inaugurate foundation stones for development projects worth Rs 15,400 crore in Kolkata and inaugurate the under-river metro tunnel as well. After Kolkata, Modi is scheduled to visit Bihars Bettiah where he is scheduled to inaugurate projects worth Rs 12,800 crore. That would be the PMs second visit in less than a week to Bihar. In Bihars Bettiah, Modi will inaugurate the 109-km Muzaffarpur-Motihari LPG pipeline of Indian Oil, which is aimed at providing cleaner cooking fuel in areas neighbouring Nepal. The new pipeline will act as a strategic supply point of petroleum products in Nepal in addition to covering Bihars eight districts East Champaran, West Champaran, Siwan, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Gopalganj and Muzaffarpur. As part of his visits, Modi will hold public meetings in Adilabad in Telangana and Chennai in Tamil Nadu. He will also address a public meeting in Chandikhole in Odisha, before travelling to West Bengal. On March 7, the PM will visit Jammu and Kashmir and on return, will attend a media event in Delhi in the evening. On March 8, Modi will participate in the first-ever National Creators Award in Delhi and then leave for Assam. On March 10, he is scheduled to visit Uttar Pradesh to dedicate to the nation various projects in Azamgarh. He will attend an event in Delhi the next day related to Namo Drone Didi and Lakhpati Didi programmes. Second visit to Bihar After Kolkata, Modi is scheduled to visit Bihars Bettiah where he is scheduled to inaugurate projects worth Rs 12,800 crore. That would be the PMs second visit in less than a week to Bihar. In Bihars Bettiah, Modi will inaugurate the 109-km Muzaffarpur-Motihari LPG pipeline of Indian Oil, which is aimed at providing cleaner cooking fuel in areas neighbouring Nepal.

Remission of ex-MP Anand Mohan: SC to hear tomorrow a plea filed by Uma Krishnaiah

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday, a plea filed by Uma Krishnaiah, challenging the remission granted to former Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Anand Mohan , who was serving a life term in the 1994 murder case of the then Gopalganj District Magistrate (DM) G Krishnaiah, according to the Supreme Court's causelist. Uma Krishnaiah, the wife of the deceased, DM G Krishanaiah, had knocked the doors of the Supreme Court challenging the Bihar govt's decision to release Mohan, prematurely the former Bihar MP, who was convicted to life imprisonment in her husband's murder case in 1994. A two-judge bench of the Top Court, headed by Justice Surya Kant and also comprising Justice K V Viswanathan is scheduled to hear the petition filed by Uma Krishnaiah, tomorrow. Mohan was released from Bihar's Saharsa jail in April last year, after serving more than 14 years in jail. He was prematurely released and granted remission following an April 10, 2023 amendment to the Bihar Prison Manual by the state government. The Bihar govt in its amendment had done away with the restriction on early release of those involved in the killing of a public servant on duty, facilitating Mohan's release. The top court had on February 06 in its order asked the Bihar gangster-turned-politician, Mohan to surrender his passport and asked the Centre to make its stand clear on his premature release issue. The top court also had asked Mohan to record his presence every fortnight at the local police station. The former Bihar MP, Mohan, was convicted to life imprisonment in the murder G Krishanaiah, in 1994, in the case. Mohan was convicted for murdering Krishanaiah in 1994, and was released after serving more than 14 years in jail, as the Bihar govt had in its notification ordered to release him from jail. Uma Krishnaiah in her petition said that the Bihar govt's notification to release Mohan was ot a good decision. It is submitted that it is well-settled principle of law that Imprisonment for life means full natural course of Life and cannot be mechanically interpreted to be 14 years. It means that imprisonment for life lasts until the last breath, Uma's petition said. That it is settled law that the sentence of imprisonment for life given to a convict as a substitute for the death sentence must be viewed differently and segregated from the ordinary life imprisonment given as the sentence of first choice, the petiton of Uma, filed before the Supreme Court said. Krishanaiah, a 1985 batch IAS officer, was only 37-year-old, when he was brutally killed in Muzaffarpur, Bihar in 1994, by the mob led by a few politicians, including Mohan. Mohan was sentenced to death in 2007, by the Patna High Court. The sentence, however, was reduced to rigorous life imprisonment in 2008 by the Supreme Court. In the year 2012, Mohan appealed to the Supreme Court to reduce his jail sentence, which was rejected by the court.

PM Modi to launch multiple development projects in West Bengal, Bihar today

PM Modi to launch multiple development projects in West Bengal, Bihar today Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate, lay the foundation stone of and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth crores in West Bengal and Bihar on Saturday. The Prime Minister who is on a two-day visit to three states, reached West Bengal's Arambagh on Friday afternoon where he launched several development projects and addressed a rally in Hooghly. On Saturday, at around 10.30 am, the Prime Minister will reach Krishnanagar, Nadia district, West Bengal, where he will inaugurate, dedicate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth Rs 15,000 crore. At Krishnanagar, the Prime Minister will inaugurate, dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone of several development projects related to sectors like power, rail and road. Strengthening the power sector in the country, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station Phase II (2x660 MW) located at Raghunathpur in Purulia district. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Flue gas desulfurization (FGD) system of Units 7 & 8 of Mejia Thermal Power Station. The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the road project for four lanes of the Farakka-Raiganj Section of NH-12 (100 km). Developed at a cost of about Rs 1986 crore, the project will reduce traffic congestion, improve connectivity and contribute to socio-economic development of North Bengal and Northeast region. He will dedicate to the nation four rail projects worth more than Rs 940 crore in West Bengal including the doubling of the Damodar - Mohishila rail line; the third line between Rampurhat and Murarai; the doubling of the Bazarsau - Azimganj rail line; and New line connecting Azimganj - Murshidabad. At around 2.30 pm, the Prime Minister will inaugurate, dedicate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth Rs 21,400 crore in Bihar's Aurangabad. Strengthening the National Highways network in the state, Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for several National Highway projects worth more than Rs 18,100 crores. The projects that will be inaugurated includes a 63.4 km long two- lane with paved shoulder Jaynagar-Narahia section of NH-227; section of six lane Patna ring road from Kanhauli to Ramnagar on NH-131G; a 3.2 km long second flyover parallel to existing flyover in Kishanganj town; four laning of 47 km long Bakhtiyarpur-Rajauli; and four laning of 55 km long Arra - Parariya section of NH-319. The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for six National Highway projects including the construction of 55 km long four lane access controlled Greenfield National Highway from Amas to village Shivrampur; 54 km long four lane access controlled Greenfield National Highway from Shivrampur to Ramnagar; 47 km long four lane access controlled greenfield National Highway from village Kalyanpur to village Balbhadarpur; 42 km long four-lane access controlled greenfield National Highway from Balbhadarpur to Bela Nawada; 25 km long four lane elevated corridor from Danapur - Bihta Section; and upgradation of existing two lane to four lane carriageway of Bihta - Koilwar section. He will also lay the foundation stone of the six lane bridge across River Ganga that will be developed as a part of Patna Ring Road. This bridge will be one of the longest river bridges in the country. PM Modi will also inaugurate twelve projects under Namami Gange in Bihar that have been developed at a cost of about Rs 2,190 crore. The projects include Sewage Treatment Plant at Saidpur & Pahari; Sewerage Network for Saidpur, Beur, Pahari Zone IVA; Sewerage system with Sewer network at Karmalichak; Sewerage scheme at Pahari Zone V; and Interception, Diversion and Sewage Treatment Plant at Barh, Chhapra, Naugachia, Sultanganj and Sonepur town. The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of Unity Mall in Patna. To be constructed at a cost of more than Rs 200 crore, the project is envisioned as a state-of-the-art facility, encompassing international design practices, technology, comfort, and aesthetics. The mall will provide dedicated spaces to states, union territories, and districts, enabling them to showcase their unique products and craftsmanship. There will be 36 large stalls for States/ UTs and 38 small stalls for each district of Bihar. Unity mall will promote local manufacturing and promotion of One District One Products, Geographical Indicators (GI) products and handicraft products of Bihar and India. Prime Minister will also dedicate to the nation three railway projects in Bihar including the project for doubling of Patliputra to Pahleza railway line; 26 km long new rail line between Bandhua - Paimar; and a MEMU Shed in Gaya. Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of the Ara Bye Pass rail line. At around 5.15 pm, PM Modi will reach Begusarai, Bihar where he will participate in a public programme and inaugurate, dedicate and lay the foundation stone of multiple oil and gas sector projects worth about Rs 1.48 lakh crore across the country, and several development projects in Bihar worth more than Rs 13,400. The public function in Begusarai will witness a significant boost to the energy sector in the country. The projects are spread across the country in various states like Bihar, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab and Karnataka along with KG Basin. Prime Minister will dedicate 'First Oil' from KG Basin to the nation and will flag off the first crude oil tanker from the ONGC Krishna Godavari deepwater project. The extraction of 'First Oil' from KG Basin marks a historic achievement in India's energy sector, promising to significantly reduce our dependence on energy imports. The oil and gas sector projects worth about Rs 14,000 crore will be taken up in Bihar. This includes foundation stone laying of the expansion of the Barauni Refinery with project cost of more than Rs 11,400 crore and inauguration of projects like Grid Infrastructure at Barauni Refinery; Paradip - Haldia - Durgapur LPG Pipeline's extension to Patna and Muzaffarpur, among others. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of the Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE), Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. He will inaugurate the Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Ltd (HURL) fertiliser plant in Barauni. Developed at more than Rs 9500 crore, the plant will provide affordable urea to farmers and lead to an increase in their productivity and financial stability. This will be the fourth fertiliser plant to be revived in the country. PM Modi will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of several railway projects worth about Rs 3917 crore. These include the project for Raghopur - Forbesganj Gauge Conversion; doubling of Mukuria-Katihar-Kumedpur rail line; project for Barauni-Bachhwara 3rd and 4th line, Electrification of Katihar-Jogbani rail section, among others. The Prime Minister will flag off four trains also including Danapur - Jogbani Express (via Darbhanga - Sakri); Jogbani- Saharsa Express; Sonpur-Vaishali Express; and Jogbani- Siliguri Express. He will dedicate to nation 'Bharat Pashudhan' - a digital database for livestock animals in the country. Developed under the National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM), 'Bharat Pashudhan' utilises a unique 12-digit Tag ID allocated to each livestock animal. Prime Minister will also launch '1962 Farmers App', an app which records all data and information present under the 'Bharat Pashudhan' database, which can be utilised by the farmers. (ANI)