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Elephant movement disrupts rail traffic in Jharkhand, several trains cancelled
RANCHI: In the wake of frequent movement of wild elephants along forest-fringed sections under the Chakaradharpur Railway Division in Jharkhand, multiple trains have been cancelled on the up and down line. According to officials, herds of jumbos have been frequently spotted near and across tracks on the NaugaonRourkela, ChakradharpurRourkela and RourkelaJharsuguda sections, falling within identified elephant corridor zones. To avoid any potential mishap, these trains will remain cancelled on December 18 and 19, they said. The trains which have been cancelled include Rourkela MEMU, HatiaJharsuguda MEMU, RourkelaJharsuguda MEMU and the BadampaharBangriposi passenger, affecting both onward and return journeys. Railway authorities said that elephant activity in these sections has increased over the past few days, creating operational risks. Due to frequent movement of elephants, trains running during the night get late due to which there is congestion, leading to the delay of long-distance trains during the day time. To avoid congestion during the day time, most of the trains plying during the night have been cancelled, said senior divisional commercial manager Aditya Choudhary. The situation is being monitored closely in coordination with the Forest Department and the Railway Protection Force, he said, adding that services will be restored once it stabilizes. Elephant herd kills four in a day as villagers panic in Jharkhands Ramgarh Choudhary, however, said that long-distance trains on the Howrah-Mumbai route will run at moderate speed with proper track clearance and thorough surveillance by dedicated teams. In addition, pilots have been directed to follow the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) while moving on sections frequented by elephants, he said. Earlier, on October 31 and November 1, the Chakradharpur railway halted 12 long-distance trains on the up and down line for hours to give safe passage to 22 elephants, which were moving in separate herds, between Bisra and D Cabin section on the Jharkhand-Odisha border. Meanwhile, due to thick fog and poor visibility, flight operations at Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi have also been hit badly. Keeping safety norms in mind, airport authorities have cancelled several flights, while many others are operating with significant delays. Airport officials said runway visibility dropped below the prescribed limits during the morning hours, disrupting flight movements. Flight services are expected to gradually return to normal once weather conditions improve. The cancelled flights include IndiGo 6E 7674 / 7235 (Kolkata Ranchi Kolkata), IndiGo 6E 7561 / 7562 (Kolkata Ranchi Kolkata) and Air India Express IX 1046 / 1047 (Delhi Ranchi Delhi).
4,000-kg explosives theft in Odisha: NIA chargesheets 11 for alleged Maoist conspiracy
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has charged 11 individuals for the theft of approximately 4,000 kg of explosives in Odisha's Rourkela district. Armed Maoists intercepted the vehicle carrying the explosives, abducted the driver, and seized the consignment. The NIA revealed the loot was intended for terror acts against government forces, part of a CPI (Maoist) conspiracy to destabilize the nation.
Govt Says 15 Airports Under UDAN Scheme Are Temporarily Non-Operational
At present, fifteen airports, namely Pathankot, Pakyong, Kushinagar, Aligarh, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot, Shravasti, Moradabad, Bhavnagar, Ambikapur, Rourkela, Ludhiana, Datia, Kalaburagi and Shimla are temporarily non-operational under the UDAN scheme: Murlidhar Mohol
Transform public perception of police, says PM Modi at Raipur event
RAIPUR: On the final day of the 60th All India Conference of Director Generals/Inspector Generals of Police at the Indian Institute of Management in Raipur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the need to transform public perception of the police. He said that it can be achieved by enhancing professionalism, sensitivity, and responsiveness, besides strengthening urban policing. The PM directed state and UT police and the wider administration to adopt innovative strategies, make effective use of databases integrated under National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID), and link these systems through Artificial Intelligence (AI) to generate actionable intelligence. The three-day Conference was themed Viksit Bharat: Security Dimensions. Rourkela police inks pact with NIT-R to adopt modern technology for smart policing The conference witnessed in-depth deliberations on a wide range of national security matters. Discussions were held on the long-term Roadmap for Policing towards Vision 2047, emerging trends in counter-terrorism and counter-radicalisation, leveraging technology to enhance womens safety, strategies to bring back Indian fugitives based abroad, and strengthening forensic capabilities to ensure effective investigation and prosecution. While asserting to increase public awareness regarding the newly enacted criminal laws that replaced the colonial-era regulation codes, he reiterated the importance of establishing mechanisms for the regular monitoring of banned outfits. He added that it will ensure the holistic development of areas freed from Left Wing Extremism, and adopt innovative models to strengthen coastal security. PM Modi underscored the need for stronger preparedness and coordination, urging police chiefs to reinforce mechanisms for effective disaster management covering cyclones, floods, and other natural emergencies, including the ongoing situation of Cyclone Ditwah. He emphasised that proactive planning, real-time coordination, prompt response, and a whole-of-government approach are essential to safeguard lives and ensure minimal disruption during such events. In his address, the Prime Minister called upon the police leadership to realign the style of policing to meet the aspirations of a developing nation on the path to becoming a 'Viksit Bharat'. During the occasion, he conferred the President's Police Medals for distinguished service to officers of the Intelligence Bureau and also presented awards to the three best-performing cities in urban policinga recognition instituted for the first time to encourage innovation and improvement. The Conference was attended by the Union Home Minister, the National Security Advisor, Ministers of State for Home Affairs, and the Union Home Secretary. DGs and IGs from all states and union territories, as well as heads of Central Armed Police Forces and Central Police Organisations. Over 700 officers of various ranks joined virtually from across the country.
NIT Rourkela Discovers Long Pepper Compound For Colon Cancer Treatment
According to the scientists natural compound from long pepper has shown strong anticancer effects with minimal side effects
NIT Rourkela discovers low-cost green treatment for colon cancer
PTI | New Delhi Researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela, have identified a natural compound found in long pepper as an effective and cost-efficient agent against colon cancer cells, according to officials. Colon cancer is a disease in which the cells grow uncontrollably in the large intestine of the body, forming tumours. [] The post NIT Rourkela discovers low-cost green treatment for colon cancer appeared first on The Navhind Times .
Compound In Long Pepper May Help Treat Colon Cancer, Odisha Scientists Confirm
A natural compound found in long pepper can be an effective and cost-efficient agent against colon cancer cells, said researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela on Tuesday.
Alliance Air, under the Government of India, connectssmaller cities and Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns to the main aviation network,bringing remote regions into India's aviation network. Building on this regional focus, the state-owned carrier introduced the Fare Se Fursat (One Route, One Fare) model last month, marking a significant step towards affordable, uniform ticketing across its routes. The initiative covers sectors such as Delhi-Shimla, Shimla-Dharamshala, Hisar-Chandigarh, Jabalpur-Jagdalpur, and Jalgaon-Ahmedabad, among others. These routes underscore the enduring significance of a public airline in connecting diverse geographies and fostering balanced regional development. Further connections such as Vidyanagar-Bengaluru, Kochi-Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar-Rourkela, and those in the northern and northeastern regions, including Guwahati-Aizawl, Imphal-Dimapur, and Jorhat-Tezu, demonstrate the airlines expanding network. By bringing previously unexplored destinations into focus, Alliance Air supports the governments effort to strengthen regional air connectivity. Meanwhile, the introduction of Fare Se Fursat reflects a well-structured measure to encourage domestic air travel and reinforce Indias aviation ecosystem. Industry experts view this model, launched under the broader framework of the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) regional connectivity programme, as a potential turning point for affordable and inclusive air travel nationwide. Jaideep Mirchandani, Group Chairman Sky One The purpose of aviation itself is to make air travel more people-oriented. One of the major concerns for passengers has always been the airfare. During peak seasons, they often have to pay higher prices, and when booking at short notice, they bear the impact of volatility. And if the state comes forward to address this concern, it is undoubtedly a positive step , ,said Jaideep Mirchandani, group chairman of Sky One . According to the official statement, Alliance Air will introduce a single fixed fare that remains unchanged, regardless of the booking date, even on the day of departure. This pilot initiative will be in effect from October 13 to December 31, 2025. Although it will initially apply only to selected routes, further decisions will be taken after assessing its operational feasibility and passenger response. The key question however is just who stands to benefit the most from this move? I think passengers who travel frequently between Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities will benefit the most. Alliance Air generally operates on short and medium routes under the UDAN scheme. Its fleet mainly consists of ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft, which are suitable for smaller airports and can carry up to 72 passengers. The airline also operates a few ATR 42-600 aircraft with a capacity of 48 passengers and one Indian-made Dornier 228 aircraft that can accommodate 17 passengers. Naturally, this approach will make air travel more people-friendly, added Mr Mirchandani . The aviation expert says that measures related to fares and amenities, which may seem insignificant to high-net-worth individuals, hold great value for the common traveller. Without assigning blame, he points out that initiatives such as UDAN Yatri Cafes, offering tea for Rs 10, coffee for Rs 20, and snacks for Rs 20 at airports, can make a real difference to regular passengers. Gone are the days when air travel was seen as a privilege of the elite. It should be accessible to more people, ensuring dignity and affordability. We are now addressing one of the biggest concerns of passengers: airfare. I am curious to see howthis move will impact private airlines in the country after the pilot phase. It will be interesting to observe how they adapt and incorporate similar measures within their domestic realms , concluded Mr Mirchandani .
South Eastern Railway has proposed new Vande Bharat Express trains from Ranchi to six destinations, including Raipur, Rourkela, Pune, New Delhi, LTT, and Varanasi. The proposal, sent to the Railway Board, aims to meet rising passenger demand as current routes see high festive-season bookings.
Close shave for passengers on Tapaswini Express as goods train derails in Jharkhand
RANCHI: Rail traffic on the HatiaRourkela section was disrupted on Wednesday after a goods train carrying iron ore from Rourkela to Bokaro derailed near Kanarowan railway station in Jharkhand's Simdega. At least 10 wagons went off the tracks. Of the 10 derailed wagons, five to seven bogies were reported to be completely damaged. The accident also damaged approximately 100 metres of both up and down lines. The Puri-Hatia Tapaswini Express was traveling directly behind the freight train at the time of the accident. Due to the alertness of railway personnel, the train was stopped at Tati station, averting a major loss of life. Although no casualties have been reported, the railways has suffered losses estimated in crores of rupees. The track, sleepers, overhead power lines, and signal systems were severely damaged. The exact cause of the derailment is yet to be ascertained. According to officials, the incident took place at around 10:13 am on Wednesday near the northern cabin of Kanaroan railway station under Bano police station area. A freight train carrying iron ore from Rourkela to Bokaro suddenly derailed between poles 524/29 and 524/36. After receiving information about the accident, RPF and GRP teams rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area, establishing security. No one is allowed to approach the accident site. Senior officials, including the DRM, at Hatia Railway Division also reached the spot and assessed the situation. Work to remove debris and repair the track was subsequently initiated on a war footing. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager at Ranchi Rail Division Shuchi Singh said that the operation of approximately 11 trains has been affected due to the incident. However, alternative arrangements have been made to ensure that passengers do not face any inconvenience. Every effort is being made to ensure the safe arrival of passengers to their destinations, she said. According to railway officials, technical teams are working continuously, and if everything goes as planned, the track repairs will be completed within 10 to 12 hours. Partial train operations are expected to resume by late evening. Meanwhile, all train services on the Bano-Rourkela section have been suspended, diverted or short-terminated after the incident. Many passenger trains have been stranded at various stations. The Tapaswini Express was terminated at Tati station and sent back to Rourkela in Odisha. According to officials, about 1,300 passengers were travelling on that train. Buses were arranged for passengers at Rourkela station to bring them to Hatia, they said. The Hatia-Rourkela passenger and Hatia-Sanki-Hatia passenger have been cancelled for Wednesday, while the Hatia-Jharsuguda MEMU train has been short-terminated. At least nine trains, including the Sambalpur-Gorakhpur Maurya Express (15027), Visakhapatnam-Banaras Express (18523), Sir M Visvesvaraya Bengaluru Terminal-Hatia Express (12836) and Dhanbad-Alappuzha Express (13351), were diverted.
CRPF head constable martyred in Jharkhand IED blast, two colleagues critically injured
RANCHI: CRPF Head Constable Mahendra Laskar, who got injured in an IED blast triggered by Maoists in Jharkhand's Chaibasa late in the evening on Friday, succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Notably, three CRPF personnel, including the Head Constable, were injured in the Maoist attack. CRPF Battalion Inspector Kaushal Kumar Mishra and Sub-Inspector Ramchandra Gogi were also critically injured in the blast and are undergoing treatment at the hospital in Rourkela. Head Constable Mahendra Laskar, who got martyred in the incident, was a resident of Nagaon in Assam. His body is being brought to Ranchi, where a final salute will be given to him at the CRPF camp after the post-mortem. Notably, the CPI (Maoists) have declared the observance of a Resistance Week from October 8 to 14 to mobilize support and register opposition to the ongoing campaign by the security forces in the five states. They have also announced a Band on October 15 against the alleged suppression by the security forces in Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, and Chhattisgarh. As per the information provided by Jharkhand Police Headquarters, three personnel of CRPF 60 Battalion, including an Inspector, were injured in an IED blast triggered by Maoists in the Saranda Jungles under Manoharpur Block of Chaibasa late in the evening on Friday. Head Constable Mahendra Laskar was martyred while undergoing treatment hours after the incident, they said. Chaibasa SP Amit Renu informed that two IED blasts took place during an anti-Maoist operation conducted by security forces in Saranda. Three CRPF personnel, including an Inspector, were injured and admitted to Rourkela Hospital in Odisha for treatment. IG Operations and Jharkhand Police spokesperson Dr. Michael Raj confirmed that CRPF Head Constable Mahendra Laskar, who was injured in the IED blast triggered by Maoists, succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Notably, three security personnel have been martyred and nine others seriously injured in IED blasts triggered by Maoists since March this year. Sunil Kumar Singh, a CRPF battalion sub-inspector, was martyred in a blast in Chota Nagpur, Saranda, on March 22, while Sunil Dhan, a Jharkhand Jaguar jawan, was martyred in a blast on April 12. Mahendra Laskar of the CRPF was martyred on Friday, October 11.
World University Rank 2026: IISc Bangalore rated best in country
NEW DELHI: Next to the United States, India has the highest number of educational institutions figuring in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026. A total of 128 institutes from India have made it to the rankings, with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore rated the best in the country and categorised in the 201-250 rank band. For the tenth consecutive year, the University of Oxford was rated the best in the world, the rankings state. A total of 2,191 institutions across 115 countries were assessed for this 22nd edition of these rankings. In a statement, THE said, India now has the second highest number of ranked universities, behind only the US. The US has 171 institutions, making it the No. 1 country in the rankings, while Japan stands third with 115 institutions figuring here. The Indian institution which figures next to IISc Bangalore is Chennais Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, which was classified in the 351-400 band. Two universities are in the 401-500 band Delhis Jamia Millia Islamia University and Himachal Pradeshs Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences. The institutes falling in the 501-600 rank band are Banaras Hindu University, IIT Indore, Bhubaneswars KIIT University, Lovely Professional University, Kottayams Mahatma Gandhi University, and Dehraduns UPES. The rankings also listed these universities in the 601-800 rank band IIT Patna, IIIT Hyderabad, Amity University, Noida, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Central University of Punjab, Aligarh Muslim University, Graphic Era University in Dehradun, Chitkara University in Chandigarh, NIT Rourkela, Punjab University, University of Delhi and VIT University. The universities that have made it to the top ten ranks globally are Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States (2); Princeton University, US, and University of Cambridge, UK (jointly ranked 3); Harvard University and Stanford University (5th rank jointly); California Institute of Technology, US (7); Imperial College London, UK (8); University of California, US (9); and Yale University, US (10). When compared among Asian countries alone for the top slots, China leads the rankings.
Woman Sexually Assaulted Near Rourkela Railway Track; Accused and Aide Arrested
According to initial reports, two persons, including the main accused, have been detained in connection with the case.
NIT Rourkela Patents AI Model for Safer Roads
VANETs are expected to power future transport ecosystems, enabling cars to warn each other about sudden braking, road hazards, or traffic bottlenecks
