Katra Vaishno Devi to Launch Kumbh Special Train
Indian Railways has decided to launch a Kumbh Special Train from Katra Vaishno Devi to facilitate easy travel for devotees heading to the Kumbh Mela. This train has been specially designed to offer passengers a comfortable and seamless journey, ensuring they reach the Kumbh Mela site on time. The train will be equipped with modern amenities like comfortable seating, food, and water facilities. The schedule and route details will be announced shortly. With this service, devotees will not only experience convenience but also enhance their religious journey. Those wishing to travel can book tickets through the official Railway website or by contacting nearby railway stations.
Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan: India’s Battlefield Tourism Initiative
India’s Ministry of Defence has launched Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan, an initiative offering tourists access to 77 historical battlegrounds, including sites like Siachen, Kargil, and Galwan. The initiative aims to preserve military history, promote patriotism, and boost local economies. Key destinations include the Galwan Valley, Longewala, and Kargil, with a focus on educating visitors about the nation’s military legacy. The Ministry also introduced a new app to help tourists explore these iconic battle sites. The initiative coincides with India’s efforts to modernize its Armed Forces and promote self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
Govt Employees Can Now Travel on Tejas, Vande Bharat under LTC
The Centre has approved travel for its employees on Tejas, Vande Bharat, and Humsafar trains under the Leave Travel Concession (LTC) scheme. Previously, government employees could travel via Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Duronto trains under LTC. This expansion follows requests from various offices and is in line with government entitlements. The LTC scheme allows government employees and their families to travel within India at subsidized rates for personal trips.
Bombay HC Orders Panel to Explore Phasing Out Diesel, Petrol Vehicles
The Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra government to set up a panel within two weeks to explore the feasibility of phasing out diesel and petrol vehicles in Mumbai. The court highlighted the significant role of automobiles in worsening the city’s air quality. The panel will assess the viability of replacing these vehicles with those powered by CNG or electricity. The move comes as part of an ongoing public interest litigation addressing Mumbai’s deteriorating Air Quality Index, with vehicular pollution being a key concern.
India to Meet 20% Ethanol Blending Target in Two Months
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari confirmed India will achieve 20% ethanol blending in fuel within two months, ahead of the deadline. The move, which started in 2001, aims to reduce pollution, with major automakers now producing 100% bio-ethanol vehicles.
Ethanol blending, sourced from sugarcane and agricultural waste, will help reduce reliance on oil imports, as India is 85% dependent on foreign oil. E20 usage is expected to cut carbon monoxide emissions by 50% in two-wheelers and 30% in four-wheelers. The 10% blending target was already achieved in June 2022.
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