LIVE: Vande Bharat train to be cleaned in 14 minutes, says Railway ministry

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11:30 PM

Indian Army, J&K Police recover arms and ammunition from Poshmargi, Machhal Sector

"In a Joint Search Operation launched by Indian Army, Jammu KashmirPolice & Intelligence agencies, a large cache of arms, ammunition & explosives were recovered at Poshmargi, Machhal Sector, Kupwara today. During the search, 01xAK Rifle, 02xUBGL, 26xUBGL Grenades, 02xHand Grenades & large quantity of explosive material along with other war-like stores have been recovered. Search operation in progress," posts China Corps- Indian Army

 

11:04 PM

Fire broke out at a perfume godown in the Elliot Road area in Kolkata

9:52 PM

People of Telangana are tired of the lacklustre governance of BRS: PM Modi

"I will be addressing a BJP rally in Mahbubnagar tomorrow, 1st October. The people of Telangana are tired of the lacklustre governance of BRS. They are equally distrustful of Congress. Both BRS and Congress are dynastic parties who have no aim of serving people," PM Modi writes on X.

 

9:52 PM

8 dead in an accident involving a tourist bus which fell into a gorge near Marapalam near Coonoor

35 people were injured as a tourist bus fell into a gorge near Marapalam near Coonoor. 55 tourists were travelling in the bus going from Ooty to Mettupalayam. The injured have been sent to Coonoor government hospital for treatment. "Around eight people died, while a few were seriously injured. Further investigation is underway," says Saravana Sundar, DIG Coimbatore Zone.

 

9:51 PM

Vande Bharat trains will be cleaned in 14 minutes from Oct 1 onwards: Railway Minister

Indian Railways is on the verge of a significant breakthrough as it is set to achieve a historical milestone- the 14-minute cleaning miracle for every Vande Bharat train, official sources said on Saturday. The Vande-Bharat trains known for their indigenization are equipped with cutting-edge facilities for passengers to offer a swifter, comfortable and remarkably convenient travel experience. According to the Ministry of Railways sources, these trains will be covered under the "14-minute miracle" scheme which is set to be launched on October 1 at Terminal Stations across Indian Railways as part of the 'Swachhata-Hi-Seva' campaign. The scheme will be formally launched at the Delhi Cantt Railway Station. 

8:06 PM

Adtya-L1 spacecraft successfully escapes sphere of Earth's influence: Isro

Isro said on Saturday the Aditya-L1 spacecraft has travelled beyond a distance of 920,000 km from Earth, successfully escaping the sphere of Earth's influence.

 

It is now navigating its path towards the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1 (L1), the Bengaluru-headquartered national space agency said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.

 

"This is the second time in succession that Isro could send a spacecraft outside the sphere of influence of the Earth, the first time being the Mars Orbiter Mission," it said.

 

The Isro said earlier this month the Aditya-L1 solar mission spacecraft has commenced collecting data which will help scientists analyse the behaviour of particles surrounding Earth.

 

Data collected around L1 would provide insights into the origin, acceleration, and anisotropy of solar wind and space weather phenomena, it said.

 

The launch of Aditya-L1 by PSLV-C57 rocket was successfully accomplished by Isro on September 2.

8:00 PM

NIA arrests accused from Manipur in transnational conspiracy case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday arrested an accused in a case related to a transnational conspiracy by Myanmar and Bangladesh-based leadership of terror outfits to wage war against the Indian government by exploiting the current ethnic unrest in Manipur. The agency sleuths arrested Seiminlun Gangte in a case the NIA registered suo moto on July 19 this year. The accused has been brought to Delhi after his arrest and will be produced before the jurisdictional court.

5:57 PM

Anti terror agency NIA raids 5 places in Poonch over Rajouri terror attack

The National Investigation Agency, or NIA, raided the premises of several suspects in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district today in connection with a Lashkar-e-Taiba attack that killed seven civilians in Rajouri district's Dhangri village earlier this year, an official said.
 

The raids happened at five locations across the Gursai village of Mendhar tehsil in Poonch based on information from two arrested accused, a spokesperson for the anti-terror agency said.

 

The agency arrested Nisar Ahmad alias Haji Nisar and Mushtaq Hussain on August 31. They are currently lodged in Central Jail, Kot Bhalwal, Jammu.

5:54 PM

Normal to above-normal maximum temperatures likely over most parts of India in October: IMD

5:00 PM

Last date to exchange Rs 2,000 notes at banks extended till Oct 7

As the period specified for the withdrawal process has come to an end, and based on a review, it has been decided to extend the current arrangement for the deposit/exchange of Rs 2000 banknotes until October 07, 2023, says Reserve Bank of India (RBI), according to media reports.

 

4:43 PM

Monsoon season ends with 94.4% rainfall: IMD

The 2023 monsoon season ends with 94.4 per cent rainfall; 73 per cent of sub-divisional area recorded normal rainfall, 18 per cent saw deficient rain, IMD said.

 

4:16 PM

If BJP wins in Chhattisgarh, it will prioritise pucca houses for poor: PM Modi

"If BJP comes to power in Chhattisgarh, first cabinet decision will be to provide pucca houses to every poor person," says PM Modi in Bilaspur.

4:13 PM

I completed one more guarantee that I had given: PM Modi

"I completed one more guarantee that I had given. Now in Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha, 33% of seats would be reserved for women. Under BJP's rule, Nari Shakti Adhiniyam is now a reality. And our President Droupadi Murmu signed it and made it a law yesterday... But the women need to be alert... This was pending for 30 years... Congress and its allies are full of anger. They think that all women will shower blessings on Modi only... They are afraid of your unity and awareness... They have started a new gimmick. They want to divide women into castes... I request the women of Chhattisgarh that this is a decision that will impact the next thousand years... I request not to fall for their lies...", says PM Narendra Modi at ‘Parivartan Maha Sankalp Rally’ in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur.

4:02 PM

Congress committed corruption: PM Modi on Chhattisgarh govt's cow dung procurement scheme

"Congress committed corruption in liquor; didn't even spare cow dung," says PM Modi on Chhattisgarh govt's cow dung procurement scheme.

3:55 PM

Stern action will be taken against those found guilty in PSC scam if BJP forms govt in Chhattisgarh: PM

"Stern action will be taken against those found guilty in alleged Public Service Commission scam if BJP forms govt in Chhattisgarh," says PM Modi.

3:53 PM

BJP who gave modern Vande Bharat train to Chhattisgarh: PM Modi

3:49 PM

PM Modi accuses Congress of halting and delaying central government projects in Chhattisgarh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress government in Chhattisgarh of halting and delaying Central Government projects worth thousands of crores.

Speaking at a rally in Bilaspur, Modi said that the Congress was doing injustice to the people of Chhattisgarh by not allowing these projects to be completed.

In his speech, Modi said that the Central Government had approved infrastructure projects worth thousands of crores for Chhattisgarh. However, he alleged that the Congress government was not allowing these projects to be completed.

3:48 PM

Change is finalised in Chhattisgarh, people have rejected Congress, says PM Modi in Bilaspur

Addressing a fervent crowd at the 'Parivartan Maha Sankalp Rally' in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that a resolute change is taking root in the state. Expressing the palpable excitement in the air, he characterised this change as the definitive verdict of the people of Chhattisgarh who have resolved to no longer endure what they perceive as the Congress party's misrule and transgressions.

 

"Change is finalised in Chhattisgarh. The excitement seen here is the declaration of change. People of Chhattisgarh have decided to not tolerate Congress' atrocities anymore", said PM Modi.

3:42 PM

I guarantee that I will not leave any stone unturned to fulfil your dreams: PM Modi in Chhattisgarh

"I guarantee that I will not leave any stone unturned to fulfil your dreams,"says PM Modi in address in poll-bound Chhattisgarh.

3:30 PM

People of Chhattisgarh have decided to bring a change in the state: says PM at a public meeting in Bilaspur

3:15 PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the ‘Parivartan Maha Sankalp Rally’ in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur

3:14 PM

Want India to be a developed nation by 2047, says PM Modi

In a vision aimed at achieving a developed India by 2047, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a gathering at the Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. He emphasised the transformative impact of the Aspirational Districts Programme and its significance for the future of India. PM Modi underlined the need for comprehensive development at the grassroots level, highlighting the importance of all-encompassing progress over mere statistical achievements. The Prime Minister highlighted the transformative impact of the Aspirational Districts Programme, citing its positive influence on the lives of over 25 crore individuals in 112 districts across India. "Success of Aspirational Districts Programme will form the basis of Aspirational Blocks Programme," PM Modi said while launching the blocks programme.

3:02 PM

Mirabai Chanu's Asian Games campaign ends in heartbreak, finishes 4th

Ace Indian lifter Mirabai Chanu's Asian Games campaign ended in heartbreak as the Olympic medallist fell on her back to injure herself, finishing fourth in the women's 49kg event here on Saturday.

Chanu, who was under pressure after a disappointing snatch outing, went for a 117kg clean and jerk lift which would have won her the bronze, but failed to clear it twice.

In in her final attempt she fell flat on her back and had to be lifted off the stage. She left the weighting arena limping.

3:00 PM

Putin marks anniversary of annexation of Ukrainian regions as drones attack overnight

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday insisted that the residents of four Ukrainian regions that Moscow illegally annexed a year ago made their choice to be with their Fatherland.

In an address released in the early hours to mark the first anniversary of the annexation, Putin insisted that it was carried out in full accordance with international norms.

He also claimed that residents of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions had again expressed their desire to be part of Russia in local elections earlier this month, in which Russia's Central Election Commission said that the country's ruling party won the most votes.

2:56 PM

NCP party name-symbol row: Have full faith in ECI to take right decision, says Jayant Patil

Nationalist Congress Party leader Jayant Patil on Saturday said his faction trusts the Election Commission of India to take the right decision on the party name and symbol amid the tussle with the group headed by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

The Sharad Pawar-founded NCP split on July 2 after Ajit Pawar and eight MLAs, including Chhagan Bhujbal and Dilip Walse Patil, joined the Eknath Shinde government.

Both groups have petitioned the ECI for the party name and symbol.

"We have written to the ECI on the matter. These days the method of stealing parties is on but we have complete faith in the ECI to give the right decision," Patil told reporters.

"Sharad Pawar is the founder and president of NCP. Some people are trying to push him aside," he said in a swipe at Ajit Pawar who, immediately after the split, had said the NCP chief was over 80 years old and must give the reins of the outfit to the next generation of leaders.

2:50 PM

Southwest monsoon withdraws from Delhi: IMD

The India Meteorological Department said on Saturday said that the southwest monsoon has receded from Delhi, with the city receiving above normal rains during the season.

According to IMD data, the Safdarjung Observatory, the primary weather station of Delhi, received 660.8 mm of precipitation against a normal of 653.6 mm during the monsoon season (June to September).

Normally, the monsoon begins in the national capital by June 27 and recedes by September 25. This year, the rain-bearing system embraced the city on June 25.

2:48 PM

Communal tension erupts in Jaipur after death of biker due to thrashing

Communal tension erupted in Ramganj and nearby areas here on Saturday after a man died allegedly due to thrashing by a group of men over an accident between two motorcycles, police said.

Two motorbikes collided in Subhash Chowk after which a group of men with one of the two riders thrashed the other rider, Iqbal, late Friday night, police said. He was rushed to SMS hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, they said.

Several shops in the Muslim-dominated areas were shut down, and family members of the deceased and locals gathered there are demanding action against the other side.

2:42 PM

Nepal PM Prachanda says his visits to China successful

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' on Saturday said his just concluded visit to China has strengthened the atmosphere of trust between Kathmandu and Beijing and further deepened the historic relations existing between the two neighbours.

Speaking to reporters at the Tribhuvan International Airport soon after arriving from China, Prachanda said his meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Chinese counterpart, Li Qiang, contributed to taking Nepal-China relations to a new height.

During the high-level meetings, the Chinese president and Prime Minister have given assurance that the past agreements reached between Nepal and China will be gradually implemented. The Chinese authorities have also agreed to resume operations of all the trading points between Nepal and China that were shut down due to the outbreak of Corona pandemic, the prime minister said.

2:36 PM

Infiltration bid foiled in J-K's Kupwara, two militants killed: Police

Two militants were killed as security forces foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district on Saturday, police said.

The infiltration attempt took place in the Kumkadi area of the Machil sector in the north Kashmir district.

"Based on an intelligence input provided by Kupwara Police, in a joint operation carried by Army and police in Kumkadi area of Machal sector, two infiltrating terrorists have been killed so far," Kupwara Police said in a post on X.

2:33 PM

4.5 mn tonne of waste at Bhalswa landfill expected to be reduced by May 2024: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal visited Bhalswa landfill site on Saturday and said about 4.5 million tonnes of waste from it is expected to be processed and reduced by May next year.

Interacting with reporters at the site, Kejriwal said once 4.5 million tonnes of waste gets reduced, 35 acres of land will be reclaimed, which can be reused in multiple ways.

There are three landfill sites in Delhi, located at Okhla, Bhalswa and Ghazipur.