Page 47 - West Bengal

Southwest Monsoon enters southern Bengal but rain remains elusive

Southwest monsoon officially entered some parts of southern West Bengal on Friday, the Met office said, but rain remained elusive in most areas of the region. The IMD said that monsoon has advanced into the whole of north Bengal, which is experiencing heavy rain over the last few days. Monsoon covered Kolkata, North and South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Murshidabad and some parts of Hooghly, Howrah, Purba Bardhaman and Birbhum districts of south Bengal, it said. Barring the coastal areas in South 24 Parganas and Purba Medinipur districts, rain, however, remained elusive in most areas of south Bengal despite southwest monsoon officially advancing into the region. The maximum day temperatures have, however, come down in south Bengal by around three to four degrees Celsius. The Met said that the conditions are favourable for further advance of monsoon into more parts of south Bengal during the next three to four days. It said that the intensity of rainfall will decrease in north Bengal, whe

Mamata Banerjee urges PM Modi to defer implementation of new criminal laws

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to defer the implementation of the three "hurriedly passed" criminal laws that are set to be rolled out on July 1, saying it would enable Parliament to review them afresh. In a letter to PM Modi, the Trinamool Congress chief expressed "grave concern" over the impending implementation of the three laws - The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNA) 2023, The Bharatiya Sakhsya Act (BSA) 2023, and The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023. She noted that the three bills were passed in Lok Sabha at a time when 146 MPs had been suspended. "The outgoing government of yours had passed these three critical bills unilaterally, and with absolutely no debate. That day, almost 100 members of the Lok Sabha had been suspended and a total 146 MPs of the both Houses were thrown out of Parliament," Banerjee said. "The Bills were passed in an authoritarian manner in that dark hour of democracy. Matter deserves review now

Uber launches EV service, Uber Green, in Kolkata to curb emissions

Uber on Thursday announced the launch of its flagship electric vehicle service, Uber Green, in Kolkata, marking a step towards eco-friendly urban transportation. Uber becomes the second ride-hailing service provider to offer electric vehicles in the city, following Snap E, another brand operating with an all-EV fleet. "Enhancing the air quality in Kolkata is a shared duty we all must embrace. I commend Uber for introducing 'Uber Green' in Kolkata, a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions in our city," West Bengal Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty said. "This service allows residents to book zero-emission rides with ease through the Uber app, promoting sustainable travel across the city, including routes to and from Kolkata international airport," Uber said in a statement. The company did not disclose details on the number of vehicles under Uber Green or its expansion plans for the city. The company has committed to becoming a zero-emissions mobility platform by 2

WB train accident: Probe blames lapses by goods train crew, operating dept

The initial probe into the June 17 Kanchanjunga Express accident has suggested there were lapses by the operating department of the New Jalpaiguri Rail Division and the crew of the goods train that hit the passenger train. At least 10 people were killed, including the passenger train's guard and the pilot of the goods train after it rammed into the stationary Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express in West Bengal's Darjeeling district on Monday. The collision occurred near Rangapani station, 30 km from New Jalpaiguri station, causing four rear compartments of Kanchanjunga Express to derail due to the impact by the goods train's locomotive at 8.55 am, the official said. Soon after the accident, Railway Board chairperson Jaya Varma Sinha had said the collision took place because the goods train disregarded the signal. The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has started a probe into the cause of the accident. The railways also set up a probe team of six senior officials who have filed the

Coal India awards 23 discontinued underground blocks to private miners

State-owned Coal India on Wednesday said it has awarded 23 discontinued underground blocks to private miners through an auction route on revenue sharing model. The cumulative peak rated capacity of these mines is 34.14 million tonnes per year while the total extractable reserves are estimated at 635 MT, the miner said in an exchange filing. "Coal India Limited (CIL) in a bid to tap the latent coal reserves of some of its closed and discontinued underground mines has awarded 23 such mines on revenue sharing model to successful bidders of the private sector," it said. Earlier, CIL had identified a total of 34 discontinued mines where good quality coal reserves are lying dormant but may not be financially viable for CIL to mine them. Hence, the company said it decided to tender and offer these mines to willing private sector players who are prepared to operate and produce the dry fuel and share part of the revenue with the company. "Successful bidder is the one who offers the maximum

Kanchanjunga crash: Goods train was moving at 4 times permitted speed

Kanchanjunga train crash updates: As many as 10 people, including the driver of the goods train died in the accident, which took place near New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal

Kanchanjunga crash: Railways blame dead driver; row over 'signal defect'

Kanchanjunga train crash: As many as 15 people died while 60 were injured after a goods train rammed the Kanchanjunga Express from behind in West Bengal's Darjeeling on Monday

77% rural households provided with tap water connections: Govt data

About 77 per cent or 14.88 crore rural households have been provided with tap water connections till now, according to official data. There are a total of 19.31 crore rural households in the country, according to official data by the Jal Jeevan Mission. According to official data, 14,88,16,184 out of a total of 19,31,21,778 rural households have been provided with a tap water connection so far. Eleven states and Union Territories (UT) have achieved 100 per cent coverage in rural areas, the data showed. A total of 16 states and UTs have tap water coverage between 75-100 per cent and five states have coverage of 50-75 per cent. Rajasthan and West Bengal have below 50 per cent coverage, according to the data. Jal Jeevan Mission, launched in 2019, aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024 to all households in rural India.

Kanchanjunga Express train collision reason 'identified' by Railways

Three compartments of the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express derailed after being hit by a goods train from behind in West Bengal's Darjeeling on Monday, killing 15 people

Kanchenjunga train mishap: Railways to hold inquiry in Bengal on June 19

A passenger who was present on the train when it met with an accident expressed concern and fear as she recalled the tragic incident

Kanchanjunga crash: Howrah bound trains cancelled, diverted. Check list

Kanchanjunga crash updates: Several trains have been cancelled, diverted or scheduled on the route where the Kanchanjunga Express was derailed after being rammed by a goods train in Bengal on Monday

Kanchanjunga Express train accident in Bengal kills 9, some feared trapped

West Bengal train collision: The 13174 Kanchanjunga Express from Agartala collided with the goods train near Rangapani close to New Jalpaiguri station in West Bengal

Kanchanjunga express accident: 9 killed, 41 injured, says railway ministry

Seven passengers and two railway staffers were killed and 41 more injured in the Kanchanjunga Express accident in West Bengal's Darjeeling district on Monday, according to figures released by the railway ministry. In a statement, the ministry said nine people suffered grievous injuries and 32 simple or minor injuries. The "Up line" has been cleared and train operations have started, it said and added that "the 'Down line' will also be cleared shortly". The Kanchanjunga express, going to Sealdah in West Bengal from Agartala in Tripura, was on the "Down line" and a goods train rammed into it from behind near the New Jalpaiguri station, around 600 km from Kolkata. According to initial ground reports based on the statements of the local police, 15 people were said to have lost their lives in the accident. However, the ministry clarified that the number of deaths is nine, so far. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reached the accident site in the afternoon, the ministry said.

Kanchanjunga Express train accident highlights: Restoration and rescue work underway, say officials

Kanchanjungha Express West Bengal train accident latest news: Five passengers were left dead after a freight train crashed into the Kanchanjunga Express from behind in West Bengal's New Jalpaiguri

Railways totally parentless, Centre only keen on increasing fares: Mamata

Alleging that the railways have become "totally parentless", West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday claimed that it was only keen on increasing fares and not improving passenger amenities. Banerjee was speaking to the press at the Kolkata airport on the way to Siliguri to take stock of the situation following the train accident near Rangapani in which several people were killed. "The railways have become totally parentless. Though the ministry is there, the old glory is missing. Only beautification is being done, but they do not care about passenger amenities. They are only keen on hiking fares," she claimed. "You will only see them talk big. They also do not take care of the railway officers, technical, safety, and security personnel. I am with the railway employees and officers," she added. She criticised the Railway Ministry, alleging that it was not implementing the anti-collision system properly, which could reduce the impact of such accidents. "The number of tr

Goods train rams into Kanchanjunga Express train in West Bengal | Darjeeling Train accident

At least five persons died and around 30 others were injured after a goods train collided with the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express near Rangapani station in West Bengal on Monday, police said.

Tragedy in Darjeeling as trains collide, lack of Kavach raises questions

A viral video of Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explaining the capabilities of Kavach has sparked renewed scrutiny

BJP declares name of candidates for by-polls to 4 Assembly seats in Bengal

The BJP on Monday announced the name of Kalyan Chaubey and three new faces for the four assembly seats in West Bengal where by-polls are slated to be held on July 10. The ruling Trinamool Congress has already announced its candidates for the by-polls a few days back. The BJP has fielded Kalyan Chaubey from Maniktala constituency in Kolkata, Manas Kumar Ghosh from Raiganj in Uttar Dinajpur district, Manoj Kumar Biswas from Ranaghat Dakshin (SC) in Nadia district and Binay Kumar Biswas from Bagda (SC) seat. Both Manoj Kumar Biswas and Binay Kumar Biswas belong to the Matua community which has a significant chunk of voters in Ranaghat Dakshin and Bagda, both seats reserved for SCs. Chaubey had been defeated by TMC leader Sadhan Pandey in the 2021 assembly polls but the seat fell vacant after Pandey's death. The TMC has announced Krishna Kalyani from Raiganj, Mukut Mani Adhikari from Ranaghat-Dakshin, Supti Pandey from Maniktala and Madhuparna Thakur from Bagdah as their ...

Kanchanjungha Express accident: Signal was defective since 5.50 am

The automatic signalling system between Ranipatra Railway Station and Chattar Hat Junction in West Bengal, where a goods train hit Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express in the rear, was defective since 5.50 in the morning, according to a railway source. "Train No 13174 (Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express) departed Rangapani station at 8:27 am and stopped between Ranipatra railway station and Chattar Hat due to automatic signalling failure from 5:50 am," the source told PTI. According to another railway official, when the automatic signalling system fails, the station master issues a written authority called TA 912, which authorises the driver to cross all red signals in the section because of the defect. "The station master of Ranipatra had issued TA 912 to Train No 1374 (Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express)," the source said. He added, "Around the same time, a goods train, GFCJ, departed Rangapani at 8:42 am and hit 13174 in the rear portion resulting from the derailment of the guard's coach, two ..

Mamata to visit train accident site in New Jalpaiguri, review relief ops

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will on Monday visit the train accident site in New Jalpaiguri to take stock of relief operations, an official said. At least 15 passengers died and 60 others were injured, after three rear coaches of the stationary Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express derailed on Monday morning as a goods train collided with it in West Bengal's Darjeeling district. "The chief minister is going to visit the accident spot in New Jalpaiguri to take stock of the relief operations," the official told PTI. The three rear compartments derailed under the impact of the collision from behind by the locomotive of the goods train near Rangapani station, about 30 km from North Bengal's New Jalpaiguri station, railway officials said.