India's hockey team defeated Australia 3-2 to advance to the semifinals of the Paris Olympics 2024. Also, the Indian archery team secured their place in the semifinals. In other news, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids in Ladakh for the first time. Rahul Gandhi claimed that the ED raids would follow...
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his speech on the 'Chakravyuh.' Nalandas MP Kaushalendra Kumar raised concerns in Parliament about improving railway services in the district. He requested the halting of MEMU train No. 03631 from Natesar to Fatuha via Islampur at all halts. He also demanded the operation of an additional pair of MEMU trains from Islampur to Patna for the convenience of rail passengers. He also demanded the conversion of Rahui Road Halt into a station and the stopping of Intercity and Express trains there. The MP advocated for extending the MEMU train from Rajgir to Patna/Danapur via Bihar Sharif-Chandi-Rukhai-Daniyawan. He also demanded the elevation of platforms in Nalanda district, improved lighting, water facilities, and cleanliness. Kumar also requested the resumption of the Howrah-Rajgir Fast Passenger (53043/44) train, emphasizing its importance for Buddhist and Jain communities, tourists, and pilgrims. He also requested that the MEMU train (03629/30) from Danapur to Tillaya stop at all halts as it did before the COVID-19 pandemic. He also demanded the restoration of senior citizen discounts on train fares. He also sought the provision of ticket counters at Rampur Halt, where the train currently stops but does not issue tickets. He also requested the halting of the Shramjeevi Express (12391/92) at Pawapuri and Silav stations. The MP called for the construction of overbridges at Gumti No. 34A Special near Bihar Sharif railway station and Gumti No. 30B Special in Sohsarai. He also demanded the repair of the broken water tank at Bihar Sharif railway station, which causes inconvenience for passengers and staff. He also advocated for the halting of train No. 03250/03249 Palamu Intercity at Bena railway station. He also demanded that train numbers 03621/03622 and 03623/03624, operating between Rajgir and Bakhtiyarpur, stop at all halts. Lastly, the MP requested the construction of a railway gate or overbridge in place of the underpass near Bori Sarai, close to Khudaganj railway station, due to waterlogging and its low height, which obstructs buses, large vehicles, and agricultural machinery. He also requested the construction of a passenger rest house at Harnaut railway station and the commencement of new construction work at the Harnaut railway coach factory, along with maintenance work.

The Indian Railways has proposed a new railway route in Nalanda district, aiming to reduce the distance between Bodhgaya and Nalanda by 20 kilometers. A survey is being conducted for the proposed Islampur-Jaitipur-Ben-Nalanda railway line, which will also contribute to the development of the Buddhist circuit, enhancing tourism potential. Alongside this,...
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a 42-kilometer long railway line between Islampur and Manpur is also being surveyed, and a 31-kilometer long bypass road is under construction, further reducing the travel distance. The new railway line, parallel to the bypass road, will shorten the distance significantly, and the alignment of the train track is expected to be lower than the road, potentially reducing travel time even further. This project promises a range of benefits, including reduced travel time, improved connectivity, and economic development for the local population. In a separate development, a signature campaign was launched at the Hilasa railway station on the Islampur-Fatuha railway line, demanding the construction of an overbridge and the elevation of the platform. The campaign, organized by the Jan Kalyan Sangha and Welfare Society, received overwhelming support from the locals, highlighting the urgent need for these infrastructure upgrades to improve safety and accessibility at the station.

On Wednesday, the Inkilabi Naujawan Sabha (RYA) held a demonstration at Bihar Sharif Railway Station as part of a nationwide campaign. They submitted a memorandum to the station manager demanding the reversal of the fare hike implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic and the filling of vacant positions in the railway department....
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Inous District President, Veeres Kumar, criticized the central government, stating that the railway is not just a means of transportation but connects different parts of the country and different communities. He argued that the current railway minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has worsened the situation by raising fares. He pointed out that the government had promised to rollback the fare hike after the pandemic, but this hasn't happened, causing hardship to citizens. They also condemned the removal of discounts for senior citizens and people with disabilities.

Indian Railways has installed 127 Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) across 43 major stations in the East Central Railway zone to make ticket purchasing easier for passengers. These ATVMs, available at prominent stations, enable passengers to buy unreserved tickets without waiting in lines at ticket counters. Some ATVMs are even...
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located at station entrances for quicker access. These machines offer bilingual service in Hindi and English, operate 24/7, and accept UPI payments. Facilitators are also present at stations to assist passengers. A list of stations with the number of ATVMs installed is provided below.