THE HEADLINES:
Over 61 per cent polling recorded so far for the second and final phase of Assembly Elections in West Bengal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates 594-km long Ganga Expressway connecting Meerut to Prayagraj, the longest in Uttar Pradesh, passing through 12 districts.
Mr Modi says, the expressway will become a new lifeline like river Ganga.
Government issues draft notifications outlining Central Motor Vehicle Rules revising fuel classifications to boost biofuel use and standardise emission rules
Heavy rains in Mizoram affect normal life; Persistent downpours heighten danger of mudflows and rockfalls.
And in IPL Cricket, Mumbai Indians to take Sunrisers Hyderabad at Wankhede Stadium this evening.
<><><>
Voting is underway for the second and final phase of Assembly Elections in West Bengal. A total of 142 constituencies across seven districts are going to polls in this phase. Over 61 per cent voting was recorded when reports last came in. Long queues are forming in Kolkata, Howrah, and the 24 Parganas districts. Voting has largely been peaceful in the state. Adequate security arrangements are in place to ensure peaceful voting, though there have been reports of isolated incidents, including an EVM malfunction in Baranagar and a BJP polling agent being injured in Nadia. BJP demanded repoll in some booths in Falta seat in South 24 Parganas district. Security forces dispersed gathering outside polling stations in several areas across the 7 districts under polls. Our Kolkata correspondent Kalyan Laha has filed this report:
“Voting has largely been peaceful, so far in West Bengal. The commission has said refill may be conducted in some Booths in Falta after BJP alleged EVM machines have been tampered in some booths. Security forces dispersed the troublemakers, in some booths across the districts. In an incident in Kalighat, under Bhawanipur constituency, CRPF and Police have taken control of the situation after some people gathered there and started sloganeering. Enthusiasm is high among the voters today. Kalyan Laha, Akashvani News Kolkata.”
Counting of votes for West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry Assembly Elections will take place on 4th of next month. Counting of votes for Assembly by-polls for Bagalkot and Davanagere South in Karnataka, Koridang in Nagaland, Dharmanagar in Tripura, Baramati and Rahuri in Maharashtra and Umreth in Gujarat will also take place on 4th May.
<><><>
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 594-km-long Ganga Expressway in Hardoi district of Uttar Pradesh. Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi said, the way Ganga, for thousands of years, has been the lifeline for Uttar Pradesh, similarly, this expressway will also become the new lifeline of this state’s development.
Mr Modi said that infrastructure reflects the country’s rapid progress and ambition. He said the Ganga Expressway connects one end of Uttar Pradesh to the other, significantly improving regional connectivity. He added that the project also brings the vast opportunities of the National Capital Region closer to different parts of the state.
Highlighting the historical importance of the Ganges River, the Prime Minister said that modern expressways passing through its vicinity are becoming new arteries of development. He emphasized that such projects will play a crucial role in driving Uttar Pradesh’s growth and contributing to a brighter future for India.
Prime Minister Modi said that the second phase of voting is currently underway in Bengal and the reports suggest that people are voting in large numbers, like in the first phase. This is a good symbol for democracy.
Mr Modi criticised the Samajwadi Party for betraying women by opposing the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, under the vision of Prime Minister, advanced infrastructure in the state is giving a boost to development. He added that in the last 9 years 4 lakh km road infrastructure has been developed in the state.
Passing through 12 districts of Uttar Pradesh the high-speed corridor developed by the UP Expressways Industrial Development Authority, will connect the western, central, and eastern regions of the state through a single high-speed corridor. The longest expressway in the state will reduce travel time between Meerut and Prayagraj from nearly 12 hours to about 6 hours. It also features a 3.5-km-long airstrip in Shahjahanpur to support the emergency take-off and landing of Indian Air Force aircraft.
Earlier, the Prime Minister began his second day UP visit by having darshan at Shri Kashi Vishwanath temple in the morning and performed puja in the sanctum sanctorum. As Mr. Modi emerged from the temple, BJP leaders presented him with a trident and a damaru. The Prime Minister also witnessed the Vikramaditya Vedic Clock installed in the temple premises. The Prime Minister also spoke to some devotees present at the premises of the temple.
In a social media post, the Prime Minister said he prayed for happiness, prosperity and a healthy life for all citizens of the country.
<><><>
Government has issued a draft Notification outlining proposed amendments to the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989. According to a recent notification, the government has proposed draft updates to technical fuel classifications under emission and type-approval standards, in line with higher ethanol and biofuel blending targets.
The draft outlines several key changes. The classification of hydrogen fuel vehicles has been revised from Hydrogen plus CN to Hydrogen plus CNG. The gross vehicle weight threshold in a select category has been increased from three thousand kilograms to three thousand five hundred kilograms, aligning with the rollout of E20 fuel.
In addition, biodiesel references have been upgraded from B10 to B100, and emission testing parameters along with technical notations have been standardised.
<><><>
External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar today met with his Ecuadorian counterpart, Gabriela Sommerfeld and discussed ways to enhance cooperation in key sectors such as trade, agriculture, and capacity building. In a social media post, External Affairs Minister welcomed Ecuador’s decision to initiate the process for joining the India-led International Solar Alliance and International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA). He noted that Ecuador is already a member of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
Dr Jaishankar also announced that an agreement has been reached on the funding for the implementation of Quick Impact Projects and stated that it is a step forward in deepening our development partnership. Ecuador Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld Rosero arrived in New Delhi earlier in the day for a three-day visit to India.
<><><>
In Gujarat, six people were killed in an accident between a bus and a car near Himmatnagar in Sabarkantha district today. Four people were injured in the incident on National Highway No. 48 and have been shifted to the hospital for treatment. According to police, the car carrying passengers was going from Shamlaji to Himmatnagar when it collided with a bus coming from behind.
<><><>
The sacred relics of Lord Buddha arrived in Ladakh for the public exposition, starting from 1st to 15th of the next month. Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, along with senior officials and security forces, received the relics at the Air Force Airport. More from our correspondent:
“The relics were transported via special aircraft of the Air Force under the strict security arrangements. From the airport, the relics were transported by a special flatbed truck to Jivatsal, where they have been placed for the public exposition starting from 1st of next month. This is the first time that these sacred relics have been taken out from their permanent location for an exhibition within the country. Talking to the media after receiving the holy relics, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena said, this is a historic moment, especially for the followers of Buddhism and the people of Ladakh. Mr Saxena added that the exposition will be opened to the public on May 1st, the day of Buddha Purnima.
These relics represents the living presence of Lord Buddha and his universal teachings. Their display is not only a religious event but also an effort to promote India’s rich Buddhist heritage. Ladakh is well known for its monasteries and spiritual atmosphere, making it an ideal place for this event. The exposition will also travel to Zanskar on the 11th and 12th, followed by a closing ceremony in Leh on the 14th. On the 15th, the relics will return. This initiative is expected to strengthen cultural ties and promote spiritual tourism. With Akshit from Leh, Saklen Akhtar for Akashvani News.”
<><><>
In Mizoram, schools in Aizawl, Serchhip, and southern Mizoram’s Lunglei district remained shut for the second consecutive day today as heavy rain and strong winds continued to disrupt normal life. Authorities have ordered the closure of schools as a precaution against landslides, flash floods, and other weather-related risks. Officials said persistent downpours have heightened the danger of mudflows and rockfalls. Since Monday, torrential rainfall has caused widespread damage, affecting over 70 houses, as well as schools, church halls, and government buildings.
<><><>
A light spell of rain and thunderstorms this morning brought the much-needed relief from the sweltering heat to the residents of the national capital. The IMD predicted a spell of very light to light rain accompanied with thunderstorms and lightening in the city during the day. According to the IMD, the maximum temperature in Delhi is expected to reach around 38 degree Celsius, while the minimum temperature is likely to hover near 27 degree Celsius today.
<><><>
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department has forecast hot and humid weather conditions over isolated pockets of Odisha, North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal and south Coastal Andhra Pradesh Yanam till 2nd of next month. The IMD said, isolated places in the northern states, Bihar and Jharkhand are expected to experience thundersquall conditions today. The weather agency has said, there will be a gradual fall in maximum temperatures by 2 to 4 degree celsius over Northwest parts of the country till tomorrow.
<><><>
In IPL Cricket, Mumbai Indians will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The match will begin at 07.30 PM. Last night, Rajasthan Royals defeated Punjab Kings by six wickets at New Chandigarh. Chasing a target of 223 runs set by Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals scored 228 for 4 in 19.2 overs.
<><><>
Benchmark domestic equity indices rebounded today and were trading around 1.3 per cent higher in the afternoon session. The Sensex advanced 1 thousand and 38 points to 77 thousand 925, while the Nifty added 316 points to 24 thousand 312 when reports last came in.
<><><>
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
Over 61 per cent polling recorded so far for the second and final phase of Assembly Elections in West Bengal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates 594-km long Ganga Expressway connecting Meerut to Prayagraj, the longest in Uttar Pradesh, passing through 12 districts
Mr Modi says, the expressway will become a new lifeline like river Ganga.
Government issues draft notifications outlining Central Motor Vehicle Rules revising fuel classifications to boost biofuel use and standardise emission rules.
Heavy rains in Mizoram affect normal life; Persistent downpours heighten danger of mudflows and rockfalls.
And in IPL Cricket, Mumbai Indians to take Sunrisers Hyderabad at Wankhede Stadium this evening.
<><><>
