Landslide disrupts train services in Sakleshpur - Subrahmanya Road section of Karnataka
Mangaluru (PTI): Train services in the critical Sakleshpur–Subrahmanya Road section in Karnataka were disrupted in the early hours of Saturday following a landslide between Edakumari and Shiribagilu stations in Dakshina Kannada district, officials said.
Boulders from the hill slipped and fell onto the railway track used by cargo trains, causing delays in scheduled services, they said.
According to officials, Train No. 16511 KSR Bengaluru–Kannur Express arrived at Kadagaravalli at 3:40 am and was delayed in departure due to the obstruction. Similarly, Train No. 16585 SMVT Bengaluru–Murdeshwar Express, which reached Sakleshpur at 3:10 am, and Train No. 07377 Vijayapura–Mangaluru Central Express Special, which arrived at 6:26 am, were also delayed.
In response to the disruption, the railway authorities arranged for drinking water, light refreshments, and tea for passengers onboard the affected trains, according to an official statement.
Passengers have been advised to track real-time updates of their trains using the NTES or ‘Where is My Train’ mobile applications. For emergencies, they can reach out via Twitter to @RailwaySeva or call the helpline number 139, said Manjunath Kanamadi, Chief Public Relations Officer of South Western Railway, Hubballi, in the statement.
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Mamata demands PM's apology over 'Bankim da' remark in Lok Sabha
Cooch Behar (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he has insulted novelist Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay by calling him "Bankim da".
Addressing a rally in Cooch Behar district, Banerjee said the PM was not even born when the country achieved Independence and yet chose to address one of Bengal's greatest cultural icons casually.
"You did not even show him the minimum respect he deserves. You should apologise for this, to the nation," she said.
The flashpoint was PM's reference to the author during a discussion in Lok Sabha on Monday to commemorate 150 years of the national song, Vande Mataram, written by Chattopadhyay.
TMC MP Saugata Roy objected to the use of the suffix 'da' and urged the PM to say 'Bankim babu' instead.
Modi immediately accepted the sentiment, saying, "I will say Bankim 'babu'. Thank you, I respect your sentiments," and asked in a lighter vein whether he could still address Roy as 'dada'.
Targeting the BJP, Banerjee claimed that it will destroy Bengal's culture, language and heritage if it comes to power in the state.
She also claimed that the assembly elections in the state will be declared soon after publication of the final electoral rolls following the SIR exercise, so that no one can challenge it in court.
