Minister Shobha Karandlaje symbolically inaugurates Konkan railway electrification project in Udupi
Udupi, Jun 20: Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shobha Karandlaje on Monday symbolically inaugurated the electrification of the entire 740-km Konkan railway stretch at the Indrali railway station in Udupi at the same time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the electrification project to the nation in Bengaluru.
Addressing the gathering, the minister said the electrification of the entire Konkan railway line is a dream come true for the people of the region.
"Konkan railway is the lifeline of India's coastal region and is the pride of the nation. It is a link between the north and the south. No one can mention about Konkan railway without remembering late leader George Fernandes who realised the dream for the coastal people," she said.
The minister said the total electrification of the line will help in saving Rs 380 crore annually to the Centre and also assist in saving Rs 180 crore towards fuel costs besides another Rs 120 crore towards maintenance as it is a pollution-free mode of transport with low fuel costs, she said.
Karandlaje said the Prime Minister's target is to develop the entire railway network on the same gauge. The country's railway network covers about 67,956 km, of which gauge conversion has been completed across 45,881 km with the remaining distance set to be completed by 2024.
The budgetary allocation for the project will be Rs 13,500 crore, she said, adding that development of road transport and railway network is important for promoting business and trade.
Konkan railway's Karwar regional manager B B Nikkam delivered the presidential address. Udupi city municipal council president Sumithra Nayak and Konkan railway PRO Sudha Krishnamurthy were also present.
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Elephant calf brought from Bijnor kept under care at Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
Pilibhit (PTI): A 19-day-old elephant calf, brought from Bijnor, was placed under care at the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) on Sunday, an official said and added that the calf got separated from its mother in the forest area of Bijnor.
The calf was born on December 2 in the Bijnor forest area and got separated from its mother shortly after birth, the official said.
The forest department made several attempts to reunite it with its mother, but without any success. To ensure the calf's safety and better care, it was decided to transfer it to the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve on the instructions of senior officials.
On Saturday, Deputy Director Manish Singh received the calf. Special arrangements have been made in the reserve for its care. It has been kept in a safe and clean environment to provide it with a natural setting and protect it from external noise and disturbances.
Singh told reporters that raising an 19-day-old calf is challenging.
It requires a special diet as a substitute for mother's milk and constant monitoring.
He said a special team has been formed to provide 24-hour care. Since the calf is very young, it is being cared for like a newborn baby.
According to Singh, the primary responsibility for monitoring the calf's health has been entrusted to PTR's veterinarian, Dr Daksh Gangwar. Under his supervision, a complete record of the calf's health checkups, diet, and body temperature is being maintained. The team is ensuring that the calf does not contract any infection.
