Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Infrastructure Development Minister M B Patil has urged the Centre to launch an express train service between Bengaluru and Vijayapura.

The demand comes following the completion of the 9.60-km double-line railway work between Alamatti and Wandal, which has been open for traffic since March 25, the Minister's office said in a statement on Wednesday.

"He has written a letter regarding this on March 30 to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister V Somanna," it said.

In the letter, Patil stated that the Alamatti–Wandal section, part of the Gadag–Hotgi double-line project, has now been completed. During an earlier meeting, it was mentioned that once this work was finished, an express train between Bengaluru and Vijayapura could be introduced. He has now requested that this be given priority.

He highlighted that thousands of people from Vijayapura and Bagalkote districts travel daily to Bengaluru for education, healthcare, administrative work, and business, and this train service would greatly benefit them.

According to him, currently, the train journey between the two cities takes about 15 hours, which is inconvenient.

He stressed the need to reduce this travel time to around 10 hours.

The minister also requested that trains departing from Bengaluru be given a limited stops upto Hubballi, and that trains proceeding to Vijayapura should be routed via the Hubballi and Gadag bypass lines.

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Noida: Noida: A viral video by an Instagram influencer with the username @just_happie, claiming that crowds at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Jewar airport inauguration were “paid” or arranged, has reportedly been withheld in India. 

In the viral clip, the influencer is seen showing buses and claiming that students from institutions across Greater Noida were transported to the venue.

“At the inauguration of India's biggest international airport in Jewar, so many devotees of Modi ji have taken their precious time to gather to see him. If you feel like this too, you are wrong. The crowd you see here is not natural but made up.

"All the school and college students of Greater Noida have been brought here. In fact, even my college students will get two whole days of free attendance. I don’t know how many beneficiaries have been reported. After coming here, I want to say one thing to Modiji, there is so much traffic in 29-degree temperature and food being given is Parle biscuit,” the influencer alleged in the video.

At the same time, videos of students from Galgotias University alleging “free attendance” for attending the event are also going viral.

Vartha Bharathi could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

Reacting to the viral clip, several users on X questioned the arrangements and intent behind the event.

One user asked, “Is Modi on duty or off duty during the inauguration? Is this event paid for by taxpayers? Why do we need to waste taxpayer money on useless inaugurations to promote BJP Modi?”

Another wrote, “Join the rally for one day and bunk college for two days. So basically, three days of education have been wasted for a political rally.”

A third user commented, “the world is on the edge of a global crisis and this man is doing publicity,” while another quipped, “Mobile phones will not be allowed from next event!”

Another post questioned why students were allegedly mobilised despite the party having a large organisational base.

Earlier, a screenshot purportedly from a faculty member also went viral, claiming that attendance was mandatory for students on March 28, 2026, and that buses had been arranged from the campus to take them to the airport inauguration. The message further stated that two days’ attendance would be granted for attending the event.

Separately, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate shared a screenshot allegedly sent to media personnel invited for the event. “I am told this message has been shared with the media, which has been invited for the inauguration ceremony of the Jewar airport. What is Mr Modi so scared of?” she wrote.

The screenshot outlined certain protocols, including restrictions such as no OB vans, prohibition on black clothing, and a ban on live streaming, while instructing media to arrive at the venue by 9:00 AM.

In another viral video, a man is seen showing buses lined up near Galgotias University, alleging that students were being transported to the venue due to low public turnout.

 

 

Meanwhile, in a subsequent post, the influencer said, "as you know that video has been deleted, and on this topic this is my last video. Honestly I did not want to do this video as well, because for the past 60-70 days I have been consistently posting videos daily, and it involves very much hard work. And I don't want to obviously get my channel banned. That video was made only for vlog purpose.”

“Mainly, nation’s interest is first, nothing is bigger than the nation. I did not say anything against any political party or individual. I only pointed out about a lack of management at the event. However, after that social media users started calling me anti-national, congressi and other things,” she said.

She further stated, ' I reiterate once again, my fight is not against any political party, but it's my responsibility to question the party that I voted for. That's why it's also important to question the government equally.”

“I would like to say I need development and safety. We need clean air and clean water. We want the growth and beauty of our country. After this, I will ensure that I don't upload any videos on this topic,” she added.

Meanwhile, several other X accounts and Instagram handles that allegedly posted content critical of the government were also restricted.

According to reports, parody accounts like @DrNimoYadav, @ Nehr_who, @indian_armada satirical handles like @ mrjethwani_and @Doc_RGM. Commentator and activist Sandeep Singh's account were also withheld.

Videos of users sharing their experiences are also doing rounds on social media.