Kumaraswamy seeks Vande Bharat service linking Bengaluru with Goa via coastal Karnataka
New Delhi: Union Steel and Heavy Industries Minister H D Kumaraswamy has written to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw urging the introduction of a Vande Bharat Express connecting Bengaluru with Madgaon in Goa through Hassan, Mangaluru, Udupi and Karwar, citing improved rail infrastructure and rising passenger demand along the route.
Kumaraswamy, in his letter pointed to the completion of electrification across the Western Ghat stretch between Sakleshpur and Subramanya Road and said that the section was now operationally ready for high-speed semi-premium services. In a report by Deccan Herald, Kumaraswamy said that the corridor serves a wide cross-section of passengers, including tourists, pilgrims, students and professionals, and it has also seen a steady growth in demand.
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The Janata Dal (Secular) leader said improved rail connectivity would strengthen links between Bengaluru and key commercial ports and tourism hubs in coastal Karnataka and Goa. This connectivity will contribute to regional economic activity and interstate mobility.
"The introduction of this service would address growing passenger demand, promote regional economic activity, boost tourism, and further inter-state connectivity-fully aligned with the Government's vision of an integrated, efficient, and modern rail network, " Kumaraswamy said.
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MP traffic cop suffers burn injuries during Congress' effigy-burning protest; probe ordered
Maihar (MP) (PTI): A traffic policeman suffered severe burn injuries in Madhya Pradesh's Maihar district on Friday after his uniform caught fire during Congress' effigy-burning protest targeted at some ministers, prompting the police to file an FIR and launch an investigation into the incident, an official said.
The protest took place at Agrasen Tiraha in Maihar city, he said.
Traffic policeman, Vikram Pathak, who was on duty at that time, suffered severe burn injuries as petrol carried in a bottle by the protesters fell on his uniform and it caught fire.
Congress workers were burning an effigy while raising slogans against state ministers Rajendra Shukla (Health), Vijay Shah (Tribal Affairs), and Kailash Vijayvargiya (Parliamentary Affairs).
While the opposition party has been targeting Shah for his controversial remarks made last year against Col Sofia Qureshi, it has been demanding the resignations of Shukla and Vijayvargiya over the deaths of people due to contaminated water in Indore.
As the protesters tried to set the effigy on fire, petrol got sprinkled on Pathak's uniform, and it caught fire. The blaze quickly spread to his back and lower body, causing panic during the protest, eyewitnesses said.
A video of the incident also went viral, showing a stampede-like situation soon after the fire.
The police personnel and locals present at the scene acted swiftly and extinguished the fire using blankets and water. The injured traffic policeman was immediately taken to Maihar Civil Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment, the official said.
Doctors said he suffered severe burn injuries, but is out of danger.
Taking serious cognisance of the matter, the police launched an investigation, he said.
An FIR has been registered based on the video footage, and the role of those involved in the protest is being investigated, the official said.
Police are also investigating the circumstances under which flammable material was used during the effigy- burning protest.
Following the accident, additional police force was deployed at the protest site and the surrounding area.
Superintendent of Police Awadhesh Kumar and Collector Rani Batad described the incident as serious and assured strict action against those involved in it.
"A demonstration was being carried out by the Congress, and during the effigy-burning, some petrol was spilled on the uniform of Vikram Pathak, the in-charge on duty, after which it suddenly caught fire and caused burn injuries to him," SP Kumar said.
An investigation is being conducted on the basis of the video, he said.
Madhya Pradesh BJP chief Hemant Khandelwal said in Bhopal, "I have spoken to the policeman and offered my prayers. There is a way to protest. Whatever happened is not right.
