PM Modi asks states to speed up Bengaluru Suburban Rail, Telangana lift irrigation projects

Vartha Bharati | 16-01-2026 | 11:30:00 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi (PTI)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reviewed the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project in Karnataka and the J Chokka Rao Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme in Telangana and asked the states to speed up execution of the long-pending projects.

According to a report published by News18 on Friday, the review took place during a PRAGATI meeting held on December 31, 2025.

The Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project has been on the discussion table for four decades. It was finally sanctioned in 2020 and was targeted for completion in 2023 but is still far from complete.

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The project spans about 148 km across four corridors and is aimed at improving connectivity between the city, its suburbs and Kempegowda International Airport. The project is expected to cater to about 10 lakh commuters daily.

The cost of the project has gone up by nearly ₹1,020 crore, rising from ₹15,767 crore to ₹16,876 crore. PM Modi had laid the foundation stone of the project in 2023 with a 40-month deadline for completion.

The J Chokka Rao Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme in Telangana was conceived in 2001 during the tenure of then chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu in undivided Andhra Pradesh. The project is designed to irrigate about 5.57 lakh acres across Warangal, Karimnagar and Nalgonda districts and is among the largest lift irrigation schemes in Asia. It is targeted for completion by 2027.

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Youth Cong leader killed in Karnataka's Dharwad

11-04-2026 ¦ 11-04-2026 IST

Photo credit: TOI

Dharwad (PTI): A Youth Congress leader was allegedly killed by unidentified assailants after barging into his residence in the city, police said on Saturday. The deceased was identified as Fairoz Pathan, they said.

The incident took place at his house in the Hashminagar area on late Friday, creating panic among local residents.

Police said that four unidentified assailants barged into his house and attacked him with lethal weapons.

After committing the crime, the accused fled from the spot. The entire act has been captured on nearby CCTV cameras, providing crucial leads for the investigation, a senior police officer said.

Upon receiving information, police from the Sub-Urban Police Station rushed to the spot and conducted an inspection. The exact reason behind the murder is yet to be ascertained, he said.

Police have registered a case and launched an investigation to identify and apprehend the accused.