'RSS leader's statement that age proof of women police officers was checked shocking'
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 12: The Opposition Congress Monday termed as 'shocking', RSS leader Valsan Thillankeri's remarks that he and some others had checked the age proof of women police officers at Sannidhanam (temple complex) at Sabarimala on November 6.
Thillankeri had yesterday said at a public function that he and others had the "privilege of inspecting the age proof of 15 women police officials deployed at Sabarimala" when the shrine was opened for a special pooja on November 6 on the occasion of Sree Chitra Atta Thirunal.
"This statement proves that Sabarimala was under the control of RSS. Thillankeri not only spoke over megaphone of the police, but now it has come to light that he even checked the age proof of women police officials. This is a complete failure of the government," Chennithala alleged.
He said that it was a matter of shame that the police was acting "as per the whims and fancies of the RSS."
"This affects the morale of the police force. The Chief Minister, who handles the Home department, must address this issue," Chennithala said.
Meanwhile senior Congress leader M M Hasan said only the union government can bring in an ordinance to solve the Sabarimala issue.
He alleged that both the LDF and the BJP were trying to gain political mileage out of the Sabarimala issue.
"BJP leader P S Sreedharan Pillai must organise a protest march to Delhi, instead of Sabarimala. Without pressurising the central government for an ordinance, BJP is trying to fuel communalism in the state," Hasan alleged.
The centuries old restrictions on entry of women devotees between the 10-50 age group worshipping in the shrine had been lifted by the Supreme Court on September 28.
With the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front government making it clear that it was constitutionally bound to implement the verdict, devotees and right wing outfits had launched massive protests and prayer marches against entry of young women.
Over 3,700 people had been arrested for violence during Sabarimala protests across the state after the apex court ruling.
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Metro ridership in Haryana sees over 13 pc rise in 2025-26
Chandigarh (PTI): Haryana's urban transit system witnessed a strong growth in 2025-26, with metro ridership registering a robust 13.55 per cent increase, the state government said in a statement on Thursday.
The progress was reviewed in the 64th board meeting of Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation (HMRTC) chaired by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi.
Between April 2025 and February 2026, the metro network recorded over 1.74 crore passengers, compared to 1.53 crore in the corresponding period the previous year.
July recorded the highest monthly growth at 22.93 per cent, while all months showed consistent positive trends.
Financial performance has also remained strong, with fare revenue rising 12.64 per cent till January 2026, the statement said.
Non-fare revenue surged by 108 per cent, driven by effective monetisation of station spaces, advertisements and commercial activities, resulting in an operating surplus for Rapid Metro.
Further initiatives, including the auction of station naming rights and additional advertisement sites, are expected to strengthen HMRTC's financial position, the statement said.
Appreciating the performance, Rastogi stated that the consistent rise in ridership and revenue reflects the success of Haryana's integrated transport strategy, rising commuter confidence and a clear shift towards public transport.
HMRTC Managing Director Chander Shekhar Khare said that, alongside operational gains, the state is making steady progress on an ambitious pipeline of metro and regional transit projects.
Metro connectivity from Gurugram Sector 56 to Panchgaon is under active consideration, with Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited studying the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and layout plan, and finalising a depot location in Sector 36A near Sihi village, he said.
The Gurugram-Faridabad Namo Bharat corridor has achieved a key milestone, with alignment and station locations finalised and approved by the Haryana government. The National Capital Region Transport Corporation is preparing the DPR, he added.
Similarly, the Delhi-Kundli metro extension is proposed to be placed before the Haryana Cabinet for approval.
The 136.3-kilometre Delhi-Panipat-Karnal RRTS Corridor has also progressed, with the revised DPR submitted for financial concurrence ahead of Haryana Cabinet consideration.
Within Gurugram, DPR preparation has been approved for key intra-city corridors, including the 17.09-kilometre Bhondsi-Subhash Chowk-Rajeev Chowk-Sohna Chowk Railway Station corridor, enhancing connectivity along Sohna Road, Khare said.
