PM virtually launches Rs 15K cr connectivity projects for N-E

by Argus News

Guwahati, Feb 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched several connectivity projects costing Rs 15,000 cr in Assam on Thursday. He said that these projects would not only boost trade, economy and industrialisation but also open a new chapter for the tourism industry in the northeastern region.

The Prime Minister said that the projects would make connectivity and transportation easier among West Bengal, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura along with Bangladesh and Bhutan.

The Rs 3,231-crore Mahabahu-Brahmaputra project includes the Ro-Pax vessel operations between Neamati-Majuli Island, North Guwahati-South Guwahati and Dhubri-Hatsingimari, construction of Inland Water Transport (IWT) Terminal at Jogighopa (in Bongaigaon district) and various tourist jetties on the Brahmaputra river and launch of digital solutions for ease-of-doing-business.

The project is aimed at providing seamless connectivity to the eastern parts of India and includes various development activities for the people living around Brahmaputra and Barak rivers in southern Assam.

The Ro-Pax operation between Neamati and Majuli will reduce the total distance of 420 km currently being travelled by vehicles to only 12 km, resulting in a substantial impact on the logistics of small-scale industries of the region. Two indigenously procured Ro-Pax vessels -- M.V. Rani Gaidinliu and M.V. Sachin Dev Burman -- will become operational.

Introduction of Ro-Pax vessel M.V. J.F.R. Jacob between North and South Guwahati will reduce travelling distance of around 40 km to a mere 3 km. Introduction of M.V. Bob Khathing between Dhubri and Hatsingimari will reduce travelling distance of 220 km to 28 km, thus resulting in a huge saving of travel distance and time.

The Mahabahu-Brahmaputra project also includes construction of tourist jetties at four locations, -- Neamati, Biswanath Ghat, Pandu and Jogighopa -- with financial assistance of Rs 9.41 crore from the Union Tourism Ministry. These jetties will promote river cruise tourism, generate local employment and growth for local businesses.

A permanent IWT terminal will also be built at Jogighopa which will connect with the Multi-Modal Logistics Park coming up at Jogighopa in Bongaigaon district.

This Terminal will help in reducing the traffic on the existing Siliguri Corridor towards Kolkata and Haldia. It will also facilitate the uninterrupted movement of cargo even during the flood season to various northeastern states like Meghalaya and Tripura and to Bhutan and Bangladesh as well.

The Prime Minister also launched two e-portals to further Ease of Doing Business. The Car-D (Cargo Data) portal will collate cargo and cruise data on a real time basis. PANI (Portal for Asset and Navigation Information) will act as a one-stop solution for providing information about river navigation and infrastructure. He also laid the foundation stone of the Rs 350 crore North East Data Centre at Guwahati.

The PM laid the foundation stone for the country's longest 19 km-long Dhubri-Phulbari river bridge over the Brahmaputra river.

The Rs 5,000 crore bridge, located on National Highway 127B, would connect Dhubri (on North Bank) with Phulbari (on South Bank) originating from Srirampur on NH-27 (East-West Corridor) and terminating at Nongstoin on NH-106 in Meghalaya.

The bridge will connect Dhubri in Assam to Phulbari along with Tura, Rongram and Rongjeng in Meghalaya reducing the distance of 205 km and will meet the long-standing demand of the people from Assam and Meghalaya who were depending on ferry services to travel between the two banks of the Brahmaputra river.

The Prime Minister performed the Bhumi Pujan for the two-lane Majuli bridge on the Brahmaputra between Majuli (North Bank) and Jorhat (South Bank).

The 8-km long bridge will be located on NH-715K and will connect Neematighat (on Jorhat side) and Kamalabari (on Majuli side).
(IANS)

Khandapada MLA Soumya Patnaik, Remuna Legislator Sudhansu Parida Expelled From BJD

by Hemanta Pande

Bhubaneswar, Sep 21: In a major political development in Odisha, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday expelled two party MLAs- Khandapada MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik and Remuna MLA Sudhanshu Sekhar Parida for 'anti-people activities'.

BJD president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik informed that both the MLAs have been expelled for their alleged anti-people activities.

In an official release on the expulsion of the Remuna MLA, the BJD president said, "Sri Sudhansu Sekhar Panda, when he was Managing Partner of M/s Nigamananda Associates, Balasore, in connivance with others misappropriated government subsidy, meant for farmers, of more than Rs.3 crores during the period from 2017-18 to 2019-20. This matter is being inquired into by the State Vigilance on the orders of the Honorable Lokayukta."

Similarly, on the Khandapada MLA, the BJD president said, "On an FIR by an ex-employee of Sambad Newspaper a case under sections 506/467/468/471/420/120-B IPC has been registered against him and others by Economic Offence Wing (EOW) Odisha. Further many ex-employees of Sambad newspaper have made similar allegations with EOW Odisha. It is a serious case of organized bank fraud involving loan worth crores of Rupees taken in the name of more than 300 employees Sambad by using fraudulent means and forged documents."

Read: Odisha News

Indian Visa Services In Canada Suspended Till Further Notice

by Manisha Das

Ottawa, September 21: The Indian Mission in Canada on Thursday suspended visa services till further notice citing operational reasons, according to BLS International.

BLS International Services Limited is an Indian outsourcing service provider for government and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company manages visa, passport, consular, attestation and citizen services.

As per BLS International , interested visa applicants have been advised to keep checking the BLS website for further updates on the issue.

"Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking BLS website for further updates," the BLS website said.

This comes amid strain in India-Canada relations after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday alleged that the Indian government was behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Najjar, who was a designated terrorist in India, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18.

Trudeau during a debate in the Canadian Parliament, claimed his country's national security officials had reasons to believe that "agents of the Indian government" carried out the killing of the Canadian citizen, who also served as the president of Surrey's Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara.

The allegations made by the Canadian Prime Minister and foreign minister were rejected by the Ministry of External Affairs in India which dubbed the statements as absurd.

"We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister. Allegations of Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated" the statement said.

On Wednesday, Indian nationals, students in Canada and those planning on travelling to the country were advised to exercise caution. Indian nationals and Indian students in Canada were advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen growing anti-India activities, according to a release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Indian students in Canada have been particularly advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.

(ANI)

Also Read: National News

Jimmy Kimmel Tests Positive For COVID-19

by Manisha Das

Los Angeles, September 21: Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel has been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Taking to X (formerly called Twitter), Kimmel shared his health update and also informed fans about the cancellation of his "Strike Force Three" live show.

“Well, Las Vegas, I got Covid, and sadly, we need to cancel this weekend’s Strike Force Three show,” Kimmel posted

“I could never live with myself if I got my hometown friends sick. Thanks to all who purchased tickets, everyone will get full refunds and we will try to reschedule if possible," he added.

After learning about Kimmel's ill-health, fans chimed in the comment section and wished for his speedy recovery.

"Take care Kimmel," a social media user commented.
"Wish you a speedy recovery," another one wrote.

As per US-based publication Variety, “Strike Force Three” was scheduled to take place at the Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas on September 23. The event was announced by Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert.

The event, which would have united the three late night hosts onstage for the first time ever, was born out of the “Strike Force Five” podcast that the trio launched alongside Seth Meyers and John Oliver on August 30.

(ANI)

Also Read: Entertainment News

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