India's political landscape is ablaze with activity! From the ongoing debates surrounding the new farm bills and their impact on rural India, to the upcoming state elections shaping the national narrative, the stakes couldn't be higher. Key political figures are maneuvering strategically, with alliances shifting and power dynamics constantly in flux. The opposition's challenge to the ruling party is intensifying, sparking vigorous debates on crucial policy matters including economic reforms and social justice initiatives. Parliamentary proceedings are filled with heated exchanges, reflecting the deep divisions within the nation. This evolving political climate directly impacts the lives of every Indian citizen, influencing everything from economic opportunities to social welfare programs. Stay informed about the latest developments in Indian politics, from crucial legislative decisions to grassroots movements, by exploring Abtak.com for in-depth analysis and breaking news updates. Understanding the intricacies of our political system is crucial; stay engaged, stay informed, and stay ahead.
New Delhi: In a move that makes train travel more flexible, Indian Railways has rolled out new boarding rules from April 1, 2026. Passengers can now change their boarding station much closer to departure time- a big shift from the earlier 24-hour restriction. The change was announced by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw last month and is now live across the country. The idea is simple: give passengers more control and reduce the stress of missing their original boarding station. Under the new rule, passengers can change their boarding station up to 30 minutes before the train departs from its origin station. Earlier, this had to be done at least 24 hours in advance, which often didn't help in last-minute situations. Now, if plans change suddenly or you are unable to reach your original station, you can simply choose another station along the route and board from there without losing your confirmed seat. There is one key condition. The change must be done before the reservation chart is prepared. In simple terms, once the final chart is ready, no changes can be made. The updated boarding station will be reflected in the second or final reservation chart, so passengers should double-check their details after making the change. This option is available only for passengers who have confirmed or RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) tickets. Those with waiting list tickets cannot use this facility. This means your ticket must already be valid for travel before you try to change the boarding point. The process has been kept simple and can be done in two ways. Passengers can log in to the IRCTC website or mobile app and update their boarding station in a few steps. For those who prefer offline methods, the same change can be made by visiting a railway reservation counter. The aim is to make the system accessible whether you are comfortable with digital tools or not. Along with boarding flexibility, the Railways has also revised ticket cancellation rules. Passengers cancelling tickets earlier will now get better refunds. The new time windows have been extended to 72 hours, 24 hours and 8 hours before departure, replacing the earlier shorter timelines. This aligns with the updated system where reservation charts are prepared 9 to 18 hours before departure instead of just 4 hours earlier. This is a practical change that solves a common problem. Missing your boarding station earlier often meant losing your seat or dealing with complicated rules. Now, the process is more forgiving. It gives passengers breathing room in case of delays, traffic, or last-minute changes in plans. At the same time, the Railways has ensured the system remains structured by linking changes to chart preparation. In simple terms, travel just got a little less stressful as long as you remember to make the change on time.
OCCRP had published news articles against Adani; BJP MP Sambit Patra calls Rahul 'traitor of highest order' After a hiatus of two days, the Winter Session of Parliament plunged into chaos again Thursday, this time due to the ruling BJP targeting Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and the Congress, accusing them of being part of a plan to "derail" India's economy and "disrupt" its democracy. Senior BJP MP Nishikant Dubey raised the matter in the Lok Sabha, alleging that a "dangerous triangle" ...Read More >
Katra (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 7 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Minister Satish Sharma on Friday said that the railway bridge over the Chenab river, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was a long-pending project and demand. The Minister said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are development-oriented and that the much-awaited project would boost tourism. Speaking to ANI about the Chenab rail bridge inauguration, Sharma said a day earlier, 'Today, the Kashmir valley has been connected with the rest of the nation. This was a long-pending project and demand. I congratulate Prime M ...Read More >
Samastipur (Bihar), Jul 7 (PTI) Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday said Rs 10,000 crore has been sanctioned in this year's Union Budget for strengthening rail infrastructure in Bihar. Speaking at the 'bhoomi pujan' ceremony for a new level crossing gate near Karpoori Gram railway station in Samastipur district, the minister also inaugurated several upgraded passenger amenities at the station. "The NDA government at the Centre, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has sanctioned Rs 10,000 crore in this year's budget for rail infrastructure in Bihar," Vaishnaw told re ...Read More >
Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh) [India], June 26 (ANI): Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia flagged off the Gwalior-Bengaluru direct train from Gwalior Railway Station on Thursday and also travelled in the train. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually joined the program and flagged off the train on the occasion. Also Read | 'You Have Made History!' Chiranjeevi, Kamal Haasan Hail Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla After Historic ISS Docking With Axiom-4 Space Mission (See Post). Speaking to ANI, Union Minister Scindia called the direct train ...Read More >
To ease last-minute anxiety for passengers, the Indian Railways (IR) will soon begin preparing reservation charts by 9 pm the previous evening for trains scheduled to depart before 2 pm. The Ministry of Railways announced on Sunday that the change, which will benefit waitlisted passengers in particular, will be rolled out in phases across the network. Currently, charts are prepared four hours before the train departure time. A ministry official told News18 that this will be a major relief for w ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 6 (ANI): Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday paid tribute to Syama Prasad Mookerjee on the occasion of his birth anniversary, stating that the struggle of the Jana Sangh's founder ended in 2019 when Article 370 was abrogated from the Constitution. Addressing a public meeting in the national capital, Vaishnaw said, 'It is because of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee's ideas and struggles that such great achievements have been possible, achievements crucial for India's unity and for our ideological oneness as a nation.' 'The struggle that Mookerjee undertook was finally ...Read More >
Hubballi (Karnataka), Jul 13 (PTI) With a Congress MLA claiming that the BJP was planning to topple the government in Karnataka and has prepared a list to target 55 legislators through central agencies, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Sunday hit back, alleging that "horse trading" was on in the ruling party itself, amid CM change speculation. Congress MLA from Hungund Vijayanand Kashappanavar on Saturday accused that the BJP has prepared a list of 55 Congress MLAs to threaten them with ED or CBI raids, if they don't join the saffron party. Also Read | Chennai Power Cut on July 15: Several Pa ...Read More >
Punjab News: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Monday that the Indian Railways has allocated ₹5421 crore to enhance railway infrastructure in Punjab. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Monday that the Indian Railways has allocated ₹5421 crore to enhance railway infrastructure in Punjab. The announcement, made via video conferencing, highlighted that this year's funding is 24 times higher compared to the period between 2009-2014. The minister revealed that 30 Amrit Stations are being developed in Punjab at a cost of ₹1122 crore, while 34 Amrit Stations are ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 6 (PTI) The first 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Circuit Train Tour' has received overwhelming response as all the seats have been booked ahead of the scheduled departure on June 9, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited said on Friday. In a release, IRCTC, a 'Navratna' PSU under the railway ministry, said all 710 seats have been booked in 11 coaches. These comprise 480 in the Economy (Sleeper) category, 190 in Comfort (3AC) and 40 in Superior (2AC), indicating strong interest across travel classes, it added. IRCTC in collaboration with Maharashtra government ...Read More >
Srinagar: Before towering cranes and cutting-edge engineering transformed the Himalayan landscape, the monumental dream of connecting "Kashmir to Kanyakumari" by rail began with the plodding footsteps of humble mules. This extraordinary backstory underpins the official realization of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, 2025, a project crowned by the awe-inspiring Chenab Bridge. According to Afcons Infrastructure Limited, the company behind the Chenab Bridge, the earliest and most formidable hurdle wasn't just the design of ...Read More >
Katra, June 6 -- Kashmir achieved a long-awaited milestone as its first all-weather railway connectivity to the rest of India was inaugurated Friday, a moment Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called a "historic accomplishment" that promises to transform the region's economy, tourism, and daily life, reported by Kashmir Media News. The inauguration ceremony, held at Katra, saw the formal opening of the iconic Chenab and Anji bridges, along with the launch of the Vande Bharat train to Kashmir. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the event, accompanied by top dignitaries including Lieu ...Read More >
Srinagar- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said foreign countries were told clearly during the post-Operation Sindoor diplomatic outreach that in case of a fresh provocation, India would repeat its action. Speaking at a discussion at the Ahmedabad Management Association, Tharoor said Indian delegations which visited foreign countries in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor managed to convey that India acted with restraint and responsibility. "In other places, we actually were able to get some very high-placed people to say not only that they respected and supported India's right of self- ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Centre on Tuesday launched 'RailOne', a super app designed to serve as a one-stop platform for all railway-related queries, passenger needs and services. The app, launched by Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in the national capital, aims to enhance convenience by integrating multiple services into a single interface. With a user-friendly interface, the RailOne is live and available to download on Google Play Store and iOS App Store. The new app integrates services such as unreserved and platform tickets with 3 per cent discount, live train track ...Read More >
The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is a long-term project by the Indian Railways aimed at transforming more than 1,300 railway stations across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is inaugurating 103 redeveloped Amrit stations across India on Thursday via video conferencing from Bikaner. The redeveloped stations are spread across 86 districts in 18 States and Union Territories and have been built at a cumulative cost of over Rs 1,100 crore, according to a release by the ministry of railways. ...Read More >
Ahmedabad, June 27: Union Home Minister Amit Shah began his Gujarat visit on a spiritual note early Friday morning by participating in the Mangala Aarti at the historic Shri Jagannathji Temple in Jamalpur, Ahmedabad. The visit coincides with the auspicious occasion of the annual Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra, a major religious event that draws thousands of devotees every year. Arriving at the temple at 3:15 a.m., HM Shah joined in the sacred rituals and offered prayers to Mahaprabhu Jagannath. Sharing his experience on social media platform X, he posted, "On the sacred occasion of Rath Yatra, par ...Read More >
Ranchi, July 7: Minister of State for Defence and MP from Ranchi, Sanjay Seth, held a press conference on Monday at his office in the Namo E-Library to highlight the significant progress in railway infrastructure within the Ranchi Lok Sabha constituency over the last three years. He informed that major development works are currently underway across four key railway divisions -- Ranchi, Chakradharpur, Adra and Dhanbad -- with a cumulative investment of more than Rs 4,224 crore. While several projects have already been completed, many are progressing rapidly. The construction of overbridges, u ...Read More >
Samastipur (Bihar) [India], July 8 (ANI): In a continued effort to modernise and upgrade railway infrastructure in Bihar, Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday laid the foundation stone and inaugurated several key projects worth Rs 17.30 crore at Karpoorigram Station under the Samastipur division. At the outset, Vaishnaw inspected the Digha Bridge Halt and thoroughly reviewed passenger amenities, safety, cleanliness, platform condition, drinking water, lighting, and security arrangements, according to a statement from the Ministry of Railways. He directed officials to work t ...Read More >
Katra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, inaugurating an alternative all-weather transportation system for Kashmir by connecting the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link with the national railway network. The train will commence commercial operations from Saturday, allowing passengers to travel in the two pairs between Srinagar and Katra except on Wednesdays. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail project in the tough Himalayan terrain has been referred to as a marvel. It is expected to be a game changer in the development of the mount ...Read More >
Officials say the train will help the troubled region, but many Kashmiris see it as a tool to entrench the Indian government's control. After decades of highly complex engineering work and billions of dollars in investment, India has finally connected the Himalayan region of Kashmir by rail to the rest of the country. The train link, which was officially inaugurated on Friday, fulfilled a dream dating back to the British colonial era. Indian officials called it a transformative leap for the res ...Read More >
Gurgaon: Two days after a law student died and his friend suffered critical injuries when a car knocked them down as they stood near railing on the service lane of Delhi-Jaipur highway in the early hours of Tuesday, a civil engineer was arrested on Thursday.Mohit (31), an employee of a private company in the city, told police that he got drowsy while driving. He is staying at a PG facility in Sector 14.The student who died, Harsh Singhal (25), was a resident of Om Nagar colony. His friend Abhishek Kumar (23), who is from Shanti Nagar in Sector 11, is undergoing treatment at a private hospital ...Read More >
Kolkata, June 28: A political slugfest has erupted in West Bengal after a woman accused Padma Shree awardee monk Kartik Maharaj, who is posted with the Murshidabad unit of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, of allegedly raping her 12 times for six months in 2013. As per the police complaint lodged by the woman, Kartik Maharaj raped her multiple times 12 years ago promising her a job at a local school. The ruling Trinamool Congress is highlighting the issue in a major way and accusing the BJP of being silent on it since the accused monk had been reportedly close to the saffron party. The woman accusin ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: In a significant development, Indian Railways has proposed to prepare and release the reservation chart eight hours before a train's departure, replacing the current practice of releasing the chart four hours before departure. This new timeline is expected to come into effect from 1st July this year. The decision follows a series of meetings between railway officials and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, aimed at improving convenience for passengers, particularly those holding waitlisted tickets. Confirming the development to this newspaper, a senior railway official said on Sun ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) BJP Lok Sabha member Praveen Khandelwal on Sunday shot off a letter to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, requesting him to rename New Delhi Railway Station after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He said the central location and prominence of the New Delhi Railway Station make it a suitable site to be named after the visionary leader whose life and legacy continue to inspire millions. Pointing out that the veteran leader had a deep emotional bond with Delhi, which was also his workplace, Khandelwal said renaming the New Delhi Railway statio ...Read More >
Samastipur: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday said Rs 10,000 crore has been sanctioned in this year's Union Budget for strengthening rail infrastructure in Bihar. Speaking at the 'bhoomi pujan' ceremony for a new level crossing gate near Karpoori Gram railway station in Samastipur district, the minister also inaugurated several upgraded passenger amenities at the station. "The NDA government at the Centre, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has sanctioned Rs 10,000 crore in this year's budget for rail infrastructure in Bihar," Vaishnaw told reporters. "In the pas ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 13 (ANI): The Crime Branch of Delhi Police has achieved a significant breakthrough in its efforts to combat crime in the city. A dangerous day burglar gang has been smashed, and two individuals, including a major burglar, have been apprehended. The Crime Branch of Delhi Police apprehended two accused, including a Child in Conflict with Law (CCL) and a 22-year-old identified as Aftab alias Sukha, from the Sector 10/11 area near Japanese Park in Rohini. Also Read | Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Approves To Install CCTV Cameras in All 74,000 Coaches To Enhance Passen ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], February 10 (ANI): Northern Railways is making extensive preparations for the upcoming Snan on February 12, ensuring smooth travel for MahaKumbh devotees. CPRO Northern Railway Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay said over 300 trains operated on February 9, with continuous monitoring through CCTV cameras and a control centre at Prayagraj stations. He urged passengers to ignore rumours about train cancellations. Also Read | Ranveer Allahbadia Parental Sex Question: Case Filed Against YouTuber-Podcaster BeerBiceps, Samay Raina, Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh and Apoorva Makhija for ...Read More >
Katra (J&K), June 6 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the world's highest Chenab rail bridge in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. The PM was accompanied by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union minister Dr Jitendra Singh, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Before the inauguration, the PM inspected the bridge and spoke to the engineers and the labourers, who turned the dream into a reality. The Chenab rail bridge is the architectural marvel; it is located at a height of 359 meters above the river, and is the ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 27 (ANI): Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday virtually flagged off a new weekly train from Gwalior to Bengaluru, saying it will benefit cities like Guna, Bhopal, and other parts of Madhya Pradesh. He also said efforts are underway to start a train service between Gwalior and Agra, and that preparations for the upcoming Kumbh will be made on a scale similar to a Maha Kumbh. Speaking at the launch, Ashwini Vaishnaw said, 'This train will benefit Gwalior, Guna, Bhopal and everyone in Madhya Pradesh... The Prime Minister undertook a lot of initiatives for ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 29 (PTI) Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently reviewed the progress of ongoing reforms in the passengers reservation system and emphasized the need for smart, transparent, accessible and efficient ticketing system with a focus on passenger convenience, the ministry on Sunday said. Under Vaishnaw's guidance, officials are working to prepare the reservation chart eight hours before the train's departure instead of the current system of four hours. "It will benefit passengers travelling from remote locations or suburbs of major cities for catching long distance trains. It w ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 1: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched on Tuesday the RailOne mobile application, which can help passengers get easy access to multiple services such as ticket booking, train and PNR enquiry, journey planning, rail help services and meal booking. Vaishnaw inaugurated the app, available on both Android Play Store and iOS App Store platforms, at the 40th Foundation Day celebrations of the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS). "RailOne App is a one-stop solution for all passenger needs. Through this app, passengers get easy access to the following services: Ticket ...Read More >