India's economic engine is revving up, but navigating the global headwinds requires sharp strategy. The rupee's recent volatility against the dollar underscores the complexities facing Indian businesses, impacting everything from import-export trade to domestic inflation. This week alone, we've seen significant shifts in the IT sector, with major players announcing restructuring and a renewed focus on AI-driven solutions. Meanwhile, the burgeoning startup ecosystem continues to attract substantial funding, despite a cautious global investor sentiment. The government's recent policy announcements on infrastructure development and digitalization are poised to further shape the business landscape, creating both opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs and established corporations alike. Understanding these market dynamics is crucial for success in today's rapidly evolving Indian economy. Stay informed with Abtak.com for the latest insights and analysis on key sectors including finance, manufacturing, and technology – empowering your business decisions in a dynamic market. Explore the complete business news section now to stay ahead of the curve.
Srinagar: The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, an unprecedented engineering marvel in India, boasts a staggering 943 bridges and 36 tunnels on a 119-kilometre stretch across its entire 272-kilometre length. This historic achievement of the Indian railways is set to start ferrying passengers on Friday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's inauguration of the final finished 111-kilometre Katra-Banihal section. This stretch will give the final shape of rail connectivity between Jammu and the Kashmir Valley. Starting Saturday, two Vande Bharat Express trains will embark on this challenging journey, traversing major geological thrust zones and crossing iconic rivers like Chenab and Anji. Dubbed perhaps the most difficult new railway line project undertaken in independent India, the USBRL, sanctioned in 1994-95, has overcome immense natural hurdles. The 111-km Katra-Banihal stretch alone demanded carving through diverse geological zones. The Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd (KRCL) spearheaded this difficult construction, with 161 km of the project already operational from both ends. Within this critical 111-kilometre section, 37 bridges span a combined length of seven kilometres, including 26 major and 11 minor structures. A remarkable 87 per cent (97.42 km) of this section runs through tunnels, notably featuring the 12.77-km-long Tunnel No. 50, India's longest transportation railway tunnel. This tunnel, connecting Khari and Sumber, navigated complex geology, high water ingress, and landslides, necessitating multiple access tunnels for accelerated construction. Among the engineering marvels on this route are four particularly unique bridges. Bridge Number 35, the Anji Bridge, stands as India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, connecting Katra and Reasi with 96 cables, designed to withstand the region's seismic challenges. Spanning 725 meters and rising 331 meters above the Anji River, it utilised an astonishing 653 kilometres of cable strand. Further along, Bridge Numbers 39 and 43, built by Afcons for KRCL, host the Reasi and Salal station yards respectively, with Bridge 39 featuring towering piers up to 103 meters, taller than the Qutub Minar. The crowning glory is Bridge 44 across the Chenab River, standing at a breathtaking 359 meters above the riverbed, earning it the world record for the highest rail bridge from its base, as per the railways, even surpassing the Eiffel Tower in height. Building upon the remarkable infrastructure of the USBRL project, the challenging terrain between Katra and Dharam is traversed by a total of 16 tunnels, collectively spanning approximately 45 kilometres. The construction of these crucial underground passages leveraged a combination of advanced techniques, including the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), the I-System, and conventional tunnelling practices, to navigate the region's complex geology. Among these impressive tunnels, the 9-kilometre-long Tunnel No. 13, situated near Dugga in the Reasi district, stands out as another significant feat of engineering along this ambitious railway line.
PRAYAGRAJ, India (AP) -- Millions of Hindu devotees, mystics and holy men and women from all across India flocked to the northern city of Prayagraj on Monday to kickstart the Maha Kumbh festival, which is being touted as the world's largest religious gathering. Over about the next six weeks, Hindu pilgrims will gather at the confluence of three sacred rivers -- the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati -- where they will take part in elaborate rituals, hoping to begin a journey to achieve Hindu philosophy's ultimate goal: the release from the cycle of rebirth. Here's what to know abo ...Read More >
Rameswaram, Feb 10 (PTI) The new 2.05 kilometre Pamban Bridge will allow trains to cross the sea between mainland India and Rameswaram Island in Tamil Nadu in less than 5 minutes, significantly less than the previous 25-30 minutes on the old structure, railway officials said on Monday. The bridge is ready to be dedicated to the nation and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate it within the next few weeks, though a date is yet to be decided, he added. "Trains used to take 25-30 minutes to cross the old colonial-era Pamban Bridge between Mandapam and Rameswaram Islands due to ...Read More >
Mumbai: Maharashtra will connect the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi expressway corridor to the upcoming greenfield Vadhvan port, slated to be the country's biggest such facility, via the Nashik highway, the upcoming Delhi-Mumbai greenfield expressway corridor, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway, the under-construction bullet train corridor, and the coastal road that is planned to be extended up to the port."The Prosperity corridor will have up to 500 MW to 1,000 MW capacity solar plant along it with 200 MW starting soon, besides a huge gas pipeline that will supply PNG not only to cities but also to power ...Read More >
Mumbai: The birth of three penguin chicks at Mumbai's Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo has sparked an unexpected row not over their care, but their names. BJP functionary Nitin Bankar from the Byculla Assembly constituency has objected to the chicks being given English names, insisting they be named in Marathi instead. The BMC is expected to respond by June 10, after which Bankar will decide his next move. Speaking to The Free Press Journal, Bankar said, "When penguins were brought from abroad, we accepted that their names would be in English. But these chicks were born on the soil of M ...Read More >
Katra, Jun 5: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Thursday said that Jammu and Kashmir was stronger, prosperous than ever and witnessed unprecedented growth under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Inspecting arrangements in Katra ahead of PM Modi's scheduled public meeting on Friday, LG Sinha said, "Inauguration and foundation stone laying of key infrastructure projects are examples of the PM's commitment to J&K to ensure speedy and inclusive development." He said that the much-awaited inauguration of Chenab and Anji Rail Bridge and flag-off of the Vande Bharat trains by PM Modi wo ...Read More >
Katra/Jammu, Jun 5 (PTI) Union minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ensuring a speedy completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project after taking office in 2014 and said it marks the beginning of a historic journey in setting up the world's highest railway bridge in Jammu and Kashmir. On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the world's highest railway bridge over the Chenab river and the Anji Khad bridge, India's first cable-stayed bridge, before flagging off Vande Bharat trains to mark the completio ...Read More >
Hyderabad: In a significant boost for 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbharta' in the aerospace and defence sector, and Hyderabad's growing stature as a global aerospace hub, the complete fuselage of the Rafale fighter jet will now be made in India at Hyderabad. This move marks the first time that these Rafale components will be manufactured outside France for the Indian as well as global markets.French aerospace major Dassault Aviation has signed four production transfer agreements with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) for manufacturing key sections of the Rafale fighter jet, including the lateral ...Read More >
Katra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate on Friday the world's tallest bridge over Chenab river ahead of dedicating to the nation the much-awaited Kashmir rail service here. After he arrived at the Air Force station in Udhampur, the prime minister left in a chopper to inaugurate the bridge over Chenab. A multi-tier security setup has been put in place for the prime minister's visit, his first to the Union Territory post Operation Sindoor launched by the Indian Armed Forces across the border to hit terrorist infrastructure during the intervening night on May 6 and 7 in retaliat ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate a series of monumental infrastructure projects, including Chenab Bridge - the world's highest railway bridge and flag off the much-awaited Vande Bharat Express train from Katra to Srinagar. Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information & Publicity of the Railway Board hailed the occasion as one of the most historic milestones since India's independence. "On this historic day, by the grace of Mata Vaishno Devi, PM Modi is dedicating to the nation a project that is being discussed across the world. If we look ...Read More >
Srinagar, Jun 6 (PTI) The Jammu and Kashmir unit of BJP on Friday described the completion of the Udhampur-Baramulla rail link as a "historic moment", and called the project a "precious Eid gift" for the people of the Union Territory. "The Udhampur-Baramulla railway connectivity is not just a feat of engineering, but a symbol of hope, development, and national integration.This is truly a historic moment for Jammu and Kashmir," BJP's J-K spokesperson Altaf Thakur said here. He said the ambitious rail project will revolutionise travel in the region, boost tourism, and open up economic opportun ...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 >
KATRA, Jun 5: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha inspected arrangements in Katra on Thursday ahead of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's scheduled Public Meeting on 06th June. The Lieutenant Governor reviewed the preparations to ensure the smooth conduct of the event and directed the officials for strict security, safety measures and seamless coordination among all departments. Hon'ble Prime Minister will dedicate the iconic Chenab Bridge, the tallest railway bridge in the world, Country's first cable-stayed Anji rail bridge and Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project ...Read More >
Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Jitendra Singh reached Katra in Reasi district on Thursday to review arrangements a day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, officials said. On Friday, the prime minister is scheduled to inaugurate the Chenab bridge and the Anji bridge, India's first cable-stayed bridge, the symbol of the country's engineering excellence, before flagging off Vande Bharat trains to mark the completion of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) that will provide ...Read More >
Srinagar: Railway stations across the Kashmir Valley have been beautifully decked out as preparations peak for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to flag off the inaugural Delhi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express -- the first-ever train connecting the valley directly to the rest of India. This landmark train will depart from Delhi and travel through Katra, the gateway to the revered Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, before reaching Srinagar. The event marks the successful culmination of one of India's most ambitious infrastructure projects, featuring two engineering marvels: the world's highest railway bridge o ...Read More >
New Delhi: Three Indian citizens vanished mysteriously in Tehran. Darkness closed in as hope seemed lost. A ruthless Pakistani gang with potential links to ISI snatched them away, casting a shadow of fear. But relentless Indian diplomats refused to back down. Against all odds, a daring rescue mission ignited. Now, the captives are free, and a chilling game of espionage comes to light. The Punjab-based trio - Amritpal Singh from Hoshiarpur, Jaspal Singh from SBS Nagar and Hushnapreet Singh from Sangrur - had landed in Iran on May 1. Promised a clandestine route to Australia via Dubai and Tehra ...Read More >
Pakyong (Sikkim) [India], June 6 (ANI): As part of the ongoing evacuation efforts in response to the recent disaster in North Sikkim, the first helicopter sortie of the day took off early this morning from Pakyong Greenfield Airport towards Chaten to rescue stranded tourists, according to an official statement. The Mi-17 helicopters are carrying essential supplies for Army personnel stationed in and around the Chaten area. Also Read | Kolkata Fatafat Result Today: Kolkata FF Result for June 06, 2025 Declared, Check Winning Numbers and Result Chart of Satta Matka-Type Lottery Game. The opera ...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 >
Katra (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 5 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Minister Jitendra Singh inspected the Katra railway station and the Vande Bharat train on Thursday ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit on June 6. PM Modi will flag off the first Vande Bharat train to Kashmir on Friday. CM Omar Abdullah said, 'If I tell you that I have been waiting for this moment for a long time, it will still not be enough. This rail project began when I was in the 7th or 8th class. Now, even my children have started working after completing school and college ...Read More >
Ramban (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 6 (ANI): Security forces conducted thorough inspections and heightened vigilance in Ramban, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Katra on Friday. Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway bridge, and flag off the Vande Bharat Express train between Katra and Srinagar. Security personnel conducted sweeping inspections, including dog squad deployments and comprehensive vehicle checks. Also Read | Chinnaswamy Stampede: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Suspends Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda, Orders ...Read More >
Udhampur (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 6 (ANI): Security has been heightened at the Udhampur Railway Station ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Katra on Friday during wich he will inaugurate the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway bridge, and flag off the Vande Bharat Express train between Katra and Srinagar. Ahead of flagging off the Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar on June 6, marking the completion of the Katra-Sangaldan rail link project, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that key infrastructure projects worth Rs 46,000 crores, which are being inau ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Former head of Air India and chairman of the Railway Board Ashwani Lohani is the new Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) director. The official order for his appointment was issued on Wednesday. A 1980-batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineering (IRSME), Lohani is known for turning around various organisations during his illustrious career. Following his retirement from IRSME service, he joined the GMR Group as the CEO. According to the order dated June 4, his appointment to the post of director, Prime Ministers Museum and Library in the rank and pa ...Read More >
Srinagar, June 05: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that June 6 is indeed a special day for my sisters and brother of Jammu and Kashmir as key infrastructure projects worth Rs 46,000 crore are being inaugurated including Udhampur-Baramulla-Srinagar Rail Link (USBRL) project. The PM Modi said USBRL project will ensures all weather connectivity and the Vande Bharat trains from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Srinagar will boost spiritual tourism and create livelihood opportunities. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Prime Minister Modi said: "Tomorrow, 6th June is indeed a special ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: To achieve the goal of 2047 and make India a global phenomenon, we need to follow global strategies and parameters, said Union minister Dr Jitendra Singh at the "India Economic Conclave" organised by a media house in New Delhi on Saturday. India's space, marine and Himalayan resources, which remained inadequately explored before PM Narendra Modi took over, will contribute substantially to India's future economic growth. While answering to a question on how India can unleash benefits out of its natural resources in future in terms of creative growth, the minister said that Prime Mi ...Read More >
Credit: AP | The Vande Bharat Express train arrives at Srinagar railway station during a trial run ahead of its inauguration, which will connect the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India, on the outskirts of Srinagar Katra to Srinagar Vande Bharat Express: The upcoming Katra to Srinagar Vande Bharat Express is set to revolutionise travel in Jammu and Kashmir. This semi-high-speed train service will offer faster, more efficient connectivity between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK) and Srinagar, reducing the travel time drastically compared to road journeys. The Vande Bharat Express will co ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday described the Chenab Bridge built on the Jammu and Srinagar railway line as an engineering marvel, saying that it has been designed to tackle winds up to 260 kilometres per hour and falls in Seismic Zone 5. Talking to reporters about the unique features of the bridge, the Union Minister said its design is very complicated and its foundation is equal to half a football field. About 30,000 tonnes of steel have been used to build this bridge, which is now touted as the world's highest railway arch bridge. Prime Mini ...Read More >
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Thursday took strong action against the police officers allegedly responsible for the Bengaluru stampede, suspending several high-ranking officials, including the city's police commissioner. Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also announced a one-man commission to probe the lapses that triggered the deadly stampede. "Cubbon Park Police Station police inspector, station house master, station house officer, ACP, Central Division DCP, cricket stadium in-charge, additional commissioner of police, commissioner of police have been susp ...Read More >
Srinagar, Jun 6 (PTI) The Jammu and Kashmir unit of BJP on Friday described the completion of the Udhampur-Baramulla rail link as a "historic moment", and called the project a "precious Eid gift" for the people of the Union Territory. "The Udhampur-Baramulla railway connectivity is not just a feat of engineering, but a symbol of hope, development, and national integration.This is truly a historic moment for Jammu and Kashmir," BJP's J-K spokesperson Altaf Thakur said here. Also Read | Bodoland Lottery Result Today, June 06, 2025: Assam State Lottery Sambad Friday Lucky Draw Results Declared, ...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 >
Nashik (Maharashtra) [India], June 5 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said that the Hindu Hridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg will play an essential role in the development of the state. This highway will be a corridor of prosperity for the state. This highway will be connected to Vadhan Port shortly, and CM Fadnavis added it. Chief Minister Fadnavis said that land has been acquired for the Samruddhi Highway in record time. Due to this route, 24 districts of the state, including Vidarbha, Marathwada, and North Maharashtra, have been ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday announced an ambitious plan of planting 7.5 crore saplings across the state within a year. Speaking at the state-level celebration of World Environment Day at the OUAT Agriculture Education Hall in city, the CM emphasised the importance of public awareness and collective responsibility in protecting nature and ending plastic pollution. "A healthy environment is essential for a healthy society," he said.Addressing the rising threat of single-use plastic, the CM urged citizens to support a mass movement to eliminate plastic from daily li ...Read More >