THE HEADLINES:-
- Union cabinet approves 374-Km six-lane Nashik-Solapur-Akkalkot highway corridor in Maharashtra; Also gives nod to widening and upgradation of NH-326 to benefit tribal districts of Odisha.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs 50th PRAGATI Meeting in New Delhi; Reviews critical infrastructure projects like Road, Power and Coal in five states.
- DRDO successfully conducts salvo launch of two Pralay missiles at Chandipur, Odisha.
- In Madhya Pradesh, 8 people lost their lives after consuming contaminated water in Indore.
- Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia laid to rest with full state honours in Dhaka.
- World welcomes New Year 2026 with Joy as some countries already struck midnight; President Droupadi Murmu greets citizens.
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The Union Cabinet has approved two major highway projects to boost road infrastructure in Maharashtra and Odisha. Briefing the media in New Delhi today, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs cleared the construction of a 374-kilometre, six-lane access-controlled greenfield Nashik-Solapur-Akkalkot corridor in Maharashtra.
“Today, the Nashik–Solapur corridor has been approved. This corridor is very important. It will connect many major cities and several large industrial centers. Its construction will be completed in two years. It is a 374 km project, and an investment of ₹19,142 crore will be made in it. So this is the largest value of beauty project ever taken up in our highway system.. This project will reduce the distance between Nashik and Solapur by 14%, and travel time will be significantly reduced—by about 45%—between Chennai and Surat.”
Mr Vaishnaw said, the project will generate about 251.06 lakh man-days of direct employment and 313.83 lakh man-days of indirect employment. The Union Cabinet also approved the widening and strengthening of existing 2-Lane to 2-Lane with Paved Shoulder of NH-326 in Odisha.
National Highway 326 connects the interior areas of Odisha. Today, the Cabinet has approved the widening and strengthening of this highway. It is a 206-kilometer project with an investment of 1,526 crore rupees. Gajapati, Rayagada, and Koraput are all aspirational districts, and all three are tribal districts. This project will increase economic activity and improve transportation in these districts.
Mr Vaishnaw further informed that during the third term of the Narendra Modi Government, the Union Cabinet approved infrastrucutre projects worth over 12.6 lakh crore rupee since June 2024.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the widening and strengthening of NH-326 in Odisha approved by Union Cabinet is an important project. In a social media post, Mr Modi said, it will make travel faster and improve connectivity across Gajapati, Rayagada and Koraput. The Prime Minister also said the Nashik-Solapur-Akkalkot corridor is aligned with PM GatiShakti. He said, this transformative project will strengthen west-to-east connectivity, boost logistics and generate large-scale employment.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today chaired the 50th meeting of PRAGATI – the ICT-enabled multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation in New Delhi. During the meeting, Mr Modi reviewed five critical infrastructure projects across sectors, including Road, Railways, Power, Water Resources, and Coal. These projects span five states, with a cumulative cost of more than 40 thousand crore rupees.
Prime Minister said that in last decade, PRAGATI led ecosystem has helped accelerate projects worth more than 85 lakh crore rupees. He stressed that PRAGATI is essential to sustain reform momentum and ensure delivery. He encouraged States to institutionalise PRAGATI-like mechanisms especially for the social sector at the level of Chief Secretary.
During a review of PM SHRI scheme, the Prime Minister emphasized that the PM SHRI scheme must become a national benchmark for holistic and future ready school education.
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India today successfully conducted a salvo launch of two ‘Pralay’ missiles off Odisha coast in quick succession. The missile was launched as part of user evaluation trials. The test was carried out by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). More from our Correspondent:
“The launch of two Pralay missiles which India successfully test-fired today followed the intended trajectory, meeting all flight objectives as confirmed by tracking sensors deployed by the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur off Odisha coast. The test was witnessed by senior DRDO scientists, Indian Air Force and Indian Army officers and the industry representatives, including the Development-cum-Production Partners. The ‘Pralay’ missile is a surface-to-surface, short-range ballistic missile with a strike range of about 150 km to 500 km. It can carry multiple types of warheads against various targets. It is an indigenously developed solid propellant quasi-ballistic missile employing state-of-the-art guidance and navigation to ensure high precision. Prakash Dash, Akashvani News, Bhubaneswar.”
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Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said that the employment of workers engaged in MGNREGA is fully secure under the newly enacted Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025. The Minister said this while chairing a national-level interaction through video conferencing with representatives of MGNREGA functionaries serving across the country.
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Broadband subscriber base in India has crossed the 100 crore mark in the month of November this year. The Ministry of Communications today said that in the last 10 years, the Broadband subscriber base in India has increased by more than six times. It added that there were 13.15 crore Broadband subscribers at the end of November in 2015, which grew to 100.37 crore at the end of last month.
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The government has banned all oral Nimesulide medicines above 100 mg with immediate effect, citing health risks. Nimesulide is a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug which is widely used in the treatment of acute pain. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in a gazette notification said safer alternatives to the Nimesulide drug are available in the market.
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In Madhya Pradesh, eight people have lost their lives after consuming contaminated drinking water in the Bhagirathpura area of Indore district, while over 35 others have been hospitalized with vomiting and diarrhoea. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav has announced an ex-gratia of 2 lakh rupees each for the families of the deceased and directed officials to ensure proper treatment for those affected. A three-member inquiry committee has been set up to probe the incident.
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Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Begum Khaleda Zia was laid to rest with full state honours at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka today.The first woman Prime Minister of the country and Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia died yesterday after a prolonged illness. Our Dhaka correspondent reports, massive crowds poured into Dhaka from across the country braving cold weather to pay their final respects.
“India was represented at the funeral by External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar. He attended the prayers and conveyed India’s condolences to Khaleda Zia’s son and BNP acting chairman, Tarique Rahman.Representatives from several South and Southeast Asian countries also attended the funeral. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, members of the interim government, leaders of different political parties, and the chiefs of Bangladesh’s three armed forces joined the funeral prayers, which were held with full state honours. After the janaza, Khaleda Zia was laid to rest beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka, as the capital observed a period of deep national mourning. Navalsang Parmar, Akashwani News, Dhaka.”
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The official celebrations of New Year worldwide have begun. The Pacific island nation of Kiribati has already welcomed the new year 2026 as the clock struck midnight in its Line Islands. Auckland in Newzealand also ushered in the new year with a colourful fireworks display over the Sky Tower. Other Pacific island nations have also welcomed the new year with celebrations. Australia has also welcomed the New Year with spectacular fireworks.
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President Droupadi Murmu has extended her greetings to citizens of the country and abroad on the eve of the New Year. In her message, the President said, the New Year symbolises renewed energy and positive change, and serves as an opportunity for self-reflection and fresh resolutions. The President expressed hope that 2026 will bring peace, happiness, and prosperity to all, and infuse new energy to build a stronger and more prosperous India.
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Beaches across North and South Goa are witnessing heavy crowds ahead of New Year celebrations, with hotels and cottages fully booked in several coastal belts. A report –
“Beaches across North and South Goa are witnessing heavy crowds ahead of New Year celebrations, with hotels and cottages fully booked in several coastal belts. The state is ready as lakhs of tourists and top Bollywood stars flock to beaches and casinos for a massive, star-studded New Year’s Eve celebration. Director General of Police Alok Kumar said strict security arrangements have been put in place across the sate to ensure safety and vigilance. Mahesh Chopade, Akashvani News, Panaji”
A large number of tourists are also heading to various tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh to welcome the New Year 2026. More from our Shimla Correspondent
“In view of the heavy influx of tourists at various tourist destinations, the administration has made extensive arrangements. To ensure smooth traffic management and safety in Shimla city, an Integrated Traffic Management System will be used, and more than 400 police personnel have been deployed for security. New Year celebrations will continue till midnight at Shimla’s historic Ridge ground. Tourists are also hoping for fresh snowfall at various tourist destinations in the state on New Year’s Eve. Ritesh Kapoor, Akashvani News, Shimla.“
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said, after the Pran Pratishtha of Ramlala in Ayodhya the city has become the centre of religious and spiritual tourism and Lord Ram’s glory illuminates not only India but the entire world. The Defence Minister accompanied by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, took part in the second anniversary celebrations of the consecration of Lord Ram Lalla at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. On the occasion, he installed the Dharm Dhwaja atop the spire of Goddess Annapurna Temple within the complex. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Singh said, during Operation Sindoor, India adhered to Lord Ram’s teachings on righteousness:
During Operation Sindoor, India upheld the values and restraint embodied by Lord Ram. Just as Ram’s objective was not merely the destruction of Ravan but the eradication of adharma, our objective too was the same—to teach a lesson to terrorists and their patrons, and we did exactly that. We did not respond with blind or indiscriminate retaliation; instead, our action was measured, controlled, and purpose-driven.
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With the beginning of the new, settling of western disturbance over Uttarakhand may lead to a change in weather conditions across the state. More from our correspondent
“According to the Met Department’s forecast, rainfall and snowfall are likely in the higher reaches of the hilly regions tomorrow, while fog may develop in some parts of the plains. The forecast further states light to moderate rain and snowfall may occur at a few places in Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, and Pithoragarh districts. Regarding temperatures, the department stated that there will be no significant change in minimum temperatures at present, though a drop may be recorded in the coming days. Sakshi Singh, Akashvani News, Dehradun.”
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The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for dense to very dense fog over Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, East Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab and West Rajasthan.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-
- Union cabinet approves 374-Km six-lane Nashik-Solapur-Akkalkot highway corridor in Maharashtra; Also gives nod to widening and upgradation of NH-326 to benefit tribal districts of Odisha.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs 50th PRAGATI Meeting in New Delhi; Reviews critical infrastructure projects like Road, Power and Coal in five states.
- DRDO successfully conducts salvo launch of two Pralay missiles at Chandipur, Odisha.
- In Madhya Pradesh, 8 people lost their lives after consuming contaminated water in Indore.
- Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia laid to rest with full state honours in Dhaka.
- World welcomes New Year 2026 with Joy as some countries already struck midnight; President Droupadi Murmu greets citizens.
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