THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi says Union Cabinet’s approval to Urban challenge fund will deliver high-quality urban infrastructure and make cities key drivers of the country’s economic growth.
- Cabinet Committee on economic affairs approves construction of the country’s first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel project under Brahmaputra river in Assam; To be only the second of its kind in the world
- Home Minister Amit Shah launches country’s first, Central Bank’s digital currency to bring transparency in the delivery mechanism.
- US and Iran to hold second round of talks over Tehran’s nuclear programme next week.
- Mahashivratri being celebrated across the country today with devotion and religious fervour; President, Vice President and Prime Minister greet the people.
- And in Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, India to take on Pakistan in a much-anticipated Group A encounter in Colombo this evening; In Women’s T20 International, match underway between India and Australia in Sydney.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed the approval of one lakh crore rupee-Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) by the Union Cabinet. In a social media post, Mr Modi said, the fund will leverage market finance, private participation and citizen-centric reforms to deliver high-quality urban infrastructure. He said, the initiative will make cities the key drivers of the country’s economic growth. The Urban Challenge Fund, is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Home and Urban Affairs with a total Central Assistance of one lakh crore rupees. The Fund aims to build resilient, productive, inclusive and climate-responsive cities, positioning those as key driver of the country’s next phase of economic growth.
The Fund will be operational from Financial Year 2025-26 to Financial Year 2030-31, with an extendable implementation period up to Financial Year 2033-34.
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The Centre has approved the construction of the country’s first underwater twin tube road-cum-rail tunnel project that will be built under the Brahmaputra river in Assam. The 33.7-kilometer long four-lane access-controlled Greenfield connectivity project which will include a 15.79-kilometer twin tube tunnel under the river has been approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). The infrastructure project will be developed at a cost of 18,662 crore rupees in Engineering procurement Construction (EPC) mode. The stretch will connect Gohpur on NH-15 and Numaligarh on NH-715 in Assam, cutting short the distance between the two Assam cities to just 34-kilometer from the current 240-kilometer. The travel time will be now reduced to just 20 minutes from six hours. The project will provide significant benefit to Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and other North -Eastern States. This will enhance the efficiency of freight movement, reducing logistics cost and driving socio-economic growth in the region. It will be the second underwater Road cum Rail tunnel in the world.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a social media post hailed the project’s role in accelerating growth in the entire Northeast. He said, the transformative project will enhance connectivity, reduce logistics costs and accelerate growth across Assam and the entire Northeast.
The government has also approved several other projects related to railways, roads, infrastructure and connectivity. The Cabinet gave nod to three multitracking rail projects covering 12 districts across the states of Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra and Karnataka. These projects include Kasara-Manmad third and fourth line; Delhi – Ambala third and fourth line; and Ballari – Hosapete third and fourth line. The proposed multi-tracking project will enhance connectivity to approximately 3,902 villages, with a population of about 97 lakhs.
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The Government has announced the launch of the PM RAHAT (Road Accident Victim Hospitalization and Assured Treatment) Scheme. Under the Scheme, every eligible road accident victim on any category of road will be entitled to cashless treatment up to one lakh 50 thousand rupees per victim, for a period of seven days from the date of the accident. Road, Transport and Highways Ministry said that the decision underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that no life is lost due to lack of immediate medical assistance after a road accident.
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reaffirmed Narendra Modi government’s commitment to the agricultural community, ensuring that the interests of farmers, cattle rearers, and fishermen will remain protected in all international trade agreements. The Minister was speaking after launching country’s first Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Public Distribution System at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Gujarat today. Mr. Shah countered opposition’s claims, asserting that the interests of farmers, cattle rearers, and fishermen have been safeguarded in both the India-US trade deal and the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
The Minister expressed confidence that the new digital token-based distribution system would eliminate corruption within the Public Distribution System and bring the much-needed transparency to the delivery process. Mr. Shah also highlighted the government’s pro-poor initiatives over the past decade, pointing out that 27 crore people have successfully crossed the poverty line under these efforts.
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Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched a scathing attack on the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government during a teachers’ conference in Kolkata yesterday, accusing the state administration of betraying educators. He alleged that the education sector has suffered the most under TMC rule.
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The festival of Mahashivratri is being celebrated across the country today with deep devotion and spiritual fervour. Considered one of the most sacred occasions for the devotees of Lord Shiva, the day is marked by fasting, special prayers and night-long worship at temples. President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Home Minister Amit Shah have extended wishes to the citizens on the occasion of Mahashivratri.
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In Madhya Pradesh, Ujjain has come alive on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri today as devotees throng the temples, filling the air with the sound of bells and chants of “Har Har Mahadev.” Faith and devotion have reached a peak in the holy city of Baba Mahakal, with thousands gathering to offer prayers. More from our MP correspondent:
The city of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh is completely filled with devotion to Lord Shiva today. On the holy festival of Mahashivratri, a beautiful mix of devotion, faith and excitement is seen in the court of Baba Mahakal. The temple gates were opened at 2:30 in the night and the Pooja started with the Bhasma Aarti. With the chanting of mantras the abhishek of Lord Mahakal with water, milk, curd, ghee and panchamrit is going on continuously. Because of the four phases of worship the temple will remain open for about forty-four hours without a break. Different aartis and rituals will be held during the day including the bhog aarti and special abhishek. On Mahashivratri Mahakal will be decorated like a groom. For this three quintals of flowers have been brought. Abhinav Goel, Akashvani News, Bhopal.
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Karnataka is engulfed in devotion as people celebrate MahaShivaratri with deep faith and spiritual fervour. A report:
“Temple towns like Banavasi, Dharmasthala, and the Male Mahadeshwara Hills are preparing for a night of Ahoratri all night bhajans and meditation. As the “Great Night of Shiva” unfolds, elaborate security and transport arrangements are in place to support the thousands of faithful observing the sacred Jagaram vigil, marking a day of deep cultural and spiritual significance for the state. Ponnumon, Akashvani News, Bengaluru.”
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The Corps of Signals of the Indian Army is celebrating its 116th Raising Day today. Since its inception on this day in 1911, the Corps of Signals has transformed the communications of Indian Army and kept pace with the digital revolution of the 21st Century. In his message, Signal officer in Chief, Lieutenant General Vivek Dogra said, over the past year, the Corps of Signals has played a critical role as the Arm of the Future in facilitating operational readiness and furthering national security objectives.
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The United States and Iran will hold a second round of talks over Tehran’s nuclear programme next week. In a statement, the Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed this and said Oman, which hosted the first round of indirect talks on the 6th of this month, will host the Geneva talks, though exact dates were not disclosed. During the first discussions, US President Donald Trump warned Tehran that failure to reach an agreement would be very traumatic, while Iran said it could respond with its own action.
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In Bangladesh, the Newly elected Members of Parliament and cabinet members are set to be sworn in on Tuesday, February 17, following the landslide victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in the 13th national election.
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In the Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, India will take on Pakistan in a much-anticipated Group A encounter at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo this evening. The match is set to begin at 7 PM Indian Standard Time. Both teams have won their opening two matches and are tied at four points each, making today’s contest crucial in the race for a place in the semifinals. With a slow, used pitch expected to aid spinners, adaptability and temperament will be just as vital as firepower.
Our Colombo correspondent reports that Cricket’s greatest rivalry returns tonight as India and Pakistan face off in the high-voltage clash. Fans around the world are set for another dramatic chapter in a contest that never fails to command attention.
In the el Clasico of cricket being played tonight at Colombo’s R premadasa stadium, anticipation is building for one of cricket’s most significant rivalries as India take on Pakistan. India enter the contest with strong momentum, supported by a balanced batting lineup and a spin attack well suited to the slow conditions expected this evening. Having experienced light showers yesterday, the playing surface was carefully covered by the ground staff as a precaution. Despite weather forecasts indicating a possibility of further showers this evening, fans remain optimistic and are eagerly anticipating a full and action-packed contest.
On one hand, attention will focus on Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy, whose contest with Pakistan’s leading batters may prove decisive while eyes will also remain on Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and skipper Surya Kumar Yadav taking on Pakistan attack. At the same time, it will be interesting to see how Indian batters will answer the stop-and-go action of Usman Tariq. With both teams well placed in the tournament, this match transcends points alone, representing pride, tradition, and another chapter in cricket’s most followed rivalry between the India national cricket team and the Pakistan national cricket team. Ahmed Muyeen Farooqi, Akashvani News, Colombo.
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In Women’s Cricket, Hosts Australia were 22 for 1 in 2.4 overs against India in the first T20 International of three-match series in Sydney.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi says Union Cabinet’s approval to Urban challenge fund will deliver high-quality urban infrastructure and make cities key drivers of the country’s economic growth.
- Cabinet Committee on economic affairs approves construction of the country’s first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel project under Brahmaputra river in Assam; To be only the second of its kind in the world.
- Home Minister Amit Shah launches country’s first, Central Bank’s digital currency to bring transparency in the delivery mechanism.
- US and Iran to hold second round of talks over Tehran’s nuclear programme next week.
- Mahashivratri being celebrated across the country today with devotion and religious fervour; President, Vice President and Prime Minister greet the people.
- And in Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, India to take on Pakistan in a much-anticipated Group A encounter in Colombo this evening; In Women’s T20 International, match underway between India and Australia in Sydney.
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