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Shashank Rao

Articles by Shashank Rao

Tout books 3,600 railway tickets worth over ₹6 crore, arrested

WR's vigilance department busted a ticketing racket in a 36-hour operation in Mumbai, where a tout misused IRCTC website to create fake demand for tickets worth over ₹6 crore.

Mumbai

Updated on Jun 28, 2024 07:06 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Maharashtra sanctions ₹1,163 crore for Metro 3

Around 98% of work on the corridor has been completed and the first phase between Aarey and BKC is likely to be opened to the public this September

Mumbai

Updated on Jun 28, 2024 08:53 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Palghar train derailment blamed on loose steel coils: WR report

A 350-page investigation report has stated that the derailment of seven wagons of a goods train in Palghar was caused by loosened steel coils, each weighing between 20-22 tonnes, tied onto the wagons

Mumbai

Updated on Jun 27, 2024 08:18 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

With mounds of garbage, Jogeshwari Terminus is now a dumpyard

With construction work for a new terminus going on in Jogeswari for the past one year, the railway ground has now started resembling a dumpyard

Mumbai

Updated on Jun 26, 2024 08:58 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Railways, IRCTC begin food inspection on long distance trains and stations

Indian Railways and IRCTC have started inspecting the quality and quantity of eatables and drinks served to passengers on the long-distance trains and at the food stalls in railway stations

Mumbai

Updated on Jun 25, 2024 07:46 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

BMC rebuffs BEST’s plea for ₹1,400 cr aid

Cash-strapped BEST seeking ₹1,400 crore aid from BMC. Talks of possible bus fare hike to generate revenue. BMC asks for revenue options, sparking discussions.

Mumbai

Updated on Jun 24, 2024 06:38 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Passenger associations demand more trains, longer platforms between Thane and Kalyan

The passenger associations met with RK Yadav, the general manager of Central Railway, on June 19 to discuss various issues commuters face. Particularly in focus was the patch between Thane and Kalyan, where there have been several recent cases of commuters falling off crowded trains

Kalyan, India – July 4, 2019: Dombivali Commuters have complaint of leaking roofs during monsoon. the commuters claimed that the portion near the CSMT side women compartment of the train has no roof due to which they are drenched while boarding or alighting the train at platform no 5 dombivili station in kalyan, India, on Thursday, July 4, 2019. (Photo by Rishikesh Choudhary/ Hindustan Times (HT PHOTO)

Mumbai

Updated on Jun 21, 2024 07:50 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Sion ROB closed for heavy vehicles from Friday midnight

Central Railway proposes heavy vehicle restriction on Sion ROB from June 21-22 due to safety concerns. IIT Mumbai declares bridge unsafe, calls for urgent action.

Mumbai

Updated on Jun 20, 2024 07:40 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Accident highlights Railways’ tardiness on Kavach installation

Indian Railways is talking about calling for bids for 10,000 km of route for Kavach. However, one of the foremost routes on the Mumbai-Surat-Ahmedabad-Delhi corridor, where work on installing Kavach is underway and was supposed to be completed this month, is going very slowly

Mumbai

Updated on Jun 19, 2024 07:30 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Mumbai Metro barricades come down, 63% of city roads freed

According to MMRCL, 45 percent of the roads that were barricaded in the 1,165 metres of Package 2 of the metro project have been restored

Mumbai

Updated on Jun 17, 2024 08:42 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Power outages plague older, congested parts of South Mumbai

In less than a week, the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) has received over 350 complaints of power cuts from its consumers

Aslam Malkani carrying bottled water as constant electricity failure has made accessing the water purifier very difficult. (Anshuman Poyrekar/ Hindustan Times)

Mumbai

Updated on Jun 15, 2024 08:49 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Railways nets 60,000 sq m of state mountain ranges to prevent landslides

These activities are part of the pre-monsoon works after the railways’ success last monsoon in preventing multiple rocks from sliding down onto the tracks

CR nets 60,000 sq m of ghats and mountain ranges to prevent landslide accidents

Mumbai

Updated on Jun 14, 2024 08:55 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

App-based buses try to fill the gap left by struggling BEST

Passengers can book a seat on an app and enjoy a comfortable journey to work and back home. The app-based operators offer AC buses with fixed boarding points

Mumbai

Updated on Jun 13, 2024 08:44 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Matunga copper thieves on hire worked in BMC jackets

The thieves had instructed daily-wage labourers hired to do the job to tell anyone who inquired that they were doing pre-monsoon repair work for the BMC

Mumbai

Updated on Jun 13, 2024 08:58 AM IST

ByMegha Sood, Shashank Rao

This Dadar footpath wasn't dug up by BMC, but by crooks looking for copper wire

The Matunga police have already arrested five men for robbing ₹6 lakh- ₹7 lakh worth of copper wires, which cost ₹845 per kg

Mumbai

Updated on Jun 11, 2024 04:37 PM IST

ByShashank Rao, Megha Sood

Mumbai’s metro line-3: Final phase of testing underway

Mumbai's Metro Line-3 nears final testing phase with RDSO trials starting next week. Expected to open to public in July-August, connecting key areas in the city.

Mumbai

Updated on Jun 09, 2024 06:10 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Railways’ upgrade of signalling system for safe run backfires, causes delays

The railways made a switch to a modern signalling system from the earlier route relay interlocking to ensure safe operations, but it seems to have backfired

During the 63-hour mega block from May 31 to June 2, the railways made a switch to a modern signalling system called electronic interlocking (EI) from the earlier route relay interlocking (RRI) at CSMT. (Photo by Raju Shinde/HT Photo)

Mumbai

Updated on Jun 08, 2024 08:41 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Delays continue on Central Railway locals three days after mega block

Trains on CR were running late by 20-30 minutes on Wednesday due to the new signalling system installed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). Sources said the engineering team working on the signalling system is struggling to set the routes running towards CSMT

Mumbai

Updated on Jun 06, 2024 07:22 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Technical glitches cause chaotic Monday for rail commuters in Mumbai

Rail disruptions on WR and CR cause chaos for commuters with cancellations and delays due to technical failures at Borivali, Thane, and CSMT, lasting for days

Mumbai

Updated on Jun 04, 2024 08:31 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

MMRDA struggles to acquire more land for Metro 6 stations

MMRDA faces land acquisition challenges for Metro 6 stations and girders. Forest clearance awaited, private land acquisition in progress. Construction underway.

Mumbai

Updated on Jun 03, 2024 06:50 PM IST

ByShashank Rao

On CR mega block day 1, 40% work completed; commuters complain of delays

The block is being implemented to facilitate platform extension and widening at two important stations: CSMT in south Mumbai and Thane station

Mumbai

Updated on Jun 01, 2024 09:11 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

CR imports shockproof shoes from Malaysia for staff to handle high-powered cables

The Class-3 dielectric shoes can sustain up to 33,000 volts and help prevent any untoward incidents to those handling the overhead cables and equipment that supplies 25,000-volt electricity. The orange-coloured shoes will act as a bad conductor of electricity and will insulate the user from 1 milli ampere of power leaking

Mumbai

Updated on May 31, 2024 08:10 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

930 Mumbai locals, 72 long-distance trains cancelled from Friday to Sunday

CR, which caters to 38 to 40 lakh daily commuters in its 1,810 daily services, has appealed to citizens to use local trains on CR only if necessary

On Wednesday, CR officials stated that both the works would begin late night (12.30 am) and employ 500-plus workers.

Mumbai

Updated on May 30, 2024 08:45 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Goods train derails at Palghar, affecting rail traffic between Mumbai and Surat

Railway officials said that restoration work is in progress and accident relief trains from Nandurbar, Udhna, Bandra Terminus and Valsad are on the way

The fully loaded train was moving at a moderate speed, said Sanjay Patil, an eyewitness. The Virar resident said after the six wagons and the brake and guard van derailed, the remaining wagons of the goods train moved a few metres away and halted.

Mumbai

Updated on May 29, 2024 09:00 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Rush of orders from tier-2 towns hurt BEST’s dream of an upgraded fleet

Mumbai's BEST public utility faces delays in receiving ordered electric buses due to manufacturers' supply constraints

Mumbai

Updated on May 29, 2024 08:51 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Stall relocation at Dadar rly stn leaves commuters without water

On Wednesday, commuters could not find bottled water anywhere on platforms 9, 10 and 11, leading to a commotion with stall owners

On May 9, CR authorities issued a notice asking stalls on platforms 9, 10 and 11 to shut shop and relocate by May 20. “Relocate seven stalls from existing locations to new locations as per the sketch by May 20. If any licensee fails to comply, operation of their stall will be suspended,” read the notice pasted on inoperative stalls (Hindustan Times)

Mumbai

Updated on May 23, 2024 07:46 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Teen Porsche driver barred from driving until 25 yrs

In the early hours of Sunday, the car driven by the teen at 160 kmph fatally knocked down two motorbike-borne software engineers at Kalyani Nagar in Pune. According to Pune police, the driver was under the influence of alcohol

Pune: The Porsche car found without number plate, in Pune, Tuesday, May 21, 2024. The car was allegedly driven by a 17-year-old boy who knocked down two motorbike riders on Sunday, causing their death in Kalyani Nagar of Pune city, as the police claim. (PTI Photo)(PTI05_21_2024_000177B) (PTI)

Mumbai

Updated on May 23, 2024 07:30 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Ghatkopar tragedy: FIR needed for vehicles with third party insurance

Getting back damaged vehicles and claiming insurance on them has become a problem for those affected by the billboard collapse in Ghatkopar

Site of the hoarding crash at Ghatkopar (Raju Shinde/HT Photo)

Mumbai

Updated on May 22, 2024 08:51 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Games, breakfast, gift coupons seek to boost voter turnout

“We are hoping to see a 15-20% increase in voter turnout from our locality this time compared to the previous election,” said Rahul Tangri, chairman of Neptune CHS

Mumbai

Updated on May 20, 2024 07:00 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

Heritage locomotive back on Matheran toy train route

CR officials said the idea of rebuilding the locomotive was to make the mountain railway travel experience more exciting

Mumbai

Updated on May 18, 2024 09:04 AM IST

ByShashank Rao

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Shashank Rao

WR's vigilance department busted a ticketing racket in a 36-hour operation in Mumbai, where a tout misused IRCTC website to create fake demand for tickets worth over ₹6 crore.

Around 98% of work on the corridor has been completed and the first phase between Aarey and BKC is likely to be opened to the public this September

A 350-page investigation report has stated that the derailment of seven wagons of a goods train in Palghar was caused by loosened steel coils, each weighing between 20-22 tonnes, tied onto the wagons

With construction work for a new terminus going on in Jogeswari for the past one year, the railway ground has now started resembling a dumpyard

Indian Railways and IRCTC have started inspecting the quality and quantity of eatables and drinks served to passengers on the long-distance trains and at the food stalls in railway stations

Cash-strapped BEST seeking ₹1,400 crore aid from BMC. Talks of possible bus fare hike to generate revenue. BMC asks for revenue options, sparking discussions.

The passenger associations met with RK Yadav, the general manager of Central Railway, on June 19 to discuss various issues commuters face. Particularly in focus was the patch between Thane and Kalyan, where there have been several recent cases of commuters falling off crowded trains

Central Railway proposes heavy vehicle restriction on Sion ROB from June 21-22 due to safety concerns. IIT Mumbai declares bridge unsafe, calls for urgent action.

Indian Railways is talking about calling for bids for 10,000 km of route for Kavach. However, one of the foremost routes on the Mumbai-Surat-Ahmedabad-Delhi corridor, where work on installing Kavach is underway and was supposed to be completed this month, is going very slowly

According to MMRCL, 45 percent of the roads that were barricaded in the 1,165 metres of Package 2 of the metro project have been restored

In less than a week, the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) has received over 350 complaints of power cuts from its consumers

These activities are part of the pre-monsoon works after the railways’ success last monsoon in preventing multiple rocks from sliding down onto the tracks

Passengers can book a seat on an app and enjoy a comfortable journey to work and back home. The app-based operators offer AC buses with fixed boarding points

The thieves had instructed daily-wage labourers hired to do the job to tell anyone who inquired that they were doing pre-monsoon repair work for the BMC

The Matunga police have already arrested five men for robbing ₹6 lakh- ₹7 lakh worth of copper wires, which cost ₹845 per kg

Mumbai's Metro Line-3 nears final testing phase with RDSO trials starting next week. Expected to open to public in July-August, connecting key areas in the city.

The railways made a switch to a modern signalling system from the earlier route relay interlocking to ensure safe operations, but it seems to have backfired

Trains on CR were running late by 20-30 minutes on Wednesday due to the new signalling system installed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). Sources said the engineering team working on the signalling system is struggling to set the routes running towards CSMT

Rail disruptions on WR and CR cause chaos for commuters with cancellations and delays due to technical failures at Borivali, Thane, and CSMT, lasting for days

MMRDA faces land acquisition challenges for Metro 6 stations and girders. Forest clearance awaited, private land acquisition in progress. Construction underway.

The block is being implemented to facilitate platform extension and widening at two important stations: CSMT in south Mumbai and Thane station

CR, which caters to 38 to 40 lakh daily commuters in its 1,810 daily services, has appealed to citizens to use local trains on CR only if necessary

Railway officials said that restoration work is in progress and accident relief trains from Nandurbar, Udhna, Bandra Terminus and Valsad are on the way

Mumbai's BEST public utility faces delays in receiving ordered electric buses due to manufacturers' supply constraints

On Wednesday, commuters could not find bottled water anywhere on platforms 9, 10 and 11, leading to a commotion with stall owners

In the early hours of Sunday, the car driven by the teen at 160 kmph fatally knocked down two motorbike-borne software engineers at Kalyani Nagar in Pune. According to Pune police, the driver was under the influence of alcohol

Getting back damaged vehicles and claiming insurance on them has become a problem for those affected by the billboard collapse in Ghatkopar

“We are hoping to see a 15-20% increase in voter turnout from our locality this time compared to the previous election,” said Rahul Tangri, chairman of Neptune CHS

CR officials said the idea of rebuilding the locomotive was to make the mountain railway travel experience more exciting

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