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ECoR’s safety and maintenance work in full swing during lockdown

 Subrat Kumar Sarangi

Bhubaneswar (NVI): During lockdown, while passenger train operations were suspended except those of Special Trains and Shramik Specials, emphasis was put on execution of long pending construction and maintenance works which required traffic blocks of long duration.

East Coast Railway (ECoR) judiciously utilized the coronavirus lockdown time to augment and maintain infrastructure. Various safety related works were executed on top priority.

Taking lockdown period as an opportunity, ECoR took up many safety and passenger amenities works, without letting the train services get affected.

During this period, 18 Limited Height Sub-Ways (LHSs) have been completed at various places, including closure of three manned level crossing gates by providing alternate path. Five girders of 36 meters span have also been launched at the Road Over Bridge (ROB) in Bhadrak – Khurda Road Railway Section.

In addition to this, renewal of 167 km rail, 7.5 km sleepers, 356 numbers of glued joints, rebuilding of 49 bridges and repair of 2,557 wagons have been done.

Foot Over Bridge girders were also launched at Charbatia and Gurudijhatia stations in connection with 3rd and 4th line work between Salegaon-Rajathagarh at Kapilas Road in connection with Bhadrak-Nergundi 3rd line work and at Talcher Road station in connection with Sambalpur-Talcher doubling work.

Preparatory jobs related to Non-interlocking in connection with Safety related modernization work in Kottavalasa-Koraput-Kirandul (KK) line have been completed in addition to 657 major Over Head Equipment (OHE) scheduled works and track circuit maintenance work at 298 locations.

Furthermore, 32,500 cubic meters of rock blasting work in KK line has been done in connection with doubling of this line. Completion of these pending works will increase mobility of trains with more safety. These works would have taken a long time to complete during normal period by suspension of rail traffic.

For passenger amenities many important works have been executed during this lockdown period. Foot Over Bridge (FOB) at 6 stations, lifts at 4 stations, divyangjan toilets at 8 stations, platform surface concreting at 8 stations, platform height raising at 8 stations, additional platform sheds at 6 stations have been commissioned along with provision of 534 stainless steel benches at various stations and development of two stations as Adarsh Stations. For the convenience of passengers, waiting Halls at 10 stations have been improved during the period.

-CHK

Ganjam-Khurda border sealed in Odisha

Subrat Kumar Sarangi

Bhubaneswar (NVI): Witnessing a continuous surge in COVID-19 cases, the Ganjam district in Odisha today announced to seal its border with Khurda, as no person will be allowed to enter the district now.

Taking to twitter, the Ganjam district authorities informed that as the border has been sealed no person will be allowed to go to Bhubaneswar and urged people to cooperate.

Further, looking at the larger public interest and to control the spreading of coronavirus, the district administration has also put a shutdown of the OPD at the MKCG Medical in Berhampur.

Meanwhile, Sundargarh district of Odisha reports highest single-day spike of 78 COVID-19 cases, taking the affected tally in the district to 471.

-RJV

Students in Gilgit Baltistan protest as they suffer due to poor internet quality

New Delhi (NVI): Students in Gilgit Baltistan have to walk for miles, just to receive stable internet signals to be part of online classes, amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Suffering due to the poor quality or slow internet services, these students are now protesting over the issue affecting their studies.

Just imagine if a student has to hike up to the mountain tops just to get some internet connectivity so that he/she can attend online classes! Unfortunately, this has become a reality for some students in the region.

Students in Pakistan have also been raising their voices against the feeble internet connectivity in the region on Twitter with the hashtag “Internet4Gilgitbaltistan”.

Many students have started a sort of online campaign on Twitter with the hashtag to force authorities to provide them with stable internet.

“Poor and lack of internet service in #GilgitBaltistan has made students suffer in the period of #COVID19. Due to the pandemic, universities in all over Pakistan are closed and students have moved to their hometowns,” tweets Yawar Abbas, a youth activist from Gilgit Baltistan, with a video of students in the region, narrating their ordeal.

To avoid bad scores or poor attendance in online classes, students are also asking the universities and schools to be given semester break to the internet situation is sorted out in the region. They have also contacted the administration to get a break as an alternative to the low quality of education through online means.

Apart from that, many students in the region have also pointed out the low quality of education through online means.

Pakistan-based Digital Rights Foundation has also taken cognizance of the matter, tweeting: “Students across Pakistan have been protesting against the shift to online classrooms rightly pointing out that as students from less urban centers move back home, they either lack access to high-speed internet or no internet at all.”

It is pertinent to mention here that students across the world have been asked to attend online classes and avoid physical presence in colleges, schools and universities as a precautionary measure amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

While the move is appropriate, considering the current pandemic situation, low speed internet or lack of means to attend online classes has increased the burden on students, while triggering anxiety and uncertainty among them.

-ARK

United States notifies UN of withdrawal from WHO

Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump (File pic)

New Delhi (NVI): The United States has formally notified the United Nations (UN) of its official withdrawing from the World Health Organization (WHO), a move that comes after a rise in number of coronavirus cases in the country.

The letter confirming the move was delivered to the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres on Tuesday, as per foreign media reports.

Earlier in May, US President Donald Trump had announced that the country would withdraw from WHO in the near future, accusing the agency of becoming a puppet for China during the coronavirus pandemic.

After more than 70 years of membership, the United States moved to quit the WHO amid escalating tensions with China over the coronavirus pandemic.

In this regard, the US has given one-year notice of its withdrawal from the Geneva-based body and for paying all Washington’s dues under a 1948 joint resolution of the US Congress.

The United States currently owes the organization more than USD 200 million in assessed contributions, according to the WHO website.

Meanwhile, the democratic lawmakers have already lashed out at the Trump administration and accused the US President of attempting to deflect the criticism over his handling of COVID-19.

Nancy Pelosi, the US House of Representatives Speaker called Trump’s move “an act of true senselessness as WHO coordinates the global fight against COVID-19.”

-RJV

Woman killed, another injured in ceasefire violation along LoC in J&K’s Poonch

Alert issued in Poonch, Rajouri after militant movement detected near LoC
(File/Representational Image)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): A woman was killed and another one seriously injured in ceasefire violation (CFV) by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) in Balakote sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, officials said today.

Police official said that Resham Bi, wife of Azam Ahmed and Hakam Bi, both above 60 years of age, got injured at around 3am when Pakistan resorted to heavy shelling along LoC in Balakote sector of Poonch.

“Both the injured were shifted to nearby medical facilities where Resham Bi was declared brought dead by the doctors,” the official said.

The second injured woman was provided first aid in a local hospital and was then shifted to Rajouri hospital for advanced treatment. Heavy exchange of fire from the both sides was going on till 9 am.

Locals of Poonch said that panic gripped entire Balakote sector and adjoining villages as mortar shells landed in civilian areas and some even fell in the premises. “We are fed up with this daily fear and frequent shelling between the two sides. We are not safe even in our own houses,” said Imtiyaz Ahmed, a resident of Poonch district. “Our demand for setting up community bunkers is also not being fulfilled.”

This year so far, 1,700 CFVs have been recorded in J&K along the LoC. The figure is highest in the past three years, as per the officials.

NVI was first to report that many border residents in Kashmir’s Uri, Gurez, Keran and Tanghdhar sectors were planning to shift their base to safer places due to the frequent CFVs by Pakistan followed by heavy exchange of firing between the two sides.

-CHK

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

New Delhi (NVI): India continues to witness a sharp surge in Covid-19 cases, after another 22,752 cases were reported in the last 24 hours, raising the total number to 7,42,417, according to the Union Health Ministry.

The death toll has climbed to 20,642 with 482 new fatalities being recorded since yesterday..

Maharashtra, with, 2,17,121 positive cases remains the worst-hit state in the country, followed by Tamil Nadu with 1,18,594 cases and Delhi which has reported 1,028,31 cases.

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 147

Andhra Pradesh- 21,197

Arunachal Pradesh- 276

Assam- 12,522

Bihar- 12,570

Chandigarh- 494

Chhattisgarh- 3,415

Dadar Nagar Haveli & Diu – 297

Delhi- 1,02,831

Gujarat- 37,550

Goa- 1,903

Haryana– 17,999

Himachal Pradesh- 1,083

Jammu and Kashmir- 8,931

Jharkhand- 2,996

Karnataka- 26,815

Kerala- 5,894

Ladakh- 1,041

Madhya Pradesh- 15,627

Maharashtra- 2,17,121

Manipur- 1,430

Meghalaya- 80

Mizoram- 197

Nagaland- 625

Odisha- 10,097

Puducherry- 930

Punjab- 6,749

Rajasthan- 21,404

Sikkim- 123

Tamil Nadu- 1,18,594

Telangana- 27,612

Tripura- 1,704

Uttarakhand- 3,230

Uttar Pradesh- 29,968

West Bengal – 23,837

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andhra Pradesh- 252

Arunachal Pradesh- 2

Assam- 14

Bihar- 104

Chandigarh- 7

Chhattisgarh- 14

Delhi- 3,165

Goa- 8

Gujarat- 1,977

Haryana- 279

Himachal Pradesh- 11

Jammu and Kashmir- 143

Jharkhand- 22

Karnataka- 416

Kerala- 27

Ladakh- 1

Madhya Pradesh- 622

Maharashtra- 9,250

Meghalaya- 1

Odisha- 42

Puducherry- 14

Punjab- 175

Rajasthan- 472

Tamil Nadu- 1,636

Telangana- 313

Tripura- 1

Uttar Pradesh- 827

Uttarakhand- 43

West Bengal- 804

A total of 4,56,831 people have been cured or discharged. Total active cases stand at 2,64,944.

-CHK

Coronavirus cases near 11.8 mn worldwide; Brazil Prez tests positive

Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro

New Delhi (NVI): Nearly 11.8 million people around the world have now been diagnosed with COVID-19, and more than 5,43,000 have died, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro tested positive for COVID-19 after months of downplaying its severity.

In Brazil, the total number of cases have exceeded 1.6 million while the death toll is nearing 67,000 in the country.

In the US, tally of infected cases is nearing 3 million while the total number of fatalities have surpassed 1,31,000 in the country.

In addition to this, The United States has officially notified the UN secretary-general of the country’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization.

Meanwhile, Israel’s public health director has quit amid a spike in new coronavirus cases, saying the country had been too hasty to reopen its economy and had lost its way in dealing with the pandemic.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged “evidence emerging” of the airborne spread of the coronavirus, after a group of scientists urged the global body to update its guidance on how the respiratory disease passes between people.

-CHK

PM wishes Brazil Prez speedy recovery

File photo

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today wished for speedy recovery of Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro who has tested positive for coronavirus.

Talking over to twitter, PM Modi wrote, “My friend President @jairbolsonaro, my prayers and best wishes for your speedy recovery.”

Jair Bolsonaro announced yesterday that he had tested positive for the novel coronavirus with mild symptoms.

Brazil, however, is the second worst-hit country after the US with 1.63 million cases. The country has reported over 65,500 deaths so far.

-RJV

India’s Covid-19 tally crosses 7.4 lakh, death toll at 20,642

covid cases
File photo

New Delhi (NVI): India saw coronavirus tally jump by another 22,752 in the last 24 hours, raising the total number to 7,42,417, Union Health Ministry confirmed.

The total number of fatalities has now reached 20,642 after 482 people died in the last 24 hours, it said.

As many as 4,56,831 COVID-19 patients have been cured and discharged so far. With this the total recovery rate in the country now stands at 61.5 per cent.

India, however, recorded more than 1.57 lakh COVID-19 cases and 3,236 deaths from the virus in the first week of July alone.

Maharashtra, with, 2,17,121 positive cases remains the worst-hit state in the country, followed by Tamil Nadu with 1,18,594 cases and Delhi which has reported 1,028,31 cases.

The other states with high virus cases are Gujarat (37,550), Uttar Pradesh (29,968), West Bengal (23,837) and Rajasthan (21,404).

Maharashtra has also reported the highest number of fatalities at 9,250, followed by 1,977 in Gujarat and 1,636 in Tamil Nadu.

The death toll in the Delhi reached to 3,165, while 74,217 patients in national capital have recovered so far, the healthy ministry data shows.

Meanwhile, the Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) has raised concerns over black marketing and extortion of Remdesivir, an antiviral drug prescribed for treatment of suspected cases of COVID-19.

-RJV

J&K: 26 CRPF men, 5 pregnant women among 256 new cases, tally at 8931

Over 3,200 cops COVID positive in J&K and 15 succumbed to virus
File photo

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir today witnessed 256 fresh Covid positive cases that include 25 CRPF men, three Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel and five pregnant women, taking the total number of cases in the UT to 8931.

Officials said that among new cases that were detected in Jammu and Kashmir today, 101 were tested positive at SKIMS, 06 at JVC Bemina and rest at other hospitals. “Among the new cases, include 25 CRPF men, three SSB personnel, two cops and five pregnant women,” they said.

Among 256 new cases, 182 belong to Kashmir division while 74 are from Jammu division, officials said, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir has reached to 7048 including 4072 recoveries and 129 deaths while the total number of positive cases in Jammu has reached 1883 including 1327 recoveries and 14 deaths.

The officials said that the total number of active cases in J&K is 3389 including 2847 from Kashmir and 542 from Jammu.

With 81 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in the UT has reached 5399 which is 60.45 percent of the total cases.

Cases tested positive in J&K include 61 from Srinagar, 16 from Kulgam, 30 from Baramulla, 01 from Shopian, 08 from Anantnag, 18 from Kupwara, 16 from Pulwama, 10 from Budgam, 08 from Bandipora and 14 from Ganderbal in Kashmir division while as 74 from Jammu division include 12 from Jammu, two from Udhampur, 06 from Kuthua, 02  from Ramban, 02 from Samba, 07 from Poonch, 20 from Rajouri, 13 from Doda and 10 from Kishtiwar.

As per the daily information bulletin, 302,227 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 40,332 persons have been kept under home quarantine besides that 3389 persons are in hospital isolation while 45 persons are under hospital quarantine.

According to the bulletin, 212,899 persons have completed surveillance period and 45,419 persons are under home surveillance besides that

So far, results of 413,358 samples are available out of which 404,427 are negative and 8931 have been tested positive. Out of positive cases, 3389 are active and 5399 persons have recovered wile 143 have died.

-ARK

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