April 15, 2026

Photo credit: IANS NEW DELHI: A delay of over four years has pushed up the cost of the country’s first Bullet Train project by around 83% to Rs 1.98 lakh crore. The first leg of the project, between Surat and Bilimora, is scheduled to be inaugurated in Aug 2027, while the entire 508-km corridor is likely to be completed by Dec 2029.Responding to a question on the cost escalation for the Ahmedabad-Mumbai High Speed Rail Corridor project being implemented by NHRSCL, at a briefing on govt’s Pragati initiative, Railway Board CEO and chairman Satish Kumar said, “While the final sanction for the revised cost is yet to be taken, it’s around Rs 1.98 lakh crore. It’s still under revision… It will be finalised within a month or two.”Initially, the project was sanctioned at a cost of around Rs 1.1 lakh crore. The project has faced time and cost overruns due to different reasons, including delay in land acquisition, statutory clearances and finalisation of the rolling stock (trains).In a statement last week, railways said that overall physical progress in the project stood at 55.6% until Nov 30 and financial progress at 69.6%. Until Nov end, Rs 85,801 crore had been spent on the project. TOI has learnt that PM Narendra Modi, while reviewing work of railway ministry last month, had directed it to expedite completion of the project.Earlier on Friday, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually witnessed from Rail Bhawan the final breakthrough in a 1.5-km-long mountain tunnel, a part of the project, in Maharashtra’s Palghar district. “A big milestone has been achieved today (Friday). This achievement is the breakthrough of the mountain tunnel 5,” he said.In an official release, the ministry said that it is among the longest in Palghar district, being located between the Virar and Boisar bullet train stations. “It is the second tunnel breakthrough in Maharashtra, as the first 5-km-long underground tunnel between Thane and BKC was completed in Sept 2025,” it said. The project passing through Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli is designed to operate bullet trains at a speed of 320 kmph.The corridor will also be fit for operating the advanced Japanese E10 series Shinkansen trains as it is being designed to allow trains to run at 20 kmph higher speed. Once completed, the corridor will lead to an estimated reduction of nearly 95% in carbon dioxide emissions compared to road transport.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosShankh Air Founder Speaks Out As Airline Eyes March Launch, Targets Intl Flights By 2029’Their Islamist Ideas…’: Ex-Bangladesh Minister Hits Out Over Attacks on Hindus And Christians’Very Petty & Shameful’: Shashi Tharoor On Row Over KKR Selecting Bangladeshi Player In IPLINLD President Calls For Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal Type Uprising In India Politics, Triggers RowBJP Claims Rahul Gandhi Ties To ‘Anti-India’ Panel Over US Lawmakers’ Umar Khalid LetterNot All Are Illiterate: Rajnath Singh Cites Red Fort Blast, Flags Educated, White Collar Terrorists’Arunachal Pradesh Is And Will Always Be…’ Jaishankar Warns China, Blasts Harassment Of IndiansBullet Train Gets August 15, 2027 India Launch Date, Minister Shares Details On Tunnel BreakthroughCleanest City Hit By Water Contamination As Lab Links Indore Diarrhoea Outbreak To Pipeline LeakUS Lawmaker Raja Krishnamoorthi Condemns Violence Against Hindus In Bangladesh Urges Global Action Up123PhotostoriesHow to make Andhra-Style protein-rich Green Moong Dosa for breakfastWhich Color to Wear on Full Moon Based on Your Birth Date?6 stunning flowering succulents that will transform your balconyWhy your fish keeps dying: 5 mistakes most aquarium owners make without realising7 foods to combine with sweet potato for a wholesome breakfastOlder people who live happily, do these 10 things in their 30 and 40s8 winter pickles to add warmth and taste to your mealsLessons from centenarians: What the world’s longest-living people eat‘Shark Tank India Season 5’: FULL LIST of judges, their net worth, and the brands they ownKylie Jenner-Timothée Chalamet to complete 3 years of dating in 2026: 3 relationship lessons to learn from them123Hot PicksPremarital Test OmanVande Bharat Sleeper TrainJanuary Bank holidayGold rate todayIncome Tax RefundBahrain Golden Visa 2025Bank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingSan Francisco 49ersBrittany MahomesNoah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield Net WorthWayne Gretzky Daughter Net WorthSidney Crosby LifestyleLeBron James vs Stephen Curry Net WorthTom BradyLeBron James WifeCam ThomasCharlie Kirk

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins
Photo credit: IANS NEW DELHI: A delay of over four years has pushed up the cost of the country’s first Bullet Train project by around 83% to Rs 1.98 lakh crore. The first leg of the project, between Surat and Bilimora, is scheduled to be inaugurated in Aug 2027, while the entire 508-km corridor is likely to be completed by Dec 2029.Responding to a question on the cost escalation for the Ahmedabad-Mumbai High Speed Rail Corridor project being implemented by NHRSCL, at a briefing on govt’s Pragati initiative, Railway Board CEO and chairman Satish Kumar said, “While the final sanction for the revised cost is yet to be taken, it’s around Rs 1.98 lakh crore. It’s still under revision… It will be finalised within a month or two.”Initially, the project was sanctioned at a cost of around Rs 1.1 lakh crore. The project has faced time and cost overruns due to different reasons, including delay in land acquisition, statutory clearances and finalisation of the rolling stock (trains).In a statement last week, railways said that overall physical progress in the project stood at 55.6% until Nov 30 and financial progress at 69.6%. Until Nov end, Rs 85,801 crore had been spent on the project. TOI has learnt that PM Narendra Modi, while reviewing work of railway ministry last month, had directed it to expedite completion of the project.Earlier on Friday, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually witnessed from Rail Bhawan the final breakthrough in a 1.5-km-long mountain tunnel, a part of the project, in Maharashtra’s Palghar district. “A big milestone has been achieved today (Friday). This achievement is the breakthrough of the mountain tunnel 5,” he said.In an official release, the ministry said that it is among the longest in Palghar district, being located between the Virar and Boisar bullet train stations. “It is the second tunnel breakthrough in Maharashtra, as the first 5-km-long underground tunnel between Thane and BKC was completed in Sept 2025,” it said. The project passing through Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli is designed to operate bullet trains at a speed of 320 kmph.The corridor will also be fit for operating the advanced Japanese E10 series Shinkansen trains as it is being designed to allow trains to run at 20 kmph higher speed. Once completed, the corridor will lead to an estimated reduction of nearly 95% in carbon dioxide emissions compared to road transport.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosShankh Air Founder Speaks Out As Airline Eyes March Launch, Targets Intl Flights By 2029’Their Islamist Ideas…’: Ex-Bangladesh Minister Hits Out Over Attacks on Hindus And Christians’Very Petty & Shameful’: Shashi Tharoor On Row Over KKR Selecting Bangladeshi Player In IPLINLD President Calls For Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal Type Uprising In India Politics, Triggers RowBJP Claims Rahul Gandhi Ties To ‘Anti-India’ Panel Over US Lawmakers’ Umar Khalid LetterNot All Are Illiterate: Rajnath Singh Cites Red Fort Blast, Flags Educated, White Collar Terrorists’Arunachal Pradesh Is And Will Always Be…’ Jaishankar Warns China, Blasts Harassment Of IndiansBullet Train Gets August 15, 2027 India Launch Date, Minister Shares Details On Tunnel BreakthroughCleanest City Hit By Water Contamination As Lab Links Indore Diarrhoea Outbreak To Pipeline LeakUS Lawmaker Raja Krishnamoorthi Condemns Violence Against Hindus In Bangladesh Urges Global Action Up123PhotostoriesHow to make Andhra-Style protein-rich Green Moong Dosa for breakfastWhich Color to Wear on Full Moon Based on Your Birth Date?6 stunning flowering succulents that will transform your balconyWhy your fish keeps dying: 5 mistakes most aquarium owners make without realising7 foods to combine with sweet potato for a wholesome breakfastOlder people who live happily, do these 10 things in their 30 and 40s8 winter pickles to add warmth and taste to your mealsLessons from centenarians: What the world’s longest-living people eat‘Shark Tank India Season 5’: FULL LIST of judges, their net worth, and the brands they ownKylie Jenner-Timothée Chalamet to complete 3 years of dating in 2026: 3 relationship lessons to learn from them123Hot PicksPremarital Test OmanVande Bharat Sleeper TrainJanuary Bank holidayGold rate todayIncome Tax RefundBahrain Golden Visa 2025Bank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingSan Francisco 49ersBrittany MahomesNoah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield Net WorthWayne Gretzky Daughter Net WorthSidney Crosby LifestyleLeBron James vs Stephen Curry Net WorthTom BradyLeBron James WifeCam ThomasCharlie Kirk


Delay of over 4 years pushes up bullet train project cost by 83%

NEW DELHI: A delay of over four years has pushed up the cost of the country’s first Bullet Train project by around 83% to Rs 1.98 lakh crore. The first leg of the project, between Surat and Bilimora, is scheduled to be inaugurated in Aug 2027, while the entire 508-km corridor is likely to be completed by Dec 2029.Responding to a question on the cost escalation for the Ahmedabad-Mumbai High Speed Rail Corridor project being implemented by NHRSCL, at a briefing on govt’s Pragati initiative, Railway Board CEO and chairman Satish Kumar said, “While the final sanction for the revised cost is yet to be taken, it’s around Rs 1.98 lakh crore. It’s still under revision… It will be finalised within a month or two.”Initially, the project was sanctioned at a cost of around Rs 1.1 lakh crore. The project has faced time and cost overruns due to different reasons, including delay in land acquisition, statutory clearances and finalisation of the rolling stock (trains).In a statement last week, railways said that overall physical progress in the project stood at 55.6% until Nov 30 and financial progress at 69.6%. Until Nov end, Rs 85,801 crore had been spent on the project. TOI has learnt that PM Narendra Modi, while reviewing work of railway ministry last month, had directed it to expedite completion of the project.Earlier on Friday, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually witnessed from Rail Bhawan the final breakthrough in a 1.5-km-long mountain tunnel, a part of the project, in Maharashtra’s Palghar district. “A big milestone has been achieved today (Friday). This achievement is the breakthrough of the mountain tunnel 5,” he said.In an official release, the ministry said that it is among the longest in Palghar district, being located between the Virar and Boisar bullet train stations. “It is the second tunnel breakthrough in Maharashtra, as the first 5-km-long underground tunnel between Thane and BKC was completed in Sept 2025,” it said. The project passing through Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli is designed to operate bullet trains at a speed of 320 kmph.The corridor will also be fit for operating the advanced Japanese E10 series Shinkansen trains as it is being designed to allow trains to run at 20 kmph higher speed. Once completed, the corridor will lead to an estimated reduction of nearly 95% in carbon dioxide emissions compared to road transport.



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India’s top drug advisory body recommends restricting over-the-counter access to most nicotine replacement therapies, sparking concerns that it will hinder smokers’ efforts to quit. While tobacco products remain widely available, this move could create more hurdles for those seeking quitting aids, potentially impacting public health initiatives. NEW DELHI: Access to quitting aids like nicotine gums and lozenges may soon tighten, raising concerns among experts that it could make it harder for smokers to quit.The trigger is a recommendation by India’s top drug advisory body to restrict over-the-counter access to most nicotine replacement products. The proposal allows exemption only for unflavoured 2 mg nicotine gum, excludes nicotine lozenges (2 mg), and keeps all other nicotine replacement products outside the exemption.Currently, some of these products are available without a licence, making them easier to access. The proposed changes could mean fewer options and more hurdles for those trying to quit, even as tobacco products remain widely available.Experts say the concern stems from how addiction works. Nicotine—not the act of smoking—is the addictive substance, and withdrawal symptoms like low mood and poor concentration often push users back to cigarettes.Nicotine replacement therapies—gums, lozenges and patches—help manage these symptoms by delivering nicotine without the thousands of harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke that cause cancer, COPD and heart disease. But they are not a guaranteed solution. “Many users continue smoking along with nicotine patches or gums, which defeats the purpose and may even increase overall nicotine intake,” said Prof (Dr) GC Khilnani, chairman PSRI institute of Pulmonary and former head of pulmonary, AIIMS, Delhi. While nicotine is less harmful than tobacco smoke, it is not risk-free and can have cardiovascular effects, making medical supervision advisable, he said. India, with over 1.35 million tobacco-related deaths annually, depends heavily on accessible quitting support. Experts warn that even small barriers—like prescription requirements or limited availability—can discourage quit attempts.There are also concerns about balance. While quitting aids face tighter scrutiny, tobacco products continue to be widely sold.The panel has proposed safeguards, including a ban on sale to minors, monitoring of online sales, post-marketing surveillance, and possible restrictions on tobacco industry involvement in marketing these products due to conflict of interest concerns.However, some experts argue the risk of misuse may be overstated. Dr Priyanka Chaudhary Bindroo, Consultant Pulmonologist at Maharaja Agrasen Hospital, said, “I have not encountered a single documented case of nicotine gum or lozenge misuse by a minor. These products have been available OTC in the US and UK for decades without a public health crisis. Restricting a WHO-approved cessation aid without contemporary evidence is a step backward.”The proposal is part of an ongoing policy debate on how to regulate nicotine products—whether to prioritise tighter control or easier access to support quitting. The final decision will be taken by the government, but for now, the key question remains: should quitting aids be made easier to access, or harder?About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. 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India’s top drug advisory body recommends restricting over-the-counter access to most nicotine replacement therapies, sparking concerns that it will hinder smokers’ efforts to quit. While tobacco products remain widely available, this move could create more hurdles for those seeking quitting aids, potentially impacting public health initiatives. NEW DELHI: Access to quitting aids like nicotine gums and lozenges may soon tighten, raising concerns among experts that it could make it harder for smokers to quit.The trigger is a recommendation by India’s top drug advisory body to restrict over-the-counter access to most nicotine replacement products. The proposal allows exemption only for unflavoured 2 mg nicotine gum, excludes nicotine lozenges (2 mg), and keeps all other nicotine replacement products outside the exemption.Currently, some of these products are available without a licence, making them easier to access. The proposed changes could mean fewer options and more hurdles for those trying to quit, even as tobacco products remain widely available.Experts say the concern stems from how addiction works. Nicotine—not the act of smoking—is the addictive substance, and withdrawal symptoms like low mood and poor concentration often push users back to cigarettes.Nicotine replacement therapies—gums, lozenges and patches—help manage these symptoms by delivering nicotine without the thousands of harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke that cause cancer, COPD and heart disease. But they are not a guaranteed solution. “Many users continue smoking along with nicotine patches or gums, which defeats the purpose and may even increase overall nicotine intake,” said Prof (Dr) GC Khilnani, chairman PSRI institute of Pulmonary and former head of pulmonary, AIIMS, Delhi. While nicotine is less harmful than tobacco smoke, it is not risk-free and can have cardiovascular effects, making medical supervision advisable, he said. India, with over 1.35 million tobacco-related deaths annually, depends heavily on accessible quitting support. Experts warn that even small barriers—like prescription requirements or limited availability—can discourage quit attempts.There are also concerns about balance. While quitting aids face tighter scrutiny, tobacco products continue to be widely sold.The panel has proposed safeguards, including a ban on sale to minors, monitoring of online sales, post-marketing surveillance, and possible restrictions on tobacco industry involvement in marketing these products due to conflict of interest concerns.However, some experts argue the risk of misuse may be overstated. Dr Priyanka Chaudhary Bindroo, Consultant Pulmonologist at Maharaja Agrasen Hospital, said, “I have not encountered a single documented case of nicotine gum or lozenge misuse by a minor. These products have been available OTC in the US and UK for decades without a public health crisis. Restricting a WHO-approved cessation aid without contemporary evidence is a step backward.”The proposal is part of an ongoing policy debate on how to regulate nicotine products—whether to prioritise tighter control or easier access to support quitting. The final decision will be taken by the government, but for now, the key question remains: should quitting aids be made easier to access, or harder?About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. 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Congress leader Pawan Khera NEW DELHI: In a setback to Congress leader Pawan Khera, the Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed the Telangana high court’s order granting him one-week transit anticipatory bail in connection with allegations against Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma.The top court, however, said that the Congress leader can seek anticipatory bail from jurisdictional court which means from a court in Assam where FIR was registered.The top court’s intervention came after the Assam government challenged the high court’s April 10 order, arguing that Khera had approached the wrong forum for relief.Appearing for the Assam Police, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta questioned the maintainability of the plea before the Telangana high court, flagging what he called a “patent lack of territorial jurisdiction”. 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Congress leader Pawan Khera NEW DELHI: In a setback to Congress leader Pawan Khera, the Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed the Telangana high court’s order granting him one-week transit anticipatory bail in connection with allegations against Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma.The top court, however, said that the Congress leader can seek anticipatory bail from jurisdictional court which means from a court in Assam where FIR was registered.The top court’s intervention came after the Assam government challenged the high court’s April 10 order, arguing that Khera had approached the wrong forum for relief.Appearing for the Assam Police, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta questioned the maintainability of the plea before the Telangana high court, flagging what he called a “patent lack of territorial jurisdiction”. He submitted that the FIR was registered in Assam and Khera had not explained why he could not seek anticipatory bail there.Mehta also pointed out that Khera had sought anticipatory bail in Telangana without clearly establishing his presence in the state, adding that “merely having some property” cannot confer jurisdiction.He told the bench that it was a “complete abuse of process” and a case of “forum choosing”.During the hearing, Justice Dinesh Maheshwari noted that Khera had cited his wife’s residence in Hyderabad as a ground. However, the Solicitor General countered that even Khera’s Aadhaar records reflected a Delhi address, and that occasional travel or property ownership cannot justify jurisdiction, LiveLaw reported.The Telangana high court had earlier granted Khera limited transit anticipatory bail for one week. The court observed that his apprehension of arrest appeared “reasonable and supported by material on record”, while imposing conditions including cooperation with the investigation and restraint from public statements that could prejudice the probe.The Assam government challenged this order, contending that Khera had not demonstrated any compelling reason to bypass courts in Assam, where the case was registered.The FIR, filed at the Guwahati Crime Branch Police Station, stems from Khera’s April 5 allegations that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma possessed multiple foreign passports and undeclared overseas assets, claims that were rejected by the Sarma family as “false and fabricated”.The case has been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sections related to making false statements in connection with elections and cheating.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’No Veto, No Real Reform’: India Calls UNSC Structure Outdated, Demands Permanent Seat’Stay Tuned’: US Envoy Sergio Gor Teases Big Moves With Cryptic Post After Modi-Trump Conversation’National Security Is Collective Duty’: Ajit Doval Highlights Key People Power Amid ‘New Awakening”Great Contributors’: How JD Vance Balances Praise For Indian Roots With Criticism Of H1B Visa FraudChhattisgarh: 10 Killed, 23 Injured As Boiler Explodes At Vedanta Power PlantSamrat Chaudhary Becomes Bihar CM: A Political Journey Marked by Setbacks and ReinventionIran Expresses Confidence In India’s BRICS Presidency Amid West Asia ConflictPM Modi, Donald Trump Hold 40-Min Phone Call, Discuss Strait Of Hormuz, West Asia SituationPak Enters Noida? Stunning Twist To Wage War As Workers Riot In NCR; Yogi Minister Drops BombshellFuel Price Freeze Amid Hormuz Crisis Is Costing Oil Companies Thousands of Crores Daily123PhotostoriesWorried about ‘kitchen sponge cancer’? 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Vamsikrishna 0
KOLKATA: Midnight raids and arrests won’t be able to scare or halt Trinamool, CM Mamata Banerjee thundered on Tuesday, her words coming barely a few hours after ED arrested I-PAC co-founder Vinesh Chandel in New Delhi late on Monday.”If one is arrested, another will take his place. We will continue to fight. It is not so easy to control West Bengal. They are threatening to put people behind bars. I want to see how powerful they are,” the CM said at a rally in West Midnapore’s Pingla, coining the slogan “Delhi theke elo Mota Bhai, shonge ED aar CBI” (Big brother has come from Delhi along with ED and CBI).After polls were announced in Bengal on March 16, ED summoned TMC candidates Debashis Kumar and ministers Sujit Bose and Rathin Ghosh, while NIA summoned 43 TMC workers in Nandigram in a 2024 case.ED and CBI were conducting searches and raids “at midnight”, as “orders are being given to arrest Trinamool workers”, Mamata fumed. “But this will not be an easy task,” she said, adding “if you arrest one, lakhs will come out”. With elections only eight days away, “instructions” have been given to arrest booth agents so that no one can sit at polling stations, the CM alleged.In a hard-hitting post after Chandel’s arrest, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee wrote on X on Monday night: “The arrest of Vinesh Chandel, co-founder of I-PAC, barely 10 days before the Bengal elections is not just alarming. It shakes the very idea of a level-playing field. At a time when WB should be moving toward free and fair elections, this kind of action sends a chilling message: if you work with the opposition, you could be next. That’s not democracy, that’s intimidation!”He continued: “…even harder to ignore is the double standard. Those facing serious corruption allegations seem to find protection the moment they switch sides, while others are swiftly targeted at politically convenient moments. People are not blind to this anymore.” “This is bigger than one arrest. It is about whether our institutions remain independent and whether every citizen, no matter their political belief, can participate without fear. Because once fear replaces freedom, democracy becomes just a word,” Abhishek wrote.Speaking to reporters, TMC Rajya Sabha MP and party’s national spokesperson Derek O’Brien said the ED action was nothing short of “electoral sabotage”, with less than 9 days to go before the first phase of polls. “ED has now renamed themselves as ‘Extremely Desperate’ by their actions, but despite all these, their political masters, BJP, will end up losing in the Bengal assembly polls,” he said.Mamata, who also addressed rallies at Tamluk in East Midnapore and Domjur in Howrah, urged women to “stand firm” against security forces if attempts are made to prevent people from voting, while asserting that she was not asking anyone to indulge in violence.Questioning why such a large number of central forces were brought to Bengal, she said: “They have brought in officers who are close to BJP and replaced the ICs… If your sole aim was to keep peace, you could have used West Bengal Police. People don’t see central forces during any natural calamity or riots.”Mamata asked people to lodge complaints against any police officer if they were “tortured”. “The job of the central forces is to maintain peace. But what if they prevent people from voting? I will request women to keep brooms in their hands and stand firm against those wearing boots and carrying arms.”End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Stay Tuned’: US Envoy Sergio Gor Teases Big Moves With Cryptic Post After Modi-Trump Conversation’National Security Is Collective Duty’: Ajit Doval Highlights Key People Power Amid ‘New Awakening”Great Contributors’: How JD Vance Balances Praise For Indian Roots With Criticism Of H1B Visa FraudChhattisgarh: 10 Killed, 23 Injured As Boiler Explodes At Vedanta Power PlantSamrat Chaudhary Becomes Bihar CM: A Political Journey Marked by Setbacks and ReinventionIran Expresses Confidence In India’s BRICS Presidency Amid West Asia ConflictPM Modi, Donald Trump Hold 40-Min Phone Call, Discuss Strait Of Hormuz, West Asia SituationPak Enters Noida? Stunning Twist To Wage War As Workers Riot In NCR; Yogi Minister Drops BombshellFuel Price Freeze Amid Hormuz Crisis Is Costing Oil Companies Thousands of Crores DailyChina Defends Renaming Places In Arunachal After India Slams Beijing’s ‘Mischievous Attempt’123PhotostoriesOTT releases this week (April 13 – April 19): ‘Toaster’, ‘Matka King’, ‘Assi’ to ‘Euphoria’ Season 3Inside Neeraj Chopra’s ₹30 crore Haryana home: A perfect blend of luxury and simplicityBeautiful Sanskrit baby girl names that blend tradition with modern charm10 watermelon recipes you can make in just 5 minutes for a summer partyWhat you do after eating matters more than you think: Simple habits that can control blood sugar and digestion7 durable woods that are ideal for garden furniture8 baby boy names inspired by Milky Way galaxyWhy this new rice variety is called ‘Designer Rice’ and how it will impact your protein intake10 free things to do in Noida that are actually worth your timeHow to make Chef Sanjeev Kapoor-style Langarwali Dal123Hot PicksIran warDisney layoffsPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingDianna Russini Marriage ControversyTaylor Swift Blake Lively FalloutKelce Kayla Nicole TimelineDelhi Dehradun CorridorJk Cow Transport AssaultZoji La TunnelTrump-Modi CallIPL Points TableUS VP pick 2020Lonna Drewes

KOLKATA: Midnight raids and arrests won’t be able to scare or halt Trinamool, CM Mamata Banerjee thundered on Tuesday, her words coming barely a few hours after ED arrested I-PAC co-founder Vinesh Chandel in New Delhi late on Monday.”If one is arrested, another will take his place. We will continue to fight. It is not so easy to control West Bengal. They are threatening to put people behind bars. I want to see how powerful they are,” the CM said at a rally in West Midnapore’s Pingla, coining the slogan “Delhi theke elo Mota Bhai, shonge ED aar CBI” (Big brother has come from Delhi along with ED and CBI).After polls were announced in Bengal on March 16, ED summoned TMC candidates Debashis Kumar and ministers Sujit Bose and Rathin Ghosh, while NIA summoned 43 TMC workers in Nandigram in a 2024 case.ED and CBI were conducting searches and raids “at midnight”, as “orders are being given to arrest Trinamool workers”, Mamata fumed. “But this will not be an easy task,” she said, adding “if you arrest one, lakhs will come out”. With elections only eight days away, “instructions” have been given to arrest booth agents so that no one can sit at polling stations, the CM alleged.In a hard-hitting post after Chandel’s arrest, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee wrote on X on Monday night: “The arrest of Vinesh Chandel, co-founder of I-PAC, barely 10 days before the Bengal elections is not just alarming. It shakes the very idea of a level-playing field. At a time when WB should be moving toward free and fair elections, this kind of action sends a chilling message: if you work with the opposition, you could be next. That’s not democracy, that’s intimidation!”He continued: “…even harder to ignore is the double standard. Those facing serious corruption allegations seem to find protection the moment they switch sides, while others are swiftly targeted at politically convenient moments. People are not blind to this anymore.” “This is bigger than one arrest. It is about whether our institutions remain independent and whether every citizen, no matter their political belief, can participate without fear. Because once fear replaces freedom, democracy becomes just a word,” Abhishek wrote.Speaking to reporters, TMC Rajya Sabha MP and party’s national spokesperson Derek O’Brien said the ED action was nothing short of “electoral sabotage”, with less than 9 days to go before the first phase of polls. “ED has now renamed themselves as ‘Extremely Desperate’ by their actions, but despite all these, their political masters, BJP, will end up losing in the Bengal assembly polls,” he said.Mamata, who also addressed rallies at Tamluk in East Midnapore and Domjur in Howrah, urged women to “stand firm” against security forces if attempts are made to prevent people from voting, while asserting that she was not asking anyone to indulge in violence.Questioning why such a large number of central forces were brought to Bengal, she said: “They have brought in officers who are close to BJP and replaced the ICs… If your sole aim was to keep peace, you could have used West Bengal Police. People don’t see central forces during any natural calamity or riots.”Mamata asked people to lodge complaints against any police officer if they were “tortured”. “The job of the central forces is to maintain peace. But what if they prevent people from voting? I will request women to keep brooms in their hands and stand firm against those wearing boots and carrying arms.”End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Stay Tuned’: US Envoy Sergio Gor Teases Big Moves With Cryptic Post After Modi-Trump Conversation’National Security Is Collective Duty’: Ajit Doval Highlights Key People Power Amid ‘New Awakening”Great Contributors’: How JD Vance Balances Praise For Indian Roots With Criticism Of H1B Visa FraudChhattisgarh: 10 Killed, 23 Injured As Boiler Explodes At Vedanta Power PlantSamrat Chaudhary Becomes Bihar CM: A Political Journey Marked by Setbacks and ReinventionIran Expresses Confidence In India’s BRICS Presidency Amid West Asia ConflictPM Modi, Donald Trump Hold 40-Min Phone Call, Discuss Strait Of Hormuz, West Asia SituationPak Enters Noida? Stunning Twist To Wage War As Workers Riot In NCR; Yogi Minister Drops BombshellFuel Price Freeze Amid Hormuz Crisis Is Costing Oil Companies Thousands of Crores DailyChina Defends Renaming Places In Arunachal After India Slams Beijing’s ‘Mischievous Attempt’123PhotostoriesOTT releases this week (April 13 – April 19): ‘Toaster’, ‘Matka King’, ‘Assi’ to ‘Euphoria’ Season 3Inside Neeraj Chopra’s ₹30 crore Haryana home: A perfect blend of luxury and simplicityBeautiful Sanskrit baby girl names that blend tradition with modern charm10 watermelon recipes you can make in just 5 minutes for a summer partyWhat you do after eating matters more than you think: Simple habits that can control blood sugar and digestion7 durable woods that are ideal for garden furniture8 baby boy names inspired by Milky Way galaxyWhy this new rice variety is called ‘Designer Rice’ and how it will impact your protein intake10 free things to do in Noida that are actually worth your timeHow to make Chef Sanjeev Kapoor-style Langarwali Dal123Hot PicksIran warDisney layoffsPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingDianna Russini Marriage ControversyTaylor Swift Blake Lively FalloutKelce Kayla Nicole TimelineDelhi Dehradun CorridorJk Cow Transport AssaultZoji La TunnelTrump-Modi CallIPL Points TableUS VP pick 2020Lonna Drewes

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