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Railway authorities informed the committee that platform Once completed, the bridge is expected to improve connectivity
extension work on Platform 2 is underway, while expansion work and ease traffic movement for commuters in the surrounding
for Platforms 3 and 4 will begin shortly. areas.
The association also sought the installation of escalators and lifts INFRASTRUCTURE
on all platforms at Ernakulam Junction to improve accessibility for MADHYA PRADESH GOVERNMENT SANCTIONS `1,757
senior citizens, pregnant women and passengers with disabilities. CRORE FOR BHOPAL-VIDISHA FOUR-LANE ROAD.
Other demands raised during the meeting included introducing a The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet recently approved the
daily passenger train between Kottayam and Ernakulam Junction `1,757.55-crore Bhopal-Vidisha four-lane project and extended toll
during the 3 pm to 4 pm period, when no service is currently collection on the Bhopal Bypass until 2031 ahead of its proposed
available, and launching a direct train service from Ernakulam to expansion to six lanes.
Puducherry to benefit students and travellers from Kerala. Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Minister Uday Pratap
The DRUCC meeting brings together railway officials and Singh said the 44.83-km Bhopal-Vidisha road would be widened
passenger representatives to discuss improvements in train from two to four lanes with paved shoulders as part of infrastructure
services, station facilities and commuter-related issues. development for the proposed Bhopal metropolitan region.
The project will strengthen connectivity between Bhopal and
KHARAR RAILWAY STATION TO SEE MAJOR SAFETY Vidisha and improve links with nearby cities, Singh said.
REVAMP WITH FOOT OVERBRIDGE, ELEVATED PLATFORM. The road will be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Model. The
Passengers at Kharar railway station in Punjab are set to get relief Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation will bear 40% of
from major safety concerns, with Northern Railway’s Ambala the construction cost, including GST, from the State Highway Fund.
division awarding the tender for a new foot overbridge (FOB) and The remaining 60% will be paid from the state budget through
approving the elevation of platform No. 2. half-yearly annuities over 15 years.
The development follows a grievance submitted to the Prime The Cabinet also approved user-fee collection on the 51.963-km
Minister’s Office on August 10, 2026, by local activist Arun Kumar, Bhopal Bypass from July 19, 2026, to December 31, 2031. The
who raised concerns over the risks faced by passengers while bypass is proposed to be widened from four to six lanes, with the
crossing railway tracks due to the absence of an overbridge. Public Works Department authorised to extend the toll period by
In response, Additional Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM) D S another five years.
Meena said the FOB contract has been awarded and structural
design work is currently underway. Construction is expected to `44,515 crore approved for health programmes
begin after the design is approved. The Cabinet approved `44,515.13 crore for the continuation of
The railway division has also approved plans to raise platform No. major health programmes from April 2026 to March 2031. The
2 to a high-level platform. A detailed cost estimate is awaiting final programmes include the National Health Mission, Ayushman
clearance, following which the project will move to the tendering Bharat-PMJAY, coverage for non-SECC beneficiaries, disease-
stage. control initiatives and safety and sanitation measures at health
The grievance highlighted the heavy passenger footfall at Kharar institutions.
station and the difficulties faced by elderly passengers, children, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also said the Cabinet reviewed the
women and persons with disabilities while crossing tracks or state’s rainfall situation, noting that Madhya Pradesh had received
boarding trains from the low-lying platform. around 15% below-normal rainfall.
Meena said both projects are being processed on priority and will The Cabinet further sanctioned `918 crore for continuation of the
be completed according to the approved timelines. Forest Department’s dividend distribution scheme for Joint Forest
Management Committees until 2030-31.
PUNE SETS DECEMBER 2026 TARGET FOR SADHU
VASWANI BRIDGE COMPLETION. Security, tourism and research initiatives
Commuters in Koregaon Park, VVIP Circuit House, Bund Garden The government plans to expand the State Industrial Security Force
and Wadia College areas will have to wait another five months, for industrial areas and key installations. Khandwa will get one of
with the Sadhu Vaswani Bridge unlikely to be completed before the three proposed units, Singh said.
December 2026. He added that 27,534 police personnel across 58 cadres have
Civic Chief Naval Kishore Ram inspected the ongoing bridge work been promoted, creating vacancies for fresh recruitment.
recently and directed officials to complete the pending work by The Cabinet extended until August 14 the tenure of the judicial
the end of December. He also said the project’s progress would inquiry commission headed by former High Court judge Subhash
be reviewed every month to maintain the pace of construction. Kakde, which is probing the May 14 Tokankala fire tragedy in
Officials said the launching of a 54-metre-long Open Web Dewas.
Girder is scheduled to be completed by the end of September. The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board will partner Tata STRIVE to train
Construction of the remaining spans will begin after the girder is at least 1,000 homestay owners.
launched. The project was originally expected to be completed The Cabinet also allotted 20 hectares at Bhaukhedi village in
within two and a half years from the start of actual construction. Sehore district on permanent lease to the National Soybean
However, the revised timeline now puts completion of the bridge Research Institute under the Indian Council of Agricultural
by December 2026. Research (ICAR).

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