A major tragedy was averted on Monday morning as a bridge over the Indrayani river in Pune district's Maval town collapsed just minutes after a bus crossed over the the other side. The bridge connecting the MIDC area is located in the Ambi village, around 2 kilometers from Talegaon-Dabhade. The said incident took place around 6 am. Fortunately, no casualty has been reported so far. On a regular basis, thousands of people and vehicles commute through this route. According to reports, the bridge was closed for heavy vehicles. However, some unknown commuters had removed barricades and heavy vehicles were still plying despite the restrictions that were put in place. The bridge is nearly four decades old. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD) will soon undertake an inspection of 20,000 bridges across the state to assess their condition and prevent incidents like bridge collapses and other mishaps. In August 2016, over 40 people were killed after a British-era … [Read more...] about Bridge over Indrayani river in Maval collapses; major tragedy averted
Major accident
China, Pak are major irritants, says Army chief
NEW DELHI: Army chief General V K Singh on Friday described China and Pakistan as "two major irritants" anad made a strong pitch for augmentation of the country's war capabilities. "We must have substantial conventional war-fighting capabilities, with the ability to even fight in a nuclear scenario.'' While an all-out conventional war with either looks remote at this point in time, "skirmishes are certainly possible'', he added. His concerns on China and Pakistan came in the context of the former building its military capabilities at a rapid clip, and the latter brazenly allowing anti-India terror infrastructure to operate from its soil. China, of course, has for long covertly supported Pakistan's nuclear and missile programmes, with the strategic aim to bog down India in South Asia itself. It now even has a expanding footprint in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Army, as first reported by TOI, is even factoring in the worst-case scenario of a simultaneous two-front war with China and … [Read more...] about China, Pak are major irritants, says Army chief
More than 80 alleged coke dealers busted in major Sydney sting
Police seized more than 350g of the drug during the operation, which took place over six nights in November and December. Forty-six people were charged with drug supply and 38 with drug possession, police said. More than 80 people have been charged and more than 350 grams of cocaine seized. Picture: NSW Police ForceSource:Supplied They included a 51-year-old taxi driver allegedly found with 13g of cocaine and $3400 in cash in a hidden compartment in his cab at Barangaroo on November 30. A 24-year-old pregnant woman was also arrested in the stings. Police allege that on November 30, officers stopped and searched a vehicle on Eloura Road, Cronulla, finding $2970 cash, four mobile phones and more than 13 grams of cocaine concealed in an energy drink can. “The driver, a 25-year-old man, and passenger, a 24-year-old pregnant woman, were arrested and taken to Sutherland Police Station,” a police statement read. “The pair were charged with supply prohibited drug, supply … [Read more...] about More than 80 alleged coke dealers busted in major Sydney sting
VHP wants special minority provisions extended to majority
New Delhi: The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has started meeting lawmakers with a twopage document as part of a campaign, 'sansad sampark' (connecting with Parliament), urging them to support its demand to expand Articles 29 and 30 of the Constitution, which allow minority communities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice, to Hindus, too. Senior VHP officials told media persons on Sunday that a team of 250 VHP members had met 400 lawmakers from different political parties in the past two weeks for this purpose. “Because of Article 30, minority communities in most parts of the country enjoy unparalleled autonomy over running their institutions and face no governmental interference. We want the same rights to be given to others too,” VHP general secretary Milind Parande told ET. “We feel this is the reason why the Lingayat community, the Arya Samajis and even Ramakrishna Mission have been demanding similar provisions because Hindu … [Read more...] about VHP wants special minority provisions extended to majority
Driver, helper killed as truck rams into lorry near Hyderabad
A DCM truck driver and his helper were killed in the early hours of Monday after their vehicle rammed a stationary lorry on the Hyderabad-Vijayawada highway in Abdullapurmet here.Police said that the accident took place around 5.30 a.m. near Kohendagutta Outer Ring Road when Mallikarjuna, driver of the vehicle, lost control and crashed into the parked lorry from behind. Mallikarjuna and cleaner Mahesh died on the spot, Abdullapurmet police of Rachakonda Commissionerate said,Their bodies, stuck in the cabin of the vehicle, were retrieved and shifted to the Osmania General Hospital morgue for autopsy.A case under Section 304-A (causing death by negligence) was registered against the driver of the parked lorry. … [Read more...] about Driver, helper killed as truck rams into lorry near Hyderabad
