
Ganesh Chaturthi 2025: Central Railway, Western Railway To Run 262 Special Trains For Konkan
While the Central Railway will run 192 special services, the Western Railway will run 70 such services on Konkan-bound routes
To help those rushing to their hometown for Ganesh Chaturth i, the Central Railway (CR) and the Western Railway (WR) will operate 262 special trains for the festival which starts on August 27.
While the Central Railway will run 192 special services, the Western Railway will run 70 such services on Konkan-bound routes.
The trains will have special fares. Passengers can check the timings on the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) app and railway websites.
'The services have been planned keeping in mind the seasonal rush towards the Konkan region and will be operated with additional halts based on demand. Bookings for these trains have already begun through the IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) website and all computerised reservation centres," the Central Railway stated in a press release.
About the Author
News Desk
First Published:
News cities Ganesh Chaturthi 2025: Central Railway, Western Railway To Run 262 Special Trains For Konkan
Latest News
Rapido Directors Booked For Allegedly Providing Illegal Bike Taxi Services In Mumbai
Mumbai
India
PM Modi To Undertake A State Visit To Maldives From July 25 to 26
Telugu Cinema
Mahesh Babu, Namrata Shirodkar Shower Love On Daughter Sitara's 13th Birthday | Photos
Cities
Ganesh Chaturthi 2025: Central Railway, Western Railway To Run 262 Special Trains For Konkan
World
Twin Earthquakes Of Magnitude 6.5 Strike Off Russian Coast, Tsunami Alert Issued
latest news
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Rebooting Paradise Inc: Why Modi's Visit Is A Booster Shot For Maldives
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi sets foot on Maldivian soil now, the entire region watches: can this reset patch up old wounds and bring back the lifeblood of Maldivian prosperity? The Maldives — archipelago, paradise, icon of luxury. For decades, its white sands and turquoise lagoons have lured the world's travellers, with Indian tourists forming the foundation of its post-pandemic boom. Yet, not very long ago, a diplomatic spat with India threatened to unravel its greatest success story. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi sets foot on Maldivian soil now, the entire region watches: can this reset patch up old wounds and bring back the lifeblood of Maldivian prosperity? The Shadow of a Spat The economic importance of tourism to the Maldives is almost impossible to overstate. It accounts for more than a quarter of GDP and underpins livelihoods for tens of thousands. In recent years, Indian tourists—who overtook even the Chinese in arrival numbers – were the engine of the industry. But at the start of 2024, that engine sputtered. What sparked the downturn? Sometimes, all it takes is a tweetstorm. After PM Modi visited Lakshadweep – India's own picture-perfect islands – Maldivian officials responded with a cascade of undiplomatic remarks, some laced with insult. The reaction in India was swift and nationwide. Major travel sites suspended bookings. Indian celebrities, travel influencers and ordinary citizens alike amplified a call for a #BoycottMaldives campaign, redirecting attention – and crucially, holiday budgets – towards Lakshadweep and other domestic destinations. This hit the Maldives where it hurt most. The Indian market, responsible for more than 200,000 annual visitors in 2023, suddenly dried up – arrivals plummeted, airlines dropped routes, and hoteliers stared at empty rooms. Lakshadweep: A Strategic Counter and a Symbol Modi's Lakshadweep sojourn was not merely a personal vacation but, in the context of the Maldives' then growing anti-India stance, a calculated signal. Lakshadweep, long overshadowed by the Maldives, was cast into the spotlight as a pristine and viable Indian alternative. PM Modi's enthusiastic social media posts and his government's investment in infrastructure and marketing underlined a new message: India had its own paradise to offer, and the nation's 1.4 billion people could do more with their wallets than just protest from the sidelines. Travel tech giants like EaseMyTrip made symbolic—even patriotic—stands, halting bookings to the Maldives. In days, Lakshadweep saw a 3,400 per cent surge in travel searches, while local islands in the Maldives turned uncharacteristically quiet. Even India's trader community joined the boycott, pausing non-essential business with Maldivian partners. Economic Fallout: A Case Study in Interdependence For the Maldives, the episode underscored just how symbiotic its relationship with India had become. By mid-2024, Indian visitor numbers had nosedived, pushing India down to sixth place among the Maldives' tourism source markets. From almost 210,000 Indian arrivals in 2023, the numbers halved within months. For Maldivian resorts and guesthouse downturn meant anxious calls, abandoned tables, and, worst of all, discarded investment plans. Tourism is deeply embedded in the Maldivian economy; shockwaves travel quickly. With revenues sagging, the government's ambitious economic targets started looking far-fetched. President Mohamed Muizzu, who had built his campaign on being more independent of India and closer to China, was forced into damage-control mode. Three ministers were suspended, and official apologies flew over the Indian Ocean, but the harm was already felt by thousands of local workers. From 'India Out' to 'Welcome India': Why Modi's Visit Matters Now PM Modi's state visit, the first such high-level engagement since the spat, comes with both symbolism and substance. Modi will be the guest of honour at the Maldives' 60th Independence Day, marking a powerful endorsement of the relationship's enduring value. In the lead-up to the visit, both sides have showcased their willingness to recalibrate. The Maldivian tourism ministry launched the 'Welcome India" initiative, with new roadshows across Indian metros and airline partnerships to restore direct air links. Plans include appointing an Indian celebrity brand ambassador and developing new tourism products tailored to the Indian market. Behind the scenes, trade, investment, and financial assistance from India have helped the Maldives avoid the worst, providing crucial balance-of-payments support and funding for major infrastructure. Former President Mohamed Nasheed's candid admission— 'If not for India, we would have gone default"—resonates with investors and policymakers, who know that stability is the foundation of prosperity in an island nation so exposed to global tides. The Road Ahead: Confidence, Investment, and the Rebirth of Paradise Rebooting the Maldives as 'Paradise Inc." after a bruising diplomatic row is no overnight task. Consumer confidence, once shaken, can take time to rebuild, especially in the fickle world of high-end tourism. Yet there are reasons for optimism: top videos View all Recovery Signals: Travel companies have resumed Maldives bookings, and Indian arrivals are trending upwards again. The Maldivian government now targets 300,000 Indian tourists in 2025, a bold yet plausible aspiration if current trends hold. Renewed Investment: Greater stability and better relations invariably mean a return of investor appetite. With Indian visitors returning, hotel groups, airlines, and allied businesses in both countries are showing renewed interest in capacity expansion and new partnerships. Strategic Vision: Both nations appear ready to return to a mutually beneficial model, intertwining tourism with infrastructure development, blue economy projects, and regional security confidence. The saga of the boycott reveals how quickly trust can be broken – and how hard it is to recapture. For the Maldives, it is a sobering reminder: the paradise economy floats on goodwill, not just turquoise tides. The quick diplomatic reset and Modi's visit are more than photo-ops; they represent a deliberate effort to reboot this trust. With investor confidence returning and Indian families once again weighing Maldivian holidays, the archipelago's battered but resilient tourism industry has every chance to set sail anew. About the Author Sanbeer Singh Ranhotra Sanbeer Singh Ranhotra is a producer and video journalist at Network18. He is enthusiastic about and writes on both national affairs as well as geopolitics. tags : India-Maldives relations Maldives pm narendra modi Straight Talk view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 25, 2025, 11:40 IST News opinion Straight Talk | Rebooting Paradise Inc: Why Modi's Visit Is A Booster Shot For Maldives Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


News18
4 hours ago
- News18
News18 Daily Digest, July 25: India-UK FTA Signed Thai-Cambodia Clash
In today's News18 Daily Digest: PM Modi wraps UK trip with historic trade deal, arrives in Maldives to reset ties; Thai-Cambodia border clash kills 9 civilians; SC slams Karnataka HC over actor Darshan's bail; India marks Kargil Vijay Diwas; heavy rain alert in Mumbai, and more. Tune in for top news from India and around the world...


News18
4 hours ago
- News18
Inside Sandringham House: The Private Royal World Where King Charles Hosted PM Modi
Last Updated: Sandringham House, a private 8,000-acre royal estate with forests, lakes and heritage buildings, is rarely opened to political guests, making PM Modi's visit truly historic Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United Kingdom has been historic in more ways than one. Besides the signing of the historic Free Trade Agreement between the two countries, the visit saw PM Modi being hosted by King Charles III at the royal family's cherished Sandringham House. Sandringham House is the private royal residence in Norfolk where the monarch and their family retreat for holidays. This marked the first time an Indian leader has officially visited the estate, and Prime Minister Modi was personally welcomed by King Charles himself. What Is Sandringham House? Located in Norfolk County, England, Sandringham House is a picturesque royal estate, often regarded as the British royal damily's private haven. Built in the 19th century, it has served as a holiday destination for generations of monarchs. Queen Elizabeth II cherished the estate and spent many personal moments there. Every year, the royal family gathers at Sandringham to celebrate Christmas, with a traditional morning service at St Mary Magdalene Church. Why Is PM Modi's Visit So Significant? During the summer months, parts of the estate are open to the public, including a museum showcasing vintage royal cars, hunting trophies, and historic documents. However, the main house remains a private retreat, reserved for family and close friends. A Place Close to Royal Hearts Sandringham House has belonged to the royal family since 1862, when it was purchased for Prince Albert (later King Edward VII). Unlike Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle, Sandringham is a private property, not state-owned. It also holds emotional significance, as it is where King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II's father, passed away in 1952. The estate's exclusivity makes PM Modi's visit even more historic, reinforcing the strength of the bond between India and the UK. While previous Indian Prime Ministers have visited Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, PM Modi's presence at Sandringham marks a new chapter. It reflects a more personal connection between the two nations. During the visit, King Charles presented PM Modi with a tree under the 'One Tree for One Mother' initiative, a campaign close to the Prime Minister's heart, which aims to honour motherhood through environmental conservation. The tree will be planted in Sandringham, symbolising not just friendship, but shared values and mutual respect between the two countries. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : british royal family british royals British Royalty King Charles Narendra Modi United Kingdom First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.