Karnataka: DEMU rail services to Bengaluru Airport commenced:
South Western Railways has commenced DEMU rail service to the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru from Monday. This will help the airport workers and passengers to commute by paying just 10 to 15 rupees. The Railways will operate five pairs of trains daily from various parts of the Bengaluru city and halt at the airport station. The airport authorities have provided shuttle service from the Airport Station to the Airport Terminal, enabling a seamless connectivity. The distance from Bengaluru to the airport is around 35 kilometres. The cost effective link to the international airport will help 20 to 25 thousand airport workforce and reduce the use of personal vehicles. Earlier, commutation to the airport was possible through buses which charged around 300 rupees and taxis which charged over 500 rupees. The reduction in the use of personal vehicles will also help load on the parking space in and around the airport. The train will operate from Yelahanka, Yeshwanthpura, Sangollirayanna Station and Whitefield. The Bengaluru Central Member of Parliament P. C. Mohan who travelled in the inaugural train today said that he hoped that the frequency in service to the airport would increase with the demand. The airport halt station has a 230-metre long platform, a booking counter, concourse area, rest rooms, seating arrangements and other amenities for the passengers. In the coming days, the Airport Railway Station will display a large mural on Indian dance forms with the title Many Beats, One Dance. The mural will be made from mango crates and waste material.
Jammu and Kashmir: Asadharan Aasuchana Kushalata Padak-2020 announced for seven officers of Jammu and Kashmir Police:
Ministry of Home Affairs has announced Asadharan Aasuchana Kushalata Padak-2020 for seven officers of Jammu and Kashmir Police for displaying exceptional courage and skills. The officers who have been honoured are Senior Superintendent of Police, Rajouri Chandan Kohli, Superintendent of Police (Operations), Srinagar Tahir Ashraf, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Budgam Amit Verma, Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Akhnoor Ajay Sharma, Inspector Dilraj Singh, Inspector Syed Parveez Sajad and Assistant Sub-Inspector Farooq Ahmad Mantoo.
Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh: Justice Pankaj Mithal takes oath as new chief justice of J&K and Ladakh high court:
In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office to Justice Pankaj Mithal as the new Chief Justice of the Common High Court for the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh at a swearing-in ceremony in Jammu.
Bihar: All educational institutions re-opened in Bihar from 4th January:
In Bihar, all educational institutions re-opened from Monday, 04th January with strict compliance of covid protocols. Schools from Class 9th onwards, colleges and coaching institutes are permitted to allow only 50 percent of students. These institutions were closed from March last year due to the corona pandemic. They have been asked to call students in batches on alternative days. Principal Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar said students will be allowed to attend the physical classes only after getting written consent from their parents or guardians. The educational institutions have been instructed to make arrangements for online classes for those who do not wish to attend the physical classes. The government has also released preventive measures to contain spread of Covid-19 in all government and private schools and higher educational institutions. Temperature of staff and students is being checked before they enter the premises. The school administration has been instructed to arrange hand sanitizers, liquid soaps and digital thermometer for staffs, teachers and students. Two masks have been given to each student.