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Vande Bharat Express network expands: Two new

trains to connect Patna to Lucknow, Ayodhya and

Siligudi

The Indian Railways network, renowned for its affordability and
extensive coverage, is set to introduce two new Vande Bharat
Express trains to its lineup. Both originating from Patna, these
trains aim to elevate connectivity and offer passengers a swifter
and more comfortable travel experience.
The inaugural route connects Patna to Siliguri, spanning a distance
of 471 kilometers and achieving the journey in a mere 7 hours. The
second route establishes a link between Patna and Lucknow, with a
significant stopover at the sacred city of Ayodhya.
The introduction of these two Vande Bharat Express trains underscores the Indian Railways' dedication to
modernizing its infrastructure and enhancing the overall passenger experience. Anticipated to appeal to a
broader spectrum of travelers, these faster and more comfortable trains are poised to fortify the nation's
railway network.
No Indian troops come May 10, not even in civilian

clothing’: Maldives President

A day after the Maldives signed an agreement with China to
receive free military aid, President Mohamad Muizzu made it
clear that no Indian troops, including those in civilian clothing,
would be permitted to enter the island nation after May 10.
Muizzu's statement follows the early arrival of an Indian
civilian team to assume control of one of the three aviation
platforms in the Maldives, well before the agreed-upon March
10 deadline for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel.
Currently, 88 military personnel are stationed at the three
Indian platforms, which have been providing humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the
Maldivian people for the past few years, utilizing two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft.
In the aftermath of a high-level meeting in Delhi on February 2 between the two nations, the Maldivian
Foreign Ministry announced that India would replace its military personnel operating the three aviation
platforms in the Maldives by May 10, with the first phase of this process to be completed by March 10.