Metro trials begin

Gehlot flagged off a train at the Mansarovar metro station as the trial runs on the 9 km line commenced.

Metro trials begin

Unable to meet the August deadline to throw open Jaipur Metro to the public,Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot did not let the opportunity to flag off the project pass. Gehlot flagged off a train at the Mansarovar metro station as the trial runs on the 9 km line commenced. To draw public in the event,a train parked on the tracks at this station was left open for three hours for visitors to catch a glimpse. Over 10,000 visitors posed for pictures and got a feel of the metro on Wednesday. The overhead corridor is expected to be commissioned by the end of the year. Officials said that the project has come up in a record time of two-and-a-half years. Trials on the corridor will be carried out at restricted speed of around 45 kmph between Mansaraovar and Shyam Nagar stations covering two other stations namely,New Atish Market and Vivek Vihar.

No relief for Asaram

self-styled godman Asaram Bapu accused of sexual assault of a minor will have to stay in the Jodhpur Central Jail for another two weeks as the next hearing on his bail plea will be on October 1. Asarams judicial custody was extended to September 30 after his 14-day custody ended on September 15. Hoping to get better counsel,Asaram had called for Ram Jethmalani to argue in his favour while applying for bail at the Rajasthan High Court in Jodhpur. However,Jethmalani in a hearing on Wednesday sought time till October 1 to be in a position to submit some documents that would support his arguments in favour of Asaram.

BJP leader quits

Infighting in the state BJP unit continues to haunt the party in the poll-bound state. The partys former spokesperson and member of BJPs national economic forum,Sunil Bhargava,resigned from the party on Tuesday citing state chief Vasundhara Rajes way of functioning autocratic. Raje has seen growing dissent from party leaders over the past one year even as the high command gave her full powers to lead the party from the front in Rajasthan. Bhargava said that the partys prospects in the upcoming elections could be poor as the workers are left confused with the way Raje is working.

Delhi-Jaipur highway

Union Minister for Road,Transport and Highways Oscar Fernandes inspected the Delhi-Jaipur highway after a complaint from Rajasthan Governor Margaret Alva,who pointed out that it was a nightmare for vehicular traffic. Fernandes inspected all the structures on the route and took stock of the road relaying project that has drawn much criticism from the Opposition BJP. The minister is said to have asked NHAI officials to expedite the project at the earliest and ensure the concessionaire gets full support in completing the work.