Trains To Zip Through Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Tunnel At 350 Km A Hour

In a significant breakthrough, engineers have completed the first mountain tunnel on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor through which trains will zip past at a speed of 350 km per hour, officials said.

The 350-metre-long horse-shoe-shaped tunnel has been built to perfect alignment in the mountains of Zaroli village near here as even a minor flaw could play spoilsport.

The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) plans to build six more tunnels on the 508-km route between Mumbai and Ahmedabad that will be connected with state-of-the-art Shinkansen trainsets to be procured from Japan.

"What makes us celebrate it is that it is the first tunnel in India through which a train with a speed of 350 kmph will pass," SP Mittal, Chief Project Manager of the Valsad section, told PTI on Thursday.

He said his team did not face a single untoward incident over the entire construction period.

"The biggest challenge for us was how to keep the alignment of the tunnel absolutely straight because the bullet train will run at a speed of 350 kmph and a minor alignment flaw can play spoilsport. So every specification has to be followed precisely and you will not find a deviation of even a single millimetre," Mittal said.

The NHSRCL has awarded the contract to Larsen and Toubro and the technique that has been used to make the tunnel is the well-established New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), which has already been used in India for rail and road projects in several mountain areas.

"We have just dug the skeleton structure of the complete tunnel and the finishing work will start now," he added.

According to Mr Mittal, it took more than a year and a large workforce to complete the tunneling work.

He also expressed great satisfaction as it happened to be the first mountain tunnel built under his direct supervision.

When blasts are carried out for such tunnels, the safety of the workers and people residing in the vicinity is paramount, he said.

"We took every precaution so that stones, boulders, or any other such material did not spread in the nearby area and hurt villagers or our workers," Mittal said.

After coming into existence in 2016, the NHSRCL laid the foundation stone of the bullet train project in 2017 and it was proposed to be ready by December 2023. However, land acquisition issues delayed the ambitious project.

Though the construction work is going on in full swing, the new deadline for the project's operationalisation is yet to be announced.

"A commuter using this bullet train can finish the 508-km journey in two hours and seven minutes. At present, the train journey takes about five hours," the spokesperson of the NHSRCL told PTI.

In a statement, NHSRCL said the tunnel was located around one kilometre away from Zaroli village of Umbergaon taluka in Valsad.

"The tunnel structure comprises a tunnel, tunnel portal, and other connecting structures like tunnel entrance hood. NHSRCL has achieved a major milestone with the breakthrough of the mountain tunnel," it said.

The mountain tunnel is 350 metres long, 10.25 metres high with a diameter of 12.6 m.

The six other mountain tunnels for which contracts have been awarded are in Kasabekaman, Chandrapada, Chandasar, Mithagar, Vasantwadi, and Ambesari in Maharashtra's Palghar district, some 100 kilometres from Mumbai, officials said.

The tunnels are being built using the New Austrian Tunnel Method (NATM) which includes drilling holes on the tunnel face, charging of explosives, controlled blasting, removal of muck (blasted rock pieces), and installation of primary support, which includes steel ribs, lattice girder, shotcrete, and rock bolts based on the type of rocks as assessed by geologist after each blast.

The NATM was used to build tunnels in the Austrian Alps and has proved to be very useful in diversified geological conditions where forecasting of the rock mass is difficult due to rapidly changing geology.

The high-speed train corridor also has a 21-kilometre tunnel between Bandra-Kurla Complex in Mumbai and Shilphata in Thane district. Seven kilometres of this structure will be under Thane creek, making it the first undersea tunnel in the country.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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First Time In 48 Years: Bairstow Achieves Sensational First In WC History

Jonny Bairstow became the first batter ever in history to open a Cricket World Cup with a six during the opening match between England and New Zealand on Thursday. It was the first scoring shot of the tournament as Bairstow comfortably heaved a delivery from Trent Boult over fine-leg for a six. However, England were unable to score big as New Zealand bowlers led by Matt Henry kept them in check to 282-9 despite Joe Root's 77. New Zealand invited England to bat first at the world's biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad with the English missing their talisman Ben Stokes due to a hip injury.

First runs of the #icccricketworldcup2023 & that too with a SIX 6⃣ ...

England started the Bazball way#ENGvsNZ #ICCCricketWorldCup #Ahmedabad #NarendraModiStadium pic.twitter.com/ddyNAfYHyL

— SRKxVIJAY (@Srkxvijay) October 5, 2023

England lost regular wickets as batsmen failed to convert their starts into bigger scores but Root stood out and put on a key stand of 70 with skipper Jos Buttler, who made 43.

The rest of the batting lacked firepower against a Kiwi attack that missed Tim Southee but kept coming back at the champions in a rematch of the 2019 World Cup final when England won a tied match on boundary count back at Lord's.

Henry returned figures of 3-48. Spinners Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips took two wickets each.

Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow gave England a brisk start but the Kiwi bowlers soon removed the openers to take control of play on a sunny afternoon in front of a smattering of fans inside the 132,000-capacity arena.

Malan fell caught behind off Henry and Bairstow's knock was cut short by Santner, who got the batsman out for 33 off his left-arm spin.

Harry Brook took on Rachin Ravindra in the left-arm spinner's first over to smash two fours and a six before the bowler had his revenge on the final delivery.

Brook, coming in the starting line-up for Stokes, attempted another big hit but got caught at deep mid-wicket.

Root raised his 37th ODI half-century off 57 balls laced with two fours and one six off a reverse scoop shot.

But he fell to Phillips' off spin while attempting a reverse sweep and England slipped further before Adil Rashid and Mark Wood ensured the team played out their 50 overs.

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Shraddha Kapoor Summoned In Game App Case Today, Ranbir Kapoor Seeks Time

Actors Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor have been asked to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) today in a case involving a gaming app. They are among the stars who are set to be questioned over the Mahadev app that allegedly provides a platform for illegal betting.

Ranbir Kapoor has requested two weeks' time to appear before the central agency that probes financial frauds. It is not known if Shraddha Kapoor will appear before them today.

Comedian-actor Kapil Sharma and actors Huma Qureshi and Hina Khan too have been summoned in the Mahadev app case on different dates, sources said yesterday. They too have sought two weeks' time to appear before the agency, they added.

The celebrities are not named as accused in the case, but will be questioned over what they know about the mode and flow of payment allegedly done to them by the app's promoters.

Ranbir Kapoor has done several ads promoting the Mahdev app and received a large amount of money that was from the proceeds of a crime, the agency has claimed.

Charges Against Mahadev App

The Mahadev app is an umbrella syndicate that provides online platforms to illegal betting websites to enrol new users, create user IDs and laundering of money through a layered web of benami bank accounts, the ED has alleged.

The latest online gaming rules prohibit betting.

The company's promoters, Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, are from Bhilai in Chhattisgarh and run their operations from Dubai. They operate four-five such apps and made around Rs 200 crore per day, the probe agency claimed.

They do large expenditures in cash in India for advertising of betting websites to attract new users and franchise seekers, the ED said.

Last month, assets worth Rs 417 crore were seized during raids at 39 locations in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bhopal in connection with the Mahadev betting app.

Chandrakar's Rs 200-crore February wedding in the UAE, entirely paid in cash, had brought the Mahadev app under the ED scanner.

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Asian Games Live: Sundar Takes Two In An Over As Bangladesh Go 3 Down

India vs Bangladesh, Asian Games 2023, Live Updates: Bangladesh are three wickets down against India in the first semi-final match of the Asian Games 2023 men's cricket event. Washington Sundar took two wickets in the final over of the powerplay, after R Sai Kishore had provided India with an early breakthrough. Team India will be coming to this clash after thrashing Nepal by 23 runs in their quarter-finals match. Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal slammed his maiden T20I hundred and played a crucial role in team's victory. It will be an interesting match as both the teams will be eyeing the finale berth. (Live Scorecard | Asian Games 2023 Medals Tally)

Here are the Live Updates of the India vs Bangladesh Men's Semi-final match:

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"Appreciate Relationship With India, But China Remains Challenge": US

The United States will continue to foster a stronger defence partnership with India, the Pentagon said on Friday.

"We very much appreciate our relationship with India on a defence level. We continue to foster a stronger defence partnership with India and that is something that I think you'll continue to see us do going forward," Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder told reporters at a news conference here.

In 1997, defence trade between India and the US was almost negligible, today it stands above USD 20 billion.

Responding to a question, Ryder said China remains the "pacing challenge" for the Department of Defense.

"We do appreciate the partnership that we have with India and other countries in the Indo-Pacific region when it comes to preserving individual nations' sovereignty and abiding by the international rules-based order that has preserved peace and stability for many years," he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Top Smartphones to Buy During Flipkart Big Billion Days 2023 Sale

It's that time of the year, again! The festive season is just around the corner and it's the perfect time to start planning for your annual electronics shopping. Flipkart Big Billion Days is India's most awaited and highly anticipated sale when it comes to online smartphone shopping. You can expect some of the lowest prices of the year on popular smartphone models during the upcoming Big Billion Days 2023 sale on Flipkart.

 Big Billion Days 2023 is set to offer the widest selection of smartphones, the latest launches from major smartphone brands, and the biggest discounts on bestselling smartphone models. What's more? Flipkart's Big Billion Days sale promises to bring 'crazy' discounts and other offers on Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S series smartphones. No matter what price range you're looking into, Flipkart's Big Billion Days sale includes smartphone offers for everyone.

Let's take a quick look at some of the top smartphones that will go on sale during Flipkart Big Billion Days 2023 sale:

Craziest deal on Apple iPhone 14

When it comes to the Big Billion Days sale, you can expect great discounts and bank offers on Apple iPhone models. After all, Flipkart is 'India ka iPhone destination'. Year after year, Big Billion Days has amazed everyone with amazing iPhone deals during the festive season. 

This year, Flipkart will offer Apple iPhone 14 at crazy, never-before-seen price of less than Rs. 50,000 (effective). iPhone 14 is packed with an amazing set of features such as great low-light camera performance, and with a big discount, it automatically becomes a must-buy if you're planning on spending double the amount on the latest flagship. The iPhone 14 can capture stunning photos be it day or night, and record videos in 4K quality. You can use the Action Mode to capture videos without any motion blur. The iPhone 14 comes with 6GB of RAM while the iPhone 13 features just 4GB of RAM. In terms of repairability, the iPhone 14 scores better than its predecessor.  

Crazy offers on Samsung Galaxy S series models

It's not just iPhones anymore, Big Billion Days sale is set to become 'India ka Samsung S series destination' as well. Flipkart's Big Billion Days 2023 sale will bring some crazy deals on Samsung's Galaxy S series smartphones. If you're looking for a flagship-level experience on an Android-based smartphone, don't miss the amazing discounts on Galaxy S series smartphones during the Big Billion Days sale. Flipkart will offer a crazy deal on Galaxy S22, Galaxy S21 FE, and other Galaxy S series smartphones.

Top picks above Rs. 30,000

If you're looking to upgrade your smartphone with a budget of over Rs. 30,000, this year's Big Billion Days sale will offer a wide range of smartphones to choose from. From iPhone 14, 14 Plus to Google Pixel 7a, 7 Pro - Big Billion Days will offer something that every price point, across all major mobile platforms. Android lovers can choose from Samsung Galaxy S23 Ulltra 5G or the OPPO Reno10 Pro+, both offer a great set of features that truly deliver value for your money.

 

Phone	MRP	Deal	Why buy?
Apple iPhone 14	Rs. 69,900	Under 50,000	The best of Apple at an ultra-low price
Apple iPhone 14 Plus	Rs. 79,900	Under 60,000	Bigger display and a longer battery life
Samsung Galaxy S22 5G	Rs. 85,999	Rs. 39,999*	Best time to buy the flagship Galaxy at a never-before price!
Google Pixel 7a	Rs. 43,999	Rs. 32,999*	The best of Android, a great camera at a crazy-low price
Google Pixel 7 Pro	Rs. 84,999	Rs. 60,999*	Top-rated Android camera phone
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G		NA	The most powerful Android smartphone

 

Top picks between Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 30,000

In the market for a mid-range smartphone? Big Billion Days 2023 sale will bring some crazy deals for you! You can choose from Motorola Edge 40, OPPO Reno10 5G, vivo T2 Pro 5G, Galaxy F54 5G, and others. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC, and a 120Hz display will be available at a crazy price during Big Billion Day sale. OPPO Reno10 5G is great for capturing stunning portrait mode photos. Samsung Gallaxy F54 5G is also a great smartphone that offers a premium Samsung experience in the mid-range segment.

 

Phone	MRP	Deal	Why buy?
Oppo Reno 10 5G	Rs. 38,999	Rs. 29,999*	Captures the best portrait shots in the segment
Vivo T2 Pro 5G	Rs. 26,999	Rs. 21,999*	High-performance, fluid display
Samsung Galaxy F54 5G	Rs. 35,999	Rs. 22,999*	Premium Samsung experience in mid-range prices
Motorola Edge 40	Rs. 34,999	Rs. 23,999*	A flagship killer at a great price!

 

Top picks between Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 20,000

If you're looking to buy a value-for-money smartphone under Rs. 20,000, Big Billion Days 2023 includes some crazy deals for you. Realme 11 Pro 5G, vivo T2 5G, Galaxy F34 5G, Motorola G84 5G, and the Inifnix GT10 Pro are some of the most popular smartphones in this segment. Flipkart will offer great discounts and other offers in the form of exchange offers, no-cost EMI payment options, and other bank offers to further sweeten these deals.

 

Phone	MRP	Deal	Why buy?
Realme 11 Pro 5G	Rs. 25,,999	Rs. 19,999*	Top-selling curved display phone under Rs. 20,000
Vivo T2 5G	Rs. 23,999	Rs. 15,999*	A powerhouse with all the latest features
Samsung Galaxy F34 5G	Rs. 24,499	Rs. 14,999*	Fluid Galaxy experience at a lower price point
Realme 11 5G	Rs. 20,999	Rs. 15,999*	108-megapixel camera phone and fast charging support at a crazy price

 

Top picks between Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000

Eyeing an affordable smartphone this Diwali? Flipkart's Big Billion Days 2023 sale will bring a set of crazy deals and offers in the Rs. 10,000-15,000 segment. These include great offers on vivo T2x 5G, Galaxy F14 5G, realme 11x 5G, and the Infinix Note 30 5G. If you're looking to switch to a 5G smartphone this year at an affordable price point, you'll find an amazing list of options during Flipkart's Big Billion Days 2023 sale.

 

Phone	MRP	Deal	Why buy?
Vivo T2x 5G	Rs. 17,999	Rs. 10,999*	Most popular budget 5G phone
Samsung Galaxy F14 5G	Rs. 17,490	Rs. 9,999*	Samsung's most affordable 5G phone
Realme 11x 5G	Rs. 16,999	Rs. 11,999*	All-rounder 5G phone at a low price
Infinix Note 30 5G	Rs. 19,999	Rs. 12,999*	Popular all-rounder phone with 5G

 

Top Picks Under Rs. 10,000

Flipkart Big Billion Days 2023 sale will bring exciting discounts and offers on a wide range of budget smartphones. Sub-Rs. 10,000 smartphones that are packed with amazing features will be available on Flipkart during the Big Billion Days sale. These include Realme C53 with a 108-megapixel primary camera sensor, Redmi 12 with a large display, Poco C55 with stylish design, and the Infinix Hot 30i with a 50-megapixel dual rear camera setup. 

 

Phone	MRP	Deal	Why buy?
Realme C53	Rs. 12,999	Rs. 9,499*	The only sub-Rs. 10,000 phone with 108MP camera
Redmi 12	Rs. 14,999	Rs. 8,099*	Large display, stunning design, low price
Poco M6 Pro 5G	Rs. 14,999	Rs. 8,999*	India's most affordable 5G phone
Infinix Hot 30i	Rs. 11,999	Rs. 6,999*	King of multi-tasking under Rs. 10,000

 

New launches

Flipkart's Big Billion Days 2023 sale will also include a bunch of fresh smartphones. These newly launched smartphones are packed with innovative future-ready features, making them the perfect buy during this festive season. Samsung Gallaxy S21 FE, vivo T2 Pro 5G, moto Edge 40 Neo, Pixel 8 series, vivo V29 series, and the OPPO Find N3. These newly launched smartphones will be available with crazy offers including exchange discounts, bank offers, and no-cost EMI payment options.

Why buy smartphones on Flipkart during Big Billion Days sale?

At Flipkart you can expect nothing but ‘Zabadast' exchange offers during the upcoming Big Billion Days sale. If you're looking to upgrade your smartphone, you'll get the best possible price for your older smartphone. The exchange process is fairly easy, and you get an instant discount on your older smartphone. Your smartphone is picked up from your doorstep when the new smartphone is delivered. 

That's not all, Flipkart Big Billion Days sale will offer no-cost EMI payment options on all smartphones. This means you'll be able to buy your favourite smartphones without worrying about paying a large sum of money in one go. You can grab your favorite smartphone for as low as Rs. 999 per month. 

How to get WOW deals?

Flipkart's WOW deals bring down smartphone prices to crazy-low levels. This includes discount, extra off on exchange value, bank discount, all of which brings down the effective prices of smartphones to a super low value, making it a WOW deal! 

Get ready!

This year's Big Billion Days sale is going to be Flipkart's biggest sale event yet. The 10th edition of the Big Billion Days sale promises to bring a great selection of smartphones with crazy offers across all price segments. Each smartphone will be available at crazy, never-seen-before prices, and bundled with highly attractive exchange and bank offers with no-cost EMI options on every smartphone. If you're looking to buy a new smartphone this festive season, make sure you shop only on Flipkart's Big Billion Days 2023 sale!

 

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Asian Games Live: India Look To Go Past 90-Medal Mark Today

Asian Games 2023 Day 13, Live Updates: India will look to extend their medal tally on the 13th day of the ongoing Asian Games in Hangzhou, having earned 86 medals in total till October 05. The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led Indian cricket team will be in action against Bangladesh in the men's cricket semifinal and a win can potentially set up a gold medal match against Pakistan. The men's hockey team will also have a chance to win gold as they take on Japan in the summit clash. Archery, Badminton and Wrestling will feature top Indian athletes who will be looking to add to their glory. (Asian Games 2023 Medals Tally | Asian Games 2023 Full Schedule)

Here are the Live Updates of Asian Games 2023 Day 13 from Hangzhou:

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