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Why India Failed To Develop High-Speed Bullet Trains? Vande Bharat Architect Speaks Out

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Why India Failed To Develop High-Speed Bullet Trains? Vande Bharat Architect Speaks Out


The Indian Railways seems to be struggling with day-to-day management issues. Sleeper coaches have effectively turned into general coaches, with waitlisted passengers crowding out those with reserved tickets. The unreserved general coaches are currently no better than cattle wagons. Passengers frequently post videos on social media expressing their frustrations. The Maha Kumbh 2025 further highlighted these problems, as the railway system failed to efficiently handle the massive influx of passengers. Even those with reserved tickets, including First AC, Second AC, and Third AC, found it impossible to board their trains due to overcrowding from unreserved passengers. These viral videos on social media should serve as alarm bells to awaken officials from their complacency.

Ashwini Vaishnaw is an educated and experienced individual, but he has come under scrutiny from the opposition for his inability to deliver results on multiple fronts. On social media, he is often mocked as a ‘reel minister’ and has faced increasing criticism following various accidents. Opposition leaders have challenged him to name just one initiative or achievement that he has initiated and completed during his tenure. For example: As the minister, Vaishnaw does not seem to have focussed on improving safety measures and implementing the Kavach system, which could serve as a pivotal moment for him, feel experts.

While the Indian Railways and the Narendra Modi government are occupied with showcasing their achievements through the impressive Vande Bharat trains, Zee News interviewed Sudhanshu Mani, the former General Manager of ICF Chennai and the architect of the Vande Bharat trains. In this exclusive interview, Mani addressed various issues, discussing both the successes and failures of the Indian Railways. Excerpts:

On Vigilance Probe Against T-18 Project

There were people in the government, bureaucracy and politics who alleged corruption and a vigilance investigation was launched. They were jealous of the success of the project. Since there was no wrongdoing, we were sure that nothing at all would come out of the probe. Nevertheless, it did cause stress to the team members and me and while many of the members progressed in their careers eventually, there were some who suffered. It’s a painful story but it’s past now.

On Why India Lags In High-Speed Projects

There is no dearth of talent in India. The ICF team designed and delivered the 180kmph train (Vande Bharat) and it has been around for more than six years. We have not been able to make any technological improvement in that and are busy boasting about it. This will not do. We will have to improve step-wise and only then we can move forward. If we think that it’s a world-class train, then we are wrong. We made it and I am saying it’s near world-class, not yet world-class. We have talented people to do much better but there is a lack of committed leadership. If we work on it, we will move to 220-240kmph from 180kmph first and then one day India will make 320kmph train but it’s a stepwise process. We don’t have a leadership with freedom to act and then the fake vigilance case has also created fear among people who are capable of thinking and delivering out of the box by taking risks.  

On Rise In Train Accidents

We should go by data when it comes to train accidents. If you take into account serious accidents, 15 years ago, around 500-700 people used to die in train accidents annually. Now, this is around 25/30 on average if you keep the Balasore accident aside as an aberration in which 292 people were killed. The accidents have not increased but the reach of media and YouTubers has expanded so much that even a minor accident gets reported. The opposition’s discourse that accidents have increased is out of place. 

The government should come out and say that accidents have not increased but decreased and they should list out steps being taken to improve safety. However, the government is alleging sabotage and terror links, which they have not been able to prove even in one case. To reduce accidents, the Kavach system is important. They hyped it so much but are not able to implement execution as the coverage has not increased in the last four years. Moreover, it is very important today to employ use of Artificial Intelligence for warning systems to alert higher management on near-misses and should increase the pace of improvement of tracks.

Solution To End RAC, Waiting List

Last year, the government claimed that it would end the waiting list by 2027. But there is no strategy or roadmap. Leave aside ending the waiting list, the rush for unreserved passengers has increased manifolds and it seems there is no solution for it except making more non-AC coaches. They should increase the number of trains, length of trains, average speed of trains and number of tracks on saturated routes, only then it will be possible to end the waiting list. Then there is a speed differential between freight trains and passenger trains. It’s very high at present. They should increase the speed of freight trains as well. The sections are highly saturated at present and increasing the speed and improving the tracks are the only solutions to boost punctuality and efficiency. Only making granite and glass buildings at stations won’t help in achieving this fair objective.

Low-Cost AC Travel For Poor

Earlier there were talks that Railways would produce only AC trains. I liked the idea as I thought that they would enable everyone to travel in AC without increasing the fare somewhat like the Garib Rath Express concept. Today, the poor have less money, so allow them to travel in AC at a low cost and when India gets developed and they will have money, then charge them accordingly. However, it did not happen as they kept increasing the AC coaches and the number of non-AC coaches reduced. The government faced severe backlash. If the non-AC passengers don’t get seats, they will encroach on whatever seats are available, be it AC or others. This is what is happening at present. Now the railways are focusing more on non-AC coaches. This is also wrong. There should be a balanced approach. 

If today’s non-AC coaches run in ‘Vikasit Bharat’, well past 2047, it would be a shame. The government should make a clear decision to enable the poor to travel in AC with comfort and dignity. What the government can do is allow the poor to travel in AC coaches at a fare equal to or lower than that of Garib Rath. The railway is getting a lot of money and they can take some more losses from here and earn more from trains like Vande Bharat. People will pay more for higher-end trains if the railways manage to cut down on travel time by increasing the average speed of the Vande Bharat to 100-110 kmph from the current 70 to 90 kmph; the first Vande Bharat between Delhi and Varanasi still has the highest average speed at 96 kmph. They should take a balanced approach and the knee-jerk reactions won’t solve the problem.

On Overburdened Railway Staff

The railways can outsource the non-safety category vacancies but it should have full strength in safety category staff like loco-pilots, guards, station masters, points man and signal maintainers etc. There should not be any vacancy in the safety category as it will overburden the existing resources which is detrimental to safety.

On Improvement In Railways

The functioning of the railway administration is still very feudal. There is a valley of hierarchy between the administrators and their staff. This is not good for a modern organization. We are forgetting the good systems instituted by the Britishers for train operation and maintenance but are carrying ahead their bad legacies like this system of administration sans any empathy for those administered. There should be more empathy and that would bring a feeling of well-being among employees.



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After Pahalgam terror attack, will Seema Haider return to Pakistan? Her love story with Sachin to remain…

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After the terror attack in Pahalgam, India has taken strict action against Pakistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his team have taken the top 5 decisions taken against Pakistan in the CCS meeting. The Indian government has banned the visas issued to Pakistani citizens. Apart from this, SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) has also been stopped with immediate effect. Visa holders traveling to India under SVES visas have been given an ultimatum to leave India within 48 hours. Other visa holders can return to Pakistan by May 1.

Post this strict decision of the Indian government, Seema Haider, who had come to India from Pakistan, has been in news. She was madly in love with Sachin Meena and the two got married. Sachin and Seema are proud parents to a baby girl. After Modi’s strict decisions, netizens are asking whether Seema Haider will return to Pakistan with her four kids.

Seema had traveled to India via Nepal. She reached Nepal from Sharjah, Pakistan on a tourist visa and spent a few days in the city. She then boarded a bus from Kathmandu to Delhi and reached India with four kids. Seema has been living in India with Sachin and her kids. On Wednesday, after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s press briefing, the internet has been asking whether, “Will Seema Haider be asked to return to Pakistan too?”, “Should she be going back to Pakistan now?”, and others.

Seema Haider, 32, originally from Jacobabad in Sindh Province, Pakistan illegally crossed into India. She met Sachin online and fell for him. Now, social media users are speculating whether she will go back to her country after the Ministry of External Affairs’ (MEA) directive.

One user wrote, “Send Seema Haider back to Pakistan. Also investigate every security agency that allowed her to reach Uttar Pradesh crossing at least 3 national boundaries,” another commented, “When the government has asked all Pakistani nationals to leave India, why has Seema Haider been allowed to stay?” “Isme Seema Haider bhi jayegi ya usko special visa hai?”, said another.

Well, in 2023, Seema Haider — a mother of four and resident of Sindh entered India to be with a man from Uttar Pradesh she met while playing the online game PUBG. She left her husband, Ghulam Haider, in Pakistan and brought her four children and is currently settled in Greater Noida with Sachin.

India has downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan, suspended the six-decade-old Indus Waters Treaty, and closed the Attari land transit post citing cross-border links to the Pahalgam terror attack.

Stay tuned to BollywoodLife for the latest scoops and updates from Bollywood, Hollywood, South, TV and Web-Series.





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Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni lawsuit: Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman reportedly on subpoena list | – The Times of India

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What began as a film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel It Ends With Us has now spiraled into a courtroom drama involving some of Hollywood’s biggest names — and it might soon pull Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman into the spotlight.
According to a report by the Daily Mail, Swift and ‘Wolverine’ star Jackman, are expected to be issued subpoenas in connection with the ongoing legal battle between actress Blake Lively and her co-star Justin Baldoni. The source claims the subpoenas could be delivered “at any time,” with Casa Cipriani — a New York celebrity hotspot — tipped as the likely scene for this dramatic plot twist.
The Lively and Baldoni drama began in December 2024, when the actress filed a lawsuit citing emotional distress and monetary losses linked to the production of It Ends With Us. In January 2025, Baldoni responded with a $400 million countersuit, accusing Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, of defamation, emotional manipulation, and exerting undue influence over the film’s direction by allegedly leveraging their A-list connections.
According to court filings, a rewritten rooftop scene allegedly became a point of contention. Baldoni claimed that Lively used her friendship with Swift to sway creative decisions during a private script session held at the couple’s New York penthouse.
While Swift was not been directly named in the filings, her presence was implied in a message from Baldoni reportedly praising the changes, “I really love what you did. It really does help a lot. Makes it so much more fun and interesting. (And I would have felt that way without Ryan or Taylor).”
Sources speaking to Page Six revealed that the pop star felt “used” after being dragged into what was supposed to be a behind-the-scenes creative process, but she has no intention of avoiding the stand. Swift has reportedly received a “genuine and heartfelt” apology from Lively and is “not afraid” to testify if called upon.
Meanwhile, Jackman’s potential involvement remains less clear, though insiders suggest his long-standing friendship with both Blake and Ryan and proximity to certain production meetings could make his testimony relevant.
The high-profile battle is due for a hearing in court on March 9, 2026.





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How Will India Respond To Pakistan After Pahalgam Terror Attack? Modi-Doval Hold Key To…

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Pahalgam Terrorist Attack: Following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, one thing is now certain—India will retaliate, and this time, the response is expected to be far more extensive and destructive than the actions taken in 2016 or 2019. According to a detailed analysis by Zee News Managing Editor Rahul Sinha, the Indian government is working in mission mode on three fronts: strategic planning, diplomatic outreach, and military action.

Before delving into the specifics, the country heard a powerful statement from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, which is being viewed as a formal announcement of India’s intent to retaliate. Importantly, this was not a political or election-related statement but a serious message directed at Pakistan’s leadership, its army chief General Asim Munir, and terrorist organizations operating from its soil.

In today’s DNA, Rahul Sinha, Managing Editor, Zee News, analysed the developments related to the Pahalgam terror attack and possible retaliation from India:

Watch Full DNA Episode Here


  • The Indian government will take every necessary and appropriate step.
  • The retaliation will not only target the attackers but also those involved in the planning and conspiracy.
  • India cannot be intimidated by terror attacks.
  • The response will be strong and decisive.

This makes it clear that a countdown to action has begun. Both the terrorists and the Pakistani military, believed to be involved in the planning, are likely targets of India’s upcoming strike.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was scheduled to return from Saudi Arabia late at night, instead cut short his visit and returned to Delhi around 7 AM after learning of the attack. He canceled a scheduled dinner with the Saudi leadership and held an immediate meeting at the airport with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who briefed him on the entire situation.

Sources confirm that any military response will be carried out either by the Indian Army or the BSF. In light of this, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh convened a two-and-a-half-hour meeting with Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. During this meeting, the Defence Minister was briefed on the current situation and the following key threats:

  • 42 terrorist launchpads are currently active in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
  • 30 to 35 launchpads are operating near Kashmir and other regions.
  • Between 100 and 125 Pakistani terrorists are prepared to infiltrate via the Line of Control or the International Border.
  • 70 to 75 terrorists are believed to already be in the Kashmir Valley.
  • Approximately 115 Pakistani terrorists are currently active in Kashmir and surrounding areas.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s role is seen as crucial. His presence in the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting highlights his central involvement in shaping India’s response. Sources suggest that Doval is preparing a distinct and possibly unprecedented action plan for retaliation.

With extensive experience in Pakistan and deep knowledge of the Kashmir region, Doval is credited with overseeing two of the most successful strikes across the border. His mastery in strategic planning and intelligence coordination is likely to play a pivotal role in whatever course of action India takes next.

As the situation develops, all signs point to a meticulously crafted, high-impact response—one that will once again showcase India’s resolve against terrorism and those who harbor it.





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