Two suspected Pakistani smugglers were on Friday arrested in the northwest Italian port city of Genoa, according to police

The two Pakistani men were driving two cars with 13 migrants hidden inside, reports stated.

When asked, the migrants told police they were heading for northern Europe. They arrived in Sicily two weeks ago aboard a boat from Libya, they said, according to the police..

The two Pakistanis now face charges of abetting illegal immigration.

(With inputs from agencies)

Two suspected Pakistani smugglers were on Friday arrested in the northwest Italian port city of Genoa, according to police

The two Pakistani men were driving two cars with 13 migrants hidden inside, reports stated.

When asked, the migrants told police they were heading for northern Europe. They arrived in Sicily two weeks ago aboard a boat from Libya, they said, according to the police..

The two Pakistanis now face charges of abetting illegal immigration.

(With inputs from agencies)

As many as 456 government employees of Punjab, including 56 senior gazetted officers, have been caught red-handed indulging in corrupt practices, on different occasions in nearly three years. While nabbing these ‘corrupt’ public servants, vigilance sleuths also seized the currency notes worth over Rs.1 Crore from the spot to establish the charges.

Sources said that in past 10 years, during the regime of previous Prakash Singh led government, nearly 800 government employees were caught red-handed while accepting the bribe ranging from Rs.800 to Rs.20 lakh.

According to information received from the state Vigilance Bureau (VB), apart from 456 cases, 242 Vigilance Enquiries (VEs) have been recommended against government officials who were held since January 2015 till date. In 2015, five senior gazetted officers came under VB's net, subsequently the number risen to ten such officers in 2016. This includes the recent arrest of former IAS officer Mandeep Singh in a case of alleged amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. Singh had allegedly amassed more than half-a-dozen properties during his service. He had two residential properties in Chandigarh. Besides, his family owned a reputed hotel in Zirakpur next to Chandigarh.

Also, they had around 200 acres of land in Chamkaur Sahib. All these properties are in the name of Singh’s wife and son. He himself does not own any property. This list also includes the names of Amarjit Singh Dhaliwal, then Superintendent, posted in the office of Commissioner, Central Excise and Service Tax, Ludhiana, was nabbed in a case involving bribe Rs.20 lakh cash on October 20, 2014. "We have been closely studying the cases registered against corrupt officers. Actions against them have been recommended under various acts. In the past three months, three senior gazetted officers were caught red-handed including over 50 FIRs registered against others," Assistant Inspector General (AIG), VB, Punjab, Surjeet Singh, told The Statesman.

Since January, three officers have been caught red-handed. The FIRs have also been registered against the individuals from private sectors. Also, 108 VEs have been recommended against individuals involved in other malfunctioning.

Nearly 70 persons, including around 60 candidates and some conduits from Bihar, Haryana and UP have been arrested in other similar recruitment scams by VB. Two local-level politicians of Punjab are also in the net for collusion involving leakage of test papers and organising special classes for the beneficiary candidates.

As many as 456 government employees of Punjab, including 56 senior gazetted officers, have been caught red-handed indulging in corrupt practices, on different occasions in nearly three years. While nabbing these ‘corrupt’ public servants, vigilance sleuths also seized the currency notes worth over Rs.1 Crore from the spot to establish the charges.

Sources said that in past 10 years, during the regime of previous Prakash Singh led government, nearly 800 government employees were caught red-handed while accepting the bribe ranging from Rs.800 to Rs.20 lakh.

According to information received from the state Vigilance Bureau (VB), apart from 456 cases, 242 Vigilance Enquiries (VEs) have been recommended against government officials who were held since January 2015 till date. In 2015, five senior gazetted officers came under VB's net, subsequently the number risen to ten such officers in 2016. This includes the recent arrest of former IAS officer Mandeep Singh in a case of alleged amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. Singh had allegedly amassed more than half-a-dozen properties during his service. He had two residential properties in Chandigarh. Besides, his family owned a reputed hotel in Zirakpur next to Chandigarh.

Also, they had around 200 acres of land in Chamkaur Sahib. All these properties are in the name of Singh’s wife and son. He himself does not own any property. This list also includes the names of Amarjit Singh Dhaliwal, then Superintendent, posted in the office of Commissioner, Central Excise and Service Tax, Ludhiana, was nabbed in a case involving bribe Rs.20 lakh cash on October 20, 2014. "We have been closely studying the cases registered against corrupt officers. Actions against them have been recommended under various acts. In the past three months, three senior gazetted officers were caught red-handed including over 50 FIRs registered against others," Assistant Inspector General (AIG), VB, Punjab, Surjeet Singh, told The Statesman.

Since January, three officers have been caught red-handed. The FIRs have also been registered against the individuals from private sectors. Also, 108 VEs have been recommended against individuals involved in other malfunctioning.

Nearly 70 persons, including around 60 candidates and some conduits from Bihar, Haryana and UP have been arrested in other similar recruitment scams by VB. Two local-level politicians of Punjab are also in the net for collusion involving leakage of test papers and organising special classes for the beneficiary candidates.

Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) surged by 7 per cent in the first half of trade Friday after a parliamentary panel suggested MTNL’s merger with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).

The panel tabled a report in Lok Sabha on Thursday which says the merger would give MTNL and BSNL a chance to compete against other telecom players.

At 1.40 pm, MTNL was trading 3.7 per cent higher at the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and 3.5 per cent up at the National Stock Exchange (NSE).

MTNL in February had reported standalone net loss at Rs.819.96 crore during the three-month period ended December 31.

The company had reported a net loss of Rs.671.59 crore in the same period of 2015.

Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) surged by 7 per cent in the first half of trade Friday after a parliamentary panel suggested MTNL’s merger with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).

The panel tabled a report in Lok Sabha on Thursday which says the merger would give MTNL and BSNL a chance to compete against other telecom players.

At 1.40 pm, MTNL was trading 3.7 per cent higher at the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and 3.5 per cent up at the National Stock Exchange (NSE).

MTNL in February had reported standalone net loss at Rs.819.96 crore during the three-month period ended December 31.

The company had reported a net loss of Rs.671.59 crore in the same period of 2015.

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Friday inaugurated a three-day international Buddhist conference in Bihar's Nalanda district.

The Dalai Lama lit a traditional lamp to mark the start of the meeting at Rajgir, a Tourism Department official said.

Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma was present at the event.

President Pranab Mukherjee will attend the concluding ceremony.

According to officials, some 1,000 delegates from 35 countries are attending the conference.

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Friday inaugurated a three-day international Buddhist conference in Bihar's Nalanda district.

The Dalai Lama lit a traditional lamp to mark the start of the meeting at Rajgir, a Tourism Department official said.

Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma was present at the event.

President Pranab Mukherjee will attend the concluding ceremony.

According to officials, some 1,000 delegates from 35 countries are attending the conference.

Elena Vesnina denied Venus Williams another great escape, beating the seven-time Grand Slam champion 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to reach the semi-finals at Indian Wells.

As Williams shook off a lethargic start and began to apply some pressure, Vesnina kept her poise, finishing off the contest on her fourth match point after fending off six break points in the final game.

She'll play Kristina Mladenovic for a place in the final after the French player's 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 victory over former world number one Caroline Wozniacki.

"When I was up three-love in the first set she was missing some easy shots," Vesnina said of Williams. "She looked tired and slow on the court. Then, all of a sudden, she started moving around, hitting great shots, winners from all over the place.

"I kind of lost my rhythm, because I didn't know what to expect."

When Williams levelled the match at a set apiece, Vesnina couldn't help recalling that the American had saved three match points in her second-round victory over Jelena Jankovic.

"I was like, 'Uh-Oh, it's coming back again. I'm going to be another victim of Venus," she said.

Williams, who ended a 15-year boycott of the event last year but lost her opening match, was in pursuit of a first Indian Wells title.

The 36-year-old star did indeed save three match points against her own serve in the eighth game of the third set — a game that went to deuce six times before Williams held with a blistering forehand winner.

She appeared poised to pull back a service break when she raced to a 0-40 lead on Vesnina's serve in the next game, but Vesnina dug in. A lucky net cord bounce and two backhand errors from Williams got it to deuce, but she would have three more break chances before an ecstatic Vesnina sealed it with a forehand winner.

"I was actually very proud of myself, how I held my nerve," Vesnina said. "I was 0-40 down, but I didn't even think about that it's 0-40. It was point by point, trying to create a good rally, trying to move her around.

"I stuck to this game — I was really fighting like it's the last game of my life."

Vesnina, a Wimbledon semi-finalist in 2016, reached the semi-finals of an elite Premier Mandatory level tournament for the first time, as did the in-form Mladenovic — whose season so far has included a first career title in St. Petersburg and a runner-up finish in Acapulco earlier in March.

It took Mladenovic some time to find her way into the match against 2011 Indian Wells champion Wozniacki.

She was unable to convert nine break points in the opening set as Wozniacki powered to a 5-1 lead, finally breaking the Dane for 5-2.

Although Wozniacki duly pocketed the first set, Mladenovic had found her range and it was a see-saw battle featuring six breaks of serve as they played to the second-set tiebreaker.

"I went for my game," Mladenovic said. "I went for some variation. I think I played differently at some points, trying to use more the court to make her run, as well, because she was doing that pretty well to me.

"Something new I put today was the serve and volley on such important points. I impressed myself with that!

"It paid off, and it gave me a chance to fight a third set. I think the third set was the best of today from me." 

Elena Vesnina denied Venus Williams another great escape, beating the seven-time Grand Slam champion 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to reach the semi-finals at Indian Wells.

As Williams shook off a lethargic start and began to apply some pressure, Vesnina kept her poise, finishing off the contest on her fourth match point after fending off six break points in the final game.

She'll play Kristina Mladenovic for a place in the final after the French player's 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 victory over former world number one Caroline Wozniacki.

"When I was up three-love in the first set she was missing some easy shots," Vesnina said of Williams. "She looked tired and slow on the court. Then, all of a sudden, she started moving around, hitting great shots, winners from all over the place.

"I kind of lost my rhythm, because I didn't know what to expect."

When Williams levelled the match at a set apiece, Vesnina couldn't help recalling that the American had saved three match points in her second-round victory over Jelena Jankovic.

"I was like, 'Uh-Oh, it's coming back again. I'm going to be another victim of Venus," she said.

Williams, who ended a 15-year boycott of the event last year but lost her opening match, was in pursuit of a first Indian Wells title.

The 36-year-old star did indeed save three match points against her own serve in the eighth game of the third set — a game that went to deuce six times before Williams held with a blistering forehand winner.

She appeared poised to pull back a service break when she raced to a 0-40 lead on Vesnina's serve in the next game, but Vesnina dug in. A lucky net cord bounce and two backhand errors from Williams got it to deuce, but she would have three more break chances before an ecstatic Vesnina sealed it with a forehand winner.

"I was actually very proud of myself, how I held my nerve," Vesnina said. "I was 0-40 down, but I didn't even think about that it's 0-40. It was point by point, trying to create a good rally, trying to move her around.

"I stuck to this game — I was really fighting like it's the last game of my life."

Vesnina, a Wimbledon semi-finalist in 2016, reached the semi-finals of an elite Premier Mandatory level tournament for the first time, as did the in-form Mladenovic — whose season so far has included a first career title in St. Petersburg and a runner-up finish in Acapulco earlier in March.

It took Mladenovic some time to find her way into the match against 2011 Indian Wells champion Wozniacki.

She was unable to convert nine break points in the opening set as Wozniacki powered to a 5-1 lead, finally breaking the Dane for 5-2.

Although Wozniacki duly pocketed the first set, Mladenovic had found her range and it was a see-saw battle featuring six breaks of serve as they played to the second-set tiebreaker.

"I went for my game," Mladenovic said. "I went for some variation. I think I played differently at some points, trying to use more the court to make her run, as well, because she was doing that pretty well to me.

"Something new I put today was the serve and volley on such important points. I impressed myself with that!

"It paid off, and it gave me a chance to fight a third set. I think the third set was the best of today from me." 

Within just a few hours after taking oath as 26th Punjab chief minister, Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday ordered a major bureaucratic reshuffle by shifting 12 senior most Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officers to other departments with immediate effect.

The newly formed Punjab government replaced the chief secretary Sarvesh Kaushal by posting senior IAS officer Karan Avtar Singh in his place.

The former was shunted out as special chief secretary-cum-director General of Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA) in Chandigarh.

Adding to this, Karan Avtar Singh has been given the charge of the Principal Secretary Department of Personnel, General Administration and Vigilance including Principal Secretary of Investment Promotion.

Disclosing this, an official spokesperson said that Himmat Singh has been posted as Special Chief Secretary, Horticulture and additionally he is given the charge of the Special Principal Secretary, Forests and Wildlife.

Similarly, Karanbir Singh Sidhu has been posted as Special Chief Secretary, Revenue and Rehabilitation, Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi has been posted as Additional Chief Secretary, Home Affairs and Justice.

The spokesperson also elaborated that Satish Chandra has been posted as Additional Chief Secretary Finance. He will also serve as Additional Chief Secretary Pensions and Welfare of Pensioners wing, Principal Resident Commissioner, Punjab Bhawan, New Delhi and Additional Chief Secretary Co-operation.

Similarly, S K Sandhu has been posted as Additional Chief Secretary Social Security and Development of Women and Children while Anurag Agarwal has been posted as Financial Commissioner, Taxation.

Likewise, Raji P Shrivastava has been posted as Director, Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration, Tejveer Singh has been posted as Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and in addition Secretary, Information and Public Relations and Secretary, Civil Aviation.

Another senior IAS officer Vivek Pratap Singh has been posted as Excise and Taxation Commissioner while Krishan Kumar has been posted as Secretary, Expenditure (Department of Finance) and in addition Secretary, Personnel.

Among others, Sarvesh Kaushal's transfer is termed as 'sidelined' as during elections, Captain Amarinder has complained to the Election Commission (EC) alleging that he was trying to influence the voting in favour of the then ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) government.

It was also alleged that chief secretary Sarvesh Kaushal was sending unwritten missives to the district collectors to work for the candidates of the present ruling political dispensation.

Within just a few hours after taking oath as 26th Punjab chief minister, Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday ordered a major bureaucratic reshuffle by shifting 12 senior most Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officers to other departments with immediate effect.

The newly formed Punjab government replaced the chief secretary Sarvesh Kaushal by posting senior IAS officer Karan Avtar Singh in his place.

The former was shunted out as special chief secretary-cum-director General of Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA) in Chandigarh.

Adding to this, Karan Avtar Singh has been given the charge of the Principal Secretary Department of Personnel, General Administration and Vigilance including Principal Secretary of Investment Promotion.

Disclosing this, an official spokesperson said that Himmat Singh has been posted as Special Chief Secretary, Horticulture and additionally he is given the charge of the Special Principal Secretary, Forests and Wildlife.

Similarly, Karanbir Singh Sidhu has been posted as Special Chief Secretary, Revenue and Rehabilitation, Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi has been posted as Additional Chief Secretary, Home Affairs and Justice.

The spokesperson also elaborated that Satish Chandra has been posted as Additional Chief Secretary Finance. He will also serve as Additional Chief Secretary Pensions and Welfare of Pensioners wing, Principal Resident Commissioner, Punjab Bhawan, New Delhi and Additional Chief Secretary Co-operation.

Similarly, S K Sandhu has been posted as Additional Chief Secretary Social Security and Development of Women and Children while Anurag Agarwal has been posted as Financial Commissioner, Taxation.

Likewise, Raji P Shrivastava has been posted as Director, Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration, Tejveer Singh has been posted as Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and in addition Secretary, Information and Public Relations and Secretary, Civil Aviation.

Another senior IAS officer Vivek Pratap Singh has been posted as Excise and Taxation Commissioner while Krishan Kumar has been posted as Secretary, Expenditure (Department of Finance) and in addition Secretary, Personnel.

Among others, Sarvesh Kaushal's transfer is termed as 'sidelined' as during elections, Captain Amarinder has complained to the Election Commission (EC) alleging that he was trying to influence the voting in favour of the then ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) government.

It was also alleged that chief secretary Sarvesh Kaushal was sending unwritten missives to the district collectors to work for the candidates of the present ruling political dispensation.

Prolonged winter season and timely rainfalls have raised hope for bumper wheat production in Haryana this year despite low wheat sowing this season.

Agriculture department officials said  wheat production in the state is likely to go over 120 lakh metric tonne (MTs) this year, nearly six
lakh MTs higher than the yields outcome last year.

Haryana Agriculture Joint Director (Statistics), Jagraj Dandi told The Statesman that as compared to a total 114 lakh MTs wheat production last year, this season the production is expected to be beyond expectation of 120 lakh MT.

He said, "Prolonged winter this season and suitable rainfalls have raised hope for higher production this year as a dip in temperature is good sign for yield of wheat crop. Moreover, prospects are good so far for the current Rabi season. The yield per hectare is also expected to be higher this year as comparatively."

Moreover, crop damage is also lower than the last year so far, except hailstorm damaging crops in few areas, he added. Remarkably, the department forecasts excellent show for the Rabi season in spite of lesser wheat sowing this year just because of suitable weather conditions so far this season.

Official data shows that a total 25.38 lakh hectares this season, decline of nearly 40,000 hectares as compared to 25.80 lakh hectares during the corresponding period. However, the Department had targeted to take the wheat cultivation in the state up to 25.50 lakh hectares.

Though, the recent hailstorm spells took place in southern parts of Haryana could affect the Rabi crops adversely.

According to official information, Haryana contributes 14 per cent to the Central Pool despite having only 1.4 per cent of the country’s
total area. During 2015-16, food grain production of 163.33 lakh MTs was achieved by the state.

Rabi procurement season is expected to commence from coming April 1, onwards. Wheat mainly will be procured by the state's Food & Supply Department, Haryana State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation Limited (HAFED), Haryana Warehousing Corporation (HWC), Haryana Agro 0Industries Corporation (HAIC), Food Corporation of India (FCI), Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), Haryana State Agriculture Marketing Board (HSAMB) and Private Entrepreneurs (PEG).

Procurement agencies in Haryana have storage capacity for 111 lakh MTs including 89.47 lakh MTs covered while 21.51 lakh MTs open storage.

Out of which 96.58 lakh MTs storage is owned by the above mentioned procuring agencies while 12.42 lakh MTs is hired by them. Besides, two lakh MTs storage is available with Adanai group Silos in district Kaithal. 

Prolonged winter season and timely rainfalls have raised hope for bumper wheat production in Haryana this year despite low wheat sowing this season.

Agriculture department officials said  wheat production in the state is likely to go over 120 lakh metric tonne (MTs) this year, nearly six
lakh MTs higher than the yields outcome last year.

Haryana Agriculture Joint Director (Statistics), Jagraj Dandi told The Statesman that as compared to a total 114 lakh MTs wheat production last year, this season the production is expected to be beyond expectation of 120 lakh MT.

He said, "Prolonged winter this season and suitable rainfalls have raised hope for higher production this year as a dip in temperature is good sign for yield of wheat crop. Moreover, prospects are good so far for the current Rabi season. The yield per hectare is also expected to be higher this year as comparatively."

Moreover, crop damage is also lower than the last year so far, except hailstorm damaging crops in few areas, he added. Remarkably, the department forecasts excellent show for the Rabi season in spite of lesser wheat sowing this year just because of suitable weather conditions so far this season.

Official data shows that a total 25.38 lakh hectares this season, decline of nearly 40,000 hectares as compared to 25.80 lakh hectares during the corresponding period. However, the Department had targeted to take the wheat cultivation in the state up to 25.50 lakh hectares.

Though, the recent hailstorm spells took place in southern parts of Haryana could affect the Rabi crops adversely.

According to official information, Haryana contributes 14 per cent to the Central Pool despite having only 1.4 per cent of the country’s
total area. During 2015-16, food grain production of 163.33 lakh MTs was achieved by the state.

Rabi procurement season is expected to commence from coming April 1, onwards. Wheat mainly will be procured by the state's Food & Supply Department, Haryana State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation Limited (HAFED), Haryana Warehousing Corporation (HWC), Haryana Agro 0Industries Corporation (HAIC), Food Corporation of India (FCI), Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), Haryana State Agriculture Marketing Board (HSAMB) and Private Entrepreneurs (PEG).

Procurement agencies in Haryana have storage capacity for 111 lakh MTs including 89.47 lakh MTs covered while 21.51 lakh MTs open storage.

Out of which 96.58 lakh MTs storage is owned by the above mentioned procuring agencies while 12.42 lakh MTs is hired by them. Besides, two lakh MTs storage is available with Adanai group Silos in district Kaithal. 

Police on Friday patrolled the Yamuna river bank here and mounted extra vigil after a website threatened to target the Taj Mahal, the 17th century monument of love.

An official said the information was passed on to the police and the intelligence agencies on Thursday after which several teams combed the area and stepped up vigil. 

Archaeological Survey of India and senior police officials, however, tried to play down the threat, saying the security arrangements were routine.

Local newspapers have published a photo from the website showing a graphics of the Taj Mahal with a terrorist standing alongside holding what looks like a weapon. 

The world heritage monument is visited by over six million tourists annually.

Senior Superintendent of Police Preetinder Singh said police teams were on alert and a close watch was being kept on crowds. 

The internal security in the Taj Mahal is provided by the Central Industrial Security Force. The Uttar Pradesh Police and Provincial Armed Constabulary man the outer posts. 

SWOT commandos have been put in charge at vantage points. Mock drills are being conducted every few hours to test the state of preparedness.

Outside the 500 metre security ring, police teams are keeping a strict watch on the movement of vehicles both on the western gate parking and the Shilpgram parking towards the eastern gate, the sources said.

Superintendent of Police Sushil Dhule and a team of the bomb disposal and dog squads on Thursday evening visited the entire area around the Taj Mahal.

The number of visitors to the Taj Mahal is on the rise. The annual Taj Mahotsava is set to begin on Saturday.

Police on Friday patrolled the Yamuna river bank here and mounted extra vigil after a website threatened to target the Taj Mahal, the 17th century monument of love.

An official said the information was passed on to the police and the intelligence agencies on Thursday after which several teams combed the area and stepped up vigil. 

Archaeological Survey of India and senior police officials, however, tried to play down the threat, saying the security arrangements were routine.

Local newspapers have published a photo from the website showing a graphics of the Taj Mahal with a terrorist standing alongside holding what looks like a weapon. 

The world heritage monument is visited by over six million tourists annually.

Senior Superintendent of Police Preetinder Singh said police teams were on alert and a close watch was being kept on crowds. 

The internal security in the Taj Mahal is provided by the Central Industrial Security Force. The Uttar Pradesh Police and Provincial Armed Constabulary man the outer posts. 

SWOT commandos have been put in charge at vantage points. Mock drills are being conducted every few hours to test the state of preparedness.

Outside the 500 metre security ring, police teams are keeping a strict watch on the movement of vehicles both on the western gate parking and the Shilpgram parking towards the eastern gate, the sources said.

Superintendent of Police Sushil Dhule and a team of the bomb disposal and dog squads on Thursday evening visited the entire area around the Taj Mahal.

The number of visitors to the Taj Mahal is on the rise. The annual Taj Mahotsava is set to begin on Saturday.

A railway research centre in Australia has entered into an agreement with the Indian Railways to support future research and technology development related to critical infrastructure in India.

Representatives from Monash University Institute of Railway Technology (IRT) and Indian Ministry of Railways corporation DFCCIL (Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited) signed an agreement on Thursday in New Delhi.

IRT with partners – Balaji Railroad Systems Ltd (BARSYL), leading railway consultants in India, PwC, and Indian Institute of Bombay (IITB) were selected as the preferred supplier from a competitive global selection process.

They will provide guidance on the establishment of a new applied research and development institute in India known as SRESTHA (Special Railway Establishment for Strategic Technology & Holistic Advancement).

SRESTHA will be locally engaged, but have a global reach with the aim to become a world leader in the advancement of rail.

Significantly, the project will provide guidance to the Indian Railways on international models that will be adapted to the Indian railway environment.

IRT Director Ravi Ravitharan said the partnership will help advance railway technology both in India and around the world.

"I am extremely pleased to be invited with our partners to assist with this significant project, which will support future research and technology development related to critical infrastructure for India. Indian Railways is one of the largest employers in the world and this is a very important project not only for IRT but also for Victoria and Australia," Ravitharan said.

IRT is the premier track and vehicle railway research centre in Australia.