JAIPUR, June 9: Seven persons were burnt alive in a fire that raged after a blast at an “illegal” cracker godown here in Khoh Nagoriyan area on Tuesday morning, officials said.The fire erupted in a small house where firecrackers were allegedly kept.Police Vinod Sharma said seven persons had died in the blaze.Of them, five died during treatment while one, whose identity was yet to be ascertained, was brought dead. One died at a private hospital.According to preliminary information, combustible material stored inside the premises likely caused the fire.“There was some inflammable material in the house, while the exact cause will be established after a detailed investigation,” an official said.Eyewitnesses said as flames rapidly engulfed the house, workers ran for their lives, some getting trapped inside.A few of those who escaped collapsed on the road outside, while many lay writhing in pain.Locals rescued some of the trapped and tried to douse the flames before the fire brigade arrived. (PTI)
Rs 6,800 crores tunnel project in J&K achieves breakthrough
DRASS, June 9: The Rs 6,800-crore Zojila tunnel, Asia’s longest tunnel connecting the Kashmir Valley to Ladakh, on Tuesday achieved a significant breakthrough with a blast breaking through the last 2.5 metres of the 13-km high-altitude infrastructure project that cuts through the Himalayas.Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari performed the breakthrough blasting of the main tunnel being constructed at an altitude of 11,578 feet above sea level, around 24 km from Sonamarg and 103 km from Srinagar.The minister said the project is a lifeline for the people of Leh, Ladakh and J&K. It is at a height of 3,000 metres and workers have given their contribution by working in temperatures as low as minus four degrees.He said 80 per cent of the workforce belongs to the region, and added that the project will provide all-weather connectivity to people of Ladakh region to Srinagar.The breakthrough blasting of the main tunnel was conducted at an equidistant of 6.5 km, providing access to East Portal (east side) to West Portal (west side). (PTI)
PM Modi to undertake visit to France, Slovakia
NEW DELHI, June 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a week-long visit to France and Slovakia beginning June 13 to explore ways to expand bilateral ties and discuss pressing global challenges.The prime minister will attend G7 Summit in Evian in France on June 16 and 17.In the first leg of his trip, Modi will visit French city of Nice from June 13 to 14. He will also visit Evian and Paris from June 16 to 19, the MEA said.The prime minister will be in Slovakia from June 14 to 16.In Nice, both leaders will also jointly inaugurate the ‘Bharat Innovates’ event, which will bring together top innovation startups and Venture Capital funds from India, France, and other countries.In the second leg of the trip, Modi will travel to Slovakia for a State visit after concluding his trip to Nice.This will be the first-ever visit by an Indian prime minister to Slovakia since its Independence in 1993. (PTI)
