Varanasi Sets Deadline for Completion of Maha Kumbh Preparations

23 Dec 2024 CW Team

District Magistrate S. Rajalingam has set a deadline of December 31 for all departments to finalize preparations for the Maha Kumbh. He instructed officials to ensure all tasks are completed by this date, without fail. The DM highlighted that after bathing at the Prayagraj Kumbh, a significant number of devotees visit Varanasi, making timely preparations essential. The transport department has been tasked with addressing all identified black spots.

Officials were ordered to ensure roads are free of potholes, apply white lane markings, and install directional signs at key entry points into the city, including Mohansarai, and along the ring road. Temporary bus stands will be set up in areas like Harhua, Jagatpur, and Lahartara to ease traffic flow.

The DM also stressed a week-long awareness campaign to encourage a plastic-free city. Other directives included installing more directional boards, cleaning alleys, and maintaining sanitation throughout the city. The food safety department was ordered to conduct inspections at hotels, shops, and food stalls to ensure the quality of food, safeguarding religious sentiments.

The electricity department was instructed to replace old wiring, cover transformer poles with plastic, and immediately relocate any poles obstructing roads. Furthermore, the sale of open meat was prohibited.

Technology

29 Jul 2026

AI-Enabled Workflows Lift Profitability and Productivity

Organisations modernising frontline workflows with artificial intelligence, automation and real-time data are reporting stronger financial performance, higher productivity and improved employee engagement, according to a global study by Zebra Technologies and Oxford Economics.The research covered 1,000 senior leaders across retail, manufacturing, transportation and logistics in the US, Mexico, the UK, Germany, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.In transportation and logistics, 54 per cent of companies that improved picking and packing operations reported faster operational performance, wh..

India Leads Global AI Readiness but Implementation Lags

Indian companies lead global averages across all eight artificial intelligence readiness indicators tracked by JLL, but only 19 per cent have started making changes to their workplaces, according to the JLL 2026 Future of Work Survey.The study found that 77 per cent of Indian business leaders expect AI to change their office requirements, creating a 58-percentage-point gap between awareness and implementation. The survey covered more than 2,200 CEOs, CFOs and real estate leaders across 21 countries during the first quarter of 2026.Despite concerns over automation, 58 per cent of Indian leaders..

Three WOLFF Cranes Build Riyadh Cable-Stayed Bridges

Three WOLFF 180 B luffing jib cranes are supporting the construction of two cable-stayed bridges alongside the existing Wadi Laban Bridge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The project is being developed for the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and executed by the ICRC joint venture comprising IC Ictas and Al Rashid Trading & Contracting Company.The cranes are handling lifting operations including formwork, reinforcement, concrete placement, work platforms, surveying equipment and other construction materials. Each crane is fitted with a 40 m jib, reaches a hook height of 157 m and offers a maximum ..