Vadodara - Loktej English

Review of Government Campaigns in Vadodara, In-Charge Secretary P. Swaroop Gives Necessary Instructions

Loktej English Team — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:01:01 +0530

To review the progress of various welfare campaigns and programs of the state government, In-Charge Secretary P. Swaroop held a meeting with officials at the Collector's office in Vadodara on Thursday.

The meeting discussed the cleanliness campaign, programs organized to mark the completion of 12 years of good governance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and preparations for the school enrollment festival. Collector Dr. Anil Dhameliya informed that various community participation-based programs are being organized in the district under the 12-year good governance campaign of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These include tree plantation and tree protection campaigns, a cleanliness campaign running until June 14, progress path journey, enlightened citizen conference, exhibitions, welfare camps, developed India resolution conference, natural farming workshops, and programs related to International Yoga Day.

In-Charge Secretary P. Swaroop instructed officials to conduct a widespread cleanliness campaign in Vadodara city and district, emphasizing the removal of garbage and plastic waste accumulated along the roads to prevent waterlogging during the upcoming monsoon. He also called for effective action to remove waste and plastic from rural areas.

During the meeting, P. Swaroop reviewed disaster management preparations in light of the upcoming monsoon, gathering information on resource availability, coordination with NDRF and SDRF, arrangements for control rooms at the taluka level, and alert system preparations in villages along riverbanks.

Additionally, he reviewed preparations for other important programs, including the school enrollment festival, Anganwadi enrollment festival, and Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference, providing necessary guidance to officials. The meeting was attended by District Development Officer Anand Patil, Resident Additional Collector B.S. Patel, Deputy Conservator of Forests, and senior officials from various departments.

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The First Phase of Census Begins in Vadodara, A One-Door House Will Be Considered One Residence

Loktej English Team — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 20:06:55 +0530

Under the first phase of the nationwide Census-2027, the work of preparing a list of houses and identifying residences in Vadodara district is progressing rapidly. A total of 2160 enumerators have been deployed across 2169 blocks in the district, collecting details of houses and families in designated areas.

The Census department has determined the blocks based on two main criteria. Each block includes an average population of 750 to 850 people and 200 to 250 houses. Enumerators have also been provided with special maps prepared using satellite technology, based on which houses are being identified and enumerated.

Clear guidelines have been issued for certain special circumstances during the census process. If two different families live in a house but share the same entrance, it will be recorded as one house and two families. Conversely, if there are two separate entrances, it will be considered two houses and two families.

Guidelines have also been issued regarding the definition of a family. If an unmarried, divorced, or widowed daughter or sister resides with a family, she will be considered a member of that family. However, she will not be recorded as a separate couple.

This time, there is a special emphasis on the extensive use of technology in the census. For the first time, citizens have been provided with the facility of online self-enumeration, allowing them to enter their information digitally. So far, approximately 24,000 people in Vadodara district have availed of this facility.

Such citizens will only need to present their registration number to the enumerator. If the house is found locked when the enumerator arrives, necessary information can be obtained from neighbors.

In the case of an empty house, a relevant comment will be recorded. During the census, citizens will be asked a total of 34 types of questions, based on which detailed demographic data will be prepared.

Vadodara: Successful Replacement of Steel Girders with PSC Slabs on the Bridge between Varnama and Itola

Loktej English Team — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:09:49 +0530

The engineering department of Western Railway's Vadodara division has successfully completed the important task of installing pre-stressed concrete (PSC) slabs on Bridge No. 567 (up and down line) located between Varnama and Itola stations on the Surat-Vadodara rail section, replacing the steel girders.

This work was carried out with utmost care and skill during the planned maintenance blocks, resulting in minimal impact on rail operations. According to a press release issued by Anubhav Saxena, Public Relations Officer of Western Railway's Vadodara division, two high-capacity cranes with capacities of 500 tons and 450 tons were deployed simultaneously for work on different spans of this bridge, which has three spans (each 12.2 meters). Due to better coordination and a well-planned methodology, all work was completed on schedule, and all blocks were restored on time.

The installation of PSC slabs in place of the old steel girders will significantly enhance the structural strength and durability of the bridge. Additionally, it will reduce the problem of rusting, decrease maintenance requirements, and extend the service life of the bridge. This upgrade will further strengthen the safety, reliability, and efficiency of rail operations.

The successful completion of these important works reflects Western Railway's commitment to developing safe, reliable, and modern rail infrastructure in the Vadodara division. Western Railway prioritizes continuous infrastructure upgrades and maintenance to make passenger and freight transport services safer and more convenient.

Vadodara: Important Infra Work of Yard Improvement Completed in Godhra

Loktej English Team — Fri, 29 May 2026 12:16:42 +0530

To strengthen railway infrastructure, the engineering department of Vadodara division carried out extensive yard improvement and drainage enhancement work in Godhra yard on May 25, 2026. These works will enhance safety in operations, track stability, and overall reliability of rail operations, along with significant improvements in the drainage system of Godhra yard.

According to a press release issued by Anubhav Saxena, the public relations officer of Western Railway's Vadodara division, extensive maintenance and renovation work was carried out at points number 121, 115, 109, and 106 on the down main line in Godhra yard under this project, which included the renovation of a total of 350 P and C sleepers. Additionally, complete fitting renovation work was done with MK-V ERC, liners, and rubber pads, and sleeper spacing and sleeper squaring work was successfully completed at all points. In this important infra work, 391 wide base sleepers were used to replace the old ordinary sleepers.

Renovation was done with deep screening work on 78 sleepers, ensuring a 350 mm ballast cushion. Complete fitting renovation was also done with TSR work in the wide base sleeper section. These improvement works in the Godhra yard area will lead to significant enhancements in track safety, reliability of rail operations, riding quality, and drainage system.

Vadodara: Integrated Passenger Information System (IPIS) facility available at Kim Railway Station

Loktej English Team — Wed, 27 May 2026 20:39:07 +0530

On May 26, 2026, the Vadodara division successfully introduced the Integrated Passenger Information System (IPIS) at Kim Railway Station. This facility is a significant step towards providing better information and more convenience to passengers.

According to a press release issued by Anubhav Saxena, the Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, the new system includes several features. These features include coach guidance boards on platforms 1 and 2, an automatic announcement system on both platforms, train arrival and departure display boards near the booking office, and real-time information about trains through NTES integration. This system will provide passengers with accurate and quick information regarding train arrivals, departures, platform numbers, and coach positions.

The coach guidance boards will assist passengers in reaching their designated coaches, making the boarding process smoother and more convenient. With NTES integration, passengers at Kim Station will now receive real-time information about trains, enhancing their travel experience. This initiative reflects Indian Railways' commitment to modernizing passenger facilities and technological advancement.

Vadodara: Honorable Tribute to Retired Railway Employee Umadbhai Patel on Completion of 100 Years

Loktej English Team — Wed, 27 May 2026 12:30:28 +0530

Today, the Vadodara Mandal of Western Railway organized a heartfelt and dignified tribute ceremony at the Divisional Railway Manager's office in Pratapnagar, where retired employee Umadbhai Becharbhai Patel was specially honored on the occasion of his centenary. According to a press release issued by Anubhav Saxena, the Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, Umadbhai Becharbhai Patel retired as an Account Assistant from the Senior Divisional Finance Manager's office in Vadodara.

During his service, he dedicated himself to railway service with loyalty, honesty, and a sense of duty. Completing 100 years of his life is a matter of pride and inspiration not only for his family but also for the railway family. On this occasion, Rajju Bhadke, the Divisional Railway Manager of Vadodara, honored Mr. Patel with a bouquet, shawl, and certificate, expressing wishes for his good health, happiness, and long life.

During the ceremony, Senior Divisional Finance Manager Arya Kirnendu also presented Mr. Patel with a bouquet and congratulated him, wishing for his healthy and active life. In his address, Mr. Patel shared many inspiring experiences and memories from his time in railway service. He highlighted the importance of discipline, dedication, and a positive lifestyle while sharing memories of his tenure with the attending officials and employees.

The atmosphere of the ceremony was very warm and inspiring. Attending officials and employees described Mr. Patel's healthy, active, and dignified life as a source of inspiration for the new generation. Present on this occasion were Neeraj Dhamiya, the Additional Divisional Railway Manager of Vadodara, Avinash Kumar, the Senior Divisional Personnel Officer, along with many senior officials and employees from the Accounts Department, Vadodara.

Vadodara: Mega Block in Vasad-Ranoli Section, Several Trains to be Affected on May 27

Loktej English Team — Tue, 26 May 2026 12:34:40 +0530

Due to re-girding work on the up line of Bridge No. 624 between Vasad and Ranoli stations under the Vadodara division of Western Railway, a mega block will be taken from 11:15 AM to 4:45 PM on May 27, 2026 (Wednesday).

This will impact the operation of several trains passing through the division. According to railway administration, some trains have been completely canceled, while others will be partially canceled, rescheduled, or regulated. The trains that will be completely canceled include Train No.

19036 Maninagar-Vadodara Intercity Express, Train No. 19035 Vadodara-Maninagar Intercity Express, and Train No. 12930 Vadodara-Valsad Intercity Express.

Additionally, Train No. 22960 Jamnagar-Vadodara Intercity Express will be short-terminated at Ahmedabad station and will be partially canceled between Ahmedabad and Vadodara. Furthermore, Train No.

12010 Ahmedabad-Mumbai Central Shatabdi Express has been rescheduled by 40 minutes. Due to the mega block, some trains will also be regulated on the route. These include Train No.

16533 Bhagat Ki Kothi-KSR Bengaluru Express, which will operate 55 minutes late, Train No. 12477 Jamnagar-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Express, which will operate 50 minutes late, and Train No. 20626 Bhagat Ki Kothi-MGR Chennai Central Express, which will also operate 55 minutes late.

The railway administration has appealed to passengers to check the status of trains before traveling. Passengers can visit (https://www.enquiry.indianrail.gov.in) for information on train operation times, stops, and other details.

Employment and Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair Held in Vadodara, 47 Candidates Selected

Loktej English Team — Sun, 24 May 2026 14:36:52 +0530

An employment and apprenticeship recruitment fair was organized today at the ITI campus in Tarsali, Vadodara. The event was conducted by the Assistant Director, Employment Office, and Model Career Center, Tarsali, with a large number of youth participating.

A total of 123 male and female candidates with various educational qualifications, including SSC, HSC, ITI, BA, and B.Com, aged between 18 to 35 years, attended the fair. Six prestigious companies from Vadodara participated, and interviews were conducted for over 125 vacant positions. Various recruitment processes were held for positions such as fitter, welder, diesel mechanic, painter, customer service executive, relationship officer, apprentice, and trainee.

After the interviews, 47 candidates were selected and offered salaries ranging from Rs. 14,000 to Rs. 22,000 per month.

The head of the Employment Office, Alpesh Chauhan, encouraged the youth to choose their fields based on their qualifications, experience, and interests, and to work in the company for at least one year without worrying about the starting salary. He also urged the youth to take advantage of schemes like the Prime Minister's Internship Scheme, Apprenticeship Scheme, and PMVBRY. On this occasion, the office's counselors provided information on safe and legal migration processes for jobs and education abroad.

Additionally, they offered important guidance on free residential training schemes for defense recruitment exams, self-employment, career guidance, counseling, and L&T skill training. Furthermore, registration for the Contract Manch and NCS portal was facilitated for youth interested in searching and applying for jobs online, to enhance their future employment opportunities.

Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference to be Held in Vadodara in June

Loktej English Team — Sat, 23 May 2026 19:39:53 +0530

The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) for Central Gujarat will be held in Vadodara in the last week of June this year, as informed by officials. According to an official release, the region includes the districts of Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Vadodara, Anand, Kheda, Panchmahal, Dahod, Chhota Udaipur, Narmada, and Mahisagar, which contribute 28 percent to Gujarat's total manufacturing.

Official data indicates that in the district-level figures of the annual survey of industries for the financial year 2022-23, Central Gujarat contributed 93 percent to the state's other transport equipment manufacturing output. Additionally, it contributed 92 percent in vehicles and vehicle parts, 70 percent in beverages, and 63 percent in pharmaceuticals and electrical equipment.

Vadodara: 90-year-old 'Arudh Mahal' becomes a symbol of Vadodara's royal heritage

Loktej English Team — Sat, 23 May 2026 13:04:44 +0530

The historic mansion 'Arudh Mahal', located in the Dandia Bazaar area of Vadodara, remains a priceless identity of the city's cultural heritage, royal history, and traditional architecture. Built in 1936, this grand mansion has completed nearly 90 years.

Spanning approximately 17,000 square feet, the palace features 22 spacious rooms, a traditional courtyard, and captivating architecture from the bygone era that continues to attract people. The construction of Arudh Mahal was commissioned by the renowned legal expert Dr. Ramchandra Raujji Pawar, who studied law at Columbia University. He is also known for being a roommate of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.

After returning from abroad, he played a significant role in the administrative work of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad and later became the Diwan of Amreli. The mansion was named 'Arudh Mahal' in honor of the Indian saint and yogi Siddharudh Swami. The traditional courtyard of the palace still offers a sense of peace and ancient culture amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.

The old kitchen chimney present in the mansion is considered one of the oldest chimneys in the city, adding to its historical significance. Today, visitors can still see old furniture, rare artifacts, and glimpses of traditional lifestyle. Currently, Arudh Mahal has been developed as a heritage homestay, where tourists from across the country and abroad are experiencing Vadodara's cultural and historical heritage up close.

This mansion has also become a popular location for Gujarati music videos, cultural programs, and film shoots. Its open historical courtyard and traditional atmosphere particularly attract artists and producers. In recent years, Sheetal Pawar and her family have made commendable efforts to preserve the heritage of Arudh Mahal.

The family is continuously working to maintain the mansion's original architecture, antique items, and traditional identity. Sheetal Pawar aims not just to develop a hotel business but to showcase the rich culture of Vadodara and Gujarat to the world through the 'heritage homestay'.

She believes that when tourists spend time in a historic home with a local family, they do not just see a place but deeply experience the culture, traditions, and history of that city. Arudh Mahal has now become not just a mansion but a living identity of Vadodara's glorious heritage and cultural history.

Vadodara: Preparations for Census 2027 Intensify, Citizens Urged to Fill Information on Self-Enumeration Portal

Loktej English Team — Wed, 20 May 2026 12:26:24 +0530

Preparations for the census process in the state have intensified. Citizens can now register their information online through the Self-Enumeration Portal launched by the Government of India.

In this regard, Vadodara District Collector Anil Dhameliya has appealed to the citizens of the district to fill in their information on the portal in a timely manner and to cooperate with the census staff. District Collector Anil Dhameliya stated that the national census is an important task for the country, through which data on population, social, economic, and housing aspects are collected. This data is used for planning and effectively implementing various welfare schemes and development works.

He mentioned that the self-enumeration process will run from May 17 to May 31, 2026. During this period, citizens can visit the official portal se.census.gov.in to enter their name, mobile number, and OTP to fill in the necessary information. After completing the process, citizens will be provided with a special SE ID consisting of 11 digits starting with the English letter 'H'.

The collector noted that from June 1 to June 30, 2026, a House Listing Operation (HLO) will be conducted, during which census staff will collect information door-to-door. At that time, citizens will need to show their SE ID to the census staff. To ensure the smooth completion of the census work, extensive teams have been formed in Vadodara district.

More than 2500 employees and officials have been assigned to this task. District Collector Anil Dhameliya stated that filling in information on the portal is very easy. He himself has also completed self-enumeration.

Citizens can easily enter their information in the Gujarati language as well. He urged citizens to actively participate in this important national campaign and provide accurate and complete information.

He also clarified that all information obtained during the census will be kept completely confidential under the Census Act and will be used only for statistical and developmental purposes. The district administration has appealed to citizens to fully cooperate with the census officials and staff and play their important role in making Census 2027 a success.

Vadodara: Three employees working in Vadodara division honored with safety award by General Manager for preventing potential rail accidents

Loktej English Team — Tue, 19 May 2026 14:11:12 +0530

Safety is paramount in railway operations, and the vigilance and alertness of each employee play a crucial role in ensuring this. Ramashray Pandey, General Manager of Western Railway, honored railway employees of the Vadodara division with safety awards for their outstanding work.

These awards were given for demonstrating vigilance while on duty in March 2026 and playing a key role in timely preventing potential accidents. According to a press release issued by Anubhav Saxena, Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, the employees receiving the awards are as follows. Sanjay Kumar, working as a Pointsman in Karsaliya, Vadodara division of Western Railway, was recognized for his actions on March 23, 2026, when a goods train was passing through Karsaliya station.

While exchanging the 'All Right' signal, off-side Pointsman Sanjay Kumar noticed that the auxiliary reservoir of the second wagon of the MKPP train was shaking unusually. Sensing the potential danger, he immediately informed the station master of Karsaliya, who then signaled the station master of Godhra to 'Stop and Examine'. Upon inspection by the carriage and wagon staff at Godhra, it was found that all fittings of the auxiliary reservoir of the concerned wagon were broken, putting it in a highly unsafe condition that could have fallen or hung at any moment.

His prompt action in removing the defective part averted a serious accident. Due to his vigilance and timely information, a potential major threat was averted, ensuring the safety of railway operations. Suresh Farshwal, working as an Assistant Loco Pilot at Vadodara lobby of Western Railway, was recognized for his actions on March 3, 2026, during a Guard Driver Report (GDR) inspection at MMB (Sabarbati Guard), where a gap was found between the PU pads of the front and rear trolley of a wagon.

Understanding the seriousness of the situation, the ALP immediately informed the LP/CTO/CTLC-ADI. Subsequently, the carriage and wagon department inspected the concerned wagon and found it unfit for further travel. The wagon was promptly separated in Sabarbati yard, averting a potential accident.

The quick and alert action of the ALP prevented a possible unpleasant incident on the line, ensuring the safety of railway infrastructure. Asib Hussain A. Malek, working as a Senior Technician in Vadodara division of Western Railway, demonstrated extraordinary vigilance during the primary maintenance of wagon VVNH-1 on February 26, 2026.

During the inspection, he found that the flange of the wheel was severely rubbing against the solbar frame of the upper part of the milk tank, which was a highly dangerous situation. Understanding the seriousness of the situation, he immediately marked the concerned wagon for repair. His quick and judicious action prevented a potential derailment incident and ensured the safety of railway infrastructure.

His vigilance, alertness, and quick decision-making resulted in averting a potential serious accident, ensuring the safety of rolling stock, employees, passengers, and railway property. This incident reflects his dedication to railway work, safety, vigilance, and duty.