PM Modi thanks Macron for assistance rendered by France to India

National Highways Authority of India, NHAI has issued guidelines to ensure service time of not more than ten seconds per vehicle even at peak hours at the toll plazas on the National Highways. The new set of guidelines will ensure seamless flow of traffic at the toll plazas by not allowing vehicles to queue up more than 100 metres.In a statement, NHAI said, in most of the toll plazas, there is no waiting time after mandatory 100 per cent Fastag. It said, if there is queue of waiting vehicles of more than 100 metres due to some reason, the vehicles will be allowed to pass without paying toll till the queue comes within 100 meters from the toll booth. A yellow line at a distance of 100 meters from toll booth will be marked in each toll lane. It said, NHAI values the time of commuters and is committed to provide them safe, smooth, and seamless journey on National Highways.

-Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has said that history will remember Indian Railways for its immense contribution to the fight against Covid. He said, while maintaining national supply chains, Railway has ensured that wheels of progress keep moving at fast pace. Reviewing the operational performance of Zones and Divisions with top Railway officials, Goyal said, during the last 14 months Railways has demonstrated a high moral strength and ability to rise to the occasion.The Minister said that Oxygen Expresses have served the Nation in an extraordinary manner and were game-changer in the fight against Covid. He said that Covid challenges have demonstrated the resolve of Railways to fight back and emerge stronger.

-Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke to the French President Emmanuel Macron over telephone. Mr. Modi thanked President Macron for the assistance rendered by France to India’s Covid response.The leaders discussed bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest, and expressed their satisfaction at the positive outcomes of the recently concluded India-EU Leaders’ Meeting.Both the leaders agreed that the announcements regarding resumption of negotiations for balanced and comprehensive free trade and investment agreements, and India-EU Connectivity Partnership were welcome steps.The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the depth and strength that the India-France Strategic Partnership has acquired in recent years and agreed to continue working closely together in the post-COVID era.

-The Government of Bangladesh has taken a decision to reopen the primary, secondary and higher secondary educational institutions on June 13 if COVID 19 situation gets better. Announcing this, Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni said that the ongoing closure of the educational institutions has been extended till June 12.The Minister announced that if the educational institutions open, regular classes for 6 days a week will commence for students scheduled to appear for SSC and HSC exams in 2021 and 2022. The educational institutions in Bangladesh have remained closed since March last year when the first corona positive case was reported in the country.

-In Asian Boxing Championship, silver medalist Amit Panghal on Wednesday lived up to his reputation as he defeated Kharkhuu Enkhmandakh 3-2 in the 52kg quarter-finals at the 2021 Asian Championships in Dubai. Panghal will now take on Kazakh boxer Saken Bibossinov in the semifinals, whom he beat in the 2019 World Championships last-4 round.With this victory, the defending champion Panghal progressed into the semi-finals and confirmed the 13th medal for the country at the ongoing championships. In the last-4 clash, Panghal is likely to meet Kazak boxer Saken Bibossinov.