New Delhi, June 9: The Supreme Court, in an interim order passed on Monday, stayed the operation of a Madras High Court decision, which had restrained the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) from collecting toll on the Madurai-Tuticorin national highway.

A bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Manmohan agreed to examine the special leave petition (SLP) filed by the NHAI and issued notice to V. Balakrishnan, a retired Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation assistant executive engineer from Tuticorin district, on whose plea the Madras HC passed the impugned order on June 3.

The stay order was opposed by senior advocate P Wilson, who termed toll collection “daylight robbery” since the Madurai-Tuticorin highway remained in an unsatisfactory condition.

The apex court told the respondents to complete pleadings, saying that it would examine the matter in detail at a later stage.

In its order, the Madras HC said that the collection of toll fees on the Madurai-Tuticorin national highway was “impermissible” and the road users are entitled to a “good condition” highway, and then alone they are liable to pay toll fees as prescribed by the NHAI.

It ordered the NHAI authorities not to collect toll fees from the road users, who are travelling from Madurai to Tuticorin or from Tuticorin to Madurai, till such time, the road is relaid or maintained as per the standards prescribed under the National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988.

However, the bench of Justices S.M.Subramaniam and A.D.Maria Clete clarified that after the highway road is maintained in a good condition as per the standards prescribed under the law, the NHAI would be at liberty to collect toll fees from the road users. The Madras High Court took note of the fact that the contract for maintaining the Madurai-Tuticorin national highways came to be terminated on March 17 last year on the finding that the contractor failed to maintain the road as per the NHAI standards.

Mumbai, June 9: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday flagged off the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Circuit Railway service under the Gaurav Yatra of Indian Railways, saying that the journey will be an inspiring experience for all the passengers.

He further stated that the work of keeping alive the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Independence will be done through this railway.

“Today, more than seven hundred passengers are travelling on this railway. 80 per cent of these passengers are below the age of forty, who are going today to see the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Passengers coming from all parts of the state will get the opportunity to experience history through this circuit railway. It has been 351 years since the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji. I am happy that this railway is starting service on this day,” said the chief minister.

Stating that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj created Swarajya by defeating the Mughals and foreign invaders, CM Fadnavis said that later this Swarajya expanded to include the Attari.

“Today’s stop of this Gaurav Yatra will be at Raigad. Also, during this Yatra, important places like Shivneri, Lal Mahal, and Shivsruthi of Pune will be visited. Also, Goddess Ambabai of Kolhapur will be visited. Along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, I congratulate the state’s Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar and his department, the Tourism Department,” he said.

On this occasion, Chief Minister Fadnavis wished the passengers and congratulated them on travelling on this very first circuit yatra.

The 5-day special tour includes visits to important historical sites related to the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and history-based programmes. “The arrival of this glorious train at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Mumbai, in coordination with the Government of Maharashtra, will be a grand spectacle of Maharashtra’s culture. Tourists will be provided with detailed information about the tourist places at the places where the Bharat Gaurav train reaches,” said the government release.

The tour includes a visit to the Raigad Fort — Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was crowned here and was the capital; Lal Mahal, Pune — Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj spent his childhood here; Kasba Ganapati and Shiva Culture, Pune — A museum on the life of Pune’s village deity and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj; Shivneri Fort — Birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj; Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga — one of the major religious sites among the 12 Jyotirlingas; Pratapgad Fort — The site of the historic victory over Afzal Khan; Kolhapur — Mahalaxmi Temple; and Panhala Fort — a symbol of the bravery of Bajiprabhu Deshpande.

For making the experience of all the passengers pleasant and memorable, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation officials, in coordination with AirCTC, will guide them at every stage. In this 5-day journey, from railway stations to the forts of the Maharajas, tourists will be able to enjoy while observing the footprints of history at every place.

Tourists travelling by train on Monday were welcomed at the railway station by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation to the sound of traditional drums and cymbals, said the government release.

On this occasion, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar, Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar, Cultural Department Secretary Vikas Kharge, Tourism Principal Secretary Atul Patne, Managing Director of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Manoj Kumar Suryavanshi, General Manager of Indian Railways Dharamveer Meena, IRCTC’s Rahul Himalian, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation General Manager Chandrashekhar Jaiswal, Senior Manager Sanjay Dhekane, along with railway officials and passengers were present.

New Delhi, June 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India has witnessed rapid transformations across diverse sectors in the last 11 years, and the NDA government, guided by the principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas’, has delivered pathbreaking changes with speed, scale and sensitivity.

Marking the 11 years of the NDA government at the Centre, PM Modi on Monday took to social media to highlight the efforts made across key sectors. India has undergone a decade of remarkable transformation, driven by the principles of Seva, Sushasan, and Garib Kalyan, he said.

PM Modi said there has been a clear focus on good governance and transformation.

“Powered by the blessings and collective participation of 140 crore Indians, India has witnessed rapid transformations across diverse sectors. Guided by the principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas’, the NDA Government has delivered pathbreaking changes with speed, scale and sensitivity,” PM Modi wrote on his X post.

He said that from economic growth to social upliftment, the government’s focus has been on people-centric, inclusive and all-around progress. India today is not just the fastest-growing major economy, but also a key global voice on pressing issues like climate action and digital innovation.

“We are proud of our collective success but at the same time, we look ahead with hope, confidence and a renewed resolve to build a Viksit Bharat!” said the Prime Minister.

PM Modi shared links about India’s Vikas Yatra, showcased through interesting videos, infographics, and articles on the NaMo App, and urged people to explore these.

He said the last 11 years have brought many positive changes and boosted ‘Ease of Living.’

“The NaMo App takes you through this transformative journey in an innovative manner, through interactive games, quizzes, surveys and other such formats that inform, engage and inspire. Do have a look…,” PM Modi shared and urged people to participate.

The Centre has released an e-book, “Viksit Bharat ka Amrit Kaal: Seva, Sushasan, Garib Kalyan ke 11 Saal”, on its achievements across all the sectors over the past 11 years under the leadership of PM Modi.

“The year 2025 marks 11 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. These 11 years have been dedicated to bring about development which is inclusive, progressive, and sustainable. The government under Prime Minister Modi has been steadfast in its commitment of creating equity and opportunity for all citizens. PM Modi has brought the politics of development – Vikasvaad – into the mainstream, making it the focal point around which political discourse and policy action now revolves,” said its introduction

Divided into 14 chapters, the book covers issues ranging from schemes for the poor and marginalised, farmer welfare, economy, healthcare, women/youth empowerment, infrastructure development, tech revolution, ease-of-living for middle class, the progress made in northeast, national security and foreign policy, environment and sustainability initiatives, and preservation and propagation of the country’s rich culture and heritage

“Since assuming office in 2014, PM Modi has remained firm in his resolve of keeping ‘India First’ in every policy formulation and action. This resolve is evident in government’s handling of both external and internal security, economic management, empowerment schemes for marginalised groups, efforts at cultural conservation and so on,” it said.