BHUBANESWAR  THURSDAY  JULY 10, 2025  `9.00  PAGES 12  LATE CITY EDITION INDIA BUOYED BY BUMRAH’S INCLUSION IN THIRD TEST India, after a pulsating win in the second Test, are high on confidence and are buoyed by the inclusion of pacer Jasprit Bumrah at Lord’s ARCHER RECALLED, GILL FORM KEY FOR VISITORS LORD’S PITCH COULD HAVE MORE LIFE IN IT The hosts, as is customary these days, named the XI for the Lord’s game. They opted to recall Jofra Archer, whose last Test was in 2021. For India, Shubman Gill is the star performer so far. With three 100s in four outings to the crease, he has compiled over 570 runs. If he continues the dream run, India will have a good chance to make further inroads into a fragile England bowling unit ■ ■ The first two Tests have not had a lot in it for the seamers but the strip at Lord’s may assist seamers. The wicket did sport some live grass on it a day before the game An unusually dry start to the summer is set to continue this week as well with temperatures set to hit 30°C | MORE ON P11 Three MATCHES INDIA HAVE WON AT LORD’S SO FAR OUT OF THE 19 PLAYED CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOGGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI MOVING VEHICLES PLUNGE INTO RIVER ON DAY OF ACCIDENTS 11 DEAD AS 40-YR-OLD GUJ BRIDGE COLLAPSES Vedika Padhiyar and Naitaik Padhiyar—hailing from Dariyapura village. The others inAT least 11 people were killed cluded Vakhatsinh Jadav from and five others injured when Kahanva, Hasmukh Parmar their vehicles plunged into the from Harshadpura, Rajesh Mahisagar River after a dilapi- Chavda, Kanji Machi, Jashu dated-but-operational 40-year- Bhai from Anklav, and Pravin old Gambhira Bridge collapsed Jadav from Undel. in Gujarat’s Vadodara district “I was in the pickup van on Wednesday morning. when the bridge suddenly colVisuals from the site showed lapsed. The driver shouted ‘get that a big chunk of the slab be- down’ and we jumped just in tween two piers gave way caus- time,” said Razakbhai from , ing a number of vehicles that Borsad, a survivor. were passing through Ashok Chavda, who the bridge to plunge into lives near the bridge, the river. said: “We rescued four Gujarat Chief Minispersons. We also helped ter Bhupendra Patel di- Loss of lives due retrieve five bodies.” rected an immediate in- to the collapse Eyewitness Rajubvestigation into the of the bridge is hai Athiya from Dwardeeply bridge collapse. ka said, “Two or three saddening The Gambhira Bridge trucks were on the at Mujpur in Padra talubridge when it colNarendra Modi ka was a critical lifeline lapsed. I somehow linking central Gujarat swam to safety but my , to Saurashtra and connecting colleague is still missing.” key regions including VadoPrime Minister Narendra dara, Anand, Bharuch, and Modi and Union Home MinisAnkleshwar. ter Amit Shah expressed deep The tragedy reignited con- sorrow over the incident. cerns over administrative negMeanwhile, the Congress ligence with the Opposition termed it a failure of governslamming the state govern- ance. “Gujarat has several old, ment for ignoring repeated damaged bridges. But the state warnings about the bridge’s government is not taking any poor condition. Built in 1985, concrete steps to repair them,” the bridge had long shown said Congress MLA Amit Chavsigns of deterioration. da. He said the tragedy reflects Among those dead were three the corruption behind the Guof a family—Ramesh Padhiyar, jarat Model. KEY LINK BETWEEN CENTRAL GUJARAT, SAURASHTRA CUT OFF Jaguar on training mission crashes in Raj, two IAF pilots killed D I L I P S I N G H K S H AT R I YA R A J E S H A S N A N I @ Jaipur @ Ahmedabad A Jaguar trainer aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed during a routine sortie near Bhanuda village in Rajasthan’s Churu district on Wednesday, marking the third Jaguar crash in the last five months and raising fresh concerns over the ageing fleet and recurring technical failures. According to preliminary information, the Jaguar had taken off from the Suratgarh Airbase in Sri Ganganagar and was on a training mission. Sources said a technical malfunction appeared to have prevented the pilot and co-pilot from ejecting out of the jet. While the exact reason is yet to be officially determined, initial reports indicate a likely technical fault as the cause of the crash. Officials said more details will be shared after thorough investigation. The IAF said a court of inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident. “An IAF Jaguar trainer aircraft met with an accident during a routine training mission and crashed near Churu in Rajasthan today Both pilots . sustained fatal injuries in the accident. No damage to any civil property has been reported,” its statement read. Churu SP Jay Yadav said the aircraft went down in Bhanuda Rescue operation underway after a portion of the Gambhira Bridge in Vadodara district collapsed on Wednesday. Inset: A truck stranded on a dislocated slab | PTI BRIDGE WON’T LAST: OFFICIAL SAID IN 2022 A video clip of August 22, 2022, between Vadodara-based social activist Lakhan Darbar and a Roads & Buildings Dept officer has now gone viral. In the clip, the officer is heard saying the Gambhira Bridge was structurally weak and “would not last long” | P8 Smoke billows out after IAF’s Jaguar crashed near Churu in Rajasthan | PTI village under the jurisdiction of Rajaldesar police station. “Two bodies, badly mutilated, have been recovered from the wreckage,” he said. The loud crash triggered panic in Bhanuda and nearby villages. Local authorities rushed to the spot, cordoned off the area, and asked residents not to approach the crash site to ensure smooth rescue and investigation operations. The Jaguar is a BritishFrench supersonic jet designed for low-altitude ground attack and maritime strike missions and was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 1979. As political row erupts, 25 people released from holding centres A S I S H M E H TA @ Bhubaneswar WITH the state government’s crackdown on suspected illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and Rohingyas sparking a political row, particularly the Trinamool Congress voicing its stiff opposition, Odisha police on Wednesday released at least 25 of the 444 people who were shifted to holding centres in Jharsuguda district since Monday night. Police said the document verification of the 25 people was completed and they were ascertained to be Indian nationals. The verification of the remaining 419 persons was currently underway and further action will be initiated accordingly. The people have been kept at two holding centres - Black Diamond College of Engineering and Technology in Jharsuguda sub-division and Surabhi Kalyan Mandap in Brajrajnagar Day before SC hearing, Rahul sees ECI’s bid for ‘Maha rerun’ in Bihar R A M A S H A N K A R @ Patna A day before the Supreme Court is slated to hear a batch of petitions challenging the special poll roll revision in Bihar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Election Commission of India (ECI) was trying to replicate the Maharashtra model in Bihar by tampering with the electoral rolls ahead of the assembly polls due in October-November. Addressing workers of the opposition INDIA bloc near the Vidhan Sabha gate here on Wednesday, Rahul warned the ECI that it would face legal consequences if it attempted to repeat the ‘Maharashtra episode’ in Bihar. He said though the ECI had wide powers, it was not above the law. Accompanied by INDIA bloc leaders, including RJD’s Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, CPI (ML)’s Dipankar Bhattacharya, CPI’s D Raja, CPI (M)’s M A Baby and VIP’s Mukesh Sahani, Rahul participated in a chakka jam agitation against Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. Attacking the ruling alliance, Rahul said, “In Maharashtra, the mandate was stolen, now in Bihar, the target is the right to vote — a new method to deprive the poor of their right to franchise. We will expose these antiConstitutional forces.” He blamed the alleged manipulation of the voter list for the landslide victory of the BJP-led coalition in Maharashtra. “INDIA bloc got the majority in the Lok Sabha election in Maharashtra, but after a few months in the assembly election, the bloc suffered a defeat. When we analysed the outcome, we found that one crore additional voters were added to the rolls in the assembly election,” he alleged. Tejashwi echoed Rahul, saying, “The Election Commission of India has become a puppet of the BJP. With the Election Commission’s support, the BJP government will first cut the votes of the poor and then end their ration, pension and quota.” sub-division. The release of the 25 people came hours after the TMC claimed they were mig rant workers from West Bengal and alleged they were being held illegally TMC MP . from Krishnanagar, Mahua Moitra, alleged that 23 workers from her constituency’s Panighata area were detained as part of the documentation verification drive. Posting a video statement on X, Moitra drew the attention of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, state chief secretary and DGP to the matter. She asserted that all the 23 people possess valid documents. Her party counterpart in the Rajya Sabha Samirul Islam alleged that the Odisha government has detained over 200 migrant workers from various districts of West Bengal including Murshidabad, Birbhum, Malda, Nadia, Purba Bardhaman and South 24 Parganas on grounds of being Bangladeshi nationals. The verification is being conducted meticulously by senior officers with multiple layers of scrutiny to ensure no Indian national is wrongfully detained or harassed — Himanshu Lal, IG Responding to the allegations, the Odisha government said it understood the concerns raised regarding the holding of individuals in Jharsuguda but asserted that safeguarding national interest and security remained paramount and cannot be compromised. Those found with with valid documents are already returning or are in the process of returning to their place of stay it , CONTINUED ON P5 said. Massive lapse: 4 breach Srimandir security, use garbage mound to scale Meghanada Pacheri D I A N A S A H U @ Bhubaneswar IN a massive security lapse at the Shree Jagannath temple in Puri, four persons entered the shrine by scaling its Meghanada Pacheri (outer boundary wall), despite heightened security arrangements and AI-enabled camera coverage for Rath Yatra. The trespassers climbed a large mound of garbage adjoining the Meghanada Pacheri’s southern wall to gain access into the 12th century shrine, posing questions on Video grab of the persons climbing the Meghanada Pacheri to enter Srimandir the security bandobast. The incident took place on Tuesday when preparations were underway for Niladri Bije, the entry of the Trinity into the temple after Rath Yat- ra. A video of the incident went viral on Wednesday following which the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has formed a fourmember committee to probe the security lapse and circumstances that led to it. Although the motive behind the trespassing is not clear yet, sources said, the four climbed atop the Meghanada Pacheri to witness the ‘Goti Pahandi’ of the three deities. The SJTA committee led by administrator (development) Debabrata Sahoo includes OSD (security), sanitation officer, and the civil engineer in charge of the shrine’s infrastructure. Admitting the lapse, Puri collector Chanchal Rana said investigation is underway and efforts are on to identify the four trespassers. Several tonnes of garbage generated from the Srimandir kitchen and Ananda Bazaar is dumped near Meghanada Pacheri every day While sanitation around . the shrine is the responsibility of the local municipality it has , outsourced the work to a private agency CONTINUED ON P5 . Majhi cabinet expansion to take place soon: Samal EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Bhubaneswar A day after taking over as the president of state BJP for the fourth time, Manmohan Samal on Wednesday said the first cabinet expansion of the BJP government under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will be effected soon. Samal visited the Lingaraj temple following his reelection and offered prayers to the deities. Speaking to mediapersons after darshan, he said discussions on the expansion of Majhi ministry have already been held with the central leadership. “The BJP is committed to strengthen governance in the state and fulfil all the promises made to the people. The cabinet expansion is expected to bring new talent and exManmohan Samal pertise into the gover nment, enabling it to address the state’s development needs more effectively,” he said. He said steps have also been initiated for appointment of new chairpersons of different boards and corporations. “Two rounds of meetings have been held in this regard and a list has also prepared. The state government will make the appointments very soon,” he said. Samal said experience and youth will be given equal importance in the ministry as well as boards and corporations to enhance the efficiency of governance. The BJP will also announce a new organisational team in Odisha, which will work closely with the government. The state committee of the BJP will be formed after election of the national president of the party is over. Besides the chief minister, the Majhi ministry comprises two deputy chief ministers, eight cabinet ministers and five ministers of state. It currently has a vacancy of six positions. BHARAT BANDH, DRIVERS’ STRIKE CRIPPLE NORMAL LIFE ACROSS STATE The Bharat Bandh called by trade unions and the strike by the Odisha Drivers’ Mahasangha dealt a twin blow to the people across the state | P3 PEGGED TO INFLATION Downside of big, beautiful Act: US visa fee to take 2.5X hike J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi THE United States has introduced a new $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” for non-immigrant visa applicants under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, effective from fiscal year 2026. It applies to nearly all nonimmigrant visa categories, including B-1/B-2 (tourist/business), F and M (students), H-1B (workers), and J (exchange visi- subsequent fiscal year, the tors). Only diplomatic appli- amount… shall be equal to the cants in categories A and G sum of… the most recently are exempt. concluded fiscal year Described in the leg[amount] and… the perislation as a recurring centage… by which the surcharge, the amount Consumer Price Index… VISA is indexed to inflation exceeds [that of] the preand will adjust annualceding calendar year.” ly based on the ConsumWhile the fee may be reer Price Index. “During fisfunded, reimbursement is cal year 2026, and during each conditional. Applicants must demonstrate lawful compliance with visa conditions and provide sufficient documentation such as timely departure. In addition, the bill introduces a suite of non-waivable travelrelated surcharges. These include a $24 I-94 fee, a $13 Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) fee for Visa Waiver Program travelers, and a $30 Electronic Visa Update System fee for Chinese nationals with 10-year B-1/B-2 visas. This will make the visa fees go up. For example, a US tourist or business visa (B-1/B-2) for Indian nationals costs around $185. With the new surcharges—$250 Visa Integrity Fee, $24 I-94 fee, and $13 ESTA fee, the total cost is projected to rise to $472, nearly 2.5 times the current amount.