Public engagements · Journal

A journal of engagements.

Official meetings, reviews, inspections and programmes since June 2024, newest first. Each entry is verified against an official release or report.

Entries
28
Period
Jun 2024 – Sep 2026
Primary sources
PIB · Ministries · Parliament

2026

September 2026

Reviews safety, operations, punctuality and public grievances at Delhi Division Control Office

Date
9 Sep 2026
Location
Delhi Division Control Office, New Delhi
Institution
Northern Railway
Role
Review

Observed the work of section controllers and the engineering, coaching, goods, commercial, signal & telecom, traction and security control desks. He held discussions with the Divisional Railway Manager on technology adoption, staff working conditions and grievance redressal.

Source: ANI; also reported by Deccan Herald (opens in a new tab) News report

June 2026

Reviews Tumakuru new lines and ROB/RUB works

Date
8 Jun 2026
Location
Bengaluru Cantonment
Institution
South Western Railway (Construction)
Role
Chair

News reports record a review at the Chief Administrative Officer (Construction) office covering the Tumakuru–Davanagere and Tumakuru–Rayadurga new lines and ROB/RUB works in the Tumakuru–Yesvantpur section.

Source: Impressive Times (news report) (opens in a new tab) News report

May 2026

ROB foundation stone; new Channarayapatna halt for Hassan–Solapur train

Date
31 May 2026
Location
Ajjampura, Birur and Channarayapatna, Karnataka
Institution
South Western Railway
Role
Chief guest

According to news reports, he laid foundation stones for a road over bridge at level crossing 138 and a pedestrian subway. He also flagged off the Hassan–Solapur Express (11312) with a new stoppage at Channarayapatna.

Source: The Bengaluru Live (news report) (opens in a new tab) News report

March 2026

World Water Day: close of Jal Mahotsav, release of JJM 2.0 guidelines

Date
22 Mar 2026
Location
New Delhi
Institution
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Role
Speaker

Spoke at the close of Jal Mahotsav on World Water Day, when the Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 guidelines were released. PIB reports him saying that water conservation “must become a daily collective responsibility”.

Source: PIB, PRID 2243565 (opens in a new tab) PIB

Jal Mahotsav 2026 national event

Date
Mar 2026
Location
Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi
Institution
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Role
Attended

Attended the national Jal Mahotsav 2026 event, held in the presence of the President of India.

Source: PIB, PRID 2238557 (opens in a new tab) PIB

February 2026

Opens three road under bridges replacing level crossings

Date
25 Feb 2026
Location
Tumakuru district
Institution
South Western Railway
Role
Chief guest

Inaugurated road under bridges at Bandihalli, Donnere and Badenahalli, which replaced level crossings 60, 61 and 64.

Source: PIB, PRID 2232842 (opens in a new tab) PIB

Launches “Karnataka Bharat Gaurav Train: Journey of a Thousand Shrines”

Date
23 Feb 2026
Location
Rail Bhawan, New Delhi
Institution
Ministry of Railways
Role
Released the publication

Released a coffee-table book documenting the Karnataka Bharat Gaurav tourist train.

Source: PIB, PRID 2232731 (opens in a new tab) PIB

January 2026

“Samvad Samaroh” with WaSH Warriors invited for Republic Day

Date
27 Jan 2026
Location
New Delhi
Institution
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Role
Present

Present, with the Minister of Jal Shakti and the other Minister of State, at an interaction with 58 water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) workers invited as Republic Day guests.

Source: PIB, PRID 2219773 (opens in a new tab) PIB

2025

December 2025

Sujal Gram Samvad: interaction with Kodi Gram Panchayat, Udupi

Date
19 Dec 2025
Location
Virtual
Institution
Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation
Role
Participant

At the second edition of Sujal Gram Samvad, he spoke in Kannada with representatives of Kodi Gram Panchayat in Udupi district, Karnataka, about its 24×7 water supply, field-test-kit water quality checks and Nal Jal Mitras.

Source: PIB, PRID 2206597 (opens in a new tab) PIB

September 2025

RUB foundation stones; new Khanapur halt for Hubballi–Dadar train

Date
15 Sep 2025
Location
Belagavi and Khanapur, Karnataka
Institution
South Western Railway
Role
Chief guest

Laid foundation stones for RUBs at level crossings 380 and 360 and for passenger amenities at Khanapur station, and flagged off the Hubballi–Dadar Express (17317) with a new Khanapur stoppage.

Source: PIB, PRID 2170275 (opens in a new tab) PIB

August 2025

Chairs Bengaluru-region review of road over and under bridges

Date
29 Aug 2025
Location
Kumara Krupa Guest House, Bengaluru
Institution
Railways, Government of Karnataka and Bengaluru Traffic Police
Role
Chair

Chaired a coordination meeting with Bengaluru MPs and railway, state and police officials on ROB and RUB works. The release notes about 75 ROB/RUBs built in the region between 2014 and 2025, and 39 more level crossings planned for replacement.

Source: PIB, PRID 2162413 (opens in a new tab) PIB

Interaction with sarpanches on the eve of Independence Day

Date
14 Aug 2025
Location
New Delhi
Institution
Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation
Role
Chief guest

Met more than 150 sarpanches invited as special guests. Booklets on community water work were released, including “JSA: Catch the Rain 2025 – Voices from the Field”.

Source: PIB, PRID 2156645 (opens in a new tab) PIB

July 2025

Opens road under bridge at Challaghatta; foundation at Ramohalli

Date
13 Jul 2025
Location
Kengeri–Hejjala section, Bengaluru
Institution
South Western Railway
Role
Chief guest

Opened the road under bridge replacing level crossing no. 15 at Challaghatta, and laid the foundation stone for the RUB at level crossing no. 16 at Ramohalli.

Source: PIB, PRID 2144383 (opens in a new tab) PIB

Flags off extension of Bengaluru–Hubballi train to Sindhanur

Date
12 Jul 2025
Location
Sindhanur, Karnataka
Institution
South Western Railway
Role
Chief guest

Flagged off the extension of the KSR Bengaluru–SSS Hubballi train (17391/92) to Sindhanur.

Source: PIB, PRID 2144371 (opens in a new tab) PIB

May 2025

Site inspection on the Tumakuru–Chitradurga–Davangere line

Date
17 May 2025
Location
Thimmarajanahalli, Tumakuru district
Institution
South Western Railway
Role
Inspection

Inspected yard and goods-shed works on the Tumakuru–Chitradurga–Davangere new line.

Source: PIB, PRID 2129365 (opens in a new tab) PIB

Opens Gadag (Talakal)–Kushtagi line; foundation for Sindhanur–Raichur

Date
15 May 2025
Location
Kushtagi and Sindhanur, Karnataka
Institution
South Western Railway
Role
Chief guest

Dedicated the 56 km Gadag (Talakal)–Kushtagi new line section and flagged off the Kushtagi–SSS Hubballi train (17328). He also laid the foundation for the 81 km Sindhanur–Raichur new line.

Source: PIB, PRID 2128944 (opens in a new tab) PIB

April 2025

Flags off train with new Nittur halt; ROB foundation stones

Date
10 Apr 2025
Location
Nittur and Tiptur, Tumakuru district
Institution
South Western Railway
Role
Chief guest

Flagged off the Yeshwantpur–Chikkamagaluru Express (16240) with a new stoppage at Nittur, and laid foundation stones for two road over bridges.

Source: PIB, PRID 2120882 (opens in a new tab) PIB

February 2025

Inspects stations, railway hospital and a Vande Bharat rake

Date
19 Feb 2025
Location
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Institution
Southern Railway
Role
Inspection

Inspected Thiruvananthapuram Central and Thiruvananthapuram South (Nemom) stations, the Divisional Railway Hospital and a Vande Bharat train.

Source: PIB, PRID 2104714 (opens in a new tab) PIB

January 2025

Visits Banaras Locomotive Works

Date
24 Jan 2025
Location
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Institution
Banaras Locomotive Works
Role
Inspection

Toured the loco frame, assembly and testing shops of the locomotive manufacturing unit.

Source: PIB, PRID 2095989 (opens in a new tab) PIB

Inspects railway arrangements for Maha Kumbh

Date
23 Jan 2025
Location
Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
Institution
North Central Railway
Role
Inspection

On a two-day visit, inspected the railway arrangements and Mela camps set up for pilgrims at the Maha Kumbh.

Source: PIB, PRID 2095580 (opens in a new tab) PIB

2024

October 2024

Announcement of the 5th National Water Awards

Date
14 Oct 2024
Location
Shram Shakti Bhawan, New Delhi
Institution
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Role
Attended

Attended the announcement of the 5th National Water Awards with the Minister of Jal Shakti and the other Minister of State. There were 38 winners across 9 categories.

Source: PIB, PRID 2064769 (opens in a new tab) PIB

Reviews railway projects in Karnataka with railway and district officials

Date
5 Oct 2024
Location
SWR Headquarters, Hubballi
Institution
South Western Railway
Role
Chair

Reviewed about 13 new line and doubling projects in Karnataka with railway and district officials. The release records a target of completion by June 2027.

Source: PIB, PRID 2062315 (opens in a new tab) PIB

Reviews Tumakuru–Rayadurga and Tumakuru–Chitradurga–Davangere lines

Date
2 Oct 2024
Location
Tumakuru, Chitradurga and Davangere
Institution
Ministry of Railways with district administrations
Role
Chair

Held meetings with local MPs, MLAs, railway and district officials to review land acquisition and progress on the Tumakuru–Rayadurga and Tumakuru–Chitradurga–Davangere new line projects.

Source: PIB, PRID 2061283 (opens in a new tab) PIB

September 2024

Reviews Mysuru Division works; station upgrades under Amrit Bharat scheme

Date
27 Sep 2024
Location
Shivamogga, Karnataka
Institution
Mysuru Division, South Western Railway
Role
Review

During a review of Mysuru Division works he said that 15 stations in the division would be upgraded under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme at an estimated ₹385 crore.

Source: All India Radio News (opens in a new tab) Public broadcaster

Inspects Rail Wheel Factory; reviews Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project

Date
9 Sep 2024
Location
Yelahanka, Bengaluru
Institution
Rail Wheel Factory; Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project
Role
Inspection and review

Inspected the forging, axle and wheel units of the Rail Wheel Factory at Yelahanka, and reviewed the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project together with a Karnataka state minister.

Source: PIB, PRID 2053277 (opens in a new tab) PIB

August 2024

Flags off Vande Bharat service with new Tumakuru stoppage

Date
23 Aug 2024
Location
Tumakuru railway station
Institution
South Western Railway
Role
Chief guest

Flagged off the Dharwad–KSR Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express (20661/20662) with its newly introduced stoppage at Tumakuru, effective from 24 August 2024.

Source: PIB, PRID 2048262 (opens in a new tab) PIB

June 2024

Takes charge as Minister of State for Jal Shakti

Date
12 Jun 2024
Location
CGO Complex, New Delhi
Institution
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Role
Minister of State

Took charge at the Ministry of Jal Shakti. According to PIB, he spoke to the media about the Jal Jeevan Mission and the rural sanitation (ODF Plus) programme, and was welcomed by the Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.

Source: PIB, PRID 2024608 (opens in a new tab) PIB

Assumes office as Minister of State for Railways

Date
11 Jun 2024
Location
Rail Bhawan, New Delhi
Institution
Ministry of Railways
Role
Minister of State

Assumed office as Minister of State for Railways at Rail Bhawan, where the Chairman & CEO of the Railway Board received him. The PIB release records that he pledged to carry forward the growth momentum of the railways alongside the Minister of Railways.

Source: PIB, PRID 2024143 (opens in a new tab) PIB

Entries list only what the cited source records. Where a detail such as an exact figure or a quotation is not in the source, it is left out. Items based on news reports rather than official releases are labelled “News report”.