The commuter motorbike I dream about

I like it for commanding upright riding position and the built-in storage compartment in the faux fuel tank that can easily swallow a full-face helmet. The wide handlebars allow you to throw the bike wherever it’s needed, while its slim profile is great for splitting lanes (if you’re in California, anyway). As an added bonus, the NC returns excellent fuel mileage, and optional luggage provides ample room for groceries, though we’d opt for just the top case for commuting duties.

Perhaps the Honda’s biggest strong suit, however, is its optional second-generation Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT). With it, you have the option to shift at the press of a button, or not shift at all and let the bike handle it for you. If slogging through the city congestion sounds like a chore from all the shifting and clutching involved, this option should be particularly appealing. Those looking for more of a feet-forward riding experience could also consider Honda’s new CTX700.

Everyone who rides an NC is taken by surprise at the low redline -- just 6,500 rpm -- but once you adapt to a power curve that's more diesel car than high-revving bike by short shifting and using the higher gears at low speed, the 46 pound-feet of torque is more than enough to achieve some serious hustle. Combined with the soft-but-capable suspension, it makes it possible to really wring some serious speed out of the bike on a canyon road.

[via www.motorcycle.com]

Additional summer special on Konkan Railway

Konkan railway will run Summer special trains between CST Mumbai and Madgaon
          

Konkan Railway will run additional special trains between Mumbai CST and Madgaon via Konkan Railway route to clear extra rush of passengers.


Train No. 01001 Mumbai CST – Madgaon will be run on 25th April and 2nd May. It will leave from CSTM at 0030 hrs and reach Madgaon at 1130 hrs same day.

Train No. 01002 Madgaon – Mumbai CST will run on 25th April and 2nd May. It will leave from Madgaon at 1230 hrs and reach CSTM at 2355 hrs same day.

The train will have 12 Coaches. The train will halt at Dadar, Thane, Panvel, Roha, Mangaon, Khed, Chiplun, Ratnagiri, Vaibhavwadi, Kankavali ,Kudal, Sawantwadi ,Thivim, and Karmali stations.


Train No. 01089 Mumbai CST – Madgaon will  run on 26th April and 3rd May. It will leave from CSTM at 0030 hrs and reach Madgaon at 1130 hrs same day.

Train No. 01090 Madgaon – Mumbai CST will be run on 26th April and 3rd May. It will leave from Madgaon at 1600 hrs and reach CSTM at 0400 hrs next day.

The train will have 12 Coaches. The train will halt at Dadar, Thane, Panvel, Roha, Mangaon, Khed, Chiplun, Ratnagiri, Vaibhavwadi, Kankavali, Kudal, Sawantwadi, Thivim, and Karmali stations.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu to expediate Kolhapur-Vaibhavwadi route connecting Konkan to Western Maharashtra

Union railway minister Suresh Prabhu has said that the Kolhapur-Vaibhavwadi railway route survey has been completed and has assured of speeding up the process of constructing the railway line.

"The feasibility study is going on but we will certainly complete the project," Prabhu said on Tuesday at a function at Panaji in Goa. This was his first statement on the issue after taking charge as Union railway minister.

The train service will further connect the city with Jaigarh port, which has started handling larger vessels for import and export.

Prabhu added, "There are two proposals before me— one connecting Karad and Chiplun and another connecting Kolhapur to Vaibhavwadi. Survey reports are already ready with the Railways. There is hardly any forest land that could obstruct the proposal. So, the government is planning to bring clearance for the project."
Elaborating on the need of the project, the minister said, "We want to bring in more business activities to bring down the losses of the Railways. The Vijaydurga site is proposed to be developed as port, which will benefit the state in generating higher revenue. Such a connection of the railway lines with ports will boost trade. Freight charges will also contribute to the Railways' income."

Member of the Zonal Railway Users' Consultant Committee Shivnath Biyani said, "The train service between Kolhapur and Vaibhavwadi is of utmost importance for the district. The unused industrial plots, stagnated demand and higher cost of transport have had an adverse impact on the development of Kolhapur. Once there is rail connectivity, it will bring down the transportation cost. The subsequent benefits will be more investment and employment for all."

"Along with business potential, Kolhapur is also a major tourist destination. Rail connectivity will support the flourishing tourism sector in the district. During the monsoon, train services on the Konkan route get affected. Some of the trains can be diverted from Rajapur and can reach their destination via Kolhapur. As no such connectivity is available at present, it is affecting train service every year," he added.
City MP Dhananjay Mahadik said, "I have been following up on the issue for some months. I have written several letters to the railway board appealing them to take up the issue as will be a mutually benefitting project. It is also necessary for passenger traffic because if there is a problem on the Konkan railway route, the trains can be diverted from Chiplun or Kolhapur."

The Jaigarh port has already started operations and the development company, Jaigarh Infrastructure Ltd, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd to lay a railway line from the port to Digni station on the Konkan railway route. It is a Rs 700-crore project and the company itself has invested a major amount