National
NHAI’s First ‘Sustainability Report’ for FY 2021-22
⇒ Highlighting its commitment towards Environment sustainability, NHAI’s first ‘Sustainability Report for FY 2021-22’ covers NHAI’s governance structure, stakeholders, environment and social responsibility initiatives.
- The report was released by Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways.
Key Points:
- The Sustainability Report underlines the effectiveness of various efforts made by NHAI for environment and energy conservation.
- From FY 2019-20 till 2021-22 direct emission reduced by 18.44% and 9.49% due to less fuel consumption. NHAI continues to work towards reducing indirect emissions as well, by transiting towards clean and green energy sources.
- Green House Gas (GHG) Emissions from energy consumption, operations, transport and travel measured in Metric Tonnes CO2 equivalent /km constructed saw a decline of 9.7% in FY 2020-21 and 2% in FY 2021-22.
- Similarly in operations, energy intensity in Giga Joules/km reduced by 37% in FY 2020-21 and 27% in FY 2021-22, while the kilometers constructed through the reporting period has risen steadily. With over 97 percent penetration, Electronic Toll Collection through FASTag has contributed to reduce the carbon footprint.
- Apart from this, NHAI has been using recycled materials for National Highway construction. Use of fly-ash and plastic waste in construction has increased over the last three years. NHAI has been encouraging use of Recycled Asphalt (RAP) and Recycled Aggregates (RA) in the National Highway construction.
- In order to ensure sustainable environmental growth, more than 100 Wildlife Crossings were created in three years across 20 States as a measure for wildlife protection and conservation to reduce man-animal conflict.
- Over the years, NHAI has been undertaking plantation drives to develop eco-friendly National Highways. There has been a significant increase in number of saplings planted from 2016-17 till 2021-22. Around 2.74 crore saplings were planted till 2021-22 to offset direct emissions from the vehicles.
- In addition to sustainable development, the report also highlights NHAI’s commitment to create inclusive and responsible work practices. Over last three years, women employment and employment of marginalized communities at NHAI has increased. With performance-based management system, NHAI has successfully promoted/encouraged women gender diversity and minority employees over the past 3 years with steady increase in female hiring by 7.4 percent and total increase of 3 percent in overall work force in three financial years.
Download NHAI’s First ‘Sustainability Report’ for FY 2021-22 (Official Link)
About Report:
- NHAI’s Sustainability Report is not a mandated requirement as per SEBI guidelines, but this has been taken as a voluntary initiative to demonstrate its sustainability credentials and is prepared as per the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reporting guidelines.
- The report has been externally assured by a third party adhering to International Standards on Assurance Engagements.
- This Sustainability Report will open new avenues for infrastructure financing known as ‘Green Finance’ as per Ministry of Finance, Government of India framework.
International
India’s First International Cruise Vessel from Chennai to Sri Lanka
⇒ The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off the maiden International Cruise Vessel – MV Empress, India’s first international cruise vessel – from Chennai to Sri Lanka in Chennai on 05 June 2023.
Key Points:
- This marks the beginning of the international cruise tourism terminal at Chennai, built at a cost of ₹17.21 crores, heralding a new age of cruise tourism & maritime trade in the country.
- The cruise service sailed to three Sri Lankan ports; viz. Hanbantota, Trincomalee, and Kankesanturei. The tour packages on board MV Empress were offered for 2 nights, 3 nights, 4 nights and 5 nights. During its run at the sea, MV Empress touched 3 ports in Sri Lanka before returning to Chennai.
Background:
- The cruise service is the result of an MoU signed during the first Incredible India International Cruise Conference in 2022 between Chennai Port and M/S Waterways Leisure Tourism Pvt Ltd to start domestic and international cruise service.
- The modern cruise terminal developed at Chennai Port is spread over an area of 2,880 square meters with an ability to host 3,000 passengers at a time.
Speaking further, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, that three new international cruise terminals are likely to be completed and become operational by 2024.
- The volume of cruise ships will increase from 208 in 2023 to 500 in 2030 and upto 1100 by 2047.
- Consequently, the number of passengers availing cruise services is also likely to increase from 9.5 lakhs in 2030 to 45 lakhs in 2047.
- In order to boost demand for cruise services the western, southern and eastern coasts of India, we are working on Gujarat Pilgrimage tours, Cultural and Scenic Tours, Ayurveda Wellness Tours & Heritage Tourism.
- Plans are afoot to develop new cruise tourism terminal in Andamans, Puducherry and Lakshadweep circuits.
- We are also studying the feasibility of developing ferry circuits across India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar.”
Important Day
Telangana Formation Day
⇒ Telangana Formation Day is celebrated every year on 2 June.
- The Ministry of Culture, under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, celebrated Telangana Formation Day at Golconda Fort in Telangana.
- This event marked the first time that the Government of India celebrated ‘Telangana Day’ or ‘Telangana Formation Day’ to ensure that it is commemorated in a befitting manner.
History:
- On July 1, 2013, the Congress Working Committee passed a resolution to form Telangana as a separate state.
- After various stages, the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014 bill was passed in the Parliament in February 2014 for the formation of the Telangana state.
- The bill was then passed by the President of India on March 1, 2014, and the state of Telangana was finally formed on June 2.
- The state of Telangana was officially formed on 2nd June 2014 and the day is celebrated as ‘Telangana Day’ or ‘Telangana Formation Day’. Telangana is the 29th state of India.
Death
Veteran actress, Sulochana Latkar
⇒ Veteran actress, Sulochana Latkar passed away on o4 June 2023 in Dadar, Mumbai. She was 94.
About Sulochana Latkar:
- Sulochana was an Indian actress of Marathi and Hindi cinema. She acted in 50 films in Marathi and around 250 films in Hindi.
- She was most known for her performances in Marathi films such as Sasurvas (1946), Meeth Bhakar (1949), Vahinichya Bangdya (1953), Dhakti Jaoo (1958) and Sangte Aika (1959) in the lead roles. She also played roles in Hindi films like Dil Deke Dekho, Jaani Dushman and Badle Ki Aag etc.
- In 1999, Latkar was awarded the civilian honour of Padma Shri. She was awarded the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. In 2009, she was awarded the Maharashtra Bhushan Award by the Government of Maharashtra.