National
7th Vande Bharat Express and Other Projects
⇒ Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited West Bengal on 30th December, 2022. The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi flagged off the 7th Vande Bharat Express, connecting Howrah to New Jalpaiguri via video conferencing on 30 December 2022.
- The ultra-modern Semi High-Speed Train is equipped with state-of-the-art passenger amenities. The train will stop at Malda Town, Barsoi and Kishanganj stations en route in both directions.
Other Projects:
» The Prime Minister also inaugurated the Joka-Taratala Stretch of the Joka-Esplanade Metro Project (Purple Line).
- The 6.5 km stretch having 6 stations namely Joka, Thakurpukur, Sakher Bazar, Behala Chowrasta, Behala Bazar and Taratala has been constructed at a cost of more than Rs 2475 Crore.
» The Prime Minister also dedicated four railway projects to the nation.
- These include the Boinchi – Shaktigarh 3rd Line developed at a cost of Rs 405 crore; the Dankuni – Chandanpur 4th Line Project developed at a cost of Rs 565 crore; Nimtita – New Farakka Double Line developed at a cost of Rs 254 crore; and Ambari Falakata – New Maynaguri – Gumanihat Doubling Project developed at a cost of more than Rs 1080 crore.
» The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of the New Jalpaiguri Railway Station to be developed at the cost of more than Rs 335 crore.
2nd meeting of the National Ganga Council
⇒ Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited West Bengal on 30th December, 2022.
2nd meeting of the National Ganga Council:
In yet another step to boost Cooperative Federalism in the country, Prime Minister chaired the 2nd meeting of the National Ganga Council (NGC) on 30th December 2022 in Kolkata.
- The meeting was attended by Union Minister for Jal Shakti, other Union Ministers who are members of the council and Chief Ministers of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
- The National Ganga Council has been given the overall responsibility for superintendence of pollution prevention and rejuvenation of River Ganga and its tributaries.
Other Projects:
» Prime Minister inaugurated 7 sewerage infrastructure projects (20 Sewage Treatment Plants and 612 km network) developed under National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) at a cost of more than Rs 990 crore.
- These projects will benefit municipalities of Nabadwip, Kacharapra, Halishar, Budge-Budge, Barrackpore, Chandan Nagar, Bansberia, Uttrapara Kotrung, Baidyabati, Bhadreshwar, Naihati, Garulia, Titagarh, and Panihati.
- These projects will add the Sewage Treatment Capacity of over 200 MLD in the state of West Bengal.
» Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for 5 sewerage infrastructure projects (8 Sewage Treatment Plants and 80 Km Network) to be developed under National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) at an estimated cost of Rs 1585 crore.
- These projects will add 190 MLD new STP capacity in West Bengal. These projects will benefit areas of North Barrackpore, Hooghly-Chinsura, Kolkata KMC area- Garden Reach & Adi Ganga (Tolly Nala) and Mahestala town.
Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee National Institute of Water and Sanitation (SPM-NIWAS)
⇒ Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee National Institute of Water and Sanitation (SPM-NIWAS) at Joka in Kolkata via video conferencing on 30 December 2022.
- The Institute will serve as an apex body in the country on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in the country, serving as a hub of information and knowledge for Central, State and local governments.
Key Points:
- SPM – NIWAS has been set up at a cost of around Rs 100 Crore, on 8.72 acres of land at Joka, Diamond Harbour Road, Kolkata, West Bengal.
- Through this apex institute on Water and Sanitation, the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) aims to bridge the knowledge and capacity building gap in the field of public health engineering, sanitation & hygiene, through short, medium & long-term courses which are not just related to engineering but also cover aspects of management, health, accounting, law and public policies.
» The inauguration of SPM-NIWAS was followed by a day-long national conference on ‘Drinking Water Quality– Issues & Challenges’ organized by DDWS and supported by UNICEF, INREM Foundation, WaterAid.
ICG concludes Maiden Contract for 10 Multicopter (VTOL) Drones
⇒ In a major boost to Marine Surveillance and Interdiction capabilities, the Indian Coast Guard has concluded maiden contract for 10 multicopter (VTOL) drones in consonance with Government of India’s policy of embracing Drone Technology.
Key Points:
- These drones are capable of being launched from both Ships whilst underway, as well as Shore Stations and will play a significant role in the reach if ICG unit during Surveillance & Security operations.
- In addition, these drones are going to assist in Search and Rescue (SAR), both by day as well as night.
- The ICG plans to induct 100 additional drones by 2025, to meet the ever-growing challenges in India’s Maritime Zones and Search & Rescue Region.
Chairman of AERB
⇒ Dinesh Kumar Shukla, former Executive Director of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) & Distinguished Scientist assumed the charge as Chairman, AERB on 31st December 2022. He has been appointed on this post for a period of three years.
About Dinesh Kumar Shukla:
- Dinesh Kumar Shukla is an internationally acclaimed expert in the field of Nuclear Safety.
- In 2015, he joined AERB where he served in various capacities viz Member of the Board, Executive Director and Chairman, of Safety Review Committee for Operating Plants (SARCOP).
- In February 2021, Mr. Shukla superannuated from AERB and since then had been actively mentoring nuclear energy professionals on nuclear safety and regulations.
About AERB:
- The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board was constituted on November 15, 1983, by the President of India by exercising the powers conferred by the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 to carry out certain regulatory and safety functions under the Act.
- The regulatory authority of AERB is derived from the rules and notifications promulgated under the Atomic Energy Act and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- The Mission of the AERB is to ensure the use of ionizing radiation and nuclear energy in India does not cause undue risk to the health of people and the environment.
Death
Pope Benedict XVI
⇒ Pope Benedict XVI died at the age of 95 on 31 December 2022 in Vatican City.
- Pope Benedict XVI was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 19 April 2005 until his resignation on 28 February 2013.
- Benedict chose to be known as “Pope emeritus” upon his resignation, and he retained this title until his death in December 2022.