National
PM lays foundation stone and dedicates to nation projects in Nizamabad, Telangana
⇒ The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth more than Rs 8000 crores in important sectors like power, rail and health in Nizamabad, Telangana on 03 October 2023.
Multiple development projects:
⇒ In line with the Prime Minister’s vision of increasing power generation with improved energy efficiency in the country, the first 800 MW Unit of phase 1 of Telangana Super Thermal Power Project of NTPC was dedicated to the nation.
» Telangana’s rail infrastructure gets a boost as the Prime Minister dedicated to the nation, rail projects including the new Railway Line connecting Manoharabad and Siddipet; and the electrification project between Dharmabad – Manoharabad and Mahabubnagar – Kurnool.
- The 76 km long Manoharabad-Siddipet rail line will boost the socio-economic development of the region, especially in the districts of Medak and Siddipet.
- The electrification project between Dharmabad – Manoharabad and Mahabubnagar – Kurnool will help in improving the average speed of trains and will lead to environment-friendly rail transport in the region.
» The Prime Minister also flagged off Siddipet – Secunderabad – Siddipet train service, benefiting the local rail commuters in the region.
» In an effort to augment health infrastructure in Telangana, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of 20 Critical Care Blocks (CCBs) across the state under the Pradhan Mantri – Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission.
- These CCBs will augment district-level critical care infrastructure across Telangana benefiting the people of the state.
Prime Minister dedicates First 800 MW Unit of Telangana Super Thermal Power Project of NTPC to the Nation
⇒ The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi dedicated the first 800 MW Unit of phase 1 of Telangana Super Thermal Power Project of NTPC dedicated to the nation, at a programme in Nizamabad, Telangana on 03 October 2023.
The project, situated in Peddapalli district, will provide low-cost power to Telangana and provide a boost to the economic development of the state. It will also be one of the most environmentally compliant power stations in the country.
Key Points:
- Phase I of Telangana Super Thermal Power Project of NTPC is being established at an approved cost of ₹ 10,998 crore on the available land in the premises of NTPC’s existing Ramagundam station in Peddapalli district.
- It will supply 85% of its power to the state of Telangana.
- Being a pit-head power station with ultra supercritical technology, this project will also help the state of Telangana with low-cost power.
- Further, this being the most efficient power station of NTPC in India, this will reduce specific coal consumption (Total consumption of coal per unit of power generated) and CO2 emissions, making it one of the most environmentally compliant power stations in India.
» NTPC Ltd. is India’s largest integrated power utility, contributing 1/4th of the power requirement of the country.
PM lays foundation stone and dedicates to nation multiple development projects in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh
⇒ The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth about Rs 27,000 crore in Jagdalpur, Bastar, Chhattisgarh on 03 October 2023.
The projects include the dedication of NMDC Steel Ltd’s Steel Plant at Nagarnar in Bastar district worth more than Rs 23,800 crores along with multiple railway and road sector projects.
NMDC Steel Ltd’s Steel Plant:
» In a step that will provide a major impetus to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, the Prime Minister dedicated to the nation the NMDC Steel Ltd’s Steel Plant at Nagarnar in Bastar district.
- Built at a cost of more than Rs 23,800 crores, the steel plant is a greenfield project that will produce high-quality steel.
- NMDC Steel Ltd’s Steel Plant at Nagarnar will provide employment opportunities to thousands of people in the plant as well as in ancillary and downstream industries.
- It will put Bastar on the steel map of the world and provide a boost to the socioeconomic development of the region.
Multiple Rail Projects:
- The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation a new rail line between Antagarh & Taroki and a rail line doubling project between Jagdalpur and Dantewada.
- He laid the foundation stone of the Boridand – Surajpur rail line doubling project and the redevelopment of Jagdalpur Station under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
- The Prime Minister also flagged off the Taroki – Raipur DEMU Train Service. These rail projects will improve connectivity in the tribal regions of the state.
» The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation, a road upgradation project from ‘Kunkuri to Chhattisgarh – Jharkhand Border section’ of National Highway – 43. The new road will improve road connectivity, benefiting the people of the region.
International
SAMPRITI-XI, the Annual Joint Military Exercise between India and Bangladesh
⇒ India and Bangladesh commenced the 11th edition of annual joint military exercise, SAMPRITI on 03 October 2023 in Umroi, Meghalaya. The Closing Ceremony of the Joint Military Exercise SAMPRITI-XI was held at Joint Training Node, Umroi on 16 October 2023.
Participation:
» SAMPRITI-XI engaged approximately 350 personnel from both sides over the course of 14 days.
- The Bangladesh contingent comprised 170 personnel, led by Brigadier General Mohammed Mafizul Islam Rashed, Commander of 52 Bangladesh Infantry Brigade. The lead unit from the Bangladesh Army side was 27 Bangladesh Infantry Regiment.
- Indian contingent mainly comprised troops from a battalion of RAJPUT Regiment. Brigadier SK Anand, Commander of a Mountain Brigade led the Indian contingent.
- The exercise also witnessed participation by personnel from diverse units such as artillery, engineers and other supporting arms and services from both sides.
The exercise was conducted in two phases:
» During the first phase, Command Post Exercise was conducted and in second phase Validation Exercise and Field Training Exercise including Battle Inoculation was conducted.
- Centered on the conduct of Sub-Conventional Operations as per Chapter VII of the UN mandate, SAMPRITI-XI consisted of a Command Post Exercise (CPX) and a Field Training Exercise (FTX), culminating in a Validation Exercise.
- 20 Officers from each contingent participated in the CPX, focusing on decision-making after thorough deliberations. This was followed by FTX wherein grassroots-level operations were validated.
- FTX included a series of joint tactical drills for counter-terrorist operations such as hostage rescue, crowd control measures, and use of helicopters in counter-terrorist operations.
- The Validation Exercise was conducted on 14th and 15th October 2023 in Darranga Field Firing Range, Assam.
- During the course of the exercise, the participants also witnessed the prowess of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ Equipment Display.
SAMPRITI-XI enhanced defence cooperation between India and Bangladesh, fostering deeper bilateral relations, cultural understanding, and mutual benefits from shared experiences in Sub Conventional Operations.
Background:
- With its inception in Jorhat, Assam in 2009, the exercise has witnessed ten successful editions till 2022.
- This exercise, alternatingly organised by both countries, signifies strong bilateral defence cooperation initiatives.
- The exercise underscores the importance of enhancing interoperability between the two armies, sharing tactical drills, and promoting best practices.