• 06 Nov 2021

Purvanchal Expressway

Why in News

• On November 5, 2021, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during his visit to Azamgarh was told that Purvanchal Expressway would be inaugurated this month.

Key Points

• Purvanchal Expressway is an under construction 6-lane expressway in the state of Uttar Pradesh, which will connect Ghazipur city with the state capital Lucknow.
• It is being developed by the Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development Authority.
• It will pass through 9 districts of Uttar Pradesh- Lucknow, Barabanki, Amethi, Sultanpur, Ayodhya, Ambedkar Nagar, Azamgarh, Mau and Ghazipur. The expressway will be linked with the Varanasi-Gorakhpur highway through a separate link road.
• Apart from this, the Chief Minister said that on November 13, Home Minister Amit Shah would lay the foundation stone of a state university to be built in Azamgarh district.

Construction of River Front on Chambal River in Kota

Why in News

• On the occasion of Deepawali on November 04, 2021, State Urban Development Minister Shanti Dhariwal reached among the workers engaged in the construction of Chambal River Front and congratulated them on Diwali and organized a program of Chambal River Front mass banquet.

Key Points

• Chambal river originating from Janapav hill near Mhow in Madhya Pradesh passes through Chittorgarh, Kota, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli and Dholpur districts of Rajasthan, on which a riverfront is being constructed in Kota.
• Various types of ghats will attract the attention of tourists from all over the world. In order to introduce the new generation to the cultural heritage, a 42 meter high statue of Chambal Mata will be installed on a 20 meter pedestal. This will be the first statue of its kind.
• A world-class fountain show is being constructed in the Garden, built with modern technology, on the lines of the Vrindavan Garden of Mysore near Kota Barrage, which will have a diameter of 40 meters.
• A museum is being constructed at the eastern end of the park, where the development story of Kota and art culture will be reflected with model displays of the riverfront.

Madhya Pradesh Tourism Gets Three International Awards

Why in News

• Recently, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board's Rural Tourism Project was presented with three awards including the 'Best Project' award at the International level at the World Travel Mart (WTM) World Responsible Tourism Awards-2021 ceremony in London. The ceremony was held in London from November 1 to 3.

Key Points

• The International Responsible Tourism Center gave this award for 'Best Project' in the category of 'Best Post-Covid Tourism Destination Development'.
• In the same category, Madhya Pradesh Rural Tourism was also given 'Gold Award' at the zonal level. In another category 'Diversity in Tourism', Madhya Pradesh's concept of 'Safe Tourism for Women' project was awarded for recognition of the best project.
• On behalf of the Tourism Board, Managing Director State Tourism Development Corporation S Vishwanathan and Deputy Director Tourism Board Yuvraj Padole received the award.
• Before conferring the World Responsible Tourism Award-2021, 'Gold Awards' are given at the zonal level in India, Australia, Europe and the Middle East by dividing all the countries into four zones at the international level. The 'International Award' is given by selecting the best project out of the 'Gold Award', which was given to Madhya Pradesh Rural Tourism for the year 2021.
• Under the Rural Tourism Project, 100 villages are being developed as tourism villages in the state. Tourism activities will be conducted in these villages with the participation of the community.
• In the project 'Safe Tourist Places for Women', the number of women working at 50 selected tourist places will be increased. Activities like infrastructure development for women tourists, capacity building of local stakeholders, creation of community based organizations and self-protection training for women etc. will be implemented.
• WTM is a world class organization of tourism, of which the International Responsible Tourism Center is an important part. The International Responsible Tourism Center has announced awards in six categories for 2021.
• Held every year in London, the World Travel Market, London (WTM London) is a major event in the field of tourism, in which organizations working in the field of tour, travel and tourism from around the world participate. It is a big platform in the world, in which people working in the field of tourism get recognition, as well as opportunities to increase the market and business.

Book Launch of 'Modern India'

Why in News

• On November 3, 2021, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khater released the book 'Modern India' authored by Poonam Dalal Dahiya. This book provides comprehensive information on the history of modern India.

Key Points

• During the book release program, the first copy of this book published by McGraw Hill was presented by the author Ms. Poonam Dalal Dahiya to the Honorable Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khater.
• This book provides comprehensive information on the history of modern India in a favorable manner for the students to excel in UPSC Civil Services Examination and other competitive examinations.
• The book gives in-depth coverage and analysis of all the important events, which helps the students to gain a conceptual understanding of the subject and is equally beneficial for both preliminary and main examinations.
• Poonam Dalal Dahiya is quite popular for her subject matter expertise. After working in Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) for almost four years, he is now working in the Police Department as ASP, Gurugram.

Schemes worth Rs 400 Crore Inaugurated in Kedarnath

Why in News

• On November 5, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi worshiped and worshiped Baba Kedarnath at Kedarnath Dham. During this, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of schemes worth about Rs 400 crore.

Key Points

• Prime Minister inaugurated the renovated mausoleum and new statue of Adi Guru Shri Shankaracharya ji with the residence of the pilgrim priests, construction of flood protection and ghats on the banks of river Saraswati, load bearing wall for flood protection on the banks of river Mandakini, Mandakini for Garuda Chatti. Inaugurated the construction works of a bridge over the river.
• Among the schemes that were laid by the Prime Minister, redevelopment of Sangam Ghat and Rain Shelter Shed in Shri Kedarnath Dham, First Aid and Tourist Facilitation Centre, Mandakini Water ATM and Mandakini Plaza, Administrative Office and Hospital Building, Museum at Kedarnath shrine. Complex, Saraswati Civic Amenity Building etc.
• The Prime Minister said that the work on the Chardham road project is progressing rapidly, all the four Dhams are being connected with a safe highway. In future, the process has also started so that devotees can come here to Kedarnath through cable car. There is also a preparation to build a ropeway for the easy darshan of the holy Hemkund Sahib.
• Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that in Kedarpuri, where works worth Rs 225 crore have been completed in the first phase, works worth Rs 184 crore are in progress in the second phase. Along with this, where more than Rs 245 crore has been approved for the master plan of Badrinath Dham, works worth crores of rupees have also been approved for Gangotri and Yamanotri.
• He said that in the last five years, various projects worth more than one lakh crore rupees have been approved by the Central Government for the state, out of which many schemes have been completed and work is going on on others.
• The work on the Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail project and strategically and geographically important Tanakpur-Bageshwar rail project is progressing rapidly. Similarly, work on Char Dham All Weather Road, Bharat Mala Project is also being done at a fast pace.