• 15 Feb 2024

Chhattisgarh Inaugurates Country's Biggest Solar Energy Plant

Why in News?

Chhattisgarh has inaugurated the country’s biggest solar energy plant with a battery energy storage system located near the Dhaba village in the Rajnandgaon district.

• It is established by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and Chhattisgarh Power Distribution Company provides a capacity of 100 megawatts.

Key Points

• This solar plant ensures that there will be electricity even during the night generating over five lakh units per day.
  • This will reduce 4.5 lakh metric tons of carbon emission and boost green energy.
• The on-grid solar power plant set-up by the Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA) is a significant step towards sustainable energy.
• The plant was established on 1st February, 2024. It features a 100-megawatt solar plant equipped with 2,39,000 bifacial solar panels which is producing electricity from both the sides.
• The plant is expected to generate power for the next seven years using solar energy.
• The decision to establish the first solar park in the Bairam hill area of the Rajnandgaon district was taken by the Chhattisgarh government to maximize the use of these hilly terrains for solar power.
  • The project began in 2016, with the first phase covering five villages and 181.206 hectares and the second phase including four villages and 196-217 hectares.

Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI)

• It was set up in 2011 to facilitate the implementation of the National Solar Mission (NSM) and to achieve the targets set forth by it.
• SECI was initially incorporated as a section 25 company (Not-for-profit) under the Companies Act, 1956. In the year 2015, it was converted into a Section-3 company.
• SECI is a Schedule- A Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU). It is the only CPSU dedicated to the development of the Renewable Energy (RE) sector in India and its scope of activities covers all RE sources.

Eight National Highway Projects Established in Uttarakhand

Why in News?

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stones of 8 National Highway projects worth Rs 2217 crore in Tanakpur, Uttarakhand.

Key Points

• The road widening of Kathgodam to Nainital road with a 2-lane paved shoulder will improve connectivity to Nainital-Manaskhand temples.
• The 4-lane widening of Kashipur to Ramnagar road will make it easier for tourists to reach Jim Corbett National Park and Manaskhand temples.
• The 2-lane widening and rehabilitation of Kanda Marg from Udiyari Band on National Highway 309A will facilitate access to Bagnath and Baijnath temples in Bageshwar.
• The significant aim of establishing excellent infrastructure in Uttarakhand is not only for roads and highways but for the safety of people, walls are being constructed on the National Highway 87 extension.
  • The repair work of two bridges on Saryu and Gomdi rivers in Bageshwar district is also being done.
• The projects will not only benefit the tourists but will also make commuting easier for the local people and the local economy will also be strengthened without causing any harm to the environment.

India's First Helicopter Emergency Medical Service to Start in Uttarakhand

Why in News?

India is set to witness its first Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) which will operate from All India Institute for Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh.

Key Points

• The new HEMS would operate under project 'Sanjeevani' with a coverage radius of 150 kilometers.
  • This will ensure timely transportation of accident victims and patients from hilly terrain to AIIMS.
• The emergency helicopter services will be indispensable for saving patients during the critical 'golden hour,' soon after an accident, when expert medical care is vital.
  • This initiative will be a boon for Uttarakhand, a state that attracts tourists, pilgrims, and adventure enthusiasts annually, while also contending with natural disasters.
• The commencement of another project was also announced, responding to the state government's request for air connectivity from Hindon Air Base to Pithoragarh.

Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS)

• It is called Project Sanjeevani; a helicopter will be deployed to provide emergency medical services at AIIMS Rishikesh.
  • It encompasses multiple initiatives targeting various sectors such as education, environment, agriculture, and livestock healthcare.
• The helicopter will be based at the hospital at 20-minute notice and will have a service covering an area of 150 km radius.

30 National Highway Projects Inaugurated in Haridwar

Why in News?

Recently, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari inaugurated and laid foundation stones of 30 National Highway projects worth Rs 4,755 crore in Haridwar.

Key Points

• The projects inaugurated include widening of 2-lane paved shoulder from Lameri to Karnaprayag in Rudraprayag and Chamoli and Dudhdhari elevated flyover in Haridwar.
• These projects will not only ease transportation but will also provide better connectivity from Rishikesh to the India-China border.
• The flyover will provide relief from traffic jams in religious city Haridwar and it will be easier to reach other religious places.
• Uttarakhand will achieve a faster pace of development with the construction of these projects. The journey of devotees on Chardham routes will be facilitated.
• Connectivity of Uttarakhand with other states will increase, accelerating economic and social development .

Uttarakhand to Levy Green Cess

Why in News?

The Uttarakhand government is all set to implement a green cess on vehicles entering the state from other states.

• A Green cess is a form of tax levied by the government with the purpose of environment conservation.

Key Points

• The cess would be collected at toll plazas through FASTag, with amounts ranging from Rs 20 to Rs 80. Electric vehicles and cars fuelled by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) will be exempted.
• It will be collected by the concessionaires of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
• According to the transport department, three-wheelers and four-wheelers (Light Motor Vehicles) will be subject to Rs 20 and Rs 40 respectively as green cess, while medium and heavy motor vehicles will have to pay Rs 60 and Rs 80 respectively.
  • Two-wheelers, government vehicles, fire tenders and ambulances, Army vehicles and vehicles used for farming will be exempted from the green cess.
• Vehicles from other states will have the option for one-time entry by paying the prescribed rate for a day.
  • Alternatively, they can opt to pay 20 times the standard rate for a three-month period or 60 times the green cess rate for the entire year.

FASTag

• It is a device that employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for making toll payments directly while the vehicle is in motion.
• NHAI launched two mobile Apps – MyFASTag and FASTag Partner to facilitate the availability of FASTags.
• The tag is valid for 5 years from the date of issuance and comes in seven different color codes.

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)

• NHAI was constituted by an Act of Parliament in 1988 under the administrative control of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways as a Central Authority to develop, maintain and manage the National Highways entrusted to it by the Government of India.
  • The authority, however, became operational in February, 1995.
• The Authority consists of a full time Chairman, and not more than five full time Members and four part time Members who are appointed by the Central Government.

UPDIC Poised to Make India ‘Atmanirbhar’ in Defence Production

Why in News?

The Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC) is attracting investments of ₹24,510.60 crore and aims to generate 41,667 employment opportunities.

Key Points

• Major companies like BrahMos Aerospace, Tata Technologies, and Adani Defence Systems have proposed investments in the corridor.
• UPDIC is witnessing significant progress, attracting major investments and demonstrating commitment to make India ‘Atmanirbhar’ (self-reliant) in the defence and aerospace sector.
• 34 investment projects worth ₹3585.85 crore are ready to be included in the upcoming groundbreaking ceremony.
  • These projects are spread across Aligarh, Jhansi, Kanpur and Lucknow nodes of the defence industrial corridor and would generate over 8,530 employment opportunities.
• The Government of UP is investing in developing basic infrastructure across nodes, creating a conducive environment for investors.
  • IIT Kanpur and IIT (BHU) Varanasi have been nominated as Centres of Excellence, conducting research and filling critical R&D gaps.
• UPDIC is transforming the State into a major hub for defence and aerospace manufacturing, contributing to India’s self-reliance and economic growth.
  • It has collaborated with financial institutions to offer customized loans and cater to the specific needs of MSMEs and start-ups in the defence and aerospace sector.

Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC)

• It is an aspirational project that intends to reduce foreign dependence on the Indian Aerospace & Defence Sector. It was inaugurated in 2018.
• The Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) was made the nodal agency to execute this project in conjunction with various other state agencies.

Bihar Government Tables Rs 2.78 Lakh Crore Budget

Why in News?

Recently, the Bihar government presented a Rs 2.78 lakh crore budget, making education its top priority by allocating over 22% of funds to the department.

Key Points

• The government also laid special focus on information and technology, tourism and earmarked over Rs 1 lakh crore for sundry government schemes.
• Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Samrat Choudhary presented a budget of Rs 2,78,725.72 crore:
  • Allocating Rs 22,200.35 crore (22.20%) to the education department.
  • Rs 13,840.56 crore (13.84%) to the rural development department.
  • Rs 8,191.79 crore (8.19%) to the social welfare department.
  • The rural works and health departments were allocated Rs 7,409.13 crore (7.41%) and Rs 7,117.56 crore (7.12%).
  • The government would spend Rs 3,073.26 crore on several scholarship schemes alone.
  • The government has estimated an expenditure of Rs 5,040 crore on good governance schemes under the Saat Nischay, Part-II programme.
• The budget has a revenue surplus of Rs 1,121.41 crore and shows a fiscal deficit of 2.98%. It also shows an outstanding debt of Rs 3.48 lakh crore.

Saat Nischay, Part-II Programme

• Nischay 1. Yuva Shakti - Progress of Bihar
• Nischay 2. Strong woman, capable woman
• Nischay 3. Irrigation water to every field
• Nischay 4. Clean Village - Prosperous Village
• Nischay 5. Clean City - Developed City
• Nischay 6. Easy Connectivity
• Nischay 7. Additional health facilities for all