Chhattisgarh

• 20 Mar 2023

Announcement to Develop Manjhingarh as Biodiversity Park

Why in News?

On 18 March 2023, Bhupesh Baghel, the Chief Minister of the state, while participating virtually in the program organised on the occasion of Bhakta Mata Karma Jayanti and Mukhye Mantri Kanya Vivah in village Banskot of Keshkal assembly of Kondagaon district, declared Manjhingarh tourist destination as Biodiversity Park to be developed on the lines of Jungle Safari.

Key Points

• In the programme, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel mentioned establishment of District Cooperative Central Bank Branch in Banskot, upgradation of Sub Health Center Gamhri as Primary Health Center, opening of Swami Atmanand Excellent English Medium School in Banskot and also announced the construction of indoor stadium for encouragement of the sportspersons of the district.
• It is known that 8 km upstream from Gram Panchayat Khallari in Baderajpur block of Keshkal in Kondagaon district, Manjhingarh (among the mountains) is situated 5000 feet above sea level. Kanker, Sarona and Dudhwa Dams can also be seen from here.
• Manjhingarh is a cave between the rocks where there are thousands of years old rock paintings. Manjhingarh is believed to be the site of primitive man and a very interesting legend is told by the local elders of being ruled by the 'Uika' people, a strange dwarf race like aliens.
• Manjhingarh is attracting people as a popular Ecotourism destination of Kondagaon district.The dense forests, wildlife, medicinal plants, prehistoric paintings, beautiful valleys and geographical structures here provide a special experience to the tourists.
• Mata Garhmawali resides in Manjhingarh. A large number of people also reach this place on the day of Bhangaram Jatra of Keshkal in the month of Bhado. The Jatra, which protects the village and the villagers from natural calamities and cherishes the wishes of happiness, peace and prosperity has a very special significance for the local people.

Chhattisgarh's Broad Gauge Network Becomes 100 Percent Electrified

Why in News?

According to the information given by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) of the Government of India on 18 March 2023, in order to achieve the target of Net Zero Carbon Emitter i.e. Zero Carbon Emitter by 2030 Indian Railways has decided to develop 100 percent electrified of the existing network of broad gauge in Chhattisgarh.

Key Points

• 1,170 km Electrification of route has resulted in saving of foreign exchange by reducing line haul cost (about 2.5 times less), increasing heavy haulage capacity, increasing sectional capacity, reducing operation and maintenance cost of electric locos, energy efficiency and reducing dependence on imported crude oil and becoming an environment friendly mode of transport.
• Apart from this, in line with the policy of 100 percent electrified network of Railways now a new broad-gauge network will be sanctioned along with electrification.
• It is known that the area of Chhattisgarh state comes under the jurisdiction of Southeast Central and East Coast Railway. Bilaspur, Raipur, Durg and Korba are some of the major railway stations in Chhattisgarh.
• Bilaspur is the largest railway station in Chhattisgarh and is situated on the Mumbai-Howrah main line. It is an important junction and connects major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.
• The state of Chhattisgarh carries the highest freight traffic in the country and the Railways receives the highest revenue from here. Rail network plays an important role in the transportation of minerals, agricultural products and other goods from Chhattisgarh to other parts of the country.
• Some of the prestigious trains of Chhattisgarh state are: Durg-Jagdalpur Express, Chhattisgarh Express, Samta Express, Kalinga Utkal Express. These trains provide convenient connectivity to different parts of the state and other major cities of India.