• 22 Oct 2024

Z-Morh Project in Kashmir

Why in News?

The Z-Morh tunnel project in Jammu & Kashmir recently witnessed militant attacks highlighting strategical significance of the project.

Key Points

• Z-Morh Tunnel:
  • A 6.4 km-long tunnel connecting the Sonamarg health resort with Kangan town, Ganderbal district.
  • Located near Gagangir village, the tunnel’s name is derived from the Z-shaped road stretch where it is constructed.
  • It will provide all-weather connectivity to Sonamarg, a major tourist destination on the Srinagar-Leh highway.
• Strategic Importance:
  • The tunnel is part of the larger Zojila Tunnel project, aimed at ensuring all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh.
  • It is critical for military logistics, enabling faster movement of troops to Ladakh, where tensions with both Pakistan and China exist.
  • The tunnel facilitates safe connectivity to regions like Dras, Kargil, and Leh, which are crucial for defense operations, particularly around the Siachen Glacier and Eastern Ladakh.
  • Z-Morh tunnel will act as a precursor to the Zojila Tunnel, which is under construction and expected to be completed by December 2026.
  • Enhances India's capability in reinforcing military personnel in sensitive areas of Ladakh, vital post-2020 India-China standoff.
• The attack on the project underscores evolving threats to critical infrastructure, highlighting the importance of safeguarding national projects from insurgent activities.

Major Infrastructure Projects in J&K

Why in News?

The recent militant attack has put a spotlight on ongoing infrastructure projects in Jammu & Kashmir, with contractors assessing risks but not yet raising alarm.

Key Points

• Ongoing Mega Projects in J&K:
  • The Centre is executing 51 mega projects in Jammu & Kashmir, initially estimated at Rs 76,000 crore, but costs have risen by 56% to Rs 1.16 trillion, as per the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
  • Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL):
    • It is a Rs 42,500 crore project and connects Kashmir Valley with India, stalled since 1995. It features the world’s highest rail bridge over the Chenab River, crucial for regional integration, economic growth, and defense mobility.
  • J&K Rail Link Project Dharam:
    • The Dharam-Banihal section of the Jammu & Kashmir Rail Link Project is part of the Katra-Banihal section of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project.
    • The project is a national initiative to connect the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India by rail. The Dharam-Banihal section includes a Tunnel Communication System that provides uninterrupted radio communication between handheld devices and base stations.
• National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL):
  • NHIDCL is a government-owned company established in 2014 for the development & maintenance of National Highways & Strategic Roads of India.
  • It operates as a nodal agency of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

Z-Morh Tunnel

• A 6.4 km-long tunnel connecting the Sonamarg health resort with Kangan town, Ganderbal district.
• Located near Gagangir village, the tunnel’s name is derived from the Z-shaped road stretch where it is constructed.
• It will provide all-weather connectivity to Sonamarg, a major tourist destination on the Srinagar-Leh highway.

India-China Standoff and Patrolling Arrangements Along LAC

Why in News?

India and China have been engaged in a prolonged standoff since 2020 along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Ladakh region, with several points of contention and military confrontations.

• Recent developments indicate efforts towards easing tensions and restructuring patrolling arrangements.

Key Points

• Sectors Across the LAC: It is divided into three sectors.
  • The eastern sector which spans Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim (1346 km).
  • The middle sector in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh (545 km).
  • The western sector in Ladakh (1597 km).
  • The alignment of the LAC in the eastern sector is along the 1914 McMahon Line.
    • The McMohan line marked out previously unclaimed/undefined borders between Britain and Tibet. The middle sector is the least disputed sector, while the western sector witnesses the highest transgressions between the two sides

Haryana Portfolio Allocation

Why in News?

The new Haryana Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Nayab Saini, has a total of 13 ministers representing a range of communities to balance caste equations.

Key Points

• Haryana Ministers List with Portfolios (2024):
  • Nayab Saini (CM): Home, Finance, Planning, Excise & Taxation, Town & Country Planning, Information & PR, Justice, General Admin, Housing, CID, Personnel, Law & Legislative, others not assigned.
  • Arvind Kumar Sharma: Co-operation, Jails, Elections, Heritage & Tourism.
  • Shyam Singh Rana: Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries.
  • Ranbir Singh Gangwa: Public Health Engineering, Public Works.
  • Krishan Kumar Bedi: Social Justice, SCs/BCs Welfare, Antyodaya, Hospitality.
  • Krishan Lal Panwar: Development, Panchayats, Mines & Geology.
  • Rao Narbir Singh: Industries, Environment, Sainik Welfare.
  • Mahipal Dhanda: School & Higher Education, Parliamentary Affairs.
  • Vipul Goel: Revenue, Urban Local Bodies, Civil Aviation.
  • Shruti Choudhry: Women & Child Development, Irrigation.
  • Aarti Singh Rao: Health, AYUSH.
  • Rajesh Nagar: Food & Civil Supplies, Printing & Stationery (Independent Charge).
  • Gaurav Gautam: Youth Empowerment, Sports, Law & Legislative (Attached).
• 91^st Amendment Act:
  • The Constitution (91st Amendment) Act, 2003 inserted clause 1A in Article 164, which says “the total number of Ministers, including the Chief Minister, in the Council of Ministers in a State shall not exceed 15% of the total number of members of the Legislative Assembly of that State.

National Games 2024 in Uttarakhand

Why in News?

Uttarakhand is set to host the National Games in 2024 as announced recently by PT Usha, the president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

Key Points

• Uttarakhand will host the 38^th edition of the National Games for the first time.The games are scheduled for October 2024.
• Various cities in Uttarakhand, including Dehradun, Haldwani, and Haridwar, will host events.
• In the National Games 2024 more than 30 sports disciplines will be featured.
• Indian Olympic Association:
  • The IOA is the governing body for the Olympic Movement and the Commonwealth Games in India.
  • As an affiliated member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), and Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), the IOA administers various aspects of sports governance and athletes’ welfare in the country.
  • IOA oversees the representation of athletes or teams participating in the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and other international multi-sport competitions of the IOC, CGF, OCA, and ANOC.
  • Beyond participation in the Games, the IOA has also established various initiatives with different stakeholders for the development of sports education and Olympic studies.
  • IOA is recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
  • Foundation:
    • It was established in 1927 with Sir Dorabji Tata and Dr. A.G. Noehren as the Founding President and Secretary General, respectively.
    • It is registered as a Non-Profit Organisation under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
  • Members:
    • The members of the IOA include National Sports Federations (NSFs), State Olympic Associations, IOC Members, and other select multi-sport organisations.
    • In accordance with the Olympic Charter, the membership of NSFs mostly include NSFs that govern sports featured in the sports programme of the Summer Olympic Games, Winter Olympic Games, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games.
  • Governance:
    • It is currently governed by a 32-member Executive Council, headed by the President.
    • The election for the Executive Council is held once every four years.
    • The working of the Executive Council is also assisted by different Standing Committees of the IOA that are constituted with experts in the subject-field to help in various aspects of governance.

National Games

• Background: The Olympic movement, which garnered the attention of the nation in the 1920s, includes the National Games. The National Games in India were first envisioned as the Indian Olympic Games with the goal of promoting Olympic sports in the nation.
  • The first edition of the Indian Olympic Games at Lahore in an undivided Punjab in 1924.
  • The Indian Olympic Games were named as National Games beginning in 1940. This competition sets athletes from several Indian states with one another in a variety of sporting disciplines.
• Objectives:
  • They are held for the benefit of Indian athletes, sports organisations etc.
  • They help in raise awareness among states/UT's about the necessity of developing internationally grade sports infrastructure.
  • It attempts to attract a wide number of youths to participate in sports activities.
  • It aims to inculcate sports culture in individuals from all walks of life and educate them on the value of sports in building a healthy society.
• Jurisdiction: The duration and the regulations of the National Games are entirely within the jurisdiction of the Indian Olympic Association.

Simhasth 2028

Why in News?

Recently, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister announced major development initiatives for Ujjain ahead of the Simhasth Kumbh in 2028.

Key Points

• CM emphasized that the first priority of the development plan is to cater to the sadhus and spiritual leaders participating in the event.
• He cited Haridwar as a model pilgrimage city and expressed his desire to replicate its success in Ujjain.
• The plan involves improving infrastructure, enhancing facilities for pilgrims, and ensuring modern amenities without compromising Ujjain's religious and cultural heritage.

Simhastha Kumbh

• The Simhastha Kumbh Mela is a Hindu religious festival held every 12 years in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India.
  • The festival is named after the Simha constellation of the zodiac, as it is celebrated when Jupiter enters Leo.