• 27 Feb 2024

PM Lays Foundation Stone for Redevelopment of Railway Stations

Why in News?

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually laid the foundation stone for redevelopment of 33 railway stations and construction of 72 other projects in Bihar under the East Central Railway (ECR) zone.

Key Points

• Under the Amrit Bharat Stations scheme, the project aims to enhance connectivity, trade, and business across the country.
• According to the official statement, thirty-three railway stations which will now be redeveloped in Bihar include: Barauni, Siwan, Munger, Thawe, Sabaur, Arariya, Shivnarayanpur, Dauram Madhepura, Dehri On Sone, Guraru, Karagola Road, Chausa, Laheria Sarai, Banka, Simri Bakhtiyarpur, Supaul, Nawadah, Raxaul, Motipur, Luckeesarai, Masrakh, Rafiganj, Mairwa, Piro, Bikramganj, Labha, Janakpur Road, Chakia, Nabinagar Road, Ghorasshan, Salmari, Ekma and Shahpur Patoree.
• Under the project, stations will be redeveloped as city centres with provision of amenities like a shopping zone, food court, kids play area, etc.
  • There will be provision of segregated entry and exit gates, multi-level parking, lift escalator, executive lounge, waiting area and travelator at the redeveloped stations.

Amrit Bharat Stations Scheme

• The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme aims to redevelop 1309 stations nationwide.
• The redevelopment will provide modern passenger amenities along with ensuring well-designed traffic circulation, inter-modal integration, and signage for the guidance of passengers.
• The Scheme was launched in February 2023 by the Ministry of Railways.

The East Central Railway (ECR) Zone

• Its Headquarter is at Hajipur (Bihar) was formed on 1^st October 2002.
• It was established by carving out the Sonepur & Samastipur division of North Eastern Railway & Dhanbad, Danapur & Mughalsarai division of Eastern Railway

World Bank Loan for Water Management Project

Why in News?

Recently, the Department of Economic Affairs under the Union ministry of finance has granted its approval to the state government's request for a loan from the World Bank for the ambitious Bihar Integrated Water Resources Management Project (BIWRMP).

Key Points

• The BIWRMP, aligned with the state government's ongoing initiative 'Har Khet Tak Sinchai Ka Pani Nishay' and 'Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Abhiyan', would be implemented in a span of six years.
  • It has an estimated cost of Rs 4,415 crore, out of which 30% would be borne by Bihar, while the World Bank would provide loan for the remaining 70%.
  • It will address the completion of the long-pending Western Kosi Canal Major Irrigation Project, but will also help restoration of age-old dams in Bihar.
  • It includes crucial projects of interlinking of rivers, control of excess water flow from major rivers to mitigate floods and employing new techniques for long-term protection of river embankments.
• Advanced measures will be implemented in vulnerable areas along rivers like Ganga, Gandak, Kosi, Mahananda, Burhi Gandak, Kamala, Bagmati, etc. to safeguard them for long-term from erosion.

World Bank

• It was created in 1944, as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) along with the IMF. The IBRD later became the World Bank.
• The World Bank Group is a unique global partnership of five institutions working for sustainable solutions that reduce poverty and build shared prosperity in developing countries.
• The World Bank is one of the United Nations' specialized agencies.

NGT Deprecates Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board

Why in News?

Recently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has deprecated the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board for remaining a 'silent spectator' and not taking proper action to prevent the discharge of untreated sewage into the Ganga.

Key Points

• The tribunal has taken up a matter regarding pollution of the river in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
• An estimated sewage generation in all 13 districts of Uttarakhand is estimated to be 700 million liters per day (MLD) and even 50% is not properly treated.
  • The laying of sewers and connectivity of households is an unresolved issue and the influx of tourists and pilgrims during the season adds to sewage generation.
  • In every district and concerned local body, sewage is being discharged in River Ganga directly or through its tributaries and, thereby, causing pollution.
• The installation and establishment of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are not being done with due diligence, expediency and earnestness.
• The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), which has been exclusively assigned with the mandate of rejuvenation of Ganga, has perhaps not gone into aspects of intricacies of sewage and solid waste management for hilly terrain.
• The tribunal directed the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board to take punitive action against responsible government officers and heads of departments by initiating criminal proceedings against them.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT)

• It is a specialised body set up under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources.
• With the establishment of the NGT, India became the third country in the world to set up a specialised environmental tribunal, only after Australia and New Zealand, and the first developing country to do so.
• NGT is mandated to make disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing the same.
• The NGT has five places of sittings, New Delhi is the Principal place of sitting and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai are the other four.

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)

• On 12^th August 2011, the NMCG was listed as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• It acted as the implementation arm of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) which was constituted under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA),1986.
  • NGRBA was dissolved in 2016 and replaced by the National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection, and Management of River Ganga.
• The objective of the NMCG is to reduce pollution and ensure the rejuvenation of the Ganga River.
  • Namami Gange is one of the Coveted Programmes of NMCG to clean Ganga.

Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board (UKPCB)

• It is a statutory organisation established under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
• The UKPCB is responsible for the prevention, control, and abatement of pollution in the state of Uttarakhand, India.
• It is headquartered in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

PM Lays Foundation Stone for Redevelopment of Train Stations

Why in News?

Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for several railway projects, including redevelopment of 21 stations and 83 road over/under bridges in Chhattisgarh.

Key Points

• According to the South East Central Railway (SECR), the PM inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of a total of 2,000 railway infrastructure projects worth Rs 41,000 crore across the country via video conferencing.
• Of these stations, 21 fall in Chhattisgarh- Korba, Raigarh, Rajnandgaon, Sarona, Bhatapara, Dongargarh, Bhilainagar, Hathbandh, Bilha, Baikunthpur Road, Ambikapur, Uslapur, Pendra Road, Janjgir Naila, Champa, Baradwar, Dalli Rajhara, Bhanupratappur, Nipania, Mandir Hasaud and Bhilai.
  • Belpahar and Brajrajnagar in Odisha, Shahdol, Umaria, Anuppur, Bijuri, Mandla Fort, Balaghat, Nainpur, Chhindwara and Seoni in Madhya Pradesh and Itwari, Kamptee, Amgaon, Bhandara Road and Tumsar Road in Maharashtra.

Amrit Bharat Stations Scheme

• The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme aims to redevelop 1309 stations nationwide.
• The redevelopment will provide modern passenger amenities along with ensuring well-designed traffic circulation, inter-modal integration, and signage for the guidance of passengers.
• The Scheme was launched in February 2023 by the Ministry of Railways.

South East Central Railway (SECR)

• The zone came into existence on 1 April 2003, following the bifurcation of the South Eastern Railway.
• It is headquartered in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, and comprises three divisions: Bilaspur, Raipur, and Nagpur.

Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board Received ‘Best State Tourism Board’ Award

Why in News?

Recently, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) was honoured at the national level for the excellent innovations in promoting the tourist destinations of Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points

• MPTB has been given the ‘Best Tourism State Board’ award in the country’s major travel exhibition SATTE (South Asian Travel and Tourism Exchange) held in Greater Noida.
  • The Board participated prominently in the three-day exhibition and promoted the tourism destinations and products of the state before the travel agents, tour operators, hoteliers and various stakeholders from the country and abroad.
  • The Board has been given this honor on the basis of high level performance in the field of tourism, infrastructure development, economic development of the local community, preservation of culture and heritage of the state.

Note:

• Some Famous Tourism Destinations:
  • Bhopal- Gohar Mahal, the lakes, Birla Mandir, Van Vihar National Park, etc.
  • Bhedaghat- Chaunsath Yogini Temple, Dhuandhar Falls, Marble Rock.
  • Jabalpur- Madan Mahal, Kachnar City Shiva Temple, Dumna Nature Park.
  • Tamia- Waterfalls, Pench Tiger Reserve.
  • Pachmarhi- Satpura national park, Chhota Mahadeo, Dhoopgarh.
• Some One District One Product (ODOP) of Madhya Pradesh:
  • Sheopur- Guava
  • Gwalior- Sandstone Tiles
  • Datia- Jaggery
  • Panna- Gooseberry/Amla
  • Ujjain- Batik Print
  • Bhopal- Zari Zardozi & Jute Product
  • Raisen- Basmati Rice
  • Seoni- Custard Apple

PM Unveils Railway Projects

Why in News?

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced railway projects worth Rs 3,276 crore, including the renovation of 33 stations for Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points

• The stations marked for redevelopment include Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Jabalpur, Sehore, Bina, Sanchi, Mandsaur, Chhindwara, Datia and Bhind.
• Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, these stations will be beautified with elements of local art and culture.
  • Indore railway station will be converted into a seven-storied building in a Rs 492 crore project. The revamped station will be operational by 2027.
  • With the allocated amount, the redevelopment works at 33 stations, including 11 in Bhopal division.
• The foundation stone of 133 road overbridges and underpasses will be laid.These works will include redevelopment of five stations and construction of four road overbridges and two underpasses in the Bhopal division.

Amrit Bharat Stations Scheme

• The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme aims to redevelop 1309 stations nationwide.
• The redevelopment will provide modern passenger amenities along with ensuring well-designed traffic circulation, inter-modal integration, and signage for the guidance of passengers.
• The Scheme was launched in February 2023 by the Ministry of Railways.