Union Cabinet Approves 3 Major Metro Projects in India
Three new metro projects in India were approved by the Union Cabinet to enhance urban transportation. These are the Bengaluru Metro Phase-3, Thane Integral Ring Metro, and an extension of the Pune Metro with a total estimated cost of ₹30,765.5 crore.
Bengaluru Metro Phase-3
The current Metro network will gain 42.3 km with this extension, along with the addition of 14 additional stations. It will connect key areas such as Kempegowda International Airport and the IT corridor. One noteworthy feature is a 22.8 km subterranean stretch that will aid in easing surface traffic congestion. By 2025 the project—which makes use of cutting-edge tunneling technology—should be finished. It is anticipated to greatly reduce travel times and enhance public transportation. An estimated ₹15,000 crore would be needed, with some money provided by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
Thane Integral Ring Metro
Two lines will be added to the extension: Line 1, which will go from PCMC to Swargate, and Line 2, which will go from Bhosari to Swargate. It tries to lessen urban traffic congestion and spans roughly 32 kilometers. Started in 2019 the project features a combination of elevated and underground tracks and uses modern, energy-efficient trains. The entire extension is anticipated to open by 2025 with the first portion opening in 2022. The goal of this project is to encourage sustainable urban transportation while enhancing travel times and connectivity.
Pune Metro Extension
This project, which would be a part of Mumbai’s metro network, will be about 30.5 kilometers long and have 27 stops. Its goals are to reduce traffic and incorporate various forms of transportation. The first phase of construction is scheduled to be finished by 2023; work started in 2016. The metro will significantly cut travel time between Thane and Cuffe Parade. It seeks to serve around 500,000 passengers per day and integrates environmentally friendly techniques such as reduced land use to improve urban connections.
Environmental and Economic Impact
By 2045, the number of daily passengers might potentially approach millions thanks to these Metro initiatives. They will contribute to a cleaner environment by improving urban mobility boosting economic growth and lowering dependency on private vehicles. Maha Metro is to oversee the management of the Thane and Pune Metro projects. Funding will come from the Government of India, the Government of Maharashtra, and international agencies highlighting a strong commitment to modernizing urban infrastructure.
Who is Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the youngest Prime Minister of Thailand?
With her election as prime minister on Friday, Paetongtarn Shinawatra carried on the political dynasty that her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, had started.
Paetongtarn was chosen after Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who had served less than a year was kicked out of the Pheu Thai party on Wednesday. He was found guilty by the Constitutional Court of a serious ethical transgression concerning the appointment of a Cabinet member who had previously been jailed for an alleged bribery incident.
She was the only nominee, and with 319 votes in favor, 145 against, and 27 abstentions, she won the seat. It was not necessary for Paetongtarn, the leader of the Pheu Thai party, which is a more recent addition to the group of parties connected to Thaksin, to hold elected office in order to be eligible to run for prime minister.
With royal assent, she will formally take office as prime minister, but it’s unclear when that will happen.
Who is Paetongtarn Shinawatra?
The daughter of one of the most well-liked but contentious political personalities in Thailand, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Following her millionaire father who came back from exile last year and her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra, who is also living in exile Paetongtarn is the third Shinawatra leader of Thailand.
She is the country’s youngest leader at 37 and Thailand’s second female prime minister after her aunt.
Former corporate executive Paetongtarn has participated in both business and charitable endeavors.
After the Parliament vote the party’s overjoyed new leader expressed her happiness and honor to the media at the party headquarters in Bangkok.
“I hope that I can make people feel confident, that we can build opportunity and quality of life,” she said. “I aspire to do everything within my power to propel this nation forward.”
While on the campaign road for Pheu Thai, Paetongtarn stated she wasn’t just her father’s stand-in although acknowledging her familial ties.
Speaking to a reporter, she declared “I am my dad’s daughter, forever and ever but I make my own decisions.”
U.S. Navy Deploys Long-Range Missiles to Counter China
The U.S. Navy has deployed the AIM-174B missile to bolster its aerial capabilities in the Indo-Pacific area intending to match China’s aerial edge amid escalating tensions.
AIM-174B Overview
The AIM-174B is a new missile based on the Raytheon SM-6 and has the longest range of any U.S. air-to-air missile. The AIM-174B was made publicly known in July and has a maximum range of 400 km (250 miles) far beyond the 150 km (93 miles) of the AIM-120 AMRAAM. This means that American aircraft may keep farther away from potential threats. This enhances protection for aircraft carriers and enables strikes on key Chinese targets such as command centers. Historically, the U.S. relied on stealth fighters and shorter-range missiles. However China’s development of the PL-15 missile, which can reach over 250 km (155 miles), challenged U.S. aerial dominance.
Development and Compatibility
The Chinese stealth aircraft posed a new threat prompting the development of the AIM-174B. It is compatible with the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and might also be used by allied forces, including Australia. The AIM-174B is produced using existing SM-6 production lines which streamlines manufacturing. Although details are scarce, increased production is expected to improve U.S. military operations in the region. The deployment of the AIM-174B impacts the military dynamics in the South China Sea potentially deterring Chinese aircraft and altering the regional balance of power. This increased capacity is probably going to have an impact on Chinese military plans and tactics.
About Indo-Pacific
The Indo-Pacific region spans the Indian and Pacific Oceans and is crucial for global trade home to 60% of the world’s population. More than half of the world’s coral reefs, which are essential to marine life are found there. Strategic chokepoints such as the Strait of Malacca are included in the phrase “Indo-Pacific,” which connects countries in South and Southeast Asia with those in the Pacific. The habitats, languages, and cultures of the area are diverse.
About the South China Sea
The South China Sea, covering 1.4 million square miles, is the busiest maritime trade route in the world. It consists of more than 250 tiny islands and reefs, the most contentious of which are the Spratly Islands. The sea is abundant in resources, holding 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and around 11 billion barrels of oil. Although it provides a habitat for a variety of marine species, pollution and overfishing pose environmental threats to it.
New orchid species discovered in Assam
Botanist Madhusudan Khanal discovered Gastrodia indica, a recently discovered orchid species, in the Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary in Sikkim, India. This orchid is notable because it does not open its flowers, a rare trait among orchids, making it the first known cleistogamous orchid in India.
Discovery Details
We discovered Gastrodia indica between 1,950 and 2,100 meters above sea level. With this finding there are now ten species of Gastrodia in India. Khanal also prepared herbarium specimens to preserve samples of this new find.
Cleistogamy Explained
Cleistogamous plants, like Gastrodia indica, produce flowers that stay closed. Chasmogamous flowers on the other hand, open up to allow pollination. In its particular habitat Gastrodia indica benefits from self-pollination which is facilitated by staying closed.
Ecological Relations
Gastrodia indica is a holomycotrophic plant, meaning that because it lacks chlorophyll, it gets all of its nutrients from fungi. It is found next to tree species such as Acer campbelli and Magnolia doltsopa, where it grows in damp, decomposing leaf litter. Less than 100 Gastrodia indica plants have been identified. It is susceptible to dangers because of its limited population and unique habitat. Any change in its surroundings could put its life in jeopardy.
Significance of Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary
Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary plays a vital role in safeguarding a diverse array of fauna and flora, including endangered species. It serves as a refuge for creatures in danger of extinction and is an important habitat for orchids and other delicate flora. Beautiful vistas of the Khangchendzonga mountain range are another feature of the sanctuary.
About Orchids
Having more than 25,000 species, orchids are one of the biggest plant families. They grow on every continent except Antarctica. Some orchids have evolved to mimic female insects to attract male pollinators. Vanilla the only edible orchid, comes from the Vanilla planifolia genus. Orchids have a long lifespan, and because of their tiny seeds they frequently require particular fungi to flourish. Certain orchids—like the Ghost Orchid—don’t have chlorophyll and get all of their nutrition from their host.
About Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in Sikkim, India, the Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary covers 51.76 square kilometers. Several plant and animal species, including some that are endangered such as the Red Panda and Himalayan Black Bear can be found there. It was established in 2001. The sanctuary is a part of the richly diverse Khangchendzonga biosphere reserve which is home to several orchid species and over 118 different bird species. It also plays a crucial role in supporting the local water supply and features a range of ecosystems due to its elevation which ranges from 1,800 to 3,000 meters.