Infrastructure Development
Centre for Advanced Transportation Technology and Systems (CATTS)

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about CATTS + about IAHE) + Mains ( GS III infrastructure development + bilateral relations)
What's the NEWS

• The Indian Academy of Highway Engineers (IAHE), under the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MORTH), has signed an Agreement with University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia for setting up a Centre for Advanced Transportation Technology and Systems (CATTS) at IAHE, Noida.
• The Agreement is for a project for capacity building, technology transfer and creation of enabling environment for establishment of CATTS in IAHE.
• The UNSW will also deliver a course, certified by it, on smart transport systems and modelling.

The broad scope of CATTS is in the following areas:

• Building India specific Macro Model (Computable Equilibrium Model) for entire Nation Highway network and in-principle National Highways by UNSW
• Building India specific Urban Pervasive Data Model for City by UNSW
• A course certified by UNSW on smart transportation systems and modelling will be delivered by UNSW in the form of three workshops in India and three workshops in Australia.
• It will also promote industries and startups from Australia and India in the transportation sector, including opportunities for innovation, research and development of advanced transport systems.

Indian Academy of Highway Engineers (formerly NITHE)

• The Institute was registered as a Society in January 1983.
• The Academy is the Premium National Training Institute for sharing of knowledge and pooling of experience on the entire range of subjects dealing with the construction and maintenance of roads; bridges; tunnels and road transportation including technology, equipment, research, planning, finance, taxation, organization and all connected policy issues.

The objectives of the Academy are:

• To impart training to professionals of Highway Sector at entry level and during service at different levels of Central & State Govts., Public and Private sectors.
• To help highway sector engineers build up character and develop an all-round personality as a part of Human Resource Development.
• To assist various organizations in developing their training institutes and training of their faculty.
• To promote co-operation and foster exchange of knowledge, ideas and experience in all the sphere of highway engineering among engineers in India and Abroad.
• Imparts training to Highway Professionals from various Afro-Asian countries, Countries under SAARC, Technical Cooperation Scheme (TCS) Colombo Plan, India Africa Forum Summit (IAFS), India Technical & Economic Cooperation (ITEC), ASEAN-India Fund (AIF).

Bilateral Relations
US India Business Council (USIBC) Roundtable

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about USBIC) + Mains ( GS II bilateral relations)
What's the NEWS

• Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, participated in the Roundtable organized by US India Business Council (USBIC) on "Maximizing India's Sustainable and Inclusive Growth as Global Destination for U.S. Investment'

Roundtable Highlights

• The Roundtable provided the investors with an opportunity to engage with Finance Minister and other senior officials of Government of India.
• The areas of discussion included Life Sciences, Green Energy, Infrastructure, Insurance, Defence, Security, Manufacturing, Renewable Energy, Power, Pharmaceuticals, Textiles and Hospitality and Digital economy.
• India and the U.S. have also set an ambitious target of achieving $500 billion in two-way trade.

Know! about USIBC

• The U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) was formed in 1975 as a business advocacy organization to enlighten and encourage the private sectors of both India and United States to enhance investment flows.
• The organization serves as a direct link between business and Government leaders, resulting in increased trade and investment to strengthen ties between the two nations.
• The Council helps in making business between the United States and India easier, more efficient, and more profitable.
• It connects the two largest democracies in the world and inspires sustainable solutions to business challenges - both local and global.
• USIBC partners with the major trade associations in India, including The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI and National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM)
• On November 28, 2017, U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) announced a collaborative initiative titled Women for Women Innovators, Social Leaders, & Entrepreneurs (WISE).
• The objective of the WISE initiative is to offer leadership, mentoring, and development opportunities for women entrepreneurs and innovators.

Environment
Fit for 55 legislation

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Fit for 55 legislation) + Mains ( GS III Environment conservation)
What's the NEWS

• The European Commission adopted a package of proposals to make the EU's climate, energy, land use, transport and taxation policies fit for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.

Know! about the proposed legislation

• Achieving these emission reductions in the next decade is crucial to Europe becoming the world's first climate-neutral continent by 2050 and making the European Green Deal a reality.
• The Legislation aimed at freeing the continent from fossil fuels and take better care of environment by policy design as opposed to being forced into desperate measures at future climatic tipping point.
• EU's ‘fit for 55' legislation includes a controversial plan to tax foreign companies for pollution caused by them.
• Legislation also provides for de-facto phasing out of gasoline and diesel cars by 2035.
• It comprises of new levies on gases from heating buildings.
• Taxes on shipping and aviation fuels was also introduced for the first time.
• It also provided for a "Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism." This plan imposes duties on foreign companies that in turn will increase price of certain goods like steel, aluminium, concrete and fertilizer.

Paris Climate Deal

• EU's legislation was released in line with the Paris Climate deal.
• World leaders had agreed six years ago in Paris to make efforts towards keeping global temperatures below 2 degrees Celsius, ideally no more than 1.5 degrees C by the end of century.

Social Climate Fund

• EU also proposing for creation of "social climate fund" worth several billion euros.
• This fund will be used to help those who might be hardest hit and support income & investments to tackle energy poverty.
• It will also cut bills for vulnerable households and small businesses.

Government Schemes
Prime Minister inaugurates and dedicates PRASHAD projects in Varanasi

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about PRASHAD Project)
What's the NEWS

• Prime Minister inaugurated various development projects in Varanasi which includes Tourist Facilitation Centre under the Project "Development of Varanasi Under PRASHAD Scheme - Phase II" and operation of Cruise Boat from Assi Ghat to RajGhat under the Project "Development of River Cruise in Varanasi under PRASHAD Scheme

Know! about PRASAD Scheme

• The ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive' (PRASHAD)
• It is a Central Sector Scheme fully financed by the Government of India launched by the Ministry of Tourism in the year 2014-15
• The Objective of the scheme is Integrated development of identified pilgrimage and heritage destinations.
• The scheme aimed at infrastructure development such as entry points (Road, Rail and Water Transport), last mile connectivity, basic tourism facilities like Information/ Interpretation Centers, ATM/ Money exchange, eco-friendly modes of transport, area Lighting and illumination with renewable sources of energy, parking, drinking water, toilets, cloak room, waiting rooms, first aid centers, craft bazars /haats/ souvenir shops/ cafeteria, rain shelters, Telecom facilities, internet connectivity etc.
• The project "Development of Varanasi Under PRASHAD Scheme - Phase II" was approved by the Ministry of Tourism with the cost of Rs. 44.69 crores in Feb. 2018.

Space Awareness
ISRO successfully testfires liquid fuel engine for Gaganyaan rocket

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Vikas engine + about Gaganyaan mission) + Mains ( GS III awareness in the field of space)
What's the NEWS

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has moved further in pursuit of its first human space mission Gaganyaan by successfully conducting the third long-duration hot test of liquid fuel-powered Vikas Engine.

Third long-duration hot test

• Its third long duration hot test of the liquid propellant Vikas Engine for the core L110 liquid stage (engine) of the human-rated Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk III (GSLV Mk III)
• Engine was fired for 240 seconds at engine test facility of ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC)
• The test is part of the engine qualification requirements for the Gaganyaan programme.

Gaganyaan Mission

• It is planned by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
• The program will carry three people on spacecraft into Earth's low orbit for seven days by 2022.
• Four Indian astronauts have been undergone training in Russia as a part of the mission.
• The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-Mk III) has been identified as the launch vehicle for the mission.
• The spacecraft for the Gaganyaan mission comprises a crew module and a service module known as the Orbital Module. T
• he service module of the Gaganyaan mission will be powered by two liquid-propellant engines.
• Under the mission three flights will be sent into orbit.
• It will comprise of two unmanned flights and one human spaceflight. (ISRO plans to fly two human rated unmanned GSLV-Mk III rockets before sending Indian astronauts in the third rocket)
• Gaganyaan system module called Orbital Module will carry three Indian astronauts, including a woman.
• Spaceflight will move around the Earth for 5 to 7 days at low-earth-orbit at an altitude of 300-400 km from Earth.
• The payload of the mission comprises of-Crew module, which will carry human beings.
• Service module, which will be powered by two liquid propellant engines.
• It will comprise of emergency escape and emergency mission abort.
• Gaganyaan mission will be launched through a three-stage heavy lift launch vehicle called GSLV Mk III or LVM-3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3)
• Human Space Flight Centre of ISRO and Russian government-owned Glavkosmos signed a deal in June 2019 to provide Russian support in selection of candidates, their medical examination and space training.

Vikas engine of ISRO

• The Vikas (VIKram Ambalal Sarabhai) is a family of liquid fuelled rocket engines conceptualized and designed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre in the 1970s.
• It is used in the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) series of expendable launch vehicles for space launch use.
• Vikas engine is used to power the second stage of PSLV, boosters and second stage of GSLV Mark I and II and also the core stage of GSLV Mark III.

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