27-May-2018: PM Modi inaugurates the first phase of Delhi-Meerut Expressway
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first phase of the Delhi-Meerut Expressway. The project is likely to cost around Rs 4975.17 crore. This will be the first expressway to have dedicated bicycle tracks on the nearly 28 km stretch between Delhi and Dasna.
The Delhi- Meerut Expressway project aims to provide faster and safer connectivity between Delhi and Meerut and beyond this, with Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
The total length of the project is 82 km, of which the first 27.74 kms will be 14-laned, while the rest will be 6-lane expressway. The project is being built in four segments -- Nizamuddin Bridge to UP Border, UP Border to Dasna, Dasna to Hapur and Hapur to Meerut.
Prime Minister also inaugurated the country's first smart and green highway, the Eastern Peripheral Expressway at Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh.
According to officials, work on this stretch was completed within 17 months instead of the 30 that were set aside for it. The commute time between Delhi and Meerut is expected to drop to 45 minutes from the 2.5 hours now.
The expressway envisages signal-free connectivity between Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gautam Budh Nagar and Palwal. The Expressway is India's first highway to be lit by solar power besides provisions of rain water harvesting. The foundation stone of the project was laid by Prime Minister on November, 2015.
8-May-2018: Site Clearance Approval for setting up of Greenfield International Airport at Purander, Pune granted
Government is committed to the building of airport capacity as part of NABH (NextGen Airports for BHarat) Nirman initiative. The three key aspects of NABH Nirman are (1) fair and equitable land acquisition, (2) long-term master plan for airport and regional development and (3) balanced economics for all stakeholders. Improving passenger amenities, promoting cargo handling facilities and early operationalisation of 56 new airports under UDAN scheme will be the focus areas while simultaneously working on improving regional connectivity and improving passenger services in a big way.
Accepting the recommendations made by the steering committee on Greenfield Airports, Sh. Suresh Prabhu today accorded site clearance approval to the Greenfield International Airport at Purander, Pune. The Minister also accorded ‘in-principle’ approval to the Government of Uttar Pradesh for setting up of Noida International Greenfield Airport at the North of Jewar Village, Uttar Pradesh.
One of the conditions of site clearance approval to Pune Greenfield Airport is that the Maharashtra Airport Development Company Ltd - MADC, the agency executing the project, will try not to close the existing Pune airport. It will accordingly take up the matter with Ministry of Defence and will try to make both the airports available for civil use. With the grant of site clearance approval, the MADC, may proceed with preparation of Techno Economic Feasibility Report and Detailed Project Report.
MoCA had granted site clearance to the Noida International Greenfield Airport on July 06, 2017. The U. P. Government appointed Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) as the implementing agency on its behalf in October 2017. YEIDA obtained the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Defence on January 11, 2018. With the Minister’s approval today the YEIDA has got in-principle approval for setting up of Noida International Greenfield Airport at North of Jewar village, Uttar Pradesh.
23-May-2018: First national sports university in India to be setup in Manipur.
The Union Cabinet today approved an ordinance to set up the country's first national sports university in Manipur.
The Manipur government has already allocated land for the proposed university. The ordinance will be on the lines of the bill introduced in Lok Sabha in August, 2017.
As of now, there are some institutes which offer various courses for athletes and coaches. A void exists in the sports environment of the country in various areas such as sports science, sports technology, high performance training. The proposed university is expected to bridge this gap.
The proposal to set up the national sports university in Manipur was initially announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while Rs 100 crore funds for it were allocated in the 2014-15 budget.
Establishment of the University: The Bill establishes a National Sports University located in Manipur. It will promote sports education in the areas of: (i) sports sciences, (ii) sports technology, (iii) sports management, and (iv) sports coaching. It will function as a national training centre for select sports disciplines. It may also establish campuses and study centres in other parts of the country. The University will be empowered to grant degrees, diplomas and certificates.
Objectives: The key objectives of the University are: (i) research, development and dissemination of knowledge in physical education and sports sciences, (ii) strengthening physical education and sports training programmes, (iii) generating knowledge capabilities, skills and competence at various levels, and (iv) training talented athletes to help them to evolve into international level athletes.
Authorities of the University: The Bill provides for several authorities under the University. These include: Court, Executive Council, Academic and Activity Council, Board of Sports Studies etc.
Role of central government: The central government will review and inspect the functioning of the University. The Executive Council may take action based on the inspection report. If it fails to take action to the satisfaction of the central government, it will have to comply with the directions issued by the central government. Further, the central government may annul any proceeding of the University which is not in line with the Act.
Funding: The University will be required to maintain a fund which will be credited with the funds that it receives from the central government, state government, and fees and money received from any other sources (grants and gifts). All funds of the University will be invested as decided by the Board on the recommendation of the Finance Committee.
Significance of the move: Setting up of National Sports University in Manipur will result in giving an opportunity for youth of country in general and of North Eastern States in particular for pursuing courses such as B.PEd, MPEd, Diploma / certificate courses in coaching, physiotherapy, fitness, sports management, sports journalism, etc.