Prelims Focus 14th June 2025

14/06/2025

21 2 minutes read

Network Planning Group (NPG)

In News: The 95th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan was held to assess and advance key infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency across India.

Key Discussion:

During the meeting, five major infrastructure proposals were reviewed:

- Metro Rail Extension to Ahmedabad Airport: A 6.032-km extension of the Ahmedabad Metro Rail to connect Koteshwar Metro Station with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, designed to improve intra-city transit and airport access.

Road Corridors and Logistics Park Development:

- - NH-248S Access Road to Vadhavan Port: An 8-lane access-controlled highway to support cargo evacuation for the new Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra.
  - Elevated Corridor in Jodhpur: A 4-lane, 7.633 km elevated road from Mahamandir to Akhaliya Chouraha, expected to reduce travel time by up to 20 minutes during peak hours.

Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs):

- Hyderabad (Parkibanda Village): A 315-acre logistics park projected to handle 1.47 million metric tonnes of cargo annually by 2028, scaling up to 19.98 million metric tonnes by 2070.
- Patna (Jaitiya Village): A 106-acre logistics park expected to manage 5.43 million metric tonnes of cargo annually by 2071, located near major transport corridors and industrial areas.

Exercise Khaan Quest

In News: An Indian Army contingent has arrived in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to participate in the Exercise Khaan Quest, an annual multinational peacekeeping military exercise hosted by the Mongolian Armed Forces. The event is designed to enhance interoperability, strengthen military-to-military cooperation, and share best practices in peacekeeping operations among participating nations.

Key Points about Exercise Khaan Quest:

Purpose: To improve peacekeeping capabilities, foster regional security, and promote mutual understanding among participating armed forces.
Participants: The exercise typically involves troops from various countries, including regional partners and allies.
India’s Role: The Indian Army’s participation underscores India’s commitment to international peacekeeping efforts and its growing defense ties with Mongolia.
Activities: The exercise includes field training, tactical drills, and scenario-based peacekeeping missions.

Mayday Call

In News: An Air India pilot of a London-certain Air India aircraft has issued a Mayday call to Air Traffic Control (ATC).

The term “Mayday” comes from the French word m’aider, which means “help me”.
A Mayday name is the highest-level radio distress signal utilized in aviation and maritime conversation to indicate a life-threatening emergency. It indicates that instant help is required.
It was delivered within the early Twenties with the aid of Frederick Stanley Mockford, a radio officer at Croydon Airport in London.
It was officially adopted in 1927, alongside the Morse code signal “SOS”.
According to established conventions, a pilot or a mariner in duress needs to repeat the phrase 3 cases in a row (Mayday, Mayday, Mayday) to trigger emergency reaction protocol.

Emperor Penguins

In News: Climate change is causing Antarctic sea ice to soften early, threatening the survival of Emperor Penguins.

Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) breeds at about 54 colonies around Antarctica, with the most important colonies in the Ross Sea and Weddell Sea.
It is the most important in the 18 species of Penguin discovered today, and one of the biggest of all birds.
It is uniquely adapted to survive harsh situations, with temperatures plunging to a bone-chilling -50°C and winds attaining as much as 200km/h.
They are threatened by climate change, which reduces sea ice attention, thickness, and length, motivated by elements like wind and ocean situations.
IUCN Red List Status is Near Threatened