Current affairs 17 February 2024

Special "Aastha" train to Ayodhya flagged off from Tripura.

• A special Aastha train carrying around 400 pilgrims to Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh has been flagged off from Tripura.
• This is the first time in Tripura that such a large number of people are going together to the holy spot.
• Aastha train comprises 20 sleeper coaches. One train can accommodate around 1,400 people.

DCGI launches initiative to boost ease of doing business.

• The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has announced a new initiative aimed at enhancing the ease of doing business in India.
• The DCGI is the head of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
• It oversees drug approval, clinical trials, standards setting, and quality control of imports, and coordinates with State Drug Control Organizations.

GBC@IV unveils townships & railway coach projects in, Jhansi.

• UPSIDA to launch projects worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore, including integrated townships, malls, industrial parks, and more.
• Projects in Chandauli to create 18,000 jobs, including an integrated township and malls by World Trade Center Noida.
• Significant investments in manufacturing, healthcare, and biofuel sectors to generate employment across Uttar Pradesh.

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Sonowal inaugurates Kalughat Inland Water Transport Terminal.

• Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW), officially opened the Kalughat IWT (Inland Water Transport) Terminal and two community jetties in Bettiah.
• The construction of the terminal, for Rs. 82.48 Crore, encompasses key infrastructure features, including a 125m x 30m berth with an annual capacity of handling 77,000 TEUs.

I&B Minister Anurag Thakur inaugurates BSE EXPO-2024.

• I&B Minister Anurag Thakur inaugurates BSE EXPO-2024, emphasizing India's broadcasting sector as a hub for innovation.
• Thakur highlights the importance of next-gen broadcasting tech and localized content to enrich user experiences.
• Information & Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju underscores the need for indigenous broadcasting technologies, aligning with Atmanirbharata Bharat Abhiyan.