Current affairs 23 October 2024

Bihar's First Inland Container Depot Inaugurated in Bihta.

• Bihar Industries Minister Nitish Mishra inaugurated the state's first Dry Port & Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Bihta, near Patna.
• The facility will provide warehousing, customs clearance, and multi-modal transport services, significantly enhancing logistics for importers and exporters in Bihar.
• It is well-connected by rail to major ports like Kolkata, Haldia, Visakhapatnam, and Mundra.

PM Modi Inaugurates New Airports Under UDAN Scheme.

• PM Modi inaugurated airports in Rewa (Madhya Pradesh), Ambikapur (Chhattisgarh), and Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh) under the UDAN scheme.
• The government supports the scheme with 100% tax exemptions for UDAN airport projects for 10 years.
• The aviation sector is projected to require over 2,200 aircraft by 2042.
• The initiative aims to enhance regional connectivity.

Kerala Launches Citizen Sentinel App to Monitor Traffic Violations.

• Kerala's Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar launched the Citizen Sentinel app on October 18, 2024, allowing the public to upload photos and videos (up to 8 MB) of traffic violations.
• Verified reports will result in e-challans sent to violators by the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD).
• Developed by National Informatics Centre (NIC), the app is part of Kerala's 100-day action plan.

Hockey, Badminton & Wrestling Removed from 2026 Commonwealth Games.

• The 2026 Commonwealth Games will drop major sports like hockey, shooting, cricket, badminton, wrestling, table tennis, squash, and triathlon to streamline costs and logistics.
• The event will focus on 10 disciplines including athletics, swimming, gymnastics, track cycling, netball, weightlifting, boxing, judo, bowls, and 3x3 basketball.
• Glasgow will host the Commonwealth Games after 12 years.

GRAP Stage-2 enforced in Delhi to combat severe air pollution.

• Stage-2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been enforced in Delhi-NCR as air quality reaches the very poor category (AQI 301-400).
• Restrictions include a ban on coal, firewood, diesel generators & increased parking fees.
• Authorities will implement road dust control measures, water sprinkling, and inspections at construction sites.
• Citizens are urged to use public transport.