Published on: February 7, 2025
Snippets : 7 FEBRUARY 2025
Snippets : 7 FEBRUARY 2025
- Bengaluru’s longest flyover, a 32.15 km road-cum-Metro corridor between JP Nagar and Hebbal along the Outer Ring Road (ORR), is set to ease traffic congestion. Modeled after the successful 5-km double-decker Ragigudda-Silk Board project, it features an 8-km elevated road on Magadi Road and double-decker Metro lines for Phase III, integrating road and Metro infrastructure on shared pillars. Estimated at Rs. 9,800 crore, funded equally by BBMP and Namma Metro, the project aims to create a signal-free corridor, enhance connectivity, and accommodate future traffic growth for 30-40 years. However, delays in tendering, land acquisition from the Defence Ministry and CMTI, and financial constraints pose challenges, along with potential public inconvenience during construction.
- The Supreme Court, in a landmark decision on January 30th, allowed High Courts to appoint retired judges on an ad-hoc basis to address the growing backlog of criminal cases, relaxing the 2021 Lok Prahari judgment, which had restricted such appointments to courts with judicial vacancies exceeding 20% of their sanctioned strength. Under Article 224-A of the Constitution, the President can appoint retired judges with their consent. The new ruling permits ad-hoc judges to hear only criminal appeals alongside sitting judges, with appointments capped at 10% of a High Court’s sanctioned strength. This measure aims to expedite case resolution, particularly in criminal matters. Historically, such appointments have been rare, with documented instances in 1972 (Justice Suraj Bhan, Madhya Pradesh HC), 1982 (Justice P. Venugopal, Madras HC), and 2007 (Justice O.P. Srivastava, Allahabad HC, Ayodhya case).
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has reduced the repo rate from 6.50% to 6.25% after two years, aiming to stimulate economic growth by making borrowing cheaper, encouraging spending and investment, and improving credit access. With inflation within the target range, the cut aligns India with global monetary trends and may lead to job creation. The impact includes lower EMIs, increased spending, and overall economic growth, while concerns include potential inflationary pressures and reduced savings. The RBI projects GDP growth at 6.7% and retail inflation at 4.2% for 2025-26.
- India needs 3.9 million EV charging stations by 2030 to support 80 million electric vehicles, according to a report by GameChanger Law Advisors and Speciale Invest. Currently, India has one public charger per 135 EVs, far below the global average, with approximately 12,146 public charging stations as of February 2024. Maharashtra leads in the number of charging stations, followed by Karnataka. Over $450 million has been invested in Indian EV charging start-ups, with innovative business models like pay-per-use charging and battery swapping emerging. Government initiatives such as FAME II, PLI, and state policies are driving investment in the sector. Key challenges include bridging the gap between current and required infrastructure, expanding rural and urban charging facilities, fostering technological advancements like faster charging speeds, and attracting private sector investments.
- Mount Taranaki, now officially known as Taranaki Maunga, is a snow-capped dormant stratovolcano in New Zealand’s North Island, standing at 8,261 feet. Formed by the subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Australian Plate, it is one of the world’s most symmetrical volcanic cones, featuring a circular ring plain of volcanic material from lahars and landslides. Located in Egmont National Park, it holds dual official names—Mount Egmont and Mount Taranaki. Recently granted human status, it is the third natural feature in New Zealand to receive this recognition, following Te Urewera National Park and the Whanganui River. The Indigenous Māori people revere Taranaki Maunga as a sacred ancestor.
- Astronomers have recently discovered a gigantic black hole named Gaia BH3 hiding close to the earth, the third of its kind using the European Space Agency’s Gaia telescope.
- Iran’s Revolutionary Guards revealed their first drone carrier, the Martyr Bahman Bagheri, in Gulf waters on Thursday. The vessel can launch long-range missiles, carry 60 drones and helicopters, and support electronic warfare. It can remain at sea for a year. The ship is the Islamic republic’s largest naval military project.
- A suspected outbreak of highly virulent Ranikhet disease has reportedly killed nearly 1.5 lakh chickens in Eluru, Guntur, Prakasam, and the twin Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh. Ranikhet disease, also known as Newcastle disease, is a highly contagious viral infection caused by Avian avulavirus 1 (AAvV-1), or avian paramyxovirus-1 (APMV-1), primarily affecting poultry like chickens, turkeys, and ducks. It attacks the respiratory, nervous, and digestive systems, leading to production drops, fertility issues, and high mortality rates (50-100%). While it is a minor zoonosis, it can cause mild conjunctivitis in humans. Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected bird secretions, contaminated feed, water, and human clothing, with the virus surviving for weeks in cool environments. Symptoms vary by age but typically begin with sneezing, gasping, and droopiness in young birds, followed by rapid mortality. There is no effective treatment, and management relies on proper housing and general care to reduce infection severity.
