India’s first hydrogen train: Chennai ICF
- The central government allocated Rs 2,300 crore last year to manufacture 35 hydrogen trains, each with 10 coaches, that will run on hydrogen fuel in a way that does not harm the environment.
- The work of manufacturing the engine and coaches for this train began last year at the Railway Coach Factory (ICF) in Perambur, Chennai.
- Unlike conventional trains, trains running on hydrogen fuel do not pollute the environment.
- Hydrogen trains are being operated in only a few countries worldwide, including Germany, England, and China.
- Unlike trains running on other fuels like petrol and diesel, trains running on hydrogen fuel will not emit smoke, but will emit only water.
- This will result in no carbon emissions.
- India’s first hydrogen train will run for a distance of 89 km between Jind-Sonipat in Haryana.
Justice Joyamalya Bagchi sworn in as Supreme Court judge:
- Joyamalya Bagchi, who was a judge of the Calcutta High Court, was sworn in as a Supreme Court judge.
- He was administered the oath of office by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna.
- With the swearing-in of Justice Joyamalya Bagchi, the number of judges in the Supreme Court has increased to 33.
- It is noteworthy that the sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court is 34.
‘UDAN’ Scheme:
- This is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
- The full form of the UDAN scheme is ‘Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagarik’, which is a regional connectivity scheme to connect the rural areas of the country through air at low cost.
- ‘UDAN’ Scheme is one of the most successful schemes in the country.
- The aim of the scheme is to connect all the airports together.
- The plan aims to add 120 new airports in the next 10 years, providing air connectivity to 4 crore more people.
- By connecting different airports in the country, congestion at major airports can be reduced.
March 18: Ordnance Factories Day
- Ordnance Factories Day is observed every year on March 18 across India.
Important Facts:
- India’s first hydrogen train will run between Jind-Sonipat in Haryana for a distance of 89 km.
- The central government has launched a mobile app for the Prime Minister’s Vocational Training Scheme to improve the skills of the youth.
- Joyamalya Bagchi, who was a judge of the Calcutta High Court, took oath as a judge of the Supreme Court.
- ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan inaugurated the center.
- The center has been set up under the name of the Center of Excellence for Fluid and Thermal Sciences Research.
- To benefit from the Prime Minister’s Honorary Financial Assistance Scheme, it has been made mandatory for farmers to register on the “Agri Stake” website.
- The Dragon spacecraft has started its journey towards Earth to bring Sunita Williams and 3 astronauts from the International Space Station.
- British player Jack Draper won the championship title in the Indian Wells Open Masters tennis tournament held in the United States.