India, ADB sign loan to support urban mobility in Mizoram

As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism  G.Kishan  Reddy on Tuesday launched the Amrit Mahotsav Podcast. This podcast series is a tribute to the persons and movements that significantly contributed to India’s freedom struggle and some of which did not find a place in the conventional storyline. The first series, Zara Yaad Karo Qurbani, went live with an episode based on the Indian National Army. New episodes will be added on a weekly basis. Ministry of Culture in a statement said that as an ode to the sacrifices made, it is only befitting to salute these heroes by recollecting their stories of courage and valour as part of commemorating 75 years of India’s Independence.

-President Ram Nath Kovind has expressed happiness that India as a nation has a long and well-established tradition of integrity and ethics. In a message on the Vigilance Awareness Week being observed by Central Vigilance Commission, Kovind said, it is the responsibility of all citizens to reaffirm these ideals. Mr Kovind said, it is the duty of all the citizens to be vigilant and combat corruption in every sphere of life. In a message, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu expressed hope to see all citizens and stakeholders collectively participate in large numbers in the fight against corruption. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his greetings to all those associated with the organisation of vigilance awareness week started on Tuesday October 26.

-.Maharashtra government has made it mandatory for government, essential services and employees from municipalities to get fully vaccinated to procure the universal pass to travel via suburban local trains.An order issued by the state chief secretary Sitaram Kunte said, currently, the essential services like medical services, telecom sector, gas supplies, water providers, government personnel among others have been issued passes irrespective of their vaccination status, as to ensure that essential services are not affected.The order further said that those people who have completed both doses of vaccine and 14 days have elapsed since the administration of the second dose will be issued the universal pass.A fully vaccinated person will henceforth get monthly, quarterly and half-yearly passes to commute via local train, it added.

-Following the decline in daily COVID-19 infections in the state, the Nagaland government has decided to extend its recent phase of unlocking till December 15. The unlock-7 phase currently being enforced will end on October 30. The unlock-8 will come into force from November 1.Minister for Planning and Coordination Neiba Kronu during a press conference held at Kohima on Tuesday informed that the decision to continue with the unlock-8 phase was taken at a review meeting of the High Powered Committee on COVID-19 helmed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. Kronu also informed that decision to open schools for the conduct of normal classes for standard 1 to 4 in urban areas will be taken up by the respective district task force. The government further decided to lift the night curfew across the state. However, the Minister requested everyone to get vaccinated as it is crucial.  Krono  also informed that Hornbill festival will be held this year however duration of the festival is yet to be decided. The Minister said, fully vaccinated tourists will be allowed to attend the festival.

-The Centre and the Asian Development Bank on Tuesday signed a 4.5 million dollar project readiness financing PRF loan to support project preparation and design activities to improve urban mobility in Aizawl, the capital city of the northeastern state of Mizoram. Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, in the Ministry of Finance Rajat Kumar Mishra signed for the Government of India, while Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission Takeo Konishi signed for ADB. After signing the agreement, Mr Mishra said that the PRF supports the development of long-term solutions to improve urban mobility in Aizawl by identifying high-priority urban transport investments for the ensuing project and enhancing its readiness by supporting due diligence and other preparatory activities.