By: D.K Choudhary
IMD to Set up Weather Stations in 660 Districts by 2019
i. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has decided to set up weather stations in 660 districts of the country for better and prompt weather forecasting with major focus on rain-fed and non-rain-fed areas to give crop specific advisories
ii. The system would be launched in phased manner. Initially, IMD has planned to set up the system in 130 districts and gradually increase it to 660 by 2019. The plan will be taken at block level after successful functioning at district level.
iii. The IMD has also tied up with the Ministry of Agriculture to use the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in the districts, as weather forecasting observatories.
iv. Weather forecasts will be issued four days a week between Monday to Thursday.
v. Currently, India has weather forecasting system in 130 districts which gives forecasts for a cluster of neighbouring districts.
vi. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciencesof the Government of India responsible for meteorologicalobservations, weather forecasting and seismology.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) :
♦ The India Meteorological Department (IMD), also referred to as the Met Department, is an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India
♦ Formed:1875
♦ Headquarters: Mausam Bhavan, New Delhi
♦ Director : Dr. K.J. Ramesh
Nitin Gadkari Announces to Develop 1,253 km road in Assam as National Highways
i. The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways and Shipping, Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Roadinaugurated a 3-lane Brahmaputra Bridge at Saraighat in Guwahati on January 29, 2017.
ii. As a part of the event, the Minister announced that the government would spend Rs 15,000 crores to develop 1,253 kilometres of roads in Assam into National Highways over the next few years.
iii. Besides, the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) will spend Rs 8,000 crores over the next two years for developing 143 kilometres of road, including a few bridges over Brahmaputra.
iv. The 3-lane Bridge has been developed at a cost of Rs. 475 crore and aims to solve the problem of traffic conjestion at Jalukbari and Amingaon points.
v. The Centre has also increased the roads funds from Rs. 450 crore to Rs. 800 crore.
