PIB Summary- 21th April, 2022 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN)

Why in News?
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) flagship Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN (UdeDeshkaAamNagrik) has been awarded Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2020 under the category “Innovation (General) – Central”.

About Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN):
Nodal:  Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA)

• It is an innovative scheme to develop the regional aviation market.
• Objective:
  (i) To create affordable yet economically viable and profitable flights on regional routes so that flying becomes affordable to the common man even in small towns.
  (ii) To stimulate regional air connectivity and making air travel affordable to the masses.
• The scheme envisages providing connectivity to un-served and underserved airports of the country through the revival of existing air-strips and airports. The scheme is operational for a period of 10 years.
• UDAN is a market driven ongoing scheme where bidding rounds are conducted periodically for covering more destinations/stations and routes under the scheme.
• Interested airlines assess the demand on particular routes connecting these airports and submit their proposals at the time of bidding.

UDAN 1.0
Under this phase, 5 airlines companies were awarded 128 flight routes to 70 airports (including 36 newly made operational airports)

UDAN 2.0
In 2018, the Ministry of Civil Aviation announced 73 underserved and unserved airports.
For the first time, helipads were also connected under phase 2 of UDAN scheme.

UDAN 3.0
Key Features of UDAN 3 included:

• Inclusion of Tourism Routes under UDAN 3 in coordination with the Ministry of Tourism.
• Inclusion of Seaplanes for connecting Water Aerodromes.
• Bringing in a number of routes in the North-East Region under the ambit of UDAN.

UDAN 4.0:

• The 4th round of UDAN was launched in December 2019 with a special focus on North-Eastern Regions, Hilly States, and Islands
  (i) The airports that had already been developed by Airports Authority of India (AAI) are given higher priority for the award of VGF (Viability Gap Funding) under the Scheme.
  (ii) Under UDAN 4, the operation of helicopter and seaplanes is also been incorporated.

Green Hydrogen

Why in News?
Oil India Limited (OIL) has taken the first significant step towards Green Hydrogen Economy in India with the commissioning of India’s First 99.999% pure Green Hydrogen pilot plant, with an installed capacity of 10 kg per day at its Jorhat Pump Station in Assam.

About Green Hydrogen

• The technology for green hydrogen is based on the generation of hydrogen through electrolysis.
• It is a universal, light and highly reactive fuel.
• Under this method, electrical current is used to separate the hydrogen from the oxygen in the water.
• In case the electricity is produced through renewable sources of energy, the hydrogen would be green hydrogen. 
• Hydrogen is the most abundant element on earth. Also, the global demand for hydrogen as a fuel has become thrice of what it was in 1975. It is also the only source of energy that only emits water vapour and leaves no residue in the air.
• Hydrogen has been used to fuel cars, airships and spaceships since the beginning of the 19th century. 

Green Hydrogen Advantages

• Hydrogen is a 100 % sustainable source: Green hydrogen does not emit polluting gases in its combustion or production processes.
• Green Hydrogen is a gas and thus would be easily stored. It can be subsequently used for other purposes just following its production.
• It can be easily transformed into electricity or synthetic gas which can then be used for domestic, commercial, industrial purposes.
• Green hydrogen can be mixed with the natural gas, up to a maximum of 20 %. It can also be transported through the same pipes and in the same infrastructure.  

Green Hydrogen Disadvantages

• Renewable sources, which would be used to generate green hydrogen through electrolysis, are extremely expensive currently taking the cost of the whole production to sky heights. 
• The production of green hydrogen requires more energy than other fuels.
• Green hydrogen is an extremely volatile and flammable element.  It needs extensive safety measures to prevent leakage and explosions.

Green Hydrogen Importance

• Hydrogen is being used across the United States, Russia, China, France and Germany. Countries like Japan desire to become a hydrogen economy in future.
• Green hydrogen can in future be used for
  (i) Electricity and drinking water generation, energy storage, transportation etc.
  (ii) Green hydrogen can be used to provide water to the crew members in space stations.
  (iii) Energy storage- Compressed hydrogen tanks can store the energy longer and are easier to handle than lithium-ion batteries as they are lighter.
  (iv) Transport and mobility- Hydrogen can be used in heavy transport, aviation and maritime transport.

NATPOLREX-VIII

Why in News?
Recently, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has conducted the 8th edition of two-day National Level Pollution Response Exercise, ‘NATPOLREX-VIII’, off Mormugao harbour, Goa.

About NATPOLREX-VIII

• The exercise was a two-day event that included a table-top exercise, a pollution response workshop on marine oil and HNS (Hazardous and Noxious Substances) spill, and a sea exercise.
• Various components of the NOSDCP (National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan) were used throughout the exercise to validate and refine contingency plans, as well as assess resource agencies’ and stakeholders’ readiness to respond to any marine spill disaster at sea.
• More than 85 people from 50 agencies are taking part in the exercise, including 29 observers from 22 friendly foreign countries and international organisations, as well as two Coast Guard ships from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Objectives:

• It aims to validate the procedures and guidelines contained in the NOSDCP at the national and regional levels under the aegis of SACEP (South Asian Cooperative for Environment Protection), of which India is a member state
• To improve the preparedness and response capability of all stakeholders in combating marine spills.