Current Affairs: Passage of the Day - 12 August 2024 | Current Affairs & General Knowledge - CLAT PDF Download

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
“The eight major new railway line route projects approved by the union cabinet include Gunupur-Therubali (New Line), Junagarh-Nabrangpur, Badampahar-Kandujhargarh, Bangriposi-Gorumahisani, Malkangiri-Pandurangapuram (via Bhadrachalam), Buramara-Chakulia, Jalna-Jalgaon, and Bikramshila-Katareah,” he said.
The new line proposals will provide direct connectivity and improve mobility, providing enhanced efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways, a statement issued by the government said.
Vaishnaw said that these projects are in line with PM Modi’s Vision of a New India, which will make people of the region “Atmanirbhar” by way of comprehensive development in the area, which will enhance their employment/self-employment opportunities.
The minister added that these railway routes will not only bring economic benefits but also bring in employment opportunities.
The government said that with these projects, 64 new stations will be constructed, providing enhanced connectivity to six aspirational districts—East Singhbum, Bhadadri Kothagudem, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, and Rayagada—approximately 510 villages and about four million population.
“Ajanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site, will be connected to the Indian Railway Network, facilitating a large number of tourists,” the statement added.
These are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as agriculture products, fertiliser, coal, iron ore, steel, cement, bauxite, limestone, aluminum powder, granite, ballast, containers, etc.
The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 143 MTPA (million tonnes per annum). The railways, being an environment-friendly and energy-efficient mode of transportation, will help both in achieving climate goals and minimizing logistics costs for the country, reduce oil imports (32.20 crore liters), and lower CO2 emissions (0.87 million tonnes), which is equivalent to plantations of 3.5 crore trees.
“We are redeveloping 1,300 stations and adding 5,000 km of tracks every year. PM’s focus is also on manufacturing more than 1,200 locos every year,” said a railway official.
[Excerpt from Hindustan Times “Union Cabinet Approves ₹24,657 Crore Railway Projects for Connectivity” Dated 12/08/24]

Q1: How many new railway projects were approved by the Union Cabinet on August 9, 2024?
(a) Six
(b) Seven
(c) Eight
(d) Nine

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Q2: What is the total investment allocated for the eight new railway projects?
(a) ₹20,000 crore
(b) ₹24,657 crore
(c) ₹30,000 crore
(d) ₹50,000 crore

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Q3: By what year are the new railway projects expected to be completed?
(a) 2027-28
(b) 2028-29
(c) 2029-30
(d) 2030-31

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Q4: Which of the following states is NOT covered by the new railway projects?
(a) Odisha
(b) Maharashtra
(c) Gujarat
(d) West Bengal

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Q5: What is the total length of railway tracks that will be added by these new projects?
(a) 800 kilometers
(b) 850 kilometers
(c) 900 kilometers
(d) 950 kilometers

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