29 Oct 2023: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Indian Army and Air Force Contingent Departs for India-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise
2. 16th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference & Exhibition 2023 concludes today

1. Indian Army and Air Force Contingent Departs for India-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise

Syllabus: GS-III, Security

Prelims: KAZIND-2023

Context: Indian Army and Indian Air Force contingent consisting of 120 personnel left for Kazakhstan to participate in the 7th edition of Joint Military Exercise ‘KAZIND-2023’

• The exercise will take place at Otar, Kazakhstan from October 30 to November 11, 2023
• The joint exercise between India and Kazakhstan was initially known as ‘Exercise PRABAL DOSTYK’ in 2016
• The exercise was upgraded to a company-level exercise and renamed ‘Exercise KAZIND’ after the second edition
• This year, the exercise has been further upgraded to a bi-service exercise with the inclusion of an air force component.
• Both sides will practice counter-terrorism operations in a sub-conventional environment under a UN mandate.
• Contingents will jointly rehearse various tactical drills such as raid, search and destroy operations, small team insertion and extraction operations, and counter unmanned aerial system operations.
• ‘Exercise KAZIND-2023’ will enhance the bond between the two armies.

2. 16th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference & Exhibition 2023 concludes today

Prelims: Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference & Exhibition 2023 

Context: The 16th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference & Exhibition 2023 was held in New Delhi.

• The event was organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, through the Institute of Urban Transport (India), and supported by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd.
• The Secretary, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs emphasized the importance of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and discussed the challenges surrounding its implementation.
• He stressed the convenience and efficiency of smart cards as a payment method for commuters and mentioned the government’s efforts to implement the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC).
• Effective fare collection systems were identified as crucial for a viable transport system, and the potential of using nearby real estate to improve the financial viability of transport projects was discussed.
• The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) was addressed, with an emphasis on their role in reducing emissions and the importance of investing in EV infrastructure, especially in urban areas.

Read the previous PIB articles here.