NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI Security: Methamphetamine Trafficker Is Sentenced To More Than 12 Years In Prison

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jesus Manual Hernandez, 33, of Charlotte, was sentenced today to 151 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for trafficking methamphetamine, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

    According to court documents and court proceedings, from March 2021 to September 2022, Hernandez and his co-defendant, Wilber Guadalupe Baldenebro Medina, engaged in conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the greater Charlotte area. Court documents show that during the investigation into Hernandez’s drug distribution activities, law enforcement utilized confidential human sources to purchase more than 2.2 kilograms of methamphetamine. In addition to distributing methamphetamine in Charlotte, court records indicate that Hernandez organized the distribution of 190 grams of fentanyl pills and 198 grams of powder fentanyl in Montgomery, Alabama.

    On November 30, 2023, Hernandez pleaded guilty to methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy and distribution of methamphetamine. He remains in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

    On September 27, 2023, Medina was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.

    In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for their investigation of this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation.

    OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik Lindahl of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.

     

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Services trade growth hits new highs in third quarter of 2024

    Source: World Trade Organization

    The third quarter of 2024 saw services exports rise by 16 per cent in Asia, followed by 8 per cent in Europe, while North America, South and Central America and the Caribbean expanded by 7 per cent. Marked growth was also recorded on imports across regions, reflecting high demand for diverse services.

    Services are the bright spot of trade, with growth of 9 per cent year-on-year in the first three quarters of 2024 (Chart 1). This is in sharp contrast with goods trade, which was up by only 2 per cent over the same period.

    In the third quarter of 2024, transport saw a 14 per cent rise (Chart 1) as shipping rates climbed amid persistent disruptions on major trade routes. Global freight prices were nearly four times higher than in Q3 2023, at about US$ 4,500, according to data from Freightos.

    Asia’s transport services exports increased by 32 per cent, with peaks of 47 per cent in China and 40 per cent in Singapore. Available monthly statistics of leading Asian transport traders point to sustained growth through the end of the year. For example, in the last quarter of 2024, China’s transport exports soared by 50 per cent, reflecting a surge in shipments.

    International travellers’ expenditure in foreign economies increased by 10 per cent in Q3 2024, and in the first three quarters of 2024, global travel receipts were 15 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels. Growth is stabilizing after the post-pandemic surge, and visa-free schemes adopted throughout 2024 by many economies have benefited international tourism worldwide. By the end of 2024, international tourist arrivals had almost reached their 2019 levels, suggesting complete recovery for the sector, according to UN Tourism.

    Travel in 2024 was also boosted by the UEFA European Football Championship in Germany and the Olympics in France, and Europe’s travel exports grew by 7 per cent from an already high base in 2023. Many African economies recorded double-digit growth, including Namibia (+32 per cent), Morocco (+19 per cent) and Tanzania (+18 per cent).

    Other commercial services, a heterogeneous group of services accounting for some 60 per cent of total services trade, expanded on average by 8 per cent in Q3. In the European Union and the United Kingdom, exports in this category increased by 9 per cent, and in the United States by 7 per cent. Double-digit growth was widespread in many economies in different regions. For example, South and Central America and the Caribbean economies saw very high growth rates, including Chile (+32 per cent), Argentina (+26 per cent) and Peru (+17 per cent).

    Digitally deliverable services such as computer, financial, business and insurance services were the main drivers of growth. Computer services continued their impressive rise in January-September 2024, with cumulative exports surging globally by 13 per cent (Chart 2). Rapid growth in computer services exports was recorded both in developed and developing economies, including a sharp increase of 77 per cent in Indonesia and strong growth of 37 per cent in Mauritius and 18 per cent in the United States (Chart 3). According to WTO estimates, the European Union’s exports of computer services grew by 15 per cent year-on-year in the first nine months of 2024, or by 10 per cent if excluding the largest EU exporter, Ireland.

    Companies are increasingly outsourcing information technology (IT) services and software development. The rapid expansion of e-commerce and digital platforms, including in developing economies, has accelerated this process. The growing adoption of AI, such as to develop chatbots, machine learning and predictive analytics, as well as for cybersecurity needs, has further accelerated the global demand for computer services. This trend is expected to persist as businesses adapt to new technologies and consumer preferences for digital solutions.

    Quarterly statistics are estimates as of the time of publication, and subject to frequent revisions. They are available for download at WTO Stats, along with monthly and annual statistics. Annual services trade data and related visualizations can also be accessed at the Global Services Trade Data Hub and at WTO World Trade Statistics 2023.

    Share

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Peters Leads Colleagues in Calling for Reinstatement of Inspectors General Fired by President Trump

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, led a group of 38 colleagues in a letter to President Trump, strongly condemning the President’s recent decision to remove Inspectors General (IGs) from at least 18 government agencies, and demanding their immediate reinstatement. The IGs who were removed included those overseeing the Departments of Defense, State, Education, Transportation, Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Energy, Commerce, Agriculture, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of Personnel Management, the Small Business Administration, and the Social Security Administration, and the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction. In the letter, the senators assert that President Trump’s actions violated the law and threaten the independence of these non-partisan watchdogs. Peters helped lead the Inspector General Independence and Empowerment Act, which was signed into law in 2022 as part of the FY 2023 national defense bill, to require a President to provide a 30-day notice and substantive reasons for removal in writing to Congress before an Inspector General can be removed.  
    “Inspectors General are responsible for providing independent oversight of federal programs by working to root out waste, fraud, and abuse and protect taxpayer dollars – oversight our federal agencies desperately need,” the senators wrote. “The federal government and the American people count on these officials to operate in a professional and non-partisan way to hold our government accountable—regardless of who is in power.  Without strong, qualified, and independent officials to lead these critical efforts, the Administration risks wasting taxpayer dollars, and allowing fraud and misconduct to go unchecked.”  
    “While the President has the authority to remove Inspectors General from office, Congress has established clear requirements to ensure such removals are transparent and are not politicized,” wrote the senators. “With respect to your firings Friday night, Congress has not received either the mandatory 30-day notice or a rationale for their removal.  Because your actions violated the law, these IGs should be reinstated immediately, until such time as you have provided in writing ‘the substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific reasons’ for each of the affected Inspectors General and the 30-day notice period has expired.”    
    In addition to Peters, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Ed Markey (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Jack Reed (D-RI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mark Warner (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Maria Cantwell (D-WA),  Patty Murray (D-WA),  Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and John Fetterman (D-PA). 
    The full text of the letter can be found here and below.  
    Dear Mr. President,  
    Your decision Friday evening to remove Inspectors General (IGs) from at least 18 offices across government—including those overseeing the Departments of Defense, State, Education, Transportation, Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Energy, Commerce, Agriculture, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury, and the Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of Personnel Management, the Small Business Administration, and the Social Security Administration, as well as the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction—does not comply with current law and could do lasting harm to IG independence.  These officials, which include those appointed by Presidents of both parties, including many during your first Administration, collectively conduct oversight of trillions of dollars of federal spending and the conduct of millions of federal employees.  Removing these non-partisan watchdogs without providing a substantive and non-political reason is not lawful, and undermines their independence, jeopardizing their critical mission to identify and root out waste, fraud, and abuse within federal programs. 
    Inspectors General are responsible for providing independent oversight of federal programs by working to root out waste, fraud, and abuse and protect taxpayer dollars – oversight our federal agencies desperately need.  They play a key role in improving government efficiency and effectiveness and have helped identify and recover billions of taxpayer dollars.  IG independence is the foundation of this work, and IGs must be free of political influence so that they can carry out their important mission with integrity and credibility.  The federal government and the American people count on these officials to operate in a professional and non-partisan way to hold our government accountable—regardless of who is in power.  Without strong, qualified, and independent officials to lead these critical efforts, the Administration risks wasting taxpayer dollars, and allowing fraud and misconduct to go unchecked. For example, just this week the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued an unlawful memo directing agencies to pause nearly all federal grants and loans, which significantly disrupts the administration of over a trillion dollars of critical assistance to communities, businesses, and organizations across the country.  It is especially vital to have independent watchdogs at each of these agencies to conduct oversight of the impacts of this unconstitutional and unprecedented directive.     
    While the President has the authority to remove Inspectors General from office, Congress has established clear requirements to ensure such removals are transparent and are not politicized.  The law requires that the President provide a written 30-day notice to both Houses of Congress and include “the substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific reasons for any such removal or transfer.” With respect to your firings Friday night, Congress has not received either the mandatory 30-day notice or a rationale for their removal.  Because your actions violated the law, these Inspectors General should be reinstated immediately, until such time as you have provided in writing “the substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific reasons” for each of the affected Inspectors General and the 30-day notice period has expired.   
    Lastly, if you believe it is necessary to place any of the affected IGs on administrative leave before the 30-day notice period has ended, the law requires that you submit a separate notification to Congress explaining how the IG presents a threat as defined in the Administrative Leave Act. 
    ### 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Joins 28 Colleagues in Demanding Answers and Action from HHS Officials on Disruption to Head Start Programs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joined Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and 27 of their colleagues today in issuing a letter to Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Dorothy A. Fink, M.D., and Acting Director of the Office of Head Start, Captain Tala Hooban, expressing concern about the acute financial impacts and lingering uncertainty faced by Head Start programs across the country as a result of the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) memo that imposed a government-wide hiring freeze.  
    While the White House later clarified that Head Start would not be targeted by the funding freeze and the OMB later rescinded memo, Head Start programs were temporarily unable to access the Payment Management System (PMS) to access their allocated federal funds. As a result, Head Start programs nationwide have not had funding disbursed in a timely manner—imperiling their ability to pay staff and keep educational and child care programs up and running.  
    “Head Start programs cannot pay their teachers and staff and continue normal operations without the assurances of payment processing and notices of grant renewals and awards,” wrote the Senators. “This will impact children, families, and communities across the country, particularly the rural communities where these programs represent a large share of the child care options.” 
    “Even if this issue extends beyond the Office of Head Start, we urge you to do everything in your power to ensure these programs receive transparent and frequent communication on the progress of their funds being released. Head Start programs operate on razor-thin margins and cannot survive without timely intervention. Children, families, employees, and educators all depend on these critical federal funds,” the Senators continued.  
    In addition to Sens. Welch and Kaine, the letter was signed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.),  Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), and Andy Kim (D-N.J.).  
    The full text of the letter is available here and below.  
    Dear Acting Secretary Dr. Fink and Acting Director Captain Hooban: 
    We are writing today to raise ongoing, urgent concerns experienced by Head Start programs in our states and across the country. These concerns include (1) a lack of clarity on the status of renewals and notice of awards in the February 1st grant cycle, (2) delays in processing reimbursements through the Payment Management System (PMS), and (3) a lack of clear communication with grantees throughout this confusing time.  
    We request your immediate action and assurance on the following: 
    All requests for disbursements of funds submitted through PMS to be promptly processed to allow all Head Start programs to draw down federal funds; 
    Programs on the February 1st grant cycle will be notified of their renewal or notice of award before the deadline to ensure no lapse in funding or program operations; and  
    Transparent and consistent communication with Head Start programs to address the ongoing challenges.  
    Since its inception in 1965, Head Start has provided critical early childhood education and comprehensive services to nearly 40 million low-income young children and their families in communities across the nation. Today, Head Start programs are supported by 250,000 staff to serve nearly 800,000 children across the nation. Head Start’s comprehensive services ensure children receive age-appropriate health care, dental care, immunizations, and health insurance, and they provide referrals to other critical services for parents, such as job training, adult education, nutrition services, and housing support. For the last several years, Congress has worked in a bipartisan manner to recognize this longstanding federal program’s important work by providing increased appropriations.  
    Since the morning of Tuesday, January 28th, the Head Start community has faced immense uncertainty and disruptions by the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) memo (M-25-13), directing federal agencies to “temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all federal financial assistance.” While the Trump Administration later clarified that Head Start would not be the target of the funding freeze many Head Start programs across the country were unable to access the PMS to draw down federal funds. PMS was reinstated, but programs across the country have not had funding disbursed in a timely manner. 
    Head Start programs cannot pay their teachers and staff and continue normal operations without the assurances of payment processing and notices of grant renewals and awards. This will impact children, families, and communities across the country, particularly the rural communities where these programs represent a large share of the child care options.  
    Even if this issue extends beyond the Office of Head Start, we urge you to do everything in your power to ensure these programs receive transparent and frequent communication on the progress of their funds being released. Head Start programs operate on razor-thin margins and cannot survive without timely intervention. Children, families, employees, and educators all depend on these critical federal funds.  
    Once these issues are resolved, we request you provide responses to the following questions: 
    What factors contributed to delayed disbursements to Head Start programs through the Payment Management System? What steps will be taken to ensure such delays will not occur in the future? 
    How many Head Start programs were impacted by this delay and what were the immediate consequences on operations and services for children and families? 
    What factors led to the lack of communication about grant renewals and awards for the February 1st cycle? What steps will be taken to ensure timely notices in the future? 
    We thank you for your quick attention to this matter.  
    Sincerely, 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaine Leads Letter to HHS Officials Demanding Answers and Action on Disruption to Head Start Programs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, led a group of his colleagues in issuing a letter to Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services Dorothy A. Fink, M.D. and Acting Director of the Office of Head Start Captain Tala Hooban expressing concern about the acute financial impacts and lingering uncertainty faced by Head Start programs in Virginia and across the country as a result of the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) memo that imposed a government-wide hiring freeze.

    While the White House later clarified that Head Start would not be targeted by the funding freeze and the OMB later rescinded memo, Head Start programs were temporarily unable to access the Payment Management System (PMS) to use their allocated federal funds. As a result, Head Start programs nationwide have not had funding disbursed in a timely manner – imperiling their ability to pay staff and keep educational and child care programs up and running.

    “Head Start programs cannot pay their teachers and staff and continue normal operations without the assurances of payment processing and notices of grant renewals and awards,” wrote the senators. “This will impact children, families, and communities across the country, particularly the rural communities where these programs represent a large share of the child care options.”

    “Even if this issue extends beyond the Office of Head Start, we urge you to do everything in your power to ensure these programs receive transparent and frequent communication on the progress of their funds being released. Head Start programs operate on razor-thin margins and cannot survive without timely intervention. Children, families, employees, and educators all depend on these critical federal funds,” the senators continued.

    In addition to Kaine, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Tina Smith (D-MN), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Richard J. Durbin (D-IL), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Peter Welch (D-VT), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-OR), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and Andy Kim (D-NJ).

    The full text of the letter is available here and below.

    Dear Acting Secretary Dr. Fink and Acting Director Captain Hooban:

    We are writing today to raise ongoing, urgent concerns experienced by Head Start programs in our states and across the country. These concerns include (1) a lack of clarity on the status of renewals and notice of awards in the February 1st grant cycle, (2) delays in processing reimbursements through the Payment Management System (PMS), and (3) a lack of clear communication with grantees throughout this confusing time.

    We request your immediate action and assurance on the following:

    • All requests for disbursements of funds submitted through PMS to be promptly processed to allow all Head Start programs to draw down federal funds;
    • Programs on the February 1st grant cycle will be notified of their renewal or notice of award before the deadline to ensure no lapse in funding or program operations; and
    • Transparent and consistent communication with Head Start programs to address the ongoing challenges.

    Since its inception in 1965, Head Start has provided critical early childhood education and comprehensive services to nearly 40 million low-income young children and their families in communities across the nation. Today, Head Start programs are supported by 250,000 staff to serve nearly 800,000 children across the nation.[1] Head Start’s comprehensive services ensure children receive age-appropriate health care, dental care, immunizations, and health insurance, and they provide referrals to other critical services for parents, such as job training, adult education, nutrition services, and housing support. For the last several years, Congress has worked in a bipartisan manner to recognize this longstanding federal program’s important work by providing increased appropriations.

    Since the morning of Tuesday, January 28th, the Head Start community has faced immense uncertainty and disruptions by the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) memo (M-25-13), directing federal agencies to “temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all federal financial assistance.” While the Trump Administration later clarified that Head Start would not be the target of the funding freeze[2], many Head Start programs across the country were unable to access the PMS to draw down federal funds. PMS was reinstated, but programs across the country have not had funding disbursed in a timely manner.

    Head Start programs cannot pay their teachers and staff and continue normal operations without the assurances of payment processing and notices of grant renewals and awards. This will impact children, families, and communities across the country, particularly the rural communities where these programs represent a large share of the child care options.

    Even if this issue extends beyond the Office of Head Start, we urge you to do everything in your power to ensure these programs receive transparent and frequent communication on the progress of their funds being released. Head Start programs operate on razor-thin margins and cannot survive without timely intervention. Children, families, employees, and educators all depend on these critical federal funds.

    Once these issues are resolved, we request you provide responses to the following questions:

    1. What factors contributed to delayed disbursements to Head Start programs through the Payment Management System? What steps will be taken to ensure such delays will not occur in the future?
    2. How many Head Start programs were impacted by this delay and what were the immediate consequences on operations and services for children and families?
    3. What factors led to the lack of communication about grant renewals and awards for the February 1st cycle? What steps will be taken to ensure timely notices in the future?

    We thank you for your quick attention to this matter.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaine & Heinrich Unveil Legislation to Terminate President Trump’s Sham Energy Emergency

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM), the Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, unveiled legislation to terminate the national energy emergency President Donald Trump declared to benefit Big Oil. The legislation is privileged, meaning that the Republican Senate will be required to vote on this proposal in the next two to three weeks.

    “The United States is producing more energy than at any other point in history. So why would Donald Trump spend his first day in office declaring a national energy emergency, and then halt crucial investments from the Inflation Reduction Act that are creating jobs, lowering energy costs, and supporting American leadership in the clean energy industries of tomorrow?” said Kaine. “Because Trump will do anything for Big Oil. I’m proud to introduce legislation to terminate this sham emergency, which is nothing more than a shameless power grab to suspend environmental regulations and make it easier for massive fossil fuel corporations to take Americans’ private property for their own gain.”

    “While Donald Trump focuses on repaying the corporate polluter executives who donated to his campaign, it is the American people who will pay the price of his sham ‘energy emergency.’ His autocratic and unlawful attacks on clean energy investments will kill American jobs, raise costs on families, weaken our economic competitiveness, and erode American global energy dominance. Trump should end his destructive crusade on clean energy and start putting the interests of working people first,” said Heinrich.

    In the hours following his inauguration on January 20, 2025, President Trump signed a slew of executive orders, including the national energy emergency order, to withdraw support for renewable energy—despite its benefits to America’s economy and environment—and grant his administration new powers to promote fossil fuels at the cost of bedrock environmental laws. Specifically, the emergency will benefit Big Oil by giving his unelected cabinet officials the power to oversee the accelerated approval of fossil fuel projects, including oil drilling rigs and pipelines, and explore the use of eminent domain to take Americans’ land for the “siting, production, transportation, refining, and generation” of non-solar and non-wind-related energy production.

    Full text of the legislation is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Civil Society Organizations Brief the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on the Situation of Women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nepal, Belarus and Luxembourg

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    Committee also Discusses Gender-Inclusive Approaches to Digitisation with the Working Group on Business and Human Rights

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women was this afternoon briefed by representatives of civil society organizations on the situation of women’s rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nepal, Belarus and Luxembourg, the reports of which the Committee will review this week.

    In relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, speakers raised concerns regarding gender-based violence and abuse of internally displaced women and girls in the context of the escalating conflict, and the impact of the withdrawal of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

    On Nepal, speakers addressed discrimination against vulnerable women, including indigenous women and girls, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex women, and women sex workers; anti-discrimination legislation; and the participation of women in political processes.

    Non-governmental organizations speaking on Belarus raised topics including the dissolution of civil society organizations, imprisonment of women human rights defenders, and barriers to access to justice for women.

    Regarding Luxembourg, a speaker raised issues related to a lack of gender sensitive policies and measures to address intersecting forms of discrimination, and the subordination of women through the social system.

    The National Human Rights Commissioner of the Democratic Republic of the Congo spoke on the country, as did the following non-governmental organizations: Centre for Migration, Gender, and Justice; Groupe d’Action pour les Droits de la Femme; and SAVIE ASBL LGBT.

    Regarding Nepal, the following non-governmental organizations spoke: Forum for Women, Law and Development; Feminist Dalit Organization; Nepal Indigenous Women Federation; Sex Workers and Allies South Asia and Team; Campaign for Change, Mitini Nepal, and Intersex Asia; and Visible Impact.

    The following non-governmental organizations spoke on Belarus: Belarusian Helsinki Committee; Human Constanta; Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions; Coalition against gender-based and domestic violence; and Our House.

    A representative of the Consultative Commission of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg on Human Rights spoke on Luxembourg.

    The Committee also held an informal meeting with the Working Group on Business and Human Rights and representatives from civil society and the business sector on “increasing the bottom line through smart, gender-inclusive, rights-focused approaches in digitisation.”

    Opening the meeting, Nahla Haidar, the newly elected Committee Chairperson, said artificial intelligence and digital technologies had revolutionised everyday life and business practices across sectors in ways that were never envisioned in the past.  She called for action to prevent bias and discrimination against women through cyber-enabled modalities; expand women’s economic opportunities in the new digital era; and equip women and girls with necessary skills, capacities and tools to contribute to providing digital solutions.

    In the meeting, speakers discussed topics such as measures to prevent discrimination of women in the private sector, and particularly in the field of technology; measures to promote access to science, technology, engineering and maths education for women; measures to address the impacts of artificial intelligence on women; and measures to protect women’s rights in the energy transition era.

    Committee Experts and members of the Working Group spoke in the meeting, as did representatives of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the World Trade Organization, and various private sector and civil society organizations.

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women’s ninetieth session is being held from 3 to 21 February.  All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage.  Meeting summary releases can be found here.  The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.

    The Committee will next meet in public at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 4 February to consider the report of the Democratic Republic of the Congo submitted under the exceptional reporting procedure (CEDAW/C/COD/EP/1).

    Opening Remarks by the Committee Chair

    NAHLA HAIDAR, Committee Chairperson, said that during each session, the Committee invited national and international non-governmental organizations to informal public meetings to provide specific information on the States parties that were scheduled for consideration by the Committee.  She welcomed the representatives of non-governmental organizations and national human rights institutions that had come to provide information on the States parties whose reports were being considered this week: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nepal, Belarus and Luxembourg.

    Statements by Non-Governmental Organizations from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nepal and Belarus

    Democratic Republic of the Congo

    On the Democratic Republic of the Congo, speakers, among other things, said violence against displaced persons was on the rise in the State.  Gender-based violence, specifically, was rampant, leaving survivors with limited access to justice.  Displaced women had a lack of access to reproductive health care and were giving birth in unsafe conditions.  The economic struggles that displaced women and girls faced were equally alarming.  With scarce income opportunities, many were driven to survival sex, which exposed them to sexual exploitation and abuse.

    The withdrawal of the United Nations Organization Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo raised real concerns.  Plans from national authorities to take on the responsibilities of the Mission remained lacking.  Armed militias and members of the security forces continued to abuse women with impunity.  There were also “tolerance houses” where internally displaced women and girls were sexually abused.  Justice remained inaccessible for most survivors.

    Speakers called on the Government to bolster administrative capacities; ensure the transfer of United Nations facilities to the armed forces; investigate “tolerance houses” and hold perpetrators of gender-based violence criminally liable; control the spread of weapons; and ensure justice and dignity for all women in the State.  Speakers also called for a national migration strategy that was gender-responsive; mechanisms for gender-based violence prevention, mitigation, and response; provision of health services and resources, especially with regards to maternity health, that connected to related concerns such as food insecurity and nutrition; and programmes to expand livelihood provisions that supported displaced women and girls.

    Nepal

    Speakers said Nepal had yet to enact a robust anti-discrimination law, making women more vulnerable to abuse. There was a need to criminalise discrimination against women and eliminate all discriminatory legal provisions against them.  The State party also needed to allocate sufficient human and financial resources to public bodies working on women’s rights.  Appropriate support needed to be provided to women victims of violence.

    Fifteen per cent of Nepal’s population of women faced multiple forms of discrimination; many women faced social exclusion and violence.  Some girls did not report crimes due to a lack of trust in the justice system.

    Nepal needed to amend the Constitution to address historical discrimination of indigenous women and to recognise the customary laws of indigenous people.  The Government needed to amend the act on the rights of persons with disabilities to address the rights of indigenous women with disabilities. Access to justice needed to be promoted for indigenous women and women with disabilities.

    Nepal had failed to ratify the Palermo Protocol, and human trafficking and sex work were treated as the same in the country.  Sex workers faced various forms of discrimination and violence.  Nepal’s legislation had a direct impact on sex workers’ access to citizenship.  Legislation on trafficking in persons needed to be amended to differentiate between trafficking and sex work.  The Government also needed to facilitate sex workers’ access to citizenship and promote awareness raising campaigns on the rights of sex workers.

    Lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex girls faced harmful treatment and violence, and systematic discrimination in education and healthcare in Nepal, and the Government had failed to act in response.  The Government needed to ensure such women could access single women’s allowances, redefine marriage to include gender-free terminology, and support this group’s access to rights.

    Education on sexual and reproductive health remained optional and inadequate in Nepal.  It needed to be made compulsory.  Legislation needed to be amended to fully decriminalise abortion, particularly abortions in cases of rape.  The State also needed to amend legislation to include sexual and reproductive health and rights and sensitise health care providers and community members on safe births.  It further needed to decriminalise sexual relations between consenting adolescents under the age of 18.

    The meaningful participation of women in political processes was lacking; many women politicians faced violence. Nepal needed to investigate historic violence against marginalised women, collect disaggregated data on women, enhance women’s leadership capacities, take measures to eliminate discrimination against marginalised women and girls, and provide quality health services to all women and girls, particularly indigenous women, at a minimal cost.

    Belarus

    Speakers on Belarus said the Constitution did not provide effective protection against discrimination. Women’s rights to education and health care were limited. Belarus had institutionalised discriminatory food provisions; women and girls were not able to access fruit and nuts, leading to long-term health risks.

    Access to justice for women was undermined by the persistent persecution of women human rights defenders.  Women activists had been falsely labelled as terrorists despite their peaceful actions.  The State had systematically dissolved various civil society organizations, including many that supported women.  Almost 2,000 non-governmental organizations had been forced to liquidate. All women’s organizations that had prepared shadow reports to the Committee for the last review had been liquidated.  It was immensely difficult to find legal assistance due to the political suppression of lawyers.  In 2022, the Government had forcibly liquidated all trade unions.  Six women trade union activists remained in prisons.

    At least 139 women were political prisoners in Belarus.  They lacked access to healthcare and were persistently ill-treated. Imprisoned women faced forced labour and modern forms of slavery.  If women refused to work, they were put in “cages of shame” and forced to stand outside for several hours.  Women prisoners earned between five and 10 euros per month and faced harsh penalties for not meeting quotas.

    When domestic violence cases were reported to police, police screened the political activities of the victim rather than provide support.  Victims and aggressors were invited together to meetings with authorities, promoting impunity.

    Women migrants were vulnerable to trafficking and violence.  Domestic violence was not a ground for asylum in Belarus. 

    Luxembourg

    No non-governmental organizations spoke on the situation of women in Luxembourg.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said that there were many laws and policies for women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but there was weak implementation.  How was the transitional justice policy being implemented for women? Was there a plan to promote the security of women and girls in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

    The Expert shared the non-governmental organizations’ concern regarding the suppression of civil society in Belarus. Were there plans to update the national action plan on human rights in Belarus, and were there plans to establish a national human rights institution?

    Another Expert asked about anti-trafficking activities being carried out in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. To what extent were women represented in local governments and decision-making bodies in Nepal?

    One Committee Expert asked about financial resources devoted to implementing the national gender equality plan in Nepal.  What were areas of concern related to sexual and reproductive health services in Belarus?

    A Committee Expert asked about problems regarding access to justice for Dalit women in Nepal.  How common was the dowry custom in Nepal?  Why was the dowry for younger women and girls lower?

    Another Committee Expert asked if the Democratic Republic of the Congo had laws on the accountability of military personnel and contractors involved in violence against women.  What social protection system and benefits did Belarus have for women and girls?

    One Committee Expert asked about legal provisions that needed to be challenged.  What needed to be done to educate girls and society about the harms of the kumari practice in Nepal, which isolated girls from their community?

    A Committee Expert called for information on the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s national action plan on the development of the security forces.  What action had been taken to dismantle non-governmental armed groups in the east?  Was it still possible for non-governmental organizations in Belarus to protect women and interact with the Government?

    Responses by Non-Governmental Organizations

    Nepal

    Responding to questions on Nepal, speakers said there was a very low percentage of women in federal and provincial decision-making bodies in Nepal, and an even lower percentage of Dalit women. There needed to be increased representation of women in these bodies.  There were several laws that directly discriminated against women, including laws on legal residences, which considered women and girls’ residences as those of their husbands and fathers.  Divorced women lost their property rights.  It was prohibited to oppose gender biases in cultural and social practices.  Nepal’s laws did not recognise lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex women as minorities; this needed to be done.

    In Nepal, the parents of women paid dowries, and less dowry was paid for younger women.  Dowry payments were most prevalent in the south of the country. The Criminal Code criminalised this practice, but it still existed.

    Sexual and reproductive health education was part of the school curriculum but was no longer a compulsory subject.  There were also gaps in sexual and reproductive health legislation, with many marginalised women not able to access sexual and reproductive health services.

    Dalit women and other marginalised women could not easily access the justice system.  They were not made aware of where and how to access justice and faced violence and discrimination from the police because of their identity.

    Belarus

    Responding to questions on Belarus, speakers said Belarus’ Gender Equality Council did not include non-governmental organizations working on human rights and gender equality.  Belarus’ legislation on incitement to hatred was used to oppress women human rights defenders.  One such woman had been imprisoned for seven years under this legislation.  Raids, inspections and blocking of websites were tools used by the Government to restrict the activities of civil society organizations.

    Statements by National Human Rights Institutions

    Democratic Republic of the Congo

    GISÈLE KAPINGA NTUMBA, National Human Rights Commissioner of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said the Democratic Republic of the Congo was going through one of its darkest times in recent history, marked by the invasion of the M23 rebels in the east of the country, which was facing a protracted, violent crisis.  Many women and girls had been displaced and were facing heightened risks of sexual violence and rape.  The National Human Rights Commission had conducted investigations into sexual violence linked to conflict, engaging with competent institutions to address this problem and combat impunity.

    The Commission welcomed that the Government had implemented several measures to protect women and girls from sexual and gender-based violence, including a law criminalising such violence and enshrining access to justice for victims.  However, there was still a long way to go until these measures could effectively protect civilians from sexual and gender-based violence.  The number of internally displaced persons continued to grow, and there had been many cases of rape reported.  There needed to be increased funds to limit the circulation of small arms and light weapons, build new camps, and increase humanitarian aid for internally displaced persons.  Care for victims of sexual and gender-based violence needed to be given by trained professionals.

    The national fund for compensation for the victims of gender-based violence had helped victims to access care. The Commission also welcomed the organisation of travelling courts to combat impunity.  The Government needed to restore peace in the east and take steps to protect civilians from gender-based violence, and provide internally displaced persons with adequate aid.  Armed groups needed to respect the rules of international humanitarian law and implement an immediate ceasefire.  The international community needed to promote peace by adopting sanctions against M23 and other armed groups.

    Luxembourg

    LAURA CAROCHA, Human and Social Sciences Expert, Commission consultative des Droits de l’Homme du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg [Consultative Commission of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg on Human Rights], welcomed the efforts made by Luxembourg to combat discrimination against women since the last report, while noting persistent shortcomings, including a social system that kept women in a subordinate position to men.  Luxembourg’s policy favoured a “neutral” approach that was not gender sensitive.  Ms. Carocha urged politicians to openly acknowledge this systemic patriarchal domination and to make the deconstruction of this mechanism a priority.  To this end, it was imperative that the Government finally implemented the principle of gender mainstreaming in a cross-cutting manner in all its policies. 

    Luxembourg’s equality efforts lacked an intersectional approach and the Government rarely addressed multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination.  Disability was conspicuously absent from the National Action Plan for Equality between Women and Men, while the gender dimension was neglected in the National Action Plan on Disability.  It was essential to have detailed data, disaggregated by gender, age, ethnicity, disability and education level, to better understand and address the different forms of discrimination that women faced.  The Government also needed to impose concrete actions on companies, municipalities and administrations in terms of gender equality and the fight against discrimination against women.

    All actions taken in the fight against discrimination against women needed to be carried out in close collaboration with civil society.  This cooperation needed to be translated into lasting partnerships and political will to ensure that the contributions of civil society were seriously considered in the decision-making process.

    Ms. Carocha concluded by calling for the recognition of multiple forms of discrimination, and a proactive and participatory response from the Government to gender inequalities rooted in societal dynamics.  This meant adopting structural solutions that addressed the root causes of discrimination.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert offered condolences to the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including families of civilians who had lost their lives. What did the National Human Rights Commission wish the Committee to highlight in the dialogue with the State party?

    Another Committee Expert asked about measures to prevent conflict-related gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

    One Committee Expert asked if humanitarian aid groups were able to access Goma and deliver food, health and menstrual products?

    A Committee Expert expressed concern regarding the lack of participation from women’s organizations from Luxembourg in the dialogue.  What progress had been made in reforming the Constitution?  Was there an initiative to amend the timeframe for authorising abortions in the State?  The State party did not publish data broken down by origin.  Could data be provided on migrant workers in Luxembourg?

    Another Committee Expert asked about Luxembourg’s process for identifying stateless persons.

    Responses by National Human Rights Institutions

    GISÈLE KAPINGA NTUMBA, National Human Rights Commissioner of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said that in Goma, people in displacement camps had been bombarded.  They had no power and no water, and the Rwandese army was on its way in. The international community needed to assist the Democratic Republic of the Congo in creating humanitarian corridors to assist internally displaced persons fleeing the region.  The State had approved laws and measures on preventing sexual violence, but implementing these was a challenge, particularly in regions where the Government did not have control.  In the dialogue, the Committee needed to ask the Government to choose diplomacy over other means, as the population was dying for nothing. Those involved in the conflict needed to be prosecuted.  The international community needed to condemn the situation in the east and promote diplomacy.

    Meeting with the Working Group on Business and Human Rights

    Statements

    ANDREA ORI, Director, Groups in Focus Section, Human Rights Treaties Branch, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that the meeting would address the nexus between business and human rights, and gender and digital technologies. Cooperation and practices in digital fields needed to not perpetrate discrimination against women.  There was room for improvement on measures addressing gender discrimination in the workplace, representation of women in leadership positions, workplace harassment, and labour rights for women. Women were over-represented in low-paying jobs.  Stereotypes hindered women’s access to finance and investments, and women had less access to technology and digital services.  Today’s discussion would focus on enhancing the promotion and protection of women.

    NAHLA HAIDAR, Committee Chairperson, said artificial intelligence and digital technologies had revolutionised everyday life and business practices across sectors in ways that were never envisioned in the past.  Strategic, innovative modalities to better safeguard the rights of women and girls called for partnerships, joint approaches and harmonised frameworks.  Women needed to be engaged in digital developments from the beginning.  States needed to avoid the re-inventing of stereotypes, bias and discrimination and the perpetuation of violence against women through cyber-enabled modalities; safeguard women’s livelihoods and expand economic opportunities in the new digital era for them; and equip women and girls with necessary skills, capacities and tools to contribute to providing digital solutions.

    This briefing was anticipated to be the first in a series of collaborative efforts to address substantive issues on women’s economic rights in a digital world based on the provisions of the Convention.  Business and human rights principles and the jurisprudence of the Committee and standards could be systematically deployed to uphold and respond to women’s rights protection and economic empowerment, particularly through inclusive digital technologies.

    Sadly, gender equality had often been constrained by interpretations outside the text of the Convention, resulting in persistent gender gaps and disparities.  Critical partnerships would enable the Committee to explore a collaborative and coordinated approach for bridging digital gender inequalities to create a more inclusive and equitable digital future for women and girls, one that was not only free of all forms of violence but also offered them equal opportunities to access and utilise digital technologies to boost their livelihoods and human capital assets.

    LYRA JAKULEVIČIENĖ, Chairperson of the Working Group on Business and Human Rights, said that this year, the Working Group was preparing a report on the use of artificial intelligence in businesses and its human rights impacts.  It focused on the deployment of artificial intelligence technologies and procurement by States and businesses, looking at biases and other issues.  The use of artificial intelligence and other technologies had many benefits and but also created concerns, including related to gender, and these would be captured in the report.  Synergy with the Committee would help both bodies to advance their agendas and strengthen the global protection of human rights, particularly for vulnerable women and girls.

    ESTHER EGHOBAMIEN-MSHELIA, Committee Expert, said 300 million fewer women than men had access to mobile internet globally.  Although about a third of small and medium enterprises were owned by women, women were under-represented in discussions on the global value chain.  States needed to focus on the energy transition and artificial intelligence technologies, as if they did not address issues in these fields, the gender gaps would widen.

    FERNANDA HOPENHAYM, Gender Focal Point of the Working Group on Business and Human Rights, said the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights had a cross-cutting gender perspective, and this needed to be addressed by States and businesses.  The Guiding Principles said that States needed to include a gender perspective in all policies on business and human rights.  It also called on businesses to respect human rights and to implement measures promoting diversity and inclusion.  Women needed to be able to access remedies in cases in which their rights were violated.  Technologies needed to be gender sensitive, responsive and transformative.

    Panel Discussion

    In the ensuing discussion, speakers, among other things, said women faced many barriers to accessing the labour market; these needed to be addressed.  Countries needed to change company cultures to address discrimination against women employees, and promote diversity and family-friendly policies.  Businesses needed to consider documents outlining the rights of women and girls, such as the Convention, and use tools to assess the effectiveness of gender equality measures.  They also needed to create an enabling environment for women.  Another key requirement was to conduct human rights due diligence with a gender lens.

    Some speakers expressed concerns related to discrimination against women in the technology sector.  Many companies lacked a gender lens when assessing their value chains and were not carrying out gender-related due diligence.  There was evidence of disproportionate harm to non-binary women and the targeting of women human rights defenders online.  Companies were actively amplifying gender biases.  The Committee and the Working Group needed to work with civil society and to call out companies by name when they violated human rights.  They also needed to promote corporate accountability and prevent regression.

    Speakers presented measures to change cultural mindsets to support women to succeed professionally; to promote a healthy work-life balance for women; to raise awareness of women’s rights among businesses; and to develop rules and tools to protect women and girls on social media platforms.

    Some speakers said technology could allow for greater access to education for women and girls, so women needed increased access to it.  One speaker said girls had less opportunities to study in fields such as programming and robotics.  With simple reforms and measures encouraging participation, more and more women and girls would choose information technology as a profession, they said.

    Some speakers expressed concerns that artificial intelligence technology was not sufficiently regulated.  It was possible for artificial intelligence systems to learn and reproduce societal biases and there were also privacy concerns regarding the data that these systems used.  One speaker presented efforts to eliminate biases in artificial intelligence systems and to develop tools to ensure that such systems respected human rights.

    One speaker called for respect for women’s rights in the energy transition.  Women had strong roles to play in preventing child labour in the energy sector and supporting children’s access to education.  Businesses needed to ensure women’s experiences were incorporated in energy transition programmes, and to finance science, technology, engineering and maths education programmes for women, speakers said.

    ________

    CEDAW.25.002E

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the information media; not an official record.

    English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom proclaims Black History Month 2025

    Source: US State of California 2

    Feb 3, 2025

    Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring February 2025 as Black History Month.
    The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below:

    PROCLAMATION

    This month, we pay homage to the rich history and contributions of Black Americans who have shaped our state and nation in countless ways through centuries of struggle and triumph. First proposed by scholar Carter G. Woodson in 1926, Black History Month lifts up the Black experience in a fuller telling of America’s story, and selects a theme to highlight facets of history that merit particular attention. 
     
    This year’s theme, Black Americans and labor, examines the intersection of employment and work with the Black American experience. From the atrocity of slavery to the rich legacy of Black entrepreneurship, the profound impact of Black labor in building and shaping our nation cannot be overstated.
     
    American and Californian history has no shortage of Black business owners, labor leaders, CEOs, workers, and more. From the first years of California’s statehood, we have been home to changemakers like Mary Ellen Pleasant, one of the first self-made Black millionaires in the country, who owned numerous businesses and used her money to help fund the Underground Railroad and other abolition work.
     
    Black communities and businesses have flourished throughout California. Altadena became the special community it is, home to a thriving middle-class community of professionals familiar with shattering glass ceilings. With twice the national Black homeownership rate, Altadena is home to scores of generational wealth and wide-reaching, beloved businesses. And as Altadena recovers from the devastation of the Eaton fires, we recognize, as a state, our responsibility to help support that recovery.
     
    Black Americans have always contributed to our shared communities, our state, and our nation. In every role, from labor leaders to essential workers to CEOs, Black Californians have helped make this state the fifth-largest economy in the world, a leader in workers’ rights, and a state that stands for and supports workers and work across the board.
     
    During Black History Month, let us reflect on our shared history, and draw inspiration from the progress made as we continue together on the path toward equality, liberty, and opportunity for all.
     
    NOW THEREFORE I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim February 2025, as “Black History Month.”

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 3rd day of February 2025.

    GAVIN NEWSOM
    Governor of California

    ATTEST:
    SHIRLEY N. WEBER, Ph.D.
    Secretary of State

    Recent news

    Feb 2, 2025

    News What you need to know: At Governor Gavin Newsom’s directive, crews have been working around the clock to install nearly 60 miles of emergency protective materials in the recent Los Angeles-area burn scars. Los Angeles, California – As another storm system is…

    Feb 1, 2025

    News LOS ANGELES — As recovery efforts continue in the wake of the early January firestorm, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the deployment of additional state law enforcement resources to help Los Angeles maintain checkpoints and keep the Pacific Palisades…

    Feb 1, 2025

    News What you need to know: At the direction of Governor Newsom, the state is augmenting flood fighting and swift water resources across Northern and Central California to protect communities from the significant wet weather event expected through the upcoming days….

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: State Accounting Department transitions to renewable energy equipment

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    State Accounting Department transitions to renewable energy equipment

    Posted on Feb 3, 2025 in Main

    HONOLULU – The state is investing in more green-energy lawnmowers to maintain its greens. The Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) is concluding a trial period using an electric lawnmower and has decided to move forward with obtaining more electric lawnmowers as the need arises, to replace an aging fleet.

    “This is in line with Hawai‘i’s commitment to achieve the nation’s first-ever 100 percent renewable portfolio standards (RPS), as stated in The Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative,” said Governor Josh Green, M.D. On Tuesday, Governor Green outlined new policy objectives and directives for the state of Hawaiʻi, including accelerating renewable development for neighbor island communities to hit 100% renewable portfolio standards from 2045 to 2035, setting a statewide goal of 50,000 distributed renewable energy installations (such as rooftop solar and battery systems) by 2030, and directing state departments to streamline and accelerate the permitting of renewable developments to reduce energy costs and project development timelines.

    In March 2024, DAGS’ Central Services Division (CSD) leased-to-own its first battery-powered mower. DAGS Director and Comptroller Keith Regan said, “It’s faster, quieter and more economical. By leasing the vehicle, we are given a free loaner if it breaks. Therefore, we don’t lose productivity waiting for a mower to be fixed.”

    CSD’s Grounds Maintenance Program services 115 sites across 98 acres statewide, including public office buildings, libraries, health centers and civic centers. CSD owns three diesel-powered mowers and two gas-powered mowers.

    It costs about $800 a month to power a gas mower compared to $260 for an electric one. Administrator James Kurata estimates this saves the state about $6,500 a year. He added, “We’re pleased to be part of the solution to reduce our dependency on oil.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DAGS VNR: STATE ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT TRANSITIONS TO RENEWABLE ENERGY EQUIPMENT

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    DAGS VNR: STATE ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT TRANSITIONS TO RENEWABLE ENERGY EQUIPMENT

    Posted on Feb 3, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

     

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES

    KA ʻOIHANA LOIHELU A LAWELAWE LAULĀ

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

    KE KIAʻĀINA

     

    KEITH A. REGAN

    COMPTROLLER

    KA LUNA HOʻOMALU HANA LAULĀ

     

    MEOH-LENG SILLIMAN

    DEPUTY COMPTROLLER

    KA HOPE LUNA HOʻOMALU HANA LAULĀ

     

    STATE ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT TRANSITIONS TO RENEWABLE ENERGY EQUIPMENT

    The Move Aligns with the Governor’s Goal to Achieve 100% Clean Energy

     

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Feb. 1, 2025

     

    HONOLULU — The state is investing in more green-energy lawnmowers to maintain its greens. The Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) is concluding a trial period using an electric lawnmower and has decided to move forward with obtaining more electric lawnmowers as the need arises, to replace an aging fleet.

     

    “This is in line with Hawai‘i’s commitment to achieve the nation’s first-ever 100 percent renewable portfolio standards (RPS), as stated in The Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative ,” said Governor Josh Green, M.D. On Tuesday, Governor Green outlined new policy objectives and directives for the state of Hawaiʻi, including accelerating renewable development for neighbor island communities to hit 100% renewable portfolio standards from 2045 to 2035, setting a statewide goal of 50,000 distributed renewable energy installations (such as rooftop solar and battery systems) by 2030, and directing state departments to streamline and accelerate the permitting of renewable developments to reduce energy costs and project development timelines.

     

    In March 2024, DAGS’ Central Services Division (CSD) leased-to-own its first battery-powered mower. DAGS Director and Comptroller Keith Regan said, “It’s faster, quieter and more economical. By leasing the vehicle, we are given a free loaner if it breaks. Therefore, we don’t lose productivity waiting for a mower to be fixed.”

     

    CSD’s Grounds Maintenance Program services 115 sites across 98 acres statewide, including public office buildings, libraries, health centers and civic centers. CSD owns three diesel-powered mowers and two gas-powered mowers.

     

    It costs about $800 a month to power a gas mower compared to $260 for an electric one. Administrator James Kurata estimates this saves the state about $6,500 a year. He added, “We’re pleased to be part of the solution to reduce our dependency on oil.”

     

    RESOURCES

    (Image courtesy: DAGS)

    https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/j4kg2i77h8u9cuylnrod8/ACPFQWK2a73-rTj5sS3DQ1o?rlkey=gvqhg1uj01uvgc5y773lddba5&st=10j9j0fs&dl=0

     

    (3 soundbites, b roll, stills for web, script)

    # # #

     

    DAGS’s electric lawnmowers

    Script and tease

     

    VO SOT:

    CG: More electric lawnmowers for State/ Honolulu

     

    The State is investing in more green-energy lawnmowers to maintain its greens. The Department of Accounting and General Services or “Dags” (said like one word) is ending a nearly one-year trial period using an electric lawnmower. It has decided to move forward with leasing more battery-powered mowers, to replace its aging fleet.

    This supports the Governor’s renewable energy policy. On Tuesday, Governor Green set new objectives for the state, including accelerating 100% renewable energy goals for neighbor islands– TEN years earlier, by 2035.

    DAGS cuts the grass at 115 sites across 98 acres statewide.

     

     

    “SOT Keith Regan” KEITH REGAN/ DAGS DIRECTOR AND COMPTROLLER

    0:15 We’re investing in electric mowers because we are trying to go green with the way we’re operating our equipment, and this is a good opportunity for us to leverage existing or new technology. 25

     

    “SOT James Kurata” JAMES KURATA/ DAGS CENTRAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR

    0:41We like it because it’s one, it’s quieter. It, it, it’s in line with the state’s initiative for greening or green initiatives to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, it reduces our maintenance costs with less moving or less moving parts. 0:59

     

     

    TRAILING VO

    It costs about $800 a month to power a gas mower- compared to $260 for an electric one. Kurata (koo-ROT-ah) estimates this saves the State about $6,500 a year.

     

     

    TEASE:

    “SOT Keith Regan” KEITH REGAN/ DAGS DIRECTOR AND COMPTROLLER

    1:06 these mowers are clean, quiet, and effective.

    IT’S ELECTRIC! THE STATE’S MAKING THE SWITCH TO BATTERY-POWERED LAWNMOWERS. WHY IT’S GOOD FOR YOUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS. THAT’S NEXT.

     

    Diane Ako | Communications Officer

    Office of the Comptroller

    State Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS)

    Kalanimoku Building – 1151 Punchbowl Street #412

    Honolulu, HI 96813

    [email protected]

    Cell: 808-764-7256

    Desk: 808-586-0404

    Fax: 808-586-0775

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Syria, Israel, DRC – Press Conference | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Press conference by Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, on the Middle East and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

    ———————————

    The Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix said, the fall of the Assad government in Syria and the “entry, presence and activities” of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in the area of separation, “has made it particularly challenging” for the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) and the Observer Group Golan (OGG).

    Briefing journalists in New York upon visiting Syria and Israel, Lacroix said, “I obviously reiterated our concern about the presence of the IDF in the area of separation. It’s clearly a violation of the 1974 agreement between Israel and Syria. I also indicated that UNDOF had received a number of complaints from the local inhabitants of particularly in the centre of the area of operations. And we, expressed the importance of addressing these concerns.”

    He said he had conveyed a message to both the Israeli government and Syria’s caretaker government, “to fully facilitate UNDOF’s mandated activities, including inspections in the respective, areas of limitation that are adjacent to the area of separation, ensure freedom of movement to UN personnel.”

    Turning to the DRC, Lacroix said, “the situation remains tense and volatile, with occasional shooting continuing within the city.”

    He said the UN Mission in the country’s (MONUSCO’s) positions “were again resupplied, which is critically important because in those positions, we do not only have MONUSCO personnel, but we have also, significant number of people basically, who have been seeking shelter in those bases.”

    The airport’s runways, the peacekeeping Chief noted, “is currently not operable” as it has “sustained significant damages in the recent fighting, and we cannot use it for now.”

    Lacroix underlined that “MONUSCO bases are under stress, but also in some cases, they have been under threat in terms of, you know, the presence of, disarmed FRDC soldiers. And I want to really again call for the respect, the full respect, of the inviolability of our UN premises.”

    He said, “we are concerned not only as far as the eastern DRC is concerned, but this has if you look at the past, some of this has the potential of triggering a wider regional conflict and therefore it is of the utmost important that all diplomatic efforts should be geared to avoiding this and bringing about this decision of hostilities.”

    Lacroix said, the rebel group M23 and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) militias “are about 60km, north of, Bukavu; seem to be moving quite fast. There is an airport, in the vicinity of where they are, I think, a few kilometres south, which is Kavumu.”

    He noted that Secretary-General António Guterres has spoken to Rwandan President Paul Kagame as well as Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi emphasising the importance of the protection of civilians and the safety and security of UN personnel.

    He said, I think, “the protection of respect to the safety and security of UN personnel, is an international obligation for all member states. And that applies to Rwanda, that applies to all.”

    Humanitarian organizations in Goma continue to assess the impact of the crisis, including the widespread looting of warehouses and the offices of aid organizations.

    The World Health Organization and partners conducted an assessment with the Government between 26 to 29 January and reported that 700 people have been killed and 2,800 people injured and that are receiving treatment in health facilities. These numbers are expected to rise as more information becomes available.

    In Goma itself, access to safe drinking water remains cut off, forcing people to rely on untreated water from Lake Kivu. Without urgent action, OCHA cautions that the risk of waterborne disease outbreaks will just continue to increase.

    For its part, the International Organization for Migration says today that several displacement sites, including on the outskirts of Goma – where over 300,000 have been displaced have been partially or completely emptied.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPjixm2GCPM

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Senator Luján in the News Standing Up for New Mexicans, Holding the Trump Administration Accountable for Chaos and Confusion

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)

    Washington, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) has been actively engaging in critical Senate hearings, holding nominees accountable to protect essential services and programs for New Mexicans and every American. Throughout these hearings, Senator Luján has emphasized the importance of nominees serving the public interest, rather than furthering political agendas.

    As a member of the Senate Committee on Finance, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, Transportation, and the Senate Committee on the Budget, Senator Luján has been at the forefront of pressing key nominees on their positions on working for the American people and upholding the law.

    RFK Jr. Confirmation Hearing

    In the nomination hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to become Secretary of Health and Human Services, Senator Lujánquestioned Mr. Kennedy on his understanding of the importance of Medicaid and pressed Mr. Kennedy for his commitment to protect Medicaid from cuts. Mr. Kennedy did not commit to not cutting Medicaid if asked to by the President.

    • NBC News – It’s ‘clear’ that RFK Jr. would be a ‘rubber stamp’ on Trump’s policy decisions: Democratic senator.

    Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joins Meet the Press NOW after pressing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during his Senate confirmation hearing to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

    • US News & World Report – 5 Key Takeaways From RFK Jr.’s First Senate Confirmation Hearing

    Kennedy Struggles on Medicare and Medicaid Questions: “President Trump has asked me to make it work better,” Kennedy said. “Most Americans are not happy with it. The premiums are too high, the deductibles are too high, and everybody’s getting sick or too much money is going to the insurance industry.” Democratic Sen. Ben Luján of New Mexico responded by citing statistics from state polling showing high levels of satisfaction with Medicaid.

    • Reuters – Kennedy says he will finalize rules that increase diversity in clinical trials

    Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the top U.S. health agency, told U.S. senators during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday that he would finalize regulations aimed at increasing the participation of diverse patient populations in clinical trials. Asked by Democratic Senator Ben Ray Lujan whether he would commit to finalizing the guidance on clinical trial diversity mandated by Congress, Kennedy replied, “Yes.”

    • The Daily Beast – RFK Jr. Completely Fumbles Basic Facts in Confirmation Hearing

    Kennedy also missed big when Sen. Ben Ray Lujánasked him to estimate how many babies are born in the U.S. each year on Medicaid. Kennedy, after conceding he had no clue, estimated 30 million. That is about eight times more than the overall number of births the U.S. had in total in 2023. About 1.4 million of those were on Medicaid, Luján informed Kennedy.

    Howard Lutnick Confirmation Hearing

    In the nomination hearing for Howard Lutnick to become Secretary of Commerce, Senator Luján questioned Mr. Lutnick on whether he would commit to not cutting funding that has been awarded to connect thousands of New Mexicans to the internet. Despite Mr. Lutnick’s acknowledgement of the importance of broadband buildout, he would not commit to maintaining crucial support for broadband.  

    • NPR – Trump’s pick for Commerce Secretary is Howard Lutnick. Here’s what to know

    Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., asked: “If President Trump asks you to cut infrastructure funding as passed by this Congress in a bipartisan way … will you oppose that?” “I work for the president,” Lutnick said.

    • Roll Call – Commerce pick Lutnick defends tariffs, funding freeze

    Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., tried to pin Lutnick down on whether he would withdraw funding allocated by law if Trump asked him to. “I work for the President of the United States, and I’m here to execute his policies,” Lutnick said. “I think he agrees that broadband internet to America is important and that, efficiently, we deliver.” “I’ll slow down — if the President asked you to cut an infrastructure program, would you cut the program?” Luján asked. “We have a responsibility to communicate to each other for the people that we work for, it’s not just that you work for Donald Trump, sir. You work for the American people if you get this position.”

    • Politico – Frustration over Trump funding freeze dominates Lutnick confirmation hearing

    Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) asked him if he’d stop infrastructure money passed by Congress if he was ordered to. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) pressed if he would heed an unconstitutional order from Trump.“We’re asking simple questions. We had an incredible conversation in the office … a very respectful one,” a visibly frustrated Luján said. “It’s not just that you work for Donald Trump. Sir, you work for the American people.”

    Russel Vought’s Chaos and Confusion

    Senator Luján was joined by Budget Committee Ranking Member Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), along with Budget Committee Democrats, to call out the threat of Russell Vought’s nomination to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Russell Vought would add to the Trump administration’s unprecedented chaos and confusion. Reporting shows that he worked behind the scenes to orchestrate the halt to all federal funding including grants and loans, upending trillions of dollars and creating cruel and unnecessary chaos for childcare centers, firefighters, domestic violence shelters, law enforcement, health care providers, seniors and veterans, and American families.

    • Roll Call – Vought nomination advances despite Democrats’ boycott

    Senate Budget Committee Republicans approved Russ Vought’s nomination to serve as President Donald Trump’s budget director on Thursday, overcoming the absence of Democrats on the panel who boycotted the markup.

    • Albuquerque Journal – Senate Democrats boycott Trump’s budget office director pick in wake of attempted funding freeze

    After an attempt this week by President Donald Trump’s budget office to freeze federal funding to determine if it aligned ideologically with his priorities, Senate Democrats, including Sen. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico, boycotted a budget committee vote for the president’s budget office pick, Russell Vought. Although the OMB memo has been rescinded, White House officials have said Trump’s executive order related to the Monday memo is still in effect, causing “more confusion, more chaos,” Luján said.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Mahakumbh 2025: Millions of Devotees take the Holy Dip at Triveni Sangam, during the Third Amrit Snan held on Basant Panchami

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 9:40PM by PIB Delhi

    The third Amrit Snan on the occasion of Basant Panchami was successfully completed during the Mahakumbh 2025, at Prayagraj. Millions of devotees took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam. The Kumbh Mela showcases not only faith, trust, and devotion but also unity, equality, and cultural diversity in its purest form.

     

    According to statistics released by the State government, by 6 PM on Basant Panchami, a total of 2.33 crore devotees had taken a dip in the holy Triveni Sangam. Devotees from India and abroad, united by the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, participated in the sacred bathing ritual. Sadhu-sants, yogis, scholars, and devotees from various countries also took part in this divine event, making it a truly universal festival.

     

     

    The significance of this auspicious day prompted devotees to begin arriving at the Sangam area from the previous night. The event was made successful with the contribution of the Kumbh Mela administration, local administration, police, sanitation workers, volunteers, boatmen, and all government departments, ensuring the safe and smooth conduct of this historical event.

     

     

    Special cleanliness arrangements were made for the third Amrit Snan on Vasant Panchami, with the goal of maintaining a clean and safe environment. To achieve this, 15,000 sanitation workers and over 2,500 Ganga Seva Doots worked tirelessly. Special cleaning was also arranged for the paths leading to the akhadas to ensure the comfort of both saints and devotees. Quick Response Teams (QRT) were stationed throughout the area to ensure immediate cleanliness, swiftly removing waste from the mela grounds. Water sprinkling and cleaning of the Sangam were carried out with the help of boatmen and steamers.

    The Kumbh Mela 2025 has succeeded in promoting India’s cultural heritage on an international level. The event’s popularity and cultural significance are being recognized globally, with foreign devotees deeply impressed by Indian culture and traditions, experiencing both the sacred Ganga Snan and India’s religious and cultural practices.

     

    *****

    AD/VM

    (Release ID: 2099345) Visitor Counter : 31

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) officially comes into force as a full-fledged Treaty based Inter-governmental International Organization

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 7:14PM by PIB Delhi

    In a major development, the Framework Agreement on establishment of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) has officially come into force. From 23rd January, 2025, the IBCA and its Secretariat have become a full-fledged treaty based inter-governmental international organization and international legal entity.

    To this effect, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India (the Depository of the Framework Agreement) has confirmed that five countries – Republic of Nicaragua, Kingdom of Eswatini, Republic of India, Federal Republic of Somalia and Republic of Liberia – have deposited the instruments of ratification/acceptance/approval, under the Article VIII (1) of the Framework Agreement.

    As of now, 27 countries including India have consented to join IBCA and several international/national organisations working in the field of wildlife conservation have also partnered with IBCA. The five countries mentioned above have signed the Framework Agreement to formally become members of the IBCA.

    About the IBCA

    The IBCA was launched by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 9th April,2023, during the event ‘Commemorating 50 years of Project Tiger’. The Union Cabinet, in its meeting held on 29th February 2024, approved the establishment of IBCA with headquarters in India. It was launched with the aim of conservation of seven big cats – Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma – with membership of all UN countries/the range countries harbouring the said species and non-range countries where historically these species are not found but interested to support big cat conservation.

    The IBCA was established by Government of India, through the nodal organisation viz., National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC), vide order dated 12th March, 2024. The primary objective of IBCA is to facilitate collaboration and synergy among stakeholders, consolidating successful conservation practices and expertise to achieve a common goal of conservation of big cats at global level. This unified approach, bolstered by financial support, aims to bolster the conservation agenda, halt the decline in big cat populations, and reverse current trends.

    IBCA envisages synergy through a collaborative platform for increased dissemination of gold standard big cat conservation practices, provides access to a central common repository of technical know-how and corpus of funds, strengthens the existing species-specific intergovernmental platforms, networks and transnational initiatives on conservation and protection and assists securing our ecological future and mitigate adverse effects of climate change.

    *****

    VM

    (Release ID: 2099279) Visitor Counter : 28

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Nuclear Power in Union Budget 2025-26

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 6:23PM by PIB Delhi

    Civil nuclear energy will ensure a significant contribution to the country’s development in future.

    – Prime Minister Narendra Modi

    Introduction

    The Union Budget 2025-26 outlines a significant push towards nuclear energy as part of India’s long-term energy transition strategy. The government has set an ambitious target of 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047, positioning nuclear energy as a major pillar in India’s energy mix. This development aligns with the broader objectives of Viksit Bharat, ensuring energy reliability and reducing dependency on fossil fuels. To achieve this goal, strategic policy interventions and infrastructure investments are being undertaken, with an emphasis on indigenous nuclear technology and public-private collaborations.

     

    Recognizing nuclear power as a critical component for achieving energy security and sustainability, the government has introduced the Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat. This initiative aims to enhance domestic nuclear capabilities, promote private sector participation, and accelerate the deployment of advanced nuclear technologies such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

    Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and R&D Initiatives

    A key highlight of the Union Budget 2025-26 is the launch of a Nuclear Energy Mission, which is focused on research and development (R&D) of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The government has allocated ₹20,000 crore for this initiative, aiming to develop at least five indigenously designed and operational SMRs by 2033.

    Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat

    To facilitate the implementation of the Nuclear Energy Mission, amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act will be taken up by the parliament. These amendments are expected to encourage private sector investments in nuclear power projects.

     

    These legislative changes are expected to create a more conducive environment for investment and innovation in the nuclear sector. The mission aligns with India’s commitment to achieving 100 GW of nuclear energy capacity by 2047, a milestone deemed essential for reducing carbon emissions and meeting future energy demands. As of January 30, 2025, India’s nuclear capacity is 8180 MW.

    The government will enter into partnerships with the private sector with the motive of:

    • Setting up Bharat Small Reactors,
    • Research & development of Bharat Small Modular Reactor, and
    • Research & development of newer technologies for nuclear energy.

    Bharat Small Reactors

    The government is actively expanding its nuclear energy sector by developing Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs) and exploring partnerships with the private sector. BSRs are 220 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) with a proven safety and performance record. These reactors are being upgraded to reduce land requirements, making them suitable for deployment near industries such as steel, aluminium, and metals, serving as captive power plants to aid in decarbonization efforts.

    The plan involves private entities providing land, cooling water, and capital, while the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) handles design, quality assurance, and operation and maintenance, all within the existing legal framework. This initiative aligns with India’s commitment to achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy generation by 2030 and meeting 50% of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030, as pledged at the COP26 Summit in Glasgow in 2021.

    In addition to BSRs, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is developing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for repurposing retiring coal-based power plants and meeting power needs in remote locations. The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) also plans to introduce new nuclear reactors, including high-temperature gas-cooled reactors for hydrogen co-generation and molten salt reactors aimed at utilizing India’s abundant thorium resources.

    This strategic move signifies India’s dedication to reducing carbon emissions and enhancing its civil nuclear energy program, with private sector participation playing a crucial role within the bounds of Indian laws and regulations.

    Bharat Small Modular Reactors

    India is actively exploring Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as a crucial part of its energy transition strategy, aiming to achieve net-zero emissions while ensuring energy security. SMRs, are advanced nuclear reactors with a power generation capacity ranging from less than 30 MWe to 300+ MWe, provide a flexible, scalable, and cost-effective alternative to conventional large nuclear reactors. Given India’s growing energy demands and the need for reliable, low-carbon power, SMRs can play a transformative role in complementing renewable energy sources and stabilizing the grid. Their modular design allows for factory-based manufacturing, reducing construction timelines and costs, making them suitable for both on-grid and off-grid applications, including deployment in remote locations.

    India’s expertise in Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) provides a strong foundation for the development and deployment of indigenous SMR designs. By integrating SMRs into its energy mix, India can address land constraints, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and enhance its ability to meet international climate commitments under the Paris Agreement (2015) which India ratified in October 2016.

    Government Initiatives for Enhancing India’s Nuclear Capacity

    India is actively enhancing its nuclear power capacity to meet growing energy demands and achieve environmental goals. The government has initiated steps to increase nuclear power capacity from the current 8,180 MW to 22,480 MW by 2031-32. This expansion includes the construction and commissioning of ten reactors, totalling 8,000 MW, across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, pre-project activities for ten more reactors have commenced, with plans for progressive completion by 2031-32. Further, the government accorded in-principle approval to set up 6 x 1208 MW nuclear power plant in cooperation with the USA at Kovvada in Srikakulam district in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

    A significant milestone was achieved on September 19, 2024, when the Rajasthan Atomic Power Project’s Unit-7 (RAPP-7), one of the country’s largest and third indigenous nuclear reactors, reached criticality, marking the beginning of controlled fission chain reaction. This event signifies India’s growing capability in building and operating indigenous nuclear reactors, contributing to a future powered by homegrown technology.

    Safety remains a cornerstone of India’s nuclear energy policy. India’s nuclear power plants operate with stringent safety protocols and international oversight. The radiation levels at Indian nuclear facilities are consistently well below global benchmarks, underscoring the country’s commitment to secure and sustainable nuclear energy. These efforts align with India’s broader strategy to provide clean and reliable energy, contributing to long-term energy security and environmental sustainability.

    Recent Developments in Nuclear Energy in India

     

    • A significant discovery of new deposit in India’s oldest Uranium Mine, the Jaduguda Mines, has been made in and around the existing mine lease area. This will increase the life of an otherwise depleting mine by more than fifty years.
    • First two units of the indigenous 700 MWe PHWR at Kakrapar, Gujarat (KAPS – 3 & 4) have started commercial operation in FY 2023-24.
    • Closed fuel cycle being the cornerstone of Indian nuclear power program, the country’s first Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR 500 Mwe) achieved many of the milestones in 2024, viz., Primary Sodium filling in Main Vessel, purification of the filled sodium and commissioning of all the four Sodium pumps (2 Primary Sodium Pumps & 2 Secondary Sodium Pumps). Core loading was commenced with loading of first reactor control rod on 4th March 2024.
    • NPCIL and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) have signed a supplementary Joint Venture agreement to develop nuclear power facilities in the country. The JV named ASHVINI will function within the existing legal framework of the Atomic Energy Act 1962 (amended in 2015) and will build, own, and operate nuclear power plants, including the upcoming 4×700 MWe PHWR Mahi-Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project.

    Conclusion

    The provisions for nuclear power in the Union Budget 2025-26 mark a transformative shift in India’s energy landscape. By promoting nuclear energy as a sustainable, scalable, and secure power source, the government aims to bolster energy security and meet the nation’s long-term economic and environmental goals. The Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat is poised to accelerate nuclear power development, positioning India as a global leader in advanced nuclear technology by 2047.

    Click here for pdf file 

    ****

    Santosh Kumar | Sarla Meena | Rishita Aggarwal

     

    (Release ID: 2099244) Visitor Counter : 97

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Unlocking Creativity through Trailer Making Competition; Creators to get a chance to develop compelling trailers, drawing from Netflix’s extensive content library

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Unlocking Creativity through Trailer Making Competition; Creators to get a chance to develop compelling trailers, drawing from Netflix’s extensive content library

    Enthusiasm soars with over 3200 registrations so far with an opportunity for aspiring creators and professionals to seize the chance before the March 31st deadline

    Delhi Roadshow of Trailer Making Competition ignites creativity at GTB4CEC; Fuels aspirations of budding filmmakers

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 5:46PM by PIB Delhi

    The Trailer Making Competition Delhi Roadshow took centre stage at Gurutegh Bahadur 4th Centenary Engineering College (GTB4CEC) last week, marking a key stop in a series of roadshows leading up to the grand finale of the nationwide Trailer Making Competition.

    Organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry and Reskilll, with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and Netflix as the creative partner, GTB4CEC as the academic partner, this initiative provided an unparalleled platform for participants to explore the art of storytelling and video editing.

    A Platform for Creativity and Innovation

    Unlocking Creativity: Trailer Making Competition, powered by Netflix Fund for Creative Equity as part of the WAVES 2025, is a competition designed to inspire and equip aspiring filmmakers. This unique initiative offers students the chance to create compelling trailers, drawing from Netflix’s extensive content library. It featured an intensive 3-month cohort to equip participants with in-depth skills in video editing, storytelling, and trailer production.

     

    Participants in the Trailer Making Competition will receive various recognitions and rewards based on their performance. Every participant who submits a valid trailer will be awarded a Certificate of Participation. The top 50 entrants will receive a Certificate of Excellence along with exclusive recognition from the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and Netflix.

    Furthermore, the top 20 contenders will be honoured with a trophy, exclusive merchandise, and the unique opportunity to attend the WAVES, showcasing their achievements and connecting with industry leaders.

    Registrations are ongoing and will close on 31st March 2025. Till now, around 3200 registrations from around the globe have been done. The general profiles of participants range from college students i.e. aspiring content creators and video editors to working professionals jumping on their hobby or applying using their ongoing venture as editors and creators.

    Registration link: https://reskilll.com/hack/wavesficci/signup

    Delhi Roadshow at GTB4CEC

    Roadshows across the country, including the Delhi Roadshow at GTB4CEC, have been pivotal in inspiring and nurturing creative talent.

     

    Key Highlights of the Delhi Roadshow

    • Hands-On Workshops:

    Participants received practical training in green screen editing, color correction, and advanced video editing techniques.

    • Creative Challenge:

    Attendees crafted engaging trailers based on provided themes, showcasing their storytelling and technical abilities.

    • Industry Insights:

    A panel of experts evaluated the trailers and shared valuable feedback to help participants refine their craft.

    • Showcase of Talent:

    The roadshow celebrated the creativity of budding filmmakers and editors, building momentum as they prepare for the grand finale.

    The event featured Dhruv Mathur, Senior Video Editor at Reskill, as the key speaker, who shared his expertise in video editing and provided guidance to participants on mastering storytelling techniques.

    The Road Ahead

    The Trailer Making Competition and its roadshows aim to identify and nurture the next generation of filmmakers and storytellers. With the cohort completed, participants are now set to compete for prestigious awards and industry recognition at the grand finale during the Waves Summit.

    The Delhi Roadshow was a testament to the transformative power of storytelling and video editing, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to this nationwide competition.

    *****

    Dharmendra Tewari/Kshitij Singha

    (Release ID: 2099217) Visitor Counter : 105

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Women-led StartUps from India making global mark, says Jitendra Singh

    Source: Government of India

    Women-led StartUps from India making global mark, says Jitendra Singh

    Women entrepreneurship holds the promise to realise the Viksit Bharat goal, says Dr. Jitendra Singh

    Indian women increasingly assuming leadership role in development sectors under the Modi regime: Dr. Jitendra Singh

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 5:48PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh said here today that some of the women-led StartUps from India are making a global mark.

    Not only this, the Minister said, even in difficult sectors like the Space, women-led projects have been hailed worldwide and cited the example of India’s Solar mission “Aditya L1” which is led by Nigar Shaji who became known as ISRO’s “Sunny Lady”.

    Dr Jitendra Singh said, women-led development is a key priority of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governance agenda with the vision that women-led startups will place India on the global map in the years to come and our women entrepreneurs have the potential to realise that goal.

    Speaking to a delegation of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry – Ladies Organisation (FICCI-FLO), led by its YFLO Delhi President Dr. Payal Kanodia, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, the Prime Minister has laid out the vision of Indian startups leading the global innovation race, with women-led businesses at the forefront across sectors. He also said, from 2014 onwards, women empowerment has got a practical meaning with many of the welfare schemes including entrepreneurship promoting schemes like PM MUDRA and PM Vishwakarma schemes largely benefiting the women workforce. He further said, women entrepreneurship is being promoted in a big way under the leadership of Narendra Modi.

     

    A delegation of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry – Ladies Organisation (FICCI-FLO) calling on Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh in New Delhi.

     

    The Union Minister further said, the paradigm shift in women empowerment has enabled our womenfolk to increasingly assume leadership role in every sphere of life and every profession, moving away from a long-held participatory role.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh also told the delegation that nearly 70 percent of the youth who have availed financial assistance under PM Mudra Yojana are women to set up their own means to earn livelihoods for themselves, and become job providers for others. He also asked the delegation to contribute at its best to realize the vision of Prime Minister Modi’s a developed India by 2047, adding that the government has taken upon itself to scale up capacity building of its youth population including the young women.

    The Union Minister further told, the exclusive asset of India, the traditional artisans and craftsmen, has been brought into the mainstream with the launch of PM Vishwakarma by the Prime Minister. He said, the traditional artisans and craftsmen are as integral as anything in Indian society who have kept alive the centuries old traditions and crafts of the country but were never taken care of since independence. He further said, it was only possible under the Modi regime that this integral part of the society is supported and skilled now with the launch of the new scheme and under this Scheme the Government is not only providing free training to the beneficiaries but also giving them stipend during the training period with no liability on parents of the artisans and craftsmen.

     

    Dr. Jitendra Singh also said, the Modi Government has taken many revolutionary steps to provide employment avenues to its youth populace by launching various schemes and also by revolutionizing the work culture in the country by combining the best features of Indian tradition with modernity keeping in view the diversity of the country.

    ****

    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2099218) Visitor Counter : 26

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Unlocking Creativity through Trailer Making Competition; Students get a chance to create compelling trailers, drawing from Netflix’s extensive content library

    Source: Government of India

    Unlocking Creativity through Trailer Making Competition; Students get a chance to create compelling trailers, drawing from Netflix’s extensive content library

    Enthusiasm soars with over 3200 registrations so far with an opportunity for aspiring creators and professionals to seize the chance before the March 31st deadline

    Delhi Roadshow of Trailer Making Competition ignites creativity at GTB4CEC; Fuels aspirations of budding filmmakers

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 5:46PM by PIB Delhi

    The Trailer Making Competition Delhi Roadshow took centre stage at Gurutegh Bahadur 4th Centenary Engineering College (GTB4CEC) last week, marking a key stop in a series of roadshows leading up to the grand finale of the nationwide Trailer Making Competition.

    Organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry and Reskilll, with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and Netflix as the creative partner, GTB4CEC as the academic partner, this initiative provided an unparalleled platform for participants to explore the art of storytelling and video editing.

    A Platform for Creativity and Innovation

    Unlocking Creativity: Trailer Making Competition, powered by Netflix Fund for Creative Equity as part of the WAVES 2025, is a competition designed to inspire and equip aspiring filmmakers. This unique initiative offers students the chance to create compelling trailers, drawing from Netflix’s extensive content library. It featured an intensive 3-month cohort to equip participants with in-depth skills in video editing, storytelling, and trailer production.

     

    Participants in the Trailer Making Competition will receive various recognitions and rewards based on their performance. Every participant who submits a valid trailer will be awarded a Certificate of Participation. The top 50 entrants will receive a Certificate of Excellence along with exclusive recognition from the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and Netflix.

    Furthermore, the top 20 contenders will be honoured with a trophy, exclusive merchandise, and the unique opportunity to attend the WAVES, showcasing their achievements and connecting with industry leaders.

    Registrations are ongoing and will close on 31st March 2025. Till now, around 3200 registrations from around the globe have been done. The general profiles of participants range from college students i.e. aspiring content creators and video editors to working professionals jumping on their hobby or applying using their ongoing venture as editors and creators.

    Registration link: https://reskilll.com/hack/wavesficci/signup

    Delhi Roadshow at GTB4CEC

    Roadshows across the country, including the Delhi Roadshow at GTB4CEC, have been pivotal in inspiring and nurturing creative talent.

     

    Key Highlights of the Delhi Roadshow

    • Hands-On Workshops:

    Participants received practical training in green screen editing, color correction, and advanced video editing techniques.

    • Creative Challenge:

    Attendees crafted engaging trailers based on provided themes, showcasing their storytelling and technical abilities.

    • Industry Insights:

    A panel of experts evaluated the trailers and shared valuable feedback to help participants refine their craft.

    • Showcase of Talent:

    The roadshow celebrated the creativity of budding filmmakers and editors, building momentum as they prepare for the grand finale.

    The event featured Dhruv Mathur, Senior Video Editor at Reskill, as the key speaker, who shared his expertise in video editing and provided guidance to participants on mastering storytelling techniques.

    The Road Ahead

    The Trailer Making Competition and its roadshows aim to identify and nurture the next generation of filmmakers and storytellers. With the cohort completed, participants are now set to compete for prestigious awards and industry recognition at the grand finale during the Waves Summit.

    The Delhi Roadshow was a testament to the transformative power of storytelling and video editing, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to this nationwide competition.

    *****

    Dharmendra Tewari/Kshitij Singha

    (Release ID: 2099217) Visitor Counter : 28

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Bengaluru scientists developed a novel alloy-based catalyst for the efficient generation of green hydrogen

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 5:40PM by PIB Delhi

    A new efficient alloy-based catalyst developed for improved hydrogen production through electrolysis of water into hydrogen and oxygen, can pave the path towards a solution for clean energy production.

    This innovative approach using high-entropy alloy (HEA), could reduce reliance on expensive materials like platinum for clean energy production.

    Typically, alloys are metallic substances composed of two or more elements, that are prepared by adding relatively small amounts of secondary elements to a primary metal. High Entropy Alloys (HEAs), on the other hand, are advanced materials that contain multiple elements (usually five or more) in almost equal concentrations. Here, the entropic (state of disorder) contribution to the total free energy overcomes the enthalpic (sum of internal energy and the product of its pressure and volume) contribution and, thereby, stabilizes the alloy formation. These HEAs are known for their versatility and potential to replace commercial catalysts in water-splitting applications. In this context, preparation of single-phase HEA nanoparticles devoid of any impurity phases by bottom-up chemical synthetic methods is highly challenging.

    Researchers at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS) in Bengaluru, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) have developed a novel high-entropy alloy (HEA) catalyst called PtPdCoNiMn (consisting of Platinum, Palladium, Cobalt, Nickel and Manganese). The selection of these constituent metals was based on guidelines designed and developed by Dr. Prashant Singh, a Staff Scientist from AMES National Laboratory, USA. Once the final composition was identified, the CeNS researchers prepared the HEA via two different approaches – electrodeposition at room temperature and atmospheric pressure and (chemical synthesis under high temperature and pressure in a given solvent called solvothermal processes.  

    For the electrodeposition, the choice of solvent and the deposition potential was optimized for developing the HEA. In the solvothermal method, through a series of optimization steps the researchers carefully selected the right solvent and reducing agent in precise ratios to control the reaction rate and synthesis process. These methods allowed the production of alloys with two, three, four, or all five elements in either single-phase or multi-phase forms. The PtPdCoNiMn HEA catalyst, created by combining platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), and manganese (Mn), resulted in efficient hydrogen production with minimal energy loss, high durability, and long-term stability. Theoretical studies indicated the optimal binding of reaction intermediates on the catalyst surface to be the reason for the superiority of the developed HEA over commercial catalysts for hydrogen generation.

    As the HEA catalyst used seven times less platinum than commercial catalyst and offered better catalytic efficiency than pure platinum, it could be a viable alternative to conventional catalysts. These HEAs also displayed good performance in practical settings, including alkaline seawater, maintaining stability and efficiency for over 100 hours without degradation.

    This advancement could pave the way for cleaner, more affordable hydrogen production, benefiting industries and renewable energy technologies. The research was funded by India’s Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), of which the Department of Science and Technology (DST) is the administrative Department. Two papers from the research were recently published in the journals Advanced Functional Material and Small.

    Figure a) Hydrogen generation from HEA electrodeposited on carbon paper in a three-electrode system. Figure b) A comparison plot of the hydrogen generation performance of electrodeposited HEA (HEA-ED), HEA prepared using solvothermal method (HEA-ST) and commercial Pt/C.

    From L to R: Dr. Ashutosh Singh, Prof. B. L. V. Prasad and Ms. Athira Chandran.

     

    ***

    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2099207) Visitor Counter : 62

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Steps by Government for Door-to-Door gas supply through pipeline

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 5:09PM by PIB Delhi

    Providing Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections is a part of the development of City Gas Distribution (CGD) network and the same is carried out by the entities authorised by Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB). PNGRB has authorized 307 Geographical Areas (GAs) covering almost 100% of total geographical area of the country spread over around 733 districts in 34 states/UTs for the development of CGD network. PNGRB has authorised 11 Geographical Areas (GAs) (including 3 GAs spread over Bihar and Jharkhand) covering entire state of Jharkhand for development of CGD network.

    Government has taken various steps to enable growth of CGD sector in the country. These interalia include

    • allocating domestic natural gas to CGD sector
    • notification for supply of domestic gas through available mode (including cascade mode) for PNG purpose.
    • Grant of Public Utility Status to CGD Projects.
    • Guidelines for the use of PNG in Defence residential area/unit lines.
    • Guidelines to Public Sector Enterprises to have provisions of PNG in their respective residential complexes.
    • CPWD and NBCC to have provisions of PNG in all Government Residential Complexes.

    In addition, Government conducts regular interactions and meetings with State Governments for the development of CGD network in respective States and address challenges in this regard.

    This information was given by THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS SHRI SURESH GOPI, in a written reply in Raya Sabha today

    ****

    MONIKA

    (Release ID: 2099188) Visitor Counter : 44

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Measures by Government for Promoting Biofuel

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 5:08PM by PIB Delhi

    The National Policy on Biofuels-2018, as amended in 2022, has identified various feedstocks for biofuels production, these inter-alia include C & B – Heavy Molasses, sugarcane juice, sugar, sugar syrup, biomass in form of grasses, agriculture residues (rice straw, cotton stalk, corn cobs, saw dust, bagasse etc.), sugar containing materials like sugar beet, sweet sorghum, etc. and starch containing materials such as corn cassava, rotten potatoes, agro food / pulp industry waste, etc., damaged food grains like broken rice, food grains unfit for human consumption, food grains during surplus phase as declared by National Biofuel Coordination Committee (NBCC), industrial waste, industrial waste off-gases, algae and sea weeds, non-edible oilseeds, used cooking oil, animal tallow, acid oil, short gestation non-edible oil rich crops, municipal solid waste, plastic waste etc.

    The Government has taken several measures to encourage investment in biodiesel production which inter-alia include prescribing indicative target of blending of biodiesel in diesel / direct sale of biodiesel under the National Policy on Biofuels, notifying of “Guidelines for sale of biodiesel for blending with high speed diesel for transportation purposes-2019”, reduction of GST rate for procurement of biodiesel for blending programme from 12% to 5%, etc. Further, “Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN (Jaiv Indhan – Vatavaran Anukool fasal awashesh Nivaran) Yojana” 2019 has been amended in August 2024 for granting financial assistance for setting up Advanced Biofuel Projects.

    This information was given by THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS SHRI SURESH GOPI, in a written reply in Raya Sabha today

    ****

    MONIKA

    (Release ID: 2099187) Visitor Counter : 65

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Coal mine workers

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 4:50PM by PIB Delhi

    The total number of persons engaged in coal/lignite companies under Ministry of Coal i.e., Coal India Limited (CIL), NLC India Limited (NLCIL) and Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) are as under:

    Company

    Total Manpower engaged

     

    CIL

    3,30,318

    SCCL

    40,893

    NLCIL

    20,811

    All coal mines are governed by the Mines Act, 1952, Rules, regulations framed thereunder. Mines Act, 1952 is administered by the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) by way of development of suitable legislations, Rules, Regulations, standard and guidelines, inspections, investigation of accidents, awareness activities, formulating risk management plans.

    Apart from compliance of the statutory provisions under the Mines Act, 1952, the Mines Rules- 1955, the Coal Mine Regulations- 2017 and Bye Laws & Standing Order framed there under the following steps are being taken to reduce occurrence of such accident in mines to provide adequate safety. Additionally, coal companies administer mines through following safety measures:

    1. Preparation and implementation of Site Specific Risk Assessment based Safety Management Plans (SMPs), Principal Hazards Management Plans (PHMPs), Formulation and compliance of Site-specific Risk Assessment based Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

    2. Training on Mine Safety, Conducting Safety Audit of mines through multi-disciplinary Safety Audit teams as per guidelines issued by the Ministry of Coal in December 2023, adoption of the state-of-the art mechanism for Strata Management and Monitoring of mine environment.

    3. Specific Safety measures for opencast (OC) mines and underground UG) coal mines such as

    • Use of eco-friendly Surface Miners for blast free safe mining.
    • Formulation and implementation of Mine-specific Traffic Rules.
    • Training on Simulators to HEMM operators.
    • Dumpers fitted with Proximity Warning Devices, Rear view mirrors and camera, Audio-Visual Alarm (AVA), Automatic Fire Detection & Suppression system etc.
    • GPS based Operator Independent Truck Dispatch System (OITDS) and Geo-fencing in some large OCPs for tracking movement of HEMMs inside OC mine.
    • Lighting arrangement using high mast towers for increasing level of illumination.
    • Elimination of basket loading by introducing semi mechanized technology in UG mines.
    • Replaced the cement capsules with resin capsules for effective roof control system with bolting by pneumatic /hydraulic roof bolting system.
    • Wherever geology permits, Continuous Miner technology is adopted
    • Emergency Response & Evacuation Plans (ER & EP) prepared as per Coal Mine Regulation 2017 etc.

    4. Mine Safety Inspection: Round-the-clock Supervision of all mining operations by adequate number of competent and statutory Supervisors, mine Officials, regular Inspection by Workmen Inspectors, back shift mine Inspections by senior officials and regular mine Inspection by officials of the Internal Safety Organization.

    Further, in coal companies under Ministry of Coal extensive healthcare services are provided to the coal mine workers in the country through a network of hospitals, dispensaries, and medical professionals.

    Coal mine workers may develop Coal workers Pneumoconiosis, silicosis and breathing issues due to their prolonged exposure to airborne coal dust, but no case of Coal workers Pneumoconiosis and silicosis has been notified in the recent years in coal companies under Ministry of Coal with the existing control measures.

    The following measures are taken for the prevention of various health issues due to prolonged exposure to coal dust and heat:

    • Regular health check-ups and screenings are conducted for employees, especially those in high-risk mining roles, to monitor and prevent occupational diseases
    • Pre-employment medical examination is done for all new recruits. Periodic Medical Examination (PME) for all the employees is conducted as per the Statutes laid in The Mines Rules, 1955.
    • Annual PME of employees having age group 51-60 years in active mining work is in practice including pre-retirement PME (59-60 years) for superannuating employees.
    • Chest X-Ray and sputum AFB for employees engaged in food handling and stemming material, Stool examination, Eye refraction test are done at periodic interval.
    • Statutory health surveys for notifiable diseases and diseases of importance is conducted.
    • Regular Campaigns and training sessions are being organised on Climate change impacts on health and preventive measures.

    This information was given by Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

    ****

    Shuhaib T

    (Release ID: 2099176) Visitor Counter : 14

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Chintan Shivir 2.0

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 4:48PM by PIB Delhi

    Chintan Shivir 2.0 was organised by the Ministry on 07.01.2025. The deliberations were on making the coal sector a key contributor to the Nation’s energy transition, focusing on enhancing production, integrating cleaner technologies and safeguarding the environment. It was highlighted that the need to align coal mining practices with global sustainability goals, including reducing carbon emissions through innovative technologies like coal gasification and adopting best practices for sustainability by adopting state-of-the-art technologies with rigorous safety standards to safeguard the lives of workers and ensure the well-being of the workforce.

    The importance of safety in mining operations was deliberated in Chintan Shivir 2.0, emphasizing it as a non-negotiable priority for all stakeholders. Coal PSUs and industry partners were urged to adopt state-of-the-art technologies and implement rigorous safety standards to safeguard workers’ lives and ensure their well-being.

    Apart from compliance of the statutory provisions under the Mines Act, 1952, the Mines Rules- 1955, the Coal Mine Regulations- 2017 and Bye Laws & Standing Order framed thereunder are implemented to reduce occurrence of such accident in mines. Additionally, coal companies administer mines through following safety measures:

    1. Preparation and implementation of Site-Specific Risk Assessment based Safety Management Plans (SMPs), Principal Hazards Management Plans (PHMPs), Formulation and compliance of Site-specific Risk Assessment based Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

    2. Training on Mine Safety: Initial and Refresher training, On-the-Job training as per statute, training on Simulators to HEMM operators, skill up-gradation of frontline mine officials, sensitization of all employees including members of safety committee, contractual workmen and training on Risk Management by SIMTARS accredited executives.

    3. Conducting Safety Audit of mines through multi-disciplinary Safety Audit teams as per guidelines issued by the Ministry of Coal in December 2023.

    4. Adoption of the state-of-the art mechanism for Strata Management and Monitoring of mine environment including compliance of safety measures applicable in Opencast and underground coal mines

    5. Mine Safety Inspection: Round-the-clock Supervision of all mining operations by adequate number of competent & statutory Supervisors and mine Officials, Regular Inspection by Workmen Inspectors, back shift mine Inspections by senior officials and regular mine Inspection by officials of the Internal Safety Organization.

    This information was given by Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

    ****

    Shuhaib T

     

     

    (Release ID: 2099174) Visitor Counter : 21

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PPP Model in Hotel Management Institutes

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 4:34PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Tourism acknowledges the potential of Public Private Partnership (PPP) in addressing skill development challenges in the hospitality sector and has taken the following steps:

    1. The Ministry of Tourism constituted a Task Force comprising of industry leaders and IHM academia to review the courses curriculum of Hospitality Institutes and other matter related to branding and marketing of hospitality courses.
    2. For achieving the objective of developing individuals & professionals who become practitioners of the highest standards of hospitality, service, and care, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) were signed between 21 Central Institute of Hotel Management with 08 leading hospitality groups, these groups included Indian Hotels Company Ltd, IHG Hotels and resorts, Marriott Hotels, Lalit Hotel Group, ITC group of Hotels, Lemon Tree Hotels, Apeejay Surender Park Hotels and Radisson Hotel group.

    The industry-academia collaboration is a pilot project with intent to expand it further including more hospitality chains as part of MOU. The MOU includes the component of supporting innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives within the institutes.

    This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    ***

     

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari 

    E-mail: – tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2099161) Visitor Counter : 68

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Pilgrimage Sites Transformed Under Prasad Scheme

    Source: Government of India

    Ministry of Tourism

    Pilgrimage Sites Transformed Under Prasad Scheme

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 4:32PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Tourism under the “Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive” (PRASHAD) provides financial assistance to the State Governments and Union Territories Administrations for development of tourism infrastructure at identified pilgrimage and heritage destinations.

    Components of Infrastructure development admissible under the scheme includes development/upgradation of destination entry points viz. passenger terminals (of road, rail and water transport), basic conveniences like tourism information/interpretation Centres with ATM/ Money exchange counters, improvement of road connectivity (last mile connectivity), procurement of equipment for eco-friendly modes of transport and equipment for tourist activities such as Light & Sound Show, renewable sources of energy for tourist infrastructure, parking facilities, toilets, cloak room facilities, waiting rooms, construction of craft haats/bazars/souvenir shops/cafeteria, rain shelters, watch towers, first aid centers, improvement in communication through establishing telephone booths, mobile services, internet connectivity, Wi-Fi hotspot among others.

    The details of the projects sanctioned along with major components developed under the scheme is given in the annexure.

    Under the scheme, three sites have been identified for development in Maharashtra namely, Shri Ghrushneshwar Shivalaya, Tuljapur and Shre Kshetra Rajur. Receiving proposals from the State Governments/UT Administrations for financial assistance for tourism projects is a continuous process. The proposals received are examined with reference to the prescribed guidelines and financial assistance is extended for such projects subject to fulfilment of the stipulated conditions and availability of funds.

    This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    ***

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    E-mail: – tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com

    ANNEXURE

    List of projects sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme                                                    (Rs. in Crore)

     

    State/UT

    S.

    No.

    Project Name

    Major components

    Sanction Year

    Approved

    Cost

    Andhra Pradesh
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrim Amenities at Amaravati

    •  Development at AmaralingeshwaraSwamy Temple (Tourist Amenities, Beautification- Land hardscape &softscape, Infrastructure provision & management)

    •  Mahachaitya Stupa & ASI Museum (Tourist Amenities, Infrastructure provision & management, Safety & security)

    •  Dhyana Buddha Site Development (Beautification, Infrastructure provision & management)

    •  Ghat Development

    •  Urban Infrastructure Development (Enhancing mobility, Entry gate to Amravati, Eco-friendly vehicles)

    2015-16

    27.77
    1.  

    Development of Srisailam Temple

    •  Development at Main temple (Illumination, Sound & Light show, Amphitheatre, Brass queues)

    •  Sikharam (Tourist amenity centre, changing room, lighting of sikharam area, viewing deck, parking)

    •  Tourist Amenity Centre at Hatakeswara

    •  PanchaMathas (pathway, lighting)

    •  Development works at Patalaganga (jetty, changing room)

    •  Common Toilet Complexes including Drinking water facility at 8 locations

    •  Road Improvement Works

    •  Tourist facilitation centre

    2017-18

    43.08
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrimage Amenities at Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narsimha Swami VariDevasthanam at Simhachalam

    •  Pilgrimage Facilitation Centre

    •  Ghat road development (Viewpoints & parking with watch towers, Upgradation of steps)

    •  Temple Amenities and infrastructure with Amphitheatre (Illumination, Development of steps, Parking, Yagyashaala)

    •  Kitchen mechanization

    •  Multipurpose hall

    •  Pan area Development (Multimedia center with Augmented Reality (AR) setup, Electric mini vans, Signage, Baggage screening)

    2022-23

    54.04
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrimage Tourism Infrastructure in Annavaram Temple Town
    • Queue Complex
    • Annadanam Building
    • E-vehicles
    • Male and Female Toilets at Satyagiri hill

    2024-25

    25.33

    Arunachal Pradesh
    1.  

    Development of Parshuram

    Kund

    •  Pilgrimage Facilitation Centre

    •  Ghat road development (Viewpoints & parking with watch towers, Upgradation of steps)

    •  Temple Amenities and infrastructure with Amphitheatre (Illumination, Development of steps, Parking, Yagyashaala)

    •  Kitchen mechanization

    •  Multipurpose hall

    •  Pan area Development (Multimedia center with Augmented Reality (AR) setup, Electric mini vans, Signage, Baggage screening)

    2020-21

    37.88

    Assam
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrimage amenities at Kamakhya Temple

    •  Development of existing 3Nos of foot tracks to Kamakhya Temple from foothill

    •  AmbubachiMela Ground Development

    •  Multistoried car parking (Parking, cloak room, Baby care & senior citizen rest centers, public toilet)

    •  Construction of viewpoints

    •  Site development & retaining wall

    2015-16

    29.80

    Bihar
    1.  

    Development at Patna Sahib

    •  Development at Patna Sahib (Illumination, dustbin, CCTV)

    •  Linked infrastructure (City wide signage, Tourist information centre at Railway centre, External Street lighting, Illumination at Gaighat&Handisahab)

    •  Development at KanganGhat (TFC, River ghat development, sitting area, upgradation of Kanganghat)

    •  Development at Guru KaBagh (Sound & light show, Illumination)

    2015-16

    29.62
    1.  

    Development of basic facilities at Vishnupad temple

    •  Public Conveniences

    •  Yatri Sheds

    •  Development of Temple Fore Court

    •  Area Illumination

    •  Street Scaping& Parking

    •  Development of SitaKund and GayatriGhat (Changing room, toilet block, pilgrimage shed, drinking water kiosk, solar high mast light)

    2014-15

    3.63

    Chhattisgarh
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrimage amenities at MaaBamleshwari Devi Temple

    •  Development of MaaBambleshwari Devi Temple (hand railing & shed along the steps, Rest areas, Medical room, Solar lights, Parking, Development of lake front)

    •  Development of Pragyagiri (Meditation center, Cafeteria, Solar illumination, Parking)

    •  Development of Pilgrimage facilitation centre (Shri Yantra building, Solar illumination, Landscaping, Boundary wall, CC road)

    2020-21

    48.44

    Goa
    1.  

    Development of Bom Jesus Basilica

    •Parking

    •Interpretation Centre

    •External / Street Lighting

    •E-Auto

    •Monument facade Illumination

    •CI Park Bench

    •Informational & Directional Signage

    •Dust Bins

    •Visitor footfall counting device

    2024-25

    16.46

    Gujarat
    1.  

    Development of Dwarka

    •Development at Dwarkadhish Temple (Queue complex, Illumination, Temporary shading device)

    •Development at New GomtiGhat (Drinking water facility, Landscaping)

    •Development at Old GomtiGhat (Drinking water facility, Illumination of temple, Flooring, Temporary shading device)

    •Development at Rukshmani Temple (Toilet, Illumination, Parking & Pathway)

    •City-wide Interventions (Directional & Informational Signage)

    •Interventions at Railway Station (Tourist reception centre, Drinking water facility, Landscaping, CCTV)

    •Interventions at Bus Stand (TRC, Drinking water facility, Landscaping, CCTV)

    2016-17

    10.46
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrimage Amenities at Somnath

    •Parking Area development (Toilet, Cloak room, cafeteria, signage, public address system)

    •Tourist Facilitation Centre (TFC, Campus & site development, electrification works)

    •Solid Waste Management System

    2016-17

    45.36
    1.  

    Development of Promenade at Somnath

    •Excavation & ground improvement

    •Rubble

    •Walkway Pavement

    •Tetrapod

    •Kiosk, Seating Arrangements, Drinking water, Dust bin

    •High Mast Light

    •Electric Pole with music system and area

    2018-19

    47.12
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrimage Facilities at Ambaji Temple

    •Intervention at Ambaji temple (TFC, Approach Road, Pathway, Parking, Toilet block)

    •Approach road to Gabbar Hill (Toilet block, Stone pathway, Drinking water facility, Shaded resting areas, Electrical work, Signage)

    2022-23

    50.00

    Haryana
    1.  

    Development of Mata Mansa Devi Temple and Nada SahebGurudwara

    •Development at Gurudwara Nada Saheb (Façade illumination, Surface parking, Toilet block, STP, Covered pathway, Multilevel car parking, Entrance gate, Landscaping)

    •Mansa Devi Temple Area Development (Façade illumination, Plaza development, Gazebo, First aid facility)

    •Parking Area Development (TFC, Parking, Cultural activity area, Roads)

    •Integrated area development (Pathways, Benches, Signage, Toilet block)

    2019-20

    48.53

    Jammu and Kashmir
    1.  

    Development at Hazratbal Shrine

    •Development of existing inner approach road to the shrine

    •Site development (Boundary wall, Improvement of ghats and Devri Paths, Landscaping, Illumination)

    •Public convenience block and entrance gateway

    •Tensile structure for shading

    •Prefabricated shopping kiosks

    •Tourist Facilitation Center

    •Multi storied car parking

    2016-17

    40.46

    Jharkhand
    1.  

    Development of Baba Baidya Nath

    Dham

    •Shivganga Pond Development (Paving with footpath, Street furniture, Mandapas, Retaining wall, Entrance Arch, High mast & area lighting)

    •Jalsar lake front Development (Jalsar waterfront development, Walkway, Mandapa, Pergola, Retaining wall, City entrance gateways)

    •Kanwaria Path Development (Spiritual congregation hall, Community toilet, First aid centre, Landscape & paving, Drinking water kiosk)

    •Approach Pathways (Paving of approach roads, CCTV cameras, people counting system for temple, Control & command center and Jyotirlinga theme walk)

    2018-19

    36.79

    Karnataka
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrimage Amenities at Sri Chamundeshwari Devi Temple

    •Development at Chamundi Temple Premises (Queue Mandapam Stretch, Multipurpose Area & Stage, Cloak room, Illumination)

    •Pilgrimage Facilities development at Mahisasura plaza (Amenities block, Entrance stone arch, Illumination)

    •Development at Devikere (Handrails for entire steps, Steps and mandapa beautification)

    •Nandi Statue Pavilion Development (Queue Mandapam, Paver area development)

    •Devi Pada Redevelopment (Steps and mandapa beautification, Handrails for entire steps)

    2023-24

    45.71

    Kerala
    1.  

    Development at Guruvayur Temple

    •Tourist Facilitation Centre

    •Tourist Amenity Centre

    •Multi-Level Car Parking (MLCP)

    •CCTV Network Infrastructure

    2016-17

    45.19

    Madhya Pradesh
    1.  

    Development of Amarkantak

    •Development around Narmada Mandir (Gateway, Waiting pavilion, Dining & kitchen for prasad distribution, Kiosks, Street furniture)

    •Illumination of Temples

    •Development of Indra Daman Lake, Ma kiBagia, KapilDhara

    •Development of Ghat at South Bank, Sonmuda

    •Development of Mela Ground, Ped Street

    •Development of Tourist Facility Centre

    •Development of Public Amenities

    2020-21

    49.99
    1.  

    Development of Omkareshwar

    •Development works at Omkareshwar  Temple (Darshan hall, Waiting hall,  Foot bridge on river side with retaining wall, Medical room, Prasad counters)

    •Development of GauGhat (Renovation & extension of ghat, food court & day shelter, security booth, changing room, florist shops)

    •Development of JP Chowk (Uniform façade elevation, entrance public plaza)

    •Pilgrimage Walk (covered walkway, entrance gate, parikrama path, steps from Brahmeshwar temple to Gaughat, Renovation of existing steps, widening of existing pathway)

    •Sound & Light Show

    •Linked Infra (Development of sheds for shopping streets, day shelters, watch tower, security booth cum information kiosk, signage, toilet, solid waste management)

    2017-18

    43.93

    Maharashtra
    1.  

    Development of Trimbakeshwar

    •TrimbakeshwarParikrama (Holy Pond/lake development, Landscaping, Junction improvement)

    •Tourism/ Pilgrimage Infrastructure, Trimbak Town (TFC, Parking, PFC at Sangam)

    •Pilgrimage Parikrama of Anjaneri- Trimbak- Brahmagiri (Camping & waiting area, Community Hall, Changing room, Toilet)

    •Development Work at Shri NivruttinathMaharaj Samadhi Temple (Queuing complex, administrative block, Cloak and waiting rooms)

    2017-18

    42.18

    Meghalaya
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrimage Facilitation at Nongswalia Church, NartiangShakti Peeth, Aitnar Pool and Charantala Kali Temple

    •Development at Nongswalia Church (Entrance gates, Welsh history interpretation centre, pathway, parking, public convenience, Pilgrimage walk, Illumination)

    •Development at Nartiang Shakti Peeth (Pilgrimage facilitation center, pathway, illumination, parking, signage)

    •Development at Aitnar Pool (Festival gallery area development, Behdeinkhlam festival facilitation centre, AR-VR at facilitation centre)

    •Development at Charantala Kali Temple (Vehicular cross bridge, Approach Road, Retaining wall, PFC)

    2020-21

    29.29

    Mizoram
    1.  

    Development of Infrastructure for Pilgrimage and Heritage Tourism at ChiteVang, Zuangtai, Reiek and Aizawl

    •Heritage Congregation Centre, Aizwal

    •Prayer Mountain, Zuangtai (PFC with viewing gallery, signage, Multipurpose Hall & kitchen)

    •Development at Khuangchera Cave (PFC, Safety equipment required for visiting the cave)

    •Development at KalvariTiang, Aizwal (Protective railing, PFC, Lighting, Rain shelter, Signage, Wooden benches)

    2022-23

    44.89

    Nagaland
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrimage Infrastructure at Molungkimong, Noksen Church, Aizuto, Wokha and Kohima

    •Development at Molungkimong (Church gate, Toilet, Interpretation centre, Illumination, Signage, Approach Road)

    •Development at Noksen Church (Pilgrimage arrival centre, Illumination, Parking, Approach Road, Retaining wall)

    •Development at Mission Compound, Aizuto (Sacred Pond edge lining area development, Illumination, PFC, Approach Road, Signage, Rain Shelter)

    •Development at Cathedral of Kohima (Entrance gate, Illumination, Interpretation centre, Signage, Parking, Retaining wall)

    •Wayside amenity-Wokha

    2018-19

    25.20
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrimage Tourism Infrastructure at Zunheboto

    •Naga Entrance Gate

    •Pilgrimage Facilitation Centre

    •Illumination of Sumi Baptist Church

    •Multilevel Car Parking

    2022-23

    18.18

    Odisha
    1.  

    Infrastructure Development at Puri

    •Tourist Facilitation Centre at Puri

    •Development of Beach at Shree JagannathDhamPuri (Benches, Drinking water facilities, Public convenience, signage, watch tower, food court)

    •Development of Ramchandi Temple

    •Development of Shree JagannathVishramsthali and Amphitheatre

    •Development at Gundicha temple (Dustbins, landscaping, pathways, signage, illumination)

    •Development at Prachi River Front (Drinking water facilities,Entrance gate, prayer hall, bridge to connect temple campus, steps, walkway)

    •Development at MaaMangla Temple (Drinking water facilities, dustbins, pathways, public convenience, signage)

    2014-15

    50.00

    Punjab
    1.  

    Development of KarunaSagar Valmiki Sthal at Amritsar

    •External sewerage

    •Water Supply

    •Toilet blocks & cloak room

    •Landscaping

    •Solid Waste collection & management

    •Main gate structure

    •Road widening and beautification

    2015-16

    6.40
    1.  

    Development of Chamkaur Sahib

    •Tourist Facilitation Centre at Puri

    •Development of Beach at Shree JagannathDhamPuri (Benches, Drinking water facilities, Public convenience, signage, watch tower, food court)

    •Development of Ramchandi Temple

    •Development of Shree JagannathVishramsthali and Amphitheatre

    •Development at Gundicha temple (Dustbins, landscaping, pathways, signage, illumination)

    •Development at Prachi River Front (Drinking water facilities,Entrance gate, prayer hall, bridge to connect temple campus, steps, walkway)

    •Development at MaaMangla Temple (Drinking water facilities, dustbins, pathways, public convenience, signage)

    2021-22

    31.57

    Rajasthan
    1.  

    Integrated Development of Pushkar/

    Ajmer

    •Development at Ajmer Sharif Dargah (Refurbishment of façade, Tensile fabric structure, Shading devices)

    •Improvement of Delhi gate and Dargah gate chowk (Illumination, Refurbishment work)

    •Tourist information kiosk at railway & bus stand Restoration & development works at Pushkar Sarovar, Pushkar Market Street

    •Development work at Brahma temple, Savitri Mata temple &Parikrama Path, Pushkar

    2015-16

    32.64

    Sikkim
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrimage Facilitation at Four Patron Saints, Yuksom

    •Coronation Throne of Norbugang (Approach Road, Traditional gate, Illumination)

    •Pilgrimage facilities near helipad (PFC, parking and entrance gate, Landscaping)

    •Pilgrimage stopover facility at Rimbi

    2020-21

    33.32

    Tamil Nadu
    1.  

    Development of Kanchipuram

    •Bus terminus upgradation (Tourist information centre, cloak room, RO plant)

    •Pilgrimage walk (Pathway, pedestrian guard rail, signage)

    •Ekambareswarar temple (Parking platform, Security room, Compound wall)

    •Rangaswamy tank rejuvenation (Entrance Arch & Gate, Seating facilities, Pathway)

    •Illumination of monuments

    2016-17

    13.99
    1.  

    Development of Velankanni

    •Velankanni beach (Paver block road)

    •Bus stand (Toilet block)

    •Improvement of Oorani-MariammanKulam

    •City level interventions (CCTV, Wi-Fi, Control room, Street lighting)

    2016-17

    4.86

    Telangana
    1.  

    Development of Jogulamba Devi Temple

    •Connectivity Node (New bus stand, Cultural haat)

    •Pilgrimage Facilitation Node (Pilgrim facilitation cum Cultural centre, Public amenity complex, Pathway)

    •Approach Level Intervention (Rain shelter, High mast lighting, Signage)

    •Jogulamba Temple Premises (Parking complex, Lightng& illumination, Alternate access road, Shower & changing room, Solid waste management)

    •Tungabhadra Ghat (Floating jetty, Landscaping, Cruise boat, Illumination)

    •Other ASI Sites (Proposed new access to Sangamedhwara temple)

    2020-21

    38.90
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrimage and Heritage Tourism Infrastructure at Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple

    •Interpretation Centre

    •Amphitheater

    •4D Movie Hall

    •Sculpture Park

    •Lakefront Development

    •Bus and car Parking Area

    2022-23

    62.00
    1.  

    Development of Pilgrimage Infrastructure at Bhadrachalam

    •Development works at Main Temple (Change of flooring, MS roofing structure, Mechanization for Prasadam production)

    •Development around Main Temple (Approach Road, Pilgrim amenities centre, Ghat area development- Changing room, Toilet, Jetty)

    •Town Entrance (Entrance bridge, Washroom & canteen complex, Compound wall, Chain link fencing, Battery operated cars)

    •Development works at Parnasala and SeethammaVaagu (Pilgrim amenities centre, Street light, Kiosks, Foot over bridge, Toilet)

    •Allied development works (Street lighting, Signage, CCTV)

    2022-23

    41.38

    Tripura
    1.  

    Development of Tripura Sundari Temple

    •Development of Main Temple area (Food court, Meditation Hall, Illumination, Pooja shops)

    •Covered Aastha Path (Flooring, Railing, Roofing)

    •External Development works (Foot over bridge, STP, Signage Entrance gate, Toilet)

    2020-21

    34.43

    Uttar Pradesh
    1.  

    Development of Varanasi –Phase –I

    •Sound & Light show

    •Integrated development of MarkandeyMahadev temple (Shade for pathway and railing, Gantry signage, campus illumination)

    •SarangNath Pond Rejuvenation (Retaining wall, ghat development, viewing deck, gazebos, pathways)

    •Buddha Theme Park, Sarnath (Gazebos, feature wall, parking)

    •Conservation and development of Gurudham temple (Softscape, Hardscape, New gate, Toilet, Illumination)

    2015-16

    18.73
    1.  

    Development of Mathura-Vrindavan as Mega Tourist Circuit (Ph-II)

    •Krishna Sarovar, Baad, Mathura (Landscaping, Chain link, Pathway, Information centre, Kund rejuvenation centre, Toilet, Open air stage, Sitting place, Ghat development)

    •Jai Kund, Jait, Mathura (Landscaping, Chain link, Pathway, Kund rejuvenation, provision of fountain for movement of Kund water, ghat development)

    •Chandra Sarovar, Chaumuha, Mathura (Landscaping, Chain link, Construction of bore well, Kund rejuvenation, ghat development)

    •Akbar kataal Mathura (Kund rejuvenation, Entry gate, Toilet, Open air stage)

    2014-15

    10.98
    1.  

    Development of River Cruise Tourism at Varanasi

    •Passenger cum cruise vessel

    •320 sq. m. HDPE modular system Jetty (pontoon)

    •Aesthetics & vernacular exterior finish of the cruise vessel & jetty

    •Audiovisual intervention (Story board)

    •Surveillance & security

    •CCTV surveillance

    2017-18

    9.02
    1.  

    Construction of Tourist Facilitation Centre at Vrindavan

    •Cost of building (Souvenir shops, Tourist assistance counter, Tourist waiting area, Toilets, driver lunge, covered parking)

    •Internal development cost (Boundary wall, Rainwater harvesting, Electrification)

    2014-15

    9.36
    1.  

    Development of Varanasi – Phase II

    •Godowliachowk to DashashwamedhGhat (Street pedestrianization& footpath, Façade development)

    •Varanasi by Night (Lighting of ghats, Raj ghat to bridge- Toilts, Road improvement, TIC, Parking, River boat platform)

    •Revitalization of PanchkoshiParikarma (Road development, PFC, Signage)

    2017-18

    44.60
    1.  

    Development of Infrastructure facilities at Govardhan

    •Development at Govardhan Bus Station (Car stand block, Cloak room, Toilet, Boundary wall)

    •Development at GovardhanParikrama (Street Furniture, CCTV, WiFi)

    •Development at Chandra Sarovar (Toilet, Ticket counter, Pathway, bench, Landscaping, Solar light)

    •Development at KusumSarovar (Illumination, Toilet, Paved pathway)

    •Development at Mansi Ganga (Pilgrim amenities, Lighting of ghats, Connecting bridge from temple to amenity block)

    2018-19

    37.59

    Uttarakhand
    1.  

    Integrated Development of Kedarnath

    •Development at Rudraprayag (Eco-log interpretation centre, Snaanghat, Signage, Sitting arrangement, Parking, Viewpoint)

    •Development at Tilwara (Parking, Sitting arrangement, Signage)

    •Development at Augustmuni (Rest shelter, Viewpoint, Toilet, Approach Road, Tourist information/Assistance centre& souvenir shop, Parking)

    •Development at Ukhimath (Approach Road, Eco-log interpretation centre, Multilevel parking)

    •Development at Guptkashi (Toilet, Signage, Parking, Solid waste management, Solar LED streetlight)

    •Development at Kalimath (Retaining wall, Approach Road, Solar LED streetlight)

    •Development at Sitapur (TIC, Sitting arrangement, Solar LED streetlight)

    2015-16

    34.77
    1.  

    Development of Infrastructure for Pilgrimage Facilitation in Badrinath Ji Dham

    •Temple complex and surrounding area (Illumination, Waste management, Storm water drainage)

    •Development at Aastha Path (Solar lights, Dust bins, Benches)

    •Pilgrimage Facilitation Centre

    •Parking Complex, Tourist management system, Tourist arrival plaza

    2018-19

    56.15
    1.  

    Augmentation of Pilgrimage Infrastructure Facilities at Gangotri and Yamunotri

    Dham

    •Development at Gangotri Temple (PFC, Rejuvenation of temple verandah, Entry gate, LED illumination, public amenities Pilgrimage registration & dynamic crowd management system, Alarm system at ghat, Parking)

    •Development at Yamnotri (Entry gate, LED illumination, Development of ghat, Pilgrimage information centre, public convenience)

    •Trek from JankiChatti to Yamnotri (Rain shelter &parademiccentre, Publlic convenience, Benches, Signage)

    •Development at Kharsali (Approach Road, Entry gate, Illumination, Landscaping)

    2021-22

    54.36

    West Bengal
    1.  

    Development of Belur Math

    •Solid Waste Management

    •Signage & giant LED display

    •Provision of pathway

    •Drinking water kiosks and hand washing facility

    •Tourist reception center, Gangway & jetty

    •Multi-level car parking

    •Installation of roof top solar panels

    2016-17

    30.03

     

     

    ****

    (Release ID: 2099160)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Tourism Ministry has set up an Incredible India Pavilion in Mela area to provide information

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 4:30PM by PIB Delhi

    The Maha Kumbh 2025, is taking place in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Organization, Enhancement of infrastructure and facilities is subject of the State Government.

    The Ministry of Tourism is promoting Maha Kumbh 2025 through various initiatives. Ministry has set up an Incredible India Pavilion in Mela area to provide information, and to engage tourists, media, influencers etc. New creatives, a Digital brochure of various tour packages, flight options, accommodation options etc. for Maha Kumbh have been prepared and circulated. Additionally, a dedicated Maha Kumbh Tourist Infoline (1800111363) has been established for tourists.

    The promotion of Maha Kumbh is also being done through social media handles of Ministry of Tourism.

    India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), a PSU of Ministry of Tourism has setup 80 Luxury tent accommodation at Tent City, Prayagraj.

    Ministry of Culture has set up a cultural village viz. Kalagram in Mela Area through North Central Zone Cultural Centre, which features Anubhut Mandapam, Artists performances, Food zone, display and sale of traditional Indian Handicrafts and Handlooms etc.

    As per the information received from Ministry of Railways, to cater the needs of passengers and to facilitate their journey to/from Prayagraj, 16 train services (including 05609/05610 Jabalpur-Bargawan Kumbh Mela Special) are being operated on the Beohari -Katni sector. For onward journey to Prayagraj, passengers may changeover at Katni and avail the 176 trains (including 32 Special trains) serving the Katni-Prayagraj sector.

    This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    ***

     

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari  

    E-mail: – tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com                                                               

    (Release ID: 2099159) Visitor Counter : 68

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government sanctioned 40 projects under SASCI Scheme in 23 States for ₹3295.76 Crore in the Financial Year 2024-25

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 4:27PM by PIB Delhi

    Government of India under its ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale’ sanctioned 40 projects in 23 States for ₹3295.76 Crore in the country in Financial Year 2024-25, with the primary objective to comprehensively develop iconic tourist centres in the country, branding and marketing them at global scale. The details of the sanctioned projects under this scheme are annexed.

    The Ministry of Tourism issued operational guidelines to all States for submission of project proposals. On receipt of the project proposals from the State Governments, the same were evaluated on the given parameters such as connectivity to the site, tourism eco-system, carrying capacity, sustainability measures, sustainable operation and management, project impact and value created, tourism marketing plans etc. While the implementation of projects sanctioned under SASCI scheme is being undertaken by the State Implementing Agencies, the Ministry of Tourism has also formulated mechanism to review the progress of sanctioned projects from time to time, in order to ensure seamless implementation of the sanctioned projects. 

    Ministry of Tourism promotes various tourist destinations and products of the country including lesser-known destinations in domestic and international markets through its various promotional initiatives such as website, social media promotions, participation in events, assistance to State Governments for organizing fairs and festivals, etc.

    The Ministry of Tourism did not receive any proposal from the State of Haryana within the time lines stipulated for submission of proposals for consideration under SASCI scheme. As of now, there is no provision to include the Bhiwani-Mahendergarh Lok Sabha constituency under this scheme.

    This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    ***

     

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    E-mail: – tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com

    ANNEXURE

    List of Projects sanctioned under ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale

    (Amount in ₹ Crore)

    S.

    No.

    State

    Project Name

    Cost

    		  
     
     

    Andhra Pradesh
    • 1. Gandikota – Enriching the Fort and Gorge Experience

    77.91

    		  
    • 2. Akhanda Godavari: (Havelock Bridge & Pushkar Ghat), Rajamahendravaram

    94.44

    		  
     

    Arunachal Pradesh
    • 3. Siang Adventure & Eco-Retreat, Pasighat

    46.48

    		  
     

    Assam
    • 4. Assam State Zoo Cum Botanical Garden, Guwahati

    97.12

    		  
    • 5. Beautification of Rang Ghar at Sivasagar

    94.76

    		  
     

    Bihar
    • 6. Development of Matsyagandha Lake, Saharsa

    97.61

    		  
    • 7. Karamchat Eco-Tourism and Adventure Hub

    49.51

    		  
     

    Chhattisgarh
    • 8. Development of Chitrotpala Film City

    95.79

    		  
    • 9. Development of Tribal & Cultural Convention Centre

    51.87

    		  
     

    Goa
    • 10. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum, Ponda

    97.46

    		  
    • 11. Proposed Townsquare, Povorim

    90.74

    		  

    Gujarat
    • 12. Ecotourism Destination at Kerly (Mokarsagar), Porbandar

    99.50

    		  
    • 13. Tented City and Convention Centre, Dhordo

    51.56

    		  
     

    Jharkhand
    • 14. Eco-Tourism Development of Tilaiyya, Koderma

    34.87

    		  
     

    Karnataka
    • 15. Ecotourism & Cultural Hub at Roerich and Devika Rani Estate Tataguni, Bengaluru

    99.17

    		  
    • 16. Development of Savadatti Yallammagudda, Belgavi

       100.00

    		  
     

    Kerala
    • 17. Ashtamudi Biodiversity and Eco-recreational Hub, Kollam

    59.71

    		  
    • 18. Sargaalaya: Global Gateway to Malabar’s Cultural Crucible

    95.34

    		  
     

    Madhya Pradesh
    • 19. Orchha A Medieval Splendour

    99.92

    		  
    • 20. International Convention Centre for MICE in Bhopal

    99.38

    		  
     

    Maharashtra
    • 21. Ex-INS Guldar Underwater Museum, Artificial Reef, and Submarine Tourism, Sindhudurg

    46.91

    		  
    • 22. Development of “RAM-KAL PATH” at Nashik

    99.14

    		  
     

    Manipur
    • 23. Loktak Lake Experience

    89.48

    		  
     

    Meghalaya
    • 24. MICE Infrastructure at Mawkhanu, Shillong

    99.27

    		  
    • 25. Re-development of Umiam Lake, Shillong

    99.27

    		  

    Odisha
    • 26. Development of Hirakud

    99.90

    		  
    • 27. Development of Satkosia

    99.99

    		  
     

    Punjab
    • 28. Development of Heritage Street, SBS Nagar

    53.45

    		  
     

    Rajasthan
    • 29. Development at Amber-Nahargarh and surrounding Area, Jaipur

    49.31

    		  
    • 30. Development at Jal Mahal, Jaipur

    96.61

    		  
     

    Sikkim
    • 31. Skywalk, Bhaleydhunga, Yangang, Namchi

    97.37

    		  
    • 32. Border Experience, Nathula

    68.19

    		  

    Tamil Nadu
    • 33. Nandavanam Heritage Park at Mamallapuram

     99.67

    		  
    • 34. Garden of flowers at Devala, Ooty

    70.23

    		  
     

    Telangana
    • 35. Ramappa Region Sustainable Tourism Circuit

    73.74

    		  
    • 36. Somasilla Wellness & Spiritual Retreat Nallamala

    68.10

    		  

    Tripura
    • 37. 51 Shakti Peethas Park at Banduar, Gomati

     97.70

    		  
     

    Uttar Pradesh
    • 38. Development of Bateshwar, District- Agra

    74.05

    		  
    • 39. Integrated Buddhist Tourism Development, Shrawasti

    80.24

    		  
     

    Uttarakhand
    • 40. Iconic City Rishikesh: Rafting Base Station

    100.00

    		  

    TOTAL

    3,295.76

    		  

    ***

     

    (Release ID: 2099157) Visitor Counter : 71

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DH calls for influenza vaccination as influenza activity increases in Hong Kong and northern hemisphere

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    DH calls for influenza vaccination as influenza activity increases in Hong Kong and northern hemisphere
    DH calls for influenza vaccination as influenza activity increases in Hong Kong and northern hemisphere
    ******************************************************************************************

         ​The Controller of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui, today (February 3) reminded members of the public that the seasonal influenza activity in Hong Kong and many other countries and regions in the northern hemisphere remains at a high level. All sectors of the community should heighten their vigilance and enhance personal protection measures against influenza, including receiving seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) to protect their health and that of their family members. Those who plan to travel should stay alert to the situation of infectious diseases in their destinations, and observe strict personal and environmental hygiene.           “Hong Kong entered the influenza season in early January. The CHP has recorded 199 adult cases of intensive care unit admissions or deaths due to influenza in the first four weeks, as compared with 127 cases in the same period in the last influenza season. Among them, there were 122 deaths and over 70 per cent of these severe or death cases did not receive SIV. For the deaths, nearly 90 per cent involved persons aged 65 or above. For children, the CHP has recorded nine cases of severe paediatric influenza-associated complications. Seven of them were unvaccinated,” he said.           Dr Tsui said that as the influenza activity in many parts of the northern hemisphere (including the Mainland, Japan, Korea, as well as Europe and North America) remains at a high level, people who are going to travel should pay attention to the influenza situation at their destinations before departure and take appropriate personal protective measures, including receiving SIV as soon as possible and consider wearing a surgical mask when staying in crowded places. Regardless of whether in Hong Kong or abroad, if people develop respiratory symptoms, even if mild, they should wear surgical masks and seek medical advice promptly.            “With reference to previous surveillance data, virus activity will continue to increase for a period of time after the start of the influenza season before peaking. Currently available data indicate that the influenza activity level is still on the rise. In view of the high levels of influenza activity locally and in the northern hemisphere in the coming weeks, all persons aged 6 months and above (except those with known contraindications) who have not yet received SIV, particularly the elderly and children who have a higher risk of becoming infected with influenza and developing complications, should act immediately to minimise the risk of serious complications and death after infection,” Dr Tsui said.           As of February 2, a total of about 1 932 000 doses of vaccines were administered under the various vaccination programmes, representing an increase of about 6.4 per cent over the same period last year and an all time high, surpassing the total number of doses administered under the various vaccination programmes in year 2023/24 (i.e. about 1 873 000 doses). The number of schools participating in the SIV School Outreach has also increased significantly this year. About 1 030 kindergartens/child care centres (98 per cent), about 640 primary schools (98 per cent) and about 490 secondary schools (98 per cent) have completed or are arranging the SIV school outreach activities. This is higher than last year’s participation rate (80 per cent of kindergartens/child care centres, 95 per cent of primary schools and 70 per cent of secondary schools). The SIV coverage rate for children aged 6 months to under 2 years remained relatively low at about 21.0 per cent. Although slightly higher than that of the same period a year ago, the coverage rate was still lower than that of other age groups of children. To enhance relevant vaccination services and boost the vaccination rate, the Government has opened the DH’s Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) to all children aged 6 months to under 2 years. Parents may book an appointment for their children to receive vaccinations at designated MCHCs via the online booking system.           For the latest information, members of the public can visit the CHP’s seasonal influenza and COVID-19 & Flu Express webpages. 

     
    Ends/Monday, February 3, 2025Issued at HKT 19:13

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 FEB 2025 4:20PM by PIB Delhi

    The Government is taking necessary steps towards the prevention of illicit trafficking of cultural property. Besides regular watch and ward staff, Private Security Guards and Central Industrial Security Force have been deployed as per requirement at monuments, sites and museums. Whenever any theft of antiquity is reported, FIR is lodged and ‘Look Out Notice’ is issued to law enforcement agencies including Custom Exit Channels to keep vigil to trace stolen antiquity and prevent its export. A Cultural Property Agreement (CPA) has also been signed with USA on 26th July 2024 that will make easy retrieval of antiquities. 

    Exhibitions and workshops are organized for public awareness. Recently, exhibitions titled, “Re(ad)dress: Return of Treasures” was held during the 46th Session of World Heritage Committee Meeting at New Delhi and exhibition titled, ‘Journey beyond the Borders: Return of Treasures’ was organized in Chennai as a part of the workshop on ‘Antiquities Trafficking Prevention’. India was also represented during UNESCO Regional Capacity Building Workshop on ‘Fighting Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property’.

    Archaeological Survey of India is committed to the protection of cultural property. Government has retrieved 655 antiquities from foreign countries from the year 1976 to 2024, of which 642 antiquities have been retrieved since 2014.

    This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    ***

     

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    E-mail: – pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2099147) Visitor Counter : 66

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Special traffic arrangements for Hong Kong Marathon 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Police will implement special traffic arrangements on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon West and New Territories South to facilitate the Hong Kong Marathon 2025 on February 9 (Sunday).

    Hong Kong Island
    —————-
     
    A. Road closure and traffic diversions

         The following will be implemented by phases on February 9 until the roads are safe for reopening, except for vehicles with permit:

    Phase I (from 1.15am to about 10.30am)

    Road closure

          Eastbound Central-Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel between Wan Chai and Island Eastern Corridor (IEC) will be closed, eastbound Central-Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel between Central and Wan Chai will be reopened at about 1.30pm.

    Traffic diversions

          Traffic along eastbound Connaught Road West flyover heading for eastbound Central-Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel, eastbound IEC and Eastern Harbour Crossing will be diverted via eastbound Connaught Road West at-grade, eastbound Connaught Road Central at-grade, Man Kat Street, Connaught Road Central, Gloucester Road, Victoria Park Road, Gordon Road, Electric Road and Java Road.

    Phase II (from 1.15am to about 1.30pm)

    Road closure

    – Eastbound Connaught Road West flyover between Shing Sai Road and Rumsey Street;
    – Man Po Street;
    – Yiu Sing Street;
    – Eastbound Lung Wo Road;
    – The slip road from Connaught Road West flyover to Man Po Street;
    – The slip road from Connaught Road West flyover to eastbound Central-Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel;
    – The slip road from Man Kat Street to the exit at Wan Chai on eastbound Central-Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel;
    – Eastbound Central-Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel between Central and Wan Chai;
    – The exit at Expo Drive on eastbound Central-Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel;
    – Expo Drive;
    – Expo Drive Central between westside Expo Drive and eastside Expo Drive;
    – Southbound Expo Drive East; and
    – Northbound Expo Drive East between Expo Drive and the northern cul-de-sac.

    Traffic diversions

    – Traffic along northbound Hill Road flyover will be diverted via eastbound Connaught Road West at-grade;
    – Traffic along eastbound Shing Sai Road will be diverted via eastbound Connaught Road West;
    – Traffic along Lung Wo Road cannot turn to westbound Yiu Sing Street;
    – Traffic along Man Yiu Street cannot turn left to eastbound Lung Wo Road; and
    – Traffic along Man Yiu Street cannot turn left to eastbound Yiu Sing Street.

    Phase III (from 1.30am to about 10.30am)

    Road closure

    – Eastbound IEC between Victoria Park Road eastbound and Tung Hei Road slip road; and
    – The slip roads of Hing Fat Street, Man Hong Street and Taikoo Wan Road leading to eastbound IEC.

    Phase IV (from 1.30am to about 11.30am)

    Road closure

    – Westbound IEC between Tung Hei Road slip road and westbound Victoria Park Road;
    – The slip roads of Nam On Street, Chai Wan Road, Tai Hong Street, Oi Shun Road, Hong On Street, Taikoo Wan Road, westbound King’s Road junction with Healthy Street Central, Tong Shui Road and Wharf Road leading to westbound IEC;
    – The slip roads leading from the exit of Eastern Harbour Crossing to westbound IEC. The section up between the exit of Eastern Harbour Crossing and the down ramp slip road leading to Man Hong Street will be reopened at about 10.30am;
    – Westbound Oi Shun Road between Oi Tak Road and Tai On Street;
    – Westbound Central-Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel between IEC and Wan Chai; and
    – The slip road leading from Tsing Fung Street vehicular flyover and Hing Fat Street to westbound Central-Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel.

    Traffic diversions

    – Traffic along eastbound Victoria Park Road and Hing Fat Street heading for eastbound IEC and Eastern Harbour Crossing will be diverted via Gordon Road, Electric Road and Java Road;
    – Traffic along Java Road and Man Hong Street heading for eastbound IEC and Eastern Harbour Crossing will be diverted via King’s Road;
    – Traffic along Taikoo Wan Road heading for eastbound IEC will be diverted via King’s Road and Shau Kei Wan Road;
    – Traffic along Java Road and eastbound King’s Road can access Eastern Harbour Crossing via Hong On Street;
    – Traffic from the exit of Eastern Harbour Crossing heading for eastbound IEC will be diverted via Tai On Street and Shau Kei Wan Road;
    – Traffic along westbound IEC will be diverted via Nam On Lane and Shau Kei Wan Road;
    – Traffic along Nam On Lane and Nam Hong Street heading for westbound IEC will be diverted via westbound Nam On Street, Sun Sing Street and Shau Kei Wan Road;
    – Traffic along Chai Wan Road heading for westbound IEC will be diverted via Shau Kei Wan Road;
    – Traffic diverted to westbound Shau Kei Wan Road can access Eastern Harbour Crossing via Tai Ning Street, Sai Wan Ho Street and Tai Hong Street;
    – Traffic along Tai Hong Street will only be allowed for access to Eastern Harbour Crossing and Lei King Wan. Traffic heading for westbound IEC will be diverted via Tai Hong Street, Hong Cheung Street, Tai On Street and Shau Kei Wan Road;
    – Traffic along westbound Oi Shun Road heading for westbound IEC will be diverted via Oi Tak Street, Oi Kan Road, Tai On Street and Oi Shun Street;
    – Traffic along Hong On Street will only be allowed for access to and from Eastern Harbour Crossing. Traffic heading for westbound IEC will be diverted via westbound Hong On Street and King’s Road. Except for vehicles heading for Eastern Harbour Crossing, traffic along Hong Yue Street will be diverted via westbound Hong On Street;
    – Traffic along Taikoo Wan Road slip road heading for westbound IEC will be diverted via Taikoo Shing Road and King’s Road;
    – Traffic from the exit of Eastern Harbour Crossing heading for westbound IEC will be diverted via Man Hong Street and King’s Road (until 4am);
    – Traffic on the slip road at the junction of westbound King’s Road and Healthy Street Central heading for westbound IEC will be diverted via westbound King’s Road;
    – Traffic on the slip road at the junction of westbound King’s Road and Tong Shui Road heading for westbound IEC will be diverted via westbound King’s Road;
    – Traffic along Tong Shui Road heading for westbound IEC will be diverted via Java Road, Kam Hong Street and King’s Road;
    – Traffic along Wharf Road slip road heading for westbound IEC will be diverted via westbound Wharf Road, North Point Road, Java Road, Tong Shui Road and King’s Road; and
    – Traffic along Tsing Fung Street vehicular flyover and northbound Hing Fat Street heading for the slip road of westbound Central-Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel will be diverted via the remaining lanes on Victoria Park Road.

    Phase V (from 3am to about 8.30am)

    Road closure

    – Eastbound Harbour Road between Harbour Drive and Tonnochy Road; and
    – Northbound Tonnochy Road between Hung Hing Road and Harbour Road.

    Traffic diversions

    – Traffic along northbound Tonnochy Road flyover will be diverted via westbound Harbour Road;
    – Traffic along eastbound Harbour Road will be diverted via northbound Fleming Road; and
    – Traffic leaving from car parks along eastbound Harbour Road will be diverted via westbound Harbour Road.

    Phase VI (from 3am to about 1.30pm)

    Road closure

    – Man Kwong Street;
    – Man Fai Street;
    – The slip road between Rumsey Street and Man Kwong Street;
    – Southbound Man Yiu Street between Man Kwong Street and Lung Wo Road; and
    – Northbound Man Yiu Street between Man Po Street and Man Kwong Street.

    Traffic diversions

    – Traffic along eastbound Chung Kong Road will be diverted via Connaught Road Central;
    – Traffic along eastbound Connaught Road Central cannot turn left to Man Kwong Street; and
    – Traffic along northbound Man Yiu Street will be diverted via westbound Finance Street.

    Phase VII (from 3am to about 2pm)

    Road closure

    – Eastbound Hung Hing Road between Expo Drive East and Wan Shing Street;
    – Westbound Hung Hing Road between Wan Shing Street and Tonnochy Road;
    – The fast lane of eastbound Harbour Road between Harbour Drive and Tonnochy Road;
    – The fast lane of northbound Tonnochy Road between Hung Hing Road and Harbour Road;
    – Southbound Tonnochy Road between Harbour Road and Gloucester Road;
    – Marsh Road flyover between Hung Hing Road and Lockhart Road;
    – Northbound Marsh Road between Hung Hing Road and Gloucester Road;
    – Eastbound Lockhart Road between Marsh Road and Percival Street;
    – Southbound Percival Street between Lockhart Road and Hennessy Road;
    – Percival Street (except the middle lane) between Jaffe Road and Lockhart Road;
    – Southbound Canal Road East between Lockhart Road and Jaffe Road;
    – Northbound Canal Road West between Lockhart Road and Jaffe Road;
    – Southbound Marsh Road between Lockhart Road and Jaffe Road;
    – Marsh Road between Hennessy Road and Lockhart Road;
    – Eastbound Hennessy Road between Percival Street and Yee Wo Street;
    – Eastbound Yee Wo Street;
    – Sugar Street;
    – Southbound Gloucester Road between Great George Street and Causeway Road. Access to the southbound Tai Hang Road flyover is allowed after 10.45am; and
    – Northbound Gloucester Road between the U-turn slip road beneath Tai Hang Road flyover and Great George Street.

    Traffic diversions

    – Traffic along northbound Fleming Road cannot turn right to eastbound Hung Hing Road and will be diverted via southbound Fleming Road or westbound Lung Wo Road;
    – Traffic along northbound Wan Shing Street must turn right to Hung Hing Road flyover;
    – Traffic along northbound Marsh Road will be diverted via Gloucester Road service road or turn to southbound Marsh Road for access to Jaffe Road;
    – Traffic along eastbound Lockhart Road will be diverted via northbound Marsh Road at grade;
    – Traffic along eastbound Jaffe Road will be diverted via northbound Percival Street;
    – Traffic along southbound Percival Street will be diverted via eastbound Lockhart Road;
    – Traffic along eastbound Hennessy Road cannot turn left to Marsh Road;
    – Traffic along Tin Lok Lane cannot go straight to northbound Marsh Road, and must turn left or right to Hennessy Road;
    – Traffic along eastbound Hennessy Road heading for Causeway Road will be diverted via southbound Percival Street, Leighton Road, Pennington Street and eastbound Yee Wo Street;
    – Traffic along eastbound Yee Wo Street cannot turn left to Sugar Street;
    – Traffic along Great George Street heading for southbound Gloucester Road will be diverted via southbound Tai Hang Road floyover; and
    – Traffic along southbound Victoria Park Road flyover will be diverted via Gloucester Road service road. Access to southbound Tai Hang Road flyover is allowed after 10.45am.

    Phase VIII (from 3.45am to about 9am)

    Road closure

    – Hing Fat Street between Causeway Road and Victoria Park Road;
    – Electric Road between Yacht Street and Park Towers;
    – Lau Li Street between Hing Fat Street and Electric Road; and
    – Tsing Fung Street between Hing Fat Street and Electric Road.

    Traffic diversions

    – Traffic along eastbound Causeway Road heading for Hing Fat Street will be diverted via eastbound King’s Road;
    – Traffic along westbound King’s Road heading for Hing Fat Street will be diverted via westbound Causeway Road;
    – Traffic along southbound Electric Road must turn left to Yacht Street (except for access to Park Towers);
    – Traffic leaving the Park Towers car park will be diverted via Electric Road and Yacht Street;
    – Traffic on Electric Road heading for Tsing Fung Street will be diverted via Yacht Street; and
    – Traffic along southbound Hing Fat Street must turn left to eastbound Gordon Road.

    Phase IX (from 4am to about 10.45am)

    Road closure

    – Part of the traffic lanes of westbound Victoria Park Road between the down ramp of westbound IEC and westbound Gloucester Road, except the slow lane leading to Gloucester Road service road and the second slow lane leading to westbound Gloucester Road; and
    – The flyover leading from northbound Gloucester Road to westbound Gloucester Road.

    Traffic diversions

    – Traffic along Tsing Fung Street flyover will be diverted via the remaining lanes of westbound Victoria Park Road; and
    – Traffic along northbound Gloucester Road flyover heading for westbound Gloucester Road will be diverted via Gloucester Road service road.

    B. Pedestrian precincts

         The commencement time of the following pedestrian precincts will be postponed to 3pm on February 9, or when the major roads on Hong Kong Island are reopened:

    – Pedestrian precinct at Lockhart Road between Cannon Street and East Point Road;
    – East Point Road pedestrian precinct; and
    – Pedestrian precinct at Great George Street between East Point Road and Paterson Street.

    C. Suspension of parking spaces
     
    – 29 parking spaces in Hing Fat Street public car park (metered parking spaces No. 1619 to 1629 and 1641 to 1644) will be suspended from 3pm to 10pm on February 8;
    – All parking spaces in Hing Fat Street public car park will be suspended from 10pm on February 8 to 3pm of the following day, except for disabled parking spaces; and
    – The parking spaces at the following locations will be suspended from 00.01am to 3pm on February 9:
        – Pick-up/drop-off areas at Expo Drive East;
        – Coach parking spaces at Expo Drive;
        – Disabled parking spaces at Jaffe Road between Percival Street and Cannon Street;
        – Motorcycle parking spaces at Marsh Road between Lockhart Road and Hennessy Road;
        – Disabled parking spaces at Gloucester Road near Sugar;
        – Rumsey Street near Rumsey Street Multi-Storey Car Park;
        – Westbound Yiu Sing Street between Lung Wo Road and Man Yiu Street;
        – Goods vehicles parking spaces at westbound Man Kwong Street near Central Ferry Pier No. 3;
        – Goods vehicles parking spaces at westbound Man Kwong Street near Central Ferry Pier No. 8;
        – Disabled parking spaces outside Central Ferry Pier No. 4 and Central Ferry Pier No. 5;
        – Motorcycle parking spaces outside Central Ferry Pier No. 6 and Central Ferry Pier No. 7; and
        – Wan Shing Street opposite to Wanchai Station Building.

    Kowloon
    ——-

    A. Road closure and traffic diversions
     
           The following will be implemented by phases on February 9, until the roads are safe for reopening, except for vehicles with permit:
     
    Phase I (from 00.45am to about 1.15pm)
     
    Road closure

    – Southbound West Kowloon Highway between Mei Ching Road Roundabout and Western Harbour Crossing;
    – The slip road leading from northbound Lin Cheung Road near Civil Aid Service Headquarters to southbound West Kowloon Highway;
    – The slip road leading from northbound Nga Cheung Road elevated road to southbound West Kowloon Highway;
    – The slip road leading from westbound Jordan Road flyover to southbound Western Harbour Crossing;
    – The slip road leading from southbound Lin Cheung Road near Yau Ma Tei Interchange to southbound West Kowloon Highway; and
    – The slow lane of northbound Lin Cheung Road lowest level underpass between Austin Road West underpass and exit of Lin Cheung Road.

    Traffic diversions

    – Traffic along northbound Lin Cheung Road cannot turn to the slip road leading from northbound Lin Cheung Road near Civil Aid Service Headquarters to southbound West Kowloon Highway;
    – Traffic along southbound Lin Cheung Road will be diverted to the slip road heading to Tsim Sha Tsui; and
    – Traffic along eastbound Mei Ching Road cannot turn to the slip road leading from southbound Lin Cheung Road to southbound West Kowloon Highway.

    Phase II (from 1am to about 9am)

    Road closure

    – Eastbound Salisbury Road between Star Ferry Pier and Canton Road; and
    – Westbound Salisbury Road between Star Ferry Pier and Kowloon Park Drive.

    Traffic diversions

         Traffic along westbound Salisbury Road will be diverted via northbound Kowloon Park Drive.

    Phase III (from 1.40am to about 10am)

    Road closure

    – Northbound Nathan Road between Austin Road and Salisbury Road;
    – Southbound Nathan Road between Kimberley Road and Middle Road;
    – Westbound Kimberley Road between Nathan Road and Carnarvon Road;
    – Westbound Granville Road between Nathan Road and Carnarvon Road;
    – Eastbound Cameron Road between Nathan Road and Cameron Lane;
    – Humphreys Avenue;
    – Westbound Carnarvon Road between Nathan Road and Bristol Avenue;
    – Mody Road between Nathan Road and Bristol Avenue;
    – Haiphong Road between Lock Road and Nathan Road;
    – Peking Road between Lock Road and Nathan Road;
    – Middle Road between Hankow Road and Nathan Road; and
    – Westbound Salisbury Road Underpass.

    Traffic diversions

    – Traffic along southbound Nathan Road will be diverted to eastbound Kimberley Road;
    – Traffic along Salisbury Road cannot turn to northbound Nathan Road;
    – Traffic along northbound Carnarvon Road cannot turn left to westbound Granville Road and westbound Kimberley Road;
    – Traffic along eastbound Haiphong Road will be diverted to southbound Lock Road; and
    – Traffic along westbound Salisbury Road cannot enter westbound Salisbury Road Underpass near Chatham Road South.

    Phase IV (from 2.30am to about 10.45am)

    Road closure

    – The slip road leading from eastbound Lai Po Road to southbound Lin Cheung Road;
    – The slip road leading from westbound Tsing Sha Highway to southbound Lin Cheung Road;
    – Southbound Lin Cheung Road between Lai Po Road and Hoi Fai Road;
    – Southbound Lin Cheung Road between Tonkin Street West and Yau Ma Tei Interchange; and
    – Westbound Yen Chow Street West between Sham Mong Road and Lin Cheung Road.

    Traffic diversions

    – Traffic along eastbound Lai Po Road cannot turn left to the slip road heading to southbound Lin Cheung Road;
    – Traffic along westbound Tsing Sha Highway will be diverted to the slip road leading from southbound Lin Cheung Road heading to Cheung Sha Wan;
    – Traffic along eastbound Tonkin Street West cannot turn right to southbound Lin Cheung Road heading to Yau Ma Tei;
    – Traffic along southbound Lin Cheung Road will be diverted to the slip road leading from southbound Lin Cheung Road to Sham Shui Po (near Tonkin Street West);
    – Traffic along westbound Tonkin Street West cannot turn left to southbound Lin Cheung Road;
    – Traffic along northbound Sham Mong Road cannot turn left to westbound Yen Chow Street West;
    – Traffic along southbound Sham Mong Road cannot turn right to westbound Yen Chow Street West; and
    – Traffic along westbound Yen Chow Street West cannot turn to the slip road leading to southbound Lin Cheung Road.

    Phase V (from 3.30am to about 10.30am)

    Road closure

    – Westbound Argyle Street between Nathan Road and Tong Mi Road, except the following lanes:
         – The first lane of westbound Argyle Street between Portland Street and Shanghai Street;
         – The first lane of westbound Argyle Street between Reclamation Street and Tong Mi Road; and
         – The fifth lane of westbound Argyle Street between Shanghai Street and Reclamation Street.
    – Westbound Cherry Street between Tong Mi Road and Lin Cheung Road, except the following lanes:
         – The first lane of westbound Cherry Street between Tong Mi Road and Hoi Wang Road; and
         – The third and fourth lanes of westbound Cherry Street between Hoi Wang Road and Cherry Street Underpass.
    – Southbound Lin Cheung Road between Hoi Fai Road Roundabout and southbound West Kowloon Highway;
    – Southbound Hong Lok Street between Argyle Street and Fife Street; and
    – Northbound Hoi Wang Road between Hoi Ting Road and Cherry Street.
     
    Traffic diversions

    – Traffic along westbound Argyle Street must turn to southbound or northbound Nathan Road;
    – Traffic along the first lane of westbound Argyle Street must turn left to southbound Shanghai Street;
    – Traffic along southbound Shanghai Street must turn right to the fifth lane of westbound Argyle Street;
    – Traffic along the first lane of westbound Argyle Street must turn left to southbound Tong Mi Road;
    – Traffic along southbound Tong Mi Road must turn left to eastbound Argyle Street;
    – Traffic along northbound Reclamation Street must turn left to the first lane of westbound Argyle Street;
    – Traffic along northbound Tong Mi Road must turn left to westbound Cherry Street;
    – Traffic along westbound Cherry Street must turn left to southbound Hoi Wang Road;
    – Traffic along eastbound Hoi Ting Road cannot turn left to northbound Hoi Wang Road;
    – Traffic along westbound Hoi Ting Road cannot turn right to northbound Hoi Wang Road;
    – Traffic along northbound Hoi Wang Road must turn left to westbound Hoi Ting Road;
    – Traffic along southbound Tai Kok Tsui Road cannot go straight to southbound Hoi Wang Road;
    – Traffic along westbound Cherry Street cannot turn to southbound Lin Cheung Road;
    – Traffic along westbound Hoi Fai Road cannot turn left to southbound Lin Cheung Road;
    – Traffic along Hoi Fai Road Roundabout cannot turn to southbound Lin Cheung Road;
    – Traffic along southbound Hong Lok Street must turn right to westbound Fife Street;
    – Traffic along southbound Tong Mi Road must turn left to eastbound Bute Street;
    – Traffic along eastbound Anchor Street must go straight to eastbound Mong Kok Road; and
    – Traffic along southbound Oak Street must turn left to eastbound Anchor Street.

    Phase VI (from 3.45am to about 9.15am)

    Road closure

    – The fast lane of northbound Kowloon Park Drive between Peking Road and Middle Road;
    – Ashley Road;
    – Hankow Road;
    – Lock Road;
    – Haiphong Road between Canton Road and Lock Road;
    – Ichang Street;
    – Peking Road between Kowloon Park Drive and Lock Road;
    – Middle Road between Kowloon Park Drive and Hankow Road;
    – Southbound Nathan Road between Salisbury Road and Middle Road; and
    – Middle Road between Nathan Road and Salisbury Road.

    Traffic diversions

    – Traffic along southbound Canton Road cannot turn left to eastbound Haiphong Road;
    – Traffic along eastbound Salisbury Road cannot turn left to northbound Hankow Road and northbound Middle Road; and
    – Traffic along northbound Kowloon Park Drive cannot turn right to eastbound Peking Road.

    Phase VII (from 4.15am to about 10am)

    Road closure

    – Southbound Nathan Road between Gascoigne Road and Kimberley Road;
    – Northbound Nathan Road between Austin Road and Argyle Street;
    – Eastbound Kimberley Road between Nathan Road and Carnarvon Road;
    – Eastbound Austin Road between Pilkem Street and Cox’s Road;
    – Westbound Austin Road between Cox’s Road and Nathan Road;
    – Hillwood Road;
    – Pine Tree Hill Road;
    – Tak Shing Street between Nathan Road and Tak Hing Street;
    – Tak Hing Street;
    – Bowring Street between Pilkem Street and Nathan Road;
    – Westbound Jordan Road between Cox’s Road and Pilkem Street;
    – Eastbound Jordan Road between Parkes Street and Chi Wo Street;
    – Chi Wo Street between Gascoigne Road and Nanking Street;
    – Ning Po Street between Parkes Street and Chi Wo Street;
    – Mau Lam Street;
    – Eastbound Pak Hoi Street between Woosung Street and Nathan Road;
    – Westbound Pak Hoi Street between Chi Wo Street and Nathan Road;
    – Kansu Street between Nathan Road and Temple Street;
    – Westbound Gascoigne Road between Jordan Road and Nathan Road;
    – Public Square Street between Nathan Road and Arthur Street;
    – Wing Sing Lane between Arthur Street and Nathan Road;
    – Man Ming Lane between Nathan Road and Arthur Street;
    – Eastbound Waterloo Road between Portland Street and Nathan Road;
    – Hamilton Street between Portland Street and Nathan Road;
    – Dundas Street between Portland Street and Nathan Road; and
    – Changsha Street between Portland Street and Nathan Road.

    Traffic diversions

    – Traffic along northbound Carnarvon Road must turn right to eastbound Kimberley Road;
    – Traffic along westbound Austin Road must turn right to northbound Cox’s Road;
    – Traffic along eastbound Austin Road must turn left to northbound Pilkem Street;
    – Traffic along southbound Cox’s Road must turn left to eastbound Austin Road;
    – Traffic along northbound Cox’s Road must turn right to eastbound Jordan Road;
    – Traffic along northbound Pilkem Street cannot turn right to eastbound Bowring Street;
    – Traffic along westbound Jordan Road must turn left to southbound Cox’s Road;
    – Traffic along eastbound Jordan Road must turn left to northbound Parkes Street;
    – Traffic along northbound Parkes Street cannot turn right to eastbound Ning Po Street;
    – Traffic along eastbound Pak Hoi Street must turn right to southbound Woosung Street;
    – Traffic along southbound Woosung Street cannot turn left to Pak Hoi Street;
    – Traffic along westbound Gascoigne Road must turn left to southbound Cox’s Road;
    – Traffic along southbound Queen Elizabeth Hospital Road cannot turn right to westbound Gascoigne Road;
    – Traffic along southbound Nathan Road must turn left to eastbound Gascoigne Road;
    – Arthur Street between Public Square Street and Wing Sing Lane will be re-routed one-way southbound;
    – Traffic along Arthur Street must turn right to westbound Public Square Street;
    – Traffic along southbound Arthur Street cannot turn left to eastbound Wing Sing Lane;
    – Traffic along westbound Waterloo Road must turn left to southbound Nathan Road;
    – Traffic along eastbound Waterloo Road must turn left to Portland Street;
    – Traffic along eastbound Hamilton Street must turn left to northbound Portland Street;
    – Traffic along northbound Portland Street cannot turn right to eastbound Hamilton Street;
    – Traffic along eastbound Dundas Street must turn left to northbound Portland Street;
    – Traffic along northbound Portland Street cannot turn right to eastbound Dundas Street; and
    – Traffic along northbound Portland Street cannot turn right to eastbound Changsha Street.

    B. Suspension of on-street parking spaces

    – The on-street parking spaces at Kimberley Road between Carnarvon Road and Observatory Road will be suspended from 00.01am to 10am on February 9; and
    –  The on-street parking spaces at Arthur Street between Wing Sing Lane and Public Square Street will be suspended from 00.01am to 10am on February 9.

    C. Temporary closure of Western Harbour Crossing (Hong Kong bound tube)

         The Hong Kong bound tube of the Western Harbour Crossing will be closed from 00.45am to about 1.15pm on February 9, or until the reopening of all connecting roads after the marathon. The Kowloon bound tube will maintain open to normal traffic.

    New Territories
    —————

        The following will be implemented by phases between February 8 and 9, until the roads are safe for reopening, except for vehicles with permit:

    Phase I (from 11.30pm on February 8 to 1.15pm of the following day)

         The slip road leading from Tuen Mun Road to southbound Ting Kau Bridge will be closed.

    Phase II (from 11.45pm on February 8 to 1.15pm of the following day)

    Road closure

    – Southbound carriageways of Tsing Kwai Highway, Cheung Tsing Tunnel, Cheung Tsing Highway and Ting Kau Bridge;
    – All exits from Lantau Link to southbound Cheung Tsing Highway;
    – The slip road leading from Tsing Yi South Bridge, Kwai Chung Road and Tsuen Wan Road to southbound Tsing Kwai Highway;
    – Eastbound carriageways of Tsing Sha Highway between the access road of Cheung Tsing Tunnel and West Kowloon Highway, Stonecutters Bridge and Nam Wan Tunnel;
    – The slip road leading from Tsing Yi Hong Wan Road to eastbound Stonecutters Bridge;
    – The slip road leading from Container Port Road South to eastbound Tsing Sha Highway (Ngong Shuen Chau Viaduct);
    – The slip road from Mei Ching Road leading to southbound West Kowloon Highway, except for vehicles leaving Container Port via Roundabout 6 to Mei Ching Road and Tsing Kwai Highway (New Territories bound);
    – The North West Tsing Yi Interchange U-turn slip road leading from eastbound Tsing Yi North Coastal Road to westbound Tsing Yi North Coastal Road; and
    – The slip road leading from southbound Cheung Tsing Highway to Tsing Yi Road West.

    Traffic diversions

    – Traffic from Lantau to Kowloon will be diverted via North West Tsing Yi Interchange, Tsing Yi North Coastal Road, Tsing Tsuen Road, Tsuen Wan Road, Kwai Chung Road, Cheung Sha Wan Road and Lai Chi Kok Road;
    – Traffic from Ma Wan to Kowloon will be diverted via North West Tsing Yi Interchange, Tsing Yi North Coastal Road, Tsing Tsuen Road, Tsuen Wan Road, Kwai Chung Road, Cheung Sha Wan Road and Lai Chi Kok Road;
    – Traffic from Tuen Mun Road and Tai Lam Tunnel intending to use Ting Kau Bridge to go to the Airport, Lantau and Ma Wan will be diverted via Tuen Mun Road, Tsuen Wan Road, Tsuen Tsing Interchange, Tsing Tsuen Road, Tsing Yi North Coastal Road and the slip road leading to Lantau Link before reaching Lantau Link (airport bound);
    – Traffic from Tuen Mun Road and Tai Lam Tunnel intending to use Ting Kau Bridge to go to Kowloon will be diverted via Tuen Mun Road, Tsuen Wan Road, Kwai Chung Road, Cheung Sha Wan Road and Lai Chi Kok Road;
    – Traffic from Tsing Yi South intending to use Tsing Sha Highway to go to Kowloon will be diverted via Tsing Yi Road, Kwai Tsing Road, Kwai Tsing Interchange, Tsuen Wan Road, Kwai Chung Road, Cheung Sha Wan Road and Lai Chi Kok Road; and
    – Traffic from Kwai Chung Container Port intending to use Tsing Sha Highway to go to Kowloon will be diverted via Container Port Road South, Hing Wah Street West and Lai Po Road.

         The above measures will not affect traffic from Kowloon or New Territories East via Route 3 or Route 8 to destinations including the Airport, Lantau, Ma Wan and New Territories West.

         All vehicles parked illegally during the implementation of the above special traffic arrangements will be towed away without prior warning, and may be subject to multiple ticketing.  

         Depending on the actual traffic and crowd conditions, appropriate traffic arrangements and crowd safety management measures will be implemented. Members of the public are advised to use public transport to visit the above areas and exercise tolerance and patience, and to take heed of instructions of the Police on site.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –