Correct Answer : Option (A) - Eknath Shinde

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has launched Asia's largest, ambitious and historic cluster development scheme in Thane.

* While launching the scheme, Mr. Shinde said his much-awaited dream is coming into reality but he will be the happiest person in the world only on the day the beneficiaries of the scheme will receive the keys of their own house.

* This scheme was conceptualized for the collective redevelopment of unauthorized and official dangerous buildings after the collapse of the Sairaj Building in Thane which had claimed 18 lives.

* The redeveloped township plan includes well-equipped health, educational, sports, recreational, parking, mandi, and civic facilities.

* The CIDCO will execute the project. Under the project, the integrated redevelopment project will be done on the lines of townships.

* The occupants will get a 323 Sq ft ownership house. Chief Minister Shinde announced that the scheme will be implemented not only in Thane but also in Mumbai and the Mira-Bhayandar area of Thane district. He added that 10,000 houses will be constructed in the first phase of cluster development in Thane on 1500 acre area.

* He expressed confidence that the projects which are stalled or delayed will be completed with greater initiative with the help of CIDCO, MHADA, and BMC and those who had to migrate away from Mumbai will be brought back.

* Eknath Shinde also thanked Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for his cooperation and his guidance for this scheme during his tenure as the Chief Minister of the state...

Source : AIR

Correct Answer : Option (C) - Sri Lanka

The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off the maiden International Cruise Vessel - MV Empress, India’s first international cruise vessel - from Chennai to Sri Lanka in Chennai 5th June 2023.

* This marks the beginning of the international cruise tourism terminal at Chennai, built at a cost of ₹17.21 crores, heralding a new age of cruise tourism & maritime trade in the country.

* Coinciding on the occasion of Enviornment Day, the Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal along with the port officials also planted 2500 tree saplings at the port today.

* Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways have been taking multiple steps to develop the avenues of cruise tourism in the country and bolster opportunities of maritime trade of India.

* With our rich heritage & culture around our coastal region, the potential of cruise tourism in India is immense. Today, as we launch the maiden cruise service between Chennai and Sri Lanka, it has ushered a new chapter in the cruise tourism sector in the country.

* As the affordability & access to world class cruise services becomes a reality, the people can enjoy & relish luxurious amenities, entertainment, and breathtaking views.”

* The cruise service is the result of an MoU signed during the first Incredible India International Cruise Conference in 2022 between Chennai Port and M/S Waterways Leisure Tourism Pvt Ltd to start domestic and international cruise service.

* With an overwhelming response by 85,000 passengers availing the cruise service through 37 vessels for the domestic circuit, it is expected that the opening up of international circuit will further amp up the business of cruise tourism in the region. The modern cruise terminal developed at Chennai Port is spread over an area of 2,880 square meters with an ability to host 3,000 passengers at a time.

* We expect that the volume of cruise ships will increase from 208 in 2023 to 500 in 2030 and upto 1100 by 2047. Consequently, the number of passengers availing cruise services is also likely to increase from 9.5 lakhs in 2030 to 45 lakhs in 2047.

* In order to boost demand for cruise services the western, southern and eastern coasts of India, we are working on Gujarat Pilgrimage tours, Cultural and Scenic Tours, Ayurveda Wellness Tours & Heritage Tourism. Plans are afoot to develop new cruise tourism terminal in Andamans, Puducherry and Lakshadweep circuits. We are also studying the feasibility of developing ferry circuits across India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar.”

* The cruise service will sail to three Sri Lankan ports; viz. Hanbantota, Trincomalee, and Kankesanturei. The tour packages on board MV Empress will be offered for 2 nights, 3 nights, 4 nights and 5 nights. During its run at the sea, MV Empress will be touching 3 ports in Sri Lanka before returning to Chennai..

Source : PIB