Aspirant Academy

Economy

Current Affairs Integration

Infrastructure: Power, Transportation, PPP, Externally Aided Projects

Paper I · Unit 2 Section 13 of 15 0 PYQs 42 min
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Current Affairs Integration

Recent Developments

  • Rajasthan Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024 (October 2024): New policy superseding earlier 2019 policies. Targets 115 GW RE by 2029-30, Green Hydrogen Policy integrated. Offers 30-day single-window clearance, enhanced land lease rates (₹8,500-₹16,500/acre/year), and a dedicated 765 kV transmission corridor from Barmer for RE evacuation. Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024 attracted RE investments worth ₹2+ lakh crore.

  • Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (Rajasthan section) — Progress (2024): Approximately 390 km section through Alwar, Dausa, Kota, Chittorgarh nearly complete; targeted for inauguration in 2025-26. This will reduce travel time from Delhi to Jaipur to approximately 2 hours. Valued at ~₹20,000 crore (Rajasthan section alone). NHAI BOT concession managed with HAM structure.

  • Jaipur Airport Terminal 2 — Adani Concession (2023-24): Adani Airport Holdings took over Jaipur, Jodhpur, and other AAI airports under long-term DBFOT concession. T2 at Jaipur inaugurated January 2024, handling capacity 5 million passengers per year. Direct international services to Dubai, Sharjah, Singapore expanded.

  • Amrit Station Scheme — Jaipur Junction (2024): ₹500 crore+ upgradation of Jaipur Junction under the scheme; architectural redesign with roof plaza, modern amenities, rooftop solar, and food courts. Part of 85 Rajasthan stations in the scheme (₹4,500 crore total).

  • Udaipur-Ahmedabad Rail Corridor DPR (2024): Detailed Project Report submitted for the semi-high-speed (160 km/h) Udaipur-Ahmedabad rail corridor (155 km). Railway Board approval awaited. Will connect Rajasthan to Gujarat's GIFT City and reduce journey time from 3 hours to under 1 hour.

  • Rajasthan Smart Cities Mission — Deadline Extension to 2024: MoHUA extended Smart Cities Mission completion deadline to June 2024. Jaipur Smart City Ltd. achieved 90%+ project completion; ICCC operational 24×7. Udaipur Lakeshore ABD upgradation 85% complete with international tourism linkage.

  • EAP — Rajasthan Water Sector Restructuring Project (World Bank, 2024): Additional financing approved. 900+ Water User Associations strengthened; canal water delivery to tail-ends improved in 9 command area districts.

Potential Exam Questions from Current Affairs

  1. Possible question: What is the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Policy 2024? Discuss its key targets and provisions.
    Answer pointers: 115 GW RE target by 2029-30; Green Hydrogen 2,000 KTPA; land lease ₹8,500-16,500/acre; single-window 30-day clearance; dedicated transmission corridor from Barmer; Rising Rajasthan MoUs; SDG 7 score 100.

  2. Possible question: Describe the role of externally aided projects (EAPs) in Rajasthan's development. Name the major lending agencies and their focus areas.
    Answer pointers: 14 ongoing EAPs, ₹31,940 crore outlay, ₹15,183 crore spent; World Bank (urban water, education, disaster resilience), ADB (urban infrastructure — RUSDIP, roads), JICA (rural water supply at 0.01-0.5% ODA loans); concessional rates vs. market borrowing; compliance requirements (safeguards, ICB procurement); RUSDIP — 14 towns, 24×7 water pilot at Kishangarh.

  3. Possible question: Write a short note on Bhadla Solar Park.
    Answer pointers: Jodhpur district, 2,245 MW = world's largest; 14,000 acres Thar Desert; RRECL with Adani/Azure/SECI; PPA ₹2.44/kWh; part of Rajasthan Rank 1 solar capacity nationally; feeds into Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024's 115 GW target.

Topic 36 of 138 | Paper I, Unit 2 — Economics | Generated: 2026-04-06