Tunnel collapses in Sikkim’s Namchi; 8 workers killed, rescue ops under way
Distilled Policy Brief
- The Indian government has initiated a rescue operation in Sikkim's Namchi district after a tunnel collapse resulted in the deaths of eight workers and trapped 19 others.
- The operation has been complicated by the presence of gas inside the tunnel, with rescue personnel experiencing dizziness and losing consciousness while attempting to reach the trapped workers, affecting 17 personnel.
- Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken with him regarding the incident and emergency response efforts are being coordinated at the state and national levels.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the bilateral research and industrial cooperation engagements between India and Germany, consider the following statements: 1. Roundtables held with German research organizations, such as the Fraunhofer Institutes, prioritized key fields including microelectronics, power electronics, and smart manufacturing. 2. Expanding industry-academia innovation networks and collaboration in battery technologies form key components of the enhanced strategic cooperation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- [A] 1 only
- [B] 2 only
- [C] Both 1 and 2
- [D] Neither 1 nor 2
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
Both statements are correct. High-level roundtables with German research institutes, including Fraunhofer Institutes, focused on microelectronics, power electronics, smart manufacturing, battery technologies, and logistics. Furthermore, the engagement emphasized strengthening industry-academia innovation networks, science and technology cooperation, and advanced manufacturing capabilities between India and Germany.
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.