Current Affairs 18 February 2026

Great Nicobar Island mega-infrastructure project

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has cleared the ₹92,000-crore Great Nicobar Island mega-infrastructure project, considering its strategic, defence and national importance. This project includes a transshipment port, airport, power plant and township. The Tribunal directed strict compliance with environmental clearance (EC) conditions, including protection of coral reefs, regeneration measures and safeguarding turtle nesting beaches. Issues relating to forest clearance are still pending before the Calcutta High Court.

About Great Nicobar Island

• Great Nicobar is the southernmost island of the Andaman & Nicobar group and part of India’s Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
• Indira point is the southern most point of India is often asked in exams is located in Great Nicobar Island.
• The Great Nicobar Island Included in UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) in 2013.
• Ten Degree Channel separates Andaman and Nicobar island groups.

District Cooling System and Urban Climate Solution

• District cooling is a centralised air-conditioning system that supplies chilled water from a single large plant to multiple buildings through insulated underground pipelines.
• It functions like a public utility where buildings receive “cooling as a service” instead of installing individual cooling units.
• District cooling has emerged as a key solution under India’s National Cooling Action Plan to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance urban sustainability.

Visakhapatnam–Bhogapuram Coastal Corridor (VBCC)

The proposed 55–60 km Visakhapatnam–Bhogapuram Coastal Corridor (VBCC) is a major infrastructure project aimed at improving connectivity between Visakhapatnam and the upcoming Bhogapuram International Greenfield Airport, which is expected to become operational by June 2026. The project is being planned by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in coordination with the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA).

₹100 Crore Allocation for ‘Mana Mitra’ WhatsApp Governance

The Andhra Pradesh Government has strengthened its digital governance agenda by allocating ₹100 crore to the Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) in the 2026–27 Budget for the expansion of ‘Mana Mitra’ WhatsApp Governance.

India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership

During the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India (17–19 February 2026) for the AI Impact Summit 2026, India and France decided to elevate their bilateral ties to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership.” This marks a new phase in the relationship aimed at long-term cooperation in defence, technology, climate action, space, nuclear energy, trade and people-to-people exchanges.

Key Highlights

• India–France Year of Innovation 2026: Launched to boost innovation cooperation.
• Procurement of 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets.
• Tata–Airbus H125 helicopter final assembly line inaugurated at Vemagal, Karnataka.
• Collaboration on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) & Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project. This power project is located in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra.
• Target to host 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030

‘Bharat VISTAAR’ Scheme Launched for Farmers

Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the AI-powered ‘Bharat VISTAAR’ Scheme (Phase 1) in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The initiative aims to provide technology-driven, real-time agricultural advisory services to farmers through mobile phones.

• Helpline Number: 155261 – Farmers can ask questions and get instant solutions.
• Real-time mandi prices available through the same number.
• Farmer Identity Card (Farmer ID): Stores complete farmer data.

India’s First ‘Bee Corridors’ on National Highways

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched a first-of-its-kind ‘Bee Corridor’ initiative to promote pollinator conservation and ecological sustainability along National Highways. This marks a major shift from ornamental plantations to ecological plantations, focusing on bee-friendly vegetation that provides continuous nectar and pollen throughout the year.

Implementation Plan

• Development of pollinator corridors during 2026–27
• Planting clusters at 500 m – 1 km intervals
• Target to plant 40 lakh trees in 2026–27
• 60% plantations under the Bee Corridor initiative

Disclaimer: This article is prepared for competitive exam preparation using publicly available information.