Current Affairs 02 May 2026

India’s First Green Methanol Plant in Kutch

India is set to establish its first green methanol production plant at Deendayal Port Authority in Kutch, Gujarat. The plant will use the invasive plant species Prosopis juliflora as its primary feedstock.

Originally introduced during the British era, Prosopis juliflora has spread widely across the Banni grasslands, damaging local biodiversity. The project aims to convert this environmental challenge into a sustainable energy opportunity.

Key Highlights:

• Developed by Thermax with gasification technology from Ankur Scientific
• Production capacity: 5 tonnes of methanol per day
• Green methanol is produced using biomass instead of fossil fuels
• It can be used as a clean marine fuel, replacing bunker oil

Environmental Benefits

• Eliminates sulphur oxides and particulate matter
• Reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 95%
• Cuts NOx emissions by up to 80%

Great Nicobar Project

The Great Nicobar Project aims to transform Great Nicobar Island into a strategic maritime and economic hub in the Indian Ocean Region. It is located close (≈40 nautical miles) to the East–West international shipping route, reducing India’s dependence on foreign transshipment ports like Colombo and Singapore.

Key Infrastructure Components

• International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) – Capacity: 14.2 million TEU
• Greenfield International Airport – Capacity: 4000 Peak Hour Passengers (PHP)
• 450 MVA Gas + Solar Power Plant

Strategic Importance

• Strengthens India’s maritime security & defence presence in the Indo-Pacific
• Promotes port-led economic growth
• Enhances India’s role in global shipping and trade

Environmental Safeguards

• Approved under EIA Notification, 2006 & ICRZ Notification, 2019
• Only 1.82% of forest cover diverted
• Compensatory afforestation planned over 97.30 sq. km
• Strict monitoring by expert committees (ZSI, WII, IISc, etc.)

Tribal Welfare

• No displacement of Shompen & Nicobarese tribes
• Net increase in tribal reserve area through re-notification

Implementation

• Executed in 3 phases (2025–2047)
• Total project area: 166.10 sq. km

Padma Doree – A Cross-Regional Textile Initiative

The Padma Doree initiative was globally launched on 1 May 2026 by the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.

The Padma Doree is a cross-regional textile initiative that combines the Eri Silk traditions of Northeast India with the Chanderi weaving heritage of Madhya Pradesh.

The initiative aims to create a sustainable, artisan-centric textile ecosystem by blending ethical Ahimsa silk production with traditional handloom craftsmanship.

Operation WHITE STRIKE – Major Cocaine Seizure by NCB

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has successfully busted a major transnational drug trafficking syndicate under Operation WHITE STRIKE. During the operation, approximately 349 kg of high-grade cocaine, valued at around ₹1,745 crore, was seized from the Mumbai–Navi Mumbai–Thane logistics corridor.

Coastal Atmospheric Research Testbed (C-ART) Inaugurated in Visakhapatnam

The Open-Field Observatory of Coastal Atmospheric Research Testbed (C-ART) was inaugurated on May 1, 2026, at Andhra University by M. Ravichandran. The facility has been established by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology under the Ministry of Earth Sciences as part of the Mission Mausam initiative.

Key Highlights

• Designed as a national research facility for atmospheric and monsoon studies
• Located in Visakhapatnam (East Coast) for advanced coastal weather studies

INS Mahendragiri Delivered to Indian Navy

The Indian Navy has received INS Mahendragiri, the sixth ship of the Nilgiri-class (Project 17A), on April 30, 2026, at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited. This marks a significant milestone in India’s push towards Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence manufacturing and warship construction.

Key Highlights:

• Uses CODOG (Combined Diesel or Gas) propulsion system
• Built under Project 17A, an advanced class of stealth frigates
• Designed by the Warship Design Bureau
• Features advanced stealth, automation, survivability, and combat capabilities
• Equipped with anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare systems

Parliamentary Committee Appointments (2026–27)

K. C. Venugopal has been reappointed as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament for the term 2026–27. The appointments were made by Om Birla.

Other Key Appointments:

• Baijayant Panda – Chairman, Committee on Public Undertakings
• Faggan Singh Kulaste – Chairman, Committee on Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
• Sanjay Jaiswal – Chairperson, Committee on Estimates

These committees will function for the period May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is a crucial financial committee that examines government expenditure and ensures accountability of public funds.

Anugraha Narayana Das – Controller General of Defence Accounts

Anugraha Narayana Das, a 1991-batch officer of the Indian Defence Accounts Service, assumed charge as the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) on 1 May 2026. He brings more than three decades of experience in defence financial management, public finance, procurement policy, audit, budgeting, and expenditure monitoring.