Chief Election Commissioner, Offshore Airport, Air Ambulance

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Today is February 18. We’re covering the new Chief Election Commissioner, Mumbai’s planned offshore airport project, an air ambulance startup, and more.

Policy & Governance

Gyanesh Kumar Appointed as India's Chief Election Commissioner

Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has been appointed as India's new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). He will assume office on February 19, 2025, amid a Supreme Court hearing on the law governing the selection process. His tenure, lasting until January 26, 2029, will oversee 20 state assembly elections, the 2027 presidential and vice-presidential polls, and preparations for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

Kumar, a 1988-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, previously served in the Union Home Ministry and played a key role in drafting the bill that revoked Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. His selection followed a meeting of the Election Committee, where Congress leader Rahul Gandhi submitted a dissent note.

Infrastructure

Mumbai to Get India’s First Offshore Airport Near Vadhvan Seaport
Sources say plans are underway for India’s first offshore airport on an artificial island near Vadhwan Port, about 120 km from the existing airport. Modeled after offshore airports in China and Japan, the project has received initial environmental and defense clearances. The ₹76,000 crore Vadhvan seaport project is expected to become one of the world’s top 10 ports by 2039.

Delhi Airport T1 Canopy Collapse Blamed on Design Flaws, Operator Cites Record Rain
An expert committee report cited flawed design, poor workmanship, and inadequate maintenance as key factors in the June 28, 2024, canopy collapse at Delhi Airport’s Terminal 1, which killed one person and injured eight. Operator DIAL dismissed the findings as speculative, attributing the incident to record rainfall. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued a show-cause notice, calling it a “grave lapse,” while DIAL defended itself in multiple responses. The AAI has yet to make a final decision on the matter.

Aerospace Sector Soars as Global Giants Expand Sourcing

According to sources, global aerospace giants like Airbus and Rolls-Royce are increasing parts sourcing from India, boosting the country’s aerospace sector. Bengaluru-based firms like Hical Technologies and JJG Aero are capitalizing on this growth, with Hical aiming to double its aerospace revenue and JJG Aero seeing a tenfold jump in six years. The Asia-Pacific aerospace market is surging, with 2024 revenues projected to exceed 2019 levels by 54%.

Energy & Environment

Magnitude 4.0 Earthquake Jolts Delhi NCR

A magnitude 4.0 earthquake struck Delhi NCR early Monday morning, with tremors recorded at 5:36 am at a depth of 5 km. The earthquake’s shallow depth and proximity to dense areas made its impact feel stronger. The epicentre was near Dhaula Kuan, an area that has experienced minor quakes in the past. No major damage or casualties were reported.

NTPC Plans $62 Billion Push for Nuclear Power Expansion

Sources say state-run NTPC is planning to build 30 GW of nuclear power capacity over the next two decades—three times its initial target—at an estimated cost of $62 billion. The shift comes after the Indian government recently announced plans to open the sector to foreign and private investment. NTPC, traditionally reliant on coal-fired plants, is actively seeking land for these projects, but faces potential challenges from local resistance.

Tech, Media & Telecom

Indian Startup ePlane Strikes $1B Air Ambulance Deal

The ePlane Company, an IIT Madras-incubated electric aircraft startup, has signed an agreement to supply 788 eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) air ambulances to ICATT, an air ambulance service provider. The deal, valued at over $1 billion, aims to improve medical emergency response across India, especially in congested cities and remote areas.

ePlane’s e200x aircraft, designed for rooftop take-offs and landings, are reportedly seven times faster than road transport. The startup, which has raised $20 million so far, plans to build three prototypes first, each accommodating a pilot, a paramedic, and a patient on a stretcher.

TCS Accused of Misusing US Visa System

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s largest IT services firm, allegedly misclassified employees as managers to bypass US H-1B visa restrictions, according to former staffers who have filed lawsuits. Instead of using the heavily regulated H-1B visa, TCS reportedly placed front-line workers with no management duties on L-1A visas, which are meant for managers and have fewer restrictions.

A whistleblower claims that as the Trump administration tightened visa scrutiny, TCS executives scrambled to adjust organizational charts to align with their visa filings. Data from the Department of Homeland Security shows that TCS has used management visas on a scale unmatched by any other US employer.

$190 Million Seized in BitConnect Crypto Scam, Founder Traced to Ahmedabad
Authorities have seized nearly $190 million in cryptocurrency linked to the BitConnect Ponzi scheme, one of the country’s largest crypto fraud cases. The ED raided multiple locations in Gujarat, confiscating digital assets, cash, and electronic devices.

BitConnect founder Satish Kumbhani lured investors with promises of 40% monthly returns but instead funneled funds into secret wallets. The scheme defrauded over 4,000 investors across 95 countries, amassing $2.4 billion before collapsing in 2018. Kumbhani was charged by the US in 2022.

Education

Nepali Student’s Death Sparks Unrest at KIIT, Over 500 Students Leave

Tensions erupted at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar after the alleged suicide of a third-year Nepali BTech student. Her cousin alleged that another student blackmailed her, which they claim led to her death. The incident triggered protests, and over 500 Nepali students were forced to leave the campus amid rising tensions. The incident has also caused a diplomatic stir between India and Nepal, raising concerns over the safety and treatment of international students in India.

Worth a Look

Here’s a great breakdown on literacy in India by Data for India. It offers insights on male versus female literacy rates, split by social groups, and more.

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See you tomorrow.