Current Affairs Exam

Construction Progress: 59% of the 19.3 km Dhubri-Phulbari Bridge is complete. This indicates steady advancement towards project completion.

Strategic Importance: The 4-lane bridge connects Dhubri, Assam, and Phulbari, Meghalaya, on NH 127B. Its significance lies in improving connectivity between Northeast India and the rest of the country.

Length and Structure: With a total length of 19.3 km, the bridge features a 12.625 km navigation bridge and approach viaducts (3.5 km on the Dhubri side, 2.2 km on the Phulbari side), supported by 199 pillars. It’s poised to be the longest river bridge in India.

Reduced Travel Time: The bridge will drastically cut travel distance by over 200 km between Phulbari and Dhubri. This translates to faster and more efficient transportation for people and goods.

Project Details: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is handling the civil construction for the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corp Ltd. (NHIDCL). Funding is provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Cost: The project is estimated to cost Rs 3165.99 crore. This is a substantial investment demonstrating the commitment to improving infrastructure in the region.

Magma Cap Discovery: A “breathing” cap of magma has been found inside the Yellowstone supervolcano. This could help scientists predict future eruptions.

Location: Yellowstone supervolcano is located beneath Yellowstone National Park in the western United States.

Size & Type: It’s one of the world’s largest active volcanic systems, characterized as a caldera (a large crater) and an active supervolcano. The caldera is 55 x 72 km (34 x 45 miles) in size.

Formation: The caldera formed from the collapse of land after massive pyroclastic eruptions emptied the magma chamber beneath.

Past Eruptions: Yellowstone has had three major eruptions: 2.1 million, 1.3 million, and 640,000 years ago. Two of these qualify it as a supervolcano.

Supervolcano Definition: A supervolcano is defined by eruptions of more than 1,000 cubic kilometers of deposits.

Potential Impact: A future supereruption could blanket North America in ash, with areas near the volcano potentially covered by over a meter of debris.

Climate Effects: Supervolcanoes can cause global cooling for several years due to sulfur dioxide released into the atmosphere, which blocks sunlight.

Earthquake: A 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck Istanbul with its epicenter in the Sea of Marmara. Aftershocks followed, including one measuring 5.3.

Location Significance: The Sea of Marmara is a small inland sea within Turkey, separating the Asian and European parts of the country. It connects the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea.

Fault Line: The North Anatolian Fault runs beneath the Sea of Marmara, making the region prone to earthquakes.

Immediate Impact: While there were no immediate reports of damage, residents were urged to avoid buildings, and people panicked.

Historical Context: Turkey is earthquake-prone due to its location on major fault lines. A devastating earthquake in February 2023 killed over 53,000 people in southern Turkey and heightened fears in Istanbul due to its proximity to fault lines.

Preventative Measures: Urban reconstruction projects are underway in Istanbul to fortify buildings and demolish those at risk of collapse to mitigate future earthquake damage.

Sea Characteristics: The Sea of Marmara has a unique salinity stratification, with fresher water near the surface and saltier water at the bottom. It experiences a humid subtropical climate.

Taliban’s Stance Shift: The Taliban, once known for destroying Buddhist artifacts like the Bamiyan Buddhas, now publicly supports preserving Afghanistan’s ancient heritage, including pre-Islamic relics. This is a significant change in rhetoric and, if genuine, could impact the future of archaeological sites.

Proliferation of Discoveries: Since the Taliban’s return to power and the end of decades of war, there has been an increase in archaeological finds, particularly those related to Buddhism, which are being publicized by the authorities.

Key Buddhist Sites Under Focus:

• Mes Aynak: A major site with monasteries, stupas, a Zoroastrian fire temple, and thousands of artifacts dating from the 1st century BC to the 10th century AD. Its significance lies in its role on the Silk Road and the diverse cultural influences reflected in its art (Hellenistic, Indian, Persian, Chinese).
• Shewaki Stupa: A significant Buddhist-era monument from the 1st to 3rd centuries AD in Kabul, reflecting Kushan and Hellenistic architectural styles. It was a key religious and caravan site.
• Bamiyan Buddhas: Although destroyed in 2001, their legacy remains a crucial part of Afghanistan’s cultural heritage and a reminder of the Taliban’s past actions.
• Kushan-era Inscriptions: Discoveries in Laghman Province (rock niches, Brahmi inscriptions, winemaking tools) highlight the vast reach of the Kushan Empire.

International Skepticism: Despite the Taliban’s claims, skepticism remains among observers regarding their commitment to preservation, given their history of destroying cultural artifacts.

Damage Control: Some experts believe the Taliban’s shift is an attempt to improve their international reputation after the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas severely damaged their image.

Sites validating Afghan History: Archaeological sites discovered in Laghman Province such as Gowarjan village with carved Brahmi inscriptions go back 5,000 years.

SC Caution on Routine Invocation: The Supreme Court recently emphasized that using the Doctrine of Prospective Overruling should not be a routine practice. Courts must carefully consider if the circumstances truly warrant it.

Definition: The Doctrine allows courts to apply legal decisions only to future cases. Past actions and judgments under the old law remain unaffected.

Purpose: It prevents penalizing those who acted based on previous legal interpretations when the law is reinterpreted. It aims to ensure fairness and avoid legal chaos.

Contrast to Retrospective Rulings: This is in contrast to retrospective rulings. Retrospective rulings apply the new interpretation of the law to both past and future cases.

Deviation from Blackstonian View: It deviates from the traditional view that courts should only expound the old law, not create new ones.

Global Adoption: The doctrine originated in American jurisprudence and is used in countries like India and the UK.

Indian Jurisprudence – I.C. Golaknath vs. State of Punjab (1967): The Supreme Court formally introduced the doctrine to Indian law in this landmark case.

Avoiding Reopening Settled Issues: The doctrine prevents reopening already settled legal matters and avoids a multiplication of legal proceedings.

Binding on Subordinate Courts: Subordinate courts must apply the new law only to future cases.

SC’s Power to Set Effective Date: The Supreme Court can specify when a new ruling takes effect. This protects decisions made before that date.