23rd DECEMBER 2025 ENGLISH TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS PDF TNPSC SHOUTERS
World Bank praises the Chennai Metropolitan Transport Corporation for winning the 'City with the Best Public Transport System' award
- In Chennai city, most local transport services utilize buses, electric trains, and metro trains. Despite the availability of multiple transport services, most people use the government bus service. The Chennai Metropolitan Transport Corporation operates more than 3,000 buses daily from 27 depots.
- More than 40 lakh people travel on these buses every day. In this context, the Chennai Metropolitan Transport Corporation has received the Central Government's award for the city with the best public transport system.
- The World Bank has praised the MTC for recovering from its previous decline and achieving this feat by winning the Central Government's award for the city with the best public transport system.
- In an article published by the World Bank, it stated: “Three years ago, Chennai's commuters were shunning public buses. At that time, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) was struggling with challenges such as low passenger numbers, a small bus fleet, and a lack of public trust.
- Today, Chennai has completely transformed this situation and achieved a remarkable feat. It has won India's highest urban transport award, the “City with the Best Public Transport System,” from the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. This is a recognition that Chennai can be proud of.”
- India has proposed a comprehensive financial assistance package worth US$450 million (approximately ₹3,700 crore) for the reconstruction efforts in Sri Lanka, which has been severely affected by Cyclone Ditwah.
- Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who is on a visit to Sri Lanka as a special envoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, made this important announcement in Colombo on Tuesday.
- Immediately after the cyclone struck, India launched rapid relief efforts under the name 'Operation Sagar Bandhu'. Through this operation, approximately 1,100 tons of relief materials were provided. 14.5 tons of medicines and medical equipment were distributed. Indian teams spearheaded the provision of emergency medical services to the affected people.
- Now that the emergency relief operations have concluded, India is providing this substantial amount to rebuild the country's infrastructure. This $450 million package is divided into two parts: $350 million for concessional loan assistance and $100 million as a direct grant.
