Current Affairs - State

The National Highway projects worth around ₹3,200 crore were launched during the Prime Minister’s visit to West Bengal. The visit included the inauguration of the 66.7-kilometre four-lane Barajaguli–Krishnanagar section of NH-34 located in Nadia district. In addition, the foundation stone was laid for the 17.6-kilometre four-lane Barasat–Barajaguli stretch of NH-34 in North 24 Parganas. These infrastructure initiatives aim to improve road connectivity, boost economic activity, and enhance transportation efficiency within the state.

Lejit.ai is a legal technology startup that has introduced an AI-powered mobile application aimed at making legal assistance more accessible to the general public. The startup is based in Kerala and focuses on simplifying complex legal processes for ordinary citizens. Its app helps users understand their legal rights, relevant laws, and necessary precautions, and also assists in preparing affidavits and legal drafts. By leveraging artificial intelligence, the initiative seeks to bridge the gap between citizens and the legal system, enabling informed decision-making before approaching legal professionals.

Odisha is hosting the Regional AI Impact Conference on December 19–20, positioning itself as a key player in India’s evolving artificial intelligence ecosystem. The conference focuses on the application of AI in governance and public services, with emphasis on sustainability, inclusive growth, and technology-led reforms. It aligns with the larger India AI Impact Summit 2026 and follows Odisha’s proactive AI roadmap under the Odisha AI Policy 2025. Guided by the theme of “Planet, People and Progress,” the event highlights AI use across sectors such as health, education, disaster management, and social welfare, reinforcing Odisha’s vision of becoming a future-ready AI hub.

Bihar emerged as the focus of major pumped storage power investments after BSPGCL signed two MoUs with private developers for projects totaling 2,120 MW capacity in the Nawada district. The combined investment amounts to about ₹13,000 crore and falls under the Bihar Pump Storage Project Promotion Policy, 2025. Under these agreements, GreenCo Energies will develop a 1,200 MW project with an investment of ₹7,800 crore, while Sun Petrochemicals will set up a 920 MW project costing ₹5,200 crore. These projects are expected to strengthen energy storage capacity and support grid stability.

Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in India to host a wildlife-safe highway developed by the National Highways Authority of India. The project is located on a stretch of NH-45 passing through a dense forest corridor near major wildlife habitats, including a tiger reserve and a wildlife sanctuary. Designed to reduce animal-vehicle collisions, the highway incorporates innovative features such as table-top red road markings, multiple wildlife underpasses, and guiding fences. Implemented under the Green Highways Policy, 2015, the initiative reflects a balance between infrastructure development and environmental conservation, setting a model for eco-sensitive road construction across forested regions of the country.