Agray: Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC)

Recently, an anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft named Agray has been delivered to the Indian Navy.

It is a state-of-the-art Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, for the Indian Navy. This 77-meter-long indigenously developed vessel is designed for anti-submarine operations, surveillance, and mine-laying in shallow coastal waters, and is capable of detecting and engaging enemies at a speed of 25 knots.

Key Features and Details:

• Purpose: Primarily for coastal defence, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and low-intensity maritime operations (LIMO).
• It is the fourth vessel out of a total of eight ASW SWCs.
• Built under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative with more than 80% indigenous content.
• Weapon Systems: Lightweight torpedoes, ASW rockets, mines, and 30 mm guns.
• Technology: Advanced sonar, low acoustic signature (stealth capability), and high-speed waterjet propulsion.
• Capacity: Displacement of about 900 tonnes and a maximum speed of 25 knots (approx. 46 km/h).
• It is a reincarnation of the erstwhile INS Agray, which was the fourth vessel of the 1241 PE class of patrol vessels and was decommissioned in 2017.
• These vessels have been constructed in accordance with the standards of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).

Propulsion:

• Waterjet propulsion system
• The largest Indian Naval warship to use this technology

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20 Cities Towards Zero Waste Initiative

The “20 Cities Towards Zero Waste” initiative is a major initiative of the United Nations (UN), announced in March 2026 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It recognizes 20 global cities that are leading in waste reduction, circular economy practices, and sustainable waste management.

Varkala in Kerala is the only Indian city included in this list.

Key Highlights of the Initiative:

• Objective: To promote innovative solutions aimed at achieving zero urban waste, such as food waste prevention, recycling, and community participation.
• Indian Participation: The coastal city of Varkala in Kerala has been selected for its effective waste management efforts.
• Other Cities: The list includes cities such as Accra (Ghana), Bologna (Italy), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), San Francisco (USA), Hangzhou (China), and Yokohama (Japan).
• Significance: The initiative has been launched with the support of UN-Habitat and UNEP, around the occasion of the International Day of Zero Waste (30 March), to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This initiative aims to make waste management a global priority so that cities become cleaner, more livable, and sustainable.

Key Facts about the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP):

• It is the leading global authority on environmental issues.
• It was established in 1972 following a resolution of the UN General Assembly.

Mandate:

• To monitor the state of the global environment and coordinate responses to major environmental challenges.

Headquarters:

• Nairobi, Kenya

Functions:

• Develops and supports global environmental treaties (such as CBD, CITES, and the Minamata Convention).
• Hosts secretariats of major environmental agreements and facilitates negotiations for new ones.
• Publishes key reports such as:
  • Global Environment Outlook
  • Emissions Gap Report
• Supports developing countries through capacity building, funding, and technical assistance.

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