Urban News

  • Increase font size
  • Default font size
  • Decrease font size
General

Delhi is top garbage producer

Monday, 24 August 2009 10:27 administrator
Print PDF

The Times of India 24.08.2009

Delhi is top garbage producer

TNN 23 August 2009, 11:45pm IST

Delhi is the highest municipal solid waste producer in the country followed by Mumbai, says a survey by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

Delhi produces 6,800 tonnes of solid waste a day, while Mumbai generates 6,500 tonnes but in the absence of scientific management facilities these cities were dumping the wastes in landfill sites, says the survey that covered 22 cities across the country.

Mumbai sends 100 per cent of its waste to dumping sites followed by Delhi's 94 per cent, the survey revealed. In fact, as many as 14 cities dump 75 per cent of their solid wastes, which is as high as 15,785 tonnes a day, indicating the lack of adequate treatment and disposal facilities.

"In cities like Delhi, Faridabad, Greater Mumbai, Jaipur, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Pune and Surat, which are at the higher end of the waste generation spectrum, more than 80 per cent of the waste is disposed off in landfills,'' the report said. It pointed out that waste treatment options such as composting and waste-to-energy plants were not being adequately explored by the big cities, which generate high percentage of waste.

The survey reveals the enormity of the solid waste problem in urban centres where most of the waste is getting disposed in existing unorganised dumpsites without any scientific treatment. A surprising and disturbing fact unveiled through the survey is the absence of designated dumpsites in certain cities which results in the waste lying in the open in many of the outskirts of the big cities.

However, with cities like Delhi, Greater Mumbai, Jaipur, Lucknow, Pune, Surat and Ahmedabad, which supply over 80 per cent of their waste to dump sites, there is a huge potential for landfill gas-based energy projects. Landfill gas is the natural by-product of the decomposition of solid waste in landfills and is comprised primarily of carbon dioxide and methane. It can be used as a substitute for electricity generated by thermal or coal.

Interestingly, only 5 out of the 22 cities have conducted a feasibility study on methane emissions Delhi, Ahmedabad, Surat, Greater Mumbai and Jamshedpur. The business house has also suggested public private partnership as well as roping in of private players, which have better knowhow and resources to work hand in hand with the authorities to ensure proper waste management in cities.

 

Rainwater will not go waste in Mysore Palace

Friday, 21 August 2009 06:34 administrator
Print PDF

The Hindu - Karnataka 21.08.2009

Rainwater will not go waste in Mysore Palace

Shankar Bennur

Two tanks have been constructed on the premises to harvest over 23 lakh litres of rainwater

 

Systems being developed to harvest rainwater

There is a proposal to develop garden on 6.5 acres of land

— PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM

Towards self-sufficiency: An underground tank being constructed for storing rainwater on the premises of Mysore Palace.

MYSORE: Amba Vilas Palace, popularly known as Mysore Palace, may soon become one of the few palaces in the country to harvest rainwater by adopting proven methods to address its water needs, especially for maintaining its 28-acre garden.

Palace Board, the caretaker of the palace, with technical support from the National Institute of Engineering - Centre for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology (NIE-CREST), Mysore, is developing systems to harvest over 23 lakh litres of rainwater.

Two tanks with storage capacity of 14,58,899 litres and 8,50,147 litres have been constructed on the palace premises. If the tanks are filled, water requirements of the palace can be met for an entire year.

Presently, water requirements of the palace are met by supply from the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) and eight borewells. The horticulture wing of the Palace Board requires about 18 lakh to 20 lakh litres of water a year to maintain the palace garden.

Rainwater collected on the ground, garden and the palace terrace will be let into the tanks through channels. Check-dams and soaking pits are being constructed to recharge groundwater.

Deputy Director of the board P.V. Awaradi told The Hindu that rainwater harvesting systems were needed in the palace to become self-sufficient in water.

“Though we have eight borewells and water supply from the corporation, we thought of harvesting rainwater because the yield will be high as the area for harvest is big.

In case of water scarcity in summer, we can utilise the harvested rainwater,” he said. Moreover, the systems would also help recharge groundwater, he added.

According to board Engineer Shivakumar, temporary arrangements have been made to store rainwater collected on the palace terrace and the ground in one of the tanks. “The project will be complete once the channels are connected to the two tanks.” He said that one tank had five compartments and the other had three for supply management.

Assistant Horticulture Officer of the palace Venugopal said the palace garden had been developed on 28 acres of land. A proposal had been sent to the Palce Board for developing a garden on 6.5 acres of land on the periphery of the palace. The authorities have plans to spruce up the garden and lawns at the palace in the run up to Dasara.

Last Updated on Friday, 21 August 2009 06:43
 

Water research institute planned

Thursday, 20 August 2009 05:46 administrator
Print PDF

The Hindu - Karnataka 20.08.2009

Water research institute planned

Special Correspondent

Integrated resource management sought

— Photo: S. Mahinsha

Traditional start: Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran inaugurating the Kerala Environment Congress 2009 in the city on Wednesday.

Thiruvananthapuram: The State government is planning to set up a Water Research Institute, Minister for Water Resources N.K. Premachandran has said.

He was speaking after inaugurating the Kerala Environment Congress 2009 organised by the Centre for Environment and Development here on Wednesday.

The proposed institute would offer courses in water resource management and provide facilities for research. He said it would supplement the activities of the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM) in Kozhikode.

Mr. Premachandran said the upstream diversion of water from the Mullaperiyar and the Pampa-Achenkovil rivers could have disastrous consequences for the State. It could affect the very survival of wetlands like Kuttanad and lead to the shrinking of water resources, he observed.

The government was planning to enforce the conservation of paddy fields and wetlands Act 2008, he said. “The decline of farming is responsible for the crisis in water resource management faced by the State,” he noted. Citing a recent UN report, he said Asian countries including India were moving towards a crisis in water resources and farming that could adversely impact food security.

“Policy-makers have a key role in creating awareness about such issues. The political leadership should recognise the importance of environmental protection, water resource management and sustainable development and bring these subjects into their agenda,” he said.

Mr. Premachandran called for an integrated approach to water resource management based on public-private partnership for implementation of projects.

He stressed the importance of micro-level projects like check-dams, rainwater harvesting and protection of water bodies in ensuring water security.

Deputy Mayor V. Jayaprakash presided over the meeting. CED Executive Director Babu Ambatt, CWRDM former director E.J. James and Information Kerala Mission Director M.K. Prasad were present.

Last Updated on Thursday, 20 August 2009 05:48
 

US can benefit from India's economic progress: Clinton

Wednesday, 19 August 2009 11:51 administrator
Print PDF

Indian Express 19.08.2009

US can benefit from India's economic progress: Clinton

Clinton

If Indo-US relationship is managed well, both India and United States can mutually benefit from former's economic progress, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said.

"I know that some Americans fear that greater partnership with India will mean lost jobs or falling wages in the United States. But if we manage our relationship well, both sides can benefit from India's economic progress," Clinton said in response to a question which was texted to her during her trip to India last month.

Clinton's answer to select questions have now been posted on the State Department's website.

"India's six per cent growth rate is a bright spot amid the global economic downturn, and bilateral trade and investment flows between our nations have doubled in the last five years," she said, adding that the 300 million members of India's burgeoning middle class present a vast new market and opportunity.

Our countries should work together to open that market and spread the benefits of sustainable prosperity. We and the rest of the world have a lot to gain from our enhanced cooperation," Clinton said in her response to a question from William in Kentucky.

"How can we maintain good diplomatic relations with India while at the same time we are trying to claim our jobs back for the US that went overseas?" William asked.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 19 August 2009 11:55
 

Bottled water costs big bucks

Wednesday, 19 August 2009 08:51 administrator
Print PDF

Deccan Chronicle 19.08.2009

Bottled water costs big bucks

August 19th, 2009
By Our Correspondent

Bottled water costs big bucks

Would you like “mineral” water or regular water? this is an oft-asked question at every city restaurant. And every time you opt for bottled water, you pay not just for the water you sip on, but also for the restaurant’s electricity bill, staff’s salaries and even for their “niceties”! Whether it’s an upmarket pub, restaurant or even a coffee shop, a water bottle bearing an MRP of Rs 12, is sold for anything between Rs 40 and Rs 100! Quiz restaurant managers and they are ready with justifications that range from “service comes with a price” to “we serve the water chilled and present it well...”

Anuj Rai, a brand manager who went to Angeethi for a meal, was forced to shell out Rs 60 for a 500 ml bottle of water. “I had no choice but to pay up as the management too wasn’t helpful.”

Joy Ganguly, general manager, BJN group of hotels, has no qualms in admitting that they charge more than the MRP and is ready with his defence. “We are not a retail outlet that we must stick to the MRP. As a service outlet, we have the freedom to decide the price of the product we serve. Besides, we don’t just sell a bottle of water, it’s a service that we offer. We first chill the bottle to the right temperature, present it to our patrons in style and then serve it to them.” And all these services come with a price, he points out adding, “Our prices are on par with that of our rivals. This is also a way of making up for the electricity bills and salaries.”

In the guise of offering exclusive services like refrigerating and serving, nightclubs too that charge as they please. national darts player, Aamer Javeed, says, “almost every restaurant in the city charges much more than the MRP for bottled water. Some coffee shops don’t even serve regular water and patrons are forced to buy it.” Raghu R., a techie, says, “At 10 Downing Street I was charged Rs 80 for a bottle of water that had an MRP of Rs 15. I went in to grab a quick bite and the water cost me more than the snack I ordered.” Vinod Reddy, owner of 10D is quick to point out that they charge just Rs 40 for a bottle that costs Rs 15. Remind him that it’s illegal to charge anything over the maximum retail price fixed by the government, and he says, “I wasn’t aware of this rule. However, we also pay tax for whatever excess we charge.”

Authorities of the legal metrology department make it clear that not knowing the law is no excuse. S.A. Huda, additional DGP, controller of legal metrology, says, “Independent eateries are not authorised to charge anything above the MRP that is printed on a product. five-star hotels, multiplexes and malls are an exception as they have dual pricing policies. however, this should be clearly printed on the product’s label. In the event that an eatery is over-charging its customers, we impose a fine of Rs 2,000-Rs 5,000. If they repeat the offence, then a criminal case is lodged against the offender.”

Pricey

Mainland China Rs 74
IndiJoes Rs 60
Cafe Mocha Rs 40
10Downing Street Rs 40
Zaffran Rs 50 to Rs 100

Last Updated on Wednesday, 19 August 2009 09:07
 
More Articles...


Page 36 of 40