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Officials hope for 50% funding for Metro from World Bank

Tuesday, 17 December 2013 12:01 administrator
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The Times of India            17.12.2013

Officials hope for 50% funding for Metro from World Bank

LUCKNOW: Onno Ruhl, the country head of World Bank, met chief secretary Jawed Usmani on Monday to discuss the loan process for Metro rail project in city. A seven-member World Bank team is in the city to inspect the proposed Metro route and will submit its report to Ruhl on Thursday.

The team comprising experts from sectors like transport, social impact, environment etc., is gathering information about the Metro stations, routes, depot and the expected number of passengers. It visited the North South corridor from Munshipulia to Amausi airport on Saturday and inspected the East West corridor from Vasantkunj to Charbagh on Sunday.

While officials refused to divulge the details of the meeting, sources said Ruhl was quite optimistic about the developments in the project so far. An official on condition of anonymity said, "The team is quite convinced with the design and detailed project report of the Metro. They would give the feedback to country head on Thursday; things would become clear only after that."

The fact that experts from various countries are visiting Lucknow to study the project shows their interest in it. The one-week stay of World Bank team shows it is convinced with the project and might consider funding it as well, the official added.

If this happens, Lucknow Metro will be the first metro project in the country to be funded by World Bank. Metro cell is hoping for 50% funding from the world Bank. The rest funding would be shared between the Centre and the state government and other sources of innovative funding. The apex financial institution has been supporting agriculture, roads and highways projects as well in UP.

Ruhl also met the transport, traffic and municipal corporation officials to collect information about the current transport and traffic conditions in the city.

 

8 illegal buildings demolished

Tuesday, 17 December 2013 11:59 administrator
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The Times of India            17.12.2013

8 illegal buildings demolished

LUDHIANA: Following complaints from area residents, the Ludhiana municipal corporation demolished eight buildings at Midda chowk, Ghumar Mandi, Hambran Road, Haibowal road and Kitchlu Nagar. The drive, led by Zone D assistant town planner (ATP) Rajinder Sharma, was initiated at Midda chowk. But at Ghumar mandi, the drive had to be halted as a group of councillors came in front of JCB machines to oppose the move. "The complaint against the authorities for interrupting the drive has been lodged with the higher authorities and such drives would continue in the near future in order to remove encroachments", said Sharma.

 

LMC cracks down on Aminabad encroachers

Tuesday, 17 December 2013 11:54 administrator
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The Times of India            17.12.2013

LMC cracks down on Aminabad encroachers

LUCKNOW: Under the high court pressure, the anti-encroachment wing of the Lucknow Municipal Corporation on Monday evicted hundreds of vendors and demolished illegal constructions by shopkeepers in the verandah of the markets.

This was the most aggressive drive of LMC in Aminabad till date, following high court's orders to remove vendors from lanes which are less than 8 metres wide. The court had also asked LMC to take action against permanent shopkeepers who had extended shop counters and built permanent structures in the verandah. The court has set next hearing on Aminabad encroachment in January first week.

The LMC team along with Lucknow Development Authority officials and policemen raided most lanes of the market and evicted more than 300 vendors and bulldozed about 50 permanent shops which had built unauthorised constructions. During the process, the team had to face stiff opposition from traders. A few shopkeepers sat inside their shops and refused to move out.

The police had to forcibly remove them from shops to demolish the targeted structures. The police also beat a few of them with lathis when the traders turned violent. A senior official said, "No one could have dared to conduct the drive amid massive protest but we had to follow court orders. It was a very fierce drive, where we had to target all those shops which had brazenly extended their limits up to verandahs. It was difficult to demolish structures which had been built years ago but we managed to bulldoze them."

Many shopkeepers of Mohan market have sought a day's time from LMC to remove from encroached areas. More than 10 applications have been sent to the municipal commissioner seeking a day's time. Officials said the shops which are ready to remove counters have been given the relief but the ones which were blatantly violating laws have faced the music this time.

The drive was conducted around Mohan market, Jhandewala Park, fruit market, book shops etc. It was found that many shops had been built illegally which had to be demolished completely. A famous snacks shop on Prakash Kulfi Road is one such example. LMC on Saturday had identified the encroached stretches and marked the unauthorised constructions before conducting the drive. The shopkeepers had already been alerted a month before about the drive and were asked to limit their premises.

The court had clubbed many writ petitions pertaining to Aminabad encroachment and disposed of case in the first week of November, instructing LMC and LDA to take action against offenders over next six weeks and file an Action Taken Report in the next hearing.

It had instructed that on roads broader than 8 metres, vendors will be allowed to set up shops only one side. They have to be placed in 1X1 metre space without interrupting the traffic movement. Also, they would be allowed to perform vending activities only from 7am to 10pm.

 
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