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Civic body to get non-functional CCTV cameras working again

Friday, 03 August 2012 10:29 administrator
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The Indian Express   03.08.2012

Civic body to get non-functional CCTV cameras working again

CCTVs installed as part of the intelligent traffic system and that were non-functional are set to be back in service with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) deciding to pay dues to the contractor providing connectivity of the cameras with the control room. The PMC has also decided to spend Rs 1 crore for installation of CCTV cameras to enhance security across the city.

“The PMC has installed 39 CCTV cameras in various parts of the city from MLA-LAD funds. The civic administration would install 90 more CCTVs,” said municipal commissioner Mahesh Pathak.Pathak on Thursday held a meeting with Mayor Vaishali Bankar and leader of house Subhash Jagtap on security and safety in the city.

Bankar said the civic administration has been asked to spend Rs 1 crore for the installation of CCTVs at important locations in the city.“There was a decision to tighten security at all civic offices. I have suggested that the administration restrict entry of private vehicles into the campus of the civic headquarters,” said the mayor.

Additional municipal commissioner Naresh Zurmure admitted that the CCTV at Balgandharva junction the site of one of the blasts on Wednesday, was not operational. “We have asked the contractor to resume connectivity as the PMC would pay for it,” he said.

“We have focussed on increasing security at various pumping stations and water purification units,” he added.Zurmure said security at civic offices has been increased to avoid any untoward incident. When reminded that the civic administration had proposed restricting entry of citizens into the civic office, Bankar said it was not possible as it would be difficult for citizens to adhere to fixed visiting hours. The administration had wanted visitors only in the afternoon to make it easier for security personnel.

Last Updated on Friday, 03 August 2012 10:34
 

Municipal Corporation’s fountains not a thing of beauty

Friday, 03 August 2012 06:35 administrator
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The Times of India   03.08.2012

Municipal Corporation’s fountains not a thing of beauty

CHANDIGARH: Fountains in the city are being built on the whims of councillors, without getting the concept approved by architects. So if you find that the fountain in your area is not attractive, or worse is an eyesore, you'll know where to lay the blame.

Local residents feel the municipal corporation should rope in experts for designing and building fountains. The municipal corporation's engineering department admits all it does is to check the basic aesthetics of the project. The civic body is spending lakhs of rupees on these fountains in the city but the architectural design is not given much thought. Fountains are being constructed purely on the basis of the demand of area councillors.

In most cases, it is the area councillor who conceptualizes the water feature and all that the MC does is to work out the economics and begin work without taking the services of an architect. While a volcano-shaped water feature has been installed in Sector 35 at a cost of Rs 15 lakh, a musical fountain was installed in Sector 15 that was built at a cost of over Rs 50 lakh. On Wednesday mayor Raja Bala Malik inaugurated a fountain in Sector 51 worth Rs 17 lakh.

Councillor Harjinder Kaur said that she had sent the demand about the need for a fountain in the area to the MC and it was built in accordance with the idea given by her.

Councillor Harphool Chander Kalian said that the fountain which was inaugurated on August 1 was his brainchild. Ramesh Sharma, a resident of Sector 22 said it is strange that one does not take architectural approval for these water features in a planned city like Chandigarh. V B Khanna, a resident of Sector 19 said that the authorities concerned are obviously not doing a good job as some fountains are a real eyesore.

R C Diwan, superintending engineer of the public health department in the MC said that the councillors give their demand for a fountain following which fountains are installed. He said that architects are not being consulted and all that they look into is the feasibility of having these fountains in the area concerned.

Last Updated on Friday, 03 August 2012 06:37
 

Parking project deadline for Walled City area extended

Thursday, 02 August 2012 08:08 administrator
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The Times of India    02.08.2012

Parking project deadline for Walled City area extended

JAIPUR: Residents of the Walled City area facing inconvenience due to non-availability of parking space will continue to suffer as the Jaipur Development Authority has pushed the deadline for the project to provide parking areas till November.

This is the third time the JDA has extended the deadline for the Ramniwas Bagh parking project. The earlier deadline of April 2012 was extended to August 2012 by urban development minister (UDH) Shanti Dhariwal during his visit there. The minister, however, warned the contracted firm of imposing penalty in case of further delay.

According to the JDA official sources, the work cannot be completed before November. "At the underground level, we have to lay a roof on approximately 2,000 square metre area. Similarly, the first floor roof has to be laid on 3,000 sq meter area. The work of ventilation and fire fighting system is also remaining," an official said.

Meanwhile, the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) has finalised the draft design for the Ramlila Maidan parking proposed to reduce congestion. According to the JDA town planning cell, approval has been given for entry and exit of vehicles at the multi-storey underground parking from Ramniwas Bagh by interconnecting both the parking spaces of the two areas. Also, the proposal to construct a ramp near New Gate for the vehicles exit is being considered.

However, the town planning wing has rejected its extension from MI Road. A senior official with the town planning department said a few problems still remain in interconnecting both the parking spaces of the two areas. JDA will appoint a consultant to solve the problems within this week.

Around 700 vehicles can be parked as per the design finalized for the multi-storey underground parking at Ramlila Maidan. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 35 crore and it would take around Rs 5 lakh to develop parking space for one car.

The JDA has yet to decide whether the project should be developed on build-operate-transfer (BoT) basis or develop it on its own.

An official said the JDA (project and engineering ) wing has recommended that the project should be developed on BoT basis and few commercial units should be developed. However, looking at the space constraints, the town planning wing is still apprehensive.

Last Updated on Thursday, 02 August 2012 08:10
 
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