Urban News

  • Increase font size
  • Default font size
  • Decrease font size
Urban Infrastructure

Planning agency washes hands of infra projects

Thursday, 25 November 2010 11:16 administrator
Print PDF

Hindustan Times  25.11.2010

Planning agency washes hands of infra projects

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region and Development Authority (MMRDA) has decided not to undertake any infrastructure projects in the city. The authority has asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to take over work of building road overbridges, foot overbridges, and skywalks in the city, whenever needed in the future.

The MMRDA plans to complete 36 ongoing projects, including the skywalks, by December and then focus its attention on the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

This means, the onus of developing infrastructure in the city will be on the municipal corporation. “From now on the responsibility of constructing road overbridges, foot overbridges and skywalks will be with the BMC as the MMRDA has requested us to take over from them,” said Swadheen Kshatriya, municipal commissioner.

Senior civic officials are not happy with the decision as they feel that the MMRDA bites off more than it can chew.

“Once it becomes difficult for them to complete the projects, they dump it on the BMC,” said an official on condition of anonymity, as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

There have been instances of the MMRDA abandoning several projects in the past.

The development authority was the planning agency for the Marine Drive beautification project. However, they handed over a half-done project to the BMC in 2008.

Also, several roads that were given to the MMRDA for widening and repairs were handed over to the civic body without the work being completed.

Last Updated on Thursday, 25 November 2010 11:18
 

Governor to unveil deliberative Block at MCD Headquarters

Thursday, 25 November 2010 05:49 administrator
Print PDF

The Pioneer  25.11.2010

Governor to unveil deliberative Block at MCD Headquarters

Staff Reporter | New Delhi

The MCD will invite Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Tejender Khanna to formally unveil the deliberative block at newly constructed headquarters — Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Civic Centre at Jawaharlal Nehru Marg. On the occasion, the L-G will also address the full house. Six-storey block has offices space for elected members of the civic body including municipal secretary, Delhi Mayor, Leader of House, Standing Committee Chairman, Leader of Opposition and Director Press and Information.

As the deliberative wing of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi moves out of present head office situation in Chandni Chowk by the end of second week of December, the shifting to state-of-art Civic Centre will be completed. The complex has a meeting hall, where all house meeting and weekly standing committee will also take place.

Standing Committee Chairman Yogender Chandolia on Wednesday said we have planned to move in the new building between December 13 to 20 and the L-G will be invited on the occasion to open the block where political wing will sit. “We will invite L-G for the inauguration. We are planning to hold a House meeting between December 13-20 and on the same date, the block will be unveiled. The L-G will also address the House. Plan has been fixed and we are waiting for the approval from L-G office,” said he.

Over six months after inaugurating it, the shifting of MCD’s several departments started on November 11. Four phased shifting plan of its various offices will continue till December 8.

Last Updated on Thursday, 25 November 2010 05:50
 

PCMC to open Phugewadi subway in a week's time

Thursday, 25 November 2010 00:00 administrator
Print PDF

The Times of India              25.11.2010

  PCMC to open Phugewadi subway in a week's time

PUNE: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) will finally open the Phugewadi pedestrian subway for the public in a week. This is the last among the three pedestrian subways on the 12 km Pune-Mumbai highway stretch, and was completed one year ago.

Dilip Kudale, co-ordinator, engineering department said, "The subway could not be opened earlier because possession of the land at the Dapodi side of the subway was not given to the PCMC by the College of Military Engineering ( CME). Recently, we got the land and completed widening of the highway near the subway."

"The contract to maintain this pedestrian subway has been allotted to a private firm. This firm will maintain cleanliness and provide security free of cost in lieu of advertisement rights inside the subway," he added.

The Phugewadi subway will enable residents of Phugewadi and Dapodi to cross the highway and reach the College of Military Engineering (CME) premises and the Kendriya Vidyalaya campus.

Surdas Gaikwad, local NCP corporator said, "The subway is very important for the 5,000 residents. The PCMC has widened the highway to 61 meters, but there is no safe refuge for pedestrians who have to cross the highway braving speeding vehicles."

He said that six major and minor accidents have happened on the stretch in the past six months. "In two accidents people lost their lives while in the remaining four accidents people suffered major injuries. I spoke to municipal commissioner Ashish Sharma regarding opening of the subway. If the subway is not opened in a week, we have decided to use it without waiting for the inauguration."

Kudale said that there were three pedestrian subways and five vehicular subways on the 12 km highway stretch from Bhakti Shakti chowk, Nigdi to Harris bridge, Dapodi. The PCMC has tried to provide crossing at every 500 to 600 meters on the highway.

Meanwhile, the subway near the office of the deputy commissioner of police (DCP) at Chinchwad has been attracting large number of users thanks to the well-lit interior which is clean and aesthetically beautified. There are security guards posted at the entry and exit points.

Commuter Anita Sathe said, "This is one of the best subways in Pimpri-Chinchwad. A large number of people coming by bus to Chinchwad from Akurdi, Nigdi and other areas use the subway to cross the highway."

The third pedestrian subway located near Sandvik company enables students from Phugewadi and Kasarwadi to cross the highway and reach the Mahatma Phule municipal school. The pedestrians also use the five vehicular subways to cross the concrete lanes of the highway and reach the other side.
 
More Articles...


Page 103 of 181