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Remove encroachments, make way for parking: HC

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The  Times of India          28.09.2010 

Remove encroachments, make way for parking: HC

NAGPUR: Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court on Monday ordered NMC to remove encroachments from several places around Sitabuldi to create space for parking. These include chowpatty near Yeshwant Stadium, second hand book sellers besides the deputy director of education office, cricket gear sellers in front of Gorakshan Sabha and shops located illegally on stretch starting from Panchsheel square to Lokmat square.

A division bench of justices Sharad Bobde and Mridula Bhatkar asked civic officials to clear these areas within a week and provide alternative space to the hawkers/vendors who will be dislocated. The directive came after a court-appointed panel headed by DCP (Traffic) Sahebrao Patil submitted its report. The panel was asked to look for parking places near the Shahid Gowari flyover stretching from Rahate Colony square to Morris College T-Point. The court also allowed the intervenors -- Consumer Services and Research Association – to add collector, MSRTC and NHAI as respondents and issued notices to them.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by social activist Madan Thool against parking of vehicle beneath flyovers in the city for security reasons. PS Tidke represented Thool while Anand Parchure held brief for the intervenors.

The panel pointed out that many areas could be used for parking if encroachments on them were removed. This includes 3,038 sq ft adjacent to deputy director of education's office and area opposite Gorakshan sabha near Rahate colony square.

The panel observed that there was space for two-wheeler parking below the flyover from Jhansi Rani to Panchasheel square. The area is under NHAI and its DGM Naresh Wadetwar had already declared the organisation had no objection to parking under the structure. The panel further stated that space between footpath of Wardha road and the boundary of commercial shops could be used for parking if encroachment by shops, hospitals and showrooms were removed. The team observed the area was close to the market.
 

Action Council call to clean up Rameswaram canal

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The New Indian Express  28.09.2010

Action Council call to clean up Rameswaram canal

 

KOCHI: The Peoples Action Council, West Kochi, has flayed the authorities concerned for not taking steps to solve the waterlogging in the West Kochi area. Though a large amount of money has been spent on cleaning up the Rameswaram boundary canal recently, it has not helped solve the waterlogging there. 

  This is mainly owing to the violation of tender norms which had stipulated making of bunds at a distance of 100 metres and clearing the muck spooned

out of the sewage and dumped on the sides of a canal.    This had resulted in dirt flowing into the residential areas, making people sick, the action council said, adding that the authorities had been doing it all these years.   Though 55 bunds are needed to clean up the canal, only two were put up, which was against the laid norms.

  The council said the chief technical examiner (CTE) had visited the spot recently and had taken stock of the situation. During the visit, the Irrigation Department authorities had promised the CTE to get the matter settled during the final cleaning up drive.

  The cleaning up projects spending an amount of `2 crore was taken up with much promises, the council alleged. Council secretary Stanley Paulose flayed the corporation for not fulfilling its promise made a couple of months ago to clean up the feeder canals using the Corporation’s division funds.

  “Only 20 percent of the muck had been taken out of the canals. A large amount is still lying on the Cochin College campus creating health hazards to those living in the nearby areas,” Paulose said.

  The slush is being carried away by rain water to nearby shops and even houses. Usually the silt is cleaned during summer, much before the onset of monsoon and left to dry on the sides of the canal.

  “Adding to the woes is the septic waste which finds its way to the canal in some areas,” he added.

  The water in the 5.8-kilometres-long Rameswaram canal, which has one of its mouth opening to the backwaters and the other to the sea, has been stagnant owing to the presence of slush, the action council said.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 28 September 2010 09:17
 

Civic body invites tenders for ‘transportation hub' in city

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The Hindu  27.09.2010

Civic body invites tenders for ‘transportation hub' in city

Staff Correspondent

Last date for submission of bids through online is October 8

Eleven of the 20 acres of land required for the project have been identified

The scheme will be taken up on public-private partnership model



SET FOR A CHANGE:The 11-acre plot identified by the district administration for the proposed ‘transportation hub' near Pumpwell in Mangalore.

MANGALORE: The work on developing a “transportation hub”, including a bus- stand near Pumpwell connecting the National Highway 17, has begun with Mangalore City Corporation inviting bids to level a portion of the land identified for the purpose.

According to the tender notification published on September 24, the last date to submit e-bids (online) is October 8 and the financial bids will be opened on October 11.

Deputy Commissioner V. Ponnuraj told The Hindu that about 20 acres of land was required for developing what he described as the “transportation hub”.

“We have so far identified 11 acres, including seven acres of land already acquired. Acquisition of the balance four acres will be through shortly as the owners of that property have agreed to part with their lands,” he said.

K. N. Vijayaprakash, Commissioner of the corporation, said that the bid invited now was meant for levelling four of the seven acres acquired.

The blueprint of the proposed transportation hub is not yet ready. According to the plan, a bus terminal for both KSRTC and private buses, including some city buses, will be built in the land. In addition, it will have parking facility for autorickshaws, taxis and private vehicles. An automobile service station (garage), luggage room and associated facilities will also be created there, according to Mr. Ponnuraj.

“Our plan is to develop a one-stop solution for the transportation requirement of the people on the public-private partnership model for the next 20 years,” the Deputy Commissioner said.

Mr. Ponnuraj, who is chairman of the Regional Transport Authority, Dakshina Kannada, said that the administration would soon prepare a draft of the traffic management plan for easing traffic congestion in the city. It would be placed before the people for suggestions and objections.

According to the plan, some roads will be made one-way and some others will be made one-way only for buses.

He said that the plan was to allow one-way traffic on Falnir Road.

Buses destined to Hampankatta from Kottara and Urwa Stores would be allowed through Durga Mahal and Car Street. Buses from Hampankatta towards Kottara would be allowed through GHS Road, K.S. Rao Road, PVS Circle and M.G. Road, he said.

The administration is also planning to divert KSRTC buses coming into and going out of the its Bejai bus-stand to NH 17 instead of passing through the city. In addition, there are plans to lay one-way stretches for buses plying between Moodbidri and the city.

Last Updated on Monday, 27 September 2010 11:22
 


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