Mullanpur project could be delayed
Monday, 18 October 2010 08:35
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The Times of India 18.10.2010
Mullanpur project could be delayed
MOHALI: For those whose dream of owning a house in the Aerocity was shattered by the lottery system of draw of lots, the wait for another such housing project may prove longer with Greater Mohali Area Development Authority's (GMADA) next big project, Mullanpur Urban Estate, being mired in litigation.
The eagerly anticipated project, spread over an area of 450 acre in the sleepy little town of Mullanpur Garibdas, has been in the news for wrong reasons with landowners complaining of inadequate compensation being given to them by the state government.
One such landowner, Himmat Singh, said he had received a notice stating that his land would be acquired at Rs 1.30 crore per acre, whereas, the state government was giving compensation at the rate of Rs 1.50 crore per acre in other areas. He said, "The state government should follow a uniform policy when it comes to land acquisition as this may lead to a lot of resentment among those whose land would be acquired."
Those landowners who were not satisfied with the state government's acquisition policy have moved court and the matter is now pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court which has given a stay on the process of acquisition for the Urban Estate. Nearly 115 acre in the 450 acre project is mired in litigation and it may take a fairly long time for the process of acquisition to be resumed once again.
Mullanpur residents like Gurpreet Singh, feel that those who had moved court were short-sighted and an obstacle in the road to prosperity for the area. He said, "These people need to realize that for their personal gains, entire Mullanpur would suffer and there would be no development in the area."
Situated barely 15 kilometre from Chandigarh, Mullanpur Urban Estate is slated to have 1,500 plots and according to sources in GMADA, each and every legal aspect is being carefully evaluated and the project may still be held up for another two to three months.
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Sewerage chokes Sarakki lake
Monday, 18 October 2010 05:48
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The Deccan Herald 18.10.2010
Sewerage chokes Sarakki lake
Bangalore, October 17, DHNS:
A lake, which was once considered one of the finest in the City, is now crying for attention.
The 86-acre Sarakki lake in the outskirts of the City is dying a slow death. While the lake looks picturesque from a distance, only local residents know what lies beneath it.
Nrupathunga Nagara Welfare Association’s General Secretary Ananthapadmanabha says the lake has become a big dump yard and even carcasses of animals can be found in the lake. “The road on the lake bund was too narrow for vehicular movement and was widened recently. But the lake is yet to see any development,” he said.A few years ago, the Lake Development Authority spent nearly Rs four crore to rejuvenate the lake by de-silting it and erecting a fence around it. This prevented residents from using the lake for their morning ablution, but they now mess the place near the fence. “Moreover, meat shop owners dump wastes near the lake and the rotting carcasses leave an unbearable stench in the entire area,” laments Mahadeva, a resident welfare association member.In addition, the sewerage line from Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) also finds its outlet right into Sarakki lake. “Sewerage line from Jaraganahalli, Saradnagar, Veeresh Layout, RBI Layout, Chunchanaghatta and Khodays factory open into Sarakki lake. How can the lake be developed when this is the case?” remarks Mohan Kumar, a social worker staying close to the lake.However, Jaraganahalli Corporator Suguna Balakrishna expresses her helplessness saying since the lake is under LDA, BBMP cannot take any development work. “We have written a letter to the LDA to hand over the lake to the BBMP so that we can undertake rejuvenation work of the lake,” she said.
In LDA’s defense, Head, Dr U V Singh says the Authority cannot undertake any development work immediately since the BWSSB has taken up a new project at RBI Layout.
Since Sarakki lake was once under the old City Municipal Council, underground drainage system is yet to be constructed in a few surrounding areas.
Singh added that de-silting was carried out three years ago and LDA wanted to hand over the development work to a private company under the PPP model.
“We received a few inquiries, but later the private agencies surveyed the surrounding areas and did not to take up the project since deweeding the place will not have any long term benefits as long as sewerage water is let out into the lake,” he explained.As long as BWSSB does not complete the underground drainage project, Singh says the LDA cannot take up any development work.
Last Updated on Monday, 18 October 2010 05:52
MCD's concrete plan to conquer rain fury
Monday, 18 October 2010 05:43
administrator
The Pioneer 18.10.2010 MCD's concrete plan to conquer rain fury
Staff Reporter | New Delhi
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has come up with a ‘concrete’ plan to get rid of potholes, especially during the rains. The civic body has proposed to use concrete slab to prevent roads from withering away in the monsoon. The civic body is also planning to stop using conventional technique of coal tar for constructing roads in Delhi.
Incessant rain just before the Commonwealth Games in September kept various civic bodies in the Capital on their toes. MCD continued struggling to repair damaged roads across the city for more than a month. Beleaguered over complaints of potholes and waterlogging during the last monsoon, Delhi Mayor Prithivi Raj Sahwney said concretisation of roads in Delhi is the need of the hour and this technique will enhance the strength and durability of roads. He further said the proposal is under consideration and talks are on with our engineers. “We have prepared a plan for constructing cemented roads in Delhi replacing old coal-tar technique. It is easier to construct concrete roads as readymade cemented slabs are easily available. Concrete layered roads have longer durability than coal tar. We are discussing the plan with our engineers. Cost and durability are two important factors. After proper deliberation, the new method will be adopted,” said Sahwney. He added, with the September experience, it has been observed coal-tar roads are washed away by rain easily and it becomes more difficult to repair them under such extreme weather conditions.
Sahwney said normally the age of roads constructed with old pattern is around five years but in most cases, these roads lasted only for two-three years.“As per the experts’ opinion, concreted roads have more life; more than ten years. Laying cemented tracks are easier and less time consuming also,” said the Mayor. In September before the Games, continuous rain in the Capital damaged 106 kilometer of stretch at 450 locations.Virtually surrendering, MCD has admitted its inability to repair them in the wet weather condition. Afterward, a special budget of Rs`66 lakhs was allocated to carry out the repair work.“It rained approximately 1,038 mm this season which is quite a lot. But we can start work only when it stops raining,” Municipal Commissioner KS Mehra said.
Last Updated on Monday, 18 October 2010 05:45
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