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Councillors veto proposal to have battery-operated vehicles in Sector 17

Thursday, 24 September 2009 10:42 administrator
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Indian Express 24.09.2009

Councillors veto proposal to have battery-operated vehicles in Sector 17

Wednesday's meeting of the Finance and Contract Committee saw the demand of more powers for the Municipal Corporation surface yet again even as the councillors rejected the proposal to introduce battery-operated vehicles in Sector 17.

The agenda for introduction of four eight-seater battery operated vehicles in Sector 17 was brought up for discussion in the meet. The councillors, however, stated that since transport was under the purview of the UT Administration, they would not allow any discussion on the topic.

They added that such issues can be taken up only when their functions, under the 74th amendment, are expanded.

The meeting was held under the chairpersonship of Mayor Kamlesh while Municipal Commissioner Dr Roshan Sunkaria was also present.

Meanwhile, the civic body decided to auction paid parking lots in Sector 17, including sites opposite Hotel Taj, Hotel Shivalikview, SBI and the one opposite Gurdev Portraits.

The committee also recommended extension of parking on the rear side of the MC building in Sector 17 along Jan Marg. The parking site adjoining the district court complex would also be auctioned.

The rough cost estimate for renovation and repair of the cremation ground in Industrial Area, Phase-I was approved along with the estimate for widening of the V-5 road in Sector 48 and laying of paver blocks.

It was decided to lay paver blocks on the footpath to the proposed approach road to community centre and parks in Dadumajra rehabilitation colony and the footpath along V-4 roads in Sector 32C and 46C.

Councillors Jatinder Bhatia, P K Mukherjee, Anu Chatrath, Anil Kumar Dubey and Ram Lal, Additional Commissioner P K Sharma, Joint Commissioner T P S Phoolka, Chief Engineer S K Bansal, SE Public Health R K Goyal, SE (B&R) Yogesh Gupta and other senior officers were also present at the meeting.

Last Updated on Thursday, 24 September 2009 10:46
 

HC gives Shimla civic body six months to rid town of stray dog menace

Thursday, 24 September 2009 10:28 administrator
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Indian Express 24.09.2009

HC gives Shimla civic body six months to rid town of stray dog menace

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has snubbed the Shimla Municipal Corporation for showing reluctance in handling the city’s stray dog problem. The court has given the municipal corporation six months’ time to find a solution to the problem and establish animal shelters for stray dogs.

A division bench, comprising acting Chief Justice R B Misra and Justice Rajiv Sharma, passed the order on a PIL initiated by the court’s own motion observing that the municipal corporation was duty bound to act in the case and get rid of the stray dog menace. “It is the statutory duty cast upon the corporation to provide animal kennels/shelters. The corporation can’t be permitted to remain remiss from discharging its statutory duties,” the bench said in a three-page order.

The court noted that the municipal corporation had written to the Principal Secretary (Urban Development) demanding Rs 2 crore for providing shelters to stray dogs. The corporation’s counsel Shrawan Dogra had pleaded that in view of the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, it was difficult for the corporation to catch and keep stray dogs in shelters.

Rejecting the contention the court said,“We have gone through the rules minutely. Rule 6 specifically obliges the local authority — municipal corporation — to establish sufficient number of pounds, kennels and shelters, which may be managed by animal welfare organisations. It has to provide other infrastructure as stipulated in the rule.” The court quoted the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme for stray dogs under which the corporation is supposed to provide land, building or ABC centres for the dogs, catching vans, free water and incinerators.

The bench did not concede the municipal corporation’s plea for amending its earlier order of July 16. It directed the state Government to look into the demand raised by the MC.

The court has appointed advocate Rajiv Jiwan as amicus curiae and has asked the HC registry to list the request of Neeraj Gupta, an advocate to appear on behalf of Animal Welfare Board, Chennai, on the next date of hearing.

Last Updated on Thursday, 24 September 2009 10:42
 

Jama Masjid facelift gets green signal from MCD

Thursday, 24 September 2009 06:08 administrator
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The Times of India 24.09.2009

Jama Masjid facelift gets green signal from MCD

TNN 24 September 2009, 05:37am IST

NEW DELHI: The redevelopment plan for Jama Masjid got clearance from MCD's standing committee on Wednesday. The entire area from the mosque to the Red Fort will be developed into a pedestrian zone with a lot of emphasis being laid on public spaces. A detailed project report will now be prepared by MCD and work on the project is expected to begin by end of this year.

Said deputy commissioner, city zone, Vijay Singh: "All public open spaces have been consolidated to generate a large congregation in the foreground of the masjid. A multi-level civic space has been proposed at various levels within the precinct. The existing boundaries and walls within the precinct will be done away with to make way for the public space.''

New road sections from Subhash Marg and peripheral roads will cater to the traffic around the area. The architect for the project, Pradeep Sachdeva, said: "Adequate provision for pedestrians and non-motorised vehicles will be made. A bay for tourist buses is proposed at Subhash Marg.'' No underground parking will be created in the area with options being explored at other places. Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC) has also asked MCD to ensure that the entrance to the bus bay is at least 75m from the intersection of two roads.

Said Singh: "The scattered commercial activity at Meena Bazar is proposed to be located at the north side, near Parade Ground. These 633 shops will be one-storey high.''

According to DUAC's directions, the market/shops around Dargah Sheikh Kalimullah should also be single-storey structures built at the level of the ground around Meena Bazar to avoid any obstruction of the visual field between Red Fort and Jama Masjid precinct.

The project aims to ensure unobstructed view of the masjid from all sides of the precinct while also establishing clear visual links to key sights such as the Red Fort. Signages will be put up and proper lighting and security will be provided in the area. A number of public amenities like toilet blocks will also be provided besides an interpretation centre for tourists.

MCD got a go-ahead for the project from DUAC in June this year after it was rejected four times. Much of the original plan, which boasted of underground parking and a heritage mall, has been done away with as both DUAC and Archaeological Survey of India insisted on minimum intervention in the sensitive zone to preserve its historical glory.
 
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