Tamil Nadus rural-urban dichotomies set to widen
The Tamil Nadu government has taken some early steps to popularise the concept of user charges for urban infrastructure and utilities, such as road and water supply. But it has not taken any step to replicate the same in the rural areas. This dichotomy would further widen the disparities in …
Call for separate policy on rural habitat
A high-level panel of government officials, representatives from private sector and social workers has called for a separate policy on rural habitat with "panchayati raj'' institutions playing a major role in not only framing policies but also in its implementation. Taking part in a national consultation organised by the South …
Rs 1000 cr action plan to develop and promote tourism in Karnataka
In a bid to promote and develop tourism in Karnataka, the state government has drawn Rs 1000 crore integrated action plan, Minister for Tourism D T Jayakumar said. Talking to newsmen here, he said that the action plan has been submitted to the Union government for approval. Union Minister for …
DDA starts with Taikhand slum
The DDA today announced the implementation of its pilot project for in situ regularisation of slum clusters in the Capital. The project will involve the development of one and two-room tenements to house jhuggi clusters and DDA vice-chairman Madhukar Gupta today said the pilot project will be at Taikhand. Private …
There won`t be civic sense till the cows come home
Lack of civic amenities and inadequate urban infrastructure have put a question mark on India's ability to sustain 8% growth. "Sooner rather than later, growth would be hit by severe infrastructure constraints,' said Hari Sankaran, joint MD of IL&FS; and chairman, Ficci Infrastructure Committee, at a recent seminar. Rajesh Shrivastava, …
DMRC awaits nod for 53 km phase II
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is awaiting Centre's clearance for starting work on the 53 km stretch, which is to be covered under phase II of the metro rail network in the city. DMRC's empowered committee has already cleared the corridor, and the metro officials are expecting that Centre's approval …
Agriculture ministry likely to take over bio-diesel mission
The government is contemplating shifting bio-diesel mission from rural development ministry to agriculture ministry. The shift is being contemplated to give a boost to the project which can reduce India's dependence on imported oil to as much as 20% in case of diesel. Although the project was launched as a …
WB transport project fails to keep date with Koizumi
West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharya wanted the Prime Minister to push for the Rs 2,385 crore Elevated Mass Rapid Transport System (MRTS) project in Kolkata with the Japanese Premiere. When Junichiro Koizumi came calling the Centre, however, found the state government was not ready with the Detailed Project Report …
25 die in Pakistan gas explosions
At least 25 persons, including many women and children, were killed and several injured when multiple gas explosions ripped through a building housing an ice cream factory in eastern Pakistan city of Lahore today. Emergency crews rushed to the scene and were sifting through the rubble of the three-storey building …
In hot waters
The hopes of finding an amicable solution to the vexed water dispute involving Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan have become more feeble with the Rajasthan High Court's directive to Punjab on Monday to hand over control of the three headworks on the Bhakra-Nangal and Beas projects to the BBMB. The issue …
Promise to protect Mumbais pre-2000 slums typo: Congress
Months after the state government discontinued its slum demolition programme in Mumbai, slowing down rehabilitation work and infrastructure projects, the Maharashtra Congress unit has sprung a volte-face. The party's state chief today attributed its poll manifesto assurance to protect or legalise slums that have come up in the city until …
HC sets stage for fresh water row
In a judgment that could reignite the water-sharing dispute between Rajasthan and Punjab, the high court today ruled that the administration, maintenance and operation of the Bhakhra Nangal Project (BNP) and the Beas Project (BP) be taken away from Punjab and handed over to the Bhakhra Beas Management Board (BBMB). …
Wanted: Help for streetsmart Delhi ahead of 2010 Games
The Capital's streets are set for some beauty treatment. Commonwealth Games in mind, the Delhi Cabinet today decided to appoint consultants for streetscaping and beautification of selected roads in the city. The streetscaping exercise
Deve Gowda sets deadline to improve slums in City
October 2, 2005, the next birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who had identified himself with the poor of the country, is the deadline set by the Janata Dal (Secular) supremo, H.D. Deve Gowda, to the Government to improve the living conditions of the slum dwellers in Bangalore as also the …
Rajasthan HC tells BBMB to take over 3 headworks
The Jaipur Bench of the Rajasthan High Court today ordered Punjab to hand over control of the three headworks on the Bhakhra Nangal and Beas projects to the Bhakhra Beas Management Board (BBMB). As per the order pronounced this morning, the BBMB would be responsible for the administration, maintenance and …
Colva demolitions kick up dust
The long arm of the law finally caught up with the encroachers on the 54,452 sq mt Tourism Department-acquired property at Colva in Goa with the demolition squad razing around 60 structures, including 13 pucca ones, in a day-long operation. Demolition squad chairman and SDM, Dipak Dessai, ordered the arrest …
Scrapyard incinerated at Mapusa
Goods worth around Rs.7 lakh were gutted in a major fire that engulfed a scrapyard at Carascovaddo, Mapusa, Goa, and also a saw mill along the National Highway. The fire that broke out at around 7.30 am engulfed the entire scrapyard belonging to one Jamshed Khan. With an umbrella of …
Colva demolitions kick up dust
The long arm of the law finally caught up with the encroachers on the 54,452 sq mt Tourism Department-acquired property at Colva in Goa with the demolition squad razing around 60 structures, including 13 pucca ones, in a day-long operation. Demolition squad chairman and SDM, Dipak Dessai, ordered the arrest …
City limits under SMC must be extended for growth
Even as the delimitation exercise, being carried out under the aegis of the Election Commission, would give the diamond city of Surat more in terms of assembly constituencies, voices are being raised for extending the city limits under the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) from present 112 sq kms to 380 …
Slums to grow skywards in clean-up move
Delhi's bid to be slum-free by 2010 ahead of hte Commonwealth Games may only seem them grow taller on the outskirts of the capital. A Cabient note is ready, proposing relocation of slums in the city to four-storey "settlements". The new policy, if approved by the Cabinet, would see one-room …
