Centre plans National Urban Renewal Mission
The Government of India has decided to set up a National Urban Renewal Mission which would guide and provide focused attention to the task of improvement of urban infrastructure, Union Minister for Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs Ghulam Nabi Azad said after inaugurating the World Mayors' Conference (WMC), in Kochi.
Panel to address problems of villages set up
Succumbing to pressure from the ruling party benches on the issue of rural and urban villages, the Delhi Assembly today passed a resolution for constituting a House Committee to look into the problems faced by the villages in view of the rapid development-taking place.
Truckers threaten VAT strike
Joining the chorus against value-added tax (VAT), transporters demanded that diesel be brought under a uniform tax rate of 4 per cent across the country. They have also asked for removal of all checkpoints they stop at while transporting goods.The transporters' list of grievances included government reneging on its commitment …
Nellore Municipal Corporation proposes Rs 6 crore for roads, drains
The municipal corporation held its budget meeting, chaired by district collector and special officer B Rajasekhar on Wednesday. It has decided to spend Rs 6 crore on construction of roads and drains in its 2005-06 budget. As the municipality was upgraded into corporation on October 8, 2004, the municipal council …
Green Corps unit opened
A National Green Corps (NGC) unit was inaugurated at Andhra Christian College here on Wednesday by student chaplin Ch. Elica. Speaking as chief guest, divisional social forestry officer T Jyothi stressed the need to create awareness among common people on the need to preserve environment. College principal R Sulochana Devi …
Bangalore Metro takes the first formal step for its dream plan
The much-awaited Bangalore metro rail project has finally got off the ground. Bangalore Mass Rapid Transit Limited (BMRTL) has begun the tendering process thus taking the first formal step towards making the project a reality. The national pre-qualification bid for civil works and a global bid for the appointment of …
State releases Rs 30-cr for transport corporations
The Karnataka State Government has released Rs 30 crore infrastructure development funds to the State Transport Corporations, Transport and Water Resources Minister Mallikarjun Kharge announced. Addressing presspersons after signing an MoU between the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC), Kharge said the …
DDA budget passed, sets its target high
The DDA's budget for the year 2005-06 was passed in the presence of Lt Governor B.L. Joshi this morning. The budget has laid emphasis on increased acquisition and development of land, housing stock, infrastructure development and large-scale development of green areas. Vice-Chairman, DDA, Madhukar Gupta announced that the DDA will …
BMIC row: Opposition urges State to table report
The Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) issue was raised in the Assembly with most of the Opposition members urging the Government to table the expert committee report in the House. Answering a question by Sareekar Bheemappa Chennappa (JD-U), PWD Minister H D Revanna said the Government would soon go through …
Budget framed keeping makeover projects in mind, says Mayor
Corporation Mayor C.M.Dinesh Mani said that the budget for the year 2005-06 is framed after considering all investment projects of Kochi. The budget gives emphasis to infrastructure development projects, general upkeep of the city and its environment, said the Mayor at a press conference after the budget was presented. The …
Commercial outlets in residential areas to be fined
Those who are surreptitiously using the basements of their residences for commercial purposes will have to pay a hefty amount as misuse charges. After rampant reports of basements being used as eateries, restaurants, cafes etc - the maximum number reported from South Extension - the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) …
Rs 3000-cr plan to develop infrastructure in CMCs, TMCs
The Karnataka State Government has come up with an ambitious Rs 3000 crore master plan to improve infrastructure in all the CMCs and TMCs in the State. Municipal Administration Minister S R More told that the World Bank-aided project would be implemented from November this year and completed in the …
Farmers pledge to conserve water
Hundreds of farmers from across Mysore district in Karnataka pledged to use water judiciously, particulary for irrigation. Speaking after inaugurating a workshop on water conservation organised by the Cauvery Niravari Nigam here on Saturday, Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaih called said that although farmers in the State were aware of agriculture …
Mumbai, Delhi among world`s cheapest cities
Mumbai and New Delhi are among the world's cheapest cities while Tokyo and Osaka-Kobe in Japan continue to remain the most expensive, the annual Economist Intelligence Unit's Worldwide Cost of Living Survey said. The bi-annual survey says New Delhi and Karachi are jointly ranked 120th with just 45 on the …
At home with toxic chemicals
There are dangerous chemicals that leach from everyday products, a study of common household dust in 70 homes across the US shows. The study, titled "Sick of Dust: Chemicals in Common Products -- a Needless Health Threat to our Homes," looks at a new and wide range of chemicals used …
7 megacities join hands for Centre to take note
A two-day interactive session between principal commissioners from various megacities has resulted in a positive outcome: seting up of a Megacities Forum. For the first time, the metropolitan cities in the country have decided to work together for the development
Agra authorities plan to take over 1000 acres of village land
Eight villages of Agra may soon lose their identity to accommodate the fast expanding urban population. The Agra Development Authority (ADA) plans to acquire about 1000 acres of village land near the Taj Mahal at a cost of about 150 crores. Shashikant Sharma, Vice-Chairman, ADA said that over the past …
Saudi Arabia to invest in Lankan tourism sector
Visiting Saudi Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal Abdulaziz Alsaud assured President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga that Saudi Arabia was committed to assist Sri Lanka's reconstruction programme in the long term and also make substantial investments in the tourism sector. "We are willing to invest in Lanka's tourism on a large scale," …
SC calls for CVC`s opinion on Taj case against Maya
Uncertainty may continue to haunt BSP chief Mayawati, who was named as an accused in Rs 175-crore Taj Heritage corridor scam case but had got a reprieve when the CBI decided to drop the charges, as opined by attorney-general (AG) Milon Banerjee. The Supreme Court perused the AG's opinion and …
New board to assist Old City makeover
Old Delhi will now have a dedicated development board along the lines of the Trans-Yamuna Development Board. Chandni Chowk MP Kapil Sibal, tipped to be the chairman of the proposed Shahjahanabad Development Board, says its primary objective would be to resurrect the beauty and grandeur of Old Delhi. The board …
