NHAI in a fix as lowest bidder comes up with a fresh model
The government is in a fix over awarding two highway projects worth about Rs 900 crore for which leading construction companies like Larsen & Toubro, Gammon, Nagarjuna Constructions are in the race. A consortium of Ircon International and Soma Constructions has emerged as the lowest bidder for the projects by …
Delhi borrows Bangalore script to write Bhagidari success story
The Bangalore Agenda Task Force (BATF) is coming to help Delhi. The Delhi government has decided to adopt its methods to usher in governance reforms. This follows a series of high-level meetings with Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Municipal Commissioner Rakesh Mehta. Headed by Infosys CEO and MD Nandan Mohan …
Coke offers to supply water at Plachimada
Coca-Cola, caught in a controversy over its use of groundwater at Plachimda in Palakkad district, has offered to supply drinking water to people around the plant if it is allowed to function. In its submission to the State Government, Coke has said that it will supply 75,000 to1,00,000 litres of …
Nabard to give thrust to rural tourism in Karnataka
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) plans to help rural tourism in Karnataka gain momentum with a proposal to extend financial assistance from the current fiscal. The refinance agency, which had held discussions with Government for working out a proposal, has identified rural tourism as a thrust …
Water levels dip in reservoirs
This is one variable that could have a bearing on the course of the economy in the months to come: water levels in major reservoirs. The country may have received good monsoons in 2003, which has helped its farm sector recover from the preceding year's widespread drought and post an …
NHDC synchronises fourth unit of Indira Sagar Project
Narmadal Hydroelectric Development Corporation (NHDC), a joint venture of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd (NHPC) and the MP government, has synchronised the fourth unit of Indira Sagar Project and linked it with the grid.
Xanta meet for end to Majuli woes
The last day of the three-day Xanta Xamaroh organized by the Auniati Xatra at its Kaliapani Branch near Teok to commemorate 350 years of its existence, saw a mammoth turnout which heard the Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Dr Arun Sharma, Brindabon Goswami, Hemoprobha Saikia and Bijoy Krishna Handique addressing …
Move to tap natural springs in Meghalaya
The abundant natural springs in Meghalaya need to be scientifically developed for providing safe drinking water, especially in the rural areas of the State. The springs are the main source of water supply and outlet of ground water in Meghalaya, papers presented at a training programme on ground water management, …
Efforts on to ensure water for irrigation
An adverse affect on irrigation in Uttar Pradesh is visible due to lack of rain water this year. Due to decrease in the level of rainfall, 41% water shortage was registered in Ganga, 36% in Yamuna, 32% in Sharda and 26% in Gandak. Water supply has also been affected due …
Microfinancing hits roadblocks
Though microfinance is a strong tool for poverty alleviation, it is not exploited adequately due to shortcomings in regulation and delivery. Microfinance is provision of thrift, credit and other financial services of very small amounts to the poor in rural, semi-urban and urban areas to help them raise their income …
Carmakers pull plug on electric vehicles
Five to 10 years ago, when the future seemed to belong to electric cars - and California clean-air rules forced reluctant automakers to offer them - a small but enthusiastic group of optimists and environmentalists signed on as pioneers. While a few bought electrics outright, most signed leases that obliged …
`Micro housing` initiative on anvil
Solid waste management, biotechnology and coir are some of the areas in which the Kerala State Poverty Eradication Mission or Kudumbashree plans to set up micro enterprises. Also on the anvil is a 'micro housing' initiative targeted at homeless families in the State, said Mr T.K. Jose, Executive Director, Kudumbashree, …
Water for life, not for profit
On the occasion of World Water Day, RWAs, representatives of the Azadi Bachao Andolan, Jagriti Mahila Samiti, Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology, Kisan Morcha and DJB employees' union formed a "Citizens' Front against Water Privatisation in Delhi". It was decided in response to the fast track taken by …
Jagmohan set on Yamuna Pushta demolitions
Delhi Development Authority (DDA) will initiate demolition action in Yamuna Pushta this week. Around 5,000 jhuggis will be demolished in the area between Vijay Ghat and Salimgarh Fort. According to sources, the action is being initiated on the directives of the Union tourism and culture minister Jagmohan who has asked …
Wolf at our door
A genetic study of Indian wolves challenges some traditional scientific beliefs: wolves evolved in India, not North America. And dogs, their close cousins, are migrants to the subcontinent.
792 jhuggis demolished in Yamuna Pushta
The MCD demolished 792 jhuggis in Yamuna Pushta in the first phase of relocation drive. However, only 230 jhuggi dwellers were given plots in Bawana, as the others were not recognised to be legal dwellers of the area. The area also had illegal commercial centres.
Slums mock the claims
The findings of a nationwide survey of the slums in urban India, carried out by the National Sample Survey Organisation from July to September, 2002, are startling. However these are likely to be lost in the election noise. As many as 8 million families live in about 52,000 slums, constituting …
Demolition outside Red Fort
It's a step towards beautifying the architectural marvel of the Mughals, the Red Fort. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) removed encroachments from the Peti Bazaar in the immediate vicinity of the Fort by demolishing fifty six residential-cum-commercial structures. MCD trucks relocated the families to Bakkarwara in Nangloi in west …
8 million families still living in urban slums
Despite tall claims of the government about the all-round development and fast economic growth during the past few years, there are still over eight million families in urban India staying in slums with inadequate basic amenities. These are not the findings of any NGO or study of a foreign agency …
