In depth | Citizen Matters

Where does the plastic waste in Indian cities go?

June 2, 2018 Garima Prasher

A reality check on the plastic waste management practices of major Indian cities shows that there has been limited success of anti-plastic policies, even as the country gears up to host World Environment Day 2018, with the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution”.

Where goes the slum dweller evicted in Indian cities?

May 30, 2018 Navya P K

Slums are increasingly being evacuated in Indian cities, often violently, to make way for city ‘beautification’, smart cities and even book fairs. But no one tracks where the evicted poor go.

Our city governments are very weak, completely at the mercy of the state: Yogendra Yadav

May 10, 2018 Meera K

The Swaraj India Party, founded by social scientist-turned-politician Yogendra Yadav is contesting the high profile Karnataka Assembly Elections, slated for May 12. In a candid conversation with Citizen Matters, Yadav talks of the party’s vision.

Whitewashed roofs or Whatsapp alerts: How is your city planning to beat the heat this summer?

April 30, 2018 Harsha Raj Gatty

IMD spells a gruelling summer ahead with temperatures 0.5°C to 1°C higher than the long term average. From Ahmedabad to Nagpur to Hyderabad, what are cities doing to minimise heat-related casualties?

Three ways in which the new Motor Vehicles law could make our roads safer

April 25, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill 2016, if enacted into law, could have helped to reduce road accidents. But it remains a casualty itself of an indefinitely adjourned Parliament.

India’s new plastic management rules go soft on industry, betray environment

April 19, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

India generates around 25,940 tonnes of plastic waste every day, but the amended rules for its management provide no road map towards reduction. If anything, it only gives the FMCG industry cause for cheer, say environmentalists.

As accidents caused by minors rise, parents penalised to curb trend

April 12, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

Before you let your minor ward take your scooter or car out, know that you may be jailed. And once the amended Motor Vehicles Act is passed, this term could extend to three years.

In Kolkata, filthy fountains spread dengue fear

April 6, 2018 Gurvinder Singh

Water fountains installed in the city for beautification, in the run up to the recently held FIFA U-17 tournament and the Book Fair, now lie abandoned. Mosquitoes breeding in the filthy, stagnant water pose a definite health risk.

Want to make your city safer? Don’t be a passive bystander!

April 4, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

What do you do when you see an accident victim on the street, unconscious and bleeding? Or when the young girl opposite you in the bus is being evidently harassed? Can you, as a bystander, intervene and help?

Pune, Hyderabad bank on municipal bonds, but why are Kochi and Surat dithering?

April 2, 2018 Navya P K

The Centre has been actively promoting municipal bonds as a source to fund development of cities, but those with lower credit ratings may not find it a very smooth option to raise money through the same.

Measuring air pollution: An illustrated guide to all those terms you keep hearing

March 21, 2018 Dr. Sarath Guttikunda

What is ambient air pollution? How is ambient monitoring different from emissions monitoring? How useful are low cost monitors? A citizen’s guide to pollution monitoring related terms and their real significance in improving air quality.

Both Gandhi and Ambedkar would have supported Karnataka’s own flag; here’s why

March 19, 2018 Tara Krishnaswamy

What is wrong in a state carving out its identity through a flag of its own? States with strong identities have historically performed well. Besides, in India with all its diversity, a federal structure alone can bring the best governance.