Navya P K | | Citizen Matters

COVID-19: Number of infected on the rise, but are their contacts being traced?

March 28, 2020 Navya P K

A critical step in containing coronavirus is contact tracing — identifying anyone who came in contact with an infected person, quarantining and monitoring them. But across Indian states, there seem to be significant discrepancies in the way this is being done.

What’s stopping Gurgaon from being another Copenhagen?

January 31, 2019 Navya P K

A recent survey among close to 3000 employees of an IT company in Gurugram highlighted the city’s traffic woes. But it also yielded interesting data points that indicate improved cycling infrastructure could change things here.

For almost 15 million migrant children, education remains a luxury

January 17, 2019 Navya P K

In a land of 453 million internal migrants, a majority among whom seek work in cities, children’s education is the greatest casualty. Government schemes notwithstanding, most migrant children never end up joining school in host cities or eventually drop out.

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.

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.

Can carpooling become the next big thing in our cities?

February 22, 2018 Navya P K

Carpooling can provide a comfortable alternative to private transport, while reducing congestion on city roads. But many factors like novelty of the concept and lack of government support are holding back companies in the space.

How much are bus drivers paid in our metro cities?

February 13, 2018 Navya P K

The recent strike by MTC drivers in Chennai over demands for a wage hike, and in several cities in the past, raises an important question: how are these key drivers of the urban public transport system remunerated?

Holding your telecom operator accountable

February 9, 2018 Navya P K

Consumer complaints are extremely common in the telecom sector. Here is what you should know about operators’ obligations and how you can hold them accountable.

Lakhs register in carpooling apps across Indian cities

January 30, 2018 Navya P K

Cheap, environment-friendly and easy, carpooling is slowly gaining in popularity, especially among office-goers, and could potentially reduce congestion on crowded city roads.

Cheated while shopping online? Here’s what you can do

January 9, 2018 Navya P K

As e-commerce and the virtual marketplace become increasingly popular, here are some tips on how to shop smart online, and what to do if you have complaints.

More brickbats than bouquets for Smart City Mission in 2017

December 31, 2017 Navya P K

India’s most hyped urbanisation scheme, the Smart Cities Mission, grabbed significant interest and foreign investment but questions remain over delays and eventual impact of the mission.

Lakes on fire and blue dogs: Scary faces of pollution in our cities

December 27, 2017 Navya P K

As 2017 comes to an end, Citizen Matters takes stock of developments and conversations around key talking points in our cities. In the first of the series, we look at pollution in urban India.

Rain, chill or heatwave, homeless poor have few places to turn to

December 13, 2017 Navya P K

Even though the National Urban Livelihoods Mission prescribes permanent, 24X7 shelters for the urban homeless, most of our cities can accommodate less than six percent of such population in the official shelter homes.

The cheated customer’s guide to fighting back

December 11, 2017 Navya P K

Caught in a situation where goods or services you bought have not lived up to the promises made? Getting redressal and compensation under the Consumer Protection Act could be easier than you think.

Two years on, India’s top five smart cities lagging in mission progress

November 27, 2017 Navya P K

Most cities have suffered because of CEOs who keep changing or have additional responsibilities and charges that make it difficult to focus exclusively on the Smart City projects.

Metro projects booming, but how many will use them?

November 15, 2017 Navya P K

Some 50 Indian cities are looking at existing and proposed metro rail networks to relieve woes related to mobility and congestion. But with the prevailing planning, land use, and connectivity, will that remain a pipe dream?

Is diabetes-related blindness becoming an urban epidemic?

November 11, 2017 Navya P K

A 2014 national survey shows that over 20% of diabetics in urban India suffer from diabetic retinopathy, a disorder that could cause permanent vision loss.

Why GST is making apartment owners across India angry and confused

October 30, 2017 Navya P K

RWAs have to register under GST and pay tax on maintenance charges collected, which is passed on to residents. But various legitimate concerns remain unaddressed.

Where are India’s top five smart cities putting their money?

October 26, 2017 Navya P K

India’s smart cities aim to provide essential infrastructure, decent quality of life, sustainable environment and smart solutions for citizens — to do more with less! Take a quick look at what the top 5 chosen cities are prioritising in the process.

Why we must still reserve seats for women on public transport

October 5, 2017 Navya P K

The practice of reserving a certain number of seats for women on trains and buses is prevalent across cities, but continues to be questioned by many, including women. Navya P K weighs in on the reality of such reservation and its necessity.