Articles by News Desk

The members of Govandi Citizens Welfare Forum have written an open letter for the political parties about candidates they field from the Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar constituency in the upcoming assembly elections. The letter stresses that citizens want their candidates to be local and ethical candidates. Based on the opinions of voters, citizen groups, and citizen welfare associations, the letter outlines the qualities that the voters are looking for in their leaders. Infrastructure challenges in Govandi The constituency has several issues such as poor infrastructure, poor sanitation and substandard living conditions. The letter highlights the following challenges. Slum conditions: With a large population…

Firecracker ban can reduce nanoparticle emissions by 22% A study published by Delhi Technological University has revealed that strictly following the firecracker ban in Delhi from October 14 to January 1 can help reduce 20-22% of nanoparticle emissions. This includes reducing the sale and online distribution of fireworks, the study published in the journal Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health said. The researchers measured and collected data on particles within the size range of 10 to 1,000 nanometers, inside DTU for 11 days in 2021 and 2022, for the study titled ‘Are Delhi residents exposed to lesser particle number concentration due…

As the Northeast monsoon intensifies in Tamil Nadu, the fishing community in Ennore has asked the State government to clear blockages and encroachments along the Kosasthalaiyar River and Ennore backwaters. In an open letter addressed to K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran, Minister for Revenue, District Revenue Establishment, Deputy Collectors for Disaster Management and P Amudha, Principal Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, the fishers point out that these blockages are affecting the health of the Ennore wetlands and could cause flooding in Chennai, if not cleared. While the services of the fishers and fishing boats are called upon every monsoon for flood rescue,…

Bengaluru's AI signals reduce traffic flow New AI-powered signals, as part of the Bengaluru Adaptive Traffic Control System (or BATCS) scheme have enabled Hudson Circle junction, in the heart of the city, show a 33% reduction in travel time, according to the traffic police. It utilises the Composite Signal Control Strategy (CoSiCoSt), developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), to measure dynamic traffic flow, using camera sensors to change signal timings. The BATCS covers 60 junctions, including National College, Town Hall and Halasuru Gate junctions. Its aim is to cover 165 junctions by January and 500 by…

According to the 2016 Comprehensive Mobility Plan by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, 51% of trips in Mumbai are by walking. Notably, 72.5% of trips to educational institutions and 60% of trips involving public transport start and end with walking. Despite these figures, Mumbai's infrastructure is not pedestrian-friendly, and road safety remains a significant concern. Recent projects like the coastal road and the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link prioritise cars over pedestrians. Elections and pedestrians' needs With the assembly elections approaching, the Walking Project, an NGO that works towards creating a safe, convenient, and enjoyable walking experience, has released its…

Namma City most congested Bengaluru is the most congested city in India, says the Traffic Quality Index (TQI), which gives a snapshot of road conditions. Bengaluru scores high above 800 in the extreme congestion category. It is followed by Mumbai (787), Delhi (747) and Hyderabad (718). Even 9,000 AI-powered CCTV cameras, from which data collected feeds into map-based services, find it difficult to develop solutions. Traffic management is daunting, especially during rush hour and the monsoons. Score: Deccan Herald Green War Room to fight Delhi air pollution A 24×7 ‘Green War Room’ to control air pollution was launched by Delhi…

Mumbai masterplan for roads Mumbai’s development authority has drafted a Rs 58,000 masterplan to build a network of ring roads that are supposed to connect all corners of the city by 2029, cutting travel time significantly.  Mumbai’s Ring Road masterplan prepared by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) outlines mega road connectivity across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) — from Vadodara, Gujarat border in the north to Alibaug in the Konkan belt of Maharashtra down South, and towards Navi Mumbai/Thane. It will set up a complex network of roads, flyovers, reclaimed coastal roads, bridges and underwater tunnels, planning to declutter and…

New scheme for electric vehicles to replace FAME A new scheme for EVs, called the PM Electric Drive Revolution In Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE), is all set to replace the erstwhile FAME scheme, that had been in effect for nine years till this March. The PM E-DRIVE scheme enjoys a central allocation of Rs 10,900 crore for a period of two years, which will subsidise electric two-wheelers, three wheelers, e-buses, electric trucks and hybrid ambulances. However, there is no mention of any subsidy for electric cars or personal hybrid vehicles. Source: The Economic Times Over 1000 e-buses for Bengaluru…

Heavy rains affect lives pan India Heavy rains made the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issue an orange alert in four states - Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa on September 7. A yellow alert was earlier issued for Punjab, Delhi-NCR, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, western Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and northeastern India, Since August 25, there were at least 40 deaths and 55,000 displaced across 25 Gujarat districts. On September 3, the highest rainfall of 156 mm from 6 am to 6 pm was recorded in Valia, Bharuch. About 29 lost their lives in floods in Telangana. Heavy rains also hit parts of…

Rains batter Gujarat and Delhi The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Gujarat on August 26th because of heavy rains in the state. The rains are expected to continue till August 29th, with the IMD marking the state as a ‘flash flood risk’ zone. Baroda recorded 26 cm of rainfall, the highest in the state, from 8.30 am to 8.30 pm on the August 24. Ahmedabad recorded a rainfall of 10 cm, while the state average was 63.36 mm. Since August 24th, low-lying areas have experienced waterlogging, prompting the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to conduct rescue…