Delhi’s bid to end manual scavenging
In a move that will help sanitation workers clean manholes without having to enter them, 200 sewer cleaning machines have been introduced on March 1st. The technology was developed by the Delhi Jal Board and launched by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The machines have been provided to skilled manual scavengers and family members of those who died engaged in sewer cleaning. The government will help beneficiaries secure loans to buy the machines, making them sanitation entrepreneurs.
The machines have been equipped to perform hydraulic, jetting, grabbing and roding works. The work which was previously done by workers entering the manholes can be accomplished by the use of machines. The machines can clean manholes 30 feet deep and can enter narrow lanes. The silt, slug and other waste can be brought out via a trolley.
Source: The Hindu | The Wire
Mumbai Metro to be financed by historic loan
New lines of the Mumbai Metro will be financed by the highest ever infrastructure loan granted by the Asian Development Bank. The quantum of the loan sanctioned stands at Rs 6500 crore. The loan will help fund the setting up of lines 2A, 2B and 7 and will run to a length of 58 kilometres. The lines will run between Dahisar – D N Nagar, Dahisar – Bandra – Mandale and Dahisar (East) – Andheri (East).
The project will consist of 63 six-car trains with signaling and safety systems in place. A dedicated authority will be established to manage the metro operations once it has been completed. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority will serve as the implementing authority for the project. The project is expected to be completed by 2022 and will serve 2 million commuters once operational.
Source: MoneyControl | NDTV
Hyderabad moves to decongest toll collection on ORR
In a move to decongest toll lines on Outer Ring Road, agencies have been informed that any toll line that has a backlog of over 20 vehicles must be cleared without collection of tolls. The move will be implemented from April 1st and is a measure to reduce traffic jam and congestion along the ORR. The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority has appointed a new toll collection agency for the same.
The fresh tender issued by the HMDA had additional conditions and clauses meant to ease traffic congestion. The new rules are expected to benefit the people on days of high traffic such as festivals and public holidays. It is expected to reduce bumper to bumper traffic near the toll gates. Discounted monthly passes and RFID tags will also be made available to commuters from March 1st.
Source: Deccan Chronicle | The New Indian Express
Kolkata Metro faces two disruptions in a week
Trouble continued for Kolkata Metro after two disruptions in a week. The first disruption was caused by sparks spotted in the third rail at the Tollygunge station. The services were halted for half an hour at around 2.21 pm on February 26th. The second incident took place on February 27th when a minor fire broke out at the Tollygunge yard.
The fire was caused by a lightning strike. Three fire tenders were used to douse the fire. Service was again halted for half an hour.
The incidents come within months after two issues that raised serious concerns among the public. First was a fire in a compartment on December 27th that resulted in evacuation of passengers, with one hospitalised. On February 13th, passengers had to be deboarded from a coach after it got stuck at Dum Dum station.
Source: Deccan Herald
Pune civic body drafts resilience plan
The Pune Municipal Corporation released its draft resilient plan on March 1st for the city pertaining to three key areas of growth, economy and environment. The final strategy will be evolved after consultation by August of this year. The draft strategy came up after many inputs from stakeholders. The key challenges faced by the city have been identified as sustainable mobility, affordable housing and waste management. The draft strategy will address these issues.
Transport will be tackled through improvement of low carbon shared transport service availability. Healthy rental system and slum rehabilitation are on the cards to improve the housing situation in the city. Protection of biodiversity and planned waste management strategy including source segregation, decentralised waste management and efficient treatment of waste are part of the plan to combat waste crisis.
Source: Pune Mirror
[Compiled by Aruna Natarajan]