November | 2018 | | Citizen Matters

“The Dal is dying and so are we”

November 29, 2018 Nusrath Sidiq

Several studies on pollution in the Dal Lake have pointed to the impact of the waste discharged by houseboats operating on the lake; yet rehabilitation or realignment of these may not be the only solution for saving the lake.

Cleaning the air in your room: Experience from Raipur

November 29, 2018 Patrik Oskarsson

Toxic air in our cities — anywhere out of doors — is something we can rarely avoid, But if you are thinking of installing an air purifier to breathe healthy while at home, this will provide some pointers.

Why Rs 759 crore over 16 years has failed to revive Srinagar’s iconic Dal Lake

November 28, 2018 Nusrath Sidiq

Almost synonymous with Kashmir, the Dal Lake is dying a slow death, marred by ineffective sewage disposal, rampant encroachments and inefficient administration. The J&K High Court, too, has observed that “crores have been spent so far, but nothing has happened on the ground.”

Beating violence with education: How Education City in Dantewada is showing the way

November 26, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

With 18 institutions and 5,500 students at all levels, Education City in violence-stricken Dantewada is a novel and successful experiment. It is the only ray of hope for the children of a state ravaged by Naxalism.

City Buzz: Mumbai farmers’ stir | Kolkata air worse than Delhi | Google app for neighbourhoods…and more!

November 24, 2018 News Desk

Why were plans for artificial rain in Delhi stalled? How did Kolkata pip Delhi in air pollution? What can you do with Google’s new Neighbourly app? All this and more from our cities in this week’s buzz.

Experts welcome health assessment mandate for thermal power plant clearance

November 23, 2018 News Desk

The environment ministry has made it mandatory for all new coal-based power plants in the country to comply with criteria on human health as part of environmental clearance procedures. Welcome as a first step, it may still need more for a full blown health impact assessment.

Will developed villages today make for better cities tomorrow?

November 20, 2018 Saadia Siddiqui

At a time when our cities are gasping for breath and grappling with problems galore, would it not be wiser to strengthen our village infrastructure and diversify the rural economy to check rural-urban migration?

City buzz: Mumbai water crisis | Delhi ban on non-CNG vehicles | New port at Varanasi… and more

November 17, 2018 News Desk

What’s keeping Mumbai parched? What are the latest measures being mulled in Delhi to combat pollution? Which housing projects will be exempt from prior green clearance? A look back at the important headlines from India’s cities this week.

Dengue outbreaks: Are cities losing the war?

November 16, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

Citizens blame civic authorities for poor administration and civic management. Defensive officials attribute the rise in numbers to efficient detection and regular reporting. From Jammu to Chennai, and from Guwahati to Pune, here’s the dengue scenario in our cities today.

Why ‘family’ is key to detection and prevention of diabetes, the urban epidemic

November 14, 2018 M Balasubramanyam

With an estimated 73 million adult patients, India faces a diabetes epidemic, with urban centres registering a significantly higher prevalence of cases. On this World Diabetes Day, an expert explains the rationale behind this (and next) year’s theme: Family.

What will it take for our city bus systems to keep fares low and still curtail losses?

November 13, 2018 Arjun Rajan

Most public bus units in our cities have run into huge losses. Yet, fare increase would make buses unaffordable for the ones who need them the most. Can the state step in and find a way for them to be accessible as well as economically viable?

City Buzz: Faizabad renamed Ayodhya | Diwali impact on air quality | Delhi Signature Bridge opening…and more!

November 12, 2018 News Desk

Did the SC order have any impact on Diwali pollution? Which are the other cities that may see a name change after the renaming of Faizabad to Ayodhya? What’s special about Delhi’s new Signature Bridge? All this and more news from our cities in our weekly recap.

Cyber crime: A guide to understanding, prevention and redress

November 8, 2018 Harsha Raj Gatty

From ministers and celebrities to trusting seniors, every category of citizen seems to have fallen prey to online fraudsters and cyber criminals, and with increasing regularity of late . How do these people con you and what can you do to prevent yourself from being the next in a long line of victims?

“Delivering” a butterfly

November 6, 2018 Deepa Mohan

The miracles and drama in nature are abundant and everywhere, even in the heart of a busy city. If only we have the eyes and the soul for it…

City buzz: Delhi air quality | Plans for India’s first Justice City | Kolkata public transport | Metro rail news…and more

November 5, 2018 News Desk

Where will India’s first Justice City be? Which city in the country has been ranked on top in terms of public transport options? Why is Mumbai reeling under water crisis? That and more buzz from cities in our weekly news recap.

Diwali fire crackers: To burst or not to burst?

November 3, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

Diwali is just days away. And if you are still wondering how to celebrate with fireworks as a responsible citizen, in compliance with the recent court ruling, here are things that you must know.

When 14.5 lakh gathered in Tirunelveli for a holy dip…

November 2, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

The Thamirabarani Mahapushkar in Tirunelveli town, Tamil Nadu, attracted large crowds, but how prepared was the town? A first-person account