October | 2019 | | Citizen Matters

Why Bhopal wants its BRTS corridor to be dismantled after spending Rs 329 crore on it

October 31, 2019 Shuriah Niazi

Traffic chaos, commuter inconvenience and alarming accident records — on the face of it, the reasons for the public outcry against Bhopal’s ‘corridor of trouble’ seem aplenty. But does it really call for dismantling of the infrastructure? What do experts say?

All that you need to know about the new consumer protection law

October 30, 2019 Soumya Shekhar

The Indian government has enacted a new Consumer Protection Act 2019, replacing the earlier law. A comprehensive look at the new provisions under the law and the protection you can expect as a consumer.

‘Green’ or otherwise, crackers are sheer agony for animals

October 28, 2019 Harsha Raj Gatty

The Supreme Court order mandating low-decibel, green crackers has reduced the extreme noise and air pollution that has conventionally accompanied Deepavali and other celebrations. Yet, for our fellow species without a voice, the trauma is no less. Here’s how to protect them during our festivals.

Is Delhi ready for a green Diwali, with only anars and phuljaris?

October 26, 2019 Sri Krishna

The Supreme Court has mandated that only ‘green’ crackers as formulated by CSIR-NEERI and approved by PESO may be burst this Diwali, so that there is less air and noise pollution. But is Delhi, a city used to boisterous celebrations for a week before and after the festival, ready for a quieter, smoke-free Diwali?

How 5000 school kids in Dehradun helped put 550 kilos of plastic waste where it belongs

October 25, 2019 Rishabh Shrivastava

Dehradun Smart City Limited’s innovative and community-centric initiative titled “Plastic Wapsi Abhiyaan” involved almost 20 government schools, engaging more than 5000 students and 100 teachers. Here’s how they did it.

Monkey menace poses stiff challenge for Delhi government

October 23, 2019 Hridayesh Joshi

Monkeys straying into human settlements and causing serious threats has been an ongoing problem in Delhi. Now, before the assembly elections, the Delhi government has planned a census of monkeys, for area-wise identification and targeted plans to address the problem.

How a small Himalayan town panchayat is showing Shimla the way to effective waste management

October 22, 2019 Ashwani Sharma

Aima panchayat, an urban-rural agglomeration near Palampur, has its own modern garbage treatment park, with the facility to handle all kinds of waste, including plastic. Inspired by it, Shimla has now set up its own waste-to-energy plant, expected to help the capital in sustainable waste management.

Why young Indians should put ‘equity’ at the forefront of climate activism

October 21, 2019 Anjali Sharma

A climate movement here cannot be built without acknowledging the differentiated responsibility of developed and developing countries in causing climate change. The rhetoric of ‘young vs old’ is not just oversimplification, but simply untrue in the case of India.

Mumbai votes in Assembly elections: MLA choices for Kurla, Kalina, Vile Parle and Wadala

October 20, 2019 News Desk

As Mumbai gets ready to elect its MLAs on Monday, take a look at the profiles of candidates in the fray in the four assembly constituencies of Kurla, Kalina, Vile Parle and Wadala.

Mumbai votes in Assembly elections: MLA choices for Andheri W, Andheri E, Goregaon and Versova

October 20, 2019 News Desk

As Mumbai gets ready to elect its MLAs on Monday, take a look at the profiles of candidates in the fray in the four assembly constituencies of Andheri W, Andheri E, Goregaon and Versova.

Mumbai votes in Assembly elections: MLA Choices for Vandre East, Vandre West, Dharavi, Sion Koliwada

October 20, 2019 News Desk

As Mumbai gets ready to elect its MLAs on Monday, take a look at the profile of candidates in the fray in the four assembly constituencies of Vandre East, Vandre West, Dharavi and Sion Koliwada.

Mumbai votes in Assembly elections: MLA choices for Vikhroli, Chembur and Ghatkopar (East/West)

October 20, 2019 News Desk

As Mumbai gets ready to elect its MLAs on Monday, take a look at the profiles of candidates in the fray in the four key assembly constituencies of Chembur, Vikhroli and Ghatkopar (East & West)

Mumbai votes in Assembly elections: MLA choices for Colaba, Mumbadevi, Malabar Hill and Worli

October 20, 2019 News Desk

As Mumbai gets ready to elect its MLAs on Monday, take a look at the profiles of candidates in the fray in the four key assembly constituencies of Colaba, Malabar Hill, Mumbadevi and Worli.

Mumbai votes in Assembly elections: MLA choices for Borivali, Dahisar, Magathane and Mulund

October 20, 2019 News Desk

As Mumbai gets ready to elect its MLAs on Monday, take a look at the profiles of candidates in the fray in the four key constituencies of Borivali, Dahisar, Magathane and Mulund.

Thousands of blue-collar jobs hit as Mohali’s manufacturing sector cedes ground to IT, services

October 18, 2019 Raj Machhan

Compared to other industrial hubs in Punjab, Mohali has better infrastructure and enjoys the advantage of proximity to Chandigarh. But despite the edge, manufacturing units in the city have failed to survive. Here’s why.

Students begin crusade to save East Kolkata Wetlands

October 17, 2019 Mou Chakraborty

Young students from the neighbourhoods of the East Kolkata Wetlands, along with students from city schools, are getting ready to join hands and work towards saving this “wetland of international importance” as designated by the Ramsar Convention in 2002.

Why residents on outskirts of Hyderabad are forced to drink contaminated water

October 16, 2019 Aarti Kelkar Khambete

Groundwater, drawn at rapid rates from peri-urban areas of Hyderabad is now turning into a commodity, controlled and distributed at a premium by a few, to meet the needs of the city. Recent research reveals the alarming consequences of such trends.

Mumbai civic body initiative to help school kids cope with mental health issues

October 16, 2019 Jahanvi J

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s Smiling School Project will train principals and teachers to identify students facing mental or emotional distress. These students will then receive free counselling. But will it be enough, given the nature and magnitude of the problem?

Biodiesel from used cooking oil: What’s fuelling five buses in Mangalore

October 12, 2019 Harsha Raj Gatty

In Mangalore, a state government-run research centre has developed the technology to convert used cooking oil to biodiesel. Five private buses here now run on biofuel blend

Miyawaki afforestation catching on in Indian cities, but can it sustain?

October 11, 2019 Nikita Vashisth

Miyawaki forests lower temperature, make soil nutritious, support local wildlife and sequestrate carbon. But how sustainable is this expensive method in Indian cities?