GENRE: In Focus

This article is part of a special series: Air Quality in our Cities The drastic rise in air pollution levels in Indian cities over the years has been a cause of extreme concern, especially after the World Health Organization (WHO) pointed out that several Indian cities were part of the top 20 most polluted cities in terms of PM 2.5 levels. As part of a recent study by Aishwarya Sudhir ( supported by Co-Media Lab and Climate Trends), titled Bengaluru’s rising Air Quality Crisis, air pollution levels were tested for PM 2.5 (atmospheric particulate matter with diameter less that 2.5…

Post monsoon, the Dengue dread is back in our cities, with over 650 cases reported in the national capital alone. In 2017, data from the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) and National Health Profile 2018 indicated the maximum number of deaths in a decade and a 300% hike in the number of cases. Will there be a fall in the graph this year? There are mixed reports so far, with some evidence of control in a few cities, but a sharp spike in others. The reason for the continuing incidence is simple: poor urban management and lack of cleanliness. But what causes dengue and…

This article is supported by SVP Cities of India Fellowship Shrinking agriculture land, water scarcity and other challenges in traditional farming have made most farmers go for chemical fertilisers and pesticides to maximise yields of fruits and vegetables. This also calls for the need to grow safe, chemical-free food. It has led to different approaches, like organic farming and controlled farming practices like greenhouse farming. There are also dedicated farms collaborating with dedicated takers of the produce like apartment residents, for a fixed sum each month. There are different business models adopted by different people. Urban consumers of Bengaluru have…

In 2010, the United Nations declared access to clean drinking water as a human right. Yet, a large section of the Indian population suffers from the lack of it. A 2017 report by WaterAid India, titled Wild Water: The State of the World’s Water, stated that around 63 million of India’s 833 million rural population has no access to clean drinking water. The larger problem, however, lies in the lack of equal access to clean and safe drinking water for all citizens in the country, especially the poor, in both rural and urban areas. Among the middle or higher income…

On 11th October the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs notified a land pooling policy under the 2021 Master Plan for Delhi, to address the large scale housing gaps in Delhi. Through this policy, Delhi is set to get 17 lakh new affordable housing units, with a capacity to accommodate 76 lakh people. This policy signals a change in the Delhi Development Authority’s (DDA) model of land acquisition and development to a ‘land pooling model’, where the private sector and land owners are both partners in the development. However, while the policy is a first step, the release of land…

This article is part of a special series: Air Quality in our Cities Ruchika fumed behind the mask that her mother tied around her nose everyday. She had to pass through Peenya, the "dirtiest and "most polluted" locality in Bengaluru to reach her workplace. Her mother, a health expert, had told her "This is the point where pollution in 2015 was 1300 ug/m3." That figure in itself made no sense to Ruchika, till her mother added that the junction was 26 times more dangerous than the World Health Organisation's recommendation and 13 times worse than the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)'s  standards!…

“Homely atmosphere with good food and guaranteed safety,” reads the description of one of the many posts advertising women's hostels on a popular Facebook group for people who have moved to Chennai and are looking for suitable accommodation.  The post is accompanied by pictures of three single beds placed next to each other in a cramped room with seemingly little ventilation or light. Yet, the many enthusiastic responses show there is still demand for such places. This is the reality of many such hostels and paying guest accommodation across the city. With very little oversight on their operations, those who…

This article is part of a special series: Air Quality in our Cities Over the years Bengaluru has seen a exponential increase in the number of registered vehicles; with the official data at 73 lakh vehicles as of January 2018. Out of these, 50 lakh vehicles are two-wheelers, while there are 14 lakh four-wheelers. One of the major causes of air pollution in mega cities in India such as Bengaluru is due to the emission from transportation sources. In a recent study by Centre for Science and Environment, Bengaluru ranked third among 14 metropolitan cities in India in terms of…

This article is supported by SVP Cities of India Fellowship Sameer runs an independent self service store in JP Nagar 4th phase, Bengaluru, which sells a wide range of products catering to people’s grocery demands. He has four Point of Sale (POS) machines, offers free delivery within a 5 km radius; and has no minimum purchase quantity requirement. There are usually around 25 company salesmen who visit him regularly to check the stock and take orders. Manjunath runs SLV stores, a general store or kirana, in JP Nagar 3rd phase, Bengaluru. He primarily sells Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG). He…

Imagine a walk on the Kotturpuram bridge on any morning or evening - a glance below provides a picturesque sight: people shouting in happiness, their row boats on the tranquil waters of Adyar River, free from traffic. The happiness on their faces is evident; it makes you feel the joy of rowing. You cannot help thinking how beautiful the journey of these rowers would be -- navigating in the seemingly serene waters, encountering fish and feeling the cool breeze. But the reality is quite different.  And ugly. The breeze carries the stench of sewage, often unbearably foul. And what rowers…