Civic

Public open spaces in Indian cities are scarce, falling below the WHO (World Health Organisation) standard of 9 sq.m. per person. Traditionally, Indian streets have served as multifunctional spaces, accommodating various users and activities, and playing a vital role in daily life. For example, Marine Drive in Mumbai is a popular spot for joggers and fitness enthusiasts in the early mornings and transforms into a social hub during evenings where people gather to relax, watch the sunset, and enjoy street food.  While urban planning has historically looked at streets merely as routes for mobility, the Smart Cities Mission has shifted…

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…

Visalakshi Kabilan, Councillor of Ward 180 in Chennai, has been a dedicated field worker long before her political debut. With her in-laws being long-time DMK members, she made good the opportunity when Ward 180 was declared a reserved ward for women, paving the way for her entry into local politics. She is keen on facilitating higher education opportunities for children in her ward, especially those from marginalised communities. Ward 180 in Chennai Name of the Councillor: Visalakshi Kabilan Age: 55 Party: DMK Education: B.Com Number: 9445467180 / 9176179311 Map of Ward 180 in Chennai. Pic Courtesy: GCC Read more: Councillor…

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…

“Before we knew it, the truck had started, and it hit me. I was on the side where it hit, and it dragged us. There were big rocks kept as dividers on the road. Thankfully we didn’t hit those. Luckily, the truck stopped because it was not in full speed. The glass which was on my side fully shattered,” narrates Jyotsna Morris. In 2019, Jyotsna was coming from Navi Mumbai to Kandivali by an Uber cab. The road was badly jammed, and the driver decided taking the service road would be quicker, though on the wrong side. While trying to cross…

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…

A dump yard in Pammal, which was restored through bio-mining in 2020, has once again become a towering trash mountain. The real twist is that the Tambaram Corporation — the line agency tasked with managing waste — is responsible. When Pammal was a municipality, the dump yard was scientifically restored by treating the old waste and removing undigested organic matter, in a process called bio-mining. Once the locality was merged with Tambaram Corporation, the civic body started dumping about 150 tonnes of waste every day in Pammal’s Mahalakshmi Nagar (adjoining survey number where bio-mining was done) and the nearby Adyar…

After any major event, more often than not, the next day’s news is about how much waste was collected and cleaned up from the city. For example, after Ganpati Visarjan on September 17th around 550 metric tonnes of waste was collected. Few months before that, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) cleared 11,000 kg of garbage after the victory parade at Marine Drive celebrating India’s T20 world cup win.  This is just to illustrate that Mumbai has a major garbage problem. But it is not only on such events that waste management is a challenge. With 6300 metric tonnes of garbage…

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…