Civic

BMC mandates air pollution monitoring at construction sites The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has asked for expressions of interest for sensors to monitor particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) at construction sites, with the data to be made available to the public. These sensors will help track air quality in real time and will be mandatory at all construction sites. This move aims to improve pollution monitoring and ensure compliance at both private and public projects in Mumbai. Builders support the plan but are concerned about increased costs and challenges in identifying pollution sources near multiple sites. The BMC will test…

“Even God himself cannot do anything within the next one, two, or three years," to solve the traffic problem in Bengaluru, said Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar recently. God can't save Bengaluru because he did not create the problems Bengaluru is facing. These are human-made problems, so humans alone have to solve them. The Deputy CM assured that traffic conditions would improve once projects like tunnel roads and elevated corridors took shape. His plans include tunnel roads costing ₹40,000 crore for just 50 km; Sanchara Yukta at a cost of ₹3,000 crore; elevated corridors at ₹15,000 crore; a double-decker metro and road…

The impact of climate change on urban habitats is a sombre reality that we cannot wish away any longer. While cities have been the largest contributors to climate change, they will also have to lead the fight against the same, driving both mitigation and adaptation. And along with environmental policy, regulation and implementation, community-led initiatives and citizen movements will be key to making a difference in terms of urban sustainability. On February 8th, the India Civic Summit 2025 — convened around the theme "Citizen Action for Climate-Resilient Cities" — brought together over 150 civic leaders, urban practitioners, grassroots changemakers, and…

Contaminated Sangam, stampede deaths mar Kumbh The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath has rejected a government report that found high levels of faecal coliform, untreated sewage and bacteria in Sangam waters at Prayagraj. He said that the water — in which 565 million bathed since January 13 — is not just fit for bathing, but also safe for aachman (drinking a handful after bathing). However, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report, filed on February 3, 2025 before the National Green Tribunal's Principal Bench said that because of the high faecal coliform levels in the Ganga River, the…

Across the dense urban habitats in the country, the lack of fire safety remains one of the key threats to life and property. Not a week goes by when you do not spot a news item related to a fire incident or tragedy in some city or the other. They may or may not make front page headlines, but their occurrence is remarkably and painfully regular.  For the past 15 years, Beyond Carlton in Bengaluru has been at the forefront of a critical mission — improving fire safety across India. Born out of a tragic accident, the organisation’s purpose is…

In Dehradun’s narrow lanes, mayoral election banners flutter briefly, promising progress, before fading into obscurity. The sound of crackers and victory speeches fills the air, echoing through neighborhoods already too familiar with broken promises. Across Uttarakhand’s urban towns and cities, local body elections were recently held, leaving behind a growing unease—a sense of democracy as a ritual, devoid of impact. Amid this fleeting spectacle, a sentiment stirs quietly but persistently: Why vote when nothing changes? This question reflects more than frustration; it reveals a deeper disconnection between governance and the people it serves. Much like Gregor Samsa in Kafka’s Metamorphosis,…

"I have been interested in politics ever since I was a 10-year-old girl as my family has been part of DMK for generations," says Pavithra Nareshkumar, Councillor of Ward 43 in Chennai, speaking about her political journey. She spoke to Citizen Matters about the measures she has taken to address the civic issues in Ward 43 of Chennai, especially for flood mitigation and improving underground drainage systems in the ward. Ward 43 Name of Councillor: Pavithra Nareshkumar Party: DMK Age: Educational Qualification: Contact: 9445467043 / 8939536466 Pallavan Nagar slum, Nagooran Thottam, Thideer Nagar, Kasipuram, Pudhumanai Kuppam, Singaravelar slum and Chokkalingam…

Iconic Secunderabad station getting a ₹700-crore facelift The ₹700-crore upgrade of the Secunderabad Railway Station is set for completion by 2026. According to sources, around 27% of the work has been executed. The station will feature state-of-the-art architecture that blends tradition with modernity. The South Central Railway (SCR) has initiated the demolition of the iconic Secunderabad Railway Station’s main terminal buildings. It will address long-standing infrastructural issues, including plumbing deficiencies and passenger amenities in 180 trains. The station gets a daily footfall of 1.5 lakh commuters. The railway authorities will construct terminal buildings on both the northern and southern sides.…

Car and two-wheeler horns are unrelated to vehicular motion. Yet, a closer look at our busy roads reveals a constant din caused by drivers honking relentlessly, even when unnecessary. Once serene residential areas now reverberate with the cacophony of different horn sounds. The noise at traffic signals and bottlenecks is hitting deafening levels of around 90 decibels (dB), and vehicle drivers ignore 'silence zones' near schools and hospitals. People continue to have multi-toned and high-pressure horns, which they use out of habit, while many vehicles have their silencers modified.  Numerous articles and awareness campaigns in Bengaluru and other cities have focussed…

Poor crowd management blamed for Maha Kumbh stampede The Maha Kumbh Mela stampede in the early hours of January 29th in Prayagraj led to at least 30 deaths and 60 people being injured. Large crowds flocked to the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh, on Mauni Amavasya, a day considered auspicious for the ritual dip. There were about 10 crore pilgrims.  Just a few hours later, another stampede-like situation three kilometres away at Jhusi resulted in deaths of at least seven, including a child, said police sources. Strangely, the authorities remained silent about this incident.  Uttar Pradesh authorities drafted guidelines on…