This thread aims to discuss here various civic amenities which we often find them not upto mark be it the roads,transport management/power supply,Pollution,Environmental concerns -Noise/feeling of trees for road widening purpose,Parks,Lakes conservation,Drinking water supply,Underground drainage systems,Solid waste Management. etc etc

Most importantly being the Footpaths.It is our fundamental right and hence govt must ensure that for every citizen.

Any problem which a city or town faces in the name of Urbanization can be discussed here,Model projects can be updated here such that the same may be replicated elsewhere in the state/country.

Am moving this footpaths discussion here......Kindly follow it here

Kindly read my suggestion on requirement for roads. If we don’t have requirement defined properly this is what happens. Vehicle and walkers are not the only users there are indirect user of roads. Corporation lays road and footpath, but after weeks or month telephone wala ( they are multiple now), Drainage, water, storm water, transformer, Hasiru oosiru ( for laying plants) every one will dig it and no one take responsibility to repair it. If they repair also once the foundation is disrupted road soil become loose and you will never get the same strength for road.

Now in Bangalore every department is having money from Jn-Nurm Hence this is a common scene. I will post some photo to show you the example shortly. We need to see have single owner for the road and model road should be in place designed by National or state road standard agenesis, There should be plan to how each people use it( direct or indirect).

One thing we need to learn from British is standardization. Which we lack. Ajay you can give some suggestion how these things are taken care in U.K.

Visnaya why don't you consider this as a model road for other Tier 2 cities of Karnataka

This is the irwin road from Railway station to ayurveda Medical college,Mysore

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/9364/17172557.jpg

See it has neat pavements,nicely marked lanes,Pavements are broad and even on both the sides.....:banana:

^^ That looks excellent. The advantage of the place may be not much residential buildings to be connected to electrical posts, drainages, telecom boxes, so on and not much waste generated. Where are they parking vehicles?

public office building road

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3061/2910897217_b88bbaa955.jpg

gun house..........

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3129/2910903723_00801b9a64.jpg

Mysore city corporation front view

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/3729/dsc01624yn8.jpg

MCC front view 2


http://img60.imageshack.us/img60/8555/dsc01625tl7.jpg

procession road

http://img60.imageshack.us/img60/1589/dsc01657hq4.jpg



well Krishnamoorthy there are many roads in Mysore where you can find old buildings such as these.So no much residential activity.

There is enough parking space in the railway station itself..............

Mysore main roads have good pavements................

Where ever there are residential buildings we have a separate lane marking for parking will post them also.......

World class Railway Station

Safe platforms (railway has plan to add more platforms)
Organized petty shops on platforms (not hindering passenger movements), (automatic vending & dispensing machines may not be needed as we have enough man power?)
Security Cameras
Automated stair cases
Computerised signaling systems
Passenger information systems (LED display of platform informations, delays in departure and arrivals, etc along with display on TV screens?)
Ticket & reservation counters with sitting arrangements for people in queues (automatic ticket dispensing machines needed???)
Tourist information counters
Parking facilities
Autoriksha & Taxi facilities
Bus facilities
Clean toilets
Clean and spacious rest rooms
Entertainment facilities
Restaurants & canteens
shops
Economical lodging facilities
So on ...
And dedicated staff for keeping the station clean, safe and secure




Proposal for Bus stop on Railway Colony

A train halting at Mangalore Central means begining of processions. One towards State Bank Bus stop and the other towards Hampankatta. Of course, people with enough money to spend go by autos and others walk. Whenever I see the people walking such distances carrying all their luggages to catch bus or catch train I feel sad.

What I have done is quite simple. Cut Service and City Bus Stops near State Bank. Merged and pasted them together on Railway Colony space next to Mangalore Central Railway Station. That is it! No more processions!

For locating Railway Colony visit: http://wikimapia.org/1555104/Mangalore-Central-Railway-Station

Railway department can develop Railway Colony as a bus terminal after shifting small houses there to a suitable location. This should be a part of 'Upgradation of Mangalore Railway Station' proposed in the budget 2009-10.

Ground floor is for buses. Passengers can climb down or up from any bus plaform to the bridge connected to railway platforms. The bridge has branches to other sides of roads, and also branches to auto, car parking areas. First floor is for parking visitors vehicles and has pick up points for autos and taxis. Second floor can also be used for parking. Can have market zone on one of floors including a limited number of Vegetable, fish, meat sellers.

Above these floors Railway Yatrinivas (Railratna Budget Hotel) and other facilities may come up. If it is developed as twin tower, above the terminal, then one tower could be for Yatrinivas and the other one for Railway Staff Quarters. Number of floors are drawn arbitrarily in the diagrams. Yatris staying in Yatrinivas will have all transportation and food facilities at their door steps. Just get into a lift and go to first floor then catch taxi or use pedestrian bridge to get into bus or rail platforms.

On the opposite side of bus stop some space may be reserved for a small depot to halt buses which are on short rest. The roads from Maidan Road to the New Bus stop should be broad enough to accomodate bus and other vehicles traffic. The buses leaving New Bus Stop either take a turn at AB Shetty circle or move in usual State Bank - Bibi Alabi Road. Similarly buses coming from AB Shetty circle can take a U turn at clock tower to enter the New Bus Stop.

Note that in the diagrams the green arrows are for movement of buses to and from the terminal, they do not mean that the roads are one way.

The gap between railway station building and new bus terminal building should be sufficient enough for two way traffic and fire engine operations. Except for ground floor all other floors are for railways use.

As far as trees are concerned one big peepal tree and many other small trees will go. But, the good thing is that Nehru Maidan is going to have another lush green garden. Although other trees may grow within about 10 years to their current size to have another peepal tree of the same size may be require more than 50 years.



1st Proposal

http://i48.tinypic.com/8zfts1.jpg

The drawback is that many houses have to be demolished for road construction.


2nd Proposal

http://i47.tinypic.com/23leips.jpg

The same drawback, many houses have to be demolished for road construction.


3rd Proposal

http://i49.tinypic.com/106jbl3.jpg

http://i45.tinypic.com/15hxyyp.jpg

Note that North is towards left in these two pictures, and also note that the railway station ground level is about 6 to 7 meters below Maidan Road level.

Although only about 4 houses in railway colony, a small railway office and a police station to be demolished the drawbacks are the reduced space and the road connecting railway station to maidan road has to broadened enough to accomodate two way bus traffic along with other vehicles either by demolishing a few houses in Police Quarters or a few buildings on the other side of the road.


Other alternatives

One more option for utilizing full width upto water tanks for bus stop is to have the road turning right after water tanks in that case many houses on that road will go.

As another alternative, buses could be allowed to enter through Railway Station Road (Hampankatta to Railway Station road between Wenlock Hospital buildings) and leave through road towards Town Hall (both are marked Old Kent Road on google map). But, this may not go well with the idea of two way flyover ramping on Maidan Road at Hampankatta? For this a part of flyover has to turn to left towards Railway Station Road. (and the bridge connecting two buildings of Wenlock hospital will go.) And turning buses coming through Bunts Circle, if they not come through flyover to Hampankatta, is also a problem as space available on Railway Station Road is limited after constructing ramp.

http://i47.tinypic.com/makqoh.jpg



Feasible or not? No idea what would be the cost of this type of bus terminal. Hope not too much. Have any other cost effective options? Alternative suggestions?

Note: It took three full days to draw these drawings.

Posted from Mangalore projects thread

Akash, I am more interested in addressing poor pedestrians problems than rich vehicle owners. My interest in flyover, underpass or underground roads are limited as they are expensive solutions. I am more interested in drawing subways and integrated rail and bus transit terminals. (though integrated terminals may seem expensive, in my opinion they are extremely useful in supporting seamless mass transit system). Anyway, I will try to show diagramatically the ideas posted in the previous post in the next post. (more interested in making the flyovers and underpasses useful for bus routes.)

I have seen many branch roads on Bendorewell-Mallikatte road and Falnir road have sharp gradients right at the edge of the concrete road making pedestrians difficult to cross these branch roads. In the picture below, slope of 1st road starts at the edge of the road itself and slope of 2nd road starts after footpath and slightly inside. 2nd kind of road branching is prefered as there is not much depth and pedestrians need not step over to road to negotiate the depth.
http://i45.tinypic.com/qpqfza.jpg

The picture below depicts the picture of footpaths, constructed or under construction near Kankanady circle (Karavali) or AB Shetty circle, in a general way. The problem of rounded construction and allowing vehicles to park inside obstructs the pedestrian movement to buildings on this part of the road hence there is a need for extra footpath shown parallel. Also depending on frequency of autos or other vehicles entering and leaving the parking area pedestrians will end up in waiting. The staright footpath avoids all difficulties including climbing down and up near the two entry points for vehicles.
http://i49.tinypic.com/25zjtky.jpg

I think all thes types of small cares at the time of design and construction of footpath will make pedestrians life much easier and safe.

But, I know that walkable footpath is far dream as all our footpaths are currently filled with pillars, transformers, telecom boxes, wastebins, hoardings (in some of the places of newly concretized roads they have already started putting posts for hoardings occupying enough space of footpath), ..........

Great renders there Krishnamoorthy........... :happy:

I have proposed 5 subways around the circle.

The one circled with red color is of utmost importance as it is the entry gate for the city buses and pedestrians are put under risk.So I have proposed a subway which should have barricades as shown in the picture.

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/5516/mys1.png

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/2766/dsc06783q.jpg

The one across sayajji rao road

I want barricades put in place all around the circle so that the pedestrians are compelled to use the subway

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/1153/dsc06076hsh.jpg

Mysore pedestrian woes :ohno:

Unscientific Road construction practice,where you can see the road is tarred before the pavements are ready.

Also the material for pavement construction has been dumped right on the road sides,which normally after pavement construction stays on at the sides of the roads,thus giving a dusty look to the road and importantly proving dangerous to the motorists increasing the chances of skidding.

This normally happens when Different contractors are awarded various works on a particular road.

See to that pavements are ready first and then the road is tarred.


Ramaswamy circle to law court road.



This road has been widened and now work on the pavements is under way

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/8741/dsc07193k.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/3770/dsc07194b.jpg

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/6995/dsc07195g.jpg

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/2388/dsc07196.jpg

Law court road pavements

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/9813/dsc07197.jpg

Storm drain works on Law court road

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/307/dsc07198.jpg

:banana:



I appeal to the MCC officials *(If anybody is here on SSC) to award all works of a particular road to only one contractor.

* Two-way road and increased traffic make it a difficult crossing for them

http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/02/images/2010010260690401.jpg
LONG WAIT: People waiting to cross K.H. Road in Bangalore.

BANGALORE: Ever since the Richmond Circle flyover was made into a two-way road, the area has become a nightmare for pedestrians. Traffic flowing in from Langford Road, which would earlier go over the flyover to enter Mission Road, is now forced into the already congested K.H. Road.

The flyover, constructed to ease traffic congestion, now ironically appears to be contributing hugely to the problems of the pedestrians. With no signal lights at the junction before the Richmond Circle flyover, pedestrians are forced to wait interminably before they can cross the road. But this is a risky venture because traffic flow is heavy.

Says Heena K., an engineering student who commutes on K.H. Road: “It takes a minimum 10 minutes to cross the road. We wait until the two signal lights near the Double Road bus stand are cleared. The road is very crowded during peak hours as it is very narrow and cannot accommodate the volume of oncoming traffic.”

“Accidents have become common on this road. Vehicles here get jammed for hours together. Crossing it is the biggest problem here,” says Mukesh Kumar, owner of a petty shop on K.H. Road.

N. Murthy, a pedestrian, says the only way to overcome this problem is a skywalk.

“Vehicles move at snail’s pace during peak hours,” says Sampath L., a marketing executive, who frequently negotiates K.H. Road.

“There are no clearly demarcated lanes. Motorists violating lane discipline and the movement of trucks are the main reason for traffic congestion here.”

As the road does not have designated parking areas, motorists park on the pavements. As a result, pedestrians are further victimised as the pavement size shrinks further.

Pedestrians blamed

When contacted, a senior traffic police officer from the Wilson Garden Traffic Police Station put responsibility of crossing the road on the pedestrians themselves.

“They are not accustomed to the new two-way road. Everything will be sorted out in due course. We are manually monitoring the situation, indicating when pedestrians should cross the road. But most of them tend to violate the traffic signals.”


Source: The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/02/stories/2010010260690400.htm)

The traffic police officer is telling only the half truth. He is not telling the real truth that vehicles do not care for signal allowing pedestrians to cross the road. The vehicles just jump signal meant for pedestrian to cross. Finally impatient pedestrians are crossing the road violating the signal rules themselves.

This type of jumping signal especially happens on free lefts. That is the reason I do not like free lefts and flyovers which allow all kinds of signal violations by vehicles. The solution from pedestrian point of view is to have subways or skywalks.

One important thing helping pedestrians to cross road is road divider. In Mangalore Bunts Circle crossing is becoming extremely difficult as there is no road dividers.

Very good thread Akash.

* A study has found that barely 30 per cent of the roads had footpaths

BANGALORE: Uneven, narrow, poorly designed, and full of obstructions… it appears that there is no place for pedestrians even on footpaths in the city.

On Infantry Road, for instance, the footpath is overrun by shops to display furniture, while on Commercial Street closely parked vehicles make it inaccessible for pedestrians.

Those on Gandhi Bazaar and Malleswaram 8th Cross are often occupied by street vendors while on Old Post Office Road, the pedestrian underpass entrance has been constructed right on the footpath itself.

As for pedestrians who wish to go towards Nrupatunga Road from the Ambedkar Veedhi (M.S. Building), there is no footpath at all.

Poor priority

A study on traffic and transportation policies and strategies in 30 cities, including Bangalore, taken up under the National Urban Transport Policy 2006, found that facilities for pedestrians were almost nil.

The study found that in most Indian cities, barely 30 per cent of the roads had footpaths.

The Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) has, in its draft guidelines for pedestrian movement, stressed on the need for a well-designed footpath/ sidewalk that is paved and is of sufficient width to handle the capacity of the expected load.

The guidelines state that footpaths should be built and maintained in all urban areas and are needed on both sides of all streets.

First casualties

K. Nagarajan of Hasiru Usiru, who has studied footpaths in the city, observed that pedestrian safety was not a priority for civic authorities.

“Many problems dog footpaths. For one, they aren’t paved, and are now being concretised, leaving no breathing space for trees. At some points, they are too high, making it hard for the elderly. And, when the roads are widened, footpaths are the first casualties,” he said.

The Indian Roads Congress guidelines stipulate that the minimum width of a footpath should not be less than 1.5 metres. The width should depend on pedestrian traffic, varying between 1.5 meters and a maximum of 4 metres.

Suhas Kulhalli, an activist who has prepared “Reference Guide for Urban Road Design”, said street furniture such as electrical poles, lamp posts, pole-mounted transformers and bus shelters, which often obstruct the movement of pedestrians, should be placed at the edge and not arbitrarily on the footpath.

“Footpaths should be at a slightly elevated height to give protection to pedestrians, prevent vehicles coming over to the footpath and help better segregation,” he said.

However, the civic authorities lack perspective and there is no attention to detail to make footpaths user-friendly, he added. “Ideally, when a road is being developed itself, urban planners must include pedestrian infrastructure,” he said.

BBMP Commissioner Bharatlal Meena, while admitting there is no budget allocation for improvement of pedestrian infrastructure, claimed that the zonal engineers had been directed to ensure that footpaths were free of obstructions, encroachments, and are paved.

He said that part of the road development funds is used to construct footpaths. The public may call the BBMP control room to complain about uneven footpaths, he added.


Source: The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/2009/11/17/stories/2009111759160500.htm)

The benefits of insuring a public road

Staff Correspondent

The country’s only insured road gets cover for the third year

http://www.thehindu.com/2009/08/05/images/2009080550350201.jpg
TREND-SETTER: A file photograph of the Timmasagar Temple Main Road at Vidyanagar in Hubli.

HUBLI: Insurance cover for Timmasagar Temple Main Road in Hubli, the country’s “first municipal road to be insured”, according to Limca Book of Records, 2008, has been renewed for the third year.

However, residents of the locality, especially Mrutyunjay C. Sindhur, a physician who initiated the process of getting the road insured for the first time in 2007, is unhappy. While Dr. Sindhur paid the premium for the first year, the other residents shared the premium amount for the second and third years.

The obvious reason for the unhappiness of the residents is that no individual or institution had come forward to borrow the idea from them to get roads in their localities insured.

“It is obvious that they have not really made efforts to know the real advantages of getting roads insured,” Dr. Sindhur told The Hindu.

It was in 2007 that the road in Hubli was insured against damage caused by all natural calamities, impact damage, malicious or intentional damage and bursting of water pipes and apparatus, etc.

The Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation got the road asphalted in 2007.

Initially, the road was insured by Oriental Insurance Company for Rs. 2 lakh with an annual premium of Rs. 303. In 2008-09, the sum assured was increased to Rs. 6 lakh with a premium of Rs. 910, and this year, the residents have paid Rs. 893 as annual premium.

As per the insurance policy, if any damage occurred to the road the insurance company will directly credit the amount required for repair of the damage to the account of the local body (in this case the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation).

The amount has to be exclusively used for the maintenance or repair of the insured road.

“It will not only avoid the long wait for getting funds sanctioned for road repair but will also ensure that the work is taken up immediately as exclusive funds are available for it. It will also be a sort of savings for the local body,” Dr. Sindhur said.

Dr. Sindhur’s contention is that the idea of getting road insured could be used as a long-term strategic plan for maintenance of roads by the local bodies as it would save repeated expenses incurred yearly for repairs.

That is the reason why he started a blog, www.insuredroad.blogspot.com, to pass on the information on the benefits of getting roads insured. Dr. Sindhur and the other residents are hopeful that their initiative would find some takers soon.



http://www.thehindu.com/2009/08/05/stories/2009080550350200.htm

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bWnIEez10Y0/R9eJY_Pg6ZI/AAAAAAAAADc/cssnN3PMWhA/s400/A%3D5x7-1.jpg

http://cj.ibnlive.in.com/pix/cj/images/01-2008/f12278763c1f260af3d1f112a9a22b77_full.jpg

I will try my best to do some thing of this kind along with my friends in Mysore.
:happy:

Krishnamoorthy,Mangalore can also rope in some NGO's and work for insuring roads.

What an innovative idea.Hail Hubli.

Source: The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/02/stories/2010010260690400.htm)


One important thing helping pedestrians to cross road is road divider. In Mangalore Bunts Circle crossing is becoming extremely difficult as there is no road dividers.



True,Krishnamoorthy I only realized that after you made the comment.Initially I only felt road dividers serve the purpose of channelizing traffic,but really never realized that IT HELPS PEDESTRIANS inspite of myself using the dividers at times to cross the road.:doh:

Great observation there.

Suhas Kulhalli, an activist who has prepared “Reference Guide for Urban Road Design”, said street furniture such as electrical poles, lamp posts, pole-mounted transformers and bus shelters, which often obstruct the movement of pedestrians, should be placed at the edge and not arbitrarily on the footpath.

http://www.thehindu.com/2009/11/17/stories/2009111759160500.htm



^^ For Belgaum and Mangalore civic authorities bus shelters must be placed on the edge of the footpath


Belgaum city college road..............worst design

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/7193/dsc02991mp5.jpg

cc Myself

Belgaum's sister Mangalore, city bus shelter designs

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/9623/mgroadmangalore72.jpg


Davangere city's bus shelter designs.......again a disappointment

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/1875/39063408.png

Hubli city again a disappointment

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/2236/dsc07215u.jpg
CC MYSELF


Other cities of karnataka sport worst bus shelter-Pavement designs as well.............
Mysore is also no good some roads have bus shelter like the ones you see above,very much obstructing the footpath.

An ideal bus shelter in Mysore???

ON Irwin road again.......

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/4185/dsc02179kh5.jpg

This time it is not on footpaths but storm drains.................

Recently the kuvempunagar double road in Mysore or also called as Vishwamanava road was widened and tarring works are underway.One side of the road has been paved the other side has been paved in small stretches here and there.

Just look at the open storm darins.Imagine a small kid falling into the drain while playing.

Future plans:Trees have been chopped for shifting the electric poles and soon you will see a parking lane marks.

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/50/img1374lp2.jpg

Most ideal and Superb Bus bay

Mysore jlb road

You can also see those fibre piers in place.............. :happy:

http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/9593/dsc05207.jpg

cc myself

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/50/img1374lp2.jpg

Why the ramp from the building on footpath? Cann't they include whole ramp within the building premises?



ON Irwin road again.......

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/4185/dsc02179kh5.jpg

Footpath and Bus Stop ground level are same. Very good example.
But again, advertisement boards on the sides not allowing smooth movement of pedestrians on footpath.

In the other pictures 45 degree gradients at the edge of bus stops will make many senior citizens, disabled and children face the problem of falling down while climbing this.

Why the ramp from the building on footpath? Cann't they include whole ramp within the building premises?


They have not closed the drains rather left it open and put narrow ramps for the residents to access the road.:ohno:

ROAD SAFETY AWARENESS THRU SKATING

Mysore, Jan. 5 (KMC&KK)- A skating rally by students, aimed at spreading awareness on road safety, was held in city today.

The rally, in which 120 skaters participated, was flagged off by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime and Traffic) P. Rajendra Prasad, in front of Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple in the Palace premises here at 7.30 am.

The participants, ranging from primary to degree classes, went skating from the temple to the Deputy Commissioner's office via K.R. Circle, holding placards with messages about road safety and environment conservation.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Shankaregowda, parents of the skaters and public witnessed the colourful rally.

At KSRTC Depot

Traffic awareness rally will be held at the KSRTC Depot in Bannimantap at 3 pm today, with City Police Commissioner Sunil Agarwal and DCP P. Rajendra Prasad as the chief guests.

Cycle rally 'morrow

Similar to today's skating rally, a cycle rally will be held tomorrow at the same time, same place and same distance, as part of Road Safety Awareness Week observed by City Traffic Police, said Rajendra Prasad.

SOM

Do such awareness programmes really impact peoples mind??

SEMI RESIDENTIAL road in saraswathipuram with lane markings for parking.Footpaths are too wide for them to pave on this stretch.

But There is a heated debate going on whether to put dividers or not.You can see some space left for dividers.

Why do people oppose dividers I don't understand.As krishnamoorthy mentioned it can help pedestrians cross roads like acting as an intermittent shield(half way)

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/985/dsc07565j.jpg

SOM

Do such awareness programmes really impact peoples mind??

They may not.

What these people should do is to go to the shops which keep their gadgets and advertisement boards on the footpath and convince them of the incovenience and possible harms caused by not allowing pedestrians to walk on footpath. Similarly they should visit car garages, welding garages, etc which occupy considerable portion of footpath. They should also meet vehicle owners who have parked the vehicles illegally on footpath. The most important thing is to create awareness against jumping signals; I don't know how to do this myself as I cann't run at the speed of a vehicle. :lol:

As far as environment is considered, environmentalists should have direct discussions with the people. They can visit homes and identify the places to plant trees and in the next visit can plant a tree there; and visit the place regularly to see that plant is growing properly. They can tell people how exactly to do rain water harvesting, saving electricity, etc. They can invite neighbours to their houses to give a demonstration on all these things. Now a days even big bosses of MNCs travel by buses instead of cars to create environmental awareness among people, that is good.

I believe that an environmentalist should always carry a broom & a basket with him to clean the places he/she visits. (I do not carry a broom with me as I am not an environmentalist :lol:). In places like Mangalore you can find a lot of gravel stones on places meant for footpaths. If a pedestrian keeps his leg on any one of these stones he is going to slip or strain his body. The act of cleaning such stones can create a lot of awareness on safety and environment.

The other day I was talking to a coconut seller on a road. He was selling the coconuts in front of a upcoming commercial complex. I asked him what would he do once the building starts functioning. He was hoping that he would get a space of about 10 square feet (size of a table) in the building. I just hope that he will get it.

They may not.

The most important thing is to create awareness against jumping signals; I don't know how to do this myself as I cann't run at the speed of a vehicle. :lol:


Now a days even big bosses of MNCs travel by buses instead of cars to create environmental awareness among people, that is good.

I believe that an environmentalist should always carry a broom & a basket with him to clean the places he/she visits. (I do not carry a broom with me as I am not an environmentalist :lol:). In places like Mangalore you can find a lot of gravel stones on places meant for footpaths. If a pedestrian keeps his leg on any one of these stones he is going to slip or strain his body. The act of cleaning such stones can create a lot of awareness on safety and environment.

The other day I was talking to a coconut seller on a road. He was selling the coconuts in front of a upcoming commercial complex. I asked him what would he do once the building starts functioning. He was hoping that he would get a space of about 10 square feet (size of a table) in the building. I just hope that he will get it.

^^

True,traveling at the speed of a vehicle across the roads.hehheheh nice one.Most of the time in Mysore I see people even jumping over barricades to cross the road.Even the police is not bothered.
Fine must be levied on persons who break the laws,that will motivate policemen to collect bribe/fine watever to certain extent law is restored.

If big bosses of a MNC's are traveling by bus that is a trend setter like,but people below them in the hierarchy don't,they have a sort of complex feeling like "I work for google,DELL who the hell will travel in BMTC buses...yuckkkkkkk"???

That kind of self ego must vanish first of all, most of the times I find only one person traveling in a car.Mass transport must be encouraged.

^^ Pedestrians jump barricades to save distance and energy, vehicles jump barricades to ride on footpath to save time. Anyway both are wrong. In case of road dividers, instead of riding in the right direction and then take u-turn, don't they ride in opposite direction?

^^ Pedestrians jump barricades to save distance and energy, vehicles jump barricades to ride on footpath to save time. Anyway both are wrong. In case of road dividers, instead of riding in the right direction and then take u-turn, don't they ride in opposite direction?

^^ Check out that in Hubli city,Lamington road :lol:

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/7001/dsc07214y.jpg

^^

The cyclists is a great environmentalist on environment safety awareness mission! :lol: He is opposing pollutant cars by riding cycle in the one-dum opposite direction!! :bash:

^^

The cyclists is a great environmentalist on environment safety awareness mission! :lol: He is opposing pollutant cars by riding cycle in the one-dum opposite direction!! :bash:

wow what a way to oppose polluting cars................:lol:

BANGALORE: Around 10,500 hectares of Karnataka’s forest land have been diverted to mining, since the enactment of the Forest Conservation Act 29 years ago, says a statement released by the union ministry of forests, ecology and environment.

The statement, which was released on Thursday, also informs that since the Act came into effect, as many as 134 mining leases in the state have been approved the Centre.

The ministry says that there hasn’t been any large scale illegal felling of trees reported in the past decade from any states.

But for development activities, forest areas have been diverted involving felling of trees, the statement says.

Since 2000, around 12,729 hectares of forest areas have been diverted for development activities, involving felling of trees.

Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde says it is a welcome initiative on the part of the union ministry to have revealed the extent of forests diverted for mining in the state.

However, he said, it must have been a ‘small official figure’ that the ministry received from the state forest department.

Hegde said, “There are a large number of areas which are being illegally used and mined, with the knowledge of the local forest department.” Hegde said that the irony was that though the forest department knew about it, it was doing nothing.

m feedback@expressbuzz.com


Source: EB (http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Mines+gobbled+up+10000+hectares+of+forests&artid=NIGOrmfsA10=&SectionID=7GUA38txp3s=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=zkvyRoWGpmWSxZV2TGM5XQ==&SEO=)

Continuing the focus on wards ahead of the crucial election to BBMP, Deccan Herald takes a look at the problems facing Malleswaram.

The Malleswaram ward will surely feel the pulse of the impending Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) elections. For, this cultural hub and one of the four extensions to the old city established in 1898, has a name and image that never escapes the Bangalorean’s psyche.

Dominated by residential properties, the ward still retains the charm of old Bangalore. Malleswaram has grown manifold over the last two decades and infrastructure has apparently not kept pace. The ward is now in the danger of degenerating into a hovel.

Talk of elections and citizens fume. “Our politicians come when they need the votes. Once they get elected, we have to run after them. But this time, let the local MLA come and we shall ensure that work gets done before we vote,” said Manohar, a resident of Malleswaram.

An 87-year-old former professor complained that there were no footpaths along the route to his sister’s house on 16th Cross in the ward. When he questioned the supervisor who was removing all the stone slabs, he was told: “Sir, we have to remove all the stone slabs to prepare the box drains from 18th Cross to 16th Cross. Otherwise, our bills (sanctioned money) are not prepared.”

The professor was stunned by the reply. “It is always the case with regard to the payments made to the contractors. But why can’t the authorities go phase-wise and limit the inconvenience to senior citizens.”

Across the ward, footpaths are a scarcity. “People have to now walk on roads which are a hazard to us pedestrians,’ said N K Shankar, another resident. From Malleswaram Circle to Sankey Tank, the footpaths are vanishing. Near the 8th Cross market, the footpath has been encroached by roadside vendors with virtually no space to breathe, let alone walk.

http://www.deccanherald.com/images/editor_images/Jan%202010/Jan%208%202010/malleswaram-street-big.jpg http://www.deccanherald.com/images/editor_images/Jan%202010/Jan%208%202010/Street-2-big.jpg

Garbage woes

As the local MLA gears up to implement the successful “Zero Garbage” policy in Malleswaram constituency, the ward in particular seems to have been forgotten. On 4th Temple Road, residents have to suffer the garbage stink with no timely clearance. “We have approached the BBMP time and time again with this problem, but to no vail. Perhaps, even citizens are to be blamed. But who cares,” rued Mohan Das, a retired scientist from the area.

Constructions galore

A look at the Temple Road and one wonders whether anyone can move at all on these bylanes. With construction activity all around, it is hard for people to manoeuvre their vehicles through the debris. Illegal constructions, some of them four-storeyed buildings, have cropped up. Half-done footpaths and illegal parking around the corner of 15th cross also raises questions whether civic authorities exist at all.


Source: DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/45601/footpaths-vanish-garbage-piles-up.html)

Sampige Road has a few garages and welding machines working on roads. Otherwise footpath is occupied by two wheelers.

Ramavilasa Road

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/2439/dsc07652n.jpg

ICICI branch

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/6828/dsc07654i.jpg

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/7717/dsc07655.jpg

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/7739/dsc07658.jpg

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/3480/dsc07659z.jpg

Krishnamoorthy Ramavilas road is a low profile semi residential road,Just look at the parking lane marks.What do u feel??

I can see the lane marks almost encroaching half way the road in some pics.

Govt Guest house

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/9568/dsc07691k.jpg

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/7196/dsc07692.jpg

Central bus stand road

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/4642/dsc07694.jpg

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/184/dsc07695t.jpg

Look at that sign board it has been placed right in the middle of the pavement.Hopeless............

Central bus stand road has no pavement on one side the side where pavements exist is used by the auto wallahs for chit chatting........:bash:

Hopeless roads man...........

Narayan shastri road,Old Mysore area.

In old mysore it is hard to find wide roads with pavements,Authorities did a commendable job in widening this stretch and gave us satisfactory pavements but failed to check encroachments...........You can see those stalls under the tree,it defeats the purpose of having pavements..........:ohno:

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/599/dsc07657.jpg

‘A garbage city’

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: “For real development, one needs science and technology, and not mere promises by politicians. Many politicians promised to turn Bangalore city into another Singapore. But what we have here is a garbage city. Roads are left dug up for months. The government should encourage initiatives like this quiz contest which draw the attention of students but they do not do it”, Prof. Rao said while referring to the absence of the Minister for Science and Technology Anand Asnotikar, who was supposed to attend the inaugural ceremony of quiz competition.

http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/08/stories/2010010854780400.htm

People have heard my words..I was pricked here on SSCI for calling Bangalore a garbage city. :( :cry:
Democracy is all about respecting others view.

Now prof Rao has called it a "garbage city"

Here are some suggestions I would like to share regarding the maintenance of roads and footpaths.Most of the road works in the state you can see are biased towards the motorists,They enjoy utmost comforts,while the poor pedestrian is left with no choice but to do some exercise stepping down and up due to obstructions on the pavements & in that course putting himself under risk of being hit by the motorists.

Few points to be taken care of:For the citizens

1)Citizens must be aware of works underway/to be expedited in their respective localities,they must form a small group and elect a representative,the representative must have a copy of works to be expedited and must have a say(after consultations with his group members) in the development plan.

2)Site/Corporation Engineer must be accountable for explaining day to day works to be undertaken/carried out.

3)Timings of the works to be carried out must be unanimous after consultation with the citizen groups.If it is 24 hrs work then the citizens must be informed and effective measures must be taken to curtail noise/dust pollution and other environmental factors.
(Best example JLB road-JUSCO works,Mysore)

4)Citizens group must not hesitate to ask for the finance/funding/utilization details under the RTI act and file a criminal case if any discrepancy is observed.


5)If the works are felt to be of substandard level then the citizen group must approach the higher authorities say the DC or the district in charge and apprise him of the affairs.

Above are just my observations which would help citizens to be more a vigilant individuals.

Some suggestions: For the concerned authorities expediting works

1)The authorities must have a fair tender calling/awarding process.Here it is important that they award all works related to a project to one contractor who has proven experience in expediting the required works.

Say for example roads:

The contractor must be experienced in Storm drain works,Pavement works,Road surfacing,median laying and light posts erection.There must be no more than one contractor working on a particular job.

He must also have a design team to assess and survey things instead of entrusting it to another consultant.

He must have all the required machinery and equipments to carry out the works.

He must be in a position to complete the works on time and if any delays (unavoidable cases exception) he must be fined on hourly basis.

The contractor must co-operate with citizen groups.The corporation engineer must mediate between the contractor and the citizen group.

The authorities must see to that the environmental laws are adhered to during construction process,such that public faces no in convenience or any form of hardships.

will add more

Poor response to rainwater harvesting rule (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/45810/poor-response-rainwater-harvesting-rule.html)

Much water has flowed down the bridge since the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Act was amended to make Rainwater harvesting (RWH) compulsory in all new buildings and certain categories of existing buildings.


One of the best way to promote rain harvesting is to have cine actors and models giving demonstration on how they have implemented rain harvesting in their houses on TV channel shows.

Trashed on roads, treasured at IISc (http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Trashed+on+roads,+treasured+at+IISc&artid=8qrLRYmH6cY=&SectionID=Qz/kHVp9tEs=&MainSectionID=wIcBMLGbUJI=&SectionName=UOaHCPTTmuP3XGzZRCAUTQ==&SEO=)

A special library for bicycle buffs is being set up by the Centre for Infrastructure, Sustainable Transport and Urban Planning (CiSTUP), IISc, and the government of Karnataka in the IISc campus. The library , which will be up by March, will not only give a needed boost to this ecofriendly mode of transport, but will have a wealth of hard to come by information on problems related to cycles and cycling.


^^ good compilation Akash.

Throwing all environment concerns to the wind, the Project Governing Board (PGB) of the state government on Friday gave the go-ahead for developing the controversial Mysore-Manananthavadi Road through the Nagarahole National Park.

http://www.deccanherald.com/images/editor_images/Jan%202010/Jan%209%202010/Nagarahole-map.jpg

The rationale behind the PGB’s decision appears to have been propelled by its bid to secure World Bank funds for the government’s ambitious state highways project. In its meeting chaired by State Chief Secretary S V Ranganath, PGB decided to develop the 10-km stretch of the 34.05 km route on State Highway 17D so that the Public Workds Department (PWD) could submit the project completion report to the World Bank which is funding the programme under the Karnataka State Highway Improvement Project I (KSHIP I).

The World Bank has refused to release funds for KSHIP II unless KSHIP I is completed.
The PWD wants to upgrade nearly 2,381 km of road under KSHIP II at a cost of Rs 6,000 crore.

It is seeking nearly Rs 3,000 crore from the World Bank as loan for this purpose. For KSHIP I, the World Bank had lent the State Government Rs 1,635 crore.

The PGB’s decision is being seen as step to brazen itself out of a legal situation. The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court had ordered suspension of the project following opposition from environmentalists and wildlife activists in March 2009. The CEC had directed the government to explore alternative routes in the interest of the National Park.

Environmentalists claimed that hundreds of wild animals at Nagarahole National Park were getting killed due to the heavy flow of vehicular traffic on the road.

The CEC had also constituted a Project Monitoring Committee (PMC), headed by the principal secretary to the State Department of Forest and Ecology, that had subsequently recommended diversion of the original alignment between Dammanakatte and Udburu, outside the National Park limits.

“The alternative stretch passing through Dammanakatte, Hosaholalu, K R Pura, Magge, Malali, N Belthur, Kharapura, Gundattur and Udburu villages — outside the national park — is only three km more than the original alignment, sources said. Moreover, the alternative route provides easy access to nearly 20,000 villagers to nearby towns and they can directly market their agriculture produce there,” they said.

Ban on night traffic

The PMC had held that once the Mysore-Mananthavadi road is developed, traffic density will multiply causing damage to the park’s fragile ecology. The route is now used for transporting timber, sand, vegetables and other goods between Karnataka and Kerala. In fact, the Mysore district administration has imposed a ban on night traffic on the road to protect wildlife.

The PWD can change the alignment, if necessary. But it is reluctant to do so as it will involve a cumbersome process to get the clearances once again. It also means further delay in KSHIP II, officials explained.

When contacted, KSHIP Project Director Krishna Reddy, who is also a PGB member, said the CEC had only asked the authorities to explore alternative routes and never directed stopping work on the original alignment. “We are taking steps to mitigate the damage to wildlife by putting up road humps, speed breakers and constructing animal passage corridors along the stretch, in accordance with the PMC’s recommendations,” he added.


Source: DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/45820/panel-gives-nod-killer-route.html)

^^ good compilation Akash.

Thank you Krishnamoorthy if u have any more to add from your end which u can suggest out of ur experience,Most welcome :)

I planning to mail the compilation to all my close friends in Mysore and other places.
Ultimate Aim is to insure some footpath in Mysore.

I am lucky to get in touch with Dr MC Sindhur who has won accolades to be the first citizen to take the initiative of insuring a road in Hubli city,which made into the limca book of records.:)

Source: DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/45820/panel-gives-nod-killer-route.html)

Any idea why didn't they bypass the reservior? (shown in green). Don't animals visit reservior for drinking water?
How many villages and people are there staying inside the national park? they will not be relocated?

http://i46.tinypic.com/2w59ahz.jpg

Any idea why didn't they bypass the reservior? (shown in green). Don't animals visit reservior for drinking water?
How many villages and people are there staying inside the national park? they will not be relocated?



I think they can go for fencing around the road?? Like on the lines of Jurassic park??

^^ Akash, I am talking about tribal people, for example Soliga, they are forest dwellers. A few of NGOs defend that their culture will be affected if they are asked to move out of forest. If they are building the road for tribals living in forest area then won't their culture be affected by urbanization of forest?

I think government has started relocating people staying in forest land of Kudremukha National Park.

^^ Akash, I am talking about tribal people, for example Soliga, they are forest dwellers. A few of NGOs defend that their culture will be affected if they are asked to move out of forest. If they are building the road for tribals living in forest area then won't their culture be affected by urbanization of forest?

I think government has started relocating people staying in forest land of Kudremukha National Park.

Oh that is bad,Our state has always protected the rights of Tribals,thanxs to the number of Activists Girish karnad or suresh heblikar etc etc I don't get their names.

I am also of the view that they could have bypassed the reservoir, the one route which you have shown with green mark is acceptable.

They must bypass the forest area as much as possible and try to fence along the road so that smaller animals are not affected by the traffic movement.

we must preserve our heritage.Otherwise we will lose the tag Karnataka-One state many worlds

http://cms.mumbaimirror.com/portalfiles/22/73/201001/Image/tree%20ins.jpg
The angry mob cut down trees, demanding that the roads be widened

A man dies in an accident: The vehicle is set ablaze by a mob. That’s pretty routine. But ever heard of people cutting down trees after a death due to an accident?

Well, that is what happened in Mysore on Saturday.

On Saturday morning, a group of angry youth was busy felling a dozen trees on Lalitha Mahal road in the city. Their reasoning was that the trees on the roadside were impediments for widening of the road, resulting in fatal accidents.

The immediate provocation was an accident that occurred early on Saturday morning, in which a man was killed.

Swamy alias Somanna (57), a D Group employee of the Mysore City Corporation (MCC), was on his morning stroll when he was hit by a speeding white Maruti 800 car at around 5.15 am.

On learning about the incident, a large number of local residents from Kurubarahalli village staged dharnas at three different spots, demanding that the road be widened after felling the trees on the sides of the road.

Some of them set fire to a heap of tyres, blocking traffic on the entire stretch from T Narasipura Junction to the Boulevard Junction. Some also pelted stones at a KSRTC bus, smashing its windowpanes.

Next it was the turn of the trees: A group of youth felled about a dozen big and small trees along the road, using saws, axes and machetes. Later, three motorised saws were brought in for the purpose.

The protesters initially refused to allow removal of Somanna’s body from the spot. Mayor Purushotham, ruling party leader P Devaraj, Opposition leader Sandesh Swamy and a few other corporators visited the area and managed to cool tempers. In the afternoon, the body was removed following announcement of compensation for the victim’s family and after the authorities promised action on widening the road.

LONG TUSSLE

The issue has been a tussle between two groups in the city from the past several months. While one group of citizens led by environmentalists is against the felling of trees, another group is all for felling them.

The tree court had denied permission to fell the trees and suggested alternative measures. The matter is being pursued at the Environment Secretary’s level.


Source: Bangalore Mirror (http://www.bangaloremirror.com/article/73/20100109201001092027025035ba3e784/Mob-cuts-trees-to-avenge-man%E2%80%99s-death.html)

:?

Krishnamoorthy,they want the Most strategic road of Mysore which houses the Karnataka administrative training institute,Police head quarters,police commissioners house,Lalith mahal,Mysore sports club,Mysore race club.Karanji lake road to be made 4 lane,which requires about feeling of 200 trees.

Mangalore: District Administration gets tough on litter bugs and defacers


MANGALORE January 9, 2010: The Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada V.Ponnuraj has stated that nobody will be spared if they are found to be defacing the citys beauty by pasting posters, writing on the walls.

In a notice issued today the Deputy Commissioner has cited the names of few organisations including DYFI, various tutorials, cinema houses, video parlours and many others who have defaced the walls of the city making the city look ugly. He has issued a stern warning stating that if this continued the perpetrators will be charged and booked under the Prevention of Defacement of Public Premises Act and severely penalized.

In another notice the Deputy Commissioner has cited the names of few hotels and eateries that were dumping the food wastes into the public garbage bins which not only gives out a stink in the city but also breeds stray dogs. In Bantwal two hotels namely Srinivas and hotel Rangoli were named while in Mangalore city Hotel Gold Finch and Hotel Maharaja (both are located on Bunts Hostel road) the notice sent to the errant hotels has directed them to stop dumping waste in the public bins and make use of the services offered by the Mangalore City Corporation or arrange to transport it to the dumping yard on their own. If the incidents recur the district administration will cancel their trade licences the notice warned.

This is the first time that the district administration has warned the perpetrators of filth and disease in the city and in the neighbouring town of Bantwal. The citizens had been complaining to the Mangalore City Corporation, but this time the Deputy Commissioner has taken the initiative which will certainly be hailed by the people of Mangalore as step in right direction.

Our COrrespondent

http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=163760

Good move.

Give us water and take OUR votes

Aarthi R, TNN, 9 January 2010, 02:55am IST


BANGALORE: February 21, 2010. That’s the day citizens will elect their corporators after nine years. But voters in many areas, mainly the middle
class and urban poor, are not even thinking about it. All their hopes have dried up, just like the taps in their houses. If some are aware of the date, they say their vote would be for those who can help fight their long-drawn battle for water.

Voters are aware that water shortage has gripped the entire city, but what irks them is ‘regular’ irregularities in supply and untamed sanitary lines for years now. This time, even political favouritism seems to have dried up.
Take the case of 300 residents of L G Ramanna Layout in Laggere. Areas like Bhuvaneshwarinagar, Kanakanagar and a few surrounding areas get minimal water during most days of the year. But before any election, they get a surprisingly ‘good’ stock even during dry days. Reason: ‘free’ water earns candidates a good number of votes. Locals say this happened during the last assembly elections as well.

Increasing measures for water conservation and projects to supply water for new areas apart, many old areas are increasingly being noticed for improper water supply for years. Two more cases to sample: JP Nagar 8th Phase and Shahdabnagar. The former, a well-planned BDA layout with no proper water for almost a decade.

JP NAGAR 8th PHASE
The two blocks in the area, each with 100 houses, are still waiting for proper water and sanitary conditions. “Six-inch pipes were laid in 2003 for water supply but no water yet,” says N Jagadish, a resident of Block I since 2003. On March 14, 2008, he filed an RTI to find out when they will get water for the area.

Forget water, a reply to the query from the BWSSB landed only on June 22, 2009, saying it will take them six months to fulfil the pending procedures for it. With that deadline also over, the residents sent a letter to BWSSB chairperson on December 30, but have not received a reply yet.“We’ve been paying for water all through. We don’t mind even fighting a legal battle for it. Will the upcoming BBMP elections change our plight?” they ask. This area is at walkable distance from the glass factory beyond Konankunte. The plight of the adjoining Block II is worse with no proper sanitary connections.

SHAHDABNAGAR
On August 15, 2009, residents here were on protest for water, which has continued to 2010 as well. There was some relief in between but the residents have been again facing hardships due to water shortage for the past one-and-a-half month.

“We are fed up. We have met almost everyone — from the water inspectors to even the PA of the BWSSB minister and our MLA. We have even written to the CM but to no avail. Earlier we used to get water at least once a week, but now no water at all. Only the reason changes. This time we were told its the low pressure from Malleswaram water unit and that is insufficient to supply water to entire Pillana Garden area of which our area is a small part of,” complains Mohammad Ghouse, a resident. On August 20, they requested for borewells but nothing happened.

Around 5,000 people reside in this area, majority of them from low-income groups. Many have been buying water from tankers for Rs 300 every alternate day and going to RT Nagar for drinking water. What surprises them is that RT Nagar, which is very close to their area, has remained unaffected.

BITING REALITIES
A student from Jogupalya says about a rather unpleasant ‘Bad Water & Sewerage Supply Board’ offer for months in their area. “It is one that makes people pay for water and gives dengue, chikungunya and even H1N1 for free,” says Dhanush Krishnan.

“Babus and leaders talk to us about big infrastructure plans, but they forget that we are fast losing our own health infrastructure. Don’t blame the Namma Metro work. We know it will take time. But, why can’t the BWSSB arrange for an alternative like going overhead if not underground?” he asks.

“We pay a minimum Rs 25 every month towards sanitary charges but sewerage flows on almost all the roads in this area. The ‘bored’ employees step out only if a minimum Rs 200 is paid. Our city has become ‘Bang hell ooru’, ‘Guard dengue city’ that scares even youths like me,” signs off this I PU student.


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Give-us-water-and-take-OUR-votes/articleshow/5425920.cms

Pathetic condition prevails in Bangalore.If I were a resident I would have arranged a march to the MLA's house with buckets in the residents hand.

It happened in NIT Trichy once where an entire hostel marched to the Directors home.

Water supply was pathetic not that water was scarce but hopeless civic authorities,Hopeless I must say,frequent pipe bursts some where near the water pumping station.

Urban development policy only after consulting people: Minister

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: The State Government’s Urban Development Policy 2009 should focus on social infrastructure and greater participation of citizens at the ward-level, besides development of the urban poor. These are some of the recommendations made by representatives from various non-governmental organisations at a consultation workshop on the draft policy held here on Friday.

The participants, who asserted that the policy was an important document for urban governance, demanded that the Government finalise it only after mature deliberations and consultations with citizens from across the State.

“A policy that does not incorporate views and suggestions made by the people for whom it is meant is of no use. We want you to hold such consultation meets in cities and even in smaller towns across the State and incorporate suggestions,” Vinay Srinivas, member of Hasiru Usiru, said.

M. Prabha of Bharat Gyan Vignyan Samithi said there was no use of drafting new policies without implementing the ones formulated in the past.

Urban Development Minister S. Suresh Kumar said that the policy would be finalised only after consulting people from across the State. “We had a consultation meeting in Mysore recently and are having one in Hubli on January 18. There is a fear that the urban local bodies will lose their identity once the policy comes into force. But that is not so. Though we decided to finalise it by January 15, we will now deliberate and place it before the Cabinet only in the second week of February,” the Minister said.

http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/10/stories/2010011054540500.htm

I guess they heard my views Krishnamoorthy....hehehehhehe

Hope the minister is serious on the mentioned issue.

http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/10/images/2010011051400301.jpg
Surprise sight: B.R. Natarajan, District Judge, regulating traffic on Saturday as part of Traffic Week that is being observed in Bellary.

BELLARY: Road-users in Bellary city were in for a surprise when they saw a person dressed in a suit regulating traffic, on Saturday. The “regulator” was also trying to impress upon them the need to follow the law. Many of the motorists followed the instructions not knowing that the district head of the justice delivery system was talking to them.

B.R. Natarajan, Principal District and Sessions Judge, along with his colleagues in the Bellary district court, went round the city on Saturday to create awareness among the public on the need to follow traffic rules. This initiative was part of Traffic Week that is being observed across the district. The judges also had a feel of the difficulties faced by the traffic police personnel.

“It is essential to create awareness about the importance of following traffic rules. This is for the safety of the common man. With this in mind, we, under the banner of the District Legal Services Authority, took out a padayatra on Friday and interacted with road-users. Our main aim is to appeal to the people to cooperate by following traffic rules,” he told The Hindu.

Hauls up violators

Mr. Natarajan objected to drivers jumping zebra crossings near circles. He drew attention of the police to the problems observed at a few circles and instructed them to set them right.

He stopped a couple of people who were carrying more than two persons on their motorcycles.

Autorickshaw drivers also were pulled up for carrying more than the permitted number of passengers.

“Are you aware that ferrying people in goods carriers is against rules, and if there is an accident you will not get compensation,” he told them. Over 20 persons, including 15 women, were caught travelling in a goods autorickshaw.

Mr. Natarajan, while interacting with autorickshaw drivers, urged them to possess a valid driving licence, permits and comprehensive insurance.

Raju and Sangannavar, First and Second Additional District and Sessions judges respectively, were also present during the initiative.


Source: The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/10/stories/2010011051400300.htm)

Instead of wearing fancy T-shirts and running and jumping on roads this may be a better way of creating traffic safety awareness.

Even as the Karnataka government’s top officials cite the World Bank conditionalities as reason for going ahead with constructing a road through the Nagarhole National Park, facts portray the Bank as more concerned than the State’s officials about the environmental concerns accompanying the project.

It is now apparent that the Project Governing Board headed by the chief secretary has yielded to pressure from the State (PWD) in permitting the road project. Although the first phase of the project was completed on October 31, 2007, Chief Secretary S V Ranganath, it is learnt, was misled by the PWD on the construction of the Mysore-Mananthvadi Road as part of the Karnataka State Highway Improvement Project.

In order to secure more funds for the State for its highway projects, PGB had given the green signal to develop 10 km of the 34.05 km stretch between Damanakatte and Udbur junction. Twenty-eight km of this road passes through the Nagarhole National Park. But there is an alternative route available for this 10 km, which is three km outside the original alignment.

Pending

When contacted, R B Agawane, Principal Secretary, PWD, had said the first phase was still pending and the World Bank would not release funds unless the project completion report was submitted.

Contrary to the statement by officials that ‘KSHIP I’ reports need to be submitted to the World Bank to avail loan for ‘KSHIP II’, a document from the World bank (Report No: ICR0000626, Implementation and completion result report) on the loan (US dollars 360 million) to KSHIP states that the project closure report was submitted on April 28, 2008, and the project was completed on October 31, 2007.

The World Bank report also states that it is not the Bank, but the Government of Karnataka which is funding the project as the regulatory clearance is pending with the Central Empowerment Committee (CEC).

“In Phase II, separate Environment Assessments (EA) were prepared for several roads to confirm the extent of adverse impacts on the sensitive environment habitats traversed by these roads. The clearances from Government Of India (GOI) were obtained for one of the two roads passing through the national park and sanctuary, with the necessary safeguards for protection being included in the works contracts. With regard to maintenance works (not upgrading or rehabilitation) on the other road (contract M32A for road corridor 10a) going through the Rajiv Gandhi National Park, the regulatory clearance from the Central Empowered Committee was still pending at the time of writing the ICR.

“A more rigorous EA and a stand-alone bio-diversity assessment should have been conducted for this road to strengthen the environmental control for maintenance works in the protected areas. Since the project is closed, the works on this road are being funded by the Government of Karnataka, “ the report says.

Loans disbursed

It is clear that all loans to KSHIP were fully disbursed by the end of project that is on February 29, 2008.

This clearly shows that the KSHIP Phase 1 has already ended and a completion report has been submitted to the World Bank. There is no relationship to the Phase 2 project of KSHIP.

Interestingly, the World Bank appears to be more environment-conscious than the Karnataka officials. In his May 7, 2008 reply (available with Deccan Herald) to a letter addressed to the World Bank President, Rachid Benmesesaoud, Acting Country Director says: “The bank understands that this maintainence work would be of minor nature and would not include widening the existing road within the park. The bank felt that the Environmental Action Plan prepared for these works was appropriate in view of the limited nature of work. In the end, the maintainence works were not funded under the Karnataka State Highway Improvement projects which closed on October 31, 2007.”


Source: DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/46178/world-bank-misled-nagarhole-road.html)

Route to carnage (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/46128/route-carnage.html)

Even NH-212 is an issue. Better deviate this highway through Hunsur-Gonikoppal-Intty?

POLE AD-FREE CITY: MCC'S DOUBLE STANDARDS

* Orders issued when Manivannan was MCC Comr. * Work orders were issued only recently * 'Zero Pole Ad City' policy shelved?

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/6565/imageaspf.jpg

Mysore, Jan.11 (KK & SSC) - Under the 'Pole Ad-Free City' policy that was recently adopted by Mysore City Corporation (MCC) to preserve the city's heritage look, no advertisement signboards or banners would be allowed to be on display in the heritage areas.

Citing this, thousands of pole-ads were removed overnight that were lining the city's footpaths, stating that it obstructed the free movement of pedestrians. MCC claimed that these ad-boards spoiled the heritage beauty of the city and also obstructed pedestrians and motorists alike. All the Corporators expressed their unanimous support for the 'Zero Pole Ad City.'

Even the Minister for Urban Development, Suresh Kumar, had issued orders to implement this rule compulsorily. But today, the same MCC seems to be adopting double standards by granting permission to erect colourful signboards right under the heritage lamps.

Heritage street lights belonging to the era of Krishnaraja Wadiyar were erected along the median dividing the Narayana Shastry Road in front of NTMS School. More than 12 such street-lights were erected from NTMS till the circle near Sadvidya School.

Nearby is the memorial where Swami Vivekananda stayed while he was in Mysore, the famous Sadvidya School where he gave lectures and the world famous Jaganmohan Palace. This is indeed a heritage area.

All the pole ads earlier erected on this street were dismantled by the same MCC that has now permitted for the new pole advts.

Permit for Bangalore-based company

On the other hand, MCC has given permission for the Bangalore-based Benchmark Company to display its signboards along this road. Permission has been granted to erect more than 13 pole-ads with colourful electric lights, adjacent to the heritage street lights.

Orders issued during Manivannan's period

Permission to erect these pole-ads was given when the present Deputy Commissioner P. Manivannan was the MCC Commissioner, though no work orders were released. The advertisement space was rented out for a five year period for a price of Rs. 2.5 lakh. The moment permission was granted, Benchmark company lost no time and erected 13 pole-ads on this road, violating the basic rule which stipulates that a distance of 30 to 50 feet has to be maintained between two adjacent poles.

Where is the policy?

On one hand, MCC officials remove the pole-ads in a midnight drive, but on the other hand they allow private agencies to erect new ads, violating all norms.

To ascertain the details, both the MCC Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner responsible for issuing the orders are on a long leave, while the Acting Commissioner has no information about the developments.



I am stunned.:ohno:

Unleashing India-Water: Elixir of Life (Vol. 2), M Veerappa Moily, Rupa & Co., Pp 140, Rs 495.00 (HB)

The author, a seasoned politician and former Chief Minister of Karnataka, was prompted to write this book when he saw wasteful use of water through overuse, resulting in water-logging and salinity. Lack of drainage and low or non-pricing of water is such that a scarce resource is treated as a free good to waste or overuse, the author felt that treatment of water as a public trust would only help to lead to saving of water. Though water has a large number of uses, the largest amount is directed towards irrigation to sustain the country’s food supply. Though the amount of water devoted to non-agricultural uses is rising with population growth, industrialisation, recreational and ecological uses, agriculture sill remains by the far the largest user in tropical conditions. The author’s concern seems to be to find ways to ‘stretch’ the finite water resources to meet the pressing new demands and feed the growing mouths.

The two basic problems according to the author are: first overexploitation of groundwater and second, poor prioritisation of government spending - over 60 per cent of its resources go into budgeting for large dams and canal projects without ensuring that the gains from these are optimised. He says that groundwater is in fact India’s lifeline, "feeding an estimated two-thirds of all irrigated foodgrain-producing farmlands, providing most of the rural drinking water and half of all urban and industrial use." But since groundwater is often over-exploited, what happens is that more water is drawn out on an average than is replenished by rain. What aggravates the water problem is that after 60 years of Independence, 60 per cent of the farmlands are still dependent on monsoons. Efforts to increase the area under irrigation in the past decade have been an abysmal failure.

Discussing the National Water Policy for the 21st century, the author says that water should be treated as a national resource for the purpose of national developmental goals and planning, though the management of water has been decentralised with both the local community and concerned state government adopting strategies to economise the use of water.

* Some of the manifestations of water crises listed by the author are:

* There is hardly any city which receives drinking water for all the 24 hours

* Chemicals like arsenic, nitrates and fluorides are reported to be present in drinking water in many rural habitations

* Farmers are forced to deepen their wells and replace their pump sets as the groundwater table is declining due to over-exploitation

* Increasing burden of rising costs and time overruns are common for many major and medium irrigation projects as they seem to remain under execution forever

* The old systems are giving way

Despite investment in irrigation, the gross irrigated area is not increasing. For raising agricultural production, the gap between the potential created and the area irrigated remains large.

Water is a prime natural resource, a basic human need and precious national asset. In view of the vital importance of water for human and animal life, for maintaining the ecological balance, for economic and developmental activities of all kinds and according to its increasing scarcity, planning and management of this resource and its optimal, economical and equitable use has become a matter of outmost urgency. Dr Moily’s strategy is to get more ‘drop per drop’.

He wants small farmers to resort to these systems through cooperatives or contractual means and while significant capital and energy costs may have to be incurred, the resultant gains are likely to be far greater. Diversification that ensures more cost-effective and ecologically sound cropping patterns would seem a better alternative together with resort to newer varieties that demand less water or are salt tolerant. Improved tillage practices, such as mulching and SRI (system of rice intensification) offer higher crop-water returns. The need is to look at water markets, water parliaments and other innovative measures to overcome the problem.


Source: Organiser (http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=327&page=19)

Krishnamoorthy the other day I complained about the encroachments on this stretch of Narayan shastri road,Old Mysore

Stupid ad poles under heritage lights:ohno:


http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/599/dsc07657.jpg

Today SOM reports of the Ad boards,I am totally annoyed why does the MCC resort to some cheap things,Mysore's heritage is put under hammer with such hoardings,I agree for many shiny ad boards is appealing but then MCC pulled down huge ad hoardings on the Deveraj urs road which more or less was the Brigade road of Mysore in the name of making Mysore city AD pole free.

MCC is clearly opting Double standards in this regard I hope the authorities uproot those shitty ad hoardings.

I thank the SOM for reporting it.

Govt issues ordinance on illegal buildings

By Team Mangalorean Bangalore

BANGALORE January 12, 2009: The State Government has decided to issue an ordinance for regularisation of unauthorised housing layouts and violations in building bylaws under the Akrama-Sakrama scheme. A decision to this effect was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa here on Tuesday.

Addressing presspersons after the Cabinet meeting, Minister for Transport R Ashok, who is also the district in-charge minister for Bangalore Urban, has said that the Government could not table a Bill on the scheme in the State Legislature during the winter session on account of disruptions in the proceedings of the house by the Opposition. Now, it was decided to issue the ordinance to regularise the unauthorised constructions in the State. The Cabinet had already taken a decision on implementation of the scheme, he said.

The government would fetch Rs. 10,000 crore by implementing the scheme, which would be utilised for developing infrastructure in urban local bodies. The Government has issued registration certificates for 50,000 slum dwellers in Bangalore City and another 15,000 dwellers have been identified for issuing the certificates, Mr Ashok said.

The penalty fixed by the Government was less than 50 per cent compared to the penalty fixed by the earlier governments, he claimed. However, the Opposition termed the penalty fixed by the Government as "unscientific" and demanded 50 per cent reduction in the penalty.

He said there was no substance in allegations made by the Congress that the Government had fixed exorbitant penalty for regularisation of unauthorised constructions. The exact amount of penalty will be known only after drafting of rules for violation of building bylaws. The penalty will be collected from owners of unauthorised constructions only after notification of rules, which would take at least three months, the Minister said.

The penalty will be Rs. 45,000 and Rs. 30,000 for site measuring 20x30 in zone A and B, Rs. 60,000 and Rs. 90,000 for site measuring 30x40 and Rs. 1.8 lakh and Rs. 2.1 lakh for site measuring 60x40, respectively. The Government was committed on holding Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) elections on February 21 and the party workers have already worked out strategies to win elections, the minister said.

http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=164276

Good they must demolish all encroachments and widen roads ofcourse with footpaths :happy:

Two women of a family, who were trespassing on the railway tracks at Bangalore East, were run over by a train on Tuesday morning. An accompanying male member and child escaped unhurt.


Source: DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/46548/2-women-die-rly-accident.html)

British tourist dies while crossing road (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/46550/british-tourist-dies-while-crossing.html)

Dharwad city

Krishnamoorthy,most of the main roads in the city were clean free from dust but I found this main road to be dusty,Plz look at the dust/sand/mud strewn around the road sides.I hate such roads.Why can;t they give us dust free roads??? :ohno:

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/6983/dsc07241r.jpg

Another road

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/5417/dsc07248q.jpg

cc Akash F Patil

Ajay,Kindly look at the roads how dusty they are,How can people suffering from asthma and respiratory related problems survive in such Cities.???:ohno:

Copyrighted to lorena_lp

Civilized pedestrians crossing KR Circle :happy:

Hope to see this in all our cities

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/6470/p1040983v.jpg

New Delhi, Jan 15 (PTI)It's a new year gift to nearly 1,000 elephants and other wild species who can now wander freely without any human interference through the Kollegal corridor in Karnataka.

This has been made possible by an NGO, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) supported by its partner ? the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) which has purchased nearly 25 acre-Kollegal (Edayarhalli?Doddasampige) elephant corridor from private ownership and transferred to the state government.

The corridor which connects Kollegal forests to Biligiri Ranganswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary would be soon notified to be made a part of a protected area as Karnataka Forest Department officials and WTI signed the land ownership transfer agreement last week.

"Purchasing corridor land for securement is a very good initiative to re-establish the habitat and remove impediments to elephant movement.


Source: PTI (http://www.ptinews.com/news/469345_Elephant-corridor--a-New-Year-gift-to-Karnataka-jumbos)

In his last visit Urban Development minister Suresh Kumar had suggested to build many parking complexes to decongest roads. I have identified 14 locations for parking complexes. They are listed below without any priority order. (marked with red X).

1. Mangaluru Central Railway Station
2. State Bank Bus Stop - Parking Complex with market.
3. Hampanakatte Old Bus Stop
4. Pumpwell Circle - New Bustop with Parking complex.
5. Central Market - Parking complex with market
6. Car Street - Over old market? - Parking Complex with market?
7. Kankanady Bus Stop
8. Jyothi Circle - Vacant land to be purchased. Can this be developed as a bus bay also?
9. PVS Circle - Khyber Pass can be converted as a parking complex with acquistion of surrounding land?
10. Karangalapady Market - Parking complex with market
11. MG Road - Vacant land near Sridevi college?
12. Kadri Market - Parking complex with market.
13. KSRTC Bus Stop - Along with bus stop or any other vacant land nearby.
14. Mangala Stadium

Mangalore Central, Jyothi Circle, Kankanady, KSRTC Bejai, Pumpwell parking complexes are a part of bus stops. Even bus bays can be made as a part of other parking complexes especially one with markets.

Under Akrama-Sakrama scheme a few parking complexes like MG Road one may be coming up on builders' land. It would be better if Mangala Stadium parking complex is built in a nearby place outside ground area. Even for other parking complexes alternative sites may be identified slightly interior to arterior roads.

http://i46.tinypic.com/ztjcxy.jpg


Next, we have to identify subways for pedestrians. Subways should be connected to parking complexes.

And then we have to identify locations for gardens, play grounds and open spaces.

The main concern raised by other forumers (Ajay, visnaya) was on acquisition of private lands for parking complexes.

Further all parking complexes should have
- Good toilets
- Lifts & staircases connected to subways. Subways should allow easy crossing of busy roads in range of the parking complex.
- For security reasons offices, restaurants or hotels constructed over the parking complexes can have separate lifts & staricases. The lifts and staricases from parking area go upto reception and a separate staircase and lift for going further.

And also they can have
- Dialy use items' shops
- Postal, Mangalore One, etc services outlet.

http://mangalorean.com/images/newstemp24/20100116traffic-3.jpg

Students have always provided a good support base for all social activities. They did not lag behind in giving their support to the Traffic awareness week organised by the Traffic police in Mangalore. Today being the third day of the week the students marched through the roads and delivered the message of safe driving to the people.

http://mangalorean.com/images/newstemp24/20100116traffic-6.jpg


Source: Mangalorean (http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=164968)

Wish that next time they will take procession on footpath itself.

^^ I wish to see footpaths on every road soon in mangalore.:)

No talking on mobile while driving,' say Mangalore Cops

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jan 20: Additional superintendent of police of Dakshina Kannada district, R Ramesh, revealed that the police department has been making arrangements for serving the notices at the doorsteps of the vehicle drivers using mobiles while on road, within two days and to collect fines from them on the spot. “The system will be in place in the next two weeks,” he said.

In the system, the vehicle number, colour and other identification marks would be recorded, and notices will be delivered to the offenders within two days thereof. This system is already in place in Bangalore, he explained.

He was responding to the suggestions given by the people to reduce the number of accidents, at the valedictory function of the Safety Week, held in the city on Tuesday January 19. “For the effective functioning of the system, a proposal has been sent for an additional interceptor vehicle in addition to the one we are having. Once that is received, we can extend the system to even taluk centres. The department will discuss with the City Corporation about the practicability of erecting of separate roads for the pedestrians at PVS, Jyoti and Hampankatta Circles, and also regarding the need to set up humps on the roads within the city,” he added.


He asked the people not to use mobile phones while crossing the road, as the mind fails to properly exercise vigil while on phone. Hence, the pedestrians should either finish their conversations before starting to cross the road, or use their mobile phones after reaching the other side, he advised. Ramesh said that lack of coordination between the engineering department, law implementing agencies and the education department, has been the main stumbling block in minimizing of the accidents. “While the engineering department lays roads, the police department has to look after the law implementation part, while the education department shoulders the responsibility of creating awareness about the responsibilities of the citizens. These departments do not work in tandem, and engage in blame game against each other, which is the root cause for the problems,” he revealed.

Nittre University vice chancellor, Dr M Shantaram Shetty, who was the chief guest, felt that regulating the accidents is a collective responsibility. He handed over prizes to the prize-winning students of a competition organized by the department.


http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=71090

Very good move they must fine them heavily.Hope it is introduced in all cities of our country.

NHs to be blocked in DK, UK and Udupi on Jan 23
Mangalore, Jan 20 , DHNS

Attempt to draw attention of governments to pending demands of public

The Save National Highway-17 Committee in association with Canara Bus Owners Association will hold National Highway 17, 63, 206, 48 and 13 bundh on January 23.

Addressing a press meet on Wednesday, Canara Bus Owners Association President Rajavarma Ballal said the National Highways, state highways and interior roads are in deplorable condition. As a result, the mishaps are also increasing. The NH stretches will be blocked in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts.

He said “we have made several representation to the Centre to repair the roads. No action has been taken so far in this regard.”

Deputy Commissioners of all the three districts have been informed regarding the blocking of NH stretches. About 72 officials concerned of the three districts have been intimated with the proposal, he added.

Convener of the Committee B Govindraj Hegde said as per the available information, between 1999 and 2009, 4,98,416 vehicles have been registered in Mangalore, Puttur and Udupi RTOs. With this, RTOs have collected Rs 736,47,30,708 income. In the last 10 years, 2,519 people have been killed in road accidents in Dakshina Kannada district.
Lorry, taxi owners Association have also extended their support to the bundh.

The demands include immediate completion of fourlaning of B C Road to Surathkal stretch. The PR works of the original NH-48 stretch from B C Road to Mangalore should be finished at the earliest. Toll gate should be introduced at NITK area as against the proposed design of MCF junction. Immediate execution of the proposed four laning of NH-17 stretching from Surathkal to Kundapur, flyovers at the major junctions are some other demands. Fair compensation should be given to the evacuees in the acquisition process, and a public information cell should be set up for the purpose. Concreting works at Shiradi Ghat should start immediately. The Ghats like Gerusoppa, Shiradi, Bisle, Huleekal, Sampaje and Devimane that exist in three districts should be renovated following ‘Khandala Ghat’ pattern. All the adjoining State Highways and rural stretches should be upgraded, they demanded.

Rs 11.68 cr released

Based on the letter written by Union Minister for Law Veerappa Moily to Union Minister for Road Transport Kamalnath, a sum of Rs 11.68 crore has been released for repairing NH 17. This include improvement of three stretches from km 10 to 17.2, km 302 to 315, km 341to 352.

The bundh will not affect supply of essential commodities like milk, newspapers and ambulances, he added.

In Udupi

National Students Union of India have extended its support to the bundh call given by Save National Highway Committee .

Speaking to the media persons here on Wednesday, President Prithviraj R Shetty said there are as many as 632587 students from 1st standard to final year degree in the erstwhile Dakshina Kannada district. There are about 806 school buses. In this backdrop the roads are the basic infrastructure for transportation. It is essential to have good roads, he said.



http://www.deccanherald.com/content/47898/nhs-blocked-dk-uk-udupi.html

They must not only protest but hurl some slogans with amplifiers/microphones in front of officials residences.

MYCITY PROJECT FOR MAKING MYSORE A MODEL CITY

Sunil Agarwal is Honorary Rotarian

Mysore, Jan. 22 (DM)- Police Commissioner Sunil Agarwal disclosed that the Police Department would launch MyCity project in order to make Mysore a model city by sustaining the city's culture and heritage.

Speaking after being inducted as Honorary Rotarian at a function organised by Rotary Mysore at Rotary Centre on JLB Road yesterday, Sunil Agarwal called upon the Rotarians to help in the city's development by getting involved in MyCity project.

Stating that the ambitious MyCity project was not a Government programme, he said every citizen should develop a mindset that Mysore is their city and make their own contribution for its development. As an example, he cited that every citizen should undertake a pledge to see that garbage does not collect on the road he resided and thus strive for making the road free from garbage.

Likewise, each of the 12 lakh citizens should undertake a pledge for making their own contribution and implement them in practise. If this happens in reality, then Mysore, which is considered as the fourth favourite destination of tourists across the world, can be transformed into a more beautiful city, he opined.

MyCity project is totally a citizens' project. The Police Department will only act as a mediator and extend full co-operation to the citizens involved in the project, he explained.

SOM

* Task Force to release the list of encroachers on February 28
* Largest encroachment in Chikmagalur district
* 234 complaints received about encroachments

MYSORE: More than 4 lakh acres of government land has been encroached in Mysore revenue division alone and efforts will be made to reclaim them.

A “VIP list” comprising names of politicians and other influential people who have encroached upon government land will be released by February 28 after which a drive will be launched to reclaim the encroached land. The highest encroachment was reported from Chikmagalur district in which 81,000 acres of forest land and 76,000 acres of revenue land was encroached and this was attributed to plantations.

This was disclosed by Chairman of the Government Land Protection Task Force V. Balasubramanian here on Friday.

He said the Task Force was not a committee constituted to investigate and submit reports but to reclaim the encroached land with the assistance of the Revenue Department.

Giving the break-up of the extent of encroachment, Mr. Balasubramanian said nearly 2.5 lakh acres of revenue land in Mysore division had been encroached upon and this was likely to increase because the extent of encroachment in Mandya district was being computed. In Mysore district, 55,000 acres of revenue land was encroached while 2,500 acres of forest land had been encroached.

In Kodagu district, 2,500 acres of forest land had been encroached while in Chamarajanagar 2,500 acres of forest had been encroached. Forest land encroached in Hassan district was reported at 3,000 acres while it was 1,500 acres in Udupi and 1,200 acres in Dakshina Kannada districts.

The extent of revenue land encroached in Udupi was 51,000 acres and in Dakshina Kannada district it was 56,000 acres, according to Mr. Subramanian.


Source: The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/23/stories/2010012352050500.htm)

Bangalore: Minister for Minor Irrigation Govind M. Karjol on Friday said that land grabbers have encroached upon 429 tanks in 17 districts of the State. Addressing presspersons here, he said that in terms of hectares, real estate mafia had encroached upon 2514.62 hectares and the Government recovered 790.56 hectares of land. There are 1975 irrigation tanks and 589 tanks have been rejuvenated under the Jala Samvardhana Scheme of the Government.


Source: The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/23/stories/2010012351750400.htm)

Stung by protests to ban plastic, they hit upon the idea of recycling plastic and mixing it with bitumen to lay roads. Thanks to their enterprising spirit, they have so far laid almost 1,000 km of roads — Lalbagh Road, Cunningham Road, Old Madras Road and many others — in the city with recycled plastic. They are brothers Rasool Khan and Ahmed Khan.


Read full news on Bangalore Mirror (http://www.bangaloremirror.com/article/10/2010012320100123064712809d2eb1aae/Making-roads-with-recylced-plastic.html).

If 2009 was a year of drought and flood in Karnataka, this may well be the year of storm. Metaphorically. Already the gush is ruffling many a feather. It started when the few wise men led by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa cleared investment proposals worth Rs 1,38,000 crore in Bangalore.

The government opened its arms and doors for the Mittals, Jindals, Zuaris and their likes, pledging away thousands of acres of people’s land to build cement factories, airports, steel plants and whatever else that money can build. Most of it will come on the land where paddy, maize and sugarcane grow. In a state where the chief minister often gets emotional talking about peasant struggles and gave a prime minister who described himself as a “humble farmer” , it is now the agriculturists who feel neglected, betrayed and forced to fight the government they elected and sent to Bangalore.

For Khajamma of Siriwara in the mining district of Bellary, the future does not offer much hope. The district administration, in its bid to construct an airport, has notified to acquire her four acres that form part of a stretch of land irrigated by the Tungabhadra Canal. The 50-something villager’s family of three daughters, one son and many grandchildren live off the land. Khajamma is upset because the government claims the land is barren. “How do you collect tax for irrigated land and say my land is barren?” she says.

Reddy brothers live just a few kilometres away from Khajamma’s land. The mine lords, part of Yeddyurappa’s Cabinet and forever ready to rustle up a rebellion or two if the government does not give in to their whims, have big dreams. Once the proposed 1,200-acre airport in Siriwara and Chaganur village is complete, their mining business will go places.

For Khajamma, though, the questions are more fundamental. She knows what land acquisition means. She has relatives in Amarpur, after all.

Fourteen years ago, the government acq*uired 800 acres in Amarapur, Keganur, T Boodihal and Kakkabevinahalli villages to help a private steel company set up a unit. Local people were promised jobs. A couple of years after it began functioning, the steel factory closed. Now, the owner of the factory has fenced the 800 acres of land. The ‘compensated’ farmers are now working as labourers in Bellary.

The Reddys, though, have other plans. Once the airport and a highway between Bellary and Ananthpur in the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh are ready after acquiring a further 1,800 acres along the existing road, their business can take a big leap. Models of industrial giants like Laxmi Mittal or Posco are before them.

Khajamma’s is not an isolated incident. Kurubara Dyavanna, Laxmikantha and Anjinappa of Chaganur village besides Bheem*akka and Gurubasappa of Siriwara have all the same problem. And, on the other hand, it’s not just the Reddys, but those worried about ways to acquire land for ‘development’ include the officials of the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (a government agency engaged in acquiring and deve*loping land for industrial growth), urban area development authorities, the deputy commissioners and the CM himself.

Khajamma’s side isn’t too weak. Farmers across Karnataka have decided to not let go of their land easily. And that isn’t good news for Arcelor Mittal, Lafarge India, Zuari Fertilisers, Rajashree Cement, Posco, GAIL, Relogistics Infrastructure, Healthcare Global, Shell, Tata Elexi, Wipro who are eyeing vast tracts of land in Gulbarga, Bellary, Bijapur, Bagalkot, Belgaum, Mangalore, Bangalore and Kolar.

Take, ArcelorMittal, for instance. It’s already chastened by its experience in Jharkhand, where land acquisition for a greenfield steel plant has met with stiff resistance. The company has now demanded that the land be ready for acquisition before its MoU with Karnataka is inked three months from now. The government, not willing to take chances, is scouring for 4,000 acres in Bagalkot district, out of which only 1,000 acres is government’s. It is tough to find 3,000 acres of contiguous non-agricultural land.

While the CM is hopeful of generating at least one lakh jobs, farmers are worried about losing their land and livelihood. Downstate Udupi’s entire Megani village was sold off. All its eight families sold their 35 acres to a businessman for Rs 96 lakh, because even after years of struggle the village didn’t have roads or electricity.

Karnataka has been witnessing a fierce conflict between farmers and the government over acquisition of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes. In Davanagere district, the state has notified to acquire nearly 3,000 acres in a dozen-odd villages for industrialisation. The farmers protested and courted arrest. The government was forced to withdraw the notification. But this case is an exception.

In the complex arithmetic of Karnataka’s politics, it has given everybody from the godmen to Deve Gowda a cause to corner the government. So, while the former PM has been protesting the acquisition of land for his pet Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor project, Vishwesha Tirtha Swamy of Pejawar Mutt has warned going on a fast if the work on the Mangalore SEZ continues. Farmers in Nanjangud of Mysore district and in Chamarajanagar, too, have decided to protest the setting up of industries in their area.

Karnataka is an agrarian state, it has a healthy production of food crops like paddy, wheat, ragi, maize, commercial crops like cotton, silk, fruits, vegetables and plantation crops like coffee, tea, areca. Plus, allied activities like dairying, sericulture and pisciculture. Farmers want agriculture to be a part of the development process, not outside it. They say the state’s “unfriendly” polices are responsible for the migration of the rural youth. The government’s decision to give rice at Rs 2 or 3 per kg has resulted in non-availability of labourers in villages.

It has plans to bring at least 18 of its 34 horticultural farms across the state under the PPP model. These horticultural farms were set up by the visionary Mari Gowda to help the farmers get enough knowledge about horticultural crops and take the research results to the doorsteps of farmers. In fact, Deve Gowda, then chief minister, had sown the seeds for the entry of non-agriculturists into this field by amending the Land Reforms Act in 1995. Through an amendment, he enhanced the annual income limit of a non-agriculturist to buy an agricultural land from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh. This relaxation helped the land mafia to enter villages adjacent to the large cities like Bangalore, luring the folks to sell their land. Urbanisation speeded up and the migration of farmers to cities became inevitable.

The impact of the land mafia is visible in parts of Kolar region, east of Bangalore. Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Doddaballapur, Malur, Chantamani, and Hoskote were, more than a decade ago, known for their production of vegetables, fruit and milk. Even the University of Agricultural Sciences had taken villages in these areas as models for others in implementing its lab-to-land experiments. Now, the agricultural land in these areas has shrunk and the underground water table has gone down. The concentration of primary-sector activities has shifted to the western side of Bangalore -– to Turuvekere, Nagamangala, Kunigal, Magadi and others. The eastern side of Bangalore is now slowly spreading to the other parts of the state and the government itself is acting like a catalyst to speed up this process of skewed industrialisation and urbanisation.

Will the coming months see Doddabhati and Siriwara be part of a nation’s vocabulary the way Nandigram and Singur have become?

'we have seen what development means'

Interview with K T Gangadhar, chairman of Karnataka Horticulture Federation:

Why are farmers are opposed to industries?

We are not opposed to industries. We are only opposed to large-scale industries and the use of agricultural land for unproductive purposes. We need good marketing facility not airports; we need encouragement for good farming practices not steel production. We support small-scale industries which are complementary to agricultural produce and add value to the farm products.

Investment in towns other than Bangalore will help in the development of those areas. Why do you oppose it?

We have seen what development means for Bangalore and its surrounding areas. Land mafia has been operating to spoil our agricultural practices.

Inspired by the government’s plan to develop tier II towns and cities, the land mafia has started investing in those areas. The government should look for a sustained development of all the areas without spoiling the basic economic structure of the state. We are an agri-based economy and development should be on those lines.

Why is the government encouraging large-scale industries?

I suspect the large-scale industries and the land mafia want to create labourers who work for a cheaper wages by forcing the youths come out of the villages. Also, countries like America are looking for a market for their food produce. It is a nexus between the land mafia and the international traders. We thought India being an agriculture-based nation would one day capture the international food market using the benefits of globalisation. But the government has been acting against the interest of the farmers and agriculture sector.
arun@expressbuzz.com

(With inputs from Sarjoo Katkar in Belgaum, Suresh Jadar in Bellary, M Shashi Kumar in Davanagere, Ramkrishna Badseshi in Gulbarga)


Source: EB (http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Losing+lives,+acre+by+acre&artid=GMEP8NUeQXA=&SectionID=f4OberbKin4=&MainSectionID=f4OberbKin4=&SEO=B+S+Yeddyurappa,+Tungabhadra+Canal,+Amarapur,+Kega&SectionName=cxWvYpmNp4fBHAeKn3LcnQ==)

^^ :ohno:
Not at all good for the state.

cc lolapazolla

Such a beautiful wide pavement near the clock tower close to palace area
yet encroached :ohno:

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/6726/4295412103cdeb6a8f55b.jpg

Bijapur, Jan 24, DH News Service:

'Search a good road in Bijapur city and win Rs 10,000 cash prize,' - a novel competition is being organised by the local Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sena organisation.

Interestingly, though it exposes the apathy of the officials towards improving the infrastructure, no steps were taken since the last competition held by the same organisation. Earlier, the Yuva Sena had organised the same competition, but with Rs 5,000 as cash prize. It had now doubled the amount, said Yuva Sene President Raghu Annigeri. Apart from the members of the public, the Yuva Sena has invited even the elected representatives to take part in the competition.


Source: DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/48737/search-good-road-win-rs.html)

Forty workers were feared killed when a six-storey apartment building under construction collapsed here on Tuesday around 8.30pm.

The ground floor of the building at Gandhinagar Second Cross in the city caved in suddenly. A weak foundation is said to be the cause of the accident.

Eyewitnesses said that there were nearly 40 construction workers on the ground floor. At the time of the building collapse, they were having dinner with their families.

Most of the workers were from Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh and Gulbarga district.
A Backward Class and Minorities Hostel building beside the flat structure was also damaged when a portion of the building collapsed on the hostel wall.

Two hostellers are feared buried under the debris, while one of them, identified as Rudhre Gowda studying in PUC first year, was declared dead.

Three other students who were seriously injured have been admitted to Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Science.

Substandard work is said to be the reason for the building collapse.

The police have cordoned off the site and the rescue operation is in full swing. Excavators have been pressed into service to clear the debris. However, darkness was hampering rescue operations, police said.

Minister G Janardhan Reddy, in charge of the district, Health Minister B Sriramulu, and KMF president G Somashekar Reddy rushed to the spot and are overseeing the rescue operations.

A National Disaster Management team from Pune will arrive on Wednesday to join the rescue work.


Source: DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/49096/40-feared-dead-bellary-building.html)

Mangalore: MCC Demolishes Illegal Constructions in Building at Balmatta

Pics: Dayanand Kukakje
Daijiworld Media Network-Mangalore (RS/SB)


Mangalore, Jan 27: The illegal constructions in an area meant for parking lot at a building near Balmatta were demolished by Mangalore City Corporation in an operation conducted under the directions of the commissioner on Wednesday January 27.

The four shops housed in the basement of the Oracle towers were demolished as the area was meant for parking. The shops were constructed without obtaining license from the MCC and had also violated the building norms prescribed under the National Building Code (NBC). The building owners had marked the basement as parking place while applying for the license.


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During the demolition, the MCC officials confirmed the fact that the demolition was being undertaken against the complaint that the construction had come up without obtaining license as well as for violating the norms prescribed under NBC. Further, the parking problem on the road disturbed smooth traffic on Balmatta-Jyothi road.

K N Vijayaprakash, commissioner of MCC said that the demolition drive will continue with 19 such illegal constructions earmarked for demolition for violating the norms under NBC. The occupants of such illegal constructions were conveyed the information prior to the action to avoid any problems, he said.

The demolition drive that began in the morning was appreciated by the public. However, the occupants of the illegal constructions were worried and expressed their anger against the move undertaken by the MCC.

http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=71352

Mundagoda, January 27: With a view of cleaning the city and for the facile flow of vehicle the district administration carried out ‘operation footpath’ 2 years ago and due to this many lost the essence of their lives.

Most of the people dreamed that atleast after this operation the town will be developed. But, due to this operation the gutters disappeared. Gutter water started flow on road and in rainy season people were unable to distinguish between gutter water and rain water. People were forced to inhale this stinking smell of gutter and walk on the road. This is the regular scene which can be seen in main road of the city.

In the past, even though the road was narrow there was a perfectly build gutter and water was easily flowing to drainage. During this operation when some petty shops and houses were smashed this gutter was closed. But, till now nobody turned towards this town and people are being suffered.

Can the concerned department look into the matter and take proper action immediately is the question in all the people.


Source: Udayavani (http://www.udayavani.com/showstory.asp?news=0&contentid=737213&lang=1)

^^ :lol: sir mundagoda yell idhae???hesarae kelila

http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=166538

1000 PARKING SPACES TO BE RELEASED FROM BUILDINGS IN THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS
OTHER CITIES HAVE A LOT TO LEARN FROM THIS!

:cheers:

BANGALORE: The state government plans to conduct a socio-economic survey of the slum pockets across all its municipal limits.

Minister for Municipalities Balachandra Jarkiholi on Wednesday said that the work will get started on February 15 and will be completed in about six months time.

Addressing reporters in Bangalore, the minister skirted the issue of similar surveys listed previously in cities like Bangalore and Mysore, as part of the Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP) component of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) The envisaged survey is, however, very much a part of the Urban Statistics for HR and Assessment (USHA) linked to the effective implementation of central programmes — the BSUP and those like the Integrated Housing Development Programme (IHSDP).

The minister merely sufficed it to note that issues like the need to fix the boundary of a settlement or shift a settlement entirely and such others will be addressed from the material gathered during the survey.

The Directorate of Municipal Administration is incharge of the task, the survey per se will be outsourced, Jarkiholi said.

The Slum Mapping and Survey as it is billed will deal with three aspects: development of slum profile, development of urban proverty profile and development of livelihood profiles.

Jarkiholi was, meanwhile, evasive on the role of Urban Development Authorities in the context of the state government's recent draft urban policy, which seeks to entrust much of the planning functions with a local body itself. Urban Development Minister Suresh Kumar and Jarkiholi are yet to hold any discussion on the issue.

As part of the Chief Minister's programme on development of small and medium towns announced in the last Budget, action plans have been prepared for every district; about Rs 324 crore of the allotted Rs 1,411 crore has been released in the first year of the programme, the minister said.

Source: EB (http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Government+plans+socio-ecomonic+survey+of+slums&artid=7FJwR5L0Hyo=&SectionID=Qz/kHVp9tEs=&MainSectionID=wIcBMLGbUJI=&SectionName=UOaHCPTTmuP3XGzZRCAUTQ==&SEO=)

Commercial establishments deny encroachment by their vehicles

Sidewalk? Where is it on Lavelle Road?
S Lalitha , Bangalore, Jan 27, DH News Service:

Pedestrians walking along Lavelle Road find themselves in an unenviable position...


Rampant parking of vehicles has amounted to reduction of the road space on Lavelle Road. DH PhotoThis narrow stretch of road extending to a mere 400 metres, has no footpath on one side. The footpath on the other side is crowded at some spots with broken bricks and stones. Even the space along the road is taken over by cars and vehicles of commercial establishments here.

An NGO, Transparency International India (Karnataka chapter), is taking up cudgels on behalf of the pedestrians and has shot letters to top officials of the BBMP and the Traffic police to ensure walking space here.

B V Shetty, Honourary Secretary of the NGO, charged that hired taxis (bearing the yellow board) used by customers who frequent the hotels here and an automobile concern ate up much of the parking space along this road.

Top government officials conceded that there was a problem posed by vehicles while the commercial establishments denied that their vehicles encroached the road.

Assistant General Manager (Sales and Marketing), P K Bittu Nair, said his company vehicles were parked along the 2nd and 3rd cross roads and not on Lavelle Road. B S Muniraju, Assistant Manager at Hotel Regaalis, said his establishment had enough space to house numerous cars and there was no need for them to use the road space.

However, repeated visits by this reporter last week revealed haphazard parking of vehicles, particularly four-wheelers, on this road. The footpath on one side of the Lavelle Road has been encroached upon. DH Photo

Cubbon Park Traffic police inspector, Mallikarjun, said the police tried their best to clear the space of vehicles on a regular basis. “We impose fine on 30 to 40 vehicles each week for parking along this stretch,” he said.

The real issue, however, is that some parking space needs to be allotted by BBMP for this area, which was conferred a commercial status from its earlier residential category. “The parking area alloted at the backside of Bowring Hospital previously has been closed now and vehicles are forced to hunt for space,” the Inspector said.

BBMP Assistant Executive Engineer in-charge for the area, Ashok conceded that pedestrian space was encroached in a big way on this road. “We have received complaints. Since the kerb of the platform is very low, vehicles manage to park them here. We are working towards increasing the height of the kerb so that vehicles cannot reach the platform,” he said. Ashok also assured that work in this connection will begin shortly.

BELLARY: Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa on Thursday said the State government would take a serious view of violation of building bylaws and deviations from the approved plan besides holding officials of civic bodies responsible for any disaster such as the one that occurred in Bellary on Tuesday. Accompanied by Minister for Urban Development S. Suresh Kumar, Revenue Minister G. Karunakara Reddy and Minister for Education Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, he visited Bellary to have a first-hand information of the collapse of a multi-storeyed apartment under construction in Gandhi Nagar.


Source: The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/29/stories/2010012954680600.htm)

^^ Increasing height of the kerb is useful? In Bangalore, Mangalore & other cities builders or shopkeepers will create ramps from road to footpath. As a result pedestrians can neither walk on fooptah nor on a side of the road; they are forced to walk on the middle of the road.

I never understand, once the government has created road and footpath, why others are allowed to touch it? You can see them building ramps or stair cases to basements or first floors, putting bricks on footpath in the name of beautification and making footpath difficult to walk by making it uneven.

Big industries on hold in Mangalore

TNN, 29 January 2010, 01:52am IST

BANGALORE: State environment minister Krishna J Palemar has made it clear that no major polluting industries will be allowed to come up in Mangalore for eight months. He was referring to the Central Pollution Control Board pollution index, that lists Mangalore among the 42 most polluted places in India.

A team of four scientists from the Karnataka Pollution Control Board has been sent to Mangalore to investigate the situation. Bhadravati was the other place from Karnataka that was on the list.

Reacting radically to the huge number of development projects, especially power, Palemar said on Thursday: "Should we destroy all our forests to give power; 400 acres of forest land cannot be destroyed for such plants. People are saying change the course of rivers for power, but can we do that?" He was speaking at the Scientists' Conference on Conservation of Western Ghats.

Principal secretary, environment and forests, Meera Saxena also stressed that in a power-deficit state like Karnataka, clean power like wind or mini-hydel are required. But conservation and developmental work is at the crossroads. "There has to be a balance. Someone should tell us what is the carrying capacity of the Western Ghats. Most of the time, we are uncertain if we should approve a project or not. Studies by scientists will tell us about alternatives. We sometimes take decisions due to lack of data that may or may not be right," she said.

"Sometimes, locations of power plants or other development projects are chosen just because the place is nice and we can have a guesthouse there. Kaiga was selected like that. I don't see why a nuclear power plant should be there," said former IISc professor emeritus, D K Subramanium. There is no dearth of land to locate thermal or nuclear plants, but they are increasingly being located in forest or coastal areas. "Why weren't they set up in places like Bijapur and Bangalore? We don't have a location policy," he added.

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Big-industries-on-hold-in-Mangalore/articleshow/5510998.cms)

On the nuclear plants issue it must be understood that the N plants needs continous/perennial water supply which can be assured only at the coastal areas.
If need arises they can add another unit at Kaiga,Karwar.

Coming to the holding up of proposed industries in Mangalore is a very very good move.

We need no industrialization at the cost of our forests.

Plastic-blended roads now the norm

If there is a silver lining to Bangalore's infrastructural woes, it may be this. Plastic-blended roads have become the standard, and are here to stay.

By Supriya Khandekar

02 Jul 2008, Citizen Matters

Whenever we see roads being laid anywhere, we see concrete or tar with bulldozers and big mixers. As some of you will be aware, Bangalore now has plastic-blended roads, which have been proven to be stronger, smoother and less bumpier. In fact, all the new road constructions happening in the city (including the contested road-widening project), will be using plastic, according to the BBMP.

BTS KH Road, Shanthi Nagar, Bangaluru
http://bangalore.citizenmatters.in/pics/0000/2080/ifr-plastrd-2_small.jpg

BTS 7th Main Road off of K H Road, is plastic blended. (Outside Shanthinagar Bus Stand) Pic: Author.

But what are these plastic roads all about? I had the same question in my mind when I heard of it. How can a waste material we see in our dustbins everyday be used to make roads? If concrete roads generate potholes how can a road with plastic survive?

Enter Ahmed Khan

While we were all throwing our plastic waste in the bins without pondering on where it was going, a plastic bag manufacturer was finding ways to dispose this waste in the most harmless manner. Ahmed Khan, 56, who received the Real Hero Award in April 2008, organised by CNN-IBN and the Dhirubhai Ambani Corp, runs a plastic manufacturing company KK Polyflex that made plastic bags. He felt a social obligation for manufacturing a non bio-degradable product.

"When my younger brother Rasool Khan and I were thinking for a solution to reduce the harm caused by our manufactured products, we realised that bitumen and plastic both belong to the petroleum family and both are non bio-degradable. I started thinking of ways to use them together and judicially," says Khan as he goes down the memory lane.
Bitumen is used for road construction. But when bitumen alone is used, the road tends to wear out in some time, and the road starts mixing with the soil. At the same time, plastic, once melted becomes extremely hard in just ten minutes.

Khan further remembers: "We thought why not mix both plastic and bitumen. We then tried mixing both. Later we experimented by putting the mixture in some small potholes in Jayanagar, unofficially for two years from 1998 to 2000. To our surprise the results of these experiments were positive."

After the successful smaller experiments there was need to know if this process was safe enough to be used in the city. Thus Khan approached RV College of Engineering, Bangalore and the Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi (CRRI) wherein some of the professors helped him conduct the research. Khan recalls his anxiety to know the results, "It took two years for them to complete the research. To justify the reports the same technology was tried on a small structure of 500 metres. The report was released in the year 2002 thereby approving the technology. This was an official report by the University of Bangalore."

Shanthi Nagar, Bus stand, Bangaluru
http://bangalore.citizenmatters.in/pics/0000/2068/ifr-plastrd-1_small.jpg
Sign outside Shanthinagar Bus Stand. Pic: Author.

The next major task was to get this technology approved to be used on Bangalore roads. The same year the report was released, Khan approached the then Chief Minister S M Krishna. After evaluation of the report, Krishna called for a meeting with his officers and Khan and his brother were asked to give a presentation of their proposal.

"The Chief Minister was impressed by our presentation and gave directions to the municipal corporation for our pilot project, which was to lay roads of 40kms. Later those roads were closely monitored and till today they have not worn out," says Khan proudly.

The new technology saw an official inauguration of the Rajarajeshwari Arch road by S M Krishna, later in the year 2002, it was after that grand inauguration that K K Plastic Waste Management Private Ltd got their name and therein began their journey to fame. But it did not stop there, a lot more research was needed to prove the safety and environment friendliness of this technology.

Khan later went ahead to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi for further research, which he sponsored. The report of this was out in November 2002. And he then got his first order from the BBMP (then called BMP) for 230 kms of roads in Bangalore.

Plenty of plastic available, collection efficiency needed

The next big hurdle was to get plastic for the construction. Though it was in abundance to get it was not easy. Thus the next big target for Khan were people who would supply him with plastic. Thus he contacted the push cart garbage collectors and some rag pickers for help and gave them an offer more than what they were getting. He offered them Rs.7 to Rs.8 per kg to the rag pickers which was more than what the rag pickers usually got. So the word spread amongst the rag pickers and more and more came in number. "Each rag picker can bring 20 to 25 tones of plastic each per day," he claims.

JC Nagar, TV Road, Bengalooru
http://bangalore.citizenmatters.in/pics/0000/2074/ifr-plastrd-3_small.jpg
Another plastic blend; J C Nagar Main Road (TV Tower Road), from inside an auto. Pic: Author.

According to his personal research on the plastic waste of the city he says that Bangalore produces 10,000 tones of plastic waste in a year. The city has 45,000 Km of roads which will consume 9,000 tones of plastic. Thus most of the plastic can be used. But right now the BBMP is using only 2,000 tones of plastic which is way less than the optimum capacity.

Initially the BBMP had set up some collection points but unfortunately these points are not working now. "There were collection points in all the divisions of the corporation but now only five of them are working and that too not so well. There needs to be an organised approach for any project. This is a very viable project provided it should work to its optimum capacity. But the BBMP is not enthusiastic enough to do so," says Khan disappointedly.

A K Gopalswamy, Engineer-in-Chief, BBMP says that this technology is used a lot by the Municipality. "We are using it as much as we can. We are going to use it on all the coming constructions including the road widening project that we have undertaken. We have made it compulsory for at least all the major players to use the blended plastic in all the roads. I think this the most we can do."

A plastic blended road does not need any repair for five to six years at least according to the BBMP. Khan believes that these roads would stay intact for 10 years minimum. Till today, none of the plastic blended roads in the city have seen any problems. Gopalswamy agrees that the roads are very cost worthy and are the best option presently to answer the road problems as well as plastic disposal issue.

BBMP
A K Gopalswamy, Engineer-in-Chief
Tel:9739042353

K K Plastic Waste Management
No 50, 1st floor
Opp. Post office Yelachanahalli
Kanakapura Road
Bangalore 560 078
Tel: 26661056, 26661513

Notable plastic roads

· K H Road
· BTS 7th Main Road (outside Shantinagar Bus stand)
· J C Nagar Main (TV Tower) Road
· Bellary Road (Mekhri Circle)
· Shankar Math Road (Shankarapuram)
· Kanakapura Road

But Khan is looking ahead to spread his business. Presently the BBMP buys the final product at Rs.27 per kg which is later provided to the contractors to be used in roads. "Right now we are not getting any profits, it is still in the 'no profit no loss' stage," he says. "We are planning to expand our business and are looking forward for venture capitalists who would invest in our technology. Reliance Industries Ltd has already approached us for the same." He is also getting offers from Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra and Chattisgarh governments.

The making of a plastic road

How does the plastic make it into the road? The process starts when rag pickers take their collection to the office of K K Plastic waste management on Kanakpura Road. There it is cleaned, segregated by different grades of plastic, then made into a fine powder and taken to the site of construction. On the site the powdered plastic is then mixed with bitumen in a hot mixer and the mixture is laid on the road.

This technology can be done by two processes, one is dry and the other is a wet process. "We are currently using the dry process of making a fine powder of the cleaned plastic and mixing with bitumen (plastic and bitumen are mixed in equal proportions) and then on the site of construction this is mixed with the aggregates and put on the road. In the wet process bitumen and plastic mixture is mixed with tar only. But that requires a lot of investment. And we are planning to do that as our next step," explains Khan. The setting of the bigger plant for the wet processing will cost around Rs.5 to 6 crores, according to Khan.

While Khan finds his way out for a profitable business, Bangalore seems to have found a ray of hope for its persitent problem of bad roads. After the road widening project is over most probably we will have for us better roads and not just wider ones.

Supriya Khandekar

http://bangalore.citizenmatters.in/articles/view/239-plastic-roads

Nice article.

^^ :lol: sir mundagoda yell idhae???hesarae kelila

Mundagoda is in the UK! :lol:

http://i46.tinypic.com/9k3s68.jpg

mundagodada artha enu?

Mundagoda is in the UK! :lol:


mundagodada artha enu?

goda=goodu "hive"

like jainu(bees) hulaa goodu=bee "hive"

Mundgod is the repository of Tibetan life and culture. It showcases the life style and ambitions of the Tibetan refugees and reflects the gradual transformation of a traditional society into modernity. It has rightfully earned the name Mini Tibet.

TIBETANS BIGGEST SETTLEMENT IN INDIA.

New Kanthraj urs road,near BN Auto

Faulty-tree katte design any person unaware of the tree will only :ohno:smash into it

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/8136/dsc07765.jpg

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/3673/dsc07766.jpg

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/9215/dsc07767j.jpg

:bash:

was the owner sleeping when they were paving???

Look at the guy support right in the middle of the approach way

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/1228/dsc07775.jpg

^^ I observed one more thing. There is no ramp to climb to the footpath inside the house compound. It is just a step. Most probably the two wheel rider will get down at road itself and then push the vehicle inside. Similarly he/she will push it outside and climb on it at the road.

But, my problem, from pedestrian point, is why to have ramp like that for the vehicle? Better to have ramps for pedestrians going down and then up with very very small gradient like in western countries.

Sub-standard buildings to be razed in Bellary

Bellary, Jan 30, DHNS:

All substandard multi-storeyed buildings in the city would be demolished in the interest of the welfareof the residents, District in charge minister G Janardhan Reddy said here on Saturday.


Demolition of the building under construction here that collapsed killing 12 people will be initiated as soon as the special equipment from a private company in Bangalore arrives here, Reddy said. “The demolition will probably begin on Sunday morning,” he said mediapersons.

After the demolition, city corporation officials and district ministers will visit every multi-storeyed building in Bellary, examine the building documents and quality of work. Buildings of poor quality would be demolished after vacating the residents. The action will be taken keeping view the welfare of people, Reddy added.

Reddy, who visited the collapsed building in the city said it will be demolished stage by stage. Around 15 more people are suspected to be trapped under the debris and the fire brigade and disaster management teams were trying to detect signs of life under the rubble.

Reddy said it would be difficult to find the position of the people trapped under the debris as they might have tried to move to safer locations. Priority would be given to rescue the victims, he said.

Declaring that “negligent and corrupt officials were directly responsible for the mishap”, Reddy said the corporation engineers had already been suspended in connection with the incident. Action will be taken to prevent such accidents in future, he added.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/49859/sub-standard-buildings-razed-bellary.html

OWNERS OF POORLY MAINTAINED SITES TO BE FINED

Mysore, Jan. 31 (DM)- The Corporation Council meeting chaired by Mayor Purushotham on Friday, unanimously passed a resolution for penalising the owners of poorly maintained vacant sites and also decided to take up cleaning of these sites by the Corporation itself.

As some Corporators aired different views on the penalty to be imposed, it was left to the Corporation's Finance Standing Committee to take a decision in this regard.

Corporation Commissioner K.S. Raikar explained the meeting that weeds and shrubs have grown in many vacant sites along with debris. This condition may provide shelter to poisonous and harmful reptiles and animals, thus posing a threat to neighbours.

Also, this may cause an adverse impact on the health of neighbouring people, apart from harming the city's environment. There is a provision that the Corporation can act on its own if the owners fail to clean up their vacant sites once in every 3 months.

As such, the Corporation should be given the go-ahead for taking up cleaning operations and the expenses incurred be added to the property tax, Raikar suggested.

Reacting to the Commissioner's proposal, Corporators R. Lingappa, Sandesh Swamy, P. Devaraj and Ramprasad observed that recovery of fees will be all the more difficult in future if the Corporation took up cleaning of all vacant sites. Besides, the proposal penalty is too high, they added suggesting to refer the matter to the Finance Standing Committee.

Later, Purushotham placed a resolution which explained that the City Corporation itself will take up cleaning operation of MUDA, private, revenue sites thrice a year and collect the penalty from the concerned owners. But a decision on fixing the penalty amount will be left to the Finance Standing Committee, the resolution said.

Vacant site cleaning cess

20 X 30 ft - Rs. 250

30 X 40 ft - Rs. 500

40 X 100 ft - Rs. 1000

60 X 70 ft - Rs. 2500

50 X 80 ft - Rs. 5000

SOM

URBAN DEV. MINISTER TO HOLD REVIEW MEET 'MORROW

Mysore, Jan. 31(SH&RK)- Minister for Urban Development Suresh Kumar will be in city tomorrow to preside over the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) review meeting in the MUDA premises. He will be in the city at 8.30 am, arriving from Bangalore.

After having breakfast at Government House in Nazarbad, the Minister will inspect the works in progress under the ongoing projects in Vijayanagar 1st, 2nd and 3rd stages.

The MUDA progress review meeting will be held from 11 am to 2 pm. Later, the Minister will have an interaction with officials on development progra-mmes before returning to Bangalore in the evening. He will inspect the works relating to sports complex, roads and parks in Vijayanagar 1st Stage, parks in Vijayanagar 2nd and 3rd Stages.

P. Manivannan, Deputy Commissioner and MUDA Chairman, P.C. Jayanna, MUDA Commissioner and other officials will accompany the Minister during inspection in city.

SOM

jlb road from new kanthraj urs to silk circle in Mysore

Neat pavements

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/1551/dsc07768p.jpg

Fire dept's proposals ignored by MCC?

Stanley G Pinto, TNN, 1 February 2010, 09:41pm IST


MANGALORE: Could the fires, an annual feature at the Pacchanady dumping yard in the outskirts of the city especially in the month of January/February, have been prevented?

Definitely, says district fire officer U Jaya. He told TOI that the fire department had given four proposals to the city corporation to prevent fires, which are basically a result of internal combustion due to excessive trapped heat inside the garbage pile in summer months.

The recommendations are: sufficient number of having hydrants around the dumping yard; sprinkler system to wet the garbage during summer months; putting a layer of mud over a batch of garbage for insulation and regulating the entry of rag pickers and scrap collectors.

Jaya said the hydrants will allow the fire tenders get sufficient quantity of water in emergency and the regular use of sprinklers will keep the garbage moist, which prevents such fires. He said usually rag pickers or scrap collectors use fire to burn materials to extract metal from the pile or may just throw a lighted butt on the garbage.

The proposals were given to the then corporation commissioner and deputy commissioner, after the fire at the yard in January, which almost continued for a fortnight.

Deputy commissioner V Ponnuraj said he has not seen the proposal, but banning the entry of rag pickers and mud capping the garbage was being thought of. "I will have a look at the suggestions of the fire department also," he said admitting it was the second incident of a large fire at the yard.

Meanwhile, Shivaprasad, a resident, alleged that he saw some persons deliberately torching the garbage to extract metals from the refuse on Sunday, which was the cause of the fire. He recalled that during a similar incident last year, the then corporation commissioner Sameer Shukla had directed authorities not to allow rag pickers inside the dump. "That was followed for a fortnight," he said suggesting that action against the personnel supervising the dump will deter such activities in future.


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/Fire-depts-proposals-ignored-by-MCC/articleshow/5525090.cms

:nuts:

Corbett, Nagarahole And Bandipur Worst Affected

BANGALORE: Apart from human intrusion, forests are at the receiving end of yet another aggressive invasion, the one by Lantana shurb. Brought as an ornamental shrub from South America, it is eating up forest lands across the country.

Over 25% of prime forest area in India is choked with Lantana growth. Premier tiger habitats of Corbett, Nagarahole and Bandipur are worst affected. Strangely, Lantana growth hasn't curbed the increase in tiger population.

As soon as you enter Bandipur National Park, you will be mesmerized by the graceful chitals roaming around, but won't be able to see much of the wild flora. All you see is Lantana shrubs wrapping up the wild with sparse growth of other trees.

The shrub has spread across our prime forests and core areas invading the grasslands. No wonder, wildlife sightings are rare in these forests. Carnivores and other animals hide under the thick foliage of Lantana.

"Over 25% of almost all national parks are infested with Lantana. We need funds for its effective management. During monsoon before the seeds mature, it should be removed," said deputy conservator of forests, Bandipur, H T Hanumanthappa.

"There is also a controversy as to whether it should be removed or not. The carrying capacity of the park is obviously affected by extreme Lantana growth. Some of them say it acts as an ambush for tigers and herbivores. There should be a separate experimental project in our park for removal of Lantana," he added.

Wildlife experts say there is no clear answer as to how to deal with this shrub, neither do they know why it has increased suddenly over the past decade. "It has certainly been on the rise. Several methods have been tried. The recent one is to cut it from two centimetres below the ground so that it doesn't grow back. A team of scientists have tried it successfully in Corbett National Park," said R Sukumar, wildlife scientist, Indian Institute of Science.

Another wildlifer of Wildlife Conservation Foundation, Rajkumar said the forests have too much of human interference, they just have to be left on their own; it will take its own course and a more dominant species will grow.

CO2 level rising?

* A case study of successful eradication and restoration of two Lantana-invaded sites in Corbett Tiger Reserve has been done recently.

* Lantana is a C3 plant, which grows more if carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases. The spread of Lantana indicates increase in CO2.


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Corbett-Nagarahole-And-Bandipur-Worst-Affected-/articleshow/5521468.cms

VIGILANCE SQUAD MOOTED TO IDENTIFY UNAUTHORISED BUILDINGS

Mysore, Feb. 2 (RK&DM)- Urban Development Minister S. Suresh Kumar has instructed the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) to constitute a Vigilance Squad for identifying unauthorised buildings in the city and to curb violation of building by-laws.

Speaking at the progress review meeting at MUDA premises yesterday after inspecting the works taken up by the Authority, Suresh Kumar directed MUDA Commissioner P.C. Jayanna to immediately constitute a Vigilance Committee to detect unauthorised and illegal buildings built by violating building norms in city.

The formation of the Squad will be helpful in stopping the violations and protecting public property including government land, besides helping in taking legal action against the encroachers, he said.

Continuing, the Minister said that as per the new norm, when land is acquired, the owner will get 40 per cent of developed sites while the rest 60 per cent remains with the local body. The land owners should be given all relevant documents and the MUDA should give No Objection Certificates so as to enable them to dispose off their rightful sites. This will also help the land owners to obtain bank loans. Wide publicity should be given to this and the land owners too should be advised in this regard, he said.

Also, necessary action has to be taken to auction the properties, after taking possession of them once the lease agreement period expires. They should be auctioned at the prevailing market rates and the lessees should be given first priority in case they come forward for purchasing. Such a step will also bring enormous revenue to MUDA, he said.

The MUDA has framed a civic code and the media should be effectively used for educating the people about it. There is a necessity for an experienced Public Relations Officer to handle public complaints and for effective communication, he said while instructing to fill up the post and to set up a cell for co-ordinating with other government departments involved in civic issues.

The Minister also suggested MUDA officials to simplify public complaints redressal system by using computer technology.

DC P. Manivannan who is also the MUDA Chairman, Corporation Commissioner K.S. Raikar, MUDA Superintending Engineer Shivakumar, City Planning Member M.N. Kumar, Zonal officers B.S. Krishnamurthy, C. Ranga-swamy, Panduranga and other officials attended the meeting.

good move,they must just demolish all of those.

Aliyabad monument gets a new lease of life

Staff Correspondent

Community programme undertaken to clean up its surroundings; effort goes on from morning till afternoon

Initiative organised by Arya Trust and BLDEA Association

Students term it learning experience, promise to do more


Bijapur: A novel initiative, aimed making students involved and protective towards monuments, has proven to be a success as far as the Aliyabad heritage site is concerned.

On Sunday, about 160 National Cadet Corps (NCC) and National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers, staff of the BLDEA S.B. Arts and K.C.P. Science College as well as members of the general public toiled from morning till late afternoon to remove unwanted vegetation in and around the site. Now, the site, which was almost submerged under debris and covered by wild plants, wears a fresh look and is clearly visible to visitors.
Sense of fulfilment

Enthusiastic students, both girls and boys, took care not to damage its fragile archaeology while removing the plants. A sense of fulfilment was writ on their faces after they were done with their task.

“The initiative was to encourage students and people to honour our great cultural heritage and to make people responsible for their maintenance,” said H.G. Daddi, honorary president of the Arya Trust, which, along with the Heritage Club of the BLDEA Association, organised the programme.

Priyanka Joshi, a science student, felt that her association with the NSS was a learning experience as she had to clean drains and organise health camps for rural people. “I don’t know why we do not understand that these cultural edifices stand testimony to the glorious heritage of our nation. From today onwards, I will try my best to protect and preserve these invaluable monuments,” she said.

Umashri Kendur, Raghuveer Yaganti, Guruling Jevur, Pavitra Ambalnur and Jyothi Malipatil were among the many students who seconded Priyanka’s views.
A different experience

Mallamma Patil’s experience was a tad different though. The science student was stung by a honeybee when she was trying to pull out a branch of a tree. “I will remember the visit to Aliyabad for long, but not for the honeybee sting. It was on the whole a different experience for me nonetheless. Protecting monuments is something everyone should take conscious interest in. They inspire us and teach us how to live,” she said while trying to suppress the pain she was experiencing.

Major P.D. Needagi, NCC officer, said he would try and organise more such camps around monuments so that many more could be protected and maintained. Lakshman Singh Rajput, Head, Department of Criminology, M.A. Khed Arts and Commerce College, promised to persuade his college management and principal to organise NSS camps at Aliyabad so that more cleaning up work could be undertaken.

During the exercise, students found a stairway to an underground lounge which was submerged in sand and debris.

Principal B.G. Math, Heritage Club secretary Rajendra Bidari and NCC officer Meti participated.

http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/02/stories/2010020251970300.htm

Nice initiative Hope they replicate elsewhere.

cc dinakar

Nice pavementing near Gandhi square,Mysore.

You can see no encroachments and is free from other hoardings as well.Hope Mangalore and Bangalore also get such neat pavements.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2686/4251001155_5c3f7ecaaf_o.jpg

First day of each month to be Traffic Awareness Day


MYSORE: To bring in discipline among road users and educate vehicle users, the city traffic police will observe the first day of every month as the Traffic Awareness Day.

They will not book any cases on the day, rather create awareness. The traffic rule violators will be told how important it is to wear a helmet and avoid talking over cellphone while riding. Following traffic rules and driving within a permitted speed are also equally significant for safety of theirs and others as well.

DCP (traffic) Rajendra Prasad told TOI that the traffic personnel of six traffic stations will educate vehicle users. The aim is to tell people that police are not here only to collect fines from traffic rule violators, rather to bring in discipline among the road users.

The personnel will be deployed at traffic junctions, including circles and on important lanes to educate the masses. The violators will be given statistics, on the spot, as to how many have died or injured due drunken driving, using cell phone while riding, reckless driving etc, during the year as part of their exercise the DCP claimed.


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/First-day-of-each-month-to-be-Traffic-Awareness-Day/articleshow/5528803.cms

Good move

A six-year-old boy sustained grievous injuries when a pack of stray dogs chased and attacked him in Kumaraswamy Layout on Saturday evening, but police say they cannot register a case.


Read more on DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/50078/child-has-20-stitches-dogs.html).

Karwar: N.S. Channappa Gowda, Deputy Commissioner of Uttara Kannada district, on Tuesday ordered suspension of a lab technician of the district hospital in Karwar after he allegedly interfered when the Deputy Commissioner was holding discussion with the District Surgeon.

Some social organisations of Karwar on Tuesday complained to the Deputy Commissioner about the alleged irregularity and the unhygienic conditions prevailing in the hospital.

The Deputy Commissioner asked the officials of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, the Municipal Commissioner and the Public Works Department to visit the spot and submit a report regarding the conditions in the district hospital.

A team of the officials visited the spot and found that the hospital was in bad shape. The condition of the emergency wards and the operation theatres was pathetic. Used syringes and bandages were stored inside a toilet in the hospital.


Read full news on The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/03/stories/2010020354230500.htm).

Road humps ordered to be removed (http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/03/stories/2010020352760300.htm)

* Order follows complaints from public
* Issue discussed with officials of PWD and Karwar CMC
* Road humps were not in accordance with norms


If road humps are not in accordance with norms then they should be rebuilt in accordance with norms. Whay they should be removed? To allow reckless driving?

* Practically no reports of naxal activities in the previously affected areas: IGP
* ‘Crime in the four districts came down in 2009-10’
* ‘Good Morning Beat’ may be launched in all police stations

GULBARGA: Inspector-General of Police (North-eastern Range) K.V. Gagandeep has asserted that the naxal presence is on the wane in Raichur and Gulbarga districts and there are practically no reports of naxal activities in the previously affected areas of these districts.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Mr. Gagandeep said that the police in the two districts had been vigilant in areas identified as naxal affected, including Appledinni in Raichur district and Konchavaram in Gulbarga district.

He said that the Raichur police, who were awarded the Best Crime Prevention and Detection Award, at the State-level senior police officers’ meeting, had procured the body warrant for the two suspected naxals — Devendrappa and Gangamma hailing from Appledinni in Raichur district — who were arrested in Shimoga district.

Claiming that crime in the four districts in the North-eastern region had come down drastically in 2009-10 compared with the incidence of crime in 2008-09, Mr. Gagandeep said that the police had been successful in solving many serious crimes and arresting the culprits.

Some of the crimes which were cracked by the police in the region, included the arrest of six inter-State dacoits involved in the sensational dacoity at the Pragati Grameena Bank in Sindhanur in May 2009 and the recovery of Rs. 33.81 lakh from them.

Mr. Gagandeep said that the innovative “Good Morning Beat” launched in all police stations in the North-eastern Range to check crime between the hours of 4.00 a.m. and 8.00 a.m. had been hugely successful.

The system, under which two constables from the police station would undertake intensive patrolling of all sensitive areas, bus stands, railway stations and places where statues of national leaders were installed, was likely to be introduced in all police stations in the State, he said.

Mr. Gagandeep said that he had also written to the railway authorities and the North Eastern Karnataka Road Transport Corporation authorities to install CCTVs in all railway stations and bus-stands.


Source: The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/04/stories/2010020454690600.htm)

Road humps ordered to be removed (http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/03/stories/2010020352760300.htm)


If road humps are not in accordance with norms then they should be rebuilt in accordance with norms. Whay they should be removed? To allow reckless driving?

They can deisn the humps which are in place on the roads of Mysore,Bangalore etc.......

those trapezoidal profiled humps are awesome. :happy:

2,000 dustbins distributed in Fraser Town

BANGALORE: It was an awareness drive with a difference. The Fraser Town Residents’ Welfare Association continued with its distribution ofdustbins on Thursday.

Part of the ‘Lead Together’ initiative of Times Foundation, 2,000 plastic dustbins were given to residents. This is in addition to the 500 that were distributed on January 26. The association hopes to give out another 2,000 by the month-end.

“The idea is to create awareness about solid waste management. Every household in Fraser Town will now remember the drive when they see garbage littered around. Over a period of time, it will also reduce garbage spilling onto streets,” association chairman Pradeep Kumar Reddy said.

The efforts are part of preparatory work for the area’s centenary celebration in August 2010. Residents are keen on turning Fraser Town to a model ward.

The door-to-door distribution drive on Thursday saw students of Jain College participating.


TOI

Fraser town is one of the dirtiest areas in Bangalore,hope such initiatives will clean up the mess. :)

Minister leads by example

TNN, 5 February 2010, 06:02am IST

BANGALORE: Transport minister R Ashoka left his government car behind and took a bus to Vidhana Soudha on Thursday. Several residents of Jayanagar accompanied him on the 25-minute journey.

Ashoka walked to the nearest bus stop in the morning, patiently waited for a bus, and paid Rs 10 for the 8-km ride. He interacted with other passengers and made note of their views. Many gave him positive feedback; they said the BMTC is performing well and services are consistent.

However, college student Kavitha complained that some conductors didn’t behave well with women and requested the minister to take action. Ashoka promised to “find a remedy today itself”.

Asked about why he chose to take a bus to office, Ashoka said: “This is my way of celebrating Bus Day. My office is not the only place that I’ll be travelling to by bus. I will use public transport wherever I go. People complain that government utilities are not kept clean. But we have put in a lot of effort and even come up with Volvos. Buses are well maintained.”

Ashoka spoke about the voice announcement machine that has been installed on some buses and said an electronic ticketing machine will be introduced soon. The government has started a school in Hassan for training drivers on safety measures and specific skills needed to drive a Volvo, he added.


TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Minister-leads-by-example-/articleshow/5536979.cms)

Great,Hope all IT wallah's realize their social duties soon and resort to the mass transport.It applies to other semi rich folks as well.

After a decade, Rapid Transit project may become reality

S Praveen Dhaneshkar,

Bangalore, Feb 4, DHNS:The long-awaited Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system or a dedicated bus corridor between Central Silk Board and Hebbal on a pilot basis could finally become a reality, ten years after it was first mooted in the City.

The Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) in the Urban Development Department has convened a meeting on February 16 between the stake holders involved to take the project forward.

“The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will hold detailed discussions with the DULT to initiate steps on ways and means of making the project a reality” said Mohammed Mohsin, the Director of DULT on Friday, while speaking to Deccan Herald.

The project was first mooted in 1999-2000 but was not taken forward thereafter. The task of preparing the draft detailed project (DPR) was entrusted to RITES, a Government of India enterprise that submitted it to the State government.

Mohsin emphasised that the City needs the BRT, also called as a High Capacity Bus System (HCBS) to reduce road traffic congestion and speed up movement of public transport buses along with a ITS (Intelligent Transport System).

“The BMTC has through the concept of a ‘Bus Day’ created better awareness on use of buses by car and two-wheeler users. Now, a concept of a BRT will make commuting from point A to B even faster, a la Metro” explained Mohsin.

To be constructed at a cost of Rs 15 crore/km, the BRT involves movement of high-speed, low-floor buses on signal free corridors that are physically separated from other road lanes.

The Comprehensive Transport and Traffic Plan (CTTP) has also suggested implementation of a BRT corridor in the City on a 291.5 km route, at an approximate cost of Rs 3,498 crores in two phases on 14 corridors, primarily on the Outer Ring Road (ORR). Currently, BRT corridors are also running in Ahmedabad, New Delhi and Pune.

DULT has called for public feedback on the BRT for the creation of sustainable public transport development. Feedback can be sent to:dultbangalore@gmail.com

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/51133/after-decade-rapid-transit-project.html)

Feedback can be sent so anybody here Krishnamoorthy,Visnaya,Ajay etc....can we all discuss and send a feed back to them??We have an opportunity, we must ensure our views are heard.

^^ I saw Delhi BRT pictures of SSC thread where people are crossing road to reach bus stand in the middle of the road. IMO it would be better to have pedestrian subways for every bus stop on BRTS.

^^ true


MAYOR'S CALL TO RESIDENTS TO HELP MCC IN WASTE DISPOSAL

Mysore, Feb. 5 (KK&KMC)- The second annual civic awareness programme for school children — Mysooru Habba — organized by Children’s Movement for Civic Awareness (CMCA), Mysore Wing, in association with Mysore City Corporation (MCC), was inaugurated by Mayor Purushotham at B.V. Karanth Rangamandira in the Dasara Exhibition ground here today.

The programme, attended by students from 57 schools in city, has 59 Civic Awareness Clubs.

The exhibition included models on rainwater harvesting, power conservation, traffic awareness, renewable energy, waste management, etc. Prizes will be awarded to the exhibits and three best clubs will be chosen based on their exhibits.

Mayor Purushotham, speaking after inaugurating the function, said that on an average, four tons of waste was produced in the city everyday and called upon the residents to help the MCC in effective disposal of wastes by segregating the biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes at their homes before dumping them separately in garbage cans.

"School children, if educated about the need for civic awareness, can make their parents and other family members aware," the Mayor said and announced that the present grant of Rs. 9 lakh for the Civic Awareness Project will be hiked to Rs. 20 lakh from the coming year.

More than 3000 school children participated in the programme. Cultural programmes were held till noon, after which the valedictory function was held with film actor Ramesh Arvind, the Ambassador for Civic Awareness, as the chief guest.

Karnataka Exhibition Authority Chairman B.P. Manjunath, Children’s Movement Mysore Coordinator C.V. Ramadas, Bangalore Director Priya Krishna-murthy and others were present.

SOM

Good civic awareness programmes

Testing time for citizens

Bangalore, Feb 6, DHNS:The development mantra is proving to be a hurdle for the residents with all the major roads either dug up for widening or the footpaths under renovation.

Pavement dug-up in Malleswaram. DH PHOTOIn several places granite slabs are removed to be replaced by the relatively fragile cement slabs and wherever there were cement slabs, they are being replaced with old stone slabs. In both the cases, the longevity of the pavements is not guaranteed as filter sand, PPC cement, and substandard slabs are used. In some places pavements have given away in just one week after it was laid. A glaring example is the slab in front of the old Indian Coffee House on MG Road where the slabs caved in within a few weeks after it was laid. Good stone slabs were removed on Dr Rajkumar Road behind a two-wheeler show room.

In Annapurneshwari Nagar, Nagarabhavi 2nd stage, a similar experiment was done. On HAL Airport Road too, the BBMP constructed pavements with substandard stones. On Sampige Road in Malleshwaram.

A common complaint on Sampige Road in Malleswaram is that the work on the pavement is sub-standard and not completed. On many occasions the work remain pending for several months.

Complaining about the low quality work, Vatsala Vedantam, a resident of Malleswaram 7th Main said the walls of the storm water drains are raised so much that it gives an impression that people are living in a hill besides a valley and the height of the footpath has been raised to two feet making it difficult for the elderly people to climb and walk. This is the reason that many pedestrians prefer walking on the road but the roads too are narrowed by the road-side parking.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/51311/testing-time-citizens.html)

Mysore is way way better off.

Karnataka government is actively considering a surrender and rehabilitation package to naxalites, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa said on Sunday.

Addressing the Chief Ministers’ Conference on Internal Security in New Delhi, he said due to the government’s concerted and determined efforts, the Naxal menace has been kept under control in the state.

“Though there were a few incidents of threats and an incident of attack on police by Naxals, for the first time in three years no policeman or civilian has been killed by Naxals”, he said in his speech, copy of which was made available here.

Mr. Yeddyurappa also said the government was actively considering a proposal to raise a State Industrial Security Force.

The Chief Minister offered to the Centre appropriate land to set up a national-level police IT research and development centre to use technology more effectively in policing.

Mr. Yeddyurappa urged the Centre to depute officers to help the State in setting up a full-fledged commando training centre in Karnataka for training and build up capability to tackle the twin threats of Naxalism and terrorism.

“In the last few years, it is seen that the enemy forces are concentrating on cities like Bangalore which reflect the growth centres of the country”, he said.

The Chief Minister suggested that the Government of India scheme for modernisation of police force, which came to an end last year, be continued for another five years with enhanced funds and with identification of more focused areas. “Training could be one such area”, he said.


Source: The Hindu (http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article102440.ece)

^^ good work by yeddi

Road humps ordered to be removed (http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/03/stories/2010020352760300.htm)


If road humps are not in accordance with norms then they should be rebuilt in accordance with norms. Whay they should be removed? To allow reckless driving?

Mysuru's scientific trapezoidal humps

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/6779/dsc06083.jpg

Govt to identify most polluted areas in State

Bangalore:A comprehensive database on the pollution hotspots in Karnataka is being readied by the State government so that effective action can be taken to reduce pollution levels, said Secretary of the Department of Ecology and Environment, Kanwar Pal.

Speaking at the all-India workshop on ‘Urban Air Pollution Forecasting, Monitoring and Implementation’ organised by the department, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and the Institution of Engineers on Monday, Pal said this initiative, billed –– ‘Air Quality Atlas’ would also enable the common man to gain an understanding of the quality of air.

To serve as an incentive, individuals who contribute towards reduction of emissions in developing nations must be offered credits for it like it is done in developed nations, he suggested. The incentives must be in-built in all pollution management policies.
KSPCB Chairperson, Dr A S Sadashivaiah, said that over 40 per cent of air pollution in the State was caused due to vehicular emissions. “Why is action not being taken to phase out old vehicles off the streets?” he queried.

More than 50 per cent of the country’s population use coal, wood or charcoal for their cooking purposes and this was a major reason for pollution in the country, the KSPCB chief added.

Referring to the statistics released by the World Health Organisation a couple of years ago, Sadashivaiah said that half a million children died worldwide due to acute respiratory infection caused by indoor air pollution.


DH News Service

Karnataka preparing air quality atlas

Karnataka is working on preparing an air quality atlas for the state to generate information on pollution status and locate pollution hotspots, according to sources in the Government.

The initiative is being driven jointly by Karnatakas Ecology and Environment Department and Karnataka State Pollution Control Board.

The department Secretary Kannwerpal said the idea was to identify pollution hotspots in the state so that various departments, under State Implementation Plan, could act upon and initiate interventions to reduce pollution levels.

We are working with KSPCB, he said at an All-India workshop on Urban Air Pollution Forecasting, Monitoring and Implementation, here.

An index would be created based on 12 pollutants and people should know the quality of the air, Mr Kanwerpal said.

He said the Union Government has declared 88 industrial sites in the country, including five in Karnataka - Mangalore, Bhadrawati, Peenya (Bangalore), Raichur and Bidar - as being polluted above accepted levels in terms of air, water and land degradation. Of the five, Mangalore and Bhadrawati industrial hubs had been termed as critically polluted.

MANGALOREAN (http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=168348)

http://i47.tinypic.com/fndyfb.jpg

Source: Skyline (http://www.skylineconstructions.com/BlueberryHill.php)

Krishnamoorthy,Ajay any idea what kind of foundation design has been adopted here?Have they excavated the whole of soil uniformly or its has a step foundation???

If it is the former one then there must be some basement below,is it there??What is he using it for??Lower flats get more space??If yes,Ventilation for lower flats??

Latter desin of step foundation is very dangerous.

Archaeology in Karnataka stood still in the financial year 2009-10. From Bangalore to Bellary and Gulbarga to Mysore, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has stated that not a single excavation was undertaken this year.

Reason: Lack of technical experts for ancillary jobs in the field of Archaeology and also directions from Delhi over preparing reports before going any further.

“We were directed last year not to proceed further with our excavation plans for the year 2009-10 without documenting previous findings,” informed an ASI official.

Accordingly, ASI circle offices in the State have been busy documenting the facts recorded during the previous excavations in Badami, Aihole, Pattadkal, Hampi and other sites. Currently, these reports are still under preparation.

The Archaeology officials have said that while excavations are on hold, there is no lack of funds for them. “New projects have been coming to light but we are still in the process of finding suitable sites for the purpose. We are currently exploring the possibility of where we can conduct the excavations,” said the official.

Hampi uncovered, almost

On the Hampi exploration works, the ASI top brass said that nearly 99 per cent of the monuments have been uncovered and work has been wrapped up for now.

“We have explored almost all the monuments in Hampi and experts are trying to identify all that is found for further knowledge about the Vijayanagar empire,” said G S Narsimhan, Superintending Archaeologist, Bangalore Circle.

Narsimhan said the ASI could only hope for “accidental findings” and nothing concrete could be expected in the current situation.
According to the officials, there is some activity on a smaller scale taken up by various universities in the State.

“We currently have a professor from Karnatak University who has taken up the project of excavating some small sites in Sannathi,” informed the official.


Source: DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/51749/no-asi-excavations-state-2009.html)

Petty shop owners reopen shops on footpaths

TNN, 10 February 2010, 10:03pm IST

KARWAR: Defying the order of the Uttara Kannada district administration, the members of the Petty Shops Owners Union on Monday reopened their
shops on the footpaths of the market area in Karwar. The district administration and Karwar municipal authorities had cleared the petty shops from the footpaths about three years ago, when Mounish Modgil was the deputy commissioner.

On Monday, the municipal authorities, district administration and traffic police watched helplessly as the members of the union encroached upon the footpaths and reopened their shops.

The members of union `alleged' that they were promised rehabilitation by the district administration when their shops were removed. But even after three years, the authorities haven't taken any steps to rehabilitate them, they said. Many families are facing unemployment due to the action of the district administration, `alleged' Santosh Naik, president of the union.

This challenging of the district administration and helplessness of the administration to prevent the petty shop owners from encroaching upon the footpaths of the city again has surprised many. "If everybody starts defying the authorities, what will happen to the law and order in the district?" asked Mahesh, a grocery shop owner. But the district administration or the Karwar city municipal council refused to react to the incident.


TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/TNN3-kartimPetty-shop-owners-reopen-shops-on-footpaths/articleshow/5557696.cms)

:(

Coastal Green shield to start soon


KUNDAPUR, Feb 11: The ambitious project of covering the western coast with thick foliage to protect the inland from the dangers of the sea will be launched soon. According to the chairman of the Western Ghats Task Force Mr. Ananth Hegde Ashisar the project will be called Coastal Green Shield.

Chatting with the press persons here on the sidelines of the workshop Western Ghat Development Protection of Coastal bio diversity species and sea erosion protection organized by the Kundapur Forest Division, Mr. Ashisar said the project which is the first of its kind in the country will cover the sea face with green foliage of mangrove forests. The forest department, marine research groups environment department, port department and local groups will be involved in the project. The aim was to cover as much as sea face quickly with Mangrove plantings. The government will be the biggest funding agency as it has promised Rs. 6 crores for the project. He said the Chief Minister has already promised the funding in phases.

Mr. Ashisar told the Task Force had successfully taken up the industrial carrying capacity of the Uttara Kannada district and soon it will also take up the same study in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. The studies will be taken up with the help of Indian Institute of Science (IISc) through the Department of Biodiversity. The area is the land of eco-sensitive Western Ghat on one side and the Arabian Sea on the other side making the undivided district a gas chamber. A report will be submitted to the government in this regard, he added.

Mr. Ashisar expressed dismay at the Nethrani gudda at Bhatkal being misused for training Naval base Seabird personnel. It was an environmental heritage site as the Nethrani gudda was full of corals. It was also a biodiversity hotspot he added. This was acknowledged through research conducted by the scientists. It is also a bio-diversity hot spot that consists of several rare fish spices that calls for conservation. There is a need to conduct detailed study of this spot by making it as a study centre, he added.

Earlier inaugurating the workshop Mr. Ashisar stated the coast and the western ghats together form one of the top environmental and ecological hotspots in the country he wanted the co-operation of the fishermen and local residents of the coastal areas to sustain the biodiversity and ecological features of the coastal areas. He said the Coastal Regulation Zone has to be sustained for the better upkeep of the coastal ecological balance.

Additional Chief Conservator of Forests Dr. Sundar Naik informed that the national forest policy states that the 33 percent reservation of land for the forest development has to be carried out without any lapse by all state governments but presently the Karnataka has only 29.12 percent for the purpose which was much below the average. He said the Karnataka government has launched vision 2020 which envisages achieving a coverage of 33 per cent before 2020 year.

Mangalorean (http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=168653)

Good move,we must preserve our bio diverse rich coast

Bescom employees locked in office

TNN, 13 February 2010, 10:12pm IST

DAVANAGERE: Over 20 employees of Bescom including Harihar sub-divisional engineer were locked up in their office by a group of farmers onThursday for more than two hours, for not having replaced a transformer (TC).

The farmers became very angry as the transformer of Guttur village in Harihar taluk had not been replaced although it burnt a month ago.

The farmers were upset as their earlier visits to the Bescom office to appraise for TC replacement were futile. They could not even meet the officials concerned to put forward their grievance, the agitating farmers alleged.

Hundreds of members of KRRS and Hasiru Sene who supported the protest staged a dharna before the Bescom office. Hovever, Harihar police rushed to the spot and pacified the situation after providing a transformer to the farmers.

TOI

Very good,those lethargic officials must be taught a lesson.

CITIZENS TAKE OATH ON CITY'S CLEANLINESS AND PERSONAL HEALTH

Wellness Walk

Mysore, Feb. 14 (SH)- Enthusiasts in wellness, numbering more than 100, took part in the fourth edition of Rhythmic Weekly Wellness Walk in Cheluvamba Park opposite Akashvani on KRS Road this morning.

The event, jointly organised by Vijay Foundation and SRIAN Envisions, Mysore, began with an oath on keeping the city clean and taking regular exercises aimed at personal health. The oath was administered both in Kannada and English by Dr. Anil Sangli, City's neuro-surgeon.

Earlier, music therapist and financial consultant Sripad spoke briefly about the physical and mental health benefits of rhythmic walk, citing published scientific researches carried out at many institutions.

Chief guest of the occasion, Rajalakshmi Sridhar, Karnatak Classical Music vocalist and Akashvani Programme Executive, in her brief address, focussed on the need to set apart a few minutes daily for simple exercises including breathing by following yoga and pranayama.

Citing the example of her septuagenarian mother, she said that working with one's own hands and not depending on gadgets was the secret of an enduring healthy life of the people of previous generation.

She also rendered a composition of Saint Thyagaraja and Vachana of Saint Basavanna appropriate to the occasion. She was presented with a bonsai plant that flowers nine months a year and has a 100-year life-span.

Vijay Foundation Chairman B.R. Pai explained his four- point formula for sound physical, mental and spiritual wellness, for an enduring life — (a) Good walking (b) Regulated breathing (c) Plain talking (d) Healthy eating.

SOM

Garbage, sand cleared from roads

Staff Correspondent

The exercise was undertaken to prevent vehicles from skidding

http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/15/images/2010021553280301.jpg

Personal touch: Hassan City Municipal Corporation president Ambika Ravishankar supervising the clearance of garbage in Hassan on Sunday.

HASSAN: Hassan City Municipal Council president Ambika Ravishankar supervised the clearing of garbage from the main roads in Hassan. A total of 50-tractor loads of sand and garbage were cleared on Sunday, the first day of the operation.
Complaints

Ms. Ravishankar, who started the operation at 6 a.m. despite heavy fog, told The Hindu that there had been several complaints from the people, particularly from two-wheeler drivers, that the sand on the road caused skidding and led to accidents. Areas around Bangalore-Mangalore road, stadium road, M.G. Road and the Narasimha Raja Circle were covered on Sunday.
Market shifted

Ms. Ravishankar said that following complaints from students and others around Government Arts College stating that the weekly market caused a lot of traffic congestion on the road, the market had been shifted to stadium road since Tuesday last.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/15/stories/2010021553280300.htm)

Hail Ambika,we need many more offcials like her in every city of our state.

Lapse in tax collection leaves MCC poorer by crores

TNN, 15 February 2010, 10:56pm IST

MYSORE: A surprise visit by the MCC health standing committee to some commercial establishments in the central business district on Monday exposed laxity in tax collection.

Result: The civic body is poorer by some Rs 4 crore and is unable to meet the projected target for this fiscal. All the 10 raided properties had not renewed the trade licence for years, indicating the gravity of the problem. This comes weeks ahead of the MCC's budget. The panel headed by Kamaruddin arrived at a saree shop in the CBD and asked for trade licence. The licence that lapsed five years ago was not renewed. "If the establishments in the CBD have not renewed their trade licences, we can imagine the fate of those located in residential areas," panel member M Mahadevamma explained.

She said the panel visited 10 commercial establishments, including hotels and bars, but none of them had renewed the licence.

Kamaruddin said the MCC has projected to accrue Rs 4 crore as trade licence during 2009-10. But the officials have collected a mere Rs 10 lakh till date. According to him, the MCC has listed 25,000 commercial establishments, though the number is much higher. "But the commercial establishments have not renewed their trade licence, which is a prerequisite for the trade they carry out. This is the plight of the administration," he lamented.

Four years ago, then corporation commissioner A B Ibrahim launched a special drive for on-the-spot renewal of trade licences. The licences were renewed in an hour at a mela at the Town Hall. Since then it seems there has been no follow-up action.

Surprisingly, the officials, including health officer Dr Nagaraju, who accompanied the panel, were silent and even tried to gloss over it. "When we questioned, he said they have issued notices. But what is the follow up action? Is it not the job of officials to collect the taxes," Kamaruddin asked. In some cases, the commercial establishments have accrued heavy revenue dues, he said.

The panel locked a bar and also gave two days to a hotel to close down. The committee chief said they will make it a point to get the trade licence renewed. "In case, the traders do not comply with, we will shut them down," he stated.

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Lapse-in-tax-collection-leaves-MCC-poorer-by-crores/articleshow/5577442.cms)

:bash:

With as many as 450 parks, it could earn the tag of ‘Garden City’, if...

When will Tumkur go green?

K M Santhosh Kumar, Tumkur, Feb 16, DH News Service:Tumkur City has been luckily bestowed with several parks and gardens. Had these parks and gardens been developed and maintained properly, Tumkur, no wonder would have soon been called a ‘Garden City.’


A park at Dr Shivakumar Swamiji Circle which is in a deplorable condition in Tumkur City calls for immediate attention. DH PhotoVisitors to Tumkur City will be definitely impressed by the beautiful Azad Park. Once upon a time Azad Park was in a completed neglected state. Apart from being used once in a year for erecting the pendal for installing Lord Ganapathi’s idol, the park had a haven for beggars, orphans and animals.

Neglected and forgotten, Lifeline Feeds India Private Limited Company, a private company in the City, decided to adopt the park and maintain it. In memory of their manager, Late Dr Aravind Bhat, the company invested an amount of Rs 35 lakh in his memory to develop the park. They have converted the entire area into a green belt and have also installed a fountain in the park. Today, the park is the centre of attraction for many a visitors.

Jagruthi Vedike

Another example of a well-maintained park is the H K Prahlad Rao Park in Maruthi Nagar. Developed and maintained by the citizens themselves, they are doing excellent community services under the ‘Jagruthi Vedike,’ they have conceived for the purpose.
What intrigues the citizens of Tumkur City is, when citizens, forums and private organisations can do this, why not the City Municipal Council or the Urban Development
Authority?

Summer has already arrived in Tumkur and citizens seeking shelter in the parks and gardens increase around this time. With the arrival of summer, the schools and colleges declare vacation. These green spaces are ideal picnic spots for the children. It is estimated that there are about 450 parks in Tumkur City. Going by this figure, no wonder, the City would have earned the title the ‘Garden City.’ But unfortunately, they are not to be seen. Among these 450 parks, 60 of them have been illegally encroached. While the remaining parks have become a dumping yard, the environmentalists blame.

Dual roles

For the last one year, Adarsh Kumar has been performing dual roles - as the commissioner of the City Municipal Council and as the commissioner of the Urban Development Authority also. It is extremely difficult to discharge duties in dual posts.

More encroachment

According to a survey conducted by the Urban Development Authority, there are about 200 parks in the City, out of which 60 have been illegally encroached. There are possibilities that more number of parks could have been encroached. In this backdrop, efforts have been made to identify each and every park in the City and development of each park would be focussed upon, Adarsh Kumar told Deccan Herald.

A proposal to develop all these parks is being made and will be sent to the Government for approval. On an experimental basis, the Urban Development Authority is contemplating to chose and develop six parks in the beginning, Adarsh Kumar added. Infact, some amount is earmarked every year in the City Municipal Council’s budget for the maintenance of parks and gardens. But so far, not a single park has been developed from this amount.

However, time alone should tell when these six parks will be chosen and developed. Since, none of these claims have come true so far, the citizens should only wait and watch.


DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/53125/when-tumkur-go-green.html)

Great I hope tumkur takes away the tag of garden city.450 parks unbelievable man.

Fraser Town residents’ initiative against garbage problem

Special Correspondent

‘We want people to collect the waste in the dustbin and hand it over to pourakarmikas’

BANGALORE: The garbage problem in Fraser Town has worsened ever since the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) removed garbage bins and introduced the door-to-door collection system a couple of years ago.

With the door-to-door collection system not working exactly as envisaged, garbage is strewn on the roads or street corners and dumped into drains.

Mounds of garbage piling up on pavements are a common sight.

But the Fraser Town Residents’ Welfare Association has decided to create awareness about the garbage menace by distributing dustbins to each of 4,500 households. “Instead of throwing garbage on the streets, we want the residents to collect the waste in the dustbin and hand it over to the BBMP pourakarmikas when they come to collect the garbage,” said association chairperson Pradeep Kumar Reddy.

During its recent dustbin distribution campaign, the association even displayed a couple of push carts with the bell as a demonstration to the residents.

Thomas D’Souza a member of the association’s committee, hoped that the garbage menace in their locality would be solved in three months if the residents responded to the campaign positively.

But Mr. Reddy felt that the effective functioning of the BBMP’s door-to-door garbage clearance system was crucial for the success of their residents’ initiative.

“We find the bells in some push carts missing. The arrival of the push carts for collection of garbage goes unnoticed and unheard by the residents,” he said.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/18/stories/2010021863260300.htm)
Hope to see a clean freser town next time :cheers:

In 2004 it was fenced and seating arrangements made at a cost of Rs 40 lakh

Mini stadium cries for attention

Bangarpet, Feb 17, DH News Service:Successive governments may have spent crores of rupees for promoting sports in the region, but the state of the mini stadium here stands testimony to how much of this money has in reality been spent on sports or sportspersons.

The dismal condition of the mini stadium in Bangarpet.The dismal condition of the mini stadium in Bangarpet.

http://www.deccanherald.com/images/editor_images/Feb%202010/18%20Feb%202010/mini-stadium--bangarpet.jpg
As per records, at least Rs 50 lakh has been spent on the construction and development of the stadium.

But the first thing that one gets to see in the stadium is not the development, but human wastes, overgrown plants and missing fences. Apart from the cricket matches played by local college students, the stadium has not hosted any other sporting event.

The stadium was constructed two decades ago when the taluk administration felt that there was a need for a stadium in the taluk to promote sports and decided to convert the land belonging to the Junior College on Kolar-KGF main road into a stadium.

In 2004, the stadium was fenced and seating arrangements were made at the cost of Rs 40 lakh. But the gates disappeared within the first few days itself and the fences have been disappearing fast.

As a result of the lack of maintenance, the money spent on the stadium has amounted to nothing.

Who’s responsibility?

When asked Town Municipal Council as to who was responsible for the development and maintenance of the stadium, they shirk responsibility by pointing fingers at the Zilla Panchayat technical officers.

When ZP officials were questioned, their ready response was that they were only responsible for development and not maintenance.

The stadium is spruced up once every year for Independence Day celebrations. The rest of the year it is conveniently forgotten.

However, students from the Junior College also hold the sportspersons responsible for the dismal state of the stadium. “There are many sportspersons in the taluk who play kho kho and volley ball, but even they fail to make use of the stadium. If they had used the stadium regularly, it would not have been in such a bad state,” they say.

The locals too say that volley ball players choose to play in the park even when the stadium is so close by.

Funds promised

Sports Minister Goolihatti Shekhar had assured that funds will be released to all taluks for the development of stadiums while assuming office. However, none of the officials in the taluk administration or elected representatives seem to be interested in raising the issue.

Residents say it is high time that officials realise their folly and take suitable steps to correct them.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/53355/mini-stadium-cries-attention.html)

More public participation is needed

The people of Bagepalli taluk consuming drinking water with high flouride content are falling victims to fluorosis expressed former president of Bagepalli Taluk Panchayat Chinnaramireddy and former member of the Bagepalli Taluk Panchayat Sudhakar Reddy.

Speaking to mediapersons at a press meet organised here on recently, they said, in order to seek solution from this serious problem, there was a need to launch an all-party agitation seeking for the implementation of a permanent drinking water project in Bagepalli.

They said, Bagepalli was one of the most backward taluks in the State. Water bodies like tanks and ponds are the only sources of water. And these tanks and ponds solely dependent on good rainfall. These water bodies serve for multi-purpose activities, right from agriculture to drinking water. Unfortunately, due to inadequate rainfall, these tanks are ponds are drying up of late. Making matters worse, these tanks and ponds are full of silt, which affect the storage capacity of water. Thus, once upon a time, these tanks and ponds which had deep beds, are now having reduced to flat surfaces, thereby reducing the water storage capacity in them, they informed.

Depleting groundwater

]The ground-water level is fast depleting and the people are forced to opt for sinking borewells for agriculture and drinking water purpose. These borewells are drilling water from the depths of the earth, thus giving way to the release of flouride in the water. For the last ten years, people of Bagepalli have been consuming water with high levels of flouride content. Almost every litre of drinking water contains more than two grams of flouride. Several people are being affected by this water, leading to disabilities of various forms. Children are the most affected, the former TP members explained.

The matter was assuming serious proportions and until and unless an awareness was created among the public, the consequences of this would be far-reaching. A comprehensive approach should be followed to tackle this problem.

The elected representatives from this region should take some concrete steps in this regard, on a war-footing basis. They should begin the desilting of the ponds and tanks and clear them from encroachments.

Old wells, kalyanis, tanks and ponds should be rejuvenated and the sources of water should be identified. Soak pits should be installed to ensure that water did not go waste.
In order to increase the groundwater level, an awareness programme on a large scale should be launched in the taluk, the leaders suggested.


Source: DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com)

Flyover mooted to redress ‘wild woes’ in Bandipur

Mysore, Feb 20, DHNS:Even as the debate over night traffic ban on Bandipur road to check death of wild animals is on, an environmental activist has mooted an idea to construct flyovers near elephant corridors like in France and other countries.

Flyovers will facilitate easy movement of vehicles and allow wild animals to roam freely. The suggestion was made on Saturday at a closed door meeting by A M Sooraj of Nagarahole Foundation of South Kodagu, who is also the member of Core Committee constituted to find permanent solution for wild elephants menace.

He also told the meeting flyovers have been constructed across canals for the convenience of wild animals. Besides, a special elephant zone on the lines of special economic zones should be developed for rehabilitation of rogue elephants. A separate helpline with toll free number could also be established for farmers to contact the authorities during the elephant raids.

Kodagu Planters Association President Cheranda Nanda Subbaiah claimed that ecotourism in Dubare Forest has not benefited the department much. The revenue generated from elephant safari goes to the chest of Jungle Lodges and Resorts Limited, he said. Environmentalist Sanjay Gubbi felt that bamboo, most preferred by elephants in the forests, must be pruned during flowering.


http://www.deccanherald.com/content/53911/flyover-mooted-redress-wild-woes.html

Is it a good suggestion??

‘Poor design of bus-stand makes it tough for commuters’

Staff Correspondent

Bus-stand offers little for utility in terms of design: activist

‘Floors, bus paths have a slippery surface’

Garbage blocks rainwater from draining properly: Mysore Grahakara Parishat

MYSORE: Despite massive expenditure, the design of the city bus-stand which was renovated under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) last year, provides little to commuters in the form of utility.

Even as the debate on the proposal to shift the bus-stand from its current location continues, activists here feel that the renovated one falls short of standards.

Vishwas Krishna of the Mysore Grahakara Parishat, in a press release here on Saturday, commented on the flaws in the design of the bus-stand. “The flooring is slippery. Such flooring should not be used in public buildings. When wet, it could be even more slippery. This could be life threatening for the elderly and the invalid,” he said.

He also said that the construction of subways to connect platforms was a fruitless endeavour, especially when the distance between platforms is about 20 ft. “When the next platform is 20 ft. away, people are not likely to walk 50 ft. climb down 15 ft., walk to the next flight of stairs, climb up 15 ft. and walk 50 more ft. to reach their destination. The aged and the disabled cannot do it at all,” he said. Thus, most people ignore the subways, and walking across the bus paths was a risky thing to do. He also stressed that floors of the subways were also slippery.

He also makes a case for water fountains found abroad, instead of the water dispensers installed at the bus-stand. “The water dispensers are poorly designed, as a result of which they are also unhygienic,” he said. “They come with a steel tumbler attached to a chain. The chain is so short that the tumbler cannot be raised to the mouth of an average-sized human being. The tumbler is very often left on the water drain, making it disgusting to drink from there.”

‘Smooth exit’

According to Mr. Krishna, the concrete finishing for the bus paths is extremely smooth causing people to slip and fall while crossing the bus paths, especially near the exit to Sayyaji Rao Road, where the paths have a steep gradient.

“It is not clear why the bus paths were made so smooth. If they get wet, they will get even more slippery, especially if there are oil leaks from the buses. Then, buses will also skid,” he said.

He also expressed dissatisfaction over the drainage for bus paths.

He said: “only a few drains are provided and even they are blocked by garbage. It is not clear what mechanism is in place to clean this garbage. Therefore, it seems very likely that during the rainy season, the bus-stand will be waterlogged, he said.

“The shelter constructed for waiting passengers will protect them only if it is raining exactly vertically. If there is any wind at all, they will be drenched. The passengers cannot even move leeward because railings prevent such movement,” Mr. Krishna said.

The bus shelter platforms have a bevelled edge on which many people lose their footing. “This again is a design problem,” he observed.

Mr. Krishna also said the route charts were not designed well. The same route was shown for all buses on one platform. “This is misleading,” he said.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/21/stories/2010022157870300.htm)

I love the bus stand have no problem and never felt it sub standard.

Erratic roadworks posing problems to people

Special Correspondent

There is no coordination between authorities and contractors, say people

Earthmover has damaged water pipes at three places on Attavar main road

— Photo: R. Eswarraj
http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/21/images/2010022160200301.jpg

NEW PROBLEM: The water pipeline damaged by an earthmover on the Attavar main road in Mangalore on Saturday.

MANGALORE: One half of the 100-m stretch of a tarred road near Marnamikatte has been dug up for a month now. Another two-lane concrete road between Marnamikatte and Koti Chennayya Circle has not been opened to traffic, even though it was almost ready more than three weeks ago.

Residents of the area attribute these inconveniences to lack of coordination between the contractors and the corporation authorities, and improper planning. On Saturday, a fresh problem arose when an earthmover damaged water pipelines at three places near Koti Chennayya Circle.

Autorickshaw drivers at Marnamikatte said the road should not have been dug up if the planners were not sure of taking up the work.

Residents of the area pointed out that the curing of a new concrete road from Marnamikatte Circle to Koti Chennayya Cricle was over 20 days ago. “The authorities have not taken steps to open this road to traffic,” said T.K. Sudhir, a resident and district secretary of the Congress.

M.K. Bhasker, Executive Engineer of the corporation, was under the impression that traffic had been allowed on this stretch.

On being told about the reality, he promised to get it opened in two days.

The contractor also promised to open the stretch to traffic from Monday. Mr. Bhasker and the contractor said that the road was dug up near Marnamikatte Circle for the concreting work. But the entire project staff and machinery had to be diverted after the corporation decided to first complete the stretch between Valentia Circle and Koti Chennayya Circle in view of the problems being faced by the road-users there. This work would be completed by February-end. The earlier work would begin later, they said.

Meanwhile, the concreting of the stretch between Koti Chennayya Circle and Madhusudan Kushe School was taken up on Saturday. But, the earthmover being used there damaged the water pipeline at three places within about 150 metres from Koti Chennayya Circle on the Attavar Main Road.

While Attavar councillor Vijayalakshmi put the blame on the contractor, Mr. Bhaskar said this had not come to his notice. He, however, promised to look into the problem.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/21/stories/2010022160200300.htm)

we rightly discussed here in this thread about the lack of coordination among the contractors,Will the authorities get some sense?

Here are some suggestions I would like to share regarding the maintenance of roads and footpaths.Most of the road works in the state you can see are biased towards the motorists,They enjoy utmost comforts,while the poor pedestrian is left with no choice but to do some exercise stepping down and up due to obstructions on the pavements & in that course putting himself under risk of being hit by the motorists.

Few points to be taken care of:For the citizens

1)Citizens must be aware of works underway/to be expedited in their respective localities,they must form a small group and elect a representative,the representative must have a copy of works to be expedited and must have a say(after consultations with his group members) in the development plan.

2)Site/Corporation Engineer must be accountable for explaining day to day works to be undertaken/carried out.

3)Timings of the works to be carried out must be unanimous after consultation with the citizen groups.If it is 24 hrs work then the citizens must be informed and effective measures must be taken to curtail noise/dust pollution and other environmental factors.
(Best example JLB road-JUSCO works,Mysore)

4)Citizens group must not hesitate to ask for the finance/funding/utilization details under the RTI act and file a criminal case if any discrepancy is observed.


5)If the works are felt to be of substandard level then the citizen group must approach the higher authorities say the DC or the district in charge and apprise him of the affairs.

Above are just my observations which would help citizens to be more a vigilant individuals.

Some suggestions: For the concerned authorities expediting works

1)The authorities must have a fair tender calling/awarding process.Here it is important that they award all works related to a project to one contractor who has proven experience in expediting the required works.

Say for example roads:

The contractor must be experienced in Storm drain works,Pavement works,Road surfacing,median laying and light posts erection.There must be no more than one contractor working on a particular job.

He must also have a design team to assess and survey things instead of entrusting it to another consultant.

He must have all the required machinery and equipments to carry out the works.

He must be in a position to complete the works on time and if any delays (unavoidable cases exception) he must be fined on hourly basis.

The contractor must co-operate with citizen groups.The corporation engineer must mediate between the contractor and the citizen group.

The authorities must see to that the environmental laws are adhered to during construction process,such that public faces no in convenience or any form of hardships.

will add more

Mangalore authorities definitely need to go through my suggestions list

Stadium work stalled for paucity of funds

Gauribidanur, Feb 21, DHNS

Lakhs of rupees of public money spent on providing a sport infrastructure appears to have gone down drain.

The incomplete gymanasium building. dh photoThe work on construction of a stadium in Hirebidanur tank on the outskirts of the town has come to standstill for over three years. More than Rs 15 lakh has been so far spent on the work.

The town had no stadium two decades ago and the taluk administration took up the task of constructing one at a cost of Rs 35 lakh. However, the work stopped mid-way owing to paucity of funds. The pillars and barbed wire fencing put up around the area have been stolen and shrubs cover up the gymnasium building.

No convincing reply is either available on the civic agency or the department entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining the sports infrastructure. While the municipal administration points fingers towards Zilla Panchayat (Engineering) division, the latter say that theirs task is only to develop the infrastructure and they had no say in management.

However, students of junior college feel that sports persons too have not utilised the available infrastructure. Sports minister Goolihatti Shekhar had said that funds would be released for developing stadium in all the taluk centres of the State.

The incomplete structure stands as a testimony for public money, meant for development works going waste. However, its time that the taluk administration springs into action so as to complete the work on the stadium and make it available for the benefit of the sports persons of the town.


DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/54079/stadium-work-stalled-paucity-funds.html)

Kempegowda project

Integrating the shape of a layout

Sandeep Moudgal, Bangalore, Feb 21, DHNS:The much- awaited Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout may very well take the shape of an integrated township, if the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has its way.

In what appears to be a proposal for “easing” the pressure on land in and around the City, the BDA has proposed building a township under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. “We are looking at a viable option for ensuring that there is an equitable opportunity for all people to own land,” BDA Commissioner Siddaiah said.

Under the model, the BDA will provide the land bank and is expected to enter into a partnership with a private player for building the township. The authority is yet to decide on selecting a private player for the dream project. But the final notification on the layout has been printed and is expected to be published in all daily newspapers in the next couple of days.

Hectic parleys are on in the higher echelons of the BDA and the matter is likely to be placed before the board and the authority for approval. In the event of the project getting a nod, the layout model will set a precedence of sorts for the State government as well as the BDA which will, depending upon the success or otheriwse, project the same model for establishing layouts in the future.

Siddaiah, of course, is banking on the township plan getting approval for it will become a template for future urban growth. The BDA has four additional layout projects in the pipeline, with the Dr Shivram Karanth Layout said to be next to be deliberated upon by the State government.

“The west has already seen the township model blossom with much better civic amenities and an effective mode to develop land. It is the same experiment which we have taken up to ease the pressure of land,” Siddaiah told Deccan Herald.

Once the model is approved, the commissioner expects the BDA to have easier control over the expanse of land that it holds under the Kempegowda Layout in partnership with land owners who have foregone their properties.

“The BDA is left with 60 per cent of the land after the rest will be given out as compensation to landowners once it is developed. The objective is to maximise land utilisation,” Siddaiah said.


DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/54125/integrating-shape-layout.html)

Encroachments on footpaths removed

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Saturday cleared encroachments and obstructions on the footpaths that were inconveniencing pedestrians on Siddaiah Road here.

Two earthmovers were deployed for the task on the stretch of Siddaiah Road between from J.C. Road Junction to 12th Cross, Wilson Garden Junction, on footpaths flanking the road, a press release said.

Local people had filed several complaints in this regard, and a month ago, notices were issued to shopkeepers who were told to ensure that the footpaths were free of obstructions. Subsequently, some of them had complied with it.

The BBMP staff took police help during Saturday’s drive, and removed obstructions, from vehicle spare parts to billboards.

Similar drives will commence on the main roads in the south zone, the release added.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/22/stories/2010022260020300.htm)

I hate those footpath encroaches.

Madikeri says no to plastic

Staff Correspondent

Use of plastic has been banned: CMC chief


http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/23/images/2010022361840301.jpg
Advocacy: Jatha on plastic ban being taken out in Madikeri on Monday.

Madikeri: Members of the Madikeri City Municipal Council (CMC) and students from various institutions took out a jatha here on Monday urging citizens to refrain from using plastic.

“Use of plastic has been banned in Madikeri city,” CMC president P.D. Ponnappa declared at the start of the jatha. He appealed to shopkeepers and customers to shun plastic and, instead, use cloth bags to carry items. Madikeri Rotary Club office-bearers too joined the initiative, and students raised slogans and carried placards.

The CMC would initiate action against those found selling plastic material such as bags, plates or cups, Mr. Ponnappa warned. The environment should be preserved for posterity.

Plastic is a toxic, non-biodegradable material that damages soil fertility and prevents water ingression into the land. Burning of plastic affects the ozone layer. Plastic bags also kill cattle when they eat it,

Mr. Ponnappa said. He appealed to the citizens to collect plastic at home and send it over for recycling. Various organisations, particularly the trading community, should join hands with the CMC to stop the use of plastic, he said.

The jatha went around the city distributing handbills.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/23/stories/2010022361840300.htm)

CMC seeks help to keep city clean

Staff Correspondent

Hoteliers asked to dispose of waste properly

CMC to invest Rs. 1.5 crore in garbage disposal units

Chitradurga: Admitting that the Chitradurga City Municipal Council (CMC) was short of hands to ensure cleanliness in the city, Municipal Commissioner Vijay Kumar has appealed to residents to cooperate in keeping the city clean.

Speaking at a seminar on solid waste management organised by the council here on Tuesday, Mr. Kumar said that the CMC had only 140 staff members, while the city’s population was about 1.25 lakh.

Blaming hoteliers, vegetable vendors and those running fruit juice centres for dumping waste by the side of the roads, he called upon them to dump waste only in the trash cans provided by the CMC at various places.

He also urged the residents to use the garbage bins provided. “No matter what steps the CMC takes, the city will not be clean unless people realise the importance of hygiene and cleanliness,” he said.

As a part of the modernisation plan, the CMC has decided to purchase hi-tech cleaning machines and garbage disposal units at the cost of Rs. 1.5 crore.

He said that machines had been purchased for segregating waste from the landfill located on the outskirts of the city.

“With the objective of educating people on the significance of cleanliness, the CMC will be holding awareness programmes in all wards of the city,” he said. Mr. Kumar said that the CMC had already received Rs. 85 crore under various schemes aimed at the improvement of basic amenities and infrastructure in the city.

CMC environmental engineer Narendra Babu said that 60 per cent of the waste comprised plastic, which was hazardous to the environment and public health. “Plastic also causes the clogging of drainage and sewage lines.”


The Hindu

All the CMC's must employ hi tech cleaning machinery

USE OF OPEN SPACE AS TOILET ATTRACTS RS. 200 FINE !

Mysore, Feb. 27 (DV)- With a view to make Mysore District a fully clean district, using open space as toilet has been banned. Those who violate this will be fined Rs. 200 by the concerned Village Panchayat. The informers will be paid an incentive of Rs. 25, said ZP Complete Hygiene Implementation Officer G.V. Krishna.

He was addressing a seminar on 'Toilets for complete hygiene' organised under the joint auspices of Information Department, Mysore and Government High School, Chandagalu, K.R. Nagar taluk in the school premises on Thursday.

Government is providing materials worth Rs. 2,850 to each family for the construction of toilets. The people in rural areas are still in a state of dilemma about taking a decision in this regard. This is coming in the way of self-respect for them, he said.

The ration cards of those families who do not own the toilets will be cancelled. In case they do not budge, the electricity and water supply of such houses will be disconnected, he said. The school children should put pressure on their parents to have toilets in their houses, he advised.

Chandagalu Village Panchayat Secretary Nagashetty said there are 1,292 families in the limit of Village Pan-chayat. Out of them, 492 are BPL card holders and 800 APL. Amo-ng these, 532 families have constructed toilets and others are yet to construct. Chandagalu has been declared a clean village, he said.


SOM

Good move

The proposal should contain a photograph of the borewell too

Guidelines for drinking water supply projects issued

Kolar: Mar 1, DH News Service

The district administration has issued a circular detailing the guidelines to be followed while submitting proposal for drinking water project.

With the onset of summer, several proposes for drinking water project are being submitted by the implementing agencies. The instructions on following stipulated modalities while submitting such proposals were not being observed and as a consequence, the proposals invited audit objections.

In this backdrop, the district administration has issued a circular detailing the mandatory details to be furnished while submitting such a proposal.
The circular, issued by Additional Deputy Commissioner S N Gangadharaiah, has been addressed to commissioners and City Municipalities and chief officers of Town Municipalities, tahsildars, executive engineers of Zilla Panchayat Engineering Division and assistant executive engineers of Kolar, Malur, Srinivaspur, Mulbagal and Bangarpet sub-divisions.

According the circular, the estimates for installing pumpsets should be submitted only if more than 2,000 gallons of water is available in the borewell.
It should also incorporate details like the number of families that would be benefited by installation of the motor and a certificate stating that the borewell has been sunk on a government land and that private land has not been encroached.

Photograph

Furthermore, the proposal, along with the estimate, should contain a photograph of the borewell, details on its depth, water yield and the scheme under which it had been sunk. Records pertaining to disposal of old pumpsets should also be submitted with the proposals seeking rejuvenation of borewells. It should also accompany the minutes of Taskforce committee and Gram Panchayat meetings and agreement entered into for supply of water. Complete details such as the distance from which water would be supplied, the rate and the source, vehicular documents of the tanker that supplied water (while submitting bill), the logbooks of the vehicles and a certificate from the Gram Panchayat secretary.

“The circular has been issued to ensure that drinking water projects should not be delayed due to lacuna in the proposals. The objective is to see that the grants are not misused and people are not put into trouble,” Additional Deputy Commissioner S N Gangadhariah told Deccan Herald.

Municipal Administration minister Balachandra Jarkiholi, in a recent meeting with Zilla Panchayat authorities had expressed displeasure over pendency of the proposals for not complying with the stipulated guidelines. District in-charge secretary Ramprasad too had expressed concern over non-utilisation of funds meant for drinking water.
The implementation officers will now have to observe the guidelines strictly in order to ensure that the proposals secure approval. It is yet to be seen whether the circular would be effective in expediting the water supply projects.

DH News Service (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/55688/guidelines-drinking-water-supply-projects.html)

* Motor only for borewells with an yield of above 2,000 gallons.
* Details on disposal of old motors to be submitted in case of rejuvenation of borewells.
* The proposal should contain information on depthat of the borwell, the yield, and a certificate
* Logbook and vehicular documents of water tankers should be submitted.
* Certificate issued by Gram Panchayat secretary essential.


Good guidelines

A ray of hope for Nadnalli villagers

Somwarpet: Mar 2, DHNS:Nadnalli is a hamlet sans basic amenities in Somwarpet. After media highlighted the pathetic condition of the villagers struggling to cross the river during monsoon, State Advisory Committee Special invitee Vishal Jeeth visited the village.

The rural development and Panchayat Raj Secretary had written a letter to Zilla Panchayat CEO to provide all assistance to the village. In this background, Jeeth visited Nadnalli and inspected the deplorable condition of the villagers.

The villagers used a bridge made of cane to cross the river during rainy season.
The officials stated that a proposal of the bridge was included in the Nabard project. As the village has few families, the government was not in a position to spend crores of rupees for the construction of a fulfledged bridge.
Jeeth promised to discuss the issue of foot bridge or hanging bridge with the Deputy Commissioner.

It was proposed to construct hanging bridge or foot bridge for 60 metres. This has brought in a ray of hope among the villagers.

PWD Engineer Shivaram, Zilla Panchayat Engineer Muralidhar, Bettadalli GP President K N Shivanna and District Disabled Welfare Officer Madappa were present.


DH News Service (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/55840/a-ray-hope-nadnalli-villagers.html)

Emphasis laid on desilting lakes, afforestation

Project to revive water bodies

Kolar: Mar 2, DH News Service:The district administration has prepared a project costing Rs 2,000 crore to revive water bodies as a long term solution to the drinking water problem in the district.

Addressing mediapersons here on Tuesday, Minister of State for Railways K H Muniyappa said emphasis has been laid on desilting lakes, afforestation, canal encroachment clearance, constructing new canals, and conserving water sources to revive water bodies in three years. To solve drinking water problem in the district it is important to formulate programmes like lifting water from rivers to facilitate implementation of permanent irrigation facilities for the district, Muniyappa said.

The project aims at the judicious utilisation of water with available resources, he said.
Chief Minister Yeddyurappa has agreed to grant Rs five crore each to Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts for the drinking water supply projects, he said.
Responding to a media report about the doubling the Kolar-Chikkaballapur railway line, he said the budget had no such proposal. New projects would be initiated after the Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh governments agreed to co-operate. Two new routes between Kolar and Bangalore has been granted in the budget. The White Field-Kolar-Mulbagal-Nagali-Chittor and Chikkaballapur-Chintamani-Srinivaspur-Madanapalli-Kolar routes will be sanctioned, he said.

A survey of the Chikkaballapur-Puttaparti route had been approved. Construction of the Kadapa -Kolar line will be taken up shortly. The State government had agreed to grant a sum of Rs 29 crore in its budget, he said.
Former Minister Nissar Ahmed, District Congress President N S Bisse Gowda, Venkatamuniyappa, T Nagaraj, Mohammed Akram and others were present.

DH News Service (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/55877/project-revive-water-bodies.html)

Bangalore traffic police goes hi-tech

PTI, Mar 3, 2010, 05.10pm IST

BANGALORE: Bangalore city traffic police is moving into a 'paperless regime of enforcement' with officers being provided with hi-tech 'blackberry and bluetooth'- supported printers from today.

Project "Black Berry assisted Traffic Enforcement" that was initiated by city traffic police in 2008 has finally reached its final stage, state home minister V S Acharya said.

Launching the second phase of Black Berry plan here, he said "with all traffic officers upto the rank of Assistant Sub-Inspector getting black berry and bluetooth-supported printers today, city traffic police will move into a paperless regime of enforcement".

The technology would be implemented throughout Karnataka, Acharya said, without specifying any time frame for it.

It has many added benefits like data base of traffic offenders, real time access to history of offences committed by drivers and real time "Management Information System (MIS)" where performance of each officers, types of vehicles being penalised and type of offences being booked are accessible over Internet in real time, he said.

Phase II, which involves 370 black berry and printers, has more advanced and robust equipment with protective cover. It is also backed with elaborate connectivity and data storage in State Data Centre, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic & Security) Praveen Sood said.

Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari unveiled 'Violation Evidence Management System' (VEMS) on the occasion.

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Bangalore-traffic-police-goes-hi-tech/articleshow/5637465.cms)

:happy:

Akrama-Sakrama to generate Rs 10,000 crore?

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) can generate Rs. 10,000 crore through regularisation of unauthorised constructions and layouts under the proposed Akrama-Sakrama scheme, Chief Minister B.S Yeddyurappa said here on Tuesday.

Speaking after inaugurating a flyover built across railway level-crossing at Wheeler Road-Cox Town, he said the implementation of the scheme would result in generation of funds for the BBMP to take up development projects while providing relief for the people who are waiting for regularisation of their properties.

He said that annual revenue from property tax for the BBMP could be raised to Rs. 1,400 crore from the present Rs. 800 crore if all owners paid property tax while adding that the BBMP will use the Geographic Information System, which is already put in place, to plug evasion of property tax payment.

The Hindu

:eek:

12 families to vacate Kudremukh park

Staff Correspondent

MANGALORE: Frustrated with the Government’s failure to provide basic amenities and caught in the crossfire between naxals and the State, several forest dwellers are on the verge of accepting a rehabilitation package and vacating the Kudremukh National Park.

On Tuesday, 12 families belonging to the Malaykudia Scheduled Tribe from the Naravi and Navoor villages in Belthangady taluk participated in discussions with district administration officials and agreed to leave the forest in exchange for cash and one acre of land each. These families will be given their compensation cheques on March 8 at Belthangady.

But this is just the beginning, according to the Kudremukh Rashtriya Udyanavana Nivasigala Rakshana Vedike, an association of those who want to leave the forest.

There are an estimated 1,200-plus families living in the park that covers Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Chikmagalur districts. Nearly 400 of these families have expressed their willingness to leave the forest in exchange for the exit package of the Government, according to Narayan Malaykudia, president of the vedike.

Those who participated in Tuesday’s meeting said they had become tired of demanding basic amenities from the Government. Naravi and Navoor villages have been part of the naxal belt for several years and the Government had released several special packages for the development of these places, but the development never happened for a variety of reasons, said a participant.

Even when the Government released funds, they could not be spent on infrastructure projects because of the restrictions imposed by the Forest Department. In the Kutlur area of Naravi, for instance, the Malaykudias have to walk over eight kilometres to reach the nearest road.

There are no schools or healthcare facilities either.

Some of them said that the development funds were often diverted for other purposes. Most of them complained that they were being harassed by the staff of the Forest Department, the police and the Naxals.

Deputy Commissioner V. Ponnuraj said that the present compensation was being paid out of the Rs. 97 lakh released by the Government.

The Hindu

Krishnamoorthy,wats ur take on that??

Separattion is always a pain like daughter leaving mother after marriage. But, ultimately the mother will be happy to see her daughter also have a family as big as hers.

We can think of some vision for SSC Karnataka forums like this:

1. Bengaluru forum - May 2008 or Nov 2005?
2. Mangalore forum - by Dec 2010 (Mangalore-Udupi)
3. Mysore forum - by Dec 2013
4. Hubli-Dharwad-Belgaum forum - by Dec 2015
5. Gulbarga-Bijapur-Bagalkot-Bidar forum - by Dec 2020
6. Bellary-Raichur forum - by Dec 2020
7. Shimoga-Davangere-Chitradurga forum - by Dec 2020
8. Hassan-Chikmagalur- by Dec 2025

I think Kolar, Tumkur, Mandya will be consumed by Bengaluru itself by 2025.

Of course, our vision has to tally with vision of builders and government.

I am not in a hurry and my stand is neutral as already posted earlier.

Please express your vision for SSC-Karanataka for year 2025.

To achieve our goals we need to have more recruitment. We have to have some goals on number of members working on Karnataka forum like this:

2012 - 50 members
2015 - 100 members
2020 - 200 members
2025 - 300 members

Each of the subforum listed above should have atleast have 5 highrises of 20+ floors by 2025. (people who do not like highrises please come up with alternative suggestion).

I leave it to India101 to set targets for SSCI as a whole.

^^ Akash, I have already expressed that instead of urbanizing forest it would be better if we ralocate and rehalitate forest dwellers.

I received a mail from the Assistant commissioner of Mysore zone today which I am posting it here,I am happy that my suggestion has been considered.


I have proposed 5 subways around the circle.

The one circled with red color is of utmost importance as it is the entry gate for the city buses and pedestrians are put under risk.So I have proposed a subway which should have barricades as shown in the picture.

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/5516/mys1.png

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/2766/dsc06783q.jpg

The one across sayajji rao road

I want barricades put in place all around the circle so that the pedestrians are compelled to use the subway

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/1153/dsc06076hsh.jpg

My Mail Dated:12/17/09

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/2673/mymail.png

Assistant Commissioners Mail Dated:12/03/10

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/3470/myssubwaymail.png

:happy:

I see a lot of debates going on whether to retain the Mysore city bus stand or convert it to a Tonga stand,here I propose an idea where in we can have co existence of KSRTC Tourist Buses-City Tonga Services-Cycles on rent for tourists.

The existing city bus stand can be conceived to be an one stop destination for Tourists.

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/8598/dsc06775c.jpg

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/3876/dsc06778h.jpg

The reasons being:

Location: It is by far the most convenient place for the tourists to converge,it is ideally located in the CBD of the city and is very close to a lot of City monuments and shopping streets.

Some suggestions for the same:

1)In the first picture you can see I have marked the other part of the city bus stand as an Open/Green space which is very close to the west end palace gate.

2)In the second picture I have defined the bays exclusively for the Tongas/Cycles/KSRTC Buses.

KSRTC/Mysore division can operate Volvos/Cauvery SLF's to the various city tourist destinations like KRS,Chamundi Hills,Nanjangudu,Karanji Lake Srirangapatna(Tippu tourism Track-A volvo must be introduced) etc etc.

Tonga services can be operated from the bays with predefined fares and routes.

Cycles can be made available on rental basis to the tourists who wish to choose the healthy/fit way. :)

Information Hoardings can be placed in the Subways enriching the tourists information about the city.


By having a Bus cum Tonga stand exclusively for the tourists would not only do justice to the Heritage city of Mysore but also to the tax payers money who shelled humongous for the city bus stand.

Mysore would then be the first city in the country to have such a Multi Mode Tourist Transport Hub.

The suburban and other city routes can be shifted to the Main Central Bus stand and the other 5 IMTC's would serve the needs of Inter city/district/state services.

Green cover in industrial areas set to increase

Shankar Bennur

Open space for planting saplings identified

Planting of sandalwood trees to be encouraged


http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/13/images/2010031357060301.jpg
Joint effort:The green initiative is being taken up by the KSPCB and the Department of Forests.

MYSORE: A major tree-planting drive will be taken up in industrial areas in Mysore and Nanjangud before this monsoon.

The green initiative is being coordinated by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and the Department of Forests.

A variety of trees, including sandalwood trees, will be planted in the industrial areas in an attempt to minimise environmental pollution and to enhance natural beauty of the surroundings.

Over 2,000 industries are operating in industrial areas at Hebbal, Metagalli, Hootagalli, Bannimantap, Yadavagiri, Visvesvaranagar and Mysore south. There are a large number of industries in Nanjangud too.

KPSCB Chairman A.S. Sadashivaiah, during his previous visit here, had asked industry representatives to develop green belts in and around their units in order to improve the green cover. He had also asked the KSPCB regional office here to conduct a survey to estimate the extent of open space in industrial areas where saplings could be planted.

“We have identified open spaces in the industrial areas for taking up tree planting. Industrialists are also convinced about the initiative of setting up green belts and have come forward to support it,” said B.M. Prakash, Regional Environmental Officer, KSPCB, Mysore.

He told The Hindu that over 70 representatives of industries were taken to a farm here recently to decide on the plants they wanted at their units.

“Saplings will be distributed by the Department of Forests at a nominal cost,” he said, and added that a demonstration was given on planting the saplings and their maintenance.

With relaxation of norms pertaining to sale of sandalwood grown on private land, industrialists were being encouraged to plant sandalwood trees in industrial areas, he said, and added that industries could also earn revenue by selling sandalwood to the Department of Forests.

Mr. Prakash said that industry representatives were recently taken to the Government-run Sandalwood Oil Factory to give them an idea of the revenue that could be earned from sandalwood.

In fact, export of sandalwood oil to Europe and other countries has stopped in the wake of poor supply of sandalwood. Last year, the State Government relaxed norms pertaining to sale of sandalwood grown on private land. A notification was issued on July 11, 2008 giving ownership and selling rights of such sandalwood trees to owners of the land. They cannot fell the trees or use them for personal purposes, but can sell them to government agencies.

“Planting of sandalwood trees can be explored since they are a source of good revenue besides providing a green cover in industrial areas,” Mr. Prakash said.

Experts have identified a few plant species that are reckoned to be favourable to Mysore's climatic conditions and soil. According to them, champaka, pongamia pinnata, cassia spectabilis, cassia javanica and jacaranda can be planted in Mysore region.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/13/stories/2010031357060300.htm)

Wonderful job out there.

Residents want concreting of roads to be speeded up

Special Correspondent

They hold a protest meeting in Valencia and block the road for 10 minutes

Lack of planning said to be delaying completion of work

Concreting of many roads simultaneously has compounded the problem

— PHOTO: GOVIND D. BELGAUMKAR
http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/14/images/2010031461490301.jpg
RAISING THEIR VOICE:Residents of Valencia protesting against the slow pace of road concreting in Mangalore on Saturday.

MANGALORE: Residents of Valencia held a protest meeting and blocked the road near Valencia Circle here on Saturday morning against the slow pace of work on concreting the stretch between Kankanadi and Nandigudda.

The protesters said they would continue the agitation if the work was not speeded up. Criticising what they described as lack of planning on the part of the Mangalore City Corporation, they said this had contributed to the delay in the execution of the work. Councillors and Congress leaders Ivan D'Souza and M.G. Hegde led the protest.

Problem

Septuagenarian autorickshaw driver Monthu Lobo, who claims that he has been driving in the city for 50 years, said he was finding it difficult because concreting had been taken up on many roads simultaneously. He was spending far more on fuel than before, and quarrels with customers had become a daily feature.

F.H. D'Souza, who retired from the streetlights division of the civic body, told The Hindu that the road by the side of the concreted portion had become uneven and slippery. “Very soon, it may start raining. How will we manage if the condition of roads is like this,” he asked.

Janet Caldeira, another resident of the area, said she was always worried whether her children would return home safely. “I frequently hear of accidents because of the poor condition of roads after concreting started.” She said she had stopped using her car and suspended her morning walk as the roads were no longer pedestrian friendly. She said using the roads in the evening had become a nightmare. Frequent power failure had only compounded the problem, she said. Congress leader Mr. D'Souza said the city corporation had ignored the interior roads.

He urged the four local councillors, who were participating in the protest, to raise the issue in the forthcoming meeting of the MCC council. He said a delegation of the residents had been requested by the corporation officials to meet MCC Commissioner K.N. Vijayaprakash to discuss the issue. The residents held their meeting on one side of the road without obstructing the movement of vehicles. Later, they blocked the road for about 10 minutes to symbolically register their protest against the slow pace of work.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/14/stories/2010031461490300.htm)

I received a mail from the Assistant commissioner of Mysore zone today which I am posting it here,I am happy that my suggestion has been considered.


That's nice. IMO they should remove the roundabouts and put traffic lights. Roundabouts work at a low traffic intersections but not where there is heavy traffic. Just think that they put those roundabouts 80-90 years ago when there were very few vehicles in town/city, but now the scene is totally different. Roundabouts take up so much space and because the vehicles have to go around, it slows them down unnecessarily creating chaos and accidents. Think about it and if you are on the same page go ahead and write them.

That's nice. IMO they should remove the roundabouts and put traffic lights. Roundabouts work at a low traffic intersections but not where there is heavy traffic. Just think that they put those roundabouts 80-90 years ago when there were very few vehicles in town/city, but now the scene is totally different. Roundabouts take up so much space and because the vehicles have to go around, it slows them down unnecessarily creating chaos and accidents. Think about it and if you are on the same page go ahead and write them.

Dhim thank you for your suggestion,these round abouts are considered greatly to be a part of the Mysore heritage and such strcutures have the backing of UNESCO :).

Traffic lights are installed at the junction but then the subways are very much needed as during Dasara festival this place turns out to be a chaos,its not the vehicular traffic which is compelling the authorities to go for Subways but they are meant for the rush during dasara.

Without these vintage roundabouts the place would look barren

CC Myself

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/3830/dsc06188x.jpg

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Alternative routes for Bandipur

Bangalore, Mar 13, DHNS:The State Public Works Department (PWD) has prepared a detailed plan to upgrade two alternative routes to the Gundlupet-Ooty (NH 67) and the Gundlupet-Wayanad (NH 212) stretches passing through Bandipur reserve forest where night traffic movement was recently banned by the Karnataka High Court.
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According to the PWD plan, the Mysore-Hunsur-Ponnampet-Kalpetta-Sultan Bathery road is an alternative to NH-212, but is circuitous by nearly 34 kms. On the other hand, the Mysore-Chamarajnagar-Satyamangalam-Mettupalyam-Ooty road, an alternative to NH-67, is longer by 81 kms.

The PWD’s urgency stems from the High Court’s directive to submit a detailed report on alternative road links within a week. The alternative roads are in a state of disrepair for a long time and long stretches on these routes are without asphalt, despite repeated requests by nature lovers to maintain them. It is alleged that the transporters’ lobby ensured these roads are not maintained properly so that they can continue using the national highways passing through Bandipur reserve forest.

Following the recent high court directions, the PWD woke up to prepare an upgradation plan which, sources said, was “ready” and that officials were awaiting an administrative approval “to take up improvement work”.

However, sources said the alternative roads are in motorable condition and vehicles have begun plying on these routes. “Earlier, vehicular movement was sparse. The upgradation work will be done without affecting traffic flow,” the sources said.


DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/58039/alternative-routes-bandipur.html)

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24 Hours Helpline(PGR)@MCC- Dial: 0824-2220344




A list of Mangalore officers telephone numbers and addresses.

CMC to take step on the issue after HC hearing on March 18

PIL filed against road widening in Madikeri

Madikeri. Mar 14, DHNS:

The decision of the CMC to widen Mahadevapete and Ganapthy road has entered the High Court. The CMC will take further step only after the verdict of the court.

Moosa P H, Likhayath Unnes Khanam, N A Usman, Abeeb Ahmmed, S B Kishorkumar and D S Kishore had filed public interest litigation against the widening of both the roads and had sought stay order from the court.

Based on PIL, High Court divisional bench comprising V Gopalagowda and B S Patil postponed the hearing to March 18 and has also issued a notice to CMC Advocate Anasooyadevi.

The advocate who is fighting the case for CMC has assured the court that till the hearing is complete, the buildings of those who have filed PIL in the court will not be touched. However, the court has not given any stay order for the widening of the road. Court has given one week time for the CMC advocate to issue a press statement.

CMC had decided to widen both the roads in a meeting held on October 29, 2009. However, the meeting had not decided on how many feet it will be widened. PIL litigants had stated that the traffic on both the roads are one way. Hence, there is no need to go for widening the road.

In the meantime, CMC had come forward to widen the road without land acquisition. The decision to widen the road will affect two mosques and three temples in Mahadevapete. Hence, the process of widening should be suspended, stated PIL.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Commissioner K Srikanthrao said “the ball is in the court. The future action on widening the road will be taken after court’s decision.” Keeping in mind the integrated development of Kodagu, CMC had decided to widen Mahadevapete and Ganapathy roads. However, the CMC does not have any plans to demolish mosques and temples on the road. The litigants have given false information to the court that there in one way traffic on Ganapathy road.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/58188/pil-filed-against-road-widening.html)

:?

Everyday about 6,000 tippers ply between North Karnataka and Goa

Ore-laden trucks damage National Highway 4A

By M N Patil, Belgaum, Mar 14, DHNS:

Due to heavy plying of lorries carrying ore the National Highway 4A, a connecting road between North Karnataka and Goa, has been completely destroyed.

The stretch of the highway especially between Tinai Ghat and Anamod Ghat region has been thoroughly damaged. Eventhough, the distance between Belgaum and Panaji is barely 154 km it takes more than five hours to cover the distance.

The extensive use of this road by lorries carrying ore from Bellary to the Goa port has amounted to its destruction. Everyday around 5,000 to 6,000 tippers use this road. The Tinai Ghat area is virtually covered by red dust of the ore. Basic precautionary measures to control air pollution have been flouted. In the last two years, the National Highways division (NHD) of Public Works Department has spent around Rs 1.32 crore to fill up pot holes on this road.

However, even after the repair work the road becomes worse in no time. The 84.12 km of stretch of road between Anamod Ghat and Belgaum comes under the National Highways (Belgaum Division). While, the remaining stretch of the road is maintained by the Goa Division.

However, the Assistant Executive Engineer (Belgaum division) A Y Bendigeri told Deccan Herald that proposals have been submitted to the Government to take up permanent civil works on this road. The repair works will be completed by April. However, repair works seem like mere patch work undertaken to fill pot holes in a hurry.

In 2008-09 the NHD had received a sum of Rs 71.33 lakh for the maintenance of this road. Eventhough, the department has spent the entire amount for the road repair the condition of road continues to remain intact. In the current year, the department has spent Rs 61.5 lakh of the total Rs 81.5 lakh it has received for road maintenance. Loading and unloading of ore has caused red dust to settle on paddy fields in the stretch between Tinai Ghat and Anamod Ghat.


DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/58151/ore-laden-trucks-damage-national.html)


Railway line is the need of the hour.

Traffic signal repair after 4 yrs

Kolar Gold Fields, Mar 14, DHNS:The long-pending work on repair of the defunct traffic signal began on Saturday.

The traffic signal at Police Corner in Kolar Gold Fields being repaired after a gap of four years. DH PhotoThe digital signal, installed in Police Corner circle was the only solar-powered traffic light in the Kolar district. The then Superintendent of Police Malini Krishnamurthy had inaugurated the facility. Bharat Electronics maintained the signal for few days.
However, the signal had become defunct for the past four years. Three traffic personnel were regulating the traffic as against one, while the signal was functioning.
A Kolar-based private firm has taken up the repair work. The signal lights and underground cable have been damaged due to poor maintenance. Police expect that the signals would be restored in one or two days.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/58210/traffic-signal-repair-4-yrs.html)

How terrible the regime of congress was,thanks to yeddi for bringing in development to the true rural karnataka.

Encroachment of the govt land meant for project yet to be ascertained, says DC

‘Land for Yaragol after 4 months’

Kolar, Mar 15, DHNS

Deputy Commissioner N Prabhakar has said that the administration requires at least four months to acquire land for Yaragol project.

Struggle for water: Deputy Commissioner N Prabhakar at a meeting with the members of Yaragol Drinking Water Action Committee in Kolar on Monday. DH Photo“Out of the land required for the project, 127 acres belong to private persons and 205 acres is owned by the government. There are no impediments to acquire and handover the government land for the project. However, a survey needs to be conducted to ascertain the extent of encroachment of such land,” the Deputy Commissioner told the members of Yaragol Drinking Water Action Committee, here on Monday.

No shortage of funds

The members met the Deputy Commissioner to submit a memorandum seeking to handover the land required for Yaragol water project at the earliest.
The Deputy Commissioner said that there neither shortage of funds nor dearth of land for the project. However, farmers will have to give their consent for the quantum of compensation that would be fixed. “It would take at least four months to complete all the legal formalities for handing over the land.”

He further felt that any dharna or protest by farmers over compensation would further delay the implementation of the ambitious drinking water project and the Action Committee should transform itself into a facilitator by convincing the farmers. Attention of the higher authorities of Revenue Department should be drawn to the issue, he appealed.

The DC said that the obstacles in implementation of the irrigation scheme has already been brought to the notice of the government. He however directed the Assistant Commissioner R S Peddappaiah to write one more letter to the government in view of the memorandum submitted by the Action Committee.

Earlier, the members of the Action Committee alleged that the land has not been handed over to the project in spite of repeated requests. It was their grouse that while the Union and State governments have released funds the Deputy Commissioner has not been coming forth to hand over land for the project.

Work stalled

The work on construction of the reservoir has come to standstill due to non-availability of land. The project supplies water to Kolar, Malur and Bangarpet taluks and the work on laying pipeline has already begun. But the purpose would not be served without a reservoir to Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board.

The Board, on its part has categorically stated that tenders cannot be called unless the land is handedover. The drinking water problem in the City would aggravate if the stalemate continued, they claimed. CMC president K N Madhusudhan Kumar, vice-president V K Rajesh, councillors S R Muraligowda, Raghu, Somashekhar, Raut Shankarappa were present.


DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/58419/land-yaragol-4-months.html)

Ghats Task Force's scheme to take off in 2011

TNN, Mar 17, 2010, 10.24pm IST

MANGALORE: The bio-diversity and forest conservation and development scheme mooted by the Western Ghats Task Force will come in to force from the next fiscal year. This scheme which will have several major components include setting up a green wall (Haseeru Kavacha Yojane) along coastal Karnataka, setting up of nursery of coastal species, matsyadhamas will be executed in tandem with Karnataka Bio-Diversity Board.

Ananth Hegde Ashisara, chairman of the task force, told reporters on the sidelines of a one-day workshop on sustainable fisheries in coastal and malnad regions organized by department of forests here on Wednesday that the scheme will be implemented over a period of five years at an estimated cost of Rs 19 crore. A decision to this effect was taken at a joint meeting held in Bangalore on February 26, Ashisara explained.

The green wall under Haseeru Kavacha Yojane entails creating natural wall of mangroves along the coastline to prevent sea erosion, he said. The pressure on the coastal belt to meet development needs of the state is more and the scheme will seriously take a look at increasing the forest cover in a 10-km area. "We plan to avail the services of fishermen and the locals on lines of the village forest committees set up for the purpose," he noted.

Expressing concern over the fast dwindling endemic species and the need to see the same in a preserved condition in herboretums or other such protected areas, Ashisara said the task force plans to set up seed nurseries with help from the Bio-Diversity Board. There should be a local repository of such seeds for the locals to identify and develop, he said adding that only such conservation efforts would pay rich dividends in the long run.

The matsyadhamas would be set up in seven places in coastal and malnad parts of the state. This would help in the task of preserving endemic fish species, he said adding that the task force has also taken up the job of identifying estuary hot spots along the state's coast. "The formal declaration of these estuarine hot spots will take time due to technical processes involved in it, especially obtaining clearances from local authorities," he said

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/Ghats-Task-Forces-scheme-to-take-off-in-2011/articleshow/5687449.cms)

The Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Union Government to amend Article 371(D) of the Constitution to accord special status to the Hyderabad-Karnataka region.

Special status will help in providing reservation to the people of the region in education and employment opportunities. The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Yeddyurappa and was adopted unanimously.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/58603/special-status-hyd-ktaka-region.html)

Proposing a survey to identify buildings that are prone to disaster and take precautions, A Ravindra, advisor to the Chief Minister, on Thursday said it would also be very useful if Fire and Emergency Department personnel trained the security guards in high rise buildings.

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Inaugurating a national seminar here on disaster management, “Safe World -2010” organised here by the National Authority, New Delhi & Director General of Police, Commandant General Home Guards, Director Civil Defence and Director General Fire & Emergency Services, he said, “It is time we give a thought on the mechanism of co ordination and come together to take collective decisions.”

Jija Madhavan Harisingh, DGP Home Guards, Civil Defence & Fire Services said, “India has been vulnerable to many natural disasters due to our geographies. After the 26/11 attack on US, the definition of a disaster has changed and few other man-made disasters in the city are still fresh in our minds. We understand that we cannot prevent all the disasters but we can however prevent some of them by taking adequate precautionary methods including proper training to handle such emergency situations.”

Jija Madhavan Harisingh said the time has come to have evacuation drills at every highrise building or otherwise every month at least in the metro cities. Speaking at the launch J K Sinha, retired IPSofficer and member of NDMA, New Delhi said, “Disaster Management is a very important subject as it costs a lot to reconstruct.

In Japan, even a calamity like an earthquake results in almost zero deaths due to their training and preparedness to tackle such issues. The NDMA plans to sensitize all the Home & District level officers and these training events will be funded by NDMA, where all the issues will be addressed and clarified.”

He further said, “The first responders of any calamity is the community and to address this issue, we need to put a strong plan in place to prepare the community for any kind of disaster management. We need to have lot of trained man power during such calamities and this can be achieved by Civil Defence only if the civilians come forward and volunteer themselves.”

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/58793/identify-disaster-prone-buildings-says.html)

When employers fail to provide housing to their workers, the burden falls on the government.

You see them everywhere — the homeless — on pavements, huddled under plastic sheets; at construction sites, inside dark tin sheds that lack windows and doors; or in slums on ‘unauthorised’ land, which gets flooded at the slightest rain.

Though housing is recognised as a fundamental right, slum-dwellers live in constant fear and are the first to be evicted under infrastructure or beautification projects. Karnataka has come out with a Draft Housing Policy, which hopefully will ensure all of them a roof over their head.

One expects the policy to set out a means to overcome the housing shortage within a time-frame. Ninety-eight per cent of the housing shortage in the country pertains to the economically weaker sections (EWS) as per the 10th Plan. But the Draft Policy, despite a lot of rhetoric, is talking of reserving merely 10 per cent of the residential zone in all Master Plans and 10 to 15 per cent of land in every new public/private housing project for EWS/LIG housing. Unless 98 per cent of housing in all public housing projects is earmarked for the EWS/LIG over a period, the backlog will only keep mounting. In addition, 20-25 per cent in all private housing layouts could also be earmarked for them.

Do-able target

The policy states that since 2003-04, the government has constructed around 11.80 lakh houses. If so, meeting the present shortage of 6.62 lakh units should be a very do-able target in the next few years. Yet the policy abdicates the government’s responsibility to provide housing by claiming that the shortage is huge and finances tight, that the private sector needs to be involved and that the government is to be a ‘facilitator’ only. Critics say that this means that only those who can ‘afford’ to pay will get houses, which could exclude all the genuinely poor.

Often land is acquired under the Land Acquisition Act (LAA) for ‘public purpose’ under the principle of ‘eminent domain’ for setting up industries or SEZs, often for ‘private’ purpose. But when it comes to acquiring land and creating land banks for providing housing to slum-dwellers, the refrain is always that there is ‘no land’ or that acquiring such land is ‘tortuous’. Actually, Section 3(v) and 3(vi) of the LAA expressly state that ‘public purpose’ includes acquiring land for housing the homeless and rehabilitating slums. Why not invoke the principle of ‘eminent domain’ for this obviously ‘public purpose’? Actually, the alleged scarcity of urban land itself is a myth as the recent A T Ramaswamy Commission report has disclosed. Why not use this re-acquired land to make Bangalore slum-free — as the government often proclaims it wants to?

Slums are often a result of the failure of companies, which employ casual workers, to provide housing under various laws, such as the Inter-State Migrant Workmen’s Act and the Building and Other Construction Workers’ Act.

When employers fail to provide housing to their workers, this burden falls on the government, which has to use tax-payers’ money for this purpose and thus subsidise employers in this regard.

Migrant workers, who stay for short durations, need affordable rental housing and not ownership housing. Land needs to be earmarked and a pool of social rental housing created in every ward and a subsidy provided to the poor for renting it. Some countries fix a rent-geared-to-income for social housing, ie, the rent is fixed at 30 per cent of the total household income. Only such a measure can prevent squatter settlements. Night shelters also need to be provided in each ward.

Currently 225 to 265 sq ft is the available area for housing for the poor, but this does not appear to be based on any minimum requirement norms. Some countries prescribe an absolute minimum area for a single-family house at about 650 sq ft, a norm non-existent here. A house less than this standard minimum would lead automatically to unhealthy living.

The Draft Housing Policy appears to turn a blind eye to the gross human rights violations happening through forced evictions from slums as it makes no reference to it and makes no commitment to abjure it in future. Its sanitised language fails to reflect or provide comfort to the constant turmoil that the homeless undergo each passing day.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/58764/hopes-state-draft-housing-policy.html)

VONTIKOPPAL HOARDINGS: RAILWAY BLAMES MCC OF UNILATERAL ACTION

Mysore, Mar. 19 (MTY&DM) – The City Railway Administration has expressed severe objection over the Mysore City Corporation’s (MCC) act of pulling down hoardings near Vontikoppal temple recently and claimed that the land belonged to the Ralways and not to MCC.

Addressing a press conference at the Railway Divisional Office here this morning, Divisional Railway Manager B.B. Verma said that the land had been earmarked for a children’s park and the hoardings were put up with Railways’ permission.

“The MCC’s unilateral act of removing the hoardings had not only caused loss of goodwill, but also caused losses by way of advertisement revenue since the licenses of the advertisers were still valid,” he said.

SOM

Noty good on the railways part to erect advertisement hoardings on its vacant land,they may be legally right in doing so,but keeping heritage value in mind they must abstain from such leases.

Traders target MCC



TNN, Mar 19, 2010, 10.59pm IST

MYSORE: The business community, which has rented the space in the central business district, on Friday said the MCC's action of shutting shops for non-payment of property tax is affecting their business.

Their contention is that they have paid the rent to the owner of the property, who have to pay the taxes. But the MCC is targeting the rent payers, the Federation of Rent Payers Association said.

Federation convener Shikarchand Jain said they made their point to corporation commissioner K S Raykar during a meeting on Thursday. "We have sought a seven-day notice to the owners to pay the taxes. We will also convince them of paying the due amount," he stated. According to him, 80% of business establishments in the city are operating out of the rented properties. He said the commissioner has agreed to allot one week time for payment.

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Traders-target-MCC/articleshow/5703378.cms)

MCC under attack :storm:

Its bad on the traders to do that.

Drivers warned against using domestic gas cylinders in autorickshaws

Police set hawkers 48-hr deadline to vacate footpaths

Kolar, Mar 19, DHNS:

Roadside vendors on M G Road and Doddapete road in the town have been asked to vacate the place by Monday. A notice in this regard has been issued, said the Additional Superintendent of Police S R Phanindra Singh.

Additional Superintendent of Police S R Phanindra Singh, DySP Sangappa Chalavadi, Circle Inspector V Dhananjai and Sub Inspector Rajendra Kumar are seen with persons suspected of stealing vehicles, and with the property seized. DH PHOTOAddressing a press meet here on Friday, Singh said if the shopowners fail to obey the direction, their goods will be confiscated. He further said that stringent measure will be taken against autos using gas cylinders illegally. He also warned action against auto drivers who do not possess license.

Vehicles seized
The rural police have arrested two persons and confiscated 11 two-wheelers worth Rs three lakh, said Singh.

The arrested are Sheik Nijamuddin, a resident of Phool Sha Mohalla and Nadim Pasha of Kumbarapet. The police arrested the duo who were trying to hoodwink the police at Moorandahalli cross on Thursday. According to the police, the duo used to lift vehicles in and around Kolar and Bangalore and would sell them off. The police have seized 11 vehicles that were sold in Rahmatnagar, Millatnagar of Kolar and Kadugodi of Bangalore.

The District Principal and Sessions Court, on Friday has pronounced 14 years rigorous punishment to Prasanna for cheating a mentally challenged girl.Prasanna of Sagatur, Kolar taluk had allegedly raped a mentally challenged girl of the same village on the pretext of marrying her. However, later he refused to marry her and threatened to kill her if she went public. A complaint was lodged with the rural police.

As the charges levelled against Prasanna were proved, Judge V M Aradhya directed 10 years in jail and slapped Rs 10,000 fine for rape, two years in jail and Rs five thousand for cheating besides two years in jail and Rs two thousand as fine for issuing threats to the girl. An additional four years of jail sentence has also been slapped against Prasanna if he fails to pay the fine. The court has directed him to provide the money to the victim.
DySP Sangappa Chalavadi, circle inspector V Dhananjay and S I Rajendra Kumar were present.


DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/59001/police-set-hawkers-48-hr.html)

As many as 4000 people will be affected due to the proposed land acquisition

KIADB notice gives sleepless nights for farmers

Chikmagalur, Mar 19, DHNS:Ugadi festival- the new year that is welcomed by consuming ‘bevu-bella,’ the symbol of good and bad ushered in only bitter experience for the farmers of Ambale village here.

A notice issued by Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIABD) has brought sleepless nights to the farming community and residents of this village, causing fear and uncertainty about the future.

The issue is that State under Secretary K M Veeraiah has issued a gazette notification as per the direction of the Governor to acquire 245 acre of agriculture land in Ambale on January 1, 2010. The notification clearly states that nobody shall object any individual from entering the notified land and any development work on the said land, conversion, lease of the same shall be prohibited.

On these lines, KIADB Mangalore sent a notice to 250 farmers living on the said area of land to vacate the land on February 15. The notice left the farmers high and dry and made them question as to how could the government decide on such a drastic decision without collecting consent of the people. These farmers have now come out on streets to protest against the injustice meted at them and farmer organisations have joined hands.

Though they have set their foot on path of struggle, the farmers have several questions and fear in their minds. Fear of where to go, what if Government acquires land coercively and fear of whether politicians will turn their back at them.

As many as 250 farming families in Ambale and Gaudanahalli have been issued notice but the implication of the acquisition will be faced by as many as 4,000 people. Of the said 250 farmers, only 10 to 15 farmers own more than one acre of land. Rest are small farmers who have been eking out living by cultivating paddy in their small land holding.

The local panchayat has passed the resolution against the proposed industry and has sent letters to Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, Tahshildar, KIADB and the CM requesting that the project must be withdrawn on the grounds that the said land is agricultural land and the area is mainly a residential area. Hence, no industry should be set up here. It is said that KIADB officials will hold a discussion with the farmers on March 26 and farmer leader Gurushanthappa said that if the discussion does not turn out to be in their favour, then they will stage fierce protest.

“Ambale is a serene hamlet and there is no place for industries here. The existing small industries have been causing trouble to us anyway. We do not want any more industries. we want to live with our agriculture land,’ says a villager.

Residents say that there is lot of forest land behind St Angle’s school, which can be used for industrial purposes but giving their fertile land for industry is far from realisation for the Government.


DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/58928/kiadb-notice-gives-sleepless-nights.html)

Why is KAIDB acting so foolish?? Framers life is really tough and these fellows must stop playing with them. :bash:
Why are they targeting only fertile lands??

River diversion plan to hit fishing activities

TNN, Mar 19, 2010, 11.10pm IST

MANGALORE: The Western Ghat Task Force has recommended to the state government to conduct studies on the impact of the proposed river diversion project on fishing and also not to let any polluting industry to be set up in the district.

A resolution passed at a workshop organized by the Task Force here on Wednesday stated proposed projects like river diversion in the Western Ghats would have an adverse impact on the livelihood of fishermen. Hence, the state government should consider the pros and cons of the project before implementing it, the resolution said.

Further, it also recommended that licences be not given to any mega-industrial project that would pollute the three coastal districts. The industrial units functioning in the region have polluted the sea water, they claimed. The task force strongly recommended that existing polluting industries treat waste water before discharging it into the sea.

The other resolutions passed at the workshop:

There has been variation in the fish catch in the coastal region in recent times. To safeguard fishing and fishermens' livelihood, steps should be initiated to increase and preserve the fish breeding areas. The fish breeding spots and breeding season should be identified for this, it suggested.

Observing that the fishing nets being used in mechanized fishing vessels have smaller holes which result in loss of fishlings, the task force suggested that the government orders on the use of fishing nets be implemented strictly.

The task force stated that steps have to be taken to preserve the 600 acres of mangrove areas inhabited by different kinds of birds in Jokatte near the Bykampady Industrial Area and the area should be declared protected area under the Wildlife Act. The Task Force will initiate steps to recover the mangroves already encroached.

A meeting of the officials of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, district in charge minister J Krishna Palemar, research institutes and voluntary organisations should be conducted in Bangalore following the Central Pollution Control Board declaring Mangalore as one of the most polluted areas and plans should be formed to introduce corrective measures.

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/River-diversion-plan-to-hit-fishing-activities/articleshow/5703386.cms)

Hope utmost care is taken to preserve the fishing tanks.Any alternative can be suggested Krishnamoorthy?? Very delicate issue. :?

Controversy spills over to ad arena

Special Correspondent

MYSORE: The ongoing controversy between the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) and the railway authorities here over legal requirements for construction activity on the Railway land has spilled over to the advertisement arena as well.

The MCC recently pulled down eight commercial hoardings near the Vontikoppal temple on the K.R.S. Road on the grounds that they were “illegal”. But the railway authorities stated that the land on which they had been put up belonged to the Railways and it has been demarcated as “children's park” in the railway records.

They criticised the MCC authorities for removing the hoardings. Divisional Railway Manager B.B. Verma and Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Anup Dayanand Sadhu said that removal of the hoardings had caused loss to the advertisers, and the railway administration had also incurred loss of advertisement revenue though the licences were valid till 2011.

In a letter to MCC Commissioner K.S. Raykar, Mr. Sadhu said the corporation should have issued a notice citing their authority over land to avoid damage to the structure and unnecessary complaints by the advertisers, and added that a civil suit would be filed against the civic body.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/20/stories/2010032064110300.htm)

I think what the MCC did was right.

Go MCC go uproot all ad hoardings in Namma beautiful Mysuru. :horse:

Greens, prominent citizens oppose rail link to Kodagu

Staff Correspondent

Mangalore-Madikeri-Mysore rail route proposed in recent budget

‘It will lead to degradation of forests and affect demography of the district'

Mamata Banerjee urged to visit Madikeri to assess ground realities

Madikeri: Close on the heels of the announcement of the new Mangalore-Madikeri-Mysore rail route in the Railway Budget 2010-11, environmentalists and prominent citizens in Kodagu are opposing the proposed project on the ground that it will harm environment, disturb wildlife and adversely impact the lives of people.

Principal adviser to the Coorg Wildlife Society, Col. C.P. Muthanna (Retd.) told presspersons here that the proposed rail route would pass through the forests of Madikeri division, particularly Somwarpet sub-division which had been witnessing severe man-elephant conflict. Elephant movement would be restricted owing to laying of the rail line, besides causing degradation of the forests, he said.

It was being said that the rail connectivity would promote tourism, but on the other hand it would affect the demography of the district, Col. Muthanna said.

The former Rajya Sabha member F.M. Khan, who opposed the rail project, urged Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee to visit Madikeri to assess the ground realities. Politicians and bureaucrats cannot sit in Delhi and formulate programmes for other regions. Rail link meant cutting down forests and also the district's lifeline, coffee plantations, Mr. Khan said.

The consequences of providing rail connectivity to Madikeri would lead to disaster, Mr. Khan warned.

The former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who had praised Kodagu for its natural beauty, had strongly advocated preservation of socio-cultural identity in places such as Coorg (Kodagu), Goa, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Puducherry and Lakshadweep. Situation in Goa was deplorable as tourism had destroyed everything. It should not happen in Kodagu, Mr. Khan said.

In his letter to Ms. Banerjee, Mr. Khan has said that he was approached by many people from the district to take up the issue with her.

Air Marshal K.C. Cariappa (Retd.), who expressed concern over the proposed rail route via Madikeri, said the project would bisect the district and lead to “desertification”.

The people of the district had the responsibility to protect this land for posterity, he said. To a question, Mr. Cariappa said that taking a delegation to Ms. Banerjee was not necessary at this point of time to impress upon her to stall the proposal.

Ravi Chengappa, district convener of Cauvery Sene, said the sene, with the help of local people, had stalled drawing of 400-kv double-circuit power line from Kaiga to Kerala via Kodagu. It would mobilise support to drop the proposed rail project. The Codava National Council, a few days ago, expressed its opposition to the rail project.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/21/stories/2010032153300300.htm)

Coorg people blame the state govt for not showing interest in development of their region,now when they(state govt/center) are willing to do so,coorgis are opposing. :bash:

:?

RBI bid to promote financial education among students

BANGALORE: The Reserve Bank of India, in collaboration with the Karnataka Government, has proposed to promote financial education as part of its curriculum in schools and colleges and has launched a pilot programme for financial literacy in the State.

As part of RBI’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the material developed by RBI is being included in the text books for classes 5, 7, 8 and 9 as part of the curriculum from the academic year 2010-11, an official release said here on Saturday.

As part of a pilot programme for financial literacy in Karnataka, co-curricular activities have also been planned by conducting quiz competitions among the students commencing at taluk and district levels and culminating at state levels.

About 10,000 schools and 3,000 PU colleges were planned to be covered for such co-curricular activities during 2009-10, carried out jointly by the Karnataka Government, RBI and banks under the Lead Bank scheme.

The block level and district level competitions have since been completed and prizes are being distributed at a function involving among others Block Education officer, District Administration, MPs and MLAs, the release said.— PTI

BusinessLine (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blnus/27201302.htm)

http://www.udayavani.com/relatedfiles/port_753647_1.jpg

Port Department has registered a complaint against Coastal Service Company for encroaching sea in Belekeri port of Ankola taluk. Yet, the sea encroachment work is being carried out openly.

There are 5-6 companies in Belekeri port that export ore. Port Department has given land for lease to all the companies. But now, the companies had encroached sea itself and started constructing ‘jatti’. Hence the Port Department has submitted a complaint on Feb.28 to Police Department.

After the media published about the violation of CRZ act in Belekeri port and encroachment of sea by ore companies, Port Department have registered the complaint against the ore companies. It is said that even though the Port Department was aware of sea encroachment yet it was supporting ore companies.

In the complaint the departmental officers have mentioned that the department has given 18, 000 sq meter port land to Coastal Service Company. The company is storing soil in this land without the permission of the department and hence violated CRZ act.

But, this company has started acquiring sea by packing it with soil and rocks. A bridge is being constructed in the sea from one side to another side of the Belekeri port. The public is suspecting that Police Department might have been lured by the ore companies or there may be pressure by politicians.

Udayavani (http://www.udayavani.com/showstory.asp?news=0&contentid=753647&lang=1)

Dumping yard in KRC circle (http://www.udayavani.com/showstory.asp?news=0&contentid=753920&lang=1)

TNN, Mar 21, 2010, 10.49pm IST

BIJAPUR: There is hope for Bijapur's dying monuments: when sultans of the Adil Shahi kingdom and their favourite dancer Rambha took the streets by storm on Sunday, they inspired the common man to join hands to protect their rich heritage.

Young boys and girls, in royal attire, mingled with the crowds, and appealed to the people to protect their valuable monuments, which are suffering from encroachment and neglect. They went from shop to shop with their plea to save heritage, and distributed pamphlets and literature, explaining the condition of the monuments.

It was a novel initiative taken up by the Arya Trust and BLDE SB Arts and KCP Science Colleges' Heritage Club, and the people were pleasantly surprised to see a piece of history come alive. They felt it was high time they too joined hands with the volunteers and authorities to protect Bijapur's rare historical buildings.

Earlier, inaugurating the campaign on the terrace of Shastri Market, City Municipal Council president Milind Chinchalkar promised that necessary measures would be taken to protect the monuments from encroachers, and they would be developed into tourist spots with all basic amenities.

He said a lack of coordination among officials had taken a toll on the preservation of monuments. This must be rectified and a coordinated effort must be ensured to save cultural property, he added.

Honorary president of Arya Trust H G Daddi said the 400-year old buildings in the city were facing ruin, thanks to rampant encroachment and lack of interest among officials. The resource crunch was also to blame, he said. If the authorities and people do not wake up now, we will lose these valuable monuments forever, he warned.

Daddi appealed to the CMC president to conduct awareness camps, especially for councillors, about heritage and laws relating to monuments and their role in protecting them. He also appealed to the CMC not to give permission to construct any buildings in restricted zones (core, prohibited and buffer) of these protected monuments.

Heritage Club secretary Prof R H Bidari, SB Arts and KCP Science College principal B G Math, Dr M B Mulmani, Prof Pattadkal, Prof P S Kuradday, Prof Lakshman Singh Rajputh from MA Khed College, students and others were also present.


TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/Students-take-up-cause-of-Bijapurs-heritage/articleshow/5709378.cms)

Court fixes Sept 22 as deadline; wants it to be developed as mini forest

HC asks Turf Club to vacate

Bangalore, Mar 22, DHNS:

The City’s Green Brigade has won a major victory. The Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) will have to move the Race Course out of its current location by September 22, 2010, and make way for a mini forest.

Setting this six-month deadline, the Karnataka High Court bench comprising Justice V Gopala Gowda and B S Patil dismissed three petitions challenging the State Government’s ultimatum to the BTC to vacate the place once the lease term ends. After the lease term, the club will have to pay a monthly rental of Rs 5 lakh to the State till the land is handed over to the government, the court said.

Hearing a petition by the club, the BTC staff and People for Animals, the Division Bench also upheld the State’s contention not to provide the BTC an alternative land for racing activities.

The government was directed to retain it as a mini forest to compensate for the indiscriminate felling of trees during road widening works in the vicinity of the Race Course.

The Court observed: “We are hardly able to find any trees in the place which earlier appeared like a real garden city. The State, in its instrumentalities to compensate this inevitable interference with nature, can balance it at least to a small extent by planting different types of flowering trees and preserving this as a lung space. It will beautify this place and provide at least a certain extent the much needed protection of environment of the City.”

The High Court wanted the State to take this as an opportunity to create a green paradise in the City, on a par with what was done in the past, in the form of establishing Lalbagh and Cubbon Park.

Such a contribution by the State will be remembered by generations to come as a gift to residents, the court observed. The court did not want the State to put up any construction here, thus putting an end to speculations of a possible multi-storeyed building coming up here.

Directing the club to pay Rs 5 lakh per month as rent from the date of expiry of the lease till the date of delivery to the government, the bench said that the Turf Club be utilised only for the permitted activities during the next six months.

Upholding Advocate General Ashok Harnahalli’s submission regarding the alternative land, the court said: “The petitioners cannot, as a matter of right, seek alternative land for racing and allied activities.”

The court directed the State to take all measures to preserve and protect Doddajala — which had been earlier seen as an alternative site for the race course — by removing all obstructions and ensuring smooth flow of water to the tank.

The bench observed: “It is clear that the State has not applied its mind to the importance of the water body in the instant case. It is painful to observe, that such a decision to meddle with the water body has been taken without giving any serious thought to the fundamental obligation of the State and instrumentalities to preserve and protect water bodies.”

It is expected that the BTC will appeal against the decision in the Supreme Court. After the judgment, the Turf Club had an executive meeting.The BTC could ask for more time to vacate the current premises, and also request the State Government to allot new land for conducting their racing activities.


DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/59557/hc-asks-turf-club-vacate.html)

Signs of old Bengaluru reviving???

The long pending demand of setting up of fire service station in Narasimharajapura taluk has remained only in records. A majority of the Malnad region does not have fire service station. In case of any fire mishap, people have to struggle to douse the fire.

Moreover, the fire mishaps are more during summer. The apathy of the elected representatives have made setting up of a fire service station to remain as a dream. In case of emergency, the taluk has to depend on the service of the personnel from Shimoga, which is 55 kms away or the fire service station at Bhadravathi. By the time, the service reaches the spot, one can expect lot of damage from the fire.

The government had sanctioned fire service station to the taluk few years ago. In fact, 2 acre land belonging to forest department had been reserved for the purpose at Simse in Nagalapura Gram Panchayat limits. However, the files related to the setting up of the station never moved further.

When Deccan Herald contacted authorities concerned for delay in setting up of the fire service station, they said “all the preparations have been made for the setting up of the station. We had written a letter to Town Panchayat seeking space for parking our vehicles till the building is ready. However, as we failed to get any reply, the process is being delayed. The land identified at Simse will be sanctioned soon.

The Government is also likely to sanction Rs 1.87 crore for the building quarters. The station will require 12 constables and 2 Head Constables.”

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/59241/n-r-pura-yet-get.html)

Saturday, March 27, 2010 1:50:04 AM (IST)

Udupi: Villagers Raise Concern Over Nagarjuna Noise Pollution

Udupi, Mar 27: “The public has been complaining about the excesses of coal-based Nagarjuna thermal power plant functioning under Udupi Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) in Nandikoor–Yellur, near here. If these are proven, then I would join the people’s struggle in addressing the various issues that are of concern to them”, warned Sri Vishweshateerta Swami of Pejavar Mutt.

Swami Vishweshateerta was touring the neighbourhood of Nandikoor– Yellur, where the test run of the power plant has been going on for the past few weeks, to listen to grievances of local residents.

The locals are facing noise pollution as the test runs are being done at the plant. The effluents discharged by the plant have contaminated the water sources in wells and natural ponds, which are showing salinity.

The Swamiji first visited the underground storage facility of ashes, which is inappropriately underway on 120 acres of land near Santoor, Mudarangady.

He also visited a few families in Nandikoor and tasted the well water that was high in saline content. Meanwhile, he assured the local residents that he would bring this issue to the attention of the state administration.

Addressing media persons, Swami Vishweshateerta said that the locals alleged that Nagarjuna is cheating them and is operating without valid licenses issued by the local administration.
The copies of licenses were submitted to him after much persuasion. The papers have been given to experts to ascertain their genuineness. Meanwhile, he said that he will join the people’s struggle to get them justice against Nagarjuna if they are proven of wrongdoing.

“I am aware of a breach of legal provisions by not awarding compensation to the displaced families, oppression against innocents, and illiterate locals”, said the Swamiji. He also advised that a local committee be formed to pursue their cause with the state administration.

He further added, “It’s not proven whether the thermal power plant executed by Nagarjuna endangers the eco environment. The issue will be discussed with the experts. If the wrongdoings of Nagarjuna are proved, I will lead the struggle of locals”.

A few anti-Nagarjuna activists explained to the Swamiji about the breach of many clauses by the company. The Swamiji assured them that further steps will be taken after reviewing every issue.

Daijiworld (http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=74605)

Arent the companies ought to follow certain guidelines?? :bash:

* Farmers in the Kalachur area of Yellur village say their arecanut and * coconut crops have also been affected
* Thermal plant is said to be discharging seawater into drains
Company official says the problem will soon be addressed

Yellur: Seawater allegedly discharged from the coal-based 1,015-MW thermal power plant of Udupi Power Corporation Ltd. (UPCL) here has turned water in nearby wells salty, angering residents of the Kalachur area in Yellur village.

Nagesh Rao, member of the Yellur Gram Panchayat, told presspersons that the plant was drawing water from the sea, using it and later discharging it into the nearby drains. This water had percolated into the groundwater and affected the wells in about 20 houses in the area. While the company had constructed an inlet to draw water from the sea, it was yet to construct an outlet, which had led to the problem.

Although the matter was brought to the notice of Deputy Commissioner P. Hemalatha, she had not bothered to visit the village, Mr. Rao said.

Grievance

Jaganath Mulya, a farmer, said that his three-and-a-half acres of land on which he grew arecanut, coconut, paddy and pepper. His land was close to the plant. The plant began discharging the saline water into the drains about a month ago. This water had affected his wells and arecanut trees.

“Arecanuts are falling from the trees. I have no other alternative but to feed the salt water to the plants. “We have now started drinking boiled water,” he said.

Jayant Kumar, a resident, said that a deafening noise emanating from the plant was frightening the people.

Visvesha Tirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Math, who visited the area, said that the wells in the area had been polluted by the salt water discharged by the company.

This was a clear violation of rules. It appeared that the company was trying to save money. The Government should respond to this problem.

“I will join the local people in their struggle on this issue,” the seer said.

General Manager (Corporate Affairs) of UPCL K. Kishore Alva told The Hindu that the outlet from the plant to the sea had been blocked by one of the residents of the area. As a result, salt water had flowed into one farm. He was not sure whether it had affected wells. The problem would soon be resolved, he said.

The sound referred to by a resident was emanating from one of the boilers in the plant. It was due to a week's trial conducted in the plant. It would not be heard in the future. The company had installed flue gas desulphurisation equipment to check pollution, Mr. Alva said.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/27/stories/2010032764920300.htm)

Sweeping changes: SP leads from the front

TNN, Mar 28, 2010, 10.25pm IST

MANGALORE: Police lines in the heart of the city got the much needed external facelift here on Sunday. Leading the men in khaki wielding the pickaxe, spade, brooms et al was none other than doctor- -turned policeman SP A S Rao. Rao accompanied by around 45 officers of the rank of PSIs and above from the district descended on police lines to do the clean-up job ahead of Police Flag Day celebration on April 2.

Similar acts of `shramdhan' by the officers were also carried out in Udupi, Chikmagalur, and Karwar, the district headquarters of revenue districts that form part of Western Range of police department. This whole idea, brainchild of Gopal B Hosur, Inspector-General of Police (Western Range), who is also the Mangalore police commissioner, saw police officers do `manual' labour for a change and wield different `weapons' for the purpose.

Rao who wore rubber gloves to help his officers clean up the area confided to TOI that he was wearing gloves at work after a long time and away from the surgeons table that he was used to. On this change in role, Rao said it was a refreshing experience to bend his back once again. "We have done this (manual work) during our IPS training," he said adding it had been some time since he got an opportunity to do so and all this for a good cause.

The hard part of the cleaning, Rao said was to dig up, what he felt was layers of garbage accumulated on the police lines over the years, especially at the base of the trees on the campus. The basic intention was to send a message to the residents of police lines, usually occupied by police constables and the ASIs was that __ `We will take the lead to clean up your premises, but the residents must carry on with this job on their own.'

Did the clean-up leave a feel good factor among the residents of the police lines? Not exactly, opined Rao. They were a bit hesitant to join in, he felt although a few of them did join the clean-up squad towards the latter half of the exercise. "I did impress on the residents to take the lead in at least ensuring that the premises was clean, and that they could grow and maintain a garden there to set an example for others to follow," he said.

Admitting that the police line was not exactly in the best shape that would enthuse its residents to bend their backs to keep the area clean, Rao said the lower rung of the police department needs a better deal. "The government is releasing funds for maintenance of police quarters, and home minister around a month back has seen the pathetic condition of the police lines," he said, adding that things could only improve from here on.

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/Sweeping-changes-SP-leads-from-the-front/articleshow/5736224.cms)

Hats off to the Doctor cum police officer.

RAIN WATER HARVESTING BILL PENDING: DC

CITY'S Water woes

Mysore, Mar. 28 (JP)- The move to make water conservation compulsory through installation of rain water harvesting systems in Mysore is on the cards.

Deputy Commissioner P. Manivannan told SOM that the Bill to make it compulsory is pending for approval of the government.

This was in reply to SOM query that when small cities like Kodaikanal and even States like Goa, which experience torrential rains, had made it compulsory for all houses and multi-storey buildings to install rain water harvesting systems, why Mysore with water shortage was lagging behind.

Rain water harvesting has already been made mandatory in the Bangalore agglomeration with the Legislative Assembly early last year giving its approval to the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage (Amendment) Bill 2009. In fact then the Minister for BWSSB and Information Technology, Katta Subramanya Naidu, who piloted the Bill, said rain water harvesting would be compulsory for all residential, commercial and industrial premises.

According to the amendment, "every owner shall provide for a rain water harvesting structure within nine months from the date of implementation of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage (Amendment) Act 2009 in a building having a total area of not less than 1,200 sq.ft. in such a manner with such conditions as may be provided in the regulations, failing which the board may remove such structure and recover the cost from the owner or occupier as arrears of land revenue as the case may be. It is considered necessary to provide for making it mandatory to build rain water harvesting structures by households in order to preserve the groundwater."


SOM

That is a good move Rain water harvesting must be made compulsory,alongwith it the Knowledge of measures to be taken to maintain the quality/purity of stored water must provided as a catalog.

DC must plan of holding classes for citizens to enlighten them of the positives of rain water harvesting.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010 1:58:25 AM (IST)

Shimoga, March 29 (DHNS) : Heavy rain lashed interior parts of Karnataka on Monday evening providing much needed relief to the people from the heat.

Heavy downpour was reported from Bhadravathi, Chitradurga, Santhenahalli, Hiriyur, Bommanakatte and Jedikatte villages.

In Bhadravati town normal life was paralysed. Rain accompanied by heavy wind and lightning which began at 6 pm lasted for about 30 minutes. Power supply was disrupted as transmission lanes were damaged by gushing winds.

Roads were logged with water disrupting movement of vehicles. As the drainages were choked, water entered low-lying areas including Dr Ambedkar Colony and Kumbarakeri.

Hailstorm uprooted hundreds of trees and electric poles were broken in Santhenahalli in the taluk and surrounding areas. The rain which began around 4 pm was accompanied by strong winds. Tiles of the houses flew off and asbestos sheets were blown apart and found lying in nearby fields. Coconut, arecanut, mango, tamarind, jackfruit, banyan and other trees were uprooted.

In Chitradurga there was a heavy rain along with strong wind. It started around 4.30 pm and lasted for half-an-hour.

Cloudy weather prevailed in Shimoga, Shikaripur, Sorab, Sagar, Tirthahalli and Hosanagar taluks in the evening.

Rain brought relief to the people of Malnad as mercury level had touched 39 degree mark in most parts during third week of March. No casualties were reported from any part of the district.

Daijiworld (http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=74770&n_tit=Heavy+Rain+Lashes+Parts+of+Interior+Karnataka)

Thanks to the Rain God for the much needed respite,however the pathetic storm drain designs were left exposed.:bash:

‘Responsibility of generating manure to Stree Shakthi Sangha or NGOs’

Madikeri, March 30, DH News Service:

Madikeri CMC has come forward with a plan to produce compost from the wastes collected after segregating the plastic.

Waste being dumped near Stone Hill in Madikeri. (Below) CMC constructing a godown to store the plastic segregated from the wastes dumped at Stone Hill. dh photo
The CMC is trying its level best to make Madikeri town plastic-free town. Though the initiative was started five years ago, it is gaining momentum now. Owing to the stringent measures undertaken by the CMC, businessmen have stopped using plastic bags. Citizens have realised that plastic is non-degradable.

Owing to the continuous use of plastic, compost could not be produced by the CMC. About 14 tonne wastes from the town is disposed in six acre land near Stone Hill daily.

The CMC could have manufactured compost from such a huge wastes. The CMC can even fetch lakhs of income from the manure. However, as the wastes was not segregated and plastic was the main component in the wastes, the production of compost was getting delayed all these years.

Now the CMC has decided to utilise a technology to segregate plastic from the wastes. The CMC has purchased a machine worth Rs 1.85 lakh to segregate plastic from wastes.
The machine can segregate three tonne plastic per one hour. About 65 per cent of segregated wastes can be used for producing manure. To store the plastics segregated from the wastes, a godown has been constructed near Stone Hill.

The machine will be put to use as soon we get electricity connection, said CMC President P D Ponnappa.

He said “CMC is planning to hand over the responsibility of producing compost to Sthree Shakthi Sangha or NGO. With the manufacture of compost, CMC can fetch lakhs of income.

Yet to implement

Though the use of plastic is banned by CMC, it has not been implemented strictly in the town, according to public. Many hotels still use plastics. Law can not alone bring in change. Merchants and public should join hands with CMC in implementing the ban on plastic.


DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/61143/cmc-produce-compost-manure-waste.html)

Staff Correspondent

BELLARY: Wildlife activists and naturalists have expressed concern over the construction of a road in the Angoli-Benakal reserve forest area of Koppal district.

Abdul Samad, president of the Hospet-based Society for Wildlife and Nature, joined representatives from like-minded organisations in urging the Conservator of Forests, Bellary circle, to immediately stop the roadworks and shift Yedihalli from within the reserve forest.

In a letter to the Conservator of Forests, Mr. Samad said it was disheartening that a road was being laid from Yedihalli to Chikkabenakal by blasting a number of hillocks. The road was being constructed to benefit the quarry lobby, he alleged.

He questioned the necessity for the road and said that it was in violation of the Supreme Court judgment in the Govardhan vs. Government of India case.

‘Man-animal conflict'

The Benekal reserve forest is the home of many rare species and the road would be the last nail on the coffin for wildlife of the area, he said.

This leopard and bear corridor would become a highway, causing animals to stray into villages, resulting in a man-animal conflict, Mr. Samad warned.

Sanctuary

Forest officials, wildlife activists and NGOs were planning to propose that the Agoli-Benakal reserve forest be declared a wolf and sloth bear sanctuary.

Besides, the area also occupied an important place in mythology and history, Mr. Samad said. It is believed that the area was Kishkinda, the valley of monkeys mentioned in the epic Ramayana. Forts and historical monuments from the pre-Vijayanagara dynasty could be found here, he said.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/03/stories/2010040353020300.htm)

Correspondent

Protesters take Karwar municipal officials to task

Janashakthi Vedike and advocates stage protest

‘Why are public funds being misused?'

Karwar: Uttara Kannada district administration on Thursday stopped the Karwar City Municipal Council (CMC) from dumping red soil onto the Karwar beach after the public protested against it.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Narasimha Murthy instructed the CMC officials to stop the work till the next meeting of officials and the public.

Advocates B.S. Pai and Kishor Desai and president of the Janashakthi Vedike Madhav Naik and others staged a protest against a plan to build footpaths, a playground and a garden on the beach.

The CMC officials said that about Rs. 30 crore was released by the State Government for the development of Karwar city under the Chief Minister's Small and Medium Towns Development Scheme. The Tourism Department, with help of Nirmithi Kendra, was constructing a path for morning walkers using cement bricks and the CMC was developing a new park for children.

Natural beauty

The protesters who came to the beach called the officials to the spot and took them to task. They argued that the beauty of the beach is enhanced by the natural sand spread on the beaches. But dumping red soil on the beach destroyed its beauty and the public cannot enjoy the real beauty of the beach, they said.

The protesters objected to the construction of the paths adjacent to the national highway by spending Rs. 3 lakh on it. It is useless as the National Highway authorities are conducting a survey for the expansion of the highway. The land where the pathway is being constructed falls within the preview of the expanded highway.

They asked why public funds were being misused when it is certain that the new pathway would be removed during the expansion of the highway. They accused the authorities of misusing public funds and violating the CRZ norms. When officials contacted the Additional Deputy Commissioner, he asked the officials to stop all development woks on the beach till the meeting with the public was held.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/02/stories/2010040251640300.htm)

Stupid thinking on the part of the CMC Karwar officials.:bash:

cc tanveer

http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/6599/pedestrianinfrastructur.jpg

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/1551/sizezerofootpathsonmyso.jpg

:bash:

MMC must learn from Delhi

Delhi trees to get 6-ft breathing space (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Delhi-trees-to-get-6-ft-breathing-space/articleshow/5174449.cms)

The road from Ramaswamy to Law courts......................

Plz follow the Delhi Model- Delhi trees to get 6-ft breathing space (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Delhi-trees-to-get-6-ft-breathing-space/articleshow/5174449.cms)

Leave some space for the trees to breathe

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/6995/dsc07195g.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/3770/dsc07194b.jpg

Also see to that enough space is provided around the trees on this road which is yet to be paved

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/8819/img1355ee4.jpg

All pics copyright Myself

Krishnamoorthy Its is terrible on the part of MCC to concretize the space around the trees.

Let us atleast spare the trees,forget the pedestrians. :bash:

^^
Choking trees on Mysore city roads

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/3673/dsc07766.jpg

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/6995/dsc07195g.jpg

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/8136/dsc07765.jpg :nuts:

A very good design near the public house,Mysore city


A model Road which has efficiently taken care of trees

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3020/2911753248_3caeb87753_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3129/2910903723_00801b9a64_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3061/2910897217_b88bbaa955_b.jpg



All pics copyright Myself

If anyone has better designs then please post :)

A separate thread for Mysore city may please be considered.

Regards,
Tanveer

Welcome to SSCI Tanveer :cheers:

Kindly follow this thread- Mysore projects thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=419068&page=35)

Madikeri: Apr 4, DHNS:

Kodagu which is known for its unique culture and tradition has attracted the attention of the people across the world. However, it has never relieved from innumerable problems, Compared to other districts, Kodagu is lagging behind in health sector.

Shortage of doctors is haunting the district. Those doctors who get transferred to the district do not stay in the district. Citing health problems, they get transferred to cities after two-three months. In such a situation, many poor patients have to depend on district hospital for treatment.

The building of Madikeri district hospital looks good at the outset. However, it lacks basic facilities. In spite of having modern equipment, there is nobody to maintain it. Even Health Minister Sriramulu did not have any good words for the hospital during his recent visit to Madikeri.

The demand for constructing an underpass in front of District Hospital has been pending for the last several years. To conduct postmortem, one has to take the body and cross the highway as the unit is located on the other side of the road. This is causing inconvenience to the vehicle riders. In spite of understanding the gravity of the problem, neither the district administration nor health officials have taken the issue of constructing underpass seriously. However, Mysore-Bantwal State Highway work is moving in a faster pace. The work between Kushalnagar-Madikeri road will be completed within two months. If CMC delays in shifting pipelines from highway, then KRDCL will undertake road development works within the city. If government approves underpass project, along with development works, even the work on underpass can be taken simultaneously.
Health Minister Sriramulu had directed district Surgeon to submit a proposal on underpass in front of District Hospital. However, hospital authorities lament that there are several proposals with regard to underpass before the government.

In the recent years, Kodagu is making news as tourist destination. As a result, 10,000 to 20,000 tourists visit the district in the weekends. In this background, the increase in the density of vehicles necessitates the need for underpass in front of district hospital. This will help not only patients, hospital authorities but also pedestrians. The underpass will cost Rs 70 lakh to Rs 80 lakh.

As District-in-Charge Minister Krishna Palemar has taken charge of the hospital, MLA M P Appacchuranjan should take interests in the costruction of underpass in front of the hospital, say public.



DH News Service (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/62128/development-projects-snails-pace-kodagu.html)

Udupi district has the distinction of having number one in sound pollution in the State, according to recently released Udupi district Human Development Report 2008.

In the last five years, the density of vehicles have been increased by five times. The sound pollution is above 115 decibel. If the sound pollution continues to increase in this pace, then in the next 10 years, a person would have lost 50 per cent of his hearing capacity, warns the report.

Owing to the improper maintenance of wastes, the wastes for disposal are on rise. This will have serious health and environmental problems on Udupi town. The wastes are being created from industrial activities, hospitals and houses. With the shifting of wastes disposal yard, people could heave a sigh of relief.

However, the contents in the wastes are a matter of concern. Plastics and chemicals are found more in the wastes. Plastics and synthetic materials do not get decomposed in the soil. Hence, the city will face cleanliness problem in the future, the report stated. The use of insecticides and pesticides are on rise in coastal region. This will have an adverse effect on environment and health, the report warned.

The report said “owing to the increase in use of hybrid seeds, more than 50 local varities of paddy seeds have been vanished in the district. The situation is same with regard to medicinal plants. The district was known for bio-diversity. However, many of them are fast disappearing.”

Water pollution, air pollution and increase in wastes will have a direct impact on the lives of human beings. There is a need preserve bio-resources, the report stated.

DH News Service (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/62170/udupi-tops-sound-pollution-state.html)

The historic pond in the premises of the Tirumale Sriranganatha Temple here is about to become a part of history.

With local land sharks coveting it, the pond will soon be closed and filled in with rubble for being converted into housing sites.

The pond was constructed by the ruler of Magadi, Talari Gangappa Nayaka of Gudemaranahalli.

The pond, located north west of the Bisilu Maramma temple was a magnificent structure, once the source of drinking water to the entire Magadi town before falling into deliberate disuse preparatory to its takeover and eventual conversion into house sites, says Tholasappachar, a keen student of Magadi history.

Gangappa Nayaka built the pond to irrigate a holy basil (Tulasi) grove for supplying the fragrant leaves for worship of the deity at the temple, according to the dairies of late Master Thirumalaiah. However, the grove is now a private property, and the owners are now pressuring revenue officers for permission to close the tank.

Environmentalists and local historians D R Chandra Magadi and Paduvagege Channe Gowda have urged the revenue and Muzrai officials not to allow the closing of the pond. They have demanded that the pond be revived for recharging groundwater in Magadi.

Stragegically located

Nayakana Kalyani, as the pond is known, is still the source of water for thousands of birds that have their nests in the trees and bushes around it, and is strategically located to receive the rainwater run-off from the nearby hills. It is also critical for recharging sub-surface water in and around Magadi and moderates weather during summers.

The medieval poet, Tirumale Srinivasa in his celebrated work, “Bharathiya Stree Parva” writes that at the peak of its glory, the historic temple had 136 ponds, 24 cattle drinking ponds, 13 ponds to supply water worship, hundreds of tanks including minor tanks and natural water troughs.

Many of these water harvesting structures were built by the Chola, Hoysala and Vijayanagara and Mysore rulers, the dynasty of Kempe Gowda and Palegars to provide water to people and animals during fairs.

19 ponds encroached

Over the last 10 years alone, influential persons in Magadi have encroached upon 19 architecturally significant ponds, drained them, filled them up with rubble, formed layouts and sold sites.

Such is the brazen takeover of tanks in this historic town that by the bribes were right, the town municipal council officers would create a khata and transfer the Ranganatha Temple to the bribe giver, a retired Tahsildar commented ruefully.

Environmentalists have demanded that revenue officials evict encroachers and revive the tanks and kalyanis.

Residents Lakshmanna Nayaka, Gangappa Nayaka and Krishnappa Nayaka say they are writing to the Government to stop the sale of the ponds and tanks and have warned that they will launch a movement in defence of the water bodies.

Their views are echoed by Palegara Kshemabhivruddhi Sangha president Muddu Magadayya Nayaka and Gangahanumaiah of Save the Taluk History Committee.

DH News Service

The families living in the slum are not ready to move into the temporary shelters, saying it is unjust and risky to live under a flyover.

By Gangadhar S Patil

05 Apr 2010, Citizen Matters

The slum dwellers of Mathikere are refusing to move into temporary shelters built for them under the Mathikere flyover by BBMP, saying it is dangerous and unsuitable for living. BBMP is offering the units to 42 families as temporary residences after their houses will be demolished for the widening of M S Ramaiya Road.

The demolishing work began on April 3rd morning. "We will shift 37 families first and rest will be moved as and when housing arrangement are made," said M K Harish, Assistant Engineer with BBMP. The road widening work will begin shortly after moving in the families, he added. Slum dwellers are not ready to shift but we are certain about the project, said Harish.

People are refusing to move in but under the supervision of police the work is forcefully carried out said M Babu, a resident of the slum.

Mathikere houses under flyover

The temporary house that has been built under Mathikere flyover.

http://bangalore.citizenmatters.in/pics/0002/5440/ifr-mathikere-slum-house-under-flyover_small.jpg

Pic: Gangadhar S Patil.

The units are made of sheet rock and brick but have no foundation. The 42 units will share 10 common toilets.

The slum dwellers said they are not going to live under the flyover. "What will happen if a cylinder bursts?" asked Mariamma K whose family of five is slated to move into the units. "And how can we move all our belongings in such a small room?" she added.

The families living in the slum are not ready to moven into the units, saying it is unjust and risky to live under a flyover. "Regarding compensation no assurance has been given to us" said Wilson M C, a slum dweller. BBMP is promising us new permanent houses within a year, but we are not sure of anything yet, he added. Other slum dwellers are demanding permanent houses and not temporary settlement under the flyover, which means living with the roar of traffic over their heads day and night.

City engineers said the land being used for the project may be unusual, but it is a workable space and the city will push forward with the project. "Usually houses are not built under a flyover, but in this particular case we are pursuing it since there is an open space and traffic congestion in the roads are low," said Harish who is heading up the project. Space for permanent houses should be determined in the next six months, he said.

Mathikere houses built

http://bangalore.citizenmatters.in/pics/0002/5448/ifr-mathikere-slum-dwellers-row-houses_small.jpg
City engineers said the land being used for the project may be unusual, but it is a workable space. Pic: Gangadhar S Patil.

The slum dwellers claimed that they are entitled to the ownership of the houses which are slated for demolition. "The Government allotted us this land long back, it is in our name," said Wilson. Whereas Harish said the land belongs to the government, hence new houses will be given to them as compensation.

The road construction will cut into the Mathikere slum and destroy 70 out of 200 homes. The housing project under the flyover has enough room for only 42 units, according to engineers. It is not yet known where the remaining 28 families will move.

Wilson, said he was concerned about what would happen to the housing units during rainy season when water accumulates under the flyover. He said that although BBMP has indicated that the units under the flyover were only temporary, BBMP had not yet explained where the slum dwellers would be permanently resettled.

"We are not going to move there," he said, referring to the temporary units.

The resettlement plan was on hold during the modal code of conduct period, prior to March 28th city elections. Dr C N Ashwath Narayan, MLA of Malleshwaram constituency, declined to comment on the issue. "We will talk about it after the BBMP election," he said.

Velu said the flyover units were unsafe and besides that, there was a bar located next to the units.

Even the shopkeepers near by the road said they opposed the move. They said they feel the presence of slums near their shops will hamper their business.

Earlier, a few temporary units under the flyover were broken down by Congress party workers along with some slum dwellers, a shopkeeper said. Subsequently police were deployed to prevent anyone from obstructing further construction.⊕

Citizen Matters (http://bangalore.citizenmatters.in/articles/view/1910-mathikere-slum-dwellers-relocation-flyover)

This is posted by my friend Gangadhar S Patil,who is basically from belgaum (My town) and worked there in a NGO,currently he is active in Bengaluru.

Krishnamoorthy It is pathetic on the BBMP's part to deal with the slum dwellers in this fashion.Any other alternative was possible??

May they could have relocated in some other part of the city.

Vincent DSouza, TNN, Apr 6, 2010, 09.43pm IST

HUBLI: After finding its way into the Limca Book of Records for being the first road in the country to be insured by the citizens, the Timmasagar Temple Main Road in Hubli has added another feather to its cap. It has now entered India Book of Records.

The 385-metre civic road that connects NH-4 shot into fame after a local medical practitioner Dr Mrityunjay C Sindhur insured it for an amount of Rs 2 lakh in August 2007. While Sindhur himself paid the annual premium for the first two years, a group of nine citizens located on the pathway joined him in sharing the premium amount of the third year for an assured sum of Rs 6 lakh.

Sindhur said henceforth the same procedure will be followed to pay the premium. He said that many residents were individually ready to bear the whole insurance premium. "But later, it was decided to distribute the responsibility as it would help spread a strong message about private participation. It will also make the residents treat the road as theirs," he said. This initiative entered Limca Book of records in 2007.

He said the residents' initiative, however small, helps protect the public road. "But it will go a long way in inculcating civic sense among the residents and help reduce some part of financial burden on the government..." he added.

The residents here also want people elsewhere in the city to take a cue from them. "We hope that the HDMC will make efforts in this regard for the well-being of its roads which will save lot of funds. Recognitions such as this (India Book of Records or Limca Book of Records) should encourage people's participation in public work," he said.

"For me it has become a movement and I want this message to go everywhere. All corporations must follow this to save crores on road repairs," Sindhur said, adding the methodology is simple consisting of the insurance company inspecting the quality of the road before signing of papers and the claims going directly to the civic bodies. He has also started a blog www.insuredroad.blogspot.com to propagate the movement.


TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/articlelist/3942695.cms)

* City Corporation axe more trees in Blore

BANGALORE APRIL 6, 2010: The ruling BJP in Karnataka seems to be little bothered about protection of green cover in Bangalore. The Yeddyurappa government, which has set up Western Ghat Task Force for saving the environment in the Ghats, is destroying the green cover in the Garden City - Bangalore- for executing development works.

Soon after elections to the Bangalore City Corporation, the officials of the corporation have axed more than 20 trees either side of the Bangalore-Mysore road in the city. It seems that the last major road with such a shade, will soon be a part of history as over 60 huge trees being axed for widening of this ever-bustling trunk route.

Traffic congestion on the Mysore Road has been cited as reason to widen the road. Once the road is widened, the problem could be solved to a large extent, the public in the area said. But the citys reputation as the Garden City would lose if authorities axe more old trees in the city.

http://mangalorean.com/images/newstemp24/20100406tree-1.JPG

http://mangalorean.com/images/newstemp24/20100406tree-2.JPG

http://mangalorean.com/images/newstemp24/20100406tree-3.JPG

http://mangalorean.com/images/newstemp24/20100406tree-4.JPG

http://mangalorean.com/images/newstemp24/20100406tree-5.JPG

The BBMP officials already uprooted trees located on Maharani College road, Basaveshwara Circle, New Airport Road, and in the Majestic area of the city. So, one can now easily say that there is nothing mastic about the green cover of the Bangalore. Most of the trees were cut either for Bangalore Metro or road widening/flyovers.

About a dozen trees have been felled near the Muslim Burial Ground after the down ramp of Sirsi Circle Flyover for road widening.

The felling of trees is part of BBMP proposal to widen the Mysore Road between Sirsi Circle Flyover and Mysore Roads Junction with the Outer Ring Road near Nayandahalli. The BBMP officials have already removed a few of its own structures near the Tollgate to facilitate road widening.

With the BJP capturing power in the BBMP, the Chief Minister has announced Rs. 22,500 crore package, which primary meant for road widening and drainage system.

The work on road widening on Mysore road has already started and will be completed within 20 months at a cost of Rs. 24 crore, the official pointed out. At present, the width of the 6 km-stretch road ranges from 20 metres and 25 metres.

Mysore Road would be made one-way between Ghali Anjaneyaswamy Temple and Kimco Junction once the flyover over the storm water drain between Chord Road and Bapujinagar which is under construction, will become operational. The Kimco Junction will then become signal-free, the official argued.

Now, the commuters have been taking at least 50 minutes to one hour to cross the 5-km stretch between Nayandahalli and Sirsi Circle Flyover during peak hours. During non-peak hours, movement of trucks and BBTC buses makes the life worse and the situation is no different from peak hours. The location of Goplan Mall and the BMTC bus-stand also added to the traffic problem.

Mangalorean (http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=175817)

Violating shop owners will have to pay fine

Madikeri:Apr 8, DHNS:

Town Municipal Council (TMC) has decided to implement ban on usage of plastic seriously and in this regard it has decided to impose penalty of Rs 500 on shops which use plastic for the first time and Rs 1,000 as penalty for second time. Shops which violate the rule more than twice will lose their license.

The decision was approved at the general body meeting of Council on Thursday, with President P D Ponnappa in chair. The council also decided to seek approval from Government to impose penalty of Rs 10 on general public and tourists who use plastic.
The penalty on shops will be imposed immediately while the proposal to impose penalty on public and tourists will take some more time as it has to be approved by the Government.

Though the Council had declared Madikeri town as ‘plastic free town’ and though plastic usage has been banned, there are heaps of plastic found everywhere in the city. This prompted the Council to think of implementing the ban on plastic usage seriously.

Cattle to goshala
The Council has decided to shift the stray cattle on streets to Mysore Go Shala. The decision came after general public gave warning to the Council to tackle the cattle problem in the city.

Addressing the gathering, member K G Harish said that stray cattle are quiet a menace in the city and since adequate land is not available to accommodate these cattle in Galibeedu and Madapura, they will have to be shifted to Mysore Go shala. President P D Ponnappa clarified that once the cattle are sent to Mysore, they will not be returned at any cost.

Member K T Baby Mathew said that if that is the case, the cattle must be shifted to Mysore Go Shala after publishing the decision at least twice on media. All the members agreed to this suggestion.
The house decided to take steps to control stray dog menace. MLC M C Nanaiah said that a High Court verdict states that it is the responsibility of the local organisations to control stray dog menace.

However, the council decided to capture stray dogs from April 15 to 25 and sterilise them. Council Commissioner K Srikanth Rao said that the project will cost Rs 2. 50 lakh.

Objection

Member K G Hairsh, Nandakumar, T M Ayyappa and K U Abdul Razak took exception to the decision of the Council to provide license to the meat shop of Y U Suresh Kumar at Kohinoor road. Citing that Council had decided not to give license to any meat stalls anywhere else other than the market, they said that violation of the decision in this case is incorrect.
Responding to this, Member Sathish Pai said that Suresh Kumar has been running the meat shop at the same place for the last 7 years. Hence, providing license to him is not wrong.

Drinking water

President P D Ponnappa said that water will be provided every alternate days from Kutuhole from May first week onwards. Roshanagar, Pampinakere and Kannandabane lakes are drying up and hence water is being supplied to people through tankers and pipes. The Council approved to provide water to public through tankers.


DH News Service (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/62818/tmc-ban-plastic-madikeri.html)

Krishnamoorthy I think CMC Mercara will be the first one in the state to set the trend.Are there any other CMC's which have already implemented ban on plastics.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests has so far sanctioned projects for conservation and management of 58 polluted and degraded lakes in urban and semi-urban areas of the country at a cost of Rs.883.94 crore. This is on 70:30 cost sharing basis between the Central Government and the respective State Governments. The details of these projects and the amount released by the Central Government during last three years are at Annexure.

Karnataka to get 69 crores to upgrade 12 lakes.


PIB - Click here for the list (http://www.pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=60191)

Rising temperature coupled with erratic power supply has left several cities and towns in the State virtually dry.

Residents in about 30 urban centres, including many areas in Belgaum and Tumkur, are getting drinking water only once a week.

The situation in Kolar and Bangalore Rural is no better, with the problem likely to aggravate in the coming days.

According to data collected by the Drinking Water Monitoring Cell in the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA), nearly 3,300 of 22,000 drinking water borewells in 214 urban centres (urban local bodies), excluding Bangalore city, have either turned dry or have stopped functioning.

In many places, borewells which are functioning, have been rendered useless as water cannot be pumped due to lack of power supply which has plagued a majority of the towns across the State. What has compounded the problem is the fast depleting ground water table. The average depth at which ground water is available across the State is 600 feet.

In places like Devanahalli, Chintamani, Pavagada, Kunigal, Malur and Srinivaspura, water is available 1,000 feet below the surface.

With single-phase power supply, water cannot be pumped up from such depths. Moreover, ground water available beyond 600 feet is considered contaminated—mainly due to high flouride content.

As a result, the urban local bodies (ULBs) have been forced to introduce tanker supply services which fall short of the optimum need to quench people’s thirst, let alone meeting the requirement for non-potable purposes. The scene is much worse in the hinterland.
Worst-affected areas

Besides, the DMA data shows that only a handful of urban centres are enjoying the luxury of daily water supply. The drinking water crisis is prevalent in almost every district, the worst affected being Bangalore Rural, Kolar, Tumkur, Chikkaballapur and Chitradurga.
Of the 23 wards in Devanahalli ULB, residents in 17 are getting water supply once in seven days.

In almost all areas of Vijayapura, Hoskote, Doddaballapur and Nelamandaga, which are parts of Bangalore Rural district, drinking water is being supplied through tankers. As many as 11 of 23 wards in Anekal ULB in Bangalore Urban district are getting water once a week.

As per the DMA figures, the situation in these places is worse than the north Karnataka districts of Gulbarga, Raichur, Belgaum, Gadag and Bellary.

“Unprecedented floods in north Karnataka districts recently have recharged the ground water table.

Except for a few places, the water scarcity may not be acute this summer in these districts,” Directorate of Mines Deputy Director Ahyum Ali said.

According to Bangalore Rural Deputy Commissioner R K Raju, Devanahalli, Doddaballapur, Nelamangala and Hoskote are solely dependant on borewells.

“With water table depleting, I have asked officials to press water tankers into service. Each water tanker of 4,000 litres cost Rs 200 to Rs 400.

A five-member family requires at least 250 litres a day. While in Bangalore, a person gets 75 litres a day, in rural it is 55 litres”, he said. Raju said that at least 6 to 8 hours of continuous power supply was required to pump water to a tank. But due to erratic power supply, people were finding it difficult to store water.

Municipal Administration Commissioner Anjum Parvez is not optimistic about the water situation in urban areas. Since Karnataka is a rain shadow state, said Parvez, places where there are no perennial water sources are bound to face water shortage. The state cannot be dependent on ground water, he pointed out.

In the summer months, borewell water yield reduces by 30 to 50 per cent. “Since Kolar, Chikballapur and Bangalore Rural are highly dependent on borewells, water depletion is a major concern. Treatment of waste water appears to be a viable solution to mitigate the shortage”, he said. But he insisted that only 22 of the 214 cities were entirely dependent on borewells. Minister for Urban Development Suresh Kumar said after video conferencing with the respective deputy commissioners, directions have been issued to them to gear up to face the problem. He, however, cautioned that there was no water drought in the state.

Woes galore

* Nearly 50 urban local bodies (ULBs) badly hit

* ULBs supplying water through tankers

* Water is being supplied once a week in 31 towns

* 3,331 of 22,098 drinking water borewells are defunct

* Power cuts and depleting water table adding to the water woes

* Ground water table has depleted to record 80 metres in Chikkaballapur, Kolar and Tumkur

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/63058/parched-towns-dig-deeper.html)

Manjushree G Naik, Udupi, Apr 12, DHNS:

257 trees felled for the road widening work from Karavali junction to Manipal Syndicate bank junction

The ongoing road widening process here in Udupi and Manipal has resulted in uprooting countless trees and unbearable temperature. The age-old trees are seen felled mercilessly for the sake of widening the roads. These trees with their elongated branches stretched across the area were once the shelters offering shade to the public.

One can come across concrete structures all the way around without the glimpse of greenish pastures. Eyes fail to explore even a single tree across the stretches. The scorching heats that tumble down on the concreted stretches get reflected exerting enormous heat in the area.

According to Udupi Range Forest Officer Prakash, as many as 257 trees have been felled for the road widening works from Karavali junction to Manipal Syndicate bank junction till date.

For development

Speaking to Deccan Herald, CMC Commissioner Gokuldas Nayak pointed out that it is necessary to lose a bit to gain profit. This is the typical concept that regulates the world. Those trees could not be spared since we had to widen the road. Some were very old. They would disrupt normal life later, in any case. However, measures will be taken to substitute for the loss by taking up afforestation works in future, he added.

Afforestation

Range Forest Officer Prakash informed Deccan Herald that a project is being taken up to replace each felled tree with two saplings during the monsoon. Nearly 514 saplings will substitute the loss in the coming days. The project will be taken up in Doddannagudde area, Perampali and Manipal Alevoor road. If space permits saplings will be planted on either side of the widened stretches.

The department may go for maximum number of plantations depending on land availability. The Social forest wing of the department in involved in the afforestation process for 3 to 4 years. It has been successful in planting more than 1,500 plants in the municipality area near Ajjarakadu, he added.


DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/63497/trees-make-way-roads-udupi.html)

257 Trees :mad:

Popularly known as Kashmir of South India, the coffee land and the land which gives birth to Cauvery is geographically a unique land.

Even the weather, environment, community, culture and tradition are also different from other districts. The problems of the region also differ. After the delimitation, the Assembly constituencies have been decreased to two in Kodagu. As a result, Kodagu can not politically play a vital role in pressurising the government.

Kodagu has been contributing towards the economic progress of the country in the form of foreign exchange through coffee. Moreover, in terms of tourism, a large number of tourists are thronging the district. Unfortunately, the district is not blessed with a National Highway.

On the one hand, lack of political will is the main reason behind the non existence of NH in Kodagu. On the other hand, geographical area of the land itself is a hindrance. About 74 per cent of the land in Kodagu is covered with forest. Along with this, the region gets rain for six months in a year. For laying National Highway, forest department will always come in the way. On the one hand, reserve forest and on the other hand, there is wildlife division (eg Makutta inter-state highway). Moreover, the laying of the road and its maintenance is difficult in a region which receives rainfall for six months.

Govt not bothered

At the same time, to provide connectivity to the NH passing through Mangalore, Hassan and Mysore is also not possible as not many roads pass through the district. To provide connectivity to NH from Kodagu, 60 to 70 kms road will have to be developed. As a result, even the government has not bothered about the National Highway.

Majority of the district headquarters in the State have been provided with inter-state or inter-district highway connectivity. However, when it comes to Kodagu, the demand has not been fulfilled so far. If NH passing through Mysore or Mangalore is connected, then the travellers who pass through Bangalore-Mysore-Mangalore will be benefited.

When Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee made the proposal of railway connectivity between Mysore-Kushalnagar-Madikeri, there has been severe opposition to the proposal from politicians and environmentalists. Many feel that environment and forest will be destroyed if Kodagu is provided with railway connectivity.

In spite of the technical problem, in the interest of the development of the region, NH is essential to the district. The condition of eight State Highways which pass through Kodagu are in deplorable condition. All the highways are a black mark for the promotion of tourism in the district. The fund released for the development of road is not enough for the district. Special package was announced after BJP government came to power in the State.

In spite of the release of funds for the development of road, the condition of the road remains the same. “What is the meaning of package if Rs 25 crore is utilised for 125 development works,” feels Opposition. As a whole, there is a need for a national highway to Kodagu district which is devoid of railway connectivity.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/63286/nh-mirage-kodagu-district.html)

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs477.snc3/26137_392697563552_107041333552_3935356_5103757_n.jpg

Trees planted on the road side on College road opp. Patil Bunglows have also been cut. 6 trees have been axed to widen the road stretch.

cc Uday|allaboutbelgaum.com

Belgaum my beautiful home town :cry:

Angry residents stage protest

Mysore, Apr. 18 (OSR)- Over a hundred people gathered this morning around Devanoor lake located between Udayagiri and north-east N.R. Mohalla to protest against the foul smell emanating from the lake as a result of dumping animal refuses and domestic wastes with piles and piles of plastic articles and polythene bags into the water body. The condition of the lake is made worse by the connecting of Under-Ground Drainage (UGD) and also sewage water into the lake from the surrounding layouts.

The residents who brought to the site Advocate S. Arun Kumar, who also is the Convenor of city-based NGO Jaagruthi, complained that it had become impossible for them to suffer the 24x7 stink and foul fumes emanating from the lake. They also expressed concern over the fact that the maximum number of cases of Chikungunya and other health-related problems were reported from the layouts surrounding the lake.

"Despite complaining about the problem which has a direct bearing upon the health and living conditions of the people of the area, neither the MUDA under whose jurisdiction the lake comes, nor the people's representatives have done anything to solve the problem," they said.

According to them, in 2008, MUDA had sanctioned Rs. 97.50 lakh for developing this lake spread over 12.5 acres. Unfortunately, the amount was used to construct ‘Drainage Points’ and drains for a length of half-a-kilometer, which in any case is filled with garbage and as such is completely blocked.

According to local residents, MUDA had also planned under this allocated budget, a Joggers' Track around the lake, which of course has not happened though the money that was sanctioned has been spent officially. The condition of the lake is deteriorating, most parts being covered by hyacinths and certain parts with UGD discharge of household wastes.

Since the lake is neglected by the authorities, antisocial elements and land sharks have also started encroaching upon the lake, according to Arun Kumar.

As the lake is very badly poisoned, there is no aquatic life in such a huge lake; all that one could find are a few white cranes pecking at the muck and the mosquitoes.

The lake has posed a very big health hazard for the residents, especially since the past three years. It is indeed disturbing that a lake which is surrounded by Ganeshnagar, Sathyanagar, Udayagiri, Rajivnagar and north-east of N.R. Mohalla with a population of about 80,000, covering Ward No. 48, 56 and 57, is so criminally neglected by the authorities concerned.

Asked what the Jaagruthi would do about it, its Convenor Arun Kumar told this newspaper that he was contemplating filing a criminal case against the MUDA, as he did with CHESCom about a month ago.

SOM

I hope Suresh Kumar does something to save the lake.I am totally banking on Suresh Kumar. :bash:

http://www.masthmysore.com/images/stories/gurukar1.jpg

http://www.masthmysore.com/images/stories/gurukar%20005.jpg

Mr K R Gurukar, retired government official, tree-lover and avid planter. He plants mainly on the roadside; honge saplings that he buys from the forest dept. nursery. He has been doing this daily for years ; has planted a thousand trees in Mysore since 2002, when came to settle in Mysore after retirement as training officer of the dept. of labour in Bangalore.

Every morning Mr Gurukar sets out on bicycle from his Saraswathipuram residence to scout for suitable vacant space where he can plant, to do earthwork for planting the next day; and to water the sapling he had planted earlier. A hands-on person who waits for no one Mr Gurukar represents an ideal role model that FORT-Mysore can have.

But then FORT-Mysore, an online group of the friends of roadside trees, and Mr Gurukar could have stayed unaware of one another, had he not been introduced to us by a santhe enthusiast Mr K N Srinivas. Mr Gurukar is not an online person; he doesn't have an e-mail ID, not even a phone connection. We made the connection through Mr Srinivas, who has his own plans to plant fruit-bearing trees in Mysore's home for the aged, orphanages, and other institutions.

Mr Gurukar was doing earthwork for planting when we - Mr Srinivas and I - met him , on the roadside near MUDA Circle on JLB Road. He carries with him the digging kit - shovel and things - and also a couple of plastic pots for watering the saplings.


Tricycle with cargo hold would be more convenient, if someone could come up with a donation. Mr Srinivas has offered to find a sponsor. FORT-Mysore could chip in, if need be.

Honge is Mr Gurukar's favoured sapling for roadside planting. "Cattle eat away other saplings," he says, adding he gets hongeplant for Rs.20 from the forest dept. nursery. On an average it takes him two days to plant a sapling and he has planted two already on MUDA Circle roadside.

Mr Gurukar often slogs it out on his own, without waiting for or seeking anyone' help - 'occasionally, I get one or two passers-by coming up to help'. Mr Gurukar can be an inspiration for neighbourhood green groups. Parents could encourage their children during vacation time to join Mr Gurukar in roadside tree-planting. Schools could invite him to address their students.

His address: Mr K R Gurukar, C H 61, V Main Rd., III Cross, Saraswathipuram, Mysore 570009

Masthmysore.com (http://www.masthmysore.com/tree-planter-gurukar)

What an inspiration Krishnamoorthy

Road widening troubles people

TNN, May 2, 2010, 09.54pm IST

CHIKMAGALUR: The ongoing road widening has the residents of Rathnagiri Road in the city distressed.

The road, which is an offshoot of Indira Gandhi Road and leads to Bababudan Hills and Tarikere is very old and has a width of just 30ft. While some parts of the stretch are very narrow and congested.

Continuing the tempo of road widening and taking cue from the I G Road, PWD department has marked the centre of the road. According to PWD sources buildings will be cleared for making the road 40-ft wide on both sides.

The roadside has many residential buildings, nursing home, lodges and other commercial establishments and most sites, once belonging to CMC, have been given to the public in auction and building owners says they demand adequate compensation before paving way for road widening. Many feel that the road does not have heavy traffic movement and hence there is no real need for it to be 80-ft wide. They say, the district administration should think of providing Ring Roads and bypasses for smooth traffic flow instead of widening all the roads and putting public to distress.

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/City/Mysore/Road-widening-troubles-people/articleshow/5884114.cms)

Mysore residents become ‘green activists'

Staff Correspondent

They partner with the city authorities in beautifying Vijaynagar, their locality

Concerted effort:Residents kick-starting the tree-planting drive in Vijayanagar third stage of Mysore on Tuesday.

MYSORE: Residents of Vijayanagar third stage here have turned “green activists” as they have successfully prevailed upon the Forest Department, the Mysore Urban Development Authority (which formed the layout) and the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) to provide green cover to their locality. As part of the plan, flower- and fruit-bearing saplings will be planted.

Owing to the efforts of the Vijayanagar Residents' Welfare Committee, more than 4,000 saplings will be planted in the locality within the next week.

The tree-planting drive was launched at the Sri Saptamatruka Chowdeshwari temple here on Tuesday.

Mayor Sandesh Swamy and MLA Satyanarayana were present on the occasion.

Ravi Kumar of the residents' welfare committee told The Hindu that saplings would be planted alongside roads and storm-water drains. “While the cost incurred thereby will be borne by MUDA and the Forest Department, we as residents will look after the plants' growth,” he said.

Mr. Kumar said the saplings planted in front of houses in the locality would be adopted by the residents.



The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/05/stories/2010050550210200.htm)

CONSERVE LINGAMBUDHI TANK FOR NEXT CENTURY



By A. Shivaprakash

A few years ago, Lingambudhi Tank was on the outskirts of Mysore city. Today it is engulfed on all sides by a burgeoning city. An ex-tensive survey of the tank, which is about 217 acres, done over a period of time by bird-watchers of the city have revealed that all is not well with the lake even though it has been declared as a "protected forest area" in 2003 through a government notification and handed over to the Forest Department for development.

The tank was built in 1842 by Mysore Wadiyars for irrigation purpose. The tank fringe area's tree density was low when bird- watchers started observing bird species in 1987. The State Forest Department's Social Forestry Scheme saw more trees being planted during 1997-98 but this tempo was not maintained and subsequently saw a reduction in tree density in 2002-03.

Neglect of the tank by the Forest Department saw the tank becoming full only once in the last decade and that was due to unusually heavy rains. There have also been reports of an unusual number of bird and fish fatalities but no effort was done to find out the causes, if any.

Given the number of bird species, the Bombay Natural History Society under a survey by its ornithologist Asad Rahmani and local bird-watchers recommended that the Lingambudhi Tank be notified as one of the 446 locations in the country to be notified as a Ramsar Site.

Several sightings have been made of migratory birds during the winter season. But local bird- watchers have not maintained a database of sightings and frequency of migratory birds. This tank is considered as a migratory route for birds from Central Asia and Eastern Europe. It is claimed that the lake's environment is known to have a breeding pair of Indian Spotted Eagle but no records exist. Spot-billed Pelicans had been spotted in flocks of 400 in 1999 and in 2002.

Data on the lake's bird species shows a declining trend from 2000 to 2010. A total of 213 species of birds were recorded between Jan. 2000 - Jan. 2010.

The city's bird-watching community has claimed that between Jan. 2000-Jan. 2010, there were 91 resident species of birds including waders. Local species which came then for foraging accounted for 37 species. Some 14 local species not seen usually in recent times have also been spotted while migratory birds accounted for 42 species. Bird- watchers claim that at least 26 rare migrants have been spotted apart from two new migrants. But the usual database which gives date of sighting, frequency of sighting and intervals of study have not been done and hence makes any claim doubtful. However, all have agreed that there has been a decline in the number of birds over the years.

Reasons for decline

The environmental condition of the lake has not been tested by the Forest Department at all. The field observations done by local environmentalists and bird- watchers has shown that the tank is beset by a decreased fresh water inflow. There is considerable flow of untreated sewage as well as eutrophication. The question being asked is that will the tank manage to survive in the next decade.

Bird-watchers claim that there is no fencing to keep out cattle or human interference, building debris is being dumped on the lake's borders and it is slowly becoming a garbage dump. The Forest Department like its colonial counterpart the Police Department follows the archaic working plan, which means 'unscientific forestation.'

Increased human activity

One further obstacle is no one seems to know if the tank is to be a safe habitat for birds or a recreation area for local people. An increasing number of people come here for games or picnic-ing thus disturbing nesting birds.

What's needed

• Lingambudhi was fed by rain water channels from Hinkal, Mariappana kere (Bogadi), Ker-galli, Belwadi and Thonachi-koppal. These channels have disappeared with the onslaught of construction activity, agricultural land being converted into residential areas. The very topography of catchment area and the natural feeder systems have now vanished. Restoration of completely blocked feeders and clearing all choking drainage system is needed.

• Water-holding capacity can be increased by removing silt. In addi-tion, minimum water level shall be maintained even in dry season. This is possible only if the Department takes over the control of letting water out of the tank. At present, green fodder cultivating farmers including very few paddy growers are letting the water out depending on their requirement, resulting in dried tank bed.

• Few farmers divert the un-treated sewage for green fodder cultivation from main sewage headers. Two years ago, Mysore City Corporation initiated action to end using the sewage water on the advise of the Pollution Control Board. But MCC did not sustain this project.

• Greening extension area by tree planting on road side and parks surrounding the Tank at least upto 2 km radius.

• Policing against trespassing into eco-sensitive areas within the Tank area, vandalism, debris dumping, sewage inflow and hunting.

It is up to us, using this tank as a breathing space to maintain Lingambudhi tank for the next generation. The Forest Department, MUDA and MCC should come forward to help local environmentalists maintain one of the few lung areas of the city.

SOM

Belgaum bans plastic bags

TNN, May 2, 2010, 09.20pm IST

BELGAUM: Taking an eco-friendly initiative, the Belgaum City Corporation (BCC) has banned the use of plastic bags thinner than 20 microns, in the city.

As the part of initiative, officials of BCC and Pollution Control Board, on Monday, seized 40 kg plastic bags in raids conducted on around 20 shops and 40 roadside merchants. The team led by health officer Satish Potadar and chief sanitation officer Adiyandra conducted the raids. The team mainly targeted medical, footwear, garments, fruits and beef shops.

However, the team did not take any action against the shop owners, but warned them that they will cancel shop licenses if they continued to use plastic bags in the future. Satish Potadar said, the raids would be continued in different areas in the future.

Health officials will conduct meetings to discuss advantages and disadvantages of an initiative. Last week, citizens had been warned not to use plastic bags thinner than 20 microns. However, while the rainy season is round the corner, this initiative of BCC is being praised by the public, as plastic bags causes the blockage of drainage and hit casual flow of water.
TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/Belgaum-bans-plastic-bags-/articleshow/5884048.cms)

five stars

Politics costs model village its peace

Vijaykumar Patil

Hulikavi now stands divided on the basis of party affiliations

Hulikavi (Belgaum district): Only about three years ago, Hulikavi shot into the limelight for becoming a model village. Now the residents feel let down because politics has taken a toll on harmony in the village. Before 2006-07, Hulikavi, under the Badal Ankalgi Gram Panchayat in Belgaum taluk, was no different from many other villages in the district. The villagers had been cursing their fate for being neglected and ignored. They were not expecting much from their elected representatives or the Government, but only some good roads, better electrification, regular drinking water supply and better infrastructure for school. But, there was hardly anyone who would lend his ear to them.

However, MLA Abhay Kumar Patil took the initiative and ensured inflow of sufficient funds under various programmes and schemes. The villagers too joined hands and played a dynamic role by way of “shramadaan”. Within a year, the entire village had good quality roads, solar-based electrification — both for domestic and street lamps, and regular and sufficient drinking water supply.

Also, with a view to present the image of unity and cultural harmony, all the houses were painted in one colour. Everyone was happy and felt proud when people from far and near, including top functionaries in the Government, started visiting their village and complimented them for their exemplary work and contribution.

But, all this turned out to be short-lived contentment after new political equations surfaced following the last delimitation of Assembly/parliamentary constituencies. Hulikavi, which was then under Bagewadi Assembly constituency, became part of the Belgaum Rural constituency.

Subsequently, Mr. Patil also changed his constituency to protect his political career and got elected from Belgaum South in 2008. Ever since then, he lost interest in Hulikavi and started concentrating on his new constituency.

The village, which once again got divided on the basis of affiliations to political parties and leaders, no more presents the same spirit and image. Many have changed colours of their house on some pretext or the other and many of the prominent villagers do not see eye to eye. The differences manifested to the extent of negative politics between supporters of influential politicians. The Government had sanctioned Rs. 7 lakh for the construction of five additional classrooms and providing other facilities for the Kannada-medium Higher Primary School in the village. But some members in the School Development and Maintenance Committee returned the funds, as a result of which the work on two classrooms on the first floor remains incomplete. However, three classrooms were added in the ground floor.

Some of the villagers described the SDMC's decision as a “sin against students”.

Our wishes to have unanimous election for the two seats to the gram panchayat from the village turned futile as there are 10 members contesting against each other. Certainly, this was not the objective behind developing Hulikavi into a model village. The unity and harmony has fast withered away, said former vice-president of the gram panchayat Yallanagouda Patil.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/08/stories/2010050851170300.htm)

FRUIT-BEARING TREES TO REPLACE EUCALYPTUS IN KUKKARAHALLI LAKE NEXT WEEK

Mysore, May 10 (KCU)- Kukkarahalli Lake Protection Committee Convenor K.M. Jayaramaiah, in a press release, has brought to the notice of the people the sanctity behind the uprooting of eucalyptus trees on the banks of the Lake and replacing them with other saplings.

The eucalyptus trees on the banks were of no use for the birds and grass too never used to grow at the base of the trees. On that count, the Horticulture Department of Mysore University had invited tenders for uprooting eucalyptus trees. Already about 450 such trees have been uprooted and the process was being continued.

After uprooting the eucalyptus trees, the soil at the base has been left for sundrying for a month or two literally sterilising the soil. Using earth movers, the surface too has been levelled.

Mysore City Corporation authorities with assistance from the Forest Department have begun digging pits there. Saplings of several fruit-bearing trees would be planted next week.

Saplings of sapota and seethaphal would be planted in the lake premises with fewer trees while neem would be planted on either side of the walk-way used by strollers as air impregnated with neem aroma would have medical effect.

Those desirous of offering saplings of special fruit-bearing trees may contact Kempegowda, Assistant Director, Horticulture Department, Mysore University, on Mob: 94487-95455 or S.K. Muzavar, Assistant Horticulture Officer on Mob: 98443-98323.

som

Wednesday, May 12, 2010 8:07:36 AM (IST)
Mangalore: Haphazardly Parked Car Blocks Traffic on City Road


Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RS/CN)

Mangalore, May 12: A traffic block created by a car parked on the narrow road adjacent to a luxury hotel on Bunts Hostel Road led to a heated argument between the car owner and the public on Tuesday May 11.

The situation on the narrow road, where work on constructing an overhead barricade to prevent heavy vehicles passing was already underway, was aggravated by the haphazard parking of the car.

Many vehicles passing by were impeded as a result and the people in those vehicles took the car owner to task.


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The car owner argued that he had parked the vehicle in the parking lot of the hotel and it was trespassing on private property if other vehicles passed through the parking lot.

The argument between tensed up so much that the police had to intervene.

Meanwhile, someone let out the air from all four wheels of the car. The public demanded that the police remove the car and book a case against the owner for blocking traffic.

The heated argument lasted for nearly 15 minutes and a large crowd gathered on hearing the disturbance.

The Mangalore City Corporation took up the overhead concrete barricade work after the old one collapsed recently. The barricade is required on this road because an overhead bridge prevents heavy vehicles from passing by when there are no law enforcers around.

The police took the car into their custody and interrogated the car owner.

Daijiworld (http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=77278&n_tit=Mangalore%3A+Haphazardly+Parked+Car+Blocks+Traffic+on+City+Road++)

Good that the car owner was taught a lesson.

City corporations will vie with one another for top slot

Staff Correspondent

Government plans competition to judge which is the best

Results of the competition will be announced by July

Some parameters: cleanliness, water distribution, resource mobilisation, administration

BELLARY: To inspire and bring about healthy competition among the civic bodies in the State, the Urban Development Department plans to organise a competition to judge the best city corporation in Karnataka.

“The competition would be based on six parameters, including cleanliness, distribution of water, own resource mobilisation and administration. The corporation that does the best to provide these amenities to the public would be the winner, and an award would be announced,” S. Suresh Kumar, Minister for Urban Development, said here on Wednesday.

Mr. Kumar said the results of the competition would be announced by July.

He urged the corporation administration and elected representatives to gear up to emerge successful.

To ensure cooperation from the public, the Minister suggested creating awareness among high school students about cleanliness and judicious use of water. “Prepare a PowerPoint presentation for high school students, with a professional approach, on cleanliness, its impact and also about the importance of conserving water. They would, in turn, pass on this knowledge to their elders,” he said.

Mr. Kumar took exception to the delay in waiting for the Government's clearance in removing encroachments that are already identified.

“Why should you wait for clearance when you have already identified the encroachments? Initiate all steps immediately,” he directed the commissioner.

Deadlines

The Minister asked the corporation staff to chalk out time-bound programmes, besides ensuring quality in the implementation of development works.

He wanted the staff to undertake periodic drives in all wards, listen to the grievances of people and act upon them immediately. He directed them to organise “janaspandana” regularly.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/13/stories/2010051361050300.htm)The best Minister in BSY's cabinet,but he is likely to be dropped from cabinet next month.To accommodate other ministers. :(

Eight buildings razed in Gulbarga city

Special Correspondent

http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/13/images/2010051362220501.jpg

An unsafe building in Kirana Bazaar in Gulbarga city being razed on Wednesday.

GULBARGA: At least eight buildings housing grocery and foodgrain shops in the Kirana Bazaar were razed to the ground by the Gulbarga City Corporation authorities here on Wednesday.

The reason cited for the action was that the structures which were in a dilapidated state posed a threat to the people.

The corporation authorities brushed aside the feeble protest by representatives of trade bodies, including the Hyderabad Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HKCCI), and went ahead with the demolition drive.

The operation, which began around 6.30 a.m., was held up for around 15 minutes when the president of the HKCCI, Radhakrishna Raghoji, and the former president Umakant Nigudgi prevented officials from doing their job.

However, corporation commissioner Manojkumar Jain, who rushed to the spot, offered no explanation to the protesters and directed the officials to go ahead with the demolition. The officials of the corporation, assisted by the police, cleared the protesters and began their work.

Gulbarga district falls under Seismic zone II where buildings constructed with mud and mortar are not permitted.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/13/stories/2010051362220500.htm)
Gulbarga shows the way.!!!!

Encroachments to be cleared in Bellary city

Staff Correspondent

Cleaning drains, maintaining hygiene has become difficult

‘Sewage being released into open drains'

Somashekar Reddy suggests deployment of additional men for the drive

BELLARY: The general body of the Bellary City Corporation, which met here on Saturday, unanimously resolved to take up an encroachment clearance drive. Mayor Noorjahan chaired the meeting.

Chairman of the Standing Committee on Health Vali Sab, and other members, expressed concern over the encroachments on drains, especially in the old city, which had made cleaning of drains and maintenance of hygiene difficult.

Members pointed out that the response from officials from the health and engineering departments was lukewarm, despite the fact that councillors were keen on getting the encroachments removed.

“Shortage of staff” was the regular excuse given to them, the members said. They urged the Mayor and G. Somashekar Reddy, MLA and chairman, Karnataka Milk Federation, to take the required steps in this regard.

Also, the members said that sewage and other solid wastes were being released into open storm-water drains. “After repeated requests, a couple of workers were sent to clean the drains. But only a part of them could be cleaned. Therefore, there is an urgent need to first clear encroachments over the drains,” Mr. Sab stressed.

Mr. Reddy instructed officials to engage around 40 to 50 extra workers and start clearing encroachments on the drains.

The Executive Engineer, Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Sewage Board, has been asked to prioritise regularising unauthorised underground drainage connections. Officially, about 13,750 households have got underground drainage connections, while some 45,000 connections are unauthorised.

Basavaraj Alegaon, Executive Engineer, said work had already started on identifying unauthorised connections.

Mr. Reddy suggested that notices be served, or even water supply be disconnected, if people failed to respond positively.

K. Basavaraj, Hanumanthappa, Maridevaiah, Kumaraswamy, Sashikala, Ibrahim Babu, Mallanagouda were among the other members who participated in the discussion.
The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/16/stories/2010051655080300.htm)

Footpaths in Mysore are meant for people having height of 5'9'' and below???

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Silicon City may be abuzz with far-out ideas, but the State’s bureaucrats seem to have none. Asked by their boss to come up with some out-of-the-box ideas, they could not pull out even a rat, not to speak of a rabbit!

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, for once, had a bright spark and promised to reward those who thought up something innovative. He set aside a Challenge Fund of Rs 10 crore in 2009-2010.

As many as 14 months have gone by since the fund was formed, and not a single “innovative” proposal has come from any of the department heads. So acute is the dearth of ideas that Karnataka had not sent even one proposal for last year’s Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration. Even states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh bagged most of the honours.

An upset Chief Secteray S V Ranganath lamented: “I refuse to believe that Karnataka is worse than Chhattisgarh.”

The annual PM’s award is given to nine outstanding initiatives in three categories – individual, group and organisation. The award for 2008-09 was given away in April 2010 in Delhi. “It (the PM’s award) is the most prestigious award... Despite my directions to all departments to send across at least one proposal, none has bothered to do so,” he said.
To Ranganath, what ailed Karnataka was not lack of ideas but the way they are packaged and projected. If some of the projects of the State Government were presented well, they could have been the talk of the nation, he is said to have told his juniors.

“Projects like Sujala watershed have received international recognition. The low-cost housing scheme being implemented by the Housing Department should have been the talk of the country. Like these, there are at least 30 to 35 initiatives. With these projects, the awards are legitimately ours,” sources quoted the Chief Secretary as saying at a meeting. To make up for this year’s loss at the awards, Ranganath is said to have directed the department heads to come up with at least one proposal this year. “Next year, we must win at least five to six awards,” he said. District secretaries were also told to take up at least one innovative project in their respective districts.

The babus’ boss is also sore that the annual confidential report, as is presented by the department heads now, lacks any sort of skills. “Please apply your mind,” he advised.
“With such reports, you are not doing any good to the State... I do not want to see such disastrous appraisals.”

The chief secretary vent his spleen while reviewing the progress of centrally-sponsored schemes with department heads recently.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/72735/state-bureaucrats-box-empty.html)

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BANGALORE: Technology is not the last word, the Department of Stamps and Registration, the custodian of all sorts of records, has realised. To its shock, some compact discs (CDs) on which registered documents, including those of property, were stored have been corrupted, according to department sources. Worse, thanks to its faith in digitisation, the department has no backup for these lost documents.

Officials have been unable access some CDs in Chamarajpet, Anekal, Peenya and Tumkur sub-registrar's offices, the sources said, though some documents on a CD were recovered in Tumkur.

“The problem came to the notice of the department when a property owner sought a certified copy of documents a few months ago,” the sources said.

Software

The practice of storing registered data on CDs was launched in the State in August 2003 when KAVERI was introduced. ECIL and CMS Computers were vested with the responsibility of storing and maintaining the data related to registration of documents along with the implementation of KAVERI software.

According to a sub-registrar, on an average each CD has about 300 to 400 documents, depending on the size of the documents. “A CD was sent to Canada for data retrieval, which also failed. The problem is that there is no backup copy,” the sub-registrar said. “No physical document is now available for those that have been lost as the practice of keeping manual records was stopped,” another official said, and added that the manual system was foolproof. In many sub-registrar offices, details of documents dating back to 1857 are still available, the official pointed out.

The sources also said that one of the reasons for the loss of data on the CD was due to bad handling and maintenance. Improper copying of the data to the disc may also be a reason. Following the identification of the problem, the sub-registrars, it is learnt, have been asked to check all CDs in their offices to find out if any more have been corrupted. They have been asked to build up an automatic image backup to prevent a repeat of what has happened.

In some instances, many sub-registrars had anticipated problems and maintained photostat copies of the registered documents in their offices. Though it has been eight years since the project was launched, the department is yet to have a disaster recovery management, an official lamented. Though some officials insist that the documents lost to the CDs could be built, some sub-registrars are not so optimistic. Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Registration and Commissioner for Stamps S.N. Jayaram, who recently took charge, told The Hindu he was not aware of the development, and that he would inquire into the matter.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/30/stories/2010053062930100.htm)

German leads the way at Hampi, creates awareness about solid waste management

Vinay Lokesh, TNN, Jun 7, 2010, 09.53pm IST

BELLARY: He is often dismissed as another one of those maverick foreigners on a holiday in India. But Ferdinand Hautz from Germany is a man with a mission. While many of us don't think twice about littering, Hautz has been cleaning up our own world heritage site - Hampi and nearby Virupapura Gadde - by creating awareness about solid waste management and the hazards of plastic.

Hautz who is from German-based Field Service and Intercultural Learning Institute, has been at Virupapura Gadde for the past three months. He will be here for another year creating awareness about solid waste management among restaurant owners and surrounding houses. By collecting solid waste and plastics from resorts, hotels in Virupapura Gadde and from the banks of the river Tungabhadra, he is trying to sanitize Virupapura Gadde, which is part of Hampi.

Speaking to Sunday Times of India, Ferdinand Hautz said: "Use of plastic is rampant in Hampi. Paper or cotton bags can be used in place of plastic covers. There are around 30 restaurants and 20 houses in Virupapura Gadde. If we can just get the message across, it will automatically spread to other places too."

"I am getting good support from the local panchayat and Hampi authority. A few restaurant owners have agreed to implement solid waste management in their respective outlets, which is encouragement for us to continue with our mission," Hautz added.

Ferdinand Hautz has also planned a programme Eco Hampi to make Hampi and Tungabhadra river free from litter, and he has already given the plan to Hampi Development Authority. He is waiting for the green signal.

His 15-member team holds a meeting with restaurant owners and government officials every fortnight.
TOI

Infra work at snail's pace
Chikkaballapur, June 8, DHNS:
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The snail’s pace at which infrastructure development projects are proceeding have affected smooth vehicular movement in the City.

A sum of Rs 30 crore has been released from the Chief Minister’s fund over the last two years (Rs 15 cr per year) to upgrade infrastructure and beautify the district headquarter. However, except renovation of Channaiah Park, the rest of the projects have been limping. The City Municipality has failed to utilise the large sum of money exclusively meant for upgrading the infrastructure.

Municipal administration

The work on B B Road, a thoroughfare in the City has been limping for the past six months. The stretch, before the construction of NH-7 bypass, was a National Highway and has now come under the purview of municipal administration.

The plan is to construct road dividers akin to those on Airport road and provide sodium vapour lamps. However, it had already been three months since the electrical poles were erected in the middle of the road. Power supply is yet to be provided.

Similarly, the work on welding grills to road dividers has also been pending. The owners of shops and commercial establishments have demolished the cement pillars supporting road dividers, to suit their convenience.

Thus, the dividers have become a free-for-all crossing resulting in minor accidents.

Trade on footpaths

Footpath is being constructed on either side of the B B Road. Cement tiles are being used for the footpath. However, even this work is taking its own sweet time. :(

The work has commenced only on one side. The stairs to shops lining the road have been constructed on the footpath itself. Majority of the shop owners display their merchandise on the footpath and thus the renovated footpath may not provide any relief to pedestrians.

A considerable sum is being spent on both of these projects. A sum of Rs 60 lakh is being spent for footpath construction and Rs 70 lakh for streetlamps. The work taken up at the expense of public money should benefit the masses. Any laxity would would amount to public money going into drains.
DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/74258/infra-work-snails-pace.html)

Here are some suggestions I would like to share regarding the maintenance of roads and footpaths.Most of the road works in the state you can see are biased towards the motorists,They enjoy utmost comforts,while the poor pedestrian is left with no choice but to do some exercise stepping down and up due to obstructions on the pavements & in that course putting himself under risk of being hit by the motorists.

Few points to be taken care of:For the citizens

1)Citizens must be aware of works underway/to be expedited in their respective localities,they must form a small group and elect a representative,the representative must have a copy of works to be expedited and must have a say(after consultations with his group members) in the development plan.

2)Site/Corporation Engineer must be accountable for explaining day to day works to be undertaken/carried out.

3)Timings of the works to be carried out must be unanimous after consultation with the citizen groups.If it is 24 hrs work then the citizens must be informed and effective measures must be taken to curtail noise/dust pollution and other environmental factors.
(Best example JLB road-JUSCO works,Mysore)

4)Citizens group must not hesitate to ask for the finance/funding/utilization details under the RTI act and file a criminal case if any discrepancy is observed.


5)If the works are felt to be of substandard level then the citizen group must approach the higher authorities say the DC or the district in charge and apprise him of the affairs.

Above are just my observations which would help citizens to be more a vigilant individuals.

Some suggestions: For the concerned authorities expediting works

1)The authorities must have a fair tender calling/awarding process.Here it is important that they award all works related to a project to one contractor who has proven experience in expediting the required works.

Say for example roads:

The contractor must be experienced in Storm drain works,Pavement works,Road surfacing,median laying and light posts erection.There must be no more than one contractor working on a particular job.

He must also have a design team to assess and survey things instead of entrusting it to another consultant.

He must have all the required machinery and equipments to carry out the works.

He must be in a position to complete the works on time and if any delays (unavoidable cases exception) he must be fined on hourly basis.

The contractor must co-operate with citizen groups.The corporation engineer must mediate between the contractor and the citizen group.

The authorities must see to that the environmental laws are adhered to during construction process,such that public faces no in convenience or any form of hardships.

will add more

Yahoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo,Krishnamoorthy things are materializing check below article

Road concreting to be an integrated package

TNN, Jun 9, 2010, 09.14pm IST

MANGALORE: Problems resulting from a concreting spree of major thoroughfares launched by the civic body with help from the Rs 100 crore special grant announced by the CM seems to have made authorities here wise. The initial thrust of MCC was to merely complete the road concreting work without paying an iota of thought to the need for proper drains for water to flow, and footpaths for pedestrians to use.

Faced with this stark reality, MCC commissioner K N Vijayaprakash on Monday said all road concreting works that the civic body would take in future would be dealt with as an integrated package. The person who is entrusted the task of concreting a road will also attend to construction of footpaths and drains, he said, adding that this task would have to be taken up simultaneously. The focus will also be on its timely completion, he said.

The civic body in the first phase took 17 major roads totalling 29.9 km for concreting. It has so far completed the work on 13 of these roads totalling 22.5 km, Vijayaprakash said adding that Rs 64.27 crore out of the Rs 100 crore special grant sanctioned has been spent on it. MCC so far has received Rs 65 crore out of Rs 100 crore, and the government recently released additional Rs 6 crore taking the total amount released to Rs 71 crore.

Admitting that lack of proper planning while taking up the initial road concreting works has left all concerned with innumerable problems, Vijayaprakash said the corporation is now battling hard to complete the drainage work alongside these roads that have already been concreting. Work of constructing 11 drains along such road at cost of Rs 4.26 crore has started, he said adding this included drains along all-important K S Rao Road.

Estimates are being prepared to construct 10 additional concrete drains at work would be taken up subject to availability of funds. MCC has drawn up plans to utilize the second instalment of Rs 100 crore fund promised by the CM where Rs 25 crore will be set aside for road concreting, equal amount for asphalting, Rs 10 crore for master drains and rest for other use. A master list of roads that will be concreted/asphalted has been prepared.

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/Road-concreting-to-be-an-integrated-package/articleshow/6029347.cms)

^^ Congratulations!

We need a knowledge base of 'best practices' and 'lessons learnt' so that same mistakes are not repeated. The knowledge base should be shared across corporations, muncipalties and panchayats.

IMMOVABLE PROPERTIES: MCC PREPARING GIS NETWORK

Calling property owners

Mysore, June 11(SH) -All immovable properties in the city are being included in the newly- created network by adopting Geographical Information System (GIS) following government orders, says a press release by the Mysore City Corporation (MCC).

About 1.73 lakh properties with details about them on Form-C have already been included in the network, the release said.

Information presented in Form- C includes identity of the property, number of the ward, number of the block to which the ward belongs, name of the road and property number. The copies of Form-C containing details of the properties have been provided to the property owners. Remitting property tax is being enabled through the network and therefore all property owners are required to confirm the correctness of the entries about their respective properties in Form-C.

The property owners are advised to make corrections of the information about their property in the same Form- C and submit the same to the relevant Zonal Office of the Corporation within seven days, as informed through public notification.

As many property owners have not complied with the above requirement of confirming the correctness of the entries or correcting the errors in the entries on Form- C, the exercise of preparing the network is not progressing, the released said.

Further, as June 12 (second Saturday) and June 13 (Sunday) are public holidays and as all Zonal Offices will be working, the property owners are required to return the confirmed or corrected Form-C to the respective office. If not, the information included in the Form-C of all such properties will be taken as correct and included in the network.

The information included in Form-C that needs to be either confirmed or corrected are: 1) Address of property and property number; 2) Owner's name and address; 3) Particulars of owner and beneficiary; 4) Classification of property (self-occupation or rented); 5) Official category; 6) Area of site; 7) Details of property (number of floors); 8) Details of property tax paid.
SOM

DISCIPLINING THE RECKLESS CAR PARKERS IN CITY

A novel venture by Traffic Police

Mysore, June 11 (HT&KMC) – It is time for the four-wheeler drivers in city to learn some parking discipline and decency.

The City Traffic Police, after spending considerable amount of time and energy in disciplining the autorickshaw drivers and two-wheeler riders (who are like the proverbial dog's tail), have now diverted their attention towards the four-wheelers that are haphazardly parked along the main roads and elsewhere in city, causing severe inconvenience to other vehicles and pedestrians.
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/6725/imageasph.jpg


Vehicle owners found guilty of wrong or haphazard parking will be given a ticket for violating traffic rules, after getting one of the wheels locked with a specially made device. The fines for parking vehicle in the no-parking zone is Rs. 100 and Rs. 200 for haphazard parking.

A demonstration of the Wheel Locking System was presented by the Traffic Police personnel led by DCP (Crime and Traffic) P. Rajendra Prasad on D. Devaraja Urs road last evening, in the presence of Deputy Mayor Pushpalatha Jagannath.

Faulty vehicles will be fitted with the lock and a ticket will be pasted on the car’s windshield. The car will be unlocked by the Police only after the owner or driver of the car has paid the fine at the Police Station notified in the ticket.

Presently, 15 such wheel-locks have been distributed among various Traffic Police Stations in city, said Rajendra Prasad.
SOM

Adding glitter to the celebrated road

Vincent D'Souza, TNN, Jun 20, 2010, 10.46pm IST

HUBLI: The Timmasagar temple main road, which found its way into the Limca Book of Records as the first insured road in the country is in the news again. This time, a group of citizens who have their houses flanking the celebrated road have decided to insure the streetlights that illuminates the road.

Dr M C Sindhur, a medical practitioner, who was in the forefront of insuring the road, told `The Times of India' that he has written a letter to Hubli Dharwad Municipal Corporation commissioner Dr K V Trilokchandra requesting for a no-objection certificate to proceed in this regard.

He said the citizens of the road thought of insuring the streetlights after the HDMC recently installed 12 energy saving streetlights of better quality on the road stretching for about 385 meters. "We believe that its our duty to protect the lighting equipment in the interest of its longevity," said Sindhur. He said the insurance premium will be wholly born by the residents.

He said the insurance policy will cover any kind of damages occurring to the streetlights like implosion, explosion, during riots, accidents and all types of natural calamities. More importantly it will save the revenue of civic authority as streetlights are prone to damages in quick succession due to reasons like tree felling, rain etc.

He said insuring the streetlights will also hasten the repair works. "We need not wait for a long time as it is happening now where the Hescom or the HDMC needs a couple of clearances to carry out the repairs."

Sindhur said sum of the insurance amount will be calculated depending on the actual cost of the streetlights. In case of any damages, the insured money will be remitted directly to HDMC account by the insurance company.

He said that he has already conveyed his idea of insuring the streetlights to the urban development minister, Suresh Kumar, when he paid a visit to the insured road during his recent visit to the city and he has appreciated the citizens' efforts in this regard.

When contacted Dr K V Trilokchandra, he said giving a NOC will not be a problem as the residents themselves are funding the insurance premiums. However, he said he needs to study the matter thoroughly before taking a call in this regard.
TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/Adding-glitter-to-the-celebrated-road/articleshow/6072184.cms)
Hope other cities follow the suit.

Monday, June 28, 2010 5:26:43 PM (IST)
Mangalore- Unauthorized Petty Shops Demolished at Pumpwell

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Mangalore Jun 28: Some of the unauthorized petty shops and STD booths were demolished by Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) at Pumpwell here on Monday June 28.

The district administration decided to demolish these shops as they would trouble the developmental projects of MCC. The shopkeepers were informed before hand by the deputy commissioner V Ponnuraj on Friday June 25. Hence the process went on smoothly without any problems.

http://www.daijiworld.com/img_news1/daya_280610_guduan11.jpg

http://www.daijiworld.com/img_news1/daya_280610_guduan12.jpg
http://www.daijiworld.com/img_news1/daya_280610_guduan15.jpg

http://www.daijiworld.com/img_news1/daya_280610_guduan6.jpg

The demolition of the petty shops will continue in the Old bus stand and State Bank. The MCC officials and the police department have taken certain precautionary measures so that there won’t be any problems or inconvenience.
Daijiworld (http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=80170)
:dance2: Great Going Mangalore...Mysore must learn from Mangalore.....:banana::banana:

‘UGDs to be installed in all roads’
Chikkaballapur: June 28, DHNS:

The work for laying underground drain pipes witnessed a surge in the town, with roads in M V Extension and APMC yard extension being added to the list, said Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation Secretary A K M Nayak on Monday.

Addressing the mediapersons here on Monday after inspecting the pipe laying , he said that the six- inch pipes had been scientifically tested and that there the residents had nothing to worry about.

The sewage from household toilets would be let into these drains and the rain water would be let into open storm water drains, he said. The City Municipal Council should instruct the people to implement these systems, he added.

The underground pipes will be tested by allowing water from a single household to flow into the pipes instead of the outer pipes. Sewage from the households is to be transported to an open 25-acre landfill on the outskirts of the city where a treatment unit is to be installed. The treated water can be used to water plants and agricultural fields. After installation of the unit, household underground pipes will be connected to it, he said.

The CMC should inspect the quality of the work, Nayak said, adding that the residents should inform him shoddy work in the installation of the underground drain pipes.
Karnataka Urban Infrastructure, Development and Finance Corporation General Manager Ashok, City Municipal Council President B A Lokesh kumar, Urban Planning District Director Akram Pasha, Commissioner Umakanth and others were present on the occasion.
DH News Service (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/78085/ugds-installed-all-roads.html)

MCC on demolition drive again (http://www.mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=185444)

‘Standalone' roads expose lack of planning

Raviprasad Kamila

This is apparent from the fact that a majority of the recently concreted roads in the city do not have footpaths, drains

PROBLEM-RIDDEN:Since the medians on several stretches such as this one between Marnamikatte and Valencia in Mangalore have not been filled, both motorists and pedestrians have to be extra careful.

MANGALORE: Heavy rainfall has exposed the folly of concreting roads without first building drains and footpaths. The lack of planning is glaring.

Minister for Urban Development S. Suresh Kumar, in a meeting earlier this month, was told by Deputy Commissioner V. Ponnuraj that residents had no problems with the roads, although issues relating to the absence of drains and footpaths had been raised.

To this, the Minister asked why the Mangalore City Corporation had not built drains and footpaths while the roads were being concreted. “Usually, these works go hand in hand, and drains are built first,” he said.

Consumer activist Addoor Krishna Rao and Nagarika Hitarakshana Samiti (Mangalore) president G. Hanumantha Kamath hold the corporation responsible for going ahead with concreting work without adequate planning.

Mr. Rao wants to know why the corporation did not acquire land to build drains and footpaths in advance. “Pedestrians have a right to footpaths just as motorists have a right to drive on roads.”

Mr. Rao says that the corporation authorities should have first shifted utility lines, and then built drains and footpaths before concreting the roads.

Delay

Mr. Kamath says that there has been a delay in completing work on many roads, although it started six months ago. “There is an unholy alliance between officials and contractors,” he alleges. “Otherwise why can't they make contractors complete the work at the earliest?”

He points out that without completing the stretch between Navbharath Circle and City Centre on K.S. Rao Road, the corporation had begun concreting the stretch between PVS Circle and Navbharath Circle. “This indicates that the corporation does not care about planning,” he says.

‘Acquisition hiccups'

Corporation executive engineer G.V. Rajashekar attributes the delay to the acquisition of land. Owners of roadside properties are not parting with their land. This was the case with the Bejai Church-Lalbagh Road, K.S. Rao Road Shivabagh-Bendoorwell Road and Kadri Kambala Road, Mr. Rajashekar says. The engineer says that the civic body has decided to go ahead with the concreting process first, “[because] we thought that after seeing the concrete roads, people will change their attitude and willagree to part with their land”.

As foreseen, there is a change in attitude, he says. “Negotiations are on with landowners.”

“Mr. Rajashekar's statement is partially correct,” says the former Mayor M. Shankar Bhat, during whose tenure the work began.

He says that contractors' unwillingness to take up work on drains and footpaths has also contributed to the delay. “We have been forced to invite bids three times for works on Lalbagh-Bejai-Circuit House Road,” he says.MCC Commissioner K.N. Vijayaprakash says that henceforth only integrated bids will be invited.

The corporation has invited bids to build drains and footpaths on 11 roads at an estimated cost of Rs. 4.26 crore.

Bids will also be invited for drains and footpaths on nine other major roads at an estimated cost of Rs. 22.6 crore, he says.

“Our priority is to convince people to part with their properties for roadworks. So far, we have taken 8.5 acres of land for different roadworks through negotiations,” he says. “Going in for legal acquisition is the last choice; people should cooperate with us.”
The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/06/30/stories/2010063063300300.htm)
:bash:

CMC resumes road-widening work in Tumkur

Staff Correspondent

TUMKUR: The Tumkur City Municipal Council (CMC) has taken up the widening of major roads here.

The municipal council's efforts to widen the roads in February 2006 met with partial success. The SIT-Someshwara Puram-Gangotri Road, the longest among them, was widened as a 40-foot road as against the stipulated 80-foot width. The standard 10-foot setback on both sides of the road was also not insisted upon.

In the wake of traffic congestion on the road, the municipal authorities have decided to widen it as a 80-foot road with 10-foot setback on both sides. Shop owners are once again preparing to remodel their structures.

Mahatma Gandhi Road will be widened at a cost of Rs. 1 crore, according to the municipal council executive engineer, D.S. Harish. He said that shop owners, who resisted remodelling their structures in February 2006, had been notified about the latest effort to widen the road.

“There is no question relenting this time,” he asserted, and said that the 750-metre road from Gayatri Cinema point to Gumchi Square would be developed.

Mr. Harish said that in the Horapet part of the city, another stretch of a 450-metre road from Gumchi Square to Karibasava Swamy Circle would be widened at a cost of Rs. 35 lakh.

In Kyatsandra, which was recently included in the municipal council limits, a 400-metre main market road would be widened, the engineer added.

Asked about the incomplete work on General Cariappa Road, Old Police Station Road, and Shirani Road (renamed Vivekananda Road), the official said that Rs. 43 crore had been provided for improvement of roads in Tumkur. However, there has been delay over eviction of encroachments on road. “It will be attended to on priority,” he said.
The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/05/stories/2010070554310600.htm)
Go BJP Go :banana2:

http://www.ndtv.com/news/videos/video_player.php?id=152178

:ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno:

http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/126560/maharashtra-karnataka-fight-over-belgaum.html

Udupi mulls over plastic ban

TNN, Jul 23, 2010, 10.44pm IST

UDUPI: Plastics will be banned in the district from August 15 and awareness programme will be held across the district to create awareness on the ill-effects of using plastics said Udupi District DC P Hemalatha.

Speaking at the awareness camp on ban on plastic misuse organized by the district administration and District Industrial Centre and Udupi CMC here at Town Hall on Thursday, she said merely implementing the laws will not suffice, the public should join hands for this social cause. "The use of plastics is hazardous. There are many substitutes for plastics. Paper bags and covers made of arecanut crust are among other alternatives. Self-help groups should come forward to manufacture these items," she said.

Citing Himachal Pradesh's efforts in achieving success against the use of plastics, Hemalatha said it is the only state in the country where plastic is banned. Temples, traders and business establishments should come forward to ban plastics, she added.
TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/Udupi-mulls-over-plastic-ban/articleshow/6207008.cms)
Udupi is damn clean,plastic ban will only make it more cleaner....way to go Udupi

Beware, smartcard can catch you jumping traffic signals
TNN, Jul 31, 2010, 09.36pm IST

Mysore: The transport department authorities will soon go hi-tech in identifying habitual traffic rule violators in the state.


If everything goes according to plans, the department officials will start using smartcard readers by January 2011. This will help them trace the habitual traffic offenders on the spot.

Transport and road safety commissioner Bhaskar on Saturday told reporters that they have issued 15 lakh smartcards to vehicle users across the state and 80,000 in Mysore. In another six months, they will procure a smartcard reader from which they can easily record the number of traffic rule violations committed by a smartcard holder. If the person violates the rules for seven consecutive times, their driving licence will be cancelled, Bhaskar claimed.

The advanced equipment will be put to use within six months. With this, the officers can check details by inserting smartcard into the readers or enter the type of violation by the vehicle user in any part of the state. Initially, it will be used by RTO officials and later they will also distribute it to police officers. Karnataka will be first in the country to use this software, the commissioner claimed.
TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Beware-smartcard-can-catch-you-jumping-traffic-signals/articleshow/6241840.cms)

CCTVs to help catch errant motorists (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/CCTVs-to-help-catch-errant-motorists/articleshow/6238442.cms)
Basavaraj F Kattimani, TNN, Jul 30, 2010, 09.45pm IST
HUBLI: From Sunday, jumping signals and breaking traffic rules will not be tolerated -- those violating the rules will have to pay a price.

The Hubli-Dharwad Police Commissionarate has relied on the service of CCTV (closed-circuit television) cameras to keep an eye on those who break the traffic rules. The department has installed six CCTVs in Hubli and three in Dharwad to regulate the traffic. The move follows the near-impossible task of the police to keep an eye on all the offenders, especially at the busy junctions.

The cameras have been installed at Sarvodaya Circle, Hosur Circle, Indi Pump Circle, Brindavan Circle, Bankapur Chowk and KC Circle (in Hubli), and Court Circle, Jubilee Circle and Toll Naka (in Dharwad). They will be functional from August 1.

The department has set up a traffic management centre at sub-urban police complex here to monitor the traffic while watching the camera feeds, round-the-clock. In case of violations or traffic jams, the staffers at the centre alert the traffic inspectors concerned. They, in turn, catch the errant motorist(s) or clear the traffic pile-up.
Speaking to `The Times of India', P R Batkurki, DCP (crime and traffic, Hubli-Dharwad) said: "We have installed the CCTV cameras at important road junctions to curb the violators and streamline the traffic."

Our main aim is to make people stick to traffic rules and to ensure smooth traffic movement, he added. The cameras will make motorists, even the reckless ones, fall in line, he hoped. "In case of violation, notice will be served to the errant driver/ rider who can be traced by his/ her vehicle registration number," he said.

Clear encroachments: Yeddyurappa

Staff Correspondent

‘Rs. 30 cr. released to the Raichur CMC'

Raichur: Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurapa said here on Wednesday that the district administration had been directed to continue its drive against encroachments in and around Raichur city and provide all facilities to the public.

Addressing presspersons here, he said that the Government had released Rs. 30 crore to the Raichur CMC from the Chief Minister's Development Funds mainly for improving facilities in the city. .

Earlier, the Chief Minister went round the city. He visited the main market area in the city where the district administration had cleared encroachments recently.

He also visited the public garden on Station Road to check complaints of encroachments of the garden area. He directed Deputy Commissioner Anbu Kumar to initiate action to clear encroachments in the garden and in all localities in and around the city.
The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/05/stories/2010080553690300.htm)
Now the CM himself has come out protesting the encroachments.

State to chronicle heritage trees

TNN, Aug 4, 2010, 10.48pm IST

MANGALORE: The Karnataka Biodiversity Board at its meeting held in Bangalore on Monday adopted a resolution to declare certain exceptional trees as heritage trees under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. The Board acting on representations received from various quarters to this effect adopted a resolution and has forwarded it to the secretary to the government, forest, ecology, and environment department on July 26 for necessary action.

Exceptional trees that would be declared heritage trees include 'Araucaria cookie' tree at Lalbagh, Bangalore, 'Ficus Bengalensis' or Doddaalada Mara at Kethohalli, Bangalore. The tree at Lalbagh with a girth of seven metres and 50 metres tall as per approximate age reported by locals is 140 years, while Doddaalada Mara, which is 50 metres tall is around 400 years old. They will be declared Heritage trees under section 63 (2) I of the Act.

Ananth Hegde Ashisara, chairman, Western Ghats Task Force, told reporters here on Wednesday that other trees in the list sent to the government includes an 883-year-old tree - tamarindus indica at Devarahipparagi village in Sindagi taluk of Bijapur district. This tree has a girth of 7.78 metres, and is 39.39 metres tall. An Adansonia Digitata-Malvaceae tree in Bijapur taluk with a girth of 9.20 metres and 7 metres tall is 359 years old.

Another tree of same species in Bijapur taluk with girth of 10.84 metrs and five metres in height is 600 years old. A 'Pilali' tree in Banavasi of Soraba taluk in Shimoga, which Hegde visited recently has a girth of 330 metres and is around 5-6 metres tall. This tree that is around 400 years old occupies an area of two acres. A Azadirachta Indica (Bevu) tree is T Venkatapura village in Sidlagatta taluk of Chickballapur district is 200 years old.

This tree, Hegde said has a girth of 5.4 metres and is 25 metres tall. Chickkahally in Mysore taluk has a Ficus Begalensis (Alada Mara) which is 260 years old with a girth of 11.2 metres and 30 metres tall. A Ficus Religiosa tree on Mysore University campus that is 160 years old with girth of 8.80 metres, and 32 metres tall, kempu booraga mara at Mysore Palace gate which is 130 years old has a girth of 28 metres and is 19.4 metres tall.
Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/State-to-chronicle-heritage-trees/articleshow/6258373.cms)

What’s on your plate today?
Preethi Nagaraj

Concern The fruits and vegetables that are considered ‘healthy’ and strong source of vitamins needed for the body, go through quite a grind before landing on our tables. Preethi Nagaraj goes on a reality check



Could be better: The APMC yard, which makes for an important stopover of the fruits and vegetables consumed by the citizens, needs to understand the concept of hygiene and cleanliness better dh photos Wash the vegetables thoroughly, says the cooking rule book. But, what it does not say is how ‘rigorous’ the wash has to be and what kind of detergent you must use to rid the vegetable or the fruit off all the dirt and pesticides it may have imbibed while growing into a plum object.

In that case, will mere ‘washing well in flowing water’ do?

The APMC yard, or the Agricultural Produce and Marketing Committee yard in the city, needs immediate attention as far as hygiene is concerned. Nearly 25,000 - 30,000 tonnes of vegetables and fruits enter and leave this area from various taluks in the district. It is time the officials took note of the dire need for hygiene, for the sake of all Mysoreans’ health!

About 150 local autos and 30 lorries ply in and out of the premises with vegetables and fruits. While some bring vegetables from KR Pet, Periyapatna, HD Kote, Nanjangud, Pandavapura, T Narsipura among other areas.

Some vegetables travel as far as Delhi and Jaipur depending upon the bulk orders.
The seven and half acres of this place, sure needs some ‘revolution’ of sorts to ensure vegetables are not left rotting and uncleared along the paths. The godowns have been rendered waste with doors and wire meshes missing from most of them.

Chairman of APMC, H S Nagaraju says a rent of Rs 14,000 was fixed for each godown. “Since most traders didn’t want to store vegetables, owing to different reasons, the godowns have been rendered waste,” he added. The main problem that haunts APMC is the shortage of space for the ever growing trade. But, expansion plans may have to wait for some years now, since the officials don’t want to take it up in a hurry.

Silver lining

Despite the fact that the place is dirty and can turn anyone off the veggies and fruits for life, it can also be a major source of compost and biogas, if the potential is tapped in the right manner. The place, according to an estimate generates few thousand tonnes of waste which is usually dumped somewhere. Instead, a biogas plant and a compost unit set up at the place can sure earn some income for the place to maintain itself neat and tidy.
DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/86902/whats-your-plate-today.html)

'OPERATION DEMOLITION' BEGINS'

http://a.imageshack.us/img819/6565/imageaspf.jpg

Three teams at work simultaneously

Squatters vacate sheds voluntarily

More than 30 acres reclaimed

Mysore, Aug. 8 (KK,KMC& MRS)- Land grabbers, you are warned. The government, which hitherto was reluctant, has begun a massive operation to evict the encroachment of government lands. Those who considered the warnings of district administration as a mere hollow threat, are in for a shock.


An army of gangmen and officials started the operation in the early hours of this morning, beginning from Lingambudhi Lake, Lingambudhi Palya, Kergalli and Dattagalli, re-claiming nearly 30 acres of land today.

The operation began at 3 places simultaneously by 3 teams each with 10 gangmen, an excavator and other equipment.

Assistant Commissioner Bharathi led the operation, assisted by Tahasildar Manjunath Swamy, Deputy Director of Land Records Prasad V. Kulkarni and other officials.

Kuvempunagar Police provided security along with a platoon each of KSRP and CAR.

The major piece of land reclaimed today was in Lingambudi Lake — a 20-acre plot that had been encroached upon by one G. Thomas. He had got the land on lease in 1985 for a period of 15 years and set up Mary Bricks factory. After the lease expired in 2001, Thomas launched a legal battle seeking renewal of lease. Finally, the High Court, in a recent order, directed Thomas to vacate the land.

During today's drive, four large sheds meant for drying and sta-cking bricks, one RCC-roofed farm house and other constructions were razed to ground. Though Thomas lived elsewhere and had stopped bricks production, he continued to illegally occupy the land, for which a case under Section 192 (A) of the Cr.PC is booked against him.

A 3.5-acre plot of land in Kergalli, coming under Survey No. 58, encroached upon by one Rasu Developers to provide road to a revenue layout, was also reclaimed. A case has been booked against the developer.

Another 9 guntas of land in Kergalli under Survey No. 60, that had been fenced off by one Thammaiah, was vacated. No case is booked against him as he voluntarily vacated the place.

In Dattagalli village and Lingambudhi Palya, 4.5 acres of government land, that had been encroached upon by Shivanna and Basavegowda for maize and coconut cultivation, also have been reclaimed.

Poornaiah Canal

Reclaiming of Poornaiah canal will be taken up subsequently as some parts are yet to be surveyed, Bharathi said and added that the operation will be a continuous process.

25 years ago...

Such a massive operation was not conducted after mid-80s. It was during the regime of late Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde that the dynamic Divisional Commissioner late C. Muniswamy, who was In-Charge Chairman of Town Planning Authority, took the bold step of demolishing unauthorised constructions behind Thonachikoppal, Kuvempunagar and Dattagalli. He even put some land-grabbers behind bars.

This infuriated Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, then Lok Sabha member, who threatened that he would lie down before the bulldozers if 'Operation Demolition' was not stopped.

The Hegde government, however, had to yield to the pressure of vote bank politics and advised Muniswamy to halt the demolition drive. Thanks to Muniswamy, well-planned layouts have now come up on lands reclaimed by him during the operation.
STAR OF MYSORE

MCC clears Old bus stand area

Mangalore, Aug 7: The Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) on Saturday cleared several encroachments erected in the old bus stand area. The MCC demolition squad plundered the shacks that belonged to petty businessmen belonging to the poorest of the poor classes, loaded their ware and push carts mercilessly and transported it to an undisclosed destination outside the city.
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Many of the petty shops and push carts were pounded into mangled metal in front of their owners. The merciless MCC demolition squad did not even allow the petty shop owners to remove it themselves and take them to a secured location. The shop owners were begging the officials with tears in their eyes and some of them even were kneeled before them and prostrating before them with folded hands.

Speaking to the Mangalorean.com one of the officials on conditions of anonymity told the area was being cleared to make way for a large shopping complex and parking complex. The land had to be handed over to the builders free of all encumbrances. When asked if the parking will also be taken out, the official said, the parking area will continue to function in the same area as the rich people and businessmen in the Hampankatta area need that place to park their cars. But sooner or later even the parking will have to go as the builder may move in his machinery.

Today over 27 shacks belonging to poor people were plundered and in the coming days more petty shops will be removed in the city to make way for free flow of traffic and pedestrian movement. When asked where will the poor petty shop owners go, the officials only said it was decision to be taken at much higher level.

By Team Mangalorean (http://www.mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=191211)
MCC must have allowed the owners to voluntarily take away thier things,instead of damaging them. :mad2:

It takes will power to plug pedal power

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00161/cycle_161196f.jpg
CANVASSING FOR A GREENER STATE: Minister for Urban Development S. Suresh Kumar cycles along the main thoroughfares of Mysore to create awareness about the need to reduce carbon emission. Photo: M.A.Sriram

The roads of Bangalore are like huge funnels narrowing to impenetrable bottlenecks.

Lakhs of us have to endure daily congestion, our misery compounded by the toxic cocktail of automobile exhaust as we inch along through traffic jams.

So, would a cycling lane splitting and further reducing precious road space, be a solution to the traffic woes of the city? At least this was what was suggested by Transport Secretary M.K. Shankaralinge Gowda to the civic authorities at the recent Breathe Easy campaign. Mr. Gowda had urged laying of bicycle tracks on arterial roads to reduce congestion.

More than just words

A laudable idea on all counts, but is it feasible? A dipstick survey by The Hindu suggested that a lot more would be required for the able and willing to be pedalling about in earnest.

It takes a lot for the city to put in place safe cycling tracks. As Khalandar Khan, Transport Planner in the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) explained: “The roads should be a minimum 30 metres wide for cycling tracks to be feasible. However, in Bangalore the terrain is highly inconsistent: the width keeps fluctuating from 30 metres to 10 metres. Hence, cycling tracks simply cannot be planned. If, however the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike's plan to widen 216 roads is achieved, then planning the tracks will be hassle free.”

Study

He added that the Riders Cycle Foundation is conducting an extensive study, earmarking cycle-friendly zones. The Bangalore Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA) is awaiting the report.

Big plans but…

Bhaskara Rao, Commissioner for Transport and Road Safety and president of Riders Cycle Foundation said: “We're currently planning close to 300 km of cycle tracks. I would, however, be happy if I see five km of tracks take shape.”

Despite a fairly decent public transport system, a big chunk of commuters still prefer their personal vehicles, he said, pointing out that 70 per cent of the 40 lakh registered vehicles here are two-wheelers. Mr. Rao observed that in Western Europe, where cycling is a prime mode of transport, there is a direct correlation between cycling and use of public road transport.

“The higher the number of cyclists, the greater the population travelling by bus or the metro,” he said, adding that Bangalore seems to buck the trend.

“In a city like Bangalore,” said Pradeep Singh, a Ph.D. scholar in Transportation Management in IIT Delhi, “the speed distribution of traffic is highly variable, making it very unsafe for cyclists.”

Ingrained in the culture

He pointed out that nowhere else in the world is bicycling so ingrained in the culture as it is in Holland.

According to the Dutch Bicycling Council, 37 per cent of all the vehicle trips around Amsterdam are made on cycles.

Holland's example

According to a research article by John Puecher and Ralph Bueler, titled At the Frontiers of Cycling: Policy Innovations in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany, Amsterdam has automobile-free zones, compelling people to use their cycles.

Dutch traffic laws protect young cyclists and hold automobile drivers responsible in case of accidents.

Additionally, fee for car parks has substantially increased since the 1970s.

It is high time that Bangalore, where cycles are destined to rust in garages once young adults move up in life, went ‘Dutch'.
Giving it that push

Why we should promote cycling

It reduces congestion. Six bicycles can typically fit into the road space of one car.

It does not emit climate-disrupting air pollution.

It is priced within the reach of thousands who cannot afford a car.

Cycling reduces obesity, a growing health problem.

Why cycling is difficult in Bangalore

Lack of basic infrastructure, such as specialised parking lots, tunnels and exclusive traffic signals.

It has ceased to be a part of the city's culture. Only 2 per cent of the population are registered cyclists.

Constructing cycling lanes with grills around the periphery would only eat into the already strained road space.

How we can encourage cycling

By earmarking motor vehicle-free zones across the city.

There should be by ample cycle parking, full integration with public transport, comprehensive traffic education and training of both cyclists and motorists.

By making driving expensive as well as inconvenient in central and highly congested areas through a host of taxes and restrictions on car ownership, use and parking.

The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Bangalore/article564994.ece)

TNN, Aug 12, 2010, 09.33pm IST


HUBLI: The residents of Timmasagar Temple Main Road in Vidyanagar here on Wednesday put Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) in a spot by seeking a no-objection certificate (NoC) to grow vegetables and flowers on two intersecting roads which have been neglected by the civic authority.

Fed up by the officials' apathy towards the development of the two roads measuring 60 metres and 90 metres, which intersects Timmasagar Temple Main Road, the country's first insured civic road. Dr M C Sindhur, who has been leading the cause, dashed off an e-mail to the civic body seeking the NoC.

Explaining the grouse of the people there, Dr Sindhur said the short stretch of the roads have never been asphalted ever since the fertile agricultural land was developed into a residential area in 1960. Though the area falls in the heart of the city, the civic authority has failed in carrying out the routine maintenance of roads, which is one of its mandatory duties.

"Hence the residents have come up with an idea of making best use of the fertile mud roads by growing vegetables and flowers there. We will grow organic vegetables and eco-friendly flower plants. By doing so, we will at least be able to beautify the locality and benefit the environment around us," he said.

Further, he said the HDMC has been punctual in issuing notices of property tax to people living off the insured road. But at the same time, it has never bothered to asphalt the two mud roads on the right side of that road. This, he said, is in spite of several petitions submitted to the civic authority, urging it to take up development works. Even the zonal offices intended to address the civic problems have been useless.

When contacted, HDMC commissioner K V Trilokchandra said he will study the situation and see what best can be done.
TOI
(http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/Residents-seek-NoC-to-grow-greens-flowers-on-road/articleshow/6301216.cms)

Wheel lock didn't stop him from driving
TNN, Aug 17, 2010, 10.43pm IST

MYSORE: A driver of a vehicle, which was parked in a no-parking zone, has given police the slip, a smart one indeed. Though the police had locked the wheels of his vehicle, the person replaced it with a new tyre and drove away. Now, police have filed a theft case against the owner.

Police said the vehicle bearing a Bangalore registration number was parked in a no-parking zone on the Vinobha Road near Shivarampet. Traffic cop Chandrashekar locked the wheel and stuck a notice on the car.

Unperturbed by this, the vehicle driver, whose identity is yet to be known, replaced the front wheel with a spare and took away the wheel along with the lock costing Rs 2,000.

The cop was shocked to see that the car was missing.

ACP traffic Shankregowda told TOI that they know the vehicle registration number and the driver will be booked for theft.

India Times (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Wheel-lock-didnt-stop-him-from-driving/articleshow/6326933.cms)
We blame the system when things are not in place,when the system is set right we fail to adhere to it.Indians will never change.:bash:

^^ Oh gosh! :lol:
They should lock 2 wheels... Nobody will have 2 stepney spares :)

I have seen one car wheel locked in bangalore.. They had even tucked a big notice paper into wiper...

T.V. Sivanandan

* About 3,900 construction workers in Gulbarga district have registered their names
* Contractors, architects should remit 1 per cent of the construction cost to Labour Department

GULBARGA: A legislation aimed at providing welfare measures to workers involved in construction activities in the State in 1996 has remained in a state of suspended animation. Not a single contractor or government agencies involved in construction activities have registered themselves with the government as required under the Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers Act 1996.

Official sources said here on Tuesday that according to the Act, contractors and architects should not only register their firms with the Labour Department, but also remit 1 per cent of the total cost of the construction taken up by them to the Labour Department. The remitted amount would be used for the welfare of the construction workers who enrol themselves with the Labour Department.

According to the Labour Officer Arati, so far only just over 3,900 building and construction workers in the district have enrolled their names with the department for availing themselves of these benefits. According to an estimate, there are more than one lakh construction workers in Gulbarga district. The benefits could be extended to those involved in the works taken up under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, according to the Secretary of the HKDB Shalini Rajneesh Goel, since the workers involved in the MGNREGS works are also involved in construction activity.

Even the government departments, including the Public Works Department and Zilla Panchayat Engineering Divisions, that take up major portion of construction activities, and the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Ltd, which also takes up lot of construction activities, have not registered with the Labour Department and were not remitting the 1 per cent building and construction cess.

Besides providing hospital expenditures to the maximum of Rs. 2,000 to construction labourer in case of admission for common ailments, the scheme takes care of hospital bills up to Rs. 50,000 in case of serious ailment, including cancer. In the event of death at the work spot, the family of the deceased worker would be paid Rs. 1 lakh as compensation.

The scheme also provides for financial assistance to the first two children to meet their education expenditure ranging from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 10,000. It provides for the payment of Rs. 6,000 maternity allowance to women construction workers. A sum of Rs. 5,000 is paid as marriage expenditure for the first two children of construction labourers. A soft loan of Rs 50,000 is provided for constructing their house at the rate of 5 per cent annual interest.

The scheme also provides for payment of pensions to construction labourers.

The construction labourers will have to pay Rs. 25 as registration fee and pay Rs. 10 every month as renewal fee to be the member of the scheme.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/20/stories/2010082065700800.htm)

Vijaykumar Patil

* Long power cuts have made lives of weavers miserable

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Livelihood at stake:Sanjay Chavannavar and his family members are forced to sit idle as his powerloom does not have electricity supply for the greater part of the day.

Belgaum: An unusual atmosphere prevails along the narrow lanes in Vadgaon, Bharatnagar, Malaprabha Nagar, Shahpur and Khasbag in the old city of Belgaum — the rhythmic sound of powerlooms is replaced by long spells of silence.

Thousands of weavers are forced to sit idle for long hours thanks to scheduled and unscheduled power cuts. On any given day, the city is suffering from power cuts ranging from six to 10 hours or more, in intervals of one, two and three hours. It has directly affected, not only the powerloom weavers but also the manufacturing/production and service, besides trade and commerce sectors.

“If there is no power supply for six to 10 hours during the day, it only means that we are losing as many number of production hours, which is neither good for us nor for the State or the country. Let alone competing at the global level, we are struggling to survive as our incomes have drastically come down,” says Prakash Chavannavar of Vadgaon.

Mr. Chavannavar's family consists of five members, which includes his wife, a son and two daughters. He owns two looms and all the family members are engaged in production of polyester saris, which are known as “Shahpur sari” in the national market. Normally, they work for about 14 hours a day to run the looms for at least 12 hours. Each loom can produce one sari in an hour and every weaver looks at weaving at least three saris a day. But, with power situation turning worse since March this year, the production per loom, on an average, has come down to just two in a day. About four hours is needed to produce one Jakard-butta sari.

Mr. Chavannavar, who weaves Jakard-butta saris, says the plight of weavers has been worsening with every passing day for several other reasons. Apart from power cuts, the prices of raw material have gone up but prices of finished saris have come down owing to rampant and well-organised exploitation by middlemen, traders and wholesale dealers. These traders are both suppliers of raw materials and buyers of finished saris. They sell raw materials at higher rates and buy saris at a lower price.

For instance, the Jakard-butta sari which used to fetch Rs. 250 in the market now costs Rs. 205. This is reverse trend when compared with the prices of all other commodities which have sky-rocketed. With that, the profit margin had also come down to only Rs. 15 per sari.

“Somehow, we are pulling our lives without any improvement, may be we are not on the priority list of the government,” said Mr. Chavannavar as his eyes fail to show signs of hope.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/20/stories/2010082065710800.htm)

The encroachment clearance has been postponed for more staff

Mandya: Aug 22, DHNS:

Finally, the City Municipal Council has taken steps to clear the footpath encroachments in Mandya amid a lot of comments on official apathy.

Though there were statements issued that ‘operation footpath’ will begin from August 23 from V V Road, it is likely to be postponed for a couple of days.

In-charge president M J Chikkanna said that he had held discussions with the Deputy Commissioner in this regard, who has promised of complete cooperation. The encroachment clearance has been postponed as they had to arrange for more staff and the drive will begin from Wednesday, he said.

Vanishing footpath

The footpath on V V Road, 100 ft road, Guthalu road, R P Road, Vinoba Road and other main roads have vanished due to encroachment. Moreover, mushrooming of petty shops on footpath on both the sides of Mysore-Bangalore Highway has also made things difficult. These shops are luring customers who do not mind parking their vehicles at the spot, which has narrowed the footpath, making it difficult for the pedestrians.
The shop owners too have extended their shops and temporary shelters have been erected on the footpaths, displaying their products. The 100 ft road can also spotted with these shops covering the whole footpath.

These shops have not mushroomed overnight but have been occupying footpaths since the past two to three years. But, the footpath shops on V V Road, which is near the CMC office, has not come to the notice of the officials, claim the public.It is said the sudden decision to take out encroachment clearance on the footpath is due to the funds allotted by the Chief Minister for development of footpath in the city.
As per the project, Rs 60 lakh has been allotted for laying footpath on 100 ft road, Rs 40 lakh for V V Road, Rs 30 lakh for Vivekananda Road.
Now, the funds have been allotted, project has been finalised and now it is the turn of the officials to identify the footpath. It has to be seen how successfully the project will be implemented, say the people.
DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/90714/operation-footpath-mandya-wednesday.html)

Mysore-Mangalore-Hubli corporations must learn from Mandya CMC and initiate Operation footpath in their respective cities.

Operation footpath successful
Mandya:Aug 25, DHNS:

The operation ‘footpath clearance’ launched by the City Municipal Council of Mandya on VV Road was successful on Wednesday.

The citizens lauded the CMC for taking a bold action against the encroachers.
Some shopkeepers had voluntarily cleared encroachments on their own and extended full co-operation for the CMC employees to clear debris. Two earth moving machines were used for this purpose. The drive began from Mahaveer Circle early in the morning.

CMC President M J Chikkanna, Commissioner Ramaswamy, Tahsildar Dr Rajendraprasad were present on the spot till the completion of the drive on VV Road.
The police had made elaborate security arrangements in the entire area as a precautionary measure.

A bundh-like situation was prevailing on V V Road and adjoining areas.
There was no resistance from anybody because of which the drive passed off peacefully.

Development
The CMC has decided to beautify footpath on V V Road at a cost of Rs 40 lakh under the Chief Minister’s Small and Medium Towns Development Scheme. In another development, Tahsildar Dr Rajendra Prasad said road widening will be taken up after footpath clearance. The taluk administration has already undertaken a survey of the road to identify encroachment for clearing the same.

This work will begin after the government releases funds. In some places, nearly five to eight feet of footpath have been encroached.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/91474/operation-footpath-successful.html

Great work Mandya,hope Mysore learns from you.

One crore trees to be planted across state
TNN, Sep 13, 2010, 09.50pm IST
MANGALORE: One crore tree saplings, including those of `Bel' or `Wood Apple' tree, leaves of which is supposed to be dear to Lord Shiva will be planted across Karnataka from September 19.

Taking up this mammoth task is the Sri Samsthana Mahabaleshwara Deva, Gokarna, Uttara Kannada district, under the leadership of Sri Raghaveshwara Bharathi swami of Sri Ramachandrapura mutt, which manages the affairs of the temple.

Bheemeshwara Joshi, president of Koti Rudra Maha Samiti and managing trustee of Sri Annapoorneshwari Temple, Hornadu, told reporters here on Monday that the sapling plantation drive is the brain child of the swamiji to address problems of global imbalance due to deforestation. Trees endemic to various topographical regions of Karnataka in general, as well as 'Bel' trees in particular would be planted as part of this drive, he said.

The sapling plantation drive has been taken up in conjunction with the one crore chanting of `Rudra' - shlokas dedicated to Lord Shiva. It takes around 15 minutes to recite `Rudra' once, he said, adding that this onerous task got underway at the Gokarna temple on April 27, 2009 and would end in 2012. There are around 200 people who recite the `Rudra' each day in the precincts of Gokarna temple and so far 14 lakh Rudras have been recited.

Joshi explained that the `waves' arising out of the recitation of the `Rudra' would have a beneficial effect on the entire mankind as well as to the person who recites it. The temple management committee has extended all logistical help to devotees frequenting the temple from all over India, to take part in recitation of 'Rudra', he said. The swamiji would kick-start the tree sapling plantation drive at Gokarna temple on September 19.

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/One-crore-trees-to-be-planted-across-state/articleshow/6548871.cms)

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See the size of the footpath :shocked: Almost equal to the carriageway,now it is ready to get shrunk

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cc thanks to syed tannveruddin sir for the compilation (http://picasaweb.google.com/indian.tanveer.photos)

BANGALORE: Bangalore Urban and Bangalore Rural are among the seven districts of the state where groundwater is depleting very fast. A report of Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) says apart from Bangalore, Kolar, Mandya, Ramanagara, Chikballapur and Tumkur have seen their sources of water drying up or giving way to urban infrastructure projects.

The source of the water bodies in most cases has dried up or have been filled up for infrastructure projects that in turn led to depletion of water level, says the report.

"It's like using up your fixed deposits," said Najeeb K Mohammed, CGWB superintending hydrologist.

Apart from the above reasons, the river bodies have not been maintained scientifically by the local engineers, which has only amplified the problem, he said. Under the sustainable drinking water scheme, the Centre has given `1600 crore for safe drinking water. "There is no dearth of the budget as the Centre is liberal in spending money on safe drinking water but when the source of the water has dried up, how can they provide water," he said.

The water board has roped in engineers, geologists and researchers of Panchayat Raj Engineering Department and the Karnataka Rural Water Supply And Sanitation Agency (KRWSSA) to improve the situation in the districts.

Around 70 engineers have undergone training and another 70 engineers will be trained in the next month, he said.

"Those selected were told how to maintain check dams, percolation structures and borewells," he said. "The idea was to teach them how to scientifically rejuvenate groundwater and recharge rainwater."

Director of KRWSSA P Boregowda said the water sources in the districts mentioned have been exploited to the maximum. He said drilling more borewells and extracting groundwater for industrial use has not only depleted water, but has also highly contaminated it.

In places like Kolar where drilling depth is at 1,000 feet, fluoride contamination has been found. In Mandya, groundwater is completely contaminated with nitrate due to the use of chemical fertilisers, said Boregowda. He said 50 per cent of the work done by the team has proved to be useless. "Hence, we approached the board to give a scientific training to our workers," he said.

The board will publish the report within a month.

http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/water-table-depleting-in-7-districts-report/209855.html...

Bangalore, Oct 6, DHNS

The State government will launch the programme of issuing unique identification numbers to the people under the ‘Aadhaar’ programme in Tumkur and Mysore on October 8.


Several designated centres will start accepting documents required for the issuance of the UID number. The numbers are expected to be issued within 20 days of submitting the documents.

The State, however, will not issue a card, but an acknowledgement which will have the number along with the name of the resident. People can laminate the acknowledgement and make further use of it.

Department of e-Governance Secretary M N Vidyashankar said that the enrollment in these two districts is expected to be completed by December 2010. “The process of enrollment for Bangalore and the other districts will begin in January 2011 and we expect to complete most of the enrollment by December 2011,” he added. Documents can be submitted at the registration centres established by the district administration apart from Mysore One centres in Mysore.

Allaying fears of misuse of information, he said the information will be collected on eight aspects for the Karnataka Resident Data Hub. The information collected pertains to social security. Though obtaining a UID remains a voluntary exercise, a government order in this regard would be issued soon. Thus, making it mandatory for people to provide these number to obtain any service either from the government or private entities.

Apart from specified documents, biometric details like iris and photograph, fingerprint details will also be taken for the number.

The project is being popularised on the ground that every resident can be identified accurately with the number and ensure that services from both the governments and other service providers are not misused.


When it will be launched in whole state..any idea...?

Source (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/102726/aadhaar-launched-state-oct-8.html)

DIST. ADMN. PREPARES FOR MAJOR DEMOLITION DRIVE

Illegal places of worship, public place encroachments to go

Mysore, Oct. 30 (RK&KMC) – The District Administration today carried out an inspection of some spots in city where public places have been encroached upon.

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling that encroachments on public places like parks, roads and footpaths, should be evicted by Dec. 31, 2010, the Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka issued a circular to all DCs to submit reports in this regard.

Following this, the DC Harsha Gupta had submitted a report to the government, on the encroachments in the City and the district a fortnight ago.

The Mysore City Corporation (MCC) had submitted a list to the DC about the various encroachments in the city, which needed to be evicted.

Accordingly, DC Harsha Guptha, along with Police Commissioner Sunil Agarwal, MCC Commissioner K.S. Raikar, MUDA Commissioner P.C. Jayanna and other officials, visited the spots in a van.

A meeting to discuss about the eviction drive will be held at DC’s office on Nov. 2, as per sources.

LED, CFL bulbs to light up cities of Karnataka
Bangalore, Nov 11 (PTI)

Karnataka government has decided to introduce energy-efficient LED and CFL bulbs in offices and streets in seven city corporations, Urban Development Minister S Suresh Kumar said today.

LED and CFL bulbs, besides being consuming significantly less electricity, generally last five years compared to the conventional, incandescent ones whose life was around two years, the minister told reporters.It has been decided to develop "mini forests" in city corporation limits, he said.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/111949/led-cfl-bulbs-light-up.html)
Major roads of Mysore like--Victor Albert,Hunsur,Chamraja double road etc etc already are on LED bulbs--They look really amazing :) Gives a very clean look---Do visit -Hunsur road in the night--

BANGALORE: Urban Development Minister Sureshkumar on Thursday said eight city corporations would be bestowed with the “Best corporation” award.

He was speaking after the inauguration of City Sanitation Plan, a sanitation workshop held by the Union Ministry of Urban Development, Administrative Staff College of India and City Managers’ Association and the Directorate of Municipal Administration.

Sureshkumar said this was a very important subject that needed much of the corporation’s attention and a decision on the same would be taken on December 8.

He said sanitation could not be narrowed down to toilets alone and included efficient Solid Waste Management and keeping public places and underground drainage systems clean.

Reflecting upon the recent announcements of the cleanest cities in the country, he said while Mysore was placed second, Bangalore secured the eighth place.

Advisor to the Chief Minister on Urban Affairs, A Ravindra, said they had discussed plans regarding sanitation, which needed to be approved by the Cabinet.


ExpressBuzz (http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/%E2%80%98work-harder-to-keep-the-city-clean%E2%80%99/226125.html)

Udupi: The Government has planned to open 1,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in the State in the next three years, said B.N. Bache Gowda, Labour Minister, on Saturday.

Mr. Gowda told presspersons here that the aim of opening these ITIs was to provide training to the youth. The Labour Department was organising a job fair every month in a different place. The next fair would be held in Bangalore.

The Government wanted to promote coordination between manpower supply and demand by rendering assistance to be job-seekers and employers through job fairs. The department was acting as a facilitator in the process, he said.

The department had held job fairs in Raichur, Dharwad, Bangalore, Mysore, and Bagalkot this year. His department had organised 21 mega job fairs and 147 mini job fairs in the State. Nearly 2.78 lakh job-seekers had attended them.

As many as 1.38 lakh candidates got employment through these job fairs. As many as 2.15 lakh youths had been given training by the department.

“We keep track of people employed even after they have got employment,” he said.

The department would open Human Resource Development (HRD) centres in the employment exchanges in Mysore, Shimoga, Tumkur, Bellary, Kolar, Belgaum and Hubli.

It had opened a centre in Mangalore. These centres would replace the employment exchanges. “Our State is one of the first to start such HRD centres,” said Mr. Gowda.

He said that the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana, a Central scheme that provides for health insurance to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in the unorganised sector, was being implemented in five districts of the State. It would be extended to other districts in phases. The Government would also extend the Vajpayee Arogyashri Yojane to all districts in the State in phases, said Mr. Gowda.

Commissioner of the Department of Employment and Training S.R. Umashankar was present.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/28/stories/2010112860450300.htm)

MCC plans ad policy to beautify City (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/121494/mcc-plans-ad-policy-beautify.html)
Akshatha M
http://www.deccanherald.com/images/editor_images1/2010/12/17/mcc-250.jpg
A view of hoardings in Mangalore.

An ad policy to the city sounds good at a juncture when the city is losing its charm due to the messy hoardings, bill boards, posters and banners scattered all over Mangalore. The MCC is drafting an ad policy, implementation of which would beautify the city, writes Akshatha M

Despite the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act 1976 stipulating an Advertisement hoarding policy, to ensure the unnecessary erection of hoardings, billboards and other temporary structures in the city limits, most of the City Corporations have failed to implement the Act. Mangalore City Corporation too is not free from criticisms of letting the hoarding and billboards hang on the street sides and thus spoiling the city image.

However, few small initiatives have been taken up in the recent days, to eliminate illegal hoardings in the city area. Once in a month or two, the MCC led by Commissioner Dr K N Vijay Prakash, identifies the illegal structures and removes them regardless of the objections posed from the ad agencies and the advertisers. Most of the illegal hoardings found in the city are of corporate bodies and business houses followed by the educational institutions. Though political hoardings too are put up now and then, they have not crossed the limit like the massive spread of corporate hoardings.

To put an end to the illegal and unauthentic hoardings, billboards, signboards and kiosks in the city, the MCC is all set to draft an advertisement policy which would reduce the hoarding mess to a drastic extent.

Intended policy

Speaking to City Herald, MCC Commissioner Dr K N Vijay Prakash informed that he along with the professors and the technical teams from SDM College of Business Management and Shrinivas College of Business Management have drafted a rough sketch of the ad policy to Mangalore City which would, if implemented properly, control the hoarding mess in the city. “So far, there has been no specific, scientific policy followed by the MCC to control advertisements put up unevenly on the street sides. The condition is so worse that every other ad agency with no basic information like the name of the agency, license, the date of issuing license and expiry date, put up their advertisements on the street side without permission. The MCC intends to stop this menace by issuing strict regulations,” said the Commissioner.

The initial draft plan aims at limiting the hoarding size, ban the banners and posters put up on the electric polls, restricting film posters in certain areas among others. “The film posters fixed in public and private places are a major hazard in every city. MCC wishes to control sticking the film posters and thereby beautify the city at least to certain extent.

Along with it, mega hoardings are also erected in all drections. Controlling them is need of the hour,” said Vijay Prakash.

Apart from it, there are also plans to create ad free zones in the important areas of the city like Town Hall and Hampankatta. If the policy is implemented as per the plan, then the rule violators will be penalised with a hefty amount. The Commissioner is completely aware of the objection that might come on the way of implementing the policy, but the determined Commissioner affirms, “slowly but steadily MCC would bring the needed change.”

New plan for Shimoga's upkeep ready

Special Correspondent

Private agencies to be hired for seven years

They will be responsible for cleanliness

SHIMOGA: The City Municipal Council (CMC) at its meeting here on Thursday decided to entrust the cleaning exercise in the select 25 wards to private agencies as a package to ensure proper cleanliness and hygiene in the city. The meeting decided to seek suggestions of the Standing Committee regarding the wards where the package should be implemented before the proposal was sent to the Government for its approval.

Deputy Commissioner V. Ponnuraj, who attended the meeting as a special invitee, said there was a need to lay more emphasis on cleanliness. He said the package programme was inevitable for proper maintenance of cleanliness in the city. Environmental engineer at the CMC, Manukumar, said cleanliness drive in the 25 wards would be outsourced to private agencies for seven years under the proposed package which covered the responsibility of maintaining cleanliness of roads, conservancies, and removal of debris from the houses and commercial buildings.

He said there were 58,363 residential houses and 12,000 commercial buildings apart from 35,000 houses in the slums which produced nearly one ton garbage everyday. He said it was proposed to take up the cleanliness work through 190 civic workers in the remaining 10 wards collecting the garbage through 73 auto tippers.

However, councillors S.K. Mariappa, M. Shankar and Vishwanath took objection to the yardstick being applied in the selection of wards for the implementation of the special package. Deputy Commissioner suggested that the decision on it could be taken after placing the matter before the Standing Committee.

Referring to the problems arising in the low-lying areas when affected by flash floods, he suggested preparing an action plan to improve the drainage system so that the Government could be approached for financial assistance for its implementation.

He said cleaning of the conservancies would be taken up for their being used as parking space for vehicles.

He said the conservancy next to the Mallikarjun cinema would be taken up on an experimental basis for developing it as the parking space. Mr. Ponnuraj asked the municipal authorities to ensure that the parking and setback rules were not violated in the construction of the new buildings.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/07/stories/2011010762040300.htm)

15-day deadline fixed for clearing encroachments
Mandya, Jan 18, DHNS:

Continuing with its anti-footpath encroachment drive on Vishweshwaraiah road in city, the taluk administration has set 15-day deadline for this drive.

A notice pasted on a shop in Mandya on Monday, following directions from tahsildar. DH photoWhile the City Municipal Council (CMC) had taken up footpath work at the places where anti-footpath drive was held last week, the local body had issued notice to those who have encroached upon the footpaths to clear them within two weeks.

When this is the case, sources from CMC clarified that laying of footpath would be taken up only at the places where the construction of the building is as per norms and has not flouted the rules.

The footpath may be laid only on the stretch between Mahaveer Road and Post office building, it is learnt. A CMC employee has been putting notice on the shops on Monday, issued by the Tahsildar appealing to clear the encroachment of roads. The notice has been issued as per the Karnataka Land Revenue Act 1964, which informs that the encroached land/property should be cleared within 15 days and handover the same to the government.

If the owner fails to do the same within the stipulated time, the encroachment would be cleared by the CMC and the expenses incurred would have to be borne by the property owner, the notice stated. Moreover, criminal case would also be filed against them.

Those who need more details on the same may contact the taluk office. The pasting of notice had attracted the onlookers, curious to know more about it and has also created anxiousness among the shop owners.


DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/130292/15-day-deadline-fixed-clearing.html)

Good work

Water 24×7 is not just a pipe dream

During debates on the merits of bringing in private water experts to distribute drinking water to homes in urban India 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, one story is often repeated.

It is the story of a woman, a daily wage earner from Hubli-Dharwad, tier-II twin towns in north Karnataka that received two hours of water supply every 15 days in the summer of 2002. In 2010, following a World Bank-funded experiment to supply water 24×7 to 5,000 homes in the region, she told government experts that she saved Rs. 400 per month when supply was continuous.

Prior to the experiment, she had to take a day off from work every week to keep in tune with the water release schedule. Continuous supply meant the family did not have to forfeit daily wages waiting for water. A Rs. 48 per month minimum tariff for the poor was a boon and not a burden, she said.

Four cities in the state are now chasing the 24×7 dream.


In April 2008, five experimental zones in the northern cities of Hubli-Dharwad, Gulbarga and Belgaum, comprising 25,056 homes, began receiving 24×7 metered supply through a Rs. 237-crore World Bank project bagged by Veolia Water India, the Indian entity of a French giant.

The government strategy was to get the private experts to re-engineer the system, run operations for a period, and then hand it over to the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Board to take it forward.

Last year, at the end of the demonstration, people across the board showed a willingness to pay for efficient services while the municipal corporations in the three cities began demanding extension of the project to their entire populace.

The government is now searching for a viable public-private partnership for a project valued at Rs. 700 crore to recast the distribution network in the three cities.

“The challenge is to standardise cost. Without guaranteed supply there is no way to understand what costs are justifiable,” says Arvind Srivastava, managing director of the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation, nodal agency for much of the experimentation.

Southern stride

The southern city of Mysore, with more assured sources of daily supply, has meanwhile nudged ahead to become the country’s first to award a private player a contract to distribute water across a city. The Tata-owned Jamshedpur Utilities and Services Company bagged a Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission-funded project in December 2008 to supply water to 1.74 lakh people. Till February end, the project was providing water to 10,100 homes.

Public, private

Activists argue 24×7 supply is a means to privatising the water sector; the government maintains private players are only contractors while existing boards are in charge of the main supply and tariff collection. “If we have to provide quality service we have to be ready for the participation of others as a support,” said Urban Development Minister S Suresh Kumar.

A financially sustainable model involving private players is, however, yet to be worked out. “Capital costs are high; this will not work if private parties have to bring in all the funds. The government is trying to work out a PPP model where private parties also bring in funds,” says an expert in the sector.

Why 24×7

According to Mysore city commissioner K S Raikar, the city plumped for continuous water supply since the practice “with required pressure in the distribution network is recognised as a safe method and is accepted all over the world”.

“The water pumped to Mysore from primary sources is 185 million litres a day. At a consumption of 120 MLD there should be at least 65 million litres remaining everyday but this is lost in distribution. New pipeline systems minimise these losses. A 24×7 system will use the same amount, or even less, than a once-a-day system,” says an official at JUSCO.

“Till we started demonstrating in Hubli-Dharwad in 2008, everybody was saying it is impossible to provide drinking water 24×7. Customers were surprised when water began flowing in their taps,” says Veolia India’s senior manager M J R Chowdary.

Work to do

The supply system even in areas connected by JUSCO is not streamlined. “What 24×7 supply? It comes only twice a day for a few hours. The water board-managed system was better because we knew what time the water would come,” says Dr Shailaja who lives on the top floor at Saraswathipuram.

At the bottom floor, homemaker Rukmini says, “It is not exactly 24×7, it is more like 18 or 19×7 but the quality of water is consistent, the pressure enough to fill the tanks on the second floor.”

JUSCO officials admit that there are teething problems, issues with the Vani Vilas Water Works — the local water board whose employees feel threatened—- as well as an underestimation of the project cost. “But we have been able to get the project going,” says a JUSCO official.


Indian Express (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/water-247-is-not-just-a-pipe-dream/759657/1)

Rock on Hubli-Dharwad and Mysore :banana: So Mysore is the first city in the country for having privatized water supply(though TATA nagar has done it much earlier-but it s a small township).

Hubli-Dharwad a role model for other cities in our state to follow

Mangalore set to go the CFL way

By M Raghuram | Place: Mangalore | Agency: DNA

The coastal city of Mangalore will wear a new hue from September as the city gets ready to become the first city in the state, if not the country, to go the CFL way — completely.

Mangalore City Corporation, which is the third largest city corporation in the state, will wipe out all sodium vapour streetlight units and replace them with CFL units by September, becoming the first city to be fully equipped with power-saving units.
The city has 51,700 streetlight units, out of which 5,300 are sodium vapour units.

“These units are power guzzlers and consume 150 watts per hour, draining city coffers. We’re paying through our noses for lighting up streets with very inefficient public lighting options. A few places where we have already fitted the CFL units have shown 40-45% energy saving,” Mangalore mayor Praveen told DNA.

Lauding the initiative, energy minister Shobha Karandlaje said, “I am impressed with the drive. If all cities, towns and villages use CFLs for the streetlighting and LEDs at home, the state will save close to 500 MW per day which is a tremendous effort towards saving energy and money. A watt saved is a watt earned,” she said.

The corporation had mooted the idea in 2008-09 when Shankar Bhat was the mayor. “We had sent a proposal to the government on replacing the sodium vapour lights and tubelights with CFL in June 2008, but due to the high cost of CFL fittings, the government did not clear it. But under the Belaku programme, the government has subsidised CFL fittings making the programme possible,” said Shankar Bhat.

Officials of streetlight division said that in the first phase, 5,300 sodium vapour units will be replaced with CFLs. Later, tubelight will also be replaced. A CFL needs only 85 watts against 150 watts of the sodium vapour, but gives the same intensity of light. They have multi-focal reflectors that increase the light by 20%, they said.

“If the corporation achieves what it promises, I will take steps to replicate its experiments in other Tier II cities and the towns outside the jurisdiction of BBMP and give due credit to the Mangalore City Corporation in cash or kind. I hope the city will also become the first to get at least one LED home-lighting unit to each house in the city,” Karandlaje said.


DNA (http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_mangalore-set-to-go-the-cfl-way_1514798)

Mangalore will be the first city in India to go the CFL way completely.

No proposal to privitise water supply, says Karnataka govt

Karnataka government on Tuesday asserted that there was no proposal to privitise drinking water supply in the limits of city corporations in the state.

Administrators of the city corporations of Belgaum, Gulbarga and Hubli-Dharwad have entrusted to a private agency the management of water supply distribution but the measure was not privitisation of water supply, minister for urban development S Suresh Kumar informed the state assembly during question hour.

The government accorded approval for upscaling of 24x7 water supply covering the entire areas of these private corporations on Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) for a period of two years w.e.f April one 2010, he said.

Contract for operation and amanagement of 24 x 7 water supply in the demonstration zones of Belgaum, Gulbarga and Hubli-Dharwad has been awarded to M/s Veolia Eau-Compagnie Generale des Eaux (France).

Water supply including operations and maintenance in Mysore city has been awarded to M/s Jamshedpur Utilities services Ltd, which would be implemented under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), Kumar told TB Jayachandra (Cong).

After introduction of 24 x 7 water supply in three city corporations it has been observed that consumption of water had come down, he said.

Kumar denied that he held discussions with wtrade mission that visited Bangalore recently responding to a query by R Roshan Baig (Cong) who sought to know whether the government intend to privitise water supply in Bangalore city.

DNA (http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_no-proposal-to-privitise-water-supply-says-karnataka-govt_1517550)

http://www.deccanheraldepaper.com/pdf/2011/03/11/20110311qB002100012.jpg

Roads, where are they?
Shyam Sundar Vattam

Despite being the second fastest growing city in the State, the condition of the roads are surely not an indicator of its progress. with lakhs of tourists thronging the city every year, the Mysore City Corporation is yet to take measures to improve the condition of the roads, writes Shyam Sundar Vattam

There is absolutely no improvement in the condition of roads despite writing a lot about it. Mysore which is being called as second fastest growing city after Bangalore, does not have proper roads. The roads that were asphalted a few months ago have already become unmotorable.

There are plenty of stretches of roads that require immediate attention of the authorities of Mysore City Corporation. But the MCC officials seem to be in deep slumber who have not even thought about improving them.

In fact summer season is ideal time for the MCC to take up asphalting of roads and this basic chemistry is unfortunately not understood by them. It took nearly one year for the authorities to asphalt a stretch of road from R T O Circle up to Vedanta Hemmige Circle (formerly called as Ganesh Talkies Circle) that too only after every newspaper highlighted the problems faced by vehicle riders.

The question here is: why the MCC delays taking up asphalting of roads and why it wants to do repair works only during Dasara festival.

The city has been getting crores of rupees under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (jnNURM) scheme to improve basic amenities. The motto of the corporation should be to ensure basic amenities to its citizens.

When that purpose is not solved what is the point in having the local body and the elected representatives? The condition of main roads is abysmal and one can imagine the plight of roads in extension areas. The city is flocked by lakhs of visitors every year and literally they are shocked to see the condition of roads.

The MCC earmarks a majority of its funds towards the improvement of roads and it is bound and duty of the local body to spend the entire sum on it.

Delay has become order of the day even for road works. The road work between Dasappa Circle and Yadavigiri Circle is still going on with no signs of completion in the near future.

The railways has been very prompt in completing its works and now the onus is on the MCC to do its duty. This road was supposed to be ready nearly four to five months ago, but there has been inordinate delay for the reasons best known to the authorities concerned. The traffic has been diverted to Hunsur Road resulting in traffic snarls especially during the peak hours. Adding to it, installation of automatic traffic signal lights in the most ‘unscientific’ manner has further aggravated the problem. With the advent of technology in the construction sector why the MCC is taking its sweet time in completing all the ongoing works is a million dollar question.


No coordination

The other major problem the city has been facing is lack of coordination among departments. Recently, a road was tarred by spending lakhs of rupees.

But the road was dug the very next week to lay the new pipeline for drinking water. The condition of road came back to the square one. The asphalting work should have been postponed or delayed had the water board officials informed the MCC about its pipeline laying work. Ultimately it is always the poor citizens who are at the receiving end.

No words are available in the dictionary to explain the condition of the KRS Road which is busy throughout the year. The vehicle riders have to take several deviations because of huge pits dug by the water board to lay the concrete pipes.

But the problem here has been inordinate delay in the completion of works.
Unfortunately, the people of Mysore are very sombre and they have forgotten to raise their voice against injustice.

The reason why the works in Mangalore City are completed in time is because the citizens are bold enough to question the authorities if case of delay.It seems that the authorities are taking undue advantage of the sombre behaviour of the citizens and complete works whenever they wanted.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/145050/roads-they.html)

Unscrupulous elements scavenging fuel from pipeline between Mangalore and Bangalore are posing a threat to life and property.
Scavenging could spark an inferno which could turn tragic. Such tragedies have occurred earlier. In June 2003, as many as 105 villagers were roasted alive at Onicha Amiyi-Uhu, a village in Nigeria.

The Western Range police said several people were arrested for pilferage, or scavenging, in Dakshina Kannada and Chikmagalur districts.

“I am sure there will be many cases in the Eastern Range also. Two cases have been filed in the last fortnight by the Goribeedu police in Chikmagalur and Punjalkatta police station in Belthangady,” said IGP (Western Range) Alok Mohan.

The 335km Mangalore-Bangalore petroleum pipeline, starting from Thokur in Mangalore to the outskirts of Bangalore Rural district (near Nelamangala) was built in 2000 and incorporated with the Southern Petroleum pipeline grid in 2002.

It was breached more than thrice in the first year itself.One of the biggest breaches was found at Neralike in Neriya village panchayat limits in Belthangady taluk, where vandals breached a pipeline carrying high-speed diesel.

They had used a concealed 1.5km-long hose to siphon off the fuel, which was supplied to trucks and buses at lower rates.
The buried hose pipe passed through a local water tank, and the locals who saw oil slick investigated further and unearthed the illegal pipeline.

Two other incidents were also reported earlier: one at Dondole in Dharmasthala police limits in 2007 and another in Mudigere police station in 2008.

Meanwhile, petroleum companies, too, have taken serious note of scavenging.

“Pipeline scavenging has become a headache to Petronet and other petroleum companies. Our security personnel are working closely with the police for ending this menace. These elements do not know how dangerous scavenging could be. It can ignite a major fire and many people could be killed,” a senior official of Petronet said.

An official of the HPCL pipelines division said scooping was a dangerous process. “It needs a special device called the scoop, which cuts the pipeline and attaches itself to it like a parasite, and provides a vent — actually a tap with an extension to attach a hose. In Belthangady, we found that vandals had used this method in a professional manner,” he stated.

Incidentally, what has been baffling the officials was that the scoop was available only to licenced pipeline maintenance contractors. “We do not know from where the vandals had procured it. It could be an insider’s job” the officials said.

Meanwhile, authorities have been considering deploying CISF personnel to guard the pipeline.

DNA (http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_vandals-may-spark-hell-in-fuel-corridor-between-mangalore-and-bangalore_1521316)

Eco-friendly: MCC to act tough

Corporation bans plastic below 40 microns

Mysore, March 18, DHNS:

Ban on plastic below 40 microns, cancellation of all the bogus khatas (property ownership related documents) issued by MCC and action against erring officers, photo of the owner/s henceforth on khatas issued from April 1 and meeting of the officers of various departments to ensure adequate water supply for summer.

These are among the major decisions taken by the MCC council that met here on Friday.

Reading out the decision, Mayor Sandesh Swamy announced that it was imperative to ban plastic that has been marring the beauty of the city of palaces in one way or the other, besides proving harmful to live stock, and other animals. Most of the cattle feed on plastic, he added.

The decision will be forwarded to the office of the Deputy Commissioner for further action.

Bogus

Taking cognisance of the report submitted by the council secretary, unearthing the connivance on the part of the MCC officers itself in issuing a bogus khatha related to a government land in Nachanahalli Palya, the mayor said that all such bogus khathas stand null and void, and the authorities concerned (be it MCC, MUDA, district administration or whoever) should take suitable steps to reclaim the properties.

To avoid the recurrence of such khathas, all the new khatas issued from April 1, should carry the photograph of the party (owner)- be it during registration or transfer of the property.

Water supply

Most importantly, drinking water that aggravates into a serious issue every summer, has to be addressed.

To ensure the flow of water in taps, the mayor announced to convene a meeting of the managing director of Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (KUWS and DB), JUSCO officers, Vani Vilas Water Works (VVWW) and other officers concerned, within a month.

Earlier most of the corporators exhorted the mayo r to take some concrete measures to ensure adequate water supply for summe, by introducing additional water tankers, borewells.

*Bogus khatha cancelled
*Photo must for khatha henceforth
*Meeting soon to ensure adequate water supply for summer


DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/146962/corporation-bans-plastic-below-40.html)

Development

City shows the way in ‘zero waste management’
Ramesh S Kebbehundi

The Mysore City Corporation has taken up setting up of zero waste management units in another four wards after its success in Kumbarkoppal. It is also making preparations to obtain license to sell compost produced by these units under the brand name of ‘Mysore Krishik Bangara’ or ‘Mysore Gold’ in the market very shortly, writes Ramesh S Kebbehundi

Solid waste management is one of the biggest challenges faced by urban local bodies thanks to rapid urbanisation. Much attention has been given in recent years for the safe disposal of waste generated in the cities. Solid wastes are those organic and inorganic materials that are generated and it's very important to dispose them scientifically as it may cause pollution to land, air and water.

According to an estimate, 400 tonnes of waste is generated daily in the city. It has become a herculean task for the MAC to dispose it. A treatment plant is set up at JP Nagar where 250 tonnes of bio-degradable waste is treated.

This unit is able to treat only wet waste such as rotten vegetables and fruits to convert into compost manure.

Daunting task

But the biggest challenge has been the disposal of recyclable waste (dry waste). Heaps of recyclable or dry wastes are found at the Excel treatment plant, in the absence of proper disposal unit.

Even the MAC is facing criticism from citizens and other environment-friendly organisations due to improper disposal of dry waste at the treatment plant.

At present the MAC has put pourakarmikas on the job of disposal of garbage and given a contract for the maintenance of SWM. The civic body is spending crores of rupees on this job to keep the city neat and clean.

In the midst of all these, the MAC has involved non-governmental organisations and implemented several new methods and technology to encourage the solid waste management.

Three years ago, the MAC roped in the services of Federation of Mysore City Corporation Ward Parliament in the disposal of solid waste management. Recently, the job of SWM was given to this resident welfare association in Ward Number 28 at Kumbarkoppal.

The zero waste management units have been set up by MAC with the help of the NGO.
Now that an NGO has shown how best the SWM could be managed in a scientific manner.

Representatives from various corporations, TMC, CMC and TPs have visited the ward to study the functioning of zero waste management. The vice-president of that NGO and Director of Tourism Development Institute Professor K S Nagapathy has been invited by many urban bodies to share knowledge on zero waste management.

The MAC has now found out solution through this unit to encourage zero waste management. Sheds have been constructed for the segregation of wastes and a separate unit for manufacturing compost at Kumbarkoppal unit.

This NGO has involved stree shakthi groups for door to door garbage collection and also to educate the residents on scientific disposal of waste.

Regularly, they collect both dry and wet waste from more than 5,000 houses in that ward and segregate the same into 28 items ranging from plastic covers to used plastic water bottles. This will be sold to various recycling units.

People from Bangalore, Pune and Tamil Nadu and other places are major buyers of this dry waste.

Today, the zero waste management units at Kumbarkoppal are earning thousands of rupees through manufacturing the compost manure and also from segregating waste.

There is a big demand for this manure from farmers and also from companies. The cost of this compost manure ` five per kilo.

The establishment of zero waste management units at Kumbarkoppal has saved lakhs of rupees which otherwise would have been spent on transportation and saved time and energy of pourakarmikas.

Before that the MAC was facing problems in shifting and disposal of waste from Hebbal to the Excel plant at J P Nagar.

MAC sources told City Herald that maintenance of zero waste management units is more feasible and cost effective when compared to awarding contract for the disposal of SWM to contractors.

Earlier, the MAC was paying ` 3.5 lakh to contractors per month for the disposal of solid waste.

But the total maintenance of zero waste management units including door -to -door garbage collection and production comes to around ` two lakh.

The sale of recyclable waste is fetching a handsome income for the MAC.

Extended

The MAC has already constructed sheds to set up the additional units in ward number 27 ( Hebbal and Lokanayaknagar), ward number 30 ( Brindavan, Gokulam and Manjunathapura), ward number 1 (Agrahara and Mysore Palace surroundings) and ward number 2 (Nalabeedhi and other surrounding places).

The sources said the MAC is interested in setting up such units in all wards but getting the land is a big problem.

The MCC is preparing to sell compost produced by zero waste management units under the brand name of 'Mysore Krishik Bangara' or 'Mysore Gold'. It has applied for license with the Department of Agriculture, as permission is required to sell the manure in open market. The sale of compost is expected to fetch lakhs of rupees revenue in the coming days.

President of Federation of Mysore City Corporation ward Parliament D Madegowda, who is instrumental in the success of zero waste management at Kumbarkoppal, said more than 75 urban local bodies of the state have evinced interest in setting up of zero waste management units.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/146947/city-shows-way-zero-waste.html)

Shimoga: The laws on disposal of medical waste need to be strengthened and strictly implemented, said psychiatrist K.R. Sridhar.

Addressing a workshop on biomedical waste management organised by C.P.R Environment Conservation Centre, Chennai, the Shimoga Institute of Medical Sciences, the Karnataka Rajya Vijnana Parishat and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board here on Saturday, he said that reckless disposal of biomedical waste might result in disastrous consequences.

As huge quantity of biomedical waste was generated in recent times, disposal could be effectively managed with the participation of non-governmental organisations and private agencies. Medical establishments should accord priority for disposal and come forward to adopt scientific practices in this regard, he said.

He suggested that the medical professionals should come forward to fulfil social obligations. It formed the responsibility of doctors to take part actively in awareness programmes on biomedical waste disposal, he said.

Sharing his views, the Shimoga Institute of Medical Sciences Principal Dr. K.S. Gangadhar said that biomedical waste disposal should not be an exercise to appease and convince implementing agencies such as the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. Voluntary efforts from medical establishments, which were managed by persons with high-level of education, were necessary, he said.

Y.S. Harish of the KSPCB was present.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2011/03/20/stories/2011032059430500.htm)

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:cheers:

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Mangalore: The coast to see a sweeping change

Press Release:

• 9 Beaches to be swept clean simultaneously

• Karnataka’s longest coastline all set for the cleaning drive

• Sustainable development of Mangalore- DC’s mantra

Mangalore, Apr 28: The Dakshina Kannada District Administration will organize a massive cleaning drive covering 43 Kms of Karnataka’s coastline on May 1, 2011 called ‘Save Our Beach.’. This is the third event in succession to ‘Half Marathon’ and ‘Mass Shramadhana’ that were conducted by the District Administration to ensure a ‘Clean, Green and Progressive Mangalore’; Deputy Commissioner, Shri. Subodh Yadav has been actively involved in creating events that work in harmony with and is able to synergize the entire Government Body of the city to work towards this larger vision.

Deputy Commissioner Shri Subodh Yadav said “Mangalore is growing like a mushroom in terms of real estate, industries, educational institutes, and infrastructure. It has taken over any place in terms of development in the recent past. At this juncture what we want to ensure is the importance of ‘Sustainable development’.”

“Any development is incomplete without a sustainable growth. Otherwise it is merely a concrete city in shades of grey. Our work for Mangalore started from ‘What Mangalore does not have? We want to create a civic sense and want to make this a people’s place. We want to ensure public participation in each and every programme organized by us. We want to ensure the people of Dakshina Kannada a feeling of oneness and belongingness with the administration” Shri Subodh Yadav added.

“There is also a need to find a good team of organizers who could take up the task on a continuous basis and aim to conduct similar many more massive drives in Mangalore to ensure public participation and awareness and work towards sustainable growth.” He Noted. The District Administration expects more than 8000 volunteers to participate in the mega clean-up drive. The ambulance, food, transport, equipments arrangements have also been made.

The entire coastal area of Dakshina Kannada has been divided into five zones to ensure effective cleaning campaigns. Each of these zones is headed by a district-level officer. The five zones identified include beach from Talapady to Nethravathi, Bengre to NMPT South, Panambur to Hosabettu, Hosabettu to Sasihithlu, and Chitrapura to Hejmady.

“Save Our Beach’ is not a day’s event; it is a movement- A people participative movement to clean the land we are living for so many years. To see the beach clean and crystal clear is a joy forever. Hence it is each and everyone’s responsibility to work towards this cause.” Said Mr. Vijay Prakash, Commisioner, Mangalore City Corporation.

“This campaign for South Canara means opening up of new avenues in the tourism sector. This also in turns opens employment opportunities for the youth and the local inhabitants.” Said Yatish Baikampady, President, Mogaveera Mandali, Dakshina Kannada-Udupi branch.

“Localites along with the officials should coordinate cleanliness efforts at the local level with villagers and others concerned.” He added.

The environment related topics are always debatable. This is because of the pace at which the development is taking place. And especially development near the coast is a very sensitive issue. The increase in urbanization of cities and industrialization along the coastline is posing a threat to the ecological balance of the reigon by polluting it.

Thus ‘Save Our Beach’ a mega cleaning drive that aims to improve the living environment of the Mangalore coast through positive goals towards a greater public awareness and conserving the environment. The objective of this exercise is to mobilize the community members to clean the beach and create an initial awareness to discourage further abuse of the beach and to protect the community from possible threats to the life of the Marine and their own health because if one does not clean the beaches one is putting one’s own future at stake.

About ‘Save Our Beach’:

It is an initiative undertaken by the District Commissioner of Mangalore to clean the beaches of Mangalore on the
May 1, 2011. Beach cleaning is more than just a coastal issue; it is a global issue that represents a major threat
to many helpless marine species. It is estimated that, globally, over a million birds and 100,000 marine creatures
die every year from entanglement, or ingestion of plastics and millions of health hazard cases for the people. The
Mangalore coast stretches to about 43 kms covering 23 villages and 9 beaches facing the Arabian Sea. This is a
wakeup call to all Mangloreans to come together and join hands to make the coast of Mangalore a pristine one. The
objective of this exercise is to mobilize the community members to clean the beach and create an initial awareness to discourage further abuse of the beach

The objective:

"To improve the living environment of the Mangalore coast through positive goals towards a greater public
awareness and conserving our environment."

Inauguration Venues:

Mukkacheri*Mogaveerpattana*Kotepura*Someshwara Temple*Battapadi*Mahajana Sabha Ferri point)*Foot Ball Ground Bengre*Nagadevar bana Bengre* Fathima Church Tannirubavi*Panamboor Beach*Baikamady Park*Navajothi Maidan*Chitrapur High school Maidan*Bhagavati Temple Beach, Mundavu*Bhagavati Temple –Bavu Fish Mill *Guddekoppalu and Doddekoppqlu Beach and Mitrapatna*Hosbettu Beach*Chitrapu-Smashan*Sterling Custems House*Kolachikambala*

For Further Details Contact:

Ms. Laxmi Shenoy

PR Coordinator

9986967371

‘Save Our Beach’

Ozone Event management & PR

http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=235686

Ban Plastic -It is all happening!

Shimoga

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Belgaum supports Tata Power’s 'anti-plastic campaign'; says ‘no' to plastic

Belgaum: Reiterating its commitment towards sustainability, Tata Power, India’s largest integrated private utility, joined hands with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and launched an 'anti-plastic campaign' in Belgaum.

As a part of the campaign, activities were conducted at two different locations in the city, ie, Shivalaya Temple, Ramteertha Nagar, on April 19, 2011, and Shri Sai Mandir, Vantamuri, on April 21, 2011. These activities were undertaken with the primary aim of raising awareness on the ill-effects of excessive use of plastic bags on the already overburdened environment.

Several people from the city gathered to pledge their support to this campaign. Enthusiastic employees of Tata Power also volunteered in distributing jute bags to discourage people from using numerous plastic carry bags for their day-to-day shopping. A total of 314 jute bags were distributed among the people present at both the locations.

Speaking on the community development initiatives, Balaraja Bhat, head, Belgaum plant, Tata Power, said, “Tata Power believes in community development and constantly endeavours to contribute through different initiatives around its areas of operation. It is overwhelming and motivating for us to see the wholehearted support from the people for this 'anti-plastic campaign'. We hope to conduct many such programmes, thereby ensuring a healthier and happier community.”

Adding further Mr Vasudeva, environment officer, KSPCB, Belgaum, said, “We are happy that Tata Power has taken cognisance of the issue and initiated this campaign to minimise the use of plastic bags. We are sure many such programmes will benefit the environment, and in turn the society at large.”

This programme was an outcome of a survey conducted to assess the immediate requirements of the locals, and accordingly design community initiative programmes focused on environment, education, and infrastructure for the people living around the Belgaum power plant.

The company has assigned a team of volunteers, who are committed to such social initiatives. Ashok Gotkhindi, an employee of Tata Power, has taken the lead to educate the people present, on plastic being an environmental hazard. Similarly, Mr Puttaraju, deputy environmental officer, makes a point of being present at such occasion for addressing the gathering.

Source (http://www.orissadiary.com/ShowBussinessNews.asp?id=26402)

Plastic ban in city from today

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From Tuesday, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will seize plastic bags less than 40 micron in thickness within its jurisdiction, Commissioner Siddaiah told presspersons here on Monday.

With the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) setting a March 15 deadline to implement the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2009, the BBMP's technical staff will randomly test bags being sold and seize them if they don't measure up.

“While the enforcement authority will be the KSPCB, the BBMP will be responsible for safe collection, segregation, transportation and disposal of plastic,” he said.
Ruled out

KSPCB's Chief Environmental Officer M.D.N. Simha ruled out the postponement of the enforcement date. He claimed that no application has come to the KSPCB for renewal of registration, as required by the rules.

“If the manufacturers don't comply, KSPCB is empowered to issue closure notice, cut off power and water connections and, in extreme cases, prosecute,” he said.

Plastics manufacturers directed a volley of questions at Mr. Simha.

Karnataka Plastic Manufacturers' Association president Chandra Mohan wanted to know how KSPCB would help the traders and manufacturers liquidate the current stock of plastics that are less than 40 micron in thickness.
‘Not clear'

A representative from the Peenya Plastic Manufacturers' Association said the rules for multi-layer plastic bags were not clear.

Mr. Simha urged the manufacturers to submit a representation to the KSPCB, which would then seek a clarification from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Source (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Bangalore/article1539824.ece)