LUCKNOW: Lucknow Municipal Corporation's decision to rope in experts from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur to examine the works done under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, one of Centre's, is likely to put the centrally-appointed monitoring committee under a scanner. This is because all the works carried out in the state capital went through the monitoring of the committee appointed by the central government. And, it was on the basis of the monitoring committee's reports that funds were released by the Centre.

LUCKNOW: Faced with a host of complaints pertaining to drainage and sewerage works executed under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), the Lucknow Municipal Corporation on Monday decided to get the works examined by a technical agency. Municipal commissioner NP Singh said that if possible the works will be examined under the technical guidance of experts from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K).

A steep hike in water rates without any transparency has shocked consumers in Mysore resulting in protests and demonstrations demanding a rollback.

Water rates of both domestic and commercial consumption have been raised three-fold from May 1. The minimum charge of Rs 60 has gone up to Rs 175 from May 1. The MCC has however defended the steep rise by saying it had been raised throughout the state. Among those who opposed the hike was former minister and sitting N R constituency MLA Tanveer Sait (Congress).

Steps for resolution of issues raised by him to be discussed

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has deputed a senior official from his office to meet Swami Gyan Swaroop Sanand to discuss further measures that could be taken for an early resolution of issues raised by the Ganga Seva Abhiyanam. The Swami is on a hunger strike to save the Ganga. In a statement issued here on Friday, the Prime Minister's Office said the government is committed to improving the ecological health of the river, to make sure that there is continuous and pollution-free flow of water.

Consultants have submitted report to Pollution Control Committee

The Puducherry Pollution Control Committee (PPCC) will shortly take a decision on clearance for setting up a sewage treatment plant near ‘Kanaganeri' at Kadirgamam. The consultants — Green Chem Solutions Private Limited and Creative Environmental Consultants — appointed by Public Health Division of the Public Works Department have submitted a Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment (REIA) report to the PPCC.

Projects to improve infrastructure discussed at Vision-2020

With an eye on improving waste management in the city, the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) is planning to install a computer controlled chip in each house, which would indicate if garbage has been collected. Think tank: Alert Citizens Team president Prof Shivaram Malavalli shares a point with district in-charge minister S A Ramdas in Mysore on Wednesday. Deputy commissioner P S Vastrad and police commissioner K L Sudheer are seen.

In a bid to make the city slum-free, the Delhi government has decided to start allocation of around 10,000 low cost flats from next month. The project is, however, delayed for more than three years.

The government will allocate 500 flats to slum dwellers in June and the allocation would continue thereafter, Delhi urban development minister A.K. Walia said.
Chief minister Sheila Dikshit instructed the urban development ministry to expedite distribution of flats on Wednesday.

AHMEDABAD: In what may come as a setback for AMC, the union ministry of urban development has sent a report highlighting shortcomings in the JNNURM projects implemented in Ahmedabad city. Union minister Kamal Nath, in his letter of April 25, 2012, has informed the state government to take "immediate actions" based on the inquiry report.

A team of urban ministry officials was in the city recently to inquire into the allegations fielded by the opposition Congress in the AMC. The union ministry has also asked CAG to inquire into the implementation of JNNURM projects across Gujarat cities.

KOCHI: The state government will allocate Rs 750 crore, apart from the Rs 200 crore allotted under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, to solve the water woes in the district, said Water Resources Minister P J Joseph here on Monday.

Speaking after a high-level meeting convened to sort out various key issues, the minister said that together, the projects would provide 290 MLD of water apart from the 240 MLD supplied now. “It has been learned that leaks and breakages in the pipeline are leading to widespread contamination of potable water here.

The UPA’s flagship programme, the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), launched in 2005 has been described as a “failure” by none other than a high-level government panel headed by Planning Commission member Arun Maira.

The panel has criticised this `66,000 crores urban renewal programme which was supposed to improve water supply and sanitation and upgrade urban infrastructure across 63 cities of India.