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Showing posts from March, 2014

Water tariff to increase to Rs 6 per unit tomorrow

NAGPUR: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is set to hike the water tariff to Rs 6.07 per unit from April 1. This would be the fourth consecutive year when water tariff is hiked. The civic body is increasing the tariff every year since it is paying high rates to private water operator Orange City Water Private Limited (OCW). The proposal to hike the water tariff has nothing to do with raw water cost or the power tariff, say sources. If any of these costs go up, NMC revises the water tariff immediately in the next quarter. The citizens will have to bear higher tariff in case there is a revision in raw water and power tariff in 2014-15 beginning from April 1. The Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority (MWRRA) has already kicked off the process to hike raw water tariff and a decision likely in the coming days. Besides, power tariff hike also cannot be ruled out. The NMC water works department proposed a 5% increase in water tariff on Saturday. The existing tariff

Centre approves funds for 3 water treatment plants

AHMEDABAD: The Union urban development ministry has approved funds under JNNURM for three critical water treatment plants in the city, just before the model code of conduct for polls came into force. The projects had been pending with the JNNURM committee for sometime. The first is a water recycling and reuse project near Bhavans college. To cost Rs 91 crore, the project will have a water treatment capacity of 60 million litres per day (MLD). Rs 8 crore has been released for the project by the central government. The second project concerns a similar plant at the Pirana water treatment facility which witnesses a large amount of sewage flowing into the Sabarmati. The third water treatment project worth Rs 58.75 crore is being planned for Jal Vihar and Juna Vadaj. "The total worth of these projects is Rs 105.60 crore. The Centre will bear 35% of the total cost," said a senior AMC official. Read More Here - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Centre-a

Sinnar faces water scarcity for 3rd year running

NASHIK: With the rise in day temperatures, the number of tankers supplying water to the villages in the district has gone up in last twenty days. Despite good rainfall in 2013, the water levels have failed to increase enough to give relief to Sinnar residents, who are facing scarcity-like situation for the third consecutive year. District administration officials said that the number of tankers supplied in the district has gone up from 34 to 47 within this month. As many as 147 villages and hamlets are getting water through tankers. Sinnar taluka has the maximum number of villages being supplied water through tankers as of now. Of the 47 tankers deployed in the district, 29 are supplying water in the taluka. "As many as 15 villages and 108 hamlets in the taluka are facing water scarcity. Hence, 29 tankers have been pressed into service to provide drinking water to the villagers," officials from scarcity branch said. The number of villages requiring water suppl

SMC to build elevated swimming pool for public

SURAT: It is not uncommon to have swimming pool either made in terrace or on floors of the private multi storey apartments. However till now in Diamond city of Surat, Local civic body doesn't have any swimming pool for public purpose that is an elevated structure. Keeping this fact in mind, Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC)'s Public works committee has approved the estimates of Rs 8.86 crore to construct the city's first elevated swimming pool. This pool will be built on reserved plot of SMC located opposite DRB Bhana College In Vesu . The pool will be of 25x50 meters and there will be a man empowerment center . There will be parking on ground level , plant room , change room, exercise room, reception, refreshment segment , store and passage also come up on ground level of the structure. "The design of the pool is made in such a way that base of the pool would be touching the ground level but people will have to enter the pool from the first floor. "

Untreated sewage water: NGT pulls up Centre, state

BHOPAL: National Green Tribunal (NGT) has served notices to Union and state government agencies over untreated sewage water for irrigation of vegetables and fisheries in many parts of state, here on Tuesday. Central zone bench of NGT comprising Justice Dalip Singh and expert member PS Rao pulled up MoEF, CPCB, state government, farmer welfare, water resource department, fisheries and urban administration to explain why there is neither any sewage water management policy nor policy measures to encourage reuse of treated sewage. Read More Here - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/Untreated-sewage-water-NGT-pulls-up-Centre-state/articleshow/32703095.cms

With sources going dry, water suppliers hike prices

MADURAI: Water tanker suppliers who supply regularly to residential areas in the city have been forced to increase the rates for each load, as most of the water sources have dried up already due to the scorching summer heat. With most of the borewells inside the city limits have dried up, the non-potable water has been supplied by the private tanker trucks. The truck operators depend on private wells - big agricultural wells on the outskirts - at Kadachanenthal, Oomachikulam and Kochadai areas. Around 100 truck operators are catering the non-potable water needs of the city in a day with more than 200 trips. However, finding water has turned laborious and the price hike has become inevitable, the truck operators say. Based on the distance from these water sources, the truck operators have hiked the prices from Rs 50 to 200. A 2,000 litre load is priced somewhere from Rs 250 to 350; 4000 litre load between Rs 450 and 500 and 6,000 litre load from Rs 700 to 900. Last year, the price p

Five girls fall unconscious after drinking water in school

NAWADA: Five primary school girls, all below 10 years, besides two school cooks of Jogna village primary school under Warisaliganj police station fell unconscious after consuming poison-laced water drawn from the school hand pump on Tuesday. Nawada DM Lallanjee visited the sadar hospital where the victims were admitted for treatment and directed the DEO to submit an inquiry report at the earliest. The school headmistress, Premlata Kumari, said possible mixing of poison was the outcome of a conspiracy to defame her. The civil surgeon said the children are responding well to the treatment and that all the victims are out of danger. According to Premlata, the two female cooks, Sunaina Devi and Sunaina Chouhan besides students Veena Kumari and Sonmati Kumari (Class V), Khushbu and Poonam (Class III) and Babita Kumari (Class I) started vomiting soon after drinking the water. Before falling unconscious they complained of stomach ache and burning sensation in the eyes. The news

NGT panel submits report on effluent discharge in drain

NOIDA: The high-level expert panel formed to ascertain levels of toxic pollutants released by industries into the Simbhaoli drain near Ghaziabad that empties into the Ganga, submitted its report to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday. The inspection report has highlighted instances of discharge of untreated and toxic effluents by at least two industrial units in the region. The committee, comprising Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) member-secretaries, inspected the levels of adherence to pollution control norms in Simbhaoli Spirits, Simbhaoli Sugars and Gopalji Dairy Foods. The panel, formed by the principal bench of the tribunal, had conducted the inspection on February 13. The bench had ordered the formation of the panel based on an application filed by UP-NCR activists regarding pollution of the Ganga. Read More Here - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/ngt-panel-submits-report-on-effluent-dischar

National Green Tribunal stays discharge of untreated effluents into Sahibabad drain

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal on Wednesday imposed a stay upon discharge of 'untreated effluents' into the Sahibabad drain in Ghaziabad apart from restraining unauthorized cutting of trees in notified green belt areas of Vaishali. The tribunal has also directed that no unauthorised coverings should be placed upon the Sahibabad Drain No 1, which begins at Loni in Ghaziabad to empty at Kalindi Kunj in Delhi. A bench of the tribunal headed by Justice P Jyothimani issued the directions based upon an application filed by Ghaziabad-based environmental activist Hazi Arif. Apart from imposing the stay order, the bench has also issued notices to the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA), the UP Pollution Control Board, the Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation and the UP State Industrial Development Corporation (UPSIDC) directing them to strictly implement the orders. The bench has further restricted private individuals from raising any constructions upon the drain, which are

Sewage plants to generate electricity power

RAJKOT: Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) has designed a project in which electricity will be generated through methane gas emanating out of sewage treatment plants proposed to be set up at Raiyadhar and Bedigam. RMC commissioner Ajay Bhadoo told reporters that the plants in Raiyadhar and Bedigam will be of the capacity of 56 MLD and 76 MLD respectively. Read More Here - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Sewage-plants-to-generate-electricity-power/articleshow/31332585.cms

Rs 242-cr tender for sewage works floated

NASHIK: The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has issued e-tender for various sewage-related works to the tune of Rs 242.06 crores to be done through a private agency in the city. The sewage-related works include laying RCC (reinforced cement concrete) pipes, gutters, drainage lines, repairing chambers, in various prabhags of the city through a contractor. The tender for the works was floated on Sunday and the bids will be opened this month-end. "The private agency should be approved by the state government, central government or semi-government and should have experience of working in this field," said an NMC official. "In some places, new pipes have to be laid, in others, they have to be replaced or repaired as they have become old," he said. Read More Here - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/Rs-242-cr-tender-for-sewage-works-floated/articleshow/31298623.cms

MPCB proposes tougher sewage treatment norms

PUNE: Stringent and uniform standards for sewage treatment in residential buildings and industries with more than 20,000 sq m built-up area is in the offing. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board has proposed that all sewage treatment plants should meet inland freshwater discharge standards to promote recycling and reusing of treated waste. The pollution control board has invited suggestions for and objections to the proposal. MPCB officials said all residential buildings and industries with over 20,000 sq m built-up area must have a sewage treatment plant (STP). In industries, reuse and recycling of water is being promoted. For residential buildings, according to revised environmental consent norms, nearly 80% of the treated waste should be recycled. If discharged treated water is being reused and recycled in residential projects, the officials said, wherever standards are met, such water is recycled. There is also much acceptance from the residents about reuse of treate

Sewage overflow result of faulty infrastructure in Gomtinagar

LUCKNOW: LDA's faulty sewerage work in Vinamra Khand-I of Gomtinagar has been resulting in large sewage overflow on roads over past few years. Last two days' rains have made the situation worse with logged sewage flowing back into houses situated in low lying areas. When people started settling in colony around 2008, little they knew about poor infrastructure being handed over to them. Locals complain that the contractor had not connected sewer connections of houses to the main trunk line hence the sewage back flowed into houses. Ramji Lall, a senior citizen and resident of the locality said, "We could not trace the problem initially as very few families had come to live in 2009. But with time when more people came to stay in Vinamra Khand, the pipelines could not sustain the pressure and sewage started flowing back into houses." Locals have reported about the issue to Nagar Nigam many times in the past but no action has been taken to help them. More than

Sewage responsible for 70% of river pollution

MUMBAI: A government survey reveals that the sewage from cities, villages and towns is polluting the state's rivers in a much bigger way than industrial wastes. According to the government data, 70% pollution in the catchment areas of 20 major rivers is caused by untreated sewage flowing in from towns and villages as against 30% of river pollution being caused by the industrial wastes. According to the study, this pollution has led to a growing number of jaundice and diarrhoea cases. Keeping this in mind, the state cabinet on Tuesday approved a river conservation plan. Under this, the government will provide funds to villages, towns and cities to treat sewage and ensure that only purified water is released in the rivers. "To stop pollution of river, sewage following from cities and towns will be diverted and treated for farming and industrial purposes under the scheme. Initially, small municipal corporations, councils and village panchayats will be funded by the state

CM inaugurates Navelim sewage treatment plant

MARGAO: Chief minister Manohar Parrikar and Navelim MLA Avertano Furtado inaugurated the 20 MLD sewage treatment plant in Navelim on Sunday. The 20 MLD STP, which also includes a pumping station, will now take care of all the sewage that was earlier being dumped into the nullah and Salpem lake. The sewage will now be treated at the STP and the treated water will be discharged into the river Sal. For years Navelim locals had been complaining about the contamination of river Sal by the indiscriminate dumping of sewage into the nullah and Salpem lake, which are connected to river Sal. The construction of sewerage chambers at strategic points will now resolve this issue. "The work of cleaning river Sal had started two months back and will be completed in one year's time. As assured, the river will be free from the sewage pollution from next year," said Parrikar while addressing the gathering. Read More Here - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/c

Sewage pipes pouring into Mandovi troubles greens

PANAJI: Waste water and sewage pipes from nearby residences in Penha da Franca have been illegally passed through the newly-constructed retaining wall with their spouts in River Mandovi, raising a concern about the worsening pollution of Goa's lifeline. Water resources department (WRD) recently commenced construction of a concrete retaining wall along the northern bank of the river from Malim towards Penha da Franca as part of a flood control measure. Mangroves have been felled to clear small patches of the area to construct the wall at a cost of 1.28 crore in Malim. The project is likely to be completed by May 2014. "But surprisingly, the department has allowed provision for passing of waste water pipes through the retaining wall," Agnelo Pereira of the Penha da Franca citizens forum (PFCF) said. Part of the staggered project from Malim to Virlosa wards is complete and promptly spouts were seen in some stretches to let off waste water into the river.

State cancer hospital gets only 3% of its water quota

AURANGABAD: Barely one-and-half-year since the first Government Cancer Hospital (GCH) in Marathwada was inaugurated; it is facing severe water supply problems as it receives barely three percent of its daily requirement from the civic body. The hospital, which was built at a cost of Rs 50 crore, gets water supply at very low pressure every two days, like the rest of Aurangabad city. The supply of 5000-10,000 litres once in two days is woefully short of daily requirement of almost two lakh litres. While the hospital administration relies on private water tankers for their daily needs, the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has blamed the Public Works Department (PWD) for failing to inform them about the water requirement during the construction of the premises. To add to the hospital authorities woes, the AMC issued a notice a few days back asking them to pay pending water bills of Rs 51,69,167 since September 2012 based on the 8-inch pipeline water connection. The hospi

Water supply to resume this evening, claim civic officials

Kolhapur: The Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) has sped up work of repairing leakages in the main pipeline originating from the Shinganapur water supply scheme after it drew flak from angry residents of A, B and E wards of the city. Residents of these wards have been facing acute water shortage for the past two days. Civic officials claim that the work, which was started on Sunday evening, will be completed by Wednesday afternoon and the water supply would resume by Wednesday evening. The KMC lifts water from the Panchaganga river through two schemes - the Bawda and Shinganapur water supply schemes. The Shinganapur scheme, located around 11km from Kolhapur, supplies water to about 70% of the city. KMC chief hydraulic engineer Manish Pawar said, "The repair work of the pipeline at Ayodhya Colony area has been completed, while work at Chivabazaar is in its final stage. Though the repair work will be completed, it will take some hours for hydraulic testing of the pipeline

Unauthorized layouts get Rs 136cr water scheme nod

NAGPUR: In another pre-election gift, the Central government extended the deadline for Nagpur Improvement Trust's (NIT) water supply scheme by another year and revised the project cost to 218.06 crore from 296.39. More than 4 lakh citizens residing or planning construction in unauthorized layouts will be benefited within a year. So far, the NIT could execute works of 81.42 crore from the 296.39 crore funds. Following the Centre's move, funds of 136.64 crore were saved from being cancelled. The ministry of urban development's Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) held its meeting on JNNURM projects for the second time in a week on Tuesday. NIT chairman Pravin Darade attended the meeting and managed to get the water supply project cleared. The project was in a fix after it became evident that it wouldn't meet JNNURM's deadline of March 31, 2014. Darade thanked MP Vilas Muttemwar and said all unauthorized layouts, that are likely to be reg