UT starts work on installing iron railings around choes
2
Deepak.Yadav@timesofindia.comChandigarh: In order to accomplish the challenging task of keeping choes in the city clean, the administration has started work on covering all the choes with iron railings at least 8-feet in height.
The UT engineering department has identified 40 crucial and vulnerable locations on choes across the city and has started work on the ground.Although railings were installed at a few locations on the choes earlier, majority of the sites were open, allowing dumping of garbage, debris, and other waste inside. After discussions between senior officials, including Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC) and departments concerned, it was decided to cover all possible choe sites or areas with iron railings to stop dumping of garbage and other waste."Since the CPCC, along with UT departments concerned, is overseeing matters related to choes of the city, it was unanimously decided to proceed. Following this, the engineering department floated the tender and allotted work to the eligible bidder, who started work on the ground. The project has been planned at an approximate cost of Rs 1.50 crore. Work is being carried out under the direct supervision of engineering officials concerned to ensure that it meets terms and conditions laid down," sources in the UT said.Keeping choes clean and free of effluents is under the purview of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The CPCC and MC play a vital role in taking corrective measures in this regard. In a recent meeting held last week on issues related to the NGT, the chief secretary asked authorities concerned to ensure round-the-clock monitoring of the choes to prevent flow of effluents in them.The MC public health wing monitors the choes to ensure proper cleanliness and to plug effluent points. CPCC plays a monitoring role, conducting regular inspections of the choes and submits reports to senior UT officials about the factual conditions. These are shared with the NGT. Project In A NutshellThe Project: Chandigarh administration is installing 8-foot-high iron railings around choes to prevent waste dumpingLocations: 40 crucial and vulnerable locations have been identified for this projectCost and supervision: The project is estimated to cost around Rs 1.50 crore and is supervised by the engineering departmentDepts involved: The Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC) and Municipal Corporation (MC) are overseeing the project.Monitoring and compliance: Continuous monitoring and regular inspections are conducted to ensure compliance with National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelinesObjective: The main goal is to keep the choes clean and free of effluentsMSID:: 121079830 413 |
Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with
Mother's Day wishes
,
messages
, and
quotes
!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
NMC boosts firefighter training withnew swimming pool at Kalamna centre
1 2 3 4 Nagpur: In a major step towards modernising fire safety training, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has added a state-of-the-art swimming pool at its Regional Fire Training Centre in Kalamna — the only municipal-run fire training institute in Vidarbha. NMC said that the swimming pool was built at the cost of Rs 1.39 crore, with an additional Rs59.86 lakh spent on the filtration system. "It measures 25 by 15 metres and ranges in depth from 1 to 3 metres. It is surrounded by a secure boundary wall and equipped with a filtration plant to maintain hygiene and safety. The swimming pool is expected to significantly enhance the physical endurance and water rescue training of fire personnel, making it a vital addition to the fire training infrastructure in the region," said the civic body. Training in the swimming pool will formally begin soon in two dedicated batches for firemen already serving in the department. NMC officials said the pool will also become an integral part of the regular training curriculum for new fire service recruits. "The centre has steadily grown into a premier institution for fire safety education since its inception in 2016," said the NMC. Spread across 10,883sqmt, the Kalamna centre features a two-storey training facility with offices, dormitories, classrooms, a mess, canteen, drill yard, and tower for live demonstrations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esti trükk a lapos hasért 50 év felett (fogyj alvás közben) Tudj meg többet Undo It has trained over 14 batches in the last nine years, producing hundreds of qualified firemen now working across the state and beyond. "Earlier, aspirants from Vidarbha had to travel to Mumbai, Pune, or Thane for formal training. The Kalamna centre has ended that necessity and provided local candidates with direct access to certified fireman training closer to home," said an NMC official. Admission is based on a physical fitness test and a 100-mark examination conducted by the Maharashtra Fire Services Academy in Mumbai. The six-month training is conducted in two annual batches — January to July and July to December — with successful candidates receiving certificates from the Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education. Preference is often given to these certified candidates during recruitment across India. Given the ongoing monsoon and staff shortages, NMC has also temporarily appointed 68 trained fire rescuers on a special four-month honorarium basis to strengthen the city's emergency response capabilities. With the addition of the new swimming pool, the Kalamna Fire Training Centre not only sets a benchmark in regional fire safety training but also ensures Nagpur is better equipped to handle emergencies with a well-trained, physically fit firefighting force.
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Wheels of Change Jammed: Chandigarh's Bicycle Push Hits Roadblocks
1 2 3 4 Chandigarh: The city's love affair with cycling, which bloomed as the Covid pandemic receded, has turned out to be mere infatuation after all. The Chandigarh administration laid more than 200 km of cycle track across the city but is now struggling to maintain the existing cycle tracks, even though it continues to add more kilometres to the total cycle track length in the city. Similarly, the public bicycle system (PBS), launched in 2020, continues to be paralysed because of vandalism and thefts. In the past year, there have been, on average, two incidents of vandalism and theft every day. The company running the system claims to be suffering major losses. CYCLE TRACKS IN A MESS Potholes or entire stretches missing are increasingly the norm now. "Tracks in the southern sectors, particularly around Sarovar Path and Paschim Marg, are in dreadful condition. In some areas, it is so poor that one cannot move at all on a cycle," said Akhil Bansal, a cycle enthusiast and social worker. Encroachments, both temporary and permanent, dot the cycle tracks. There is little or no effort to remove these. Motorised two-wheelers and parking on cycle tracks are also common. Traffic police are seldom seen removing these vehicles from the tracks. Cyclists have repeatedly complained about the design of the cycle tracks. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "At most places, it is very difficult to cross the major roads as cycle tracks on either side of major roads and junctions are poorly connected. Similarly, bollards, open manholes, electricity poles, and trees can be seen in the middle of cycle tracks," said Vasant Garg, a Sector 32 resident and avid cyclist. A UT official said, "Regular surveys of the cycle tracks' conditions are done, and repair and maintenance work is being done continuously. " THE PBS The PBS was launched in 2020. Five thousand bicycles at 614 docket stations across the city are available. Ridership numbers have been dwindling and are majorly skewed in favour of only a few tourist spots. At some locations in the city, there are zero users for the service. Since March this year, there has been a sharp decrease in people using the system, and ridership has declined considerably. A spokesperson for SmartBike, the company that established and is operating the PBS, said, "The PBS was developed in four phases at a cost of about Rs 30 crore, entirely invested by SmartBike. The service operates under a public private partnership mode with Chandigarh Smart City Limited and now with municipal corporation Chandigarh." The company was allowed to earn revenue through outdoor advertisement at the docket stations. The spokesperson said, "SmartBike is facing huge losses due to continuous vandalism and thefts by anti-social elements. There have been 700 cases of bike vandalism in the last year alone. Also, more than 50 display panels at the docket stations have been vandalised during this period. Cycles, copper wiring, and LED modules have been stolen. In the last three years, more than 70 complaints have been made to the police in this regard. " BOX Falling PBS ridership Month (2025) | Ridership Mar | 14,651 Apr | 13,401 May | 11,035 June | 11,504 BOX2 PBS Stations with Highest Rides - Top 5 (March 25 – June 25) Stations | Ridership Sukhna Lake | 4,192 Sukhna Club | 3,664 CM House Punjab, Sec-2A | 3,349 Ahuja, Sector 17 | 1,781 Rock Garden | 1,200 BOX3 PBS Stations with Zero Ridership (March 25 – June 25) Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sec-47A Guru Nanak Khalsa High School, Sec-30B Mount Carmel School, Sec-47B Public Park-2, Sec-47A Public Park-4, Sec-47B BOX5 PBS Areas with Highest Incidences of Theft & Vandalism Sector 45, Burail, Nayagaon, Ramdarbar, Maloya, Dhanas, Hallomajra, Kajheri (Sec 52), Sector 47
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
NGT summons Guj officials over Kharai camel issue
Ahmedabad: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently issued fresh notices to Gujarat authorities in response to a non-compliance petition filed by the Kutch Camel Breeders Association (KCBA). The NGT case centres on the protection of the endangered Kharai camels, known for their unique ability to swim and graze in coastal mangroves, and the preservation of their traditional breeding practices. The KCBA has filed an execution application seeking enforcement of earlier NGT orders dated Sep 11, 2019, and Sep 16, 2021. These directives had called for measures to safeguard the camels' fragile habitat in Kutch and support the livelihoods of their breeders, who have faced increasing threats due to environmental degradation and lack of official support. During the recent hearing, the NGT bench led by chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava noted the absence of key respondents, including the officials of the forest and environment department, the district collector of Kutch, despite being served notices. In its latest order of July 9 the NGT states, "Let fresh notices be issued to all respondents. The additional chief secretary, forest and environment department, will either appear virtually or through an advocate on the next date of hearing to assist the tribunal. The GPCB has filed a short reply affidavit. Learned counsel appearing for the GPCB submits that he will examine the issue again and ensure filing of fresh detailed affidavit before the next date of hearing." You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), which was present, has been directed to re-examine the environmental concerns and submit a detailed affidavit. The next hearing is scheduled for Sep 19.
