Latest news with #QRT
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Residents struggle as parts of city remain inundated
1 2 Patna: As downpour continued in Patna, several parts of the city remained inundated on Tuesday. Workers of the civic body were still pumping out the sewage-mixed rainwater from multiple affected areas, as residents waded through ankle to knee-deep water in areas like Patliputra Colony, Patel Nagar, Lohanipur, Kadamkuan, Rajbanshi Nagar, Digha, Danapur, Kankerbagh, Patna City and Phulwarisharif. Anuradha Jha, a resident of Gardanibagh, said the waterlogging situation in Gardanibagh Road number 1 remained the same since Monday. Aman Rajpur Singh said water entered houses in Bazaar Samiti area. "People have been living in waterlogged houses for the last 24 hours. There is no help till now," he said. Roshan Goswami, a resident of Danapur, said that the local residents have been facing waterlogging since Sunday night. "There are snakes in water. We are left with no groceries or vegetables. Dirty drain water have inundated our lane. I invested Rs 70,000 to make a small pathway, but the water crosses the line every year," he complained. Meanwhile, urban development and housing minister Jibesh Kumar, along with road construction minister Nitin Nabin, inspected different waterlogged areas. Patna municipal commissioner Animesh Parashar and mayor Sita Sahu also separately reviewed the situation. The urban development minister also held a review meeting regarding the drainage system in Patna with all MLAs from the region, MLCs, and senior officials from the department. Jibesh instructed the officials to ensure that water be pumped out from the affected areas by night. He directed the officials to use suction machines in low-lying areas to remove water and suggested bringing in more machines and pumps from nearby municipal bodies if needed. He also emphasised employing experts and engineers from other departments to ensure water is drained from all areas of the capital. The department's secretary, Abhay Kumar Singh, said that since Monday evening, 348 complaints were received on the helpline number concerned, all of which were resolved. "Patna recorded a total of 175.4 millimetres of rain in 12 hours from Sunday night to Monday morning. Water was drained from about 90% areas, but subsequent rainfall on Monday night and Tuesday morning led to waterlogging again," he said. Parashar said 19 QRT teams (at headquarters and zonal levels), along with the officials of Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Buidco, were deployed across the city day and night. "The staff is monitoring the water level of sump houses in real time using walkie-talkies and with the help of CCTV cameras. Additional pumping machines have been deployed in all zones. The staff has been assigned duties in three shifts at sump houses, and the drainage system is being kept active," he said. There are 56 permanent sump houses in Patna and 36 temporary drainage pumping stations (DPS). A total of 364 pumps — 265 electric and 99 diesel sets — are being used this time. Of these, 256 pumps are installed at permanent DPS, and 83 at the temporary DPS. Meanwhile, a resident, Niranjan Paswan, asked why the PMC and Buidco did not use the same system to know in advance, how many drains are choked, how many drainage workers are deployed, and how many water entry-exit points are blocked by garbage. If the check is done regularly, it can drastically reduce waterlogging, he suggested.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
PMC uses AI to monitor cleanliness and urban amenities
1 2 Prayagraj: In a progressive step towards enhancing urban cleanliness and monitoring, the Prayagraj Municipal Corporation has initiated trial to monitor city's lanes using Artificial Intelligence (AI), following the successful use of AI surveillance on major roads. The trial aims to extend advanced monitoring system, which covers cleanliness, street lighting, encroachments, and illegal dairy activities, into the narrow bylanes of the city. Currently, corporation has equipped the Quick Response Team (QRT) vehicles with cameras and GPS devices to conduct surveillance of lanes alongside the main roads. These cameras capture real-time data, which is analysed with the help of AI to identify cleanliness issues, encroachments, and other violations quickly. O nce the trial phase concludes successfully, the plan is to equip all garbage collection vehicles, which cover the city's lanes and residential areas, with similar camera and GPS technology. This will allow for modern, comprehensive surveillance of nearly all the lanes in the city. Deputy Municipal Commissioner Deep Shikha Pandey explained that the AI-based monitoring on main roads yielded positive results. "Based on this success, we intend to replicate the model for the lanes. AI surveillance will help improve cleanliness in lanes, enable immediate reporting of debris and encroachments, and assist in prompt corrective action," she said. The AI surveillance initiative is also expected to positively impact Prayagraj's ranking in the next Swachh Survekshan (Cleanliness Survey). Prayagraj is the first city in Uttar Pradesh to implement AI technology for monitoring major roads, a pioneering move that is now expanding into the more complex network of the city's lanes. In another major development, the Municipal Corporation recently completed a comprehensive survey of over 1.72 lakh buildings in the city's expanded limits, which include both developed, undeveloped areas. The survey revealed that over 80,000 buildings still lack minimum urban amenities, highlighting the uneven spread of infrastructure across the city. The tax department of the corporation has decided to issue property tax notices this financial year only to those building owners who receive basic urban facilities. Before sending these notices, a thorough cross-check was conducted to verify urban amenities in the extended limits. This exercise uncovered many areas still predominantly rural in character, where municipal services are minimal or absent. Chief Tax Assessment Officer PK Mishra emphasised the challenge, stating, "It is unjustified to levy property tax on residents in areas where no urban facilities exist. Therefore, a re-survey is underway to clearly demarcate urban and rural zones in the expanded region." According to Mishra, approximately 8,000 buildings identified as part of developed areas have already been subjected to property tax collection from the financial year 2024-25 onward.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kargil Vijay Diwas: Meet the National Award-winning actor who joined Indian Army during Kargil War, was deployed at the border
During the Kargil War in 1999, Bollywood actor Nana Patekar, known for his on-screen portrayals of strong characters, took his patriotism beyond acting. He sought permission to join the military effort, drawing on his prior army training for the film 'Prahaar'. Deployed near the Line of Control, he provided logistical and moral support to soldiers, embodying civilian courage and dedication. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads From Reel Patriotism to Real Action Serving at the Edge of Conflict Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Larger Battle for the Peaks A Lasting Symbol of Civilian Courage As war clouds loomed over the icy peaks of Kargil in 1999, it wasn't just trained soldiers who stepped up to defend the nation—some civilians, too, felt an unshakable urge to contribute. Among them stood a name not unfamiliar to the public: veteran Bollywood actor Nana Patekar . On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas , it is worth revisiting how this acclaimed performer stepped far beyond the arc lights to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with real-life heroes in one of the most treacherous conflicts of recent for portraying complex, powerful characters in Indian cinema, Nana Patekar had always shown a deep fascination with the armed forces. This admiration didn't remain confined to movie scripts or acting roles. Back in the early 1990s, while preparing for his film Prahaar—which delved into the rigors of military life—he immersed himself in actual army training with the Maratha Light Infantry for three years. This firsthand experience was not just for artistic accuracy; it left a lasting imprint on his values and the Kargil War erupted in May 1999, he was not content to merely support the cause through words or public appearances. Determined to take meaningful action, he approached top army officers with a request to join the military effort at the border. His offer was initially declined. However, his persistent spirit led him to seek the intervention of then Defence Minister George Fernandes. By invoking his earlier military training, he convinced the authorities to allow his participation in the ongoing August 1999, when the main combat had begun to ease but the situation remained volatile, Nana Patekar was finally deployed in the Kargil region. He was attached to a Quick Response Team (QRT) operating near the Line of Control (LoC), the fragile boundary separating Indian and Pakistani military positions. Though not involved in direct combat, he worked alongside soldiers in volatile zones and offered logistical and moral the battlefield, Patekar also extended his services to a military base hospital, where he contributed to the treatment of wounded troops. The harsh environment tested his physical endurance. The bitter cold, rugged terrain, and austere conditions caused him to lose nearly 20 kilograms—shedding light on the taxing physical conditions soldiers endure daily. Despite this strain, he viewed the experience as one of deep emotional Kargil War, fought from May to July 1999, unfolded in the mountainous terrain of Ladakh's Kargil district, then part of the larger Jammu and Kashmir region. The conflict stemmed from the stealthy incursion of Pakistani soldiers—disguised as militants—who occupied key Indian positions along the LoC. This confrontation evolved into a high-altitude war between India and military launched a counteroffensive named Operation Vijay to reclaim the occupied territories. The Indian Air Force also collaborated with ground forces under a parallel mission, Operation Safed Sagar, delivering aerial support and reconnaissance. The combined operations succeeded in pushing back the infiltrators, but the toll on both human life and national morale was choosing to serve amidst conflict, Nana Patekar didn't just honor the spirit of patriotism—he exemplified it. His decision to move from screen heroics to frontline duty stands as a powerful reminder that courage is not bound by profession. His story remains an enduring chapter in India's narrative of unity, sacrifice, and unbreakable resolve.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Now, AI vigil on garbage collection, encroachment, too
Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) has adopted artificial intelligence (AI)-based monitoring of garbage, potholes and encroachments on main roads and bylanes on a trial basis, Prayagraj Smart City manager (IT) Mani Shanker Tripathi said. (For representation) It has installed AI-equipped cameras on its two quick response team (QRT) vehicles. The AI would process information regarding unattended garbage, potholes and encroachments feed them to a server. The cameras have a three-meter-wide angle besides front view capacity of up to 50 meters. 'So far, the trial is yielding positive results. It has traced, analysed and reported information about potholes, unattended garbage dumped on roadsides besides bylanes, debris, uneven manhole covers and defunct streetlights. The results provided by the AI were cross-checked through physical verification and were found to be error-free,' he said. As per the official, if the trial is successful, such cameras would then be installed in all garbage collection vans used in the city's 80 wards. Meanwhile, additional municipal commissioner Deepshikha Pandey said the new set-up would not only help update PMC officials about daily collection of garbage from each and every road, but also help maintain a vigil on roadside encroachments and dumping of debris. This would help improve the ranking of the city in the next Swachh survey, she added Also, Prayagraj is the first city in the state where such a monitoring system is introduced, officials said. Presently, 70 km of major roads are being monitored with the help of AI.
Bloomberg
15-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Qube to Enter US After Building $30 Billion Hedge Fund Empire
In roughly seven years, Qube Research & Technologies has grown into a hedge fund powerhouse without setting foot in the US — the industry's mecca. That's about to change now. London-based QRT is preparing to start an office in Houston, Texas, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The office will add to its global presence spanning Sydney to Hong Kong and Dubai to Aarhus in Denmark, the people said, asking not to be identified because the details are private.
