KMC, Credai solve water body disputes

KOLKATA: Leading real estate developers in the city have persuaded the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) to use multiple reference points to map waterbodies instead of relying solely on a satellite image taken in 2004.

At a meeting with KMC commissioner Khalil Ahmad and heads of different departments, including building, assessment and project management unit that deals with waterbodies and heritage issues, local builders under the umbrella of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (Credai) convinced the civic officials that KMC needs to do a reality check of plots with waterbodies to resolve disputes that often crop up due to difference in the old satellite image and the current situation on the ground.

"Records of KMC often show much bigger waterbodies than the actual one at the site. This is due to anomaly between satellite-aided waterbody map to actual historical and credible evidence-led mapping such as title deeds, parchas and deed plans," Credai Bengal president Harsh Patodia explained.

The builders based their argument on multiple grounds. They pointed out that the satellite image may be flawed if taken during monsoon as all low-lying undeveloped plots would have appeared as waterbodies. "One cannot fix the size based solely on a satellite image. While it is evidence, it is not conclusive. We believe other indices like past records and site visit can add to the clarity," reasoned Credai Bengal vice-president Sushil Mohta.

The records that the builders want to be referred are title deeds, parchas, ROR, assessment records and general revision is done every six years. "When Urban Land Ceiling Act was introduced in 1976, plot owners had to file Form 6 in which they had to give a complete description of the land. These can also be referred to," said Patodia.

But more than all these, developers want the site to be inspected before ruling on a dispute. They suggest that in case of dispute in quantum of waterbody, PMU authorities should be directed by higher authorities to physically inspect the site, make local inquiries and make a reasonable decision after considering the records to define the actual quantum of water-body in the premises.

Sources in the KMC said the suggestion had been accepted by the civic authorities as they found the argument reasonable. "Our intent is to safeguard waterbodies while facilitating the city's development. The suggestion from Credai was logical and reasonable. We, therefore, responded positively," the official said.

Source - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/KMC-Credai-solve-water-body-disputes/articleshow/26544315.cms

GHMC, Water Board officials inspect Musi river

HYDERABAD: Senior officials of GHMC and Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) on Thursday inspected the Musi river and the nalas flowing into it from Attapur and Moosarambagh on the directions of the high court. GHMC and HMDA were asked to submit a report to the court about the points of sewage entry into the Musi by November 30. Senior officials including GHMC commissioner Somesh Kumar and HMWSSB MD Syamala Rao were present during the inspection.

The officials inspected removal of encroachments along the river besides the sewage interception and treatment. HMWS&SB has taken up half of the proposed interception treatment works and funds for the remaining work are awaited from National River Conservation Board.

The GHMC commissioner also directed officials of the bio-diversity wing to beautify the entire stretch along the river.

Source - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/GHMC-Water-Board-officials-inspect-Musi-river/articleshow/26542663.cms

Teenager drowns in swimming pool

INDORE: A teenager drowned in the newly-constructed government swimming pool in Ratlam district on Sunday. Raghvendra Singh Paliwal, 17, the son of a local businessman Sanjay Prasad Paliwal drowned while swimming in the newly constructed pool at Rajiv Gandhi Civic Centre.

The incident happened at around 12.10 pm, when Raghvendra had gone to swim with friends at the swimming pool operated by Ratlam Municipal Corporation. It's the same swimming pool, which was inaugurated a few weeks ago by chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

It is still not clear how Raghvendra slipped into deep waters and drowned in the pool, despite the presence of swimming coaches and life guards at the poll. Also, the incident was spotted by Raghvendra's friends and not the coach or life guard at the swimming pool.

Angered by the incident, local residents and opposition Congress activists led by party's city unit president Rajesh Sharma protested outside the swimming pool and even tried to storm into the pool, but the police prevented the situation from worsening.

Congress activists also protested outside Station Road police station, demanding lodging of criminal case against those whose negligence caused the death of the teenager.

Acting swiftly in the matter, the superintendent of police (SP-Ratlam) GK Pathak ordered sealing of the entire pool, besides initiating a thorough enquiry into the serious matter.

"Based on the outcome of the probe, case under Section 304A (death due to negligence) will be registered against those found responsible in the serious matter," Pathak told TOI.

Toddler drowns: one-and-half-year-old girl drowned in a huge bucket of water at her house in Avantika Nagar-Scheme 51 (Aerodrome) area on Saturday night. Vaishnavi, daughter of Mahesh Prajapati, was playing near the bucket when she suddenly slipped and fell inside.

"Though the family members immediately rushed her to a nearby hospital, the doctors declared her brought dead," Aerodrome police station in charge Manju Yadav said on Sunday.

Source - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/Teenager-drowns-in-swimming-pool/articleshow/22638349.cms

Hauz Khas eateries plan joint effluent plant

NEW DELHI: You can have a taste of Himalayan cuisine and a view of the lush deer park from the little restaurants of Hauz Khas Village. A wide variety of cuisine, the backdrop of graffiti, art galleries and alleys of an urban village make it one of the most attractive hangouts in Delhi, even for foreigners.

But not many know how these eateries are unsustainably extracting groundwater and are polluting water bodies by discharging untreated waste water into sewers. Customers are against closing these eateries. Instead the agencies should impose strict norms and see that no environmental norms are flouted.

"A lot of tourists come here because of its colourful atmosphere and the variety of cuisines. Why close this place completely?" asked Shruti Bagla, who comes here often.

Most eateries claimed that they did not know that it was mandatory to take permission from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) before starting a restaurant. "Ours is a small restaurant operating out of a cramped space. We cannot install an ETP here. So we are discussing whether we should close down," said a staff member of Gunpowder, a popular south Indian restaurant. "We have no objection to treating waste water but we don't have space," he added.

The manager at Yeti, serving Nepalese and Burmese cuisines, T B Kakri, said all eateries were planning to set up a large ETP together. "Everybody is ready to set it up. We have not worked out the finance but we will get it done," he said.

But restaurant owners complain that the government agencies, the South corporation and DPCC, have not mentioned that setting up of ETPs is mandatory and the norms are not specified anywhere. "The corporation is not responsible for checking ETPs while issuing or renewing health trade licences. The restaurant owners didn't know which agency issues permission for ETPs. The government and DPCC should advertise properly and clarify the norms. People can't be blamed and punished for mistakes of government agencies," said Shailender Singh (Monty), area councillor and chairman of the South corporation's health committee.

The first notice, which was issued by DPCC two-three weeks ago, had come as a rude shock. "We have written back to DPCC that we are willing to set up the plant. But we need its assistance. When we have got all the necessary licences, why will we not set up ETPs? It is just that we didn't know about it. Now, we are in the process of setting it up," said Gautam Chadha, owner of The Golkonda Bowl.

"We came here long ago when there were no pubs or bars. The place has become very crowded and popular now. We have been filtering our waste oil and water but now we are setting up an ETP. It will cost us about Rs 3 lakh," said Narender Mendan, manager at Naivedyam, a south Indian restaurant that has been serving for 19 years.

DPCC's rule book says eateries should have ETPs, including proper oil and grease trap, for the effluent arising from kitchen and washing activities and will comply with general standards for discharge of effluent into public sewers. "It doesn't cost much to set up an ETP—about Rs 2-3 lakh. Why can't such posh restaurants install ETPs?" said Sandeep Mishra, member secretary, DPCC.

Source - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Hauz-Khas-eateries-plan-joint-effluent-plant/articleshow/22823527.cms

Sewage water treatment in disarray in Madurai

MADURAI: The sewage water treatment plants constructed by the Madurai Corporation in 2011 in Vellakal and Sakkimangalam areas have not achieved their full capacity, officials in the civic body here admitted. At present, only one fourth of the total sewage water generated in the city is treated at these plants. The rest is released into water bodies like channels, tanks and the Vaigai river, posing health and environmental hazards.

The capacity of the Vellakal sewage water treatment plant is 125 million litres per day (MLD) whereas the capacity of the Sakkimangalam plant is 45.7 MLD. These plants were constructed considering the need for the next 30 years. Though, the plants started functioning two-and-a-half years back, all the sewage water generated in the city can't be transferred to the treatment plants. The pipes carrying sewage water from various pumping stations to the treatment plants proportionate to the requirement,

have not been modified yet, said sources from the engineering department of Madurai Corporation.

The total sewage water generated from the city, excluding the newly-added areas, is more than 80 MLD. However, only 20 MLD is treated at both the plants. The treated water is released to the nearby agricultural lands instead of diverting it into water bodies or bringing it back to the water-short city. Around 60 MLD of untreated sewage water from the pumping stations is frequently let into Vaigai River, nearby tanks and channels. Environmentalists warn that the untreated water opened into the water bodies can affect people in the long term.

There are more than 35 pumping stations present in the city, a rise from a mere 14, four years back. Letting out untreated sewage water into the water bodies is inevitable due to poor infrastructure facilities and old mechanisms at the pumping stations. A Madhuram, city engineer, Madurai Corporation said they have started work on the laying of new pipelines connecting the treatment plants and pumping stations. The new pipelines are laid as per the requirement. He admitted that only around 20-25 MLD of sewage water is treated in the plants. However, once the new pipelines are laid the amount of water treated would be doubled, he added.

While Madurai corporation is finding it difficult to prevent pollution of water bodies, a Madurai-based scientist claims her low-cost nanotechnology could treat sewage water effectively. The benefit of the new technology is that water could be treated at the pumping stations themselves rather than being pumped to one point from all corners of the city, said Anitha Sironmani, the scientist.

"I have developed a solution based on nanotechnology. Sewage water can be treated easily at pumping stations by using the solution. It will hardly consume 10 minutes compared to the present method which would take about 90 minutes. For every one lakh litre of sewage water just 30 litres nano solution is enough," said Sironmani.

Sironmani heads the department of genetic engineering at the Madurai Kamaraj Universtity.

Source - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/Sewage-water-treatment-in-disarray-in-Madurai/articleshow/25078718.cms