B S Vohra - Mirror Now - New Liquor Policy of Delhi

Coldest nights of Delhi & poor persons sleeping in the open

Festival of Lights or the Festival of Pollution ?

Can you believe that Delhi was in the Grip of the most severe pollution last night? The levels were so high that it was difficult to breathe for all those having any respiratory issues or other medical problems. It was an acute stage of the Medical emergency all over. I know you won't believe it. So why don't you have a look at the screenshots captured by me last night?

Have you ever thought, ever heard about the Pollution levels of up to 77 times of the permissible limits? This was what we had to bear last night in the city which is the National Capital. It was Scary. It was horrible. It was the most polluted all over the City. The levels of pollution were fluctuating and touching the higher peaks every second minute in almost every part of Delhi.

We just kept on Tweeting to our Elected representatives, warning them of the consequences that may come out of such high polluting levels in the City. But there was no option for anyone of us as the entire city was celebrating the FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS - known as DIWALI. It's a great festival - A festival of Lights, Sweets, Gifts, but don't know how it got attached with the crackers and has now turned into the FESTIVAL OF POLLUTION by our own actions.

Since morning I have asked it from all the Air Quality Experts, that include Ms. Sunita Narain, Ms. Anumita Roy Choudhury, Dr. Gufran Beig, that is it possible for the humans to breathe at the pollution levels of up to 77 times of the permissible limits? If one has no option but to breathe in such extreme conditions, what will happen to the human lungs? How long an individual can survive in such difficult conditions? What will happen to the vegetation as well as the Birds & animals on the streets as well as the pets inside? Still awaiting the reply.

B S Vohra

Environment Activist, President,

East Delhi RWAs Joint Front - Federation

www.RWABhagidari.com

www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com

That time of the year By Sunita Narain

That time of the year
By Sunita Narain

The time of the toxic air is here again, and where do we stand with our clean-up actions?

Smell the air and you will know what I am talking about. The fact is that this year, more than ever before, there is public awareness about why toxic air matters. Nobody denies the problem—and this is not a small change. The fact is that even till last year, there was mummer, stutter, and statements to say that people do not die from air pollution. I say this because we have had to challenge these positions in courts and outside.

It is also a fact that even though health impacts are shouted about, there is still only “little” more appetite for action. This is not to say that things are not happening; but that whatever happens, happens after a protracted fight. Every solution is contested with the view that this only constitutes a small part of the problem—the 1 percent problem-as I have written earlier. There is also no desire to push the boundaries so that the action matches the scale and urgency of the public health crisis.

So, what has happened and what needs to be done. First, let’s sort out some basic facts. Delhi has its own sources of pollution, which need to be addressed and reduced. The reason that pollution peaks in winter is not only because of the farmers in Punjab and Haryana who burn crop stubble at this time. Pollution is worse in winter because of adverse weather conditions, which lead to inversion (cold air settles); moisture (traps the pollutants) and poor wind (does not allow for dispersion). This is why even though the sources of pollution remain constant throughout the year, the level of pollution peaks in winter. 

Second, certain things are now done and must not be dusted. This year, there is a comprehensive action plan for pollution control in the National Capital Region (NCR). The plan handles all sources of pollution; has deadlines and agencies with responsibilities. Now let’s get on with it. We also have evidence about what is causing pollution; so again, we don’t need to spend time blaming the “other”. The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MOES) has just released its emission inventory-pollutants and sources-for Delhi and its neighbouring areas. It establishes what we knew, that vehicles are the main cause of pollution in the city and NCR-contributing over 40 percent. 

In the vehicle segment, heavy commercial vehicles (trucks) and commercial/personal vehicles like taxis are the major polluting source. It points to the fact that taxis (Ola, Uber etc.) travel 400 km/day, as against personal cars (55 km/day). It is a saving grace that these vehicles are fuelled on compressed natural gas and not diesel. But even with cleaner fuel, their net contribution is high. This requires to restrain on the trucks entering Delhi and on ensuring that there is a reduction in overall personal vehicles and that even taxi use is controlled through augmented bus and metro services. It also means that paratransit (like taxis and auto rickshaws) must use the cleanest fuel and technology as the miles traveled are the highest and so is their pollution potential. All this is known. We need action, now. 

The other source, which has increased by a staggering 48 per cent between 2010 and 2018 is industry. This is because this part of the world has thousands of small industrial units, all previously using pet coke and now coal. After months of bitter wrangling in court, pet coke use in this region is banned. But it is allowed for industries that use it as feedstock and was allowed through imports without any license. Now, again, after much delay, there is a ban on the import of pet coke. Also there are standards for sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NOx) for these industries. This took over six months of protracted arguments in court. But now that the standards have been issued, there is little or no enforcement. This is what needs to be changed.

But there is some good news. The MOES report finds that emissions from residential sector have reduced by half from 2010 to 2018. This is because of the increased penetration of LPG even in the poorer areas of the city. This means that something can be done. It will show up in the atmosphere. We will breathe better and cleaner air. This is where our efforts have to be deployed. This is where we must stay focused. Till next winter. With better news.

• Follow Sunita Narain on Twitter: @sunitanar
• To post your comments on this editorial, please click here

with thanks to Sunita Narain

Do they have the right to collect the Conversion as well as the one time parking charges?

As per the Bare Act of DDA, ”Escrow Account" means a dedicated savings account held by the Local Body concerned not being operative unless the conditions for which it has been opened are fulfilled in accordance with the provisions of these regulations”.

In such a case how Civic bodies either diverted the Amount collected under this Account for other establishment expenditure including salaries or failed to use most of the amount, is a very serious cause of concern for one & the all.

Various newspapers have reported:

Escrow account

However, the data submitted shows that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi collected Rs. 1,128.72 crore from 2006-2007 till 2011-2012, but only about 8% or Rs. 101.39 crore was spent through the escrow account on developing the areas or creating parking. The majority of the fund or Rs. 1,027.33 crore was spent on “other establishment expenditure”, which includes salaries.

MCD split

After the MCD was split into three in 2012, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation collected Rs. 643.41 crore from 2012-2013 to 2016-2017. Only Rs. 28.19 crore was spent on escrow expenditure, while the remaining Rs. 615.22 crore was spent on other establishment expenses.

While the North Corporation diverted the majority of the funds, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) failed to use most of the parking and conversion charges it collected. From 2012-2013 till 2016-2017, the SDMC collected a total of Rs. 1,125.05 crore, but the expenditure from the escrow was Rs. 146.87 crore. Currently, Rs. 925 crore is available in the account, SDMC data shows.

The East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) collected Rs. 166.02 crore in conversion charges and Rs. 49.95 crore in parking charges from 2012-2013 till 2017-2018 (till now). The EDMC data showed that the civic body spent Rs. 8.38 crore of the parking charges on developing parking, while Rs. 18.16 crore was spent on salaries and Rs. 23.40 crore remained unused. We are trying to find out the status of the rest of the Rs 166.03 crore.

with thanks: The Hindu: Damini Nath

In such circumstances, do you think that our Civic bodies have any right to collect the Conversion as well as the one-time parking charges?

It was said earlier that no development charges for parking shall be payable by small shop owners of the area up to 20 sqm. dealing with the items/activities as defined in para 15.6.3 of the MPD-2021 in respect of any category of colonies.

But now, development charges for parking are being demanded even from the small shop owners. Is there any such change in the Act?

It was also said earlier that Development charges for parking shall also not be payable by owner/ allottee/resident/user of the plot/dwelling units falling under notified pedestrian shopping streets both mixed-use or commercial pedestrian streets.

Please check the Links depicting Pedestrian Streets of Delhi that were Notified in the Delhi Gazette on 15^th September 2006. You can easily find out if you are on a Pedestrian street & if you are being charged for all such development charges?

Identification of Pedestrian Shopping Streets in West Zone

 

Identification of Pedestrian Shopping Streets in South Zone

 

Identification of Pedestrian Shopping Streets in Shahdara South Zone

Identification of Pedestrian Shopping Streets in Shahad North

Identification of Pedestrian Shopping Streets in Sadar Paharganj Zone 

Identification of Pedestrian Shopping Streets in Rohini Zone - 15.9.2006

 

Identification of Streets for Pedestrian Shopping Streets in Karol Bagh Zone

 

Identification of Pedestrian Shopping Streets in Civil Line Zone

 

Identification of Pedestrian Streets Central Zone

 

Identification of Pedestrian Streets Central Zone

B S VOHRA, ENVIRONMENT ACTIVIST, SUNDAY PIONEER, DELHI

Is that the Real Time Air Quality Index monitoring at Delhi - Asks B S Vohra, Environmental Activist

It has been observed that the Real Time Ambient Air Quality data, being shown by DPCC, on its website has some Technical flaws. On the Diwali night, our Team was keeping an eye on the figures of Air Quality Index and the outcome at a specific time was very Shocking and as below: 

ITI Shahdara,  23.20pm,  PM10 NIL, PM2.5 NIL

Patparganj,  23.20pm,  PM10 NIL, PM2.5 NIL

Sriniwaspuri,   23.20pm,  PM10 NIL, PM2.5 NIL

Rohini,  23.15pm,  PM10 NIL, PM2.5 NIL

R K Puram, 23.20pm,  PM10 NIL, PM2.5 NIL

Mandir Marg, 23.20pm, PM10 NIL, PM2.5 317

JLN Stadium, 23.20pm, PM10 985, PM2.5 NIL

DITE Okhla, 23.20pm, PM10 NIL, PM2.5 NIL

Ashok Vihar, 23.10pm, PM10 NIL, PM2.5 NIL

DITE Wazirpur, 23.20pm,  PM10 NIL, PM2.5 NIL

IGI Airport: No Data at all - page not in operation

Civil Lines: No Data at all - page not in operation

It clearly shows, that out of the 18 stations, at least 12 critical points as above, were not showing any data, at a critical juncture, on the Diwali night, when Hon’ble SC had ordered a ban on the crackers, to analyse the impact of the ban on the levels of Pollution in Delhi.

DPCC must look into it very seriously & must take necessary steps to remove the technical problems if any, so that the clear figures could come out for making the serious policy decisions, in this most polluted city.

B S Vohra

Environmental Activist,  
President, East Delhi RWAs Joint Front - Federation

www.RWABhagidari.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.in

Dainik Jagran, Dainik Bhaskar, Delhi

MCD Elections : आख़िर कब तक हम ट्रॅफिक जाम, जल भराव, एंकरोचमेंट, पोल्यूशन को झेलते रहेंगे ?

बीस साल पहले भी दिल्ली की सड़कों पर पानी भरता था, आज भी दिल्ली की सड़कों पर पानी भरता है. बीस साल पहले भी दिल्ली की सड़कों पर खड्डे होते थे, आज भी दिल्ली की सड़कों पर खड्डे होते हैं. बीस साल पहले भी दिल्ली मे गर्मियों मे पानी की किल्लत होती थी, आज भी दिल्ली मे गर्मियों मे पानी की किल्लत होती है. 

बीस साल पहले भी दिल्ली सबसे ज़्यादा पोल्यूटेड थी, आज भी दिल्ली सबसे ज़्यादा पोल्यूटेड हैं. बीस साल पहले भी हम ट्रॅफिक जाम मे फस्ते थे, आज भी हम ट्रॅफिक जाम मे फस्ते है. और सबसे ज़रूरी बात, बीस साल पहले भी हमारी दिल्ली महिलाओं के लिए सुरक्षित नही थी, आज भी हमारी दिल्ली महिलाओं के लिए सुरक्षित नही है. 

हालाँकि, इन बीस सालों मे, कई सरकारें बदल गई, कई नेता बदल गए, कई राजनीतिक दल बदल गए, लेकिन जो कुछ बदलना चाहिए था, वो सब कुछ नही बदला. हाँ, एक बदलाव ज़रूर हुआ कि पहले सफाई करमचारिओं की हड़ताल इस तरह नही होती थी, जिस तरह अब होती है. पहले दिल्ली इस तरह कूड़ा घर नही बनती थी, जिस तरह अब एक बड़े कूड़ा घर मे तब्दील हो जाती है. 

आज भी हमे सड़कों पर एंकरोचमेंट से छुटकारा नही मिला. आज भी दिल्ली की सड़कों पर रैश ड्राइविंग होती है. आज भी रोड रेज़ के किससे सुनने मे आते हैं. आज भी सरकारें, सिर्फ़ टॅक्स वसूली मे विश्वास रखती हैं, और आज भी दिल्ली की आम जनता, बेसिक साहूलतों के लिए तरसती है.

हम यह भी नही भूल सकते कि इन बीस सालों मे दिल्ली मे मेट्रो चल पड़ी, कई नए फ्लाइ ओवर भी बने, कुछ सड़कों को चौड़ा भी किया गया, और अगर यह सब कुछ ना होता तो शायद दिल्ली एक गटर बन चुकी होती. लेकिन सवाल यह है, कि अगर पिछली सरकारों ने कुछ किया तो यह कोई अहसान नही था, यह तो उनकी ड्यूटी थी, फ़र्ज़ था उनका. 

लेकिन क्या आपको नही लगता, कि जो कुछ भी हुआ, उससे कहीं ज़्यादा होने की दरकार थी ? आख़िर कब तक हम ट्रॅफिक जाम, जल भराव, एंकरोचमेंट, पोल्यूशन को झेलते रहेंगे ? आख़िर कब हमारी महिलाएँ, बच्चे और बुजुर्ग अपने को सुरक्षित मान सकेंगे ? आख़िर कब हमारे नेता इस दलगत राजनीति से उपर उठकर, दिल्ली के लिए, दिल से काम करेगे ?

बी एस वोहरा

सोशल एक्टिविस्ट,

www.RWABhagidari.com

No Fogging Done at Punjabi Basti, Subzi mandi, Delhi

NO FOGGING HAS BEEN DONE IN OUR AREA:

PREM GALI, TIKONA PARK, PUNJABI BASTI, SUBZI MANDI DELHI-110007

ASHOK KUMAR

BYPL's largest transformer at Krishna nagar, Delhi

The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, CBD Ground, Karkardooma, Delhi

The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, Delhi

1 CBD, Maharaja Surajmal Road, Near Yamuna Sports Complex, Delhi -110032, India

Electricity pole on fire at Vijay chowk, krishna nagar, Delhi

Our Election Manifesto was handed over to Mr Satish Upadhyay, BJP Delhi

Parking Problem : NBT, Delhi

Pay up or shutdown: Power companies threaten Capital with black out on Independence Day over unpaid dues

The National Capital may wake up to a blackout on Independence Day as two power generation companies (gencos) - Pragati Power Corporation Limited (PPCL) and Indraprastha Power Generation Company Limited (IPGCL) - have threatened a shutdown if their dues, running into thousands of crores of rupees, are not cleared by August 15. 

A senior power department official said there is a heavy backlog of outstanding dues against BSES on account of nonpayment of dues, which have accumulated over the years. 

Threat: PPCL and IPGCL have written to the Delhi government that they will be bound to stop power generation from August 15 on account of heavy outstanding dues against power distribution company BSES "Total dues is Rs 3,400 crore. Out of this Rs 2,700 crore is due towards gencos - PPCL and IPGCL. Moreover, the discom owes Rs 700 crore to the Delhi Transco Ltd," said the official. 

BSES authorities admitted the outstanding dues but cited helplessness in clearing them owing to a gap in purchase and sale of power in the National Capital. 

Explaining the heavy outstanding dues, a BSES spokesperson, requesting anonymity, said power purchase cost in Delhi is too high as compared to the power tariff. 

"In the last 10 years, purchase cost has gone up by about 300 per cent while the power tariff has risen only by 70 per cent.

With thanks : Daily Mail UK : LINK : for detailed news. Must view.