No Parking policy : Hindustan Times

10% of city eaten up by car spaces : Times of India

NEW DELHI: Finding parking space in Delhi is like a treasure hunt. The growing number of cars has led to a scramble for vacant slots and frayed nerves. Rajinder Bhatia's death in west Patel Nagar underlines a larger issue and a crime pattern that needs a closer look. According to a study by the Centre for Science and Environment, parking takes up nearly 10% of the city's space, just 1% less than the green cover. Delhi has 82 lakh registered vehicles and the addition of cars, many of them superfluous, will only compound parking problems in future.

With the lanes in residential areas always packed, fights have become routine. Ambulances, police vehicles and fire tenders often get stuck. "The area needed for parking vehicles is now double of what is taken up by slums in Delhi. The social inequity, shrinking of common areas and unhealthy environment will only get worse," said Anumita Roychoudhary, executive director, CSE.

To tackle this problem, some RWAs have restricted entry of cars, others have proposed parking lots beneath the parks. Many are using colony parks and vacant plots to squeeze in their cars. "There is no policy to curb purchase of cars.

Anyone can buy any number of cars without showing parking space. There is no policy," said Manjeet Singh of South Extension part-I RWA.

Another reason for the mess is the commercialization of residential roads. Banks, nursing homes, gym and departmental stores are essential but daily fights over parking outside houses are also taking their toll. Deflating tyres, towing and damaging cars has become common in such colonies

Since 2005 civic agencies have been collecting conversion charges from these areas. They had to provide parking facilities from this money.

"Not a single parking lot has come up. Where has the money gone?" said Rajiv Kakria of GK-I RWA. Of the 41 parking lots planned by the corporations since 2007, only three have been completed. Vasant Vihar residents' proposal for a parking lot beneath a park was shot down.

Unauthorized colonies as well as congested areas like Karol Bagh and Walled City are worse off. "The lanes are so narrow but people keep buying cars.

We need a policy or more people will be killed over parking rows," said B S Vohra of East Delhi RWAs Joint Front. Experts had suggested charges for street parking but political pressure put them in cold storage. "Public transport needs to improve to reduce reliance on cars," said Ashok Bhasin of North Delhi Residents Welfare Forum.

Quoting Tom Vanderbilt, author of Traffic, "Why we drive the way we do, equates with jungle laws", Roychoudhary summed it up pithily: "Humans hunt for parking the way animals hunt for food."

with thanks : Times of India : LINK

Policy on rooftop solar power generation for Delhi soon !

After years of wait, the decks are finally being cleared for rooftop solar power generation in the Capital. The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission is expected to notify the proposal, which will see solar units fixed on rooftops, in two weeks’ time. The initiative envisages individual households producing solar power for their own consumption and also decreasing the peak time load on the power network.

The DERC is in the process of finalising regulations about its proposal to introduce net metering for rooftop solar power generation as per the guidelines laid down by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

After the policy is notified, the Delhi Government will initiate putting of solar plants on government buildings, colleges and hospitals. It may be later followed at individual level. In fact, the Delhi Government may announce “production-based subsidy” and other incentives for solar power generation.

So far, Delhi doesn’t have a solar policy, a fact that is an obstacle in accessing incentives for producing solar energy.

with thanks : The Hindu : LINK : for detailed news.

Skyscanner - Travel plan

I am always willing to Travel as it's my passion to view newer places regularly. In India i have travelled a lot. Right from the Rohtang pass to Manikaran to Kulu, Manali, Hemkund sahib, Jammu, Amritsar to Agra, Gwalior, Indore to Vijayawada, Vishakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Machilipatnam and upto Goa, i loved every thing. Snowy peaks of Rohtang or para gliding at Manali or Boat cruise at Goa, i loved every thing. 

Now i wish to go to China. Wanna see the Great wall of China, Wanna see the markets & industry of China. Wanna see that how they could sell everything at rates lesser than, our cost of that product in India. Wanna see how they produce at such lower costs & ruin the markets of other countries. Skyscanner offered an opportunity to travel free of cost to anywhere in the world and i am ready to crack it. Yes, i wanna go to China now and no where else.

I came to know that skyscanner can help me to get the best fares and so i searched a lot on the Skyscanner.com, about flights, about hotel bookings, about car bookings, about bus bookings, about everything. Atlast i got the best route at the best prices, thanks to Skyscanner.

Best Travel deal that i could find for myself was through SKYSCANNER i.e. www.skyscanner.com i.e. from Delhi to Guanzhou with China Southern Airlines for Rs 33,333 (return fair), departure 15^th August 23.10 pm & Reaching canton at 06.50 am. & back on 26^st August, i.e. 07.30 am & reaching Delhi at 10.50 am i.e. 10 days, PLUS a stay at Guanzhou Halyue Hotel for 10 days @ 6,665 comes to 66,650 = 99,983. 

What a Trip to enjoy CHINA for 10 days as well to look into other business opportunities and to have a great view of our competitors. It can be a great opportunity in less than Rs. 1 Lakh, only through skyscanner. Thanks a lot SKYSCANNER for offering such an opportunity.

This post is a part of Skyscanner travel wizard activity at BlogAdda.com  and i have really tried my best to get this opportunity. Thanks Blogadda for making it possible.

Kargil Vijay Diwas !

Status of parks or green belts !

Dear Mr. Vohra ji,

MCD/DDA are all hoodwinking us and giving a false and untrue picture to the Courts of Law regarding the status of parks or green belts etc. I would only vouchsafe about the pitiable condition of parks and green belts being (supposed to be) maintained by the said agencies. Their officials and workmen never work at the field i.e. ground level, but drawing sumptuous salaries with little contribution for the development and maintenance of such parks. For instance Anand Vihar colony has 14 parks, 5 tot lots, (all of MCD) 2 green belts and 1 NH park (of DDA). You can't ask for more! But apart from the 1 NH park, which is being maintained tolerably well by the DDA, rest of them are in a horrible condition. In fact most of them are being looked after by the local residents around such parks by paying hefty amounts to the private mallies. The MCD/DDA mallies are never to be seen in such parks and their supervisors are getting 'commission' from them for marking their presence. Corruption is rampant but not reported as the 'share' goes to everyone, right from the supervisory level to up! 

Now is the time for plantation, watering, manuring, leveling the ground with additional sweet earth etc. but rare to find in any of the parks. The parks are full of filth, broken swings, benches etc. the trees/plants are never pruned, watering is never done, but their attendance is being marked! I quote an instance. I have taken up the issue relating to 'pitiable condition of the green belt' being maintained by the DDA more than 2 years back with the highest authorities i.e. LG/Delhi, who is the Chairman of DDA, and constantly pursuing it at various levels, but no tangible result so far. You could well imagine what else an individual could do for improving the situation for the benefit of all residents over here. The issue had also been taken up by the RWA. Despite all this, It is a pity that the officials concerned don't reply at all, not even an ack.! Where to go?

You must have also read the news item today in HT that Govt. starts inspecting RWAs for rainwater harvesting! Again, I quote, the MCD had constructed in concrete the 'storm water' drainage system in Anand Vihar colony, covering all houses/blocks etc. but forgot to give a 'slope' for the flow of the water! Consequently, the water stagnates in the drains making them a fertile ground for mosquitoes' breeding! The Society had been pleading at the time of construction to give a slope or not to build a concrete surface, so that the water could seep into mother earth, but did not listen, as the contractors had to do the job as per contract with a built-in provision for commission to the officials concerned! Later, the Society had been pleading with them i.e. MCD as well as the DJB to punch the concrete base at several places so that the accumulated dirty water could seep through, but turned deaf ears. This being the ground situation how the Govt. will start inspecting the RWAs for rainwater harvesting! Are the RWAs against it? A point to ponder over! The RWAs are not the 'executive body' to carry out 'rainwater harvesting'! Are they not aware of it? Whom they are fooling - the people, the courts and themselves!

TK Balu/Anand Vihar

Apathy plagues our children's parks : Deccan Herald

Children’s parks in the city are in a deplorable condition. Where swings once stood stand iron poles, giving a hint that once upon a time there used to be something for kids. Ironically, when it comes to a proper children’s park there is nothing much to offer, especially to those who don’t live in society apartments. 

Recently, the Delhi High Court also expressed its anguish over the poor maintenance of children’s parks in the City. The court was informed that most of the swings in the parks were damaged and bound to cause injuries. The amicus curiae in the case, advocate Nidesh Gupta, informed the court about the deplorable condition of the parks pointing towards the poor state of the swings, nails coming loose  and electricity wires spread  all over. 

The court also took suo motu cognisance of a letter written by Supreme Court judge Kurian Joseph, who visited the popular children's park at India Gate and Lake Park near Sarojini Nagar. He expressed his displeasure over the irresponsible attitude of the concerned authorities in maintaining the park. 

Metrolife explored other parts of the city to find out about the condition of children’s parks and learnt to its dismay that they were in a shambles, a victim of official apathy and neglect. 

Anil Sidhwani, president, Residents Welfare Association (RWA), Azad Nagar, East Delhi says, “There are two parks in our area – one is under the MCD and the other under DDA. And, both these parks don’t have a single swing for the children. Everything has been destroyed and damaged and there is no cleanliness either. No action has been taken despite our several complaints to the area councillor and  government officials.” 

Sidhwani also mentions the fully-equipped gymnasium that was constructed in the DDA park four years ago but which could not be opened to the public.  “It was for all age groups, but it hasn’t been opened since four years as officials couldn’t find an instructor! Today, all the windows of the room have been broken and some equipment has  also been stolen,” lamented  Sidhwani. 

Similar is the condition in South Delhi parks too. Sanjeev Bansal, president, RWA, Ashram says, “There are three to four parks in our area and none of them is in a good state. Forget about swings, there is litter everywhere. There are no gardeners to look after the park.”

Commenting on the High Court’s concern over the parks, he said, “The bench must have sought a status report from civic agencies on the issue and directed them to take immediate steps to improve the parks. But it is definite no action will be taken. Over the years we have been asking for the renovation of the parks but no action has been taken by the MCD or DDA. Now, when there is no ruling government nobody  is interested in looking into  the matter.”

Citing the main reasons behind the poor maintenance of children’s parks, which is an essential part of any residential area, B S Vohra, president, East Delhi RWAs Joint Front says, “It is due to the lackadaisical approach of the officials towards parks. No doubt funds are being released but they aren’t being utilised where they should be. In the absence of gates, drug peddlers easily enter parks during night hours. They destroy the swings and sell it to fulfil their drug demand. The fact is everybody takes children’s parks for granted.” 

with thanks : Deccan Herald : LINK

Power Tariff issue with DERC : The Hindu

Thanks to News Nation for Exposing the %age game of Doctors & Diagnostic centres !

It was a common saying & hugely doubted, that it's a percentage game between Doctors & Diagnostic centres, between Doctors & Chemists but with no proof. 

Thanks to the News Nation TV channel, it has not only exposed the nexus, it has also shown the cheques given as the percentage to Doctors & that too from the Top rated Diagnostic centres of Delhi. 

It clearly showed the Diagnostic Centres ready to do MRI at any price of 9000, 8000, 7000, 6000, even 5000  with upto 50% to the referring Doctors. Upto 30 % , 40%, 50% and even 60% commission to referring Doctors on various tests.

Think of the plight of a person who visits a Doctor with a patient for treatment. Doctor charges his Fees & refers a dozen tests from a particular centre, just for his designated PERCENTAGE, even though the tests may or may not be required.

It's not the end of the story, instead, a tip of the big iceberg. I have seen the cases where a person was asked for an immediate operation but when cross checked, no operation was required at all. I have seen the patient in ICU, when challenged, was shifted outside in minutes. I have seen the patient with simple gastric problem, being treated as a Cardiac patient. I remember a simple case of Jaundice, where the patient was admitted & dripped & hugely billed & later the Doctor said while smiling, " I am a surgeon, agar kattunga nahi to kam kaise chalega". I have heard the instances of dead patients kept on ventilators for days for making money.

Think of these Private Hospitals who make Lakhs every month in just Room rentals + the commission percentages & they call that it's a NOBLE profession.

Probably it's the right time, as we have our Dr Harsh vardhan as the Health Minister of India. We hereby request Dr Saab to impose stricter norms & regulations on these Private hospitals & Diagnostic centres. As it is very much clear that Exorbitant prices are being charged by these Private hospitals, we hereby request Dr Saab to fix the Lowest Possible prices for all kind of Medical Tests, MRIs and even Room rentals so that the Public of India could have a sigh of relief.

Thanks again to News Nation, Thanks to its entire team, for exposing this nexus with a hope that it will continue its muhim.

B S Vohra

Why the Elections in Delhi are likely to be held in Jan. or Feb. 2015 ?

But why the Elections in Delhi are likely to be held in January or February 2015 ? It's already 6 months & we dont have our elected Govt. If the things are quite clear that none of the political outfits are in a position to form a Govt., than why the Elections are being delayed till January / February 2015 ? And that too in a situation where the General Public can't even reach the Hon'ble LG.

Need lower tariff, not subsidy : RWAs : Hindustan Times