Month: September 2017

Namami Gange’s speedy implementation: Task force announced

 Gadkari announced the formation of an inter-ministerial task force to expedite the implementation of one of the centre’s flagship programmes, Namami Gange. The task force will majorly include ministers and officials from water resources, urban development, drinking water, sanitation and rural development.

India to bring in Australian tech to help improve railways

In the backdrop of back-to-back rail accidents, the current safety standards of Indian Railways have assumed centre-stage again in India’s development agenda. As on March 2016, Indian Railways data shows that 66 of 105 serious rail accidents happen due to mistakes or negligence by railway staff.

India needs modern infra; can’t afford any delays: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at a public meeting in Udaipur that India cannot afford a delay in the modernization of its infrastructure in order to sustain widespread growth and development. He said that in order to grow further, the infrastructure has to be developed or else it would act as a barrier to prosperity.

“17 States/UTS have Imposed Complete Ban on Use of Polythene Bags”: Environment Minister

“As per the provisions of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, the generators of waste have been mandated to take steps to minimize generation of plastic waste, not to litter the plastic waste, ensure segregated storage of waste at source and handover segregated waste to local bodies or agencies authorised by the local bodies. The Rules also mandate the responsibilities of local bodies, gram panchayats, waste generators, retailers and street vendors to manage the plastic waste. The rules mandate the producers, importers and brand owners to work out modalities for waste collection system based on Extended Producer Responsibility.

Ragpickers to help study plastic waste management: PPCB

For the detailed study of waste management, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has decided on engaging with rag pickers. The instructions to assistant environmental engineers (AEEs) and junior environmental engineers (JEEs) have already been issued by PPCB chairman Kahn Singh Pannu. As per instructions concerned person will speak to ragpickers and will see the present waste management scenario.

PWD Chennai starts restoration efforts at Perungalathur lake

The condition of the two lakes on the peripheries of the Chennai at Peerkankaranai and Perungalathur are deteriorating. The lake which was earlier spread across 370 acres has now reduced to 54 acres and the other one has immensely suffered due to the widening of National Highway-45, say researchers.

Rally for Rivers: initiative to rejuvenate rivers in the country

The spiritual guru Jaggi Vasudev has launched a ‘Rally for Rivers’ initiative to rejuvenate rivers in the country. The initiative was flagged off in Coimbatore in presence of Union environment, forest and climate change minister Harsh Vardhan Singh, cricketers Virender Sehwag, Mithali Raj and car racer Narain Karthikeyan.