Page 165 - Environment
Govt approves Rs 31,560-cr investments for power projects
The government Thursday cleared investment proposals worth over Rs 31,560 crore in power projects, including two coal-based thermal plants and a hydro project on river Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir. The thermal power plants in Buxar, Bihar, and Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, are expected to become operational by 2023-24. Briefing media after the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said approval has been given to an investment of Rs 10,439.09 crore for the 2x660 MW Buxar Thermal Power Project (Buxar TPP) in Bihar. The Buxar project will be implemented by SJVN Thermal Private Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of SJVN, a mini-ratna CPSU. "The project is expected to generate substantial direct and indirect employment apart from various other socio-economic development in the project area. The Buxar TPP will start yielding benefits from 2023-24," said an official release. The CCEA, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also gave nod to the .
CCEA approves recommendations of GoM on stressed power assets
The government on Thursday approved recommendations of a group of ministers (GoM) on stressed power projects which include grant of coal linkage for short-term PPAs and increase in quantity of coal for special forward e-auction for power sector. Various stressed power projects that could benefit from the decision are of Adani, GVK, GMR, Jaypee and Essar groups. These assets were listed as non-performing assets or bad loans in a Standing Committee on Energy report. According to the report of a High Level Empowered Committee (HLEC) headed by Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha, 34 projects with total capacity of 40.13 GW were identified as stressed assets which were facing issues related to coal, slow power demand, delay in payments by discoms and slow development by developers. "The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the recommendations of GoM constituted to examine the specific recommendations of HLEC," an official statement ...
Rajnath, Gadkari lay foundation stones, inaugurate projects in UP
Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari on Thursday laid the foundation stones and inaugurated projects worth crores of rupees in Uttar Pradesh.
Cabinet approves GoM's recommendations on stressed thermal plants
The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the recommendations of a Group of Ministers (GoM) on revival of stressed power projects, including the grant of coal linkage for short-term power purchase agreements (PPAs).
Israel's 1st spacecraft en route to Moon takes Earth selfie
Barely two weeks into its historic journey to the Moon, Israel's first spacecraft has taken a selfie of the Earth from a distance of 37,600 km.
Cabinet approves renewable status for large hydro power projects
To boost hydro power generation, the government Thursday approved a slew of measures including providing renewable energy status for large hydel projects and new funding provisions. Earlier, hydro projects up to 25 MW capacity were considered as renewables and were eligible for various incentives like financial assistance and cheaper credit. With the government's decision, hydro projects above 25 MW can also avail the benefits. "Union Cabinet approves a slew of measures to promote hydro power sector," an official statement said. The Cabinet decision has also paved the way for adding hydro capacities of about 45 GW to the renewable energy basket of existing 74 GW which includes solar, wind and small hydro. India is aiming 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022. With addition of large hydro to clean energy segment, India is poised to have 225 GW of renewable energy by 2022. With the new measures, large hydro projects (LHPs) would be allowed back loading (reducing) of tariff after increasing
Mass fish deaths in Iraq due to disease, not pollution: UN
A UN spokesman has said that the deaths of 1 million carp fish in Iraq late last year was due to a disease and not because of pollution as originally feared.
Govt nod to NHPC acquiring Lanco's Teesta hydro project for Rs 907 cr
The government Thursday approved a proposal for state-run hydropower giant NHPC to take over debt-laden Lanco's 500 MW Teesta hydro-electric power project for Rs 907 crore in Sikkim. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) at its meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its approval for the investment sanction for acquisition of Lanco Teesta Hydro Power Ltd (LTHPL) and execution of balance work of the Teesta Stage-Vl Hydro Electric Project by the NHPC Ltd in Sikkim, an official statement said. The project will be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs 5,748.04 crore (at July 2018 price level), which includes a bid amount of Rs 907 crore for acquisition of the LTHPL and estimated cost of balance work of Rs 3,863.95 crore, which includes Interest During Construction (IDC) and Foreign Component (FC) of Rs 977.09 crore, it said. By taking up this project, this sink cost will be utilised and this investment till now will also be used for generation of energy, the ...
China's lunar rover studies stones on Moon's far side
China's lunar rover has conducted scientific detection on some stones on the far side of the Moon, which might help scientists find out whether they are from outer space or native to the Moon.
Hybrid Simulation model for easing congestion likely for Delhi, NCR
To ease traffic congestion in the national capital region, the government may implement a hybrid model that can be extended to other metropolises and big cities, government said Thursday. The model based on a report on hybrid simulation for easing congestion of big cities was presented to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. "The objective of the study was to prepare hybrid model and utilise it for preparing and testing short term and long terms strategies/interventions to remove traffic congestion in Delhi," Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said in a statement. The scope of the model can be extended to the entire Delhi NCR region and similar models can be built for other major metropolitan cities of India. This model is also useful in understanding the impact assessments of various upcoming infrastructure projects like, roads, flyovers, underpasses and other rapid transit projects, the statement said. The report was prepared by a JV between Medulla Soft Technologies Private ...
Worms that can regrow complete head found
Scientists have found at least four species of marine ribbon worms that have independently evolved the ability to regrow a head, including brain, after amputation. Regeneration of amputated body parts is uncommon but does exist throughout the animal world, said researchers at the University of Maryland (UMD) in the US. Salamanders, spiders and sea stars can regrow appendages while a species of ribbon worm can regenerate an entire individual from just a small sliver of tissue, they said. However, regenerative abilities were broadly assumed to be an ancient trait that some species managed to hold on to while most others lost through evolution. The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, turns that assumption on its head. In a survey of 35 species of marine ribbon worms, the researchers found that the ability to regenerate an entire head, including a brain, evolved relatively recently in four different species. "This means that when we compare animal groups we
Govt nod to NHPC acquiring Lanco's Teesta hydro project
The government Thursday approved a proposal for state-run hydro power giant NHPC to take over debt-laden Lanco's 500 MW Teesta hydro-electric power project in Sikkim. "Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gives approval for the investment sanction for acquisition of LancoTeesta Hydro Power Ltd (LTHPL) and execution of balance work of the Teesta Stage-Vl Hydro Electric Project by the NHPC Ltd in Sikkim," according to an official statement. Earlier, briefing reporters on the decision taken by the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that NHPC has also been allowed to spend Rs 574.04 crore to complete the balance work at the project. The project would be implemented with an estimated cost of Rs 5,748.04 crore (at July 2018 price level). The project would generate 2,400 million units of power in 90 per cent dependable year with installed capacity of 500 MW (125 MWX4). Teesta Stage-VI hydro-electric project is a run of river
Man attacked by crocodile in Kendrapara district
A 35-year-old man has been seriously injured after an estuarine crocodile pounced on him at a river ghat in Odisha's Kendrapara district. The incident took place when the man, identified as Bhagabat Rout, was bathing at the ghat located along the Brahmani river at Rajpur village on Wednesday. The crocodile was trying to drag the man into deep water, but locals hearing his scream could rescue him, a forest official said. Rout has been admitted to Rajnagar Community Health Centre with multiple wounds. He is presently out of danger, the official said. "The State Forest department is bearing the cost of treatment of the injured man following the crocodile attack," Divisional Forest Officer, Rajnagar Mangrove (wildlife) forest division, Bimal Prasanna Acharya said. The department will also provide compensation to the injured persons family as per rules, the DFO said. At least three such incidents have been reported in Rajnagar area recently. Forest personnel are of the view ...
Cabinet approves GoM's recommendations on stressed power plants
The Union Cabinet Thursday approved recommendations of a group of ministers (GoM) relating to stressed power projects including grant of coal linkage for short-term power purchase agreements (PPAs). The decision was taken by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). Briefing reporters, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the recommendations approved include grant of coal linkage for short-term PPAs, allowing existing coal linkage to be used in case of termination of PPAs due to payment default by distribution companies and procurement of bulk power by a modal agency against pre-declared linkages. Central/state generation companies may act as aggregator of power.
Cabinet nod to NHPC acquiring Lanco's Teesta hydro-electric project
The Union Cabinet Thursday approved state-owned NHPC taking over debt-laden Lanco's 500 MW Teesta hydro-electric power project in Sikkim, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said. Briefing reporters on the decision taken by the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said NHPC has also been allowed to spend Rs 574.04 crore to complete balance work at the project. The project would generate 2,400 million units. Teesta Stage-VI hydro-electric project is a run of river (RoR) scheme in Sirwani Village of Sikkim to utilise the power potential of Teesta river basin in cascade manner. The project shall help in meeting peaking demand of energy, balancing and ramping requirement of the grid.
Around 3,000 TN fishermen chased away by SL Navy, fishing nets cut
Nearly 3,000 Tamil Nadu fishermen were allegedly chased away by the Sri Lankan Navy while they were fishing off Katchatheevu and fishing nets of 30 mechanised boats snapped, a fishermen association leader said Thursday. The fishermen from this island town had ventured into the sea in 570 boats Wednesday night and were fishing near Katchatheevu islet when the Lankan Navy personnel came in four boats and cut the nets of 30 vessels before driving them away, Rameswaram Fishermen Association President S Emerit alleged. The fisherfolk were forced to return to the shore without a catch, he said. Nine fishermen from Thondi in Ramanathapuram district were arrested on February 25 by the Lankan Navy for allegedly fishing in the island nation's waters.
Emission fiasco: NGT slaps Rs 500 crore fine on Volkswagen
The National Green Tribunal Thursday slapped a fine of Rs 500 crore on German auto major Volkswagen for damaging the environment through the use of "cheat device" in its diesel cars in India. A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel directed the carmaker to deposit the amount within two months. The tribunal enhanced the compensation amount of Rs. 171.34 crore, which was recommended by a NGT- appointed committee, as a means of "creating deterrence". The auto maker, however, said that it did not violate the BS-IV norms and that the test results were based on "on road testings" for which there were no prescribed standards. The bench said, "Sustainable development is the main guiding factor... We are unable to accept the manufacturer's objections to the report." It said that the apex pollution monitoring body may consider utilising the money towards improving air quality in the National Capital Region and other highly polluted areas. The green panel on November 16, 2018
China prosecutes 11 people in $119 million totoaba fish bust
Chinese authorities have prosecuted 11 people for smuggling USD 119 million worth of Mexican totoaba fish swim bladders, one of the country's biggest busts related to the trafficking of an endangered species used in traditional medicine. Mexico has urged China for years to crack down on totoaba smuggling over fears that illegal fishing operations in the Gulf of California are also killing off the world's smallest porpoise, the near-extinct vaquita marina. The Jiangmen city procuratorate in southern Guangdong province said the 11 people are suspected of smuggling nearly 20,000 swim bladders worth more than 800 million yuan ($119 million) from Mexico. The group of smugglers, led by an individual named Liang Weihua, transported the fish parts in "large quantities" and sold them to consumers in China. "This crime lasted for more than three years," said the Guangdong-based procuratorate, a legal supervision agency, on its website. The smuggling route involved a number of neighbouring ...
Hi-tech traffic mgmnt & surveillance centre set up in Raipur
The Chhattisgarh government has set up a hi-tech 'integrated command and control centre' in Raipur for better traffic management and surveillance in the city, an official said on Thursday. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday launched the 'Daksha' project under which the centre has been built, he said. Set up at a cost of Rs 157.70 crore as part of the Raipur Smart City initiative, "the project will take care of safety and security, traffic management, public communication, and also to keep the city environment green," he said. Under the project, around 372 CCTV cameras have been installed at strategic locations for better surveillance, he said, adding more such devices will be put up wherever required in future. 'Intelligent' (automated) traffic signals have also been put up at 40 locations, besides 36 automatic number plate recognition cameras at six locations and red light violation detection devices at 23 locations, he said. Devices for speed violation and ...
Simple, inexpensive frame to boost solar cell efficiency
Scientists have designed a metal frame that increases the amount of sunlight captured by a solar cell, enhancing its energy production by almost one-third. The simple, inexpensive and ingenious method could increase solar energy captured for people in developing countries, as well as remote regions that are off the grid, researchers said. "In Uganda, between 20 to 25 per cent of people have no access to electricity," said Beth Parks, an associate professor at Colgate University in the US. "One solar cell supplies enough energy to power lights and charge cell phones and radios. This is a huge quality-of-life improvement," said Parks. While solar panels offer a clean source of renewable energy, they are typically mounted on a fixed frame and only optimally oriented towards the sun during specific hours of the day. Parks previously saw a design for a frame that would allow the solar panel to track the sun using hanging weights. However, the design had not been tested to see how it ...
