Page 741 - Environment
18 US states sue Trump administration over emission rules for vehicles
Eighteen US states have sued President Donald Trumps administration over its push to "reconsider" greenhouse gas emission rules for the country's auto fleet, launching a legal battle over one of former President Barack Obamas efforts to address climate change.
Construction of rapid transit corridor between Delhi, Meerut expected to start by July: Official
Construction of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor between Delhi and Meerut is expected to start by July and once completed, it would take just one hour for people to commute between the two cities, an official of the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) said. As of now, it takes close to three hours to commute between Delhi and Meerut, owing to traffic congestion. The NCRTC is the executing agency for the RRTS. Eight corridors have been identified for creating high-speed NCRTC smart lines in the National Capital Region (NCR). Out of these, three have been prioritised in the first phase, an officer said, adding that the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor will be the first RRTS project to be implemented. The other two corridors to be build under first phase of the project are Delhi- Alwar RRTS and Delhi-Panipat RRTS. The Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Smart Line will begin at Sarai Kale Khan in the national capital and will go up to Modipuram in Meerut, passing ...
Shah urges people of Gujarat to join state govt's water conservation drive
BJP president Amit Shah today urged the people of Gujarat, especially the youth, to join a month-long water conservation drive of the state government. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani earlier launched the water conservation drive at Kosamadi village in Bharuch district, some 200 kms from Ahmedabad, on the occasion of the state's 58th Foundation Day. The "Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan" initiative aims to increase the state's water-storage capacity by 11,000 lakh cubic feet by deepening 13,000 lakes, check dams and reservoirs. It also envisages the revival of 32 rivers and cleaning and repairing of canals, among other activities. Gujarat is staring at an acute water crisis in the wake of deficient rains in the catchment areas of the Narmada river last year. "To conserve water and to nourish our water resources is the need of hour. I appeal everyone in Gujarat specially the youth to join "Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan" - a statewide initiative by CM @vijayrupanibjp ji (sic), Shah said in
Guj govt starts releasing 50 MLD water in Ajwa reservoir
The Gujarat government has started releasing 50 MLD water of the Narmada river into Ajwa lake near Vadodara to tackle imminent water crisis, deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said today. Ajwa reservoir is one of the two main water sources for Vadodara city with a population of 18 lakh. The depleting water in the reservoir is a cause of concern for the citizens. Vadodara Municipal Corporation commissioner Vinod Rao said there is considerable improvement in water situation after the state government started releasing 50 MLD water per day. Gujarat is staring at acute water crisis in the wake of depleting water level of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada dam due to deficient rains last year.
Haryana cooperative procures over 1.50 lakh tonnes mustard
The Haryana State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation has so far purchased over 1.50 lakh tonnes of mustard during the current purchase season. As many as 78,666 farmers have so far been benefited with this purchase. Stating this here today, a spokesman of the Federation said that 33,783.60 tonnes of mustard has been purchased in district Bhiwani, 6,310.42 tonnes in Charkhi Dadri, 3,921.90 tonnes in Fatehabad, 9,767.94 tonnes in Gurugram, 1,111.20 tonnes in Nuh, 17,109.40 tonnes in Hisar.
Cleanliness drive to be organised along Kalka-Shimla railway track
A cleanliness drive would be organised along the famous Shimla-Kalka railway track on May 12 with an aim to create awareness for protection and conservation of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The event 'Walk the Track' would witness cleaning, forestation and beautification of the heritage Kalka-Shimla railway track and also sensitise people about protection and preservation of environment and ecology in general. The Kalka-Shimla railway track has been divided into 43 segments of around 2 km each for the walk. Out of these, 32 segments covering a length of 67 km fall in Solan district and 11 segments covering a length of 23 km fall in Shimla district. Forty-three groups of participants, including students, will collect litter and waste as they walk along the track in their specified area. A meeting between officers of the State Legal Services Authority and various stakeholders was held here to oversee the preparations for the launch of drive. It was chaired by Himachal Pradesh High ...
Punjab, Haryana wheat procurement nearly 195 lakh tonnes
Wheat procurement of nearly 195 lakh tonnes has been made in food grain states Punjab and Haryana this season, food and supplies officials in both states said on Tuesday.
22 models of electric cars to be made available soon: SC told
The Supreme Court was today told that 22 models of electric cars of various vehicle manufacturers would be available in India soon and companies like Tatas and Mahindras were pushing very hard for it. The top court, which was hearing a pollution related matter, was apprised about it after a bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta asked vehicle manufacturers, "what are you doing about electric cars?" "They say that in auto shows, all kinds of electric cars are there," the bench asked, following which one of the lawyers said that "cost is an issue". However, another lawyer said that companies like Tatas and Mahindras were pushing hard for this and, in Delhi, several electric vehicles were being already used in government departments. "Electric vehicles are coming in a big way in India. 22 models of various manufacturers will be in the market very soon," the lawyer said. "Tell your clients (manufacturers) to switch (on electric)," the bench observed and said it would ...
Khattar spends night with Haryana villagers
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar spent a night with the residents of Salaru village in Karnal district as part of a Gram Swaraj Abhiyan programme to check the progress of his government's schemes in the state. More than 1,000 people, mostly Dalits, live in the hamlet, about six kilometres from the Karnal district headquarters. Khattar interacted with the villagers last night and heard their grievances. The event was organised under the 'Ek Raat Gramino Ke Saath' programme in Salaru and Indri villages. Khattar's visit was aimed at checking the progress of government schemes being implemented under the 'Gram Swaraj Abhiyan'. He promised the residents his government would set up a community centre, construct a water storage tank and an open gym in the village, an official spokesman said today. He also promised to arrange conveyance for young school going girls. Khattar said he would visit other villages to interact with villagers. He praised the villagers and said they live a ..
New city over 5,000 acres to come up near Mohali airport: Pb minister
The Punjab government will develop a new city over 5,000 acres of land near the airport in Mohali, state Urban Development and Housing Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa said today. After holding the first review meeting over the matter with senior department officials here, he said land for this project would be acquired under the land pooling policy. According to a press release, Bajwa said 560 acres of land in New Chandigarh (Mullanpur) would be acquired by the end of this year and additional 272 acres of land would be acquired, which would be used for residential purposes. "A four-lane road connecting New Chandigarh and Mohali will be laid," he said. Bajwa said Punjab has become a pioneer in uploading revenue-based master plans and offering E-CLU (change of Land Use), in the country. So far, the department has uploaded 10 revenue-based master plans on the department's website for public reference, the minister said, adding master plans of all cities and towns of the state based ..
Shivaji statue height increased, to be world's tallest at 212
The height of the statue of King Shivaji, to be built off the Mumbai coast, has been increased by two metres so that on completion it would be the world's tallest, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said. "The Spring Temple Buddha in China was earlier proposed to be 208 meters tall, and our memorial was to be 210 meters. But the Chinese authorities made some construction at the statue's base, taking the height to 210 meters. It prompted us to revise our design and increase the height to 212 meters," Fadnavis said, speaking to media here. "The proposal has received sanction from the Union government. Preliminary work is going on at the site in the Arabian Sea at present," Fadnavis said. Contract for the project was awarded to Larsen & Toubro for Rs 2,500 crore in March this year. The state government had pegged the overall project cost (phase I and II) at Rs 3,600 crore. The memorial of the iconic warrior king, to be built on 6.8 hectares of reclaimed .
CM launches water conservation drive on Guj foundation day
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani today launched a water conservation drive at Kosamadi village in Bharuch district on the occasion of the 58th Foundation Day of the state. In a function held in Bharuch, located around 200 kms away from here, Rupnai rode a JCB machine to deepen a lake, as part of the month-long statewide drive. Once deepened, the lake is expected to provide water to 25 nearby villages. The water conservation initiative "Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan" aims to increase state's water storage capacity by 11,000 lakh cubic feet by deepening 13,000 lakes, check-dams, and reservoirs. It also envisages revival of 32 rivers, and cleaning and repairing of canals, among other activities. Gujarat is staring at acute water crisis in the wake of deficient rains in the catchment areas of the Narmada river last year. "Let's remember that we are mere custodian of the natural resources we inherit from our ancestors and they must be passed on to our next generation as it ..
Govt preparing list of consumers who did not pay electricity bills: Khattar
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said the state government is preparing a list of electricity consumers who have not paid their bills. Addressing a gram sabha in this district last night under the "Ek Raat Gramino Ke Saath" programme organised as part of the Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, he said after preparing the list of defaulters, the reason being it would be ascertained, electricity metres would be examined and corrective measures taken. At the event, the chief minister promised an assistance of Rs 18 lakh for setting up a community centre in Salaru the village and Rs 20 lakh for setting up a water tank to meet water shortage. Khattar directed the officials to get the panchayati land levelled and make adequate arrangements for supply of water, electricity and other facilities in the 100-square-yard plots in the village, he said, adding as many as 401 gyms would be inaugurated in the state on May 5. Interacting with the villagers about eight different schemes launched under the ..
India, Japan agree to work on electric vehicle development
India and Japan on Tuesday agreed to initiate discussions on development of electric vehicles (EVs) by collaborating at a policy dialogue on next generation zero emission vehicles, an official statement said.
India, Japan to work together for energy security, climate change issues
India and Japan have agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in energy development space as well as contribute to worldwide energy security and solutions to climate change issues. Also, both countries agreed to initiate a discussion on electric vehicles (EVs) and work together in promoting well-functioning energy markets, according to a statement issued after the 9th India Japan Energy Dialogue here. India's Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister R K Singh and Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko today signed a joint statement at the conclusion of the dialogue. Both Japan and India, as the third and the seventh largest economies respectively, recognised that having access to reliable, clean and economical energy is critical for their economic growth and in achieving this, both ministers agreed on further strengthening of bilateral energy cooperation for energy development of both countries, while also contributing to worldwide energy ...
Who electrified over 5.5 lakh villages before Modi, asks Chidambaram
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi claiming that all villages in India have been provided electricity under his rule, senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram asked who had initiated and done the bulk of the process before he came to power.
Approval for landfill sites at Ghonda Gujran, Sonia Vihar challenged in NGT
Two pleas opposing the approval of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to allot land at Sonia Vihar and Ghonda Gujran areas here to set up of landfill sites were filed in the National Green Tribunal today. The pleas filed by AAP spokesperson Dilip Kumar Pandey and others and rebel AAP MLA Kapil Mishra have sought directions to restrain the DDA from allotting an area of 130 acres at Sonia Vihar and a 50-acre plot at Ghonda Gujran to the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) for handling and processing waste. While Mishra has alleged that EDMC has with a "malafide"intention not revealed that these sites are part of the active floodplain of Yamuna river and fell under the O-Zone as per Master Plan of Delhi where no development can take place, the petition filed by Pandey and others said the project will adversely affect the eco-system of the area as there were several densely populated colonies and villages nearby. "The entire area being low lying goes under deep waters during ...
Government procures 27 MT wheat till April
The Union government has procured 27 million tonnes of wheat till April-end as against the set target of 32 million tonnes for Rabi marketing season 2018-19, as per an official statement on Tuesday.
All families to get electricity connection by December, says R K Singh
The government will be able to provide electricity connections to all households by December as per the target under the Saubhagya scheme, Power Minister R K Singh said today. He also said that the government is considering preponing the deadline for achieving 24X7 Power for all target by three month to December 31, 2018. The initial deadline under the Rs 16,320 crore Saubhagya scheme was March 31, 2019. "We signed agreements with the states in 2015 that we want 24x7 supply and the all the states are signatories to that. The deadline is March 31, 2019," Singh said addressing a press conference on government's achievement on electrifying all villages. "We are trying to prepone (the deadline for 24X7 power) it because if you ask, is there any hurdle. I will say no because there is sufficient power in the grid." He said discoms can buy power and the Centre has given them enough funds to strengthen their distribution and transmission system but they were not doing it because of losses ...
Haryana minister stresses on need for healthy environment
Cautioning people about possibility of fire in the forests during the summer season, Haryana minister Rao Narbir Singh today said owing to the global warming and climate change, the need of maintaining a healthy environment is increasing day by day. He said Kalka, Pinjore and Morni in district Panchkula, Kalesar in Yamunanagar district, Faridabad, Gurugram, Charkhi Dadri and Bhiwani districts fall under the forest area where the possibility of fire during the summer season is quite high. While laying special emphasis on the conservation of forest resources, Singh, who is the state forest minister, said besides the government efforts in this direction, Van Mahotsava is organised in the state every year as part of social responsibility of non-government organisations and industries. Apart from this, a unique scheme -- 'Har Ghar Hariyali-Haryana ki Khushhali' -- has been started. The forest department has identified several places in the state where the forest area as well as the number .
