A harried parent called a few weeks ago. She wanted to know if pollution levels in Delhi were bad and, if so, how bad. The answer was simple and obvious. But why did she need to know that? Her daughter’s prestigious school (which I shall leave unnamed) had sent a circular to parents saying the school authorities planned to shift to air-conditioned buses because they were worried about air pollution. She wanted to know if this was the right decision.

My answer changed. The fact is that pollution levels are high and we need to find ways to bring them under control. But this does not mean the rich can find ways to avoid breathing the air so as to keep pollution at bay.

The Delhi Jal Board, led by its chairperson Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, undertook a two-day programme this past week to highlight how a public-private partnership (PPP) programme being launched in Nangloi will bring round-the-clock water to each doorstep in the area and dismissed concerns that the water supply system was being privatised.

The water utility has proposed to outsource water distribution and revenue collection on a pilot basis in three areas based on a PPP model. Speaking to consumers on the concluding day of the programme this past week, Ms. Dikshit compared the proposed Nangloi project, wherein a private company will be made responsible for the distribution and supply of the Nangloi water system,

Calling the Rs.7.50 increase per litre in petrol price shocking, Delhiites on Wednesday expressed their outrage at the Central Government's “inconsiderate” move.

“The Government has clearly not taken into consideration the already sky-rocketing cost of living. Rising fuel costs and the lack of adequate, safe public transport system adds to the problems of the common man. The worst hit are two-wheeler users,” said Jatin Gandhi from Janakpuri who uses his bike to come to Connaught Place and works as a marketing executive.

In a bid to provide some relief to the citizens burdened by rise in prices of food items, the city government plans to soon revive a scheme under which subsidised wheat flour will be sold at over 400 outlets at around `14 per kg.

The decision to revive the scheme came after Union minister of state for food and civil supplies K.V. Thomas at a meeting with chief minister Sheila Dikshit agreed to her request to provide additional quota of subsidised wheat to Delhi.

Changes in traffic flow at Chirag Dilli, Siri Fort intersections

The flow of traffic between Ambedkar Nagar and Moolchand along the Capital's much talked about Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor will revert to the original lane system from Wednesday. The Delhi Integrated Multi-modal Transit System Limited (DIMTS), which operates the corridor, said on Tuesday that following the end of the trial runs by Central Road Research Institute on the instructions of the Delhi High Court, the corridor was handed back to it on Saturday.

Six automated parking facilities based on public-private partnerships planned in various parts of South Delhi are yet to see the light of day.

Asked to shape up or face de-recognition of the Deer Park at Hauz Khas by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) this March, the Delhi Development Authority has in its reply on Monday defended its work at the park stating that remedial work has already been initiated there.

The CZA had issued a notice to the DDA in March stating that there were a number of shortcomings in the park, including hygiene, which needed urgent attention. It also cautioned them about over-population in the small park area, which the CZA noted was the main and a very serious issue.

The Delhi government will convert the shelter homes, constructed last year to provide roof to the homeless in winter, into all-weather accommodation.

Lack of rainwater harvesting finishing many resources

A large water body at Dhulsiras village in South-West Delhi is an example of what a water body should not be. Littered with plastics and other refuse, moss-covered and encroached on all sides, this water body is also an example of poor management and utter neglect. “It was a fairly large water body but residents gradually began to fill it up and to create more space for their houses and cattle, and whatever remains of it today is used as a littering bin,” said Rakesh Kumar, a resident of a nearby village and a volunteer with non-government organisation Natural Heritage First.

The Delhi Integrated Multi Modal Transit System which manages the much talked about Bus Rapid Transit corridor in South Delhi has got a case registered with Delhi Police against Colonel B. B.

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