The United States has funded an 8-kilometer road and drainage system, which was opened today in Pottuvil, Ampara. The US Embassy in Colombo said its United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) funded the project to construct a low maintenance, durable road system and drainage structure throughout the Pottuvil Division. In the past, the roads flooded and became almost impassable, the Embassy said, adding that the finished roads have had a major impact on Pottuvil by reducing dust in the town and increasing locals' access to essential services, including schools, health clinics and places of worship. The project also created jobs and experience in the area. For the opening ceremony, USAID and UNOPS welcomed representatives from local government and the community.

Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Commissioner Dilip Band presented draft proposal for a Rs 1073-crore budget to standing committee chairman Ajit Gavahane, laying emphasis on quality roads, 24-hour drinking water supply, completion of drainage works, health and education while there has been no increase in water or property tax. Last year's budget was at Rs 1002 crore. As much as Rs 437 crore has been reserved for roads and construction work, while installing water meters finds a provision of Rs 30 crore. "Nearly 60 per cent of the water meter installation work has been completed. By April end, the work would be completed. And after that citizens will get 24-hour water,' he said. Band said compared to the Pune Municipal Corporation that is giving 1,000 litres water for Rs 15, PCMC would be the same for Rs 2.50. "In one paisa, citizens will get 4 litres of water,' he said. "Also charges will be as per usage,' he said, adding that the closed pipeline work from Pavana dam has been taken up under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). Making a provision of Rs 10 crore for works ahead of the Commonwealth Youth Games, Band said his administration has taken up beautification and advertisement work on war footing. Rs 10 crore has been provided for purchasing buses for PMPML and an additional Rs 12 crore for setting up bus stops and providing other amenities. "We are also looking at cogeneration of power. The corporation will enter into a tie up. It definitely is on top of our agenda, but nothing is decided as yet,' he said. Band said mechanised cleaning operation has begun at PCMC. "Road sweepers, compactors and new vehicles are being purchased. These will help in keeping the town clean at a faster rate.' The Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority has been urged to issue a tender for the 40-km tram and monorail project on PCMC's behalf. Regarding land acquisition, Band said, "What had not happened in last 25 years has taken place in two years. We have acquired 60 per cent of the land reserved for development.' He however said his administration will go slow on land acquisition to avoid any unrest in town. "For instance in Kalewadi, 300 houses will be displaced, if we acquire land for a playground,' he said.

ABOUT 200 acres of land in the Boro Beel area at village Ratugram under Durgapur upazila in Rajshahi remained uncultivated for the last several years due to water-logging. Local people said the water stagnancy created in the bil due to closure of the water drainage channels, depriving local farmers from cultivating crops. The huge land of the water body remains under water every year because of floods and heavy downpour in the rainy season in the absence of sewage outlet, local farmers said. Earlier, two canals were dug in the southern and northern sides to drain out water from the bil. But several influential local people filled up the canals with earth in 1997 and started cultivation of onion, IRRI paddy on the land, creating water stagnancy in the bil area. Many farmers of Ratugram, Kayamajampur, Badail and Ujalkalsi villages have their land in the bil and are being deprived of cultivating crops. The farmers said the authorities concerned should take initiatives for re-excavating the closed canals. 'If the authorities take immediate step, we could cultivate boro paddy on our land during the current season,' said a farmer.

The city water board has prepared a detailed project report to strengthen the supply network on the outskirts of the city at an estimated cost of Rs 3,600 crore. The idea is to provide infrastructure at par with the core city in the 12 erstwhile municipalities which were merged to form Greater Hyderabad.

Ever since he turned a teenager, it had been Pierre Gagne's dream to visit Kerala. He had read it all: in National Geographic Traveller, Conde Nast and countless other magazines about the place that was described as among "50 must see destinations of a lifetime".

The construction of a section of Russia's Sakhalin II oil pipeline project resumed from August 1, 2007, a few days after it was suspended after allegations that its safety link violated the approved

central aid has finally been approved to revamp Mumbai's stormwater drainage system by 2011. But experts are sceptical whether the project is still relevant. The Brihanmumbai Storm Water Drains