The city has joined the list of the country's most polluted cities, with high level of particulate matter being detected in downtown Pune.

A sure shot indication of how polluted its air is evident in the latest data of the System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) that shows high concentration of particulate matter 2.5 or PM-2.5 as they call it. (See graphics) Evidently, concentration has crossed permissible levels in the past eight days (February 20-28).

PUNE: The PMC has planned a ward-level water management system to address the problems in water supply in view of the water scarcity. A series of meetings with all political parties have been scheduled to discuss the initiative.

"Though there are some major issues in water management, some problems are very local and do not get addressed at the general body meetings usually. But solving these problems is very important. So, the administration has decided to start special meetings at ward level," a senior official from the water department told TOI.

PUNE: The much-delayed Pune metro rail project got a funding of Rs 10.01 crore in the Union Budget on Thursday. The Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations, that have proposed the project in association with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, have already made provisions in their respective budgets for the year 2013-14.

The budgetary head, 'Pune Metro', figures in the list of projects of the urban development department for the first time this year in budget. The total funding of Rs 10.01 crore has been bifurcated into three components.

PUNE: Pimpri Chinchwad municipal commissioner Shrikar Pardeshi presented a draft budget of Rs 3,248.14 crore for 2013-14 on Thursday.

Task Involves Door-To-Door Inspection Of Houses, Spraying Insecticides And Creating Awareness

Pune: The Rs 1 crore ‘zeromosquito project’ of the Pune Municipal Corporation this year will become operational next month. This is the second time that the civic body approved the project’s implementation. A work order for the project was issued to Dhankawdibased Deesha Agency on February 26.
“We have issued the work order to the agency to carry out indoor vector control programme under the zero-mosquito project, on February 26.

Buses Of Euro IV Model To Be Provided By Pvt Contractors For 7 Years

Pune: Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML), the city public transport company, which is facing problems about maintenance of buses and lack of adequate depots, is planning to hire 500 Euro IV buses. The buses will be provided by private operators and PMPML will pay them charges on per kilometer basis.

To Devise Strategies For Diseases Caused By Air Pollutants, Harmful Ultraviolet Radiation

Pune: City-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) plans to devise mitigation strategies for respiratory and skin diseases caused by air pollutants and harmful ultraviolet radiation, with help from medical institutions in the city. The institute plans to use the data generated by its system of air quality forecasting and research (SAFAR) for the purpose.

Pune: The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation is planning to purchase 500 CNG buses, the tendering process for which is expected to start from March. While most of the buses will be used in Mumbai region, at least 15 of them will be introduced on the Pune-Mumbai route on an experimental basis, said officials.

MSRTC’s daily expenditure on diesel has increased after the government slashed subsidy on the fuel for bulk buyers. The officials, however, said there was no immediate plan to hike fares even though all depots were purchasing diesel at a higher price.

Will Set Up Demo Projects In Pune, Mumbai To Study Technical Feasibility Of Power Generation

Pune: The Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA) will install two grid-connected solar rooftop photovoltaic systems as demo projects in two government buildings, one each in Pune and Mumbai, in a bid to study the technical feasibility of these projects. The study is necessary to help kick-start large-scale implementation of grid-connected solar rooftop photovoltaic systems in the state, which, said MEDA officials, is a viable option since these systems help generate power through solar energy and do not require land for installation.