Though they have most basic amenities, sanitation is missing

Slum residents have better access to drinking water and electricity than their counterparts in the urban non-slum areas, claims a report on ‘Housing Stock, Amenities and Assets in Slums’ released here on Thursday. The report also says the number of slums in the country has declined. The first-of-its-kind survey, based on Houselisting and Housing Census 2011 conducted by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, has revealed that slum residents have most basic amenities like drinking water and electricity and even facilities like mobile phones, internet and private vehicles: the only service missing is sanitation.

Money spent per student three times the national average More affordable houses needed for the poor.

The 2012-2013 economic survey of Delhi which was tabled in the Assembly on Tuesday threw up some interesting facts with regard to the transport, housing, environment and education sectors in the state. Despite government's efforts to strengthen public transport in the state, commercial vehicles — taxis and auto-rickshaws — have registered a sharp increase over the years. However, the resultant rise in air pollution is something the government has failed to address adequately, the survey shows.

Current policies on containing air pollution, particularly in cities, are regressive

Our health is not on anybody's agenda. Or we just don't seem to make the connections between the growing burden of disease and the deteriorating condition of our environment. We don't really believe science, which tells us each passing day how toxins affect our bodies, leading to high rates of both morbidity and mortality. It is true that it is difficult to establish cause and effect; but we know more than enough to say that air pollution is today a leading cause of both disease and death in India and other parts of South Asia.

New Delhi: Taking cognizance of TOI reports on the illegal construction of three roads inside the Rajokri Forest, an application has been filed with National Green Tribunal (NGT). The environment watchdog has now sent notices to the Delhi government and other agencies concerned.

Amicus curiae Raj Panjwani said, “The ridge area is being used for several non-forest purposes without any prior permission of the central government which is a clear violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, and orders of the Supreme Court.”

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).

Shift All Public Transport Vehicles To CNG, Says HC

Lucknow: The high court on Friday asked the central and state governments to consider converting all public transport vehicles in Lucknow, Kanpur and Agra into CNG-operated ones to control the ever-increasing levels of air pollution. The state capital is rated fifth in terms of pollution level as per a WHO report. The court has given four weeks’ time to the authorities to give a detailed report on the feasible supply of CNG in Lucknow.

The hike in customes duty on fully built imported vehicles from 75 per cent to 100 per cent in the Budget 2013-14 has disappointed the industry but given its small size, the impact may not be significant.

Speaking to The Hindu , Wilfried Aulbur, Managing Partner, Roland Berger Strategic Consultants, and former MD & CEO, Mercedes Benz India, said, “the fully imported vehicle market in India is around a mere 3,000 units per annum. If one considers the big three German players — Audi, Mercedes Benz and BMW — fully imported vehicles constitute 7-10 per cent of their portfolio here.’’

Faced with an acute shortage of parking bays near the CGO complex on Lodhi Road, which has in its perimeter several office complexes, the Union Urban Development Ministry has proposed a multi-level parking with commercial spaces that can be let out.

The proposal, which will be put forth before the Union Cabinet for its approval, envisages letting out space to commercial establishments like restaurants and shops to raise funds for the construction.

Only Pick-Up And Drop-Off Points To Be Provided At Stations

New Delhi: There will be no parking at Phase III Metro stations coming up along Ring Road and Outer Ring Road as space is at a premium in these areas. Instead, there will be designated pick-up and dropoff points at each station, said officials. “A number of stations in line 7, which is the Mukundpur-Shiv Vihar corridor, will be located on Ring Road. Since a parking will require space, we are only planning the station box with utilities. The stations are also being designed to have pick-up and drop-off points,” said a Delhi Metro official.