Call it the Games effect. Adjoining streets of the Games Village and stadium in the capital will be dotted with specially designed street furniture, new look telephone booths and sleek info kiosks. There would also be drinking water fountains, environment-friendly toilets and dustbins, bright coloured letter boxes along the route to the village and stadia as part of the streetscaping and beautification drive being undertaken jointly by CPWD, MCD, NDMC, DDA and PWD at an estimated cost of Rs 270 crore.
The mammoth task of the complete makeover plan for the capital streets for the Commonwealth Games, the biggest ever sporting extravaganza in the country, will however, be effected in the limited areas covering only 70 km length of the roads in the city.
"We have engaged some reputed consultants with global expertise to beautify and landscape 70 km of roads near the stadium and Games Village in the capital," a senior official involved with the task said. While all streets including traffic island are to be made pedestrian friendly and barrier free, a concerted effort is being launched to convert the central verge as a green belt with thick plantation.
A massive streetscaping drive is being launched to beautify the roads leading to stadia and the Games village. Roads around IG Stadium, Yamuna Sports Comlex, Karnal Singh Shooting Range, Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex, Chatrasal Stadium, Thyagraj Sports Complex, Siri Fort Complex, RK Khanna Stadium and Games Village will undergo massive refurbishing plan as part of the beautification plan.
The installation of smart-looking info kiosks, telephone booths, toilets, dustbins, street furniture, letter boxes and drinking water fountains on the roads will be carried out on a Public Private Partnership model.
These services will be managed by the private operators on build operate and transfer basis (BOT), the official said. After completion of the Games, government is considering to have a comprehensive maintenance plan for these roads. Mechanised cleaning and involvement of trained personnel in the exercise and creating awareness to follow civic norms are some of the steps being considered to maintain the refurbished streets.link
Sunday 18 October 2009
Saturday 17 October 2009
207 fire incidents in Delhi on Diwali night
As people celebrated Diwali Saturday, the national capital reported as many as 207 cases of fire incidents. But there were no major cases among them, Delhi Fire Service said.
'We received 207 fire calls and they were mainly Diwali related. The number is more than double the number we receive in a normal day,' a fire service official told.
He said in a normal day they receive around 90 cases.
'After midnight of Diwali we received 62 cases,' the official said adding that this post-midnight number is also much higher than a normal night.
'The good part, however, is that there were no major cases of fire across the city. There are a couple of places where we sent two or three fire tenders but the situation was under control,' the official added.link
'We received 207 fire calls and they were mainly Diwali related. The number is more than double the number we receive in a normal day,' a fire service official told.
He said in a normal day they receive around 90 cases.
'After midnight of Diwali we received 62 cases,' the official said adding that this post-midnight number is also much higher than a normal night.
'The good part, however, is that there were no major cases of fire across the city. There are a couple of places where we sent two or three fire tenders but the situation was under control,' the official added.link
Sunday 11 October 2009
Delhi Metro may run past midnight during Games
Delhi Metro could run past midnight during the 2010 Commonwealth Games for the convenience of visitors. It would provide safe transport and access to nightlife in the national capital, says a senior Delhi government official.
"We are in discussions with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and have recommended they keep their services running past midnight," Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta said.
The move, Mehta said, was in tune with the decision to extend timings for markets and malls in the national capital, which mostly close by 9 or 10 p.m., to late hours.
"Safety is still an issue for transport. Metro is the best bet as there will be less congestion owing to cars - something that Delhi Police have reflected upon," Mehta said.
The Delhi Metro, which is rapidly becoming the lifeline of the capital, is set to expand from 75 km to 200 km by opening six new lines on its Phase II by October 2010.
Sports persons as well as spectators will also find the going easy - since 10 of the 11 Games venues will have "easy Metro connectivity".
The Metro is already well connected to the various tourist attractions like India Gate, the Connaught Place market from the British era, and the buzzing markets in the old city at Chawri Bazaar. With the new lines many open markets like Lajpat Nagar and malls in the national capital will also be on the network.
The Delhi government is in talks with several companies to start a smart card-based ticketing service for integrating public transport during the Games, said Delhi Transport Commissioner R.K. Verma.
"The smart card can be used for travelling in both the Metro and buses. The buses will have automated ticketing machines and fare will be deducted by punching of the smart card," he said.
With the completion of Phase II, the Metro ridership is expected to go up to 2.5 million daily from the 950,000 average now. To cater to the growing load, the number of trains will be increased 3.2 times, an official said.
Phase II of the Delhi Metro will provide easy access to most of the sports venues - the Commonwealth Games Village, Indira Gandhi Sports Complex and Yamuna Sports Complex (all in east Delhi), Delhi University Ground (north Delhi), Talkotora Indoor Stadium (west Delhi), Thyagaraj Complex, R.K. Tennis Complex and Siri Fort Sports Complex (all in south Delhi) and the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and the National Stadium (central Delhi).
The Delhi Metro operates three popular lines connecting the northern, central, eastern and southwestern parts of Delhi.
By next year, passengers can use the high speed Metro Airport Express Line. Travellers will be able to get their boarding passes for their flights at the NH-8, Indira Gandhi International Airport, Dwarka sector 21 and the Dhaula Kuan Metro stations. Metro trains on this line will run at a speed of 135 kmph and cover the 21-km distance from New Delhi to the airport in 18 minutes.
The entire National Capital Region (NCR), including neighbouring Noida and Gurgaon, will be linked in the 120 km network.
Keeping in mind the Commonwealth Games in October 2010 and thousands of foreigners expected at the time, the DMRC plans to train 600 customer relations assistants as an interface to make travel "easier".
"Apart from regular training, we are also training them from the tourism point of view. They will guide people the best routes via the Metro and then the buses or rickshaws to reach popular tourist destinations," a senior Metro official said.link
"We are in discussions with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and have recommended they keep their services running past midnight," Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta said.
The move, Mehta said, was in tune with the decision to extend timings for markets and malls in the national capital, which mostly close by 9 or 10 p.m., to late hours.
"Safety is still an issue for transport. Metro is the best bet as there will be less congestion owing to cars - something that Delhi Police have reflected upon," Mehta said.
The Delhi Metro, which is rapidly becoming the lifeline of the capital, is set to expand from 75 km to 200 km by opening six new lines on its Phase II by October 2010.
Sports persons as well as spectators will also find the going easy - since 10 of the 11 Games venues will have "easy Metro connectivity".
The Metro is already well connected to the various tourist attractions like India Gate, the Connaught Place market from the British era, and the buzzing markets in the old city at Chawri Bazaar. With the new lines many open markets like Lajpat Nagar and malls in the national capital will also be on the network.
The Delhi government is in talks with several companies to start a smart card-based ticketing service for integrating public transport during the Games, said Delhi Transport Commissioner R.K. Verma.
"The smart card can be used for travelling in both the Metro and buses. The buses will have automated ticketing machines and fare will be deducted by punching of the smart card," he said.
With the completion of Phase II, the Metro ridership is expected to go up to 2.5 million daily from the 950,000 average now. To cater to the growing load, the number of trains will be increased 3.2 times, an official said.
Phase II of the Delhi Metro will provide easy access to most of the sports venues - the Commonwealth Games Village, Indira Gandhi Sports Complex and Yamuna Sports Complex (all in east Delhi), Delhi University Ground (north Delhi), Talkotora Indoor Stadium (west Delhi), Thyagaraj Complex, R.K. Tennis Complex and Siri Fort Sports Complex (all in south Delhi) and the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and the National Stadium (central Delhi).
The Delhi Metro operates three popular lines connecting the northern, central, eastern and southwestern parts of Delhi.
By next year, passengers can use the high speed Metro Airport Express Line. Travellers will be able to get their boarding passes for their flights at the NH-8, Indira Gandhi International Airport, Dwarka sector 21 and the Dhaula Kuan Metro stations. Metro trains on this line will run at a speed of 135 kmph and cover the 21-km distance from New Delhi to the airport in 18 minutes.
The entire National Capital Region (NCR), including neighbouring Noida and Gurgaon, will be linked in the 120 km network.
Keeping in mind the Commonwealth Games in October 2010 and thousands of foreigners expected at the time, the DMRC plans to train 600 customer relations assistants as an interface to make travel "easier".
"Apart from regular training, we are also training them from the tourism point of view. They will guide people the best routes via the Metro and then the buses or rickshaws to reach popular tourist destinations," a senior Metro official said.link
Tuesday 6 October 2009
Air India official carrier for Commonwealth Games
National airline Air India will be the official carrier for the Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi in October 2010.
The airline would fly athletes to India from other Commonwealth countries for the event.
Air India Tuesday signed an agreement in this regard with the Organising Committee of Commonwealth Games.
"We have been designated official partner of the Commonwealth Games. We would ensure world class services for the athletes and other members of the contingents who will come here to take part in the games," Air India chairman and managing director Arvind Jadhav said on the occasion.
Air India will also charter aircraft and take help from other foreign airlines to bring athletes, he said.
"There will also be special packages from us for people who wish to visit the Commonwealth Games here."
The 12-day event will open Oct 3, 2010 at the 75,000-capacity Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the heart of New Delhi.
Over 5,000 athletes from 53 countries that were once part of the British empire will compete in 17 disciplines. The event is the biggest India will host since the Asian Games in 1982 that saw 4,595 athletes from 33 nations take part in 21 events.
The organising committee chairman, Suresh Kalmadi, said the partnership would allow Air India to leverage the rights and benefits as permissible under the Commonwealth Games Federation protocol.
Lalit Kapur, who heads sales and marketing of the airline in the northern region, told that it would soon chalk out strategies to effectively manage its flight services during the Games.link
The airline would fly athletes to India from other Commonwealth countries for the event.
Air India Tuesday signed an agreement in this regard with the Organising Committee of Commonwealth Games.
"We have been designated official partner of the Commonwealth Games. We would ensure world class services for the athletes and other members of the contingents who will come here to take part in the games," Air India chairman and managing director Arvind Jadhav said on the occasion.
Air India will also charter aircraft and take help from other foreign airlines to bring athletes, he said.
"There will also be special packages from us for people who wish to visit the Commonwealth Games here."
The 12-day event will open Oct 3, 2010 at the 75,000-capacity Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the heart of New Delhi.
Over 5,000 athletes from 53 countries that were once part of the British empire will compete in 17 disciplines. The event is the biggest India will host since the Asian Games in 1982 that saw 4,595 athletes from 33 nations take part in 21 events.
The organising committee chairman, Suresh Kalmadi, said the partnership would allow Air India to leverage the rights and benefits as permissible under the Commonwealth Games Federation protocol.
Lalit Kapur, who heads sales and marketing of the airline in the northern region, told that it would soon chalk out strategies to effectively manage its flight services during the Games.link
Lankan dancers mesmerize city
The third day of the Delhi International Arts Festival (DIAF) 2009 belonged to the expression of Sinhala dance and Sri Lanka's modern dance form pioneered by Chitrasena. Besides showcasing the hardship of fisherfolk, it brought out issues of caste, religion, gender, love and identity along with a beautiful contrast of hope and despair.
The 10-day festival organised in association with The Times of India is a curtain raiser to the upcoming Commonwealth Games 2010 in Delhi. The fest is showcasing some of the unique art forms from various Commonwealth nations. And one could not have asked for more from the island nation. The performance by the renowned Chitrasena Dance Company which has presented a dozen scintillating acts that have enthralled audiences across the world for the past five decades was simply spellbinding.
Monday's performances offered Delhiites a glimpse into the best of Amaratunga Arachige Maurice Dias alias Chitrasena, who infused a new dynamism into and revived Sri Lanka's traditional dance. The artistes presented some of the famous dance drama such as Nala Damayanthi and Ravana.
The highlight of the day was the incredible `Theiya' a Kandyan dance technique in which dancers display their virtuoso movements in interpreting a particular segment by switching roles as the lead dancer, presenting sheer joy, energy and movement.
The colourful performances showcased all aspects of the urban and rural life in Sri Lanka and were picked up from different parts of the country and its heritage. The uniqueness of the performance lay in its exotic mask dances, the rhythmic throb of drums and fiery ritual dances that brought alive the centuries-old dance tradition.
Although dance has been a part of the country's culture and tradition for thousands of years, it was only in the 1930s with the vision of Chitrasena an expert in the traditional dance forms of Sri Lanka and the first professional dancer in his country that this ancient art was given a new life as it was adapted on the modern stage. link
The 10-day festival organised in association with The Times of India is a curtain raiser to the upcoming Commonwealth Games 2010 in Delhi. The fest is showcasing some of the unique art forms from various Commonwealth nations. And one could not have asked for more from the island nation. The performance by the renowned Chitrasena Dance Company which has presented a dozen scintillating acts that have enthralled audiences across the world for the past five decades was simply spellbinding.
Monday's performances offered Delhiites a glimpse into the best of Amaratunga Arachige Maurice Dias alias Chitrasena, who infused a new dynamism into and revived Sri Lanka's traditional dance. The artistes presented some of the famous dance drama such as Nala Damayanthi and Ravana.
The highlight of the day was the incredible `Theiya' a Kandyan dance technique in which dancers display their virtuoso movements in interpreting a particular segment by switching roles as the lead dancer, presenting sheer joy, energy and movement.
The colourful performances showcased all aspects of the urban and rural life in Sri Lanka and were picked up from different parts of the country and its heritage. The uniqueness of the performance lay in its exotic mask dances, the rhythmic throb of drums and fiery ritual dances that brought alive the centuries-old dance tradition.
Although dance has been a part of the country's culture and tradition for thousands of years, it was only in the 1930s with the vision of Chitrasena an expert in the traditional dance forms of Sri Lanka and the first professional dancer in his country that this ancient art was given a new life as it was adapted on the modern stage. link
Monday 5 October 2009
Jet Airways launches new Delhi - Hong Kong daily services
India’s premier international airline, launched its New Delhi-Hong Kong service, its second daily flight to Hong Kong from India, aboard a state-of-the-art wide-body Airbus 330-200 aircraft.
The airline marked the occasion with a small inaugural ceremony at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, in the presence of senior company officials.
Jet Airways will also flag off its inaugural flight to Delhi from Hong Kong on October 1, 2009, China National Day, the anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.
The new daily flights will facilitate business and leisure travel between the Indian capital and the commercial hub of the East, Hong Kong, and complement the airline’s existing Mumbai-Hong Kong services.
From September 30, 2009 to October 24, 2009 and from March 28, 2010 to October 30, 2010, flight 9W 72 departs Delhi at 2250 hrs, arriving in Hong Kong at 0655 hrs. Flight 9W 71 will then depart Hong Kong at 1330 hrs, arriving in Delhi at 1650 hrs.
From October 25, 2009 to March 27, 2010, flight 9W 72 will depart Delhi at 2245 hrs, arriving in Hong Kong at 0620 hrs. Flight 9W 71 will then depart Hong Kong at 1335 hrs, arriving in Delhi at 1720 hrs.
Jet Airways' Premiere (Business Class) guests enjoy 180 degree lie-flat beds in a unique herringbone configuration that ensures easy aisle access from every seat, an oversized table, laptop power, telephony, SMS, Email and live text news, providing guests who want to work with a 'flying office'. Premiere guests may also choose from a delectable menu of Indian and non-Indian cuisine, and an extensive wine list.
Economy guests enjoy advanced, ergonomically-designed seats to minimise muscular and sinew tension, personal reading lights and on-demand In-flight Entertainment, among other amenities.link
The airline marked the occasion with a small inaugural ceremony at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, in the presence of senior company officials.
Jet Airways will also flag off its inaugural flight to Delhi from Hong Kong on October 1, 2009, China National Day, the anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.
The new daily flights will facilitate business and leisure travel between the Indian capital and the commercial hub of the East, Hong Kong, and complement the airline’s existing Mumbai-Hong Kong services.
From September 30, 2009 to October 24, 2009 and from March 28, 2010 to October 30, 2010, flight 9W 72 departs Delhi at 2250 hrs, arriving in Hong Kong at 0655 hrs. Flight 9W 71 will then depart Hong Kong at 1330 hrs, arriving in Delhi at 1650 hrs.
From October 25, 2009 to March 27, 2010, flight 9W 72 will depart Delhi at 2245 hrs, arriving in Hong Kong at 0620 hrs. Flight 9W 71 will then depart Hong Kong at 1335 hrs, arriving in Delhi at 1720 hrs.
Jet Airways' Premiere (Business Class) guests enjoy 180 degree lie-flat beds in a unique herringbone configuration that ensures easy aisle access from every seat, an oversized table, laptop power, telephony, SMS, Email and live text news, providing guests who want to work with a 'flying office'. Premiere guests may also choose from a delectable menu of Indian and non-Indian cuisine, and an extensive wine list.
Economy guests enjoy advanced, ergonomically-designed seats to minimise muscular and sinew tension, personal reading lights and on-demand In-flight Entertainment, among other amenities.link
Drinking in public may invite Rs 50,000 fine
The Delhi government is considering imposing a fine of Rs 50,000 for drinking in public places.
The government also plans to amend the law to make drinking in public a non-bailable offence. As of now, drinking in public attracts a fine of only Rs 200 and is a bailable offence.
The move is being seen as an effort towards better law and order in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games next year. But many fear it would boost corruption as offenders would be ready to pay hefty bribes to avoid the Rs 50,000 fine.
The Delhi government had recently allowed sale of certain kinds of alcoholic beverages, including wine and beer, in malls. link
The government also plans to amend the law to make drinking in public a non-bailable offence. As of now, drinking in public attracts a fine of only Rs 200 and is a bailable offence.
The move is being seen as an effort towards better law and order in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games next year. But many fear it would boost corruption as offenders would be ready to pay hefty bribes to avoid the Rs 50,000 fine.
The Delhi government had recently allowed sale of certain kinds of alcoholic beverages, including wine and beer, in malls. link
Six students injured in minor fire in Bapraula
Six students were today injured when a fire broke out in an MCD school in south-west Delhi, an incident which brought to the fore the need to improve safety measures in government and civic-body run educational institutions.
The blaze was reported from the MCD primary school in Bapraula village in Najafgarh at around 11:15 am, fire brigade officials said.
The fire broke out in an electric meter due to a suspected short circuit and six students standing near the meter suffered "minor" injuries, the officials said.
The injured students were rushed to a nearby hospital where they were administered first-aid and later sent back home, they said.
Two fire tenders were rushed to the spot.
The accident comes close on the heels of a stampede in a government school in north-east Delhi which claimed the lives of five girl students.
The blaze was reported from the MCD primary school in Bapraula village in Najafgarh at around 11:15 am, fire brigade officials said.
The fire broke out in an electric meter due to a suspected short circuit and six students standing near the meter suffered "minor" injuries, the officials said.
The injured students were rushed to a nearby hospital where they were administered first-aid and later sent back home, they said.
Two fire tenders were rushed to the spot.
The accident comes close on the heels of a stampede in a government school in north-east Delhi which claimed the lives of five girl students.
Saturday 3 October 2009
Film Festival for older citizens
As a pilot project, Helpage India has launched a special film festival of feature films and documentaries on senior citizens. The festival will travel to various parts of the country over the next year.
The i’mage HelpAge India International Film Festival 2009 coincided with the International Day of Older Persons on October 1. The Festival has received about 30 feature films and documentaries from Israel, Nepal and the United States besides India.
The festival was launched by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Mukul Wasnik who gave details of various schemes of the Government for the welfare of senior citizens.
HelpAge India has been involved in protecting the rights of India’s 90 million elderly citizens since 1978, said Mathew Cherian, a member of the NGO. It was also directly involved with about 10 per cent of this ‘grey’ population, facilitation and mobilising resources to make the society aware of the concerns of the elderly and about ageing issues and help the elderly in understanding their rights and make them play an active role in the society.
Cherian explained that the name i'mage was derived from the word ‘image’, signifying reflection that motion pictures are of ourselves, while the apostrophe breaks the word into ‘I am age’, unraveling the world of the elderly.
The i’mage emblem also incorporates a principal philosophy of HelpAge India’s activities – inter-generation participation. It was conceptualised by a six-year-old.
Speaking on the occasion, festival coordinator Satish Kapoor said that this was the first festival of its kind on elderly people and would travel to various cities of India like Pune, Chandigarh etc.
The films will also be shown to students of Mass Communication, Journalism and filmmaking institutes of various cities. It would be an opportunity to all the students to develop their understanding and perspective relating to elderly issues. This will help the students when they will plan to make a short film/documentary on elderly people, he added.
Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT) founder-director Sandeep Marwah offered his services to Helpage India to make features or documentaries on the elderly people through his institution.link
The i’mage HelpAge India International Film Festival 2009 coincided with the International Day of Older Persons on October 1. The Festival has received about 30 feature films and documentaries from Israel, Nepal and the United States besides India.
The festival was launched by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Mukul Wasnik who gave details of various schemes of the Government for the welfare of senior citizens.
HelpAge India has been involved in protecting the rights of India’s 90 million elderly citizens since 1978, said Mathew Cherian, a member of the NGO. It was also directly involved with about 10 per cent of this ‘grey’ population, facilitation and mobilising resources to make the society aware of the concerns of the elderly and about ageing issues and help the elderly in understanding their rights and make them play an active role in the society.
Cherian explained that the name i'mage was derived from the word ‘image’, signifying reflection that motion pictures are of ourselves, while the apostrophe breaks the word into ‘I am age’, unraveling the world of the elderly.
The i’mage emblem also incorporates a principal philosophy of HelpAge India’s activities – inter-generation participation. It was conceptualised by a six-year-old.
Speaking on the occasion, festival coordinator Satish Kapoor said that this was the first festival of its kind on elderly people and would travel to various cities of India like Pune, Chandigarh etc.
The films will also be shown to students of Mass Communication, Journalism and filmmaking institutes of various cities. It would be an opportunity to all the students to develop their understanding and perspective relating to elderly issues. This will help the students when they will plan to make a short film/documentary on elderly people, he added.
Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT) founder-director Sandeep Marwah offered his services to Helpage India to make features or documentaries on the elderly people through his institution.link
Crane topples at Delhi Metro construction site, two injured
A crane toppled at a Delhi Metro construction site in New Delhi on Saturday injuring two people, police said.
The accident, blamed on "mechanical failure", took place at the proposed Saket Metro station in south Delhi.
Although Metro officials claimed that no one was injured, police said two workers suffered injuries and were taken to a hospital.
"The incident took place at the Saket station. It appears that one crane developed a mechanical snag and lost its balance," a Delhi Metro official said.
He said there were around 30 workers at the site but no one was injured.
The Saket station is on a Metro route that will link Connaught Place in the heart of the capital to Gurgaon in neighbouring Haryana. The line is set to open in March 2010.
On July 12, an elevated Metro track collapsed in south Delhi's Zamrudpur area killing six people and injuring around 20 workers.link
The accident, blamed on "mechanical failure", took place at the proposed Saket Metro station in south Delhi.
Although Metro officials claimed that no one was injured, police said two workers suffered injuries and were taken to a hospital.
"The incident took place at the Saket station. It appears that one crane developed a mechanical snag and lost its balance," a Delhi Metro official said.
He said there were around 30 workers at the site but no one was injured.
The Saket station is on a Metro route that will link Connaught Place in the heart of the capital to Gurgaon in neighbouring Haryana. The line is set to open in March 2010.
On July 12, an elevated Metro track collapsed in south Delhi's Zamrudpur area killing six people and injuring around 20 workers.link
Friday 2 October 2009
Public health university in Ghummenhera
The national capital will soon have its own public health university with the state government today allotting around 51 hectares of land in Southwest Delhi to the Indian Public Health Institute for this purpose.
"The state government had signed an agreement with IPHI in 2007, according to which a public health university will be established in Ghummenhera area," Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said today in a statement.
Stressing on the need to improve health facilities, Dikshit said there was an urgent need for trained health workers to reach out to the needy.
State Health Minister Kiran Walia said the proposed institute would strengthen infrastructural facilities in the health sector. "Such institutes across the city would help in public health and research and policy making," Walia added.
"The state government had signed an agreement with IPHI in 2007, according to which a public health university will be established in Ghummenhera area," Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said today in a statement.
Stressing on the need to improve health facilities, Dikshit said there was an urgent need for trained health workers to reach out to the needy.
State Health Minister Kiran Walia said the proposed institute would strengthen infrastructural facilities in the health sector. "Such institutes across the city would help in public health and research and policy making," Walia added.
Thursday 1 October 2009
Ban on puffing in public: highest number of violations in Delhi
Delhi recorded the highest number of violators of the ban on smoking in public places followed closely by Tamil Nadu. Rajasthan has the least number of violators--nine, says the data released by the Union Health Ministry.
Authorities in the national capital fined 11,362 people for smoking in public places collecting Rs 10,7743 in fine till July this year. Tamil Nadu has fined 10,979 people and collected Rs 12,63,100 in fine.
While Gujarat has fined 285 people, Chandigarh penalised 1540 and Karnataka 2465 collecting Rs 84,090, Rs 1,15,398 and Rs 3,08,000 repectively.
The ban on smoking in public places came into effect from October 2, 2008.
India is the second largest consumer and third largest producer of tobacco in the world. The estimates from the latest round of National Family Health Survey indicate an increasing prevalence of tobacco consumption in India, with 57 per cent males and 10.9 per cent females consuming tobacco in some form.
Out of this, 32.7 per cent men and 1.4 per cent women are smokers. Prevalence of bidi smoking is around 54 per cent and that of cigarette 16 per cent.
As per report of the Tobacco Control of India 2004, more than 0.8 million people die due to tobacco consumption every year. Studies indicate approximately 40 per cent of the disease burden in the country is associated with some form of tobacco or other.link
Authorities in the national capital fined 11,362 people for smoking in public places collecting Rs 10,7743 in fine till July this year. Tamil Nadu has fined 10,979 people and collected Rs 12,63,100 in fine.
While Gujarat has fined 285 people, Chandigarh penalised 1540 and Karnataka 2465 collecting Rs 84,090, Rs 1,15,398 and Rs 3,08,000 repectively.
The ban on smoking in public places came into effect from October 2, 2008.
India is the second largest consumer and third largest producer of tobacco in the world. The estimates from the latest round of National Family Health Survey indicate an increasing prevalence of tobacco consumption in India, with 57 per cent males and 10.9 per cent females consuming tobacco in some form.
Out of this, 32.7 per cent men and 1.4 per cent women are smokers. Prevalence of bidi smoking is around 54 per cent and that of cigarette 16 per cent.
As per report of the Tobacco Control of India 2004, more than 0.8 million people die due to tobacco consumption every year. Studies indicate approximately 40 per cent of the disease burden in the country is associated with some form of tobacco or other.link
Delhi Metro earned over Rs.10 million in September
Crossing the Rs.10 million-mark for earnings in a month during September, Delhi Metro Thursday said this was the highest amount achieved by it since it became operational in 2002.
“Delhi Metros average earning during September was Rs.10,027,827. Among the three operational Metro lines, the Dwarka Sector 9 to Yamuna Bank corridor earned the highest revenue at Rs.4,139,892, while the route from Dilshad Garden to Rithala recorded Rs.3,127,559. The earnings from the Jahangirpuri-Central Secretariat corridor were Rs.2,760,426,” Metro’s Chief Public Relations Officer Anuj Dayal said.
Delhi Metro became operational Dec 25, 2002.
The highest revenue (Rs.11,865,996) was earned Sep 7 with an average daily ridership of 853,000.
“Delhi Metros average earning during September was Rs.10,027,827. Among the three operational Metro lines, the Dwarka Sector 9 to Yamuna Bank corridor earned the highest revenue at Rs.4,139,892, while the route from Dilshad Garden to Rithala recorded Rs.3,127,559. The earnings from the Jahangirpuri-Central Secretariat corridor were Rs.2,760,426,” Metro’s Chief Public Relations Officer Anuj Dayal said.
Delhi Metro became operational Dec 25, 2002.
The highest revenue (Rs.11,865,996) was earned Sep 7 with an average daily ridership of 853,000.
Delhi govt to rope in private players for old age homes
The cash-starved Delhi Government has decided to rope in private players to construct and maintain its old age homes on Public-Private-Partnership mode across the national capital.
"The aim is to give better facilities to the senior citizens in such homes as well reduce financial burden on the cash-starved government.
"The firms will be allowed to undertake commercial activities at such sites as permitted under the Master Plan 2021," an official of the Delhi Social Welfare Department said.
"The interested private players will be asked to collaborate with the voluntary organisations working in the area to run the homes," he added.
The land would be handed over to the corporates on nominal lease basis. The government has already issued expression of interest to develop, operate and maintain such homes.link
"The aim is to give better facilities to the senior citizens in such homes as well reduce financial burden on the cash-starved government.
"The firms will be allowed to undertake commercial activities at such sites as permitted under the Master Plan 2021," an official of the Delhi Social Welfare Department said.
"The interested private players will be asked to collaborate with the voluntary organisations working in the area to run the homes," he added.
The land would be handed over to the corporates on nominal lease basis. The government has already issued expression of interest to develop, operate and maintain such homes.link
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