Sunday, October 4, 2026
Home Blog Page 1220

Centre makes FASTag mandatory to avail toll discounts

New Delhi (NVI): Centre has made it mandatory to allow only FASTag users to avail any discount on toll charges at highway toll plazas in a bid to promote the digital mode of payment, according to a notification issued by Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.

FASTag is a radio frequency identification sticker typically fixed to a vehicle’s windscreen that allows for the deduction of toll wirelessly and automatically without requiring a vehicle to stop at plazas.

The tags were introduced to encourage digital payments and to end congestion and reduce waiting time at toll plazas.

The ministry amended the the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008 to allow discount for users who make the return journey within 24 hours and all other local exemptions only if the vehicle carries a valid functional FASTag.

The fee payable towards discounts will be paid through pre-paid instruments, smart card or through FASTag or on board unit (transponder) or any other such device only, according to the statement.

The amendment would also enable that in cases where there is a discount available for a return journey within 24 hours, there is no need for a prior receipt or intimation and the citizen would get the discount automatically if return journey is made within 24 hours with a valid and a functional FASTag on the vehicle, it added.

-CHK

Heavy rains expected over northwest India for next 2-3 days

File photo

New Delhi (NVI): Widespread and heavy rainfall are expected over different parts of north and northwest India for the next 2-3 days, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

The Met department said, the convergence of lower-level easterly winds from the Bay of Bengal and south-westerlies from the Arabian Sea will increase the rainfall activity over northwest India, causing widespread showers with isolated heavy to very heavy falls until, August 28.

The wet conditions are expected to peak for today and tomorrow, IMD said.

Accordingly, the Met department has placed Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh under a yellow aler, thereby advising residents to be aware of the imminent isolated heavy rains.

The rainfall intensity rises today over the region, two states in particular—Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand—are likely to witness heavy to very heavy rain with moderate to severe thunderstorms from August 26 to 28, IMD said.

However, they were placed under orange alert, with the alert urging residents be prepared for rough weather.

The Met department also stated, the weather conditions over East Uttar Pradesh are expected to aggravate tomorrow, and therefore, the IMD has placed an orange alert over the subdivision for the day.

Moreover, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and West Rajasthan will remain under the yellow alert on August 26-27 due to the likelihood of heavy rains, thunderstorms, and lightning.

In the last 24 hours, rain and thundershowers occurred at most places over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan and Muzaffarabad, at many places over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and west Rajasthan, at a few places over east Rajasthan and at isolated places over rest of northwest India.

Whereas, the highest maximum temperature recorded over northwest India was 37degree Celsius at Ganganagar, Rajasthan.

Since the start of the week, wet conditions have been observed across north India, as rainfall were observed at many places across Rajasthan, a few places in Himachal Pradesh, and isolated places of Uttarakhand, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh on August 24.

Furthermore, since the beginning of the monsoon season, i.e. between June 1 and August 24, most northern states, including Uttar Pradesh (547.6 mm), Uttarakhand (814.3 mm), Haryana (341.5 mm), Chandigarh (764.5 mm), Delhi (414.5 mm), Punjab (329.2 mm) and Rajasthan (313 mm) have all received normal rain as compared to their respective long-term average figures for this period.

Apart from this, Himachal Pradesh (472.6 mm) and Jammu & Kashmir (246.6 mm) have both recorded ‘deficient’ rainfall figures within this time frame.

-RJV

Massive protests in PoK’s Muzaffarabad against China-backed hydropower projects

New Delhi (NVI): Massive protests rocked Muzaffarabad city in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Monday night as local residents held a torch rally against the illegal construction of dams by Chinese firms on Neelum-Jhelum River.

Over a thousand people from Muzaffarabad city and other parts of PoK attended the rally, shouting slogans against the illegal construction of dams. The protesters highlighted environmental impacts caused by the dams constructed by Pakistan and China.

The protesters shouted slogans like “Paani hamara kabja tumhara, namanjoor namanjoor,” (Our water, your occupancy); “Janglaat hamare, kabja tumhara” (our forests, your occupancy), “Bijli hamari, badmashi tumhari” (our electricity, your mischief).

A similar protest was witnessed last month in Muzaffarabad against the illegal construction of Dams on the Neelam and Jhelum rivers.

A Social media campaign on Twitter trend with Hashtag #SaveRiversSaveAJK was also launched to highlight the issue on global platform.

Pakistan and China had recently signed agreements to construct Azad Pattan and Kohala Hydropower Projects in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.

Azad Pattan Hydel Power Project of 700.7 megawatts of electricity as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was signed on July 6, 2020.

The $1.54 billion projects will be sponsored by the China Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC).

For Kohala hydropower project in PoK, a tripartite agreement was signed between a Chinese company and the governments of Pakistan and China for construction of a 1,124 megawatt hydropower project costing 2.4 billion dollar.

While Kohala project was is still under construction, the Neelum Jhelum was completed more than a year ago.

The Kohala hydropower plant, being built on Jhelum river in PoK under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has been awarded to Kohala Hydropower Company Ltd (KHCL), which is a subsidiary of China Three Gorges Corporation (CTGC).

There has been a growing dissatisfaction among people and environmentalists in the region over these hydropower projects which has triggered mass protests and destruction of public property time and again.

Environmentalists say the big dams in the region are damaging water sources, causing an acute shortage of water for locals.

Pakistan is facing the problem of mismatch between energy supply and demand in the country and the situation is expected to worsen in the coming years.

But what has irked the locals in PoK is the presence of Chinese companies in the region. China and Pakistan have been trying to exploit the natural resources of PoK while ignoring environmental concerns.

Also, Pakistan has been grappling with a severe economic crisis, so it is seeing CPEC as a golden opportunity to revive its economy by providing China access to Middle East.

In 2015, Beijing announced the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is part of its intercontinental Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with an aim to expand its influence in Pakistan and across Central and South Asia. CPEC includes plans to create road, rail and oil pipeline links to improve connectivity between China and the Middle East via Pakistan.

-ARK

Four nations including India join hands for conservation of river dolphins

New Delhi (NVI): Paving the way for regional cooperation, experts from the four nations-India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar, have come together to enhance the conservation of river dolphins in the region.

River Dolphins, a unique species found mainly in rivers of Asia and South America, are vanishing rapidly. While, the Gangetic Dolphin, the national aquatic animal of India, has been declared endangered by International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

The issue of river dolphin conservation was discussed during a webinar on “Exploring the impact of COVID-19 on the ecosystem health of rivers and its dolphin population: Present status and future strategy for conservation in India-Bangladesh-Myanmar-Nepal” organised by Inland Fisheries Society of India (ICAR), a Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, National Mission for Clean Ganga, Professional Fisheries Graduates Forum (PFGF) and Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society.

The webinar began with a welcome address by BK Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI who gave a brief about the aim and objectives of this webinar. Das said that the webinar would enhance the dolphin conservation in the South East Asian Regional Countries.

JK Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR, in his address emphasised that dolphins can thrive on their own with less disturbance and interference and that was visible during the lockdown. Jena said, “These animals do not realise boundaries and have tried to find habitat wherever possible. Hence, regional cooperation is very important in conserving them.”

Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, Director General, Namami Gange shared also his experiences on dolphin conservation linking its importance in the rejuvenation of Ganga. Continuous efforts of Namami Gange to bring dolphin conservation to national attention have resulted in the announcement of “Project Dolphin” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). This project will be in-line with “Project Tiger” which has successfully helped in increasing the tiger population.

The webinar was attended by more than 1,000 participants across the world.

The conference resolved to continue the regional and multi-sectoral collaboration. Experts say the discussion would be very helpful in developing contours of ‘Project Dolphin’ in India.

-CHK

India recycles only 1% of construction and demolition waste: Report

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): India recycles only one per cent of its construction and demolition waste while the rest remains strewn across, in landfills, or in plain sight everywhere, leading to air and water pollution, according to a new report by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

According to the Building Material Promotion Council (BMPTC), the country’s total construction and demolition waste (C&D) is estimated to be 150 million tonne per year. But the official recycling capacity is a meagre 6,500 tonnes per day (TPD)— just 1 per cent.

However, unofficial estimates of the total waste generated in the country put the figure at three-five times more than the official estimate, according to the CSE report.

India’s annual C&D waste, report — titled “Another Brick off the Wall: Improving construction and demolition waste management in Indian cities,” also goes on to recommend a viable plan of action to improve the situation.

The report, released at an online round table, shows that as many as 53 cities were expected to set up recycling facilities to recover material from C&D waste by 2017 — but only 13 cities have done that by 2020.

“This is unacceptable when the demand for primary building material, including minerals, stone, sand, iron ore, aluminum and timber, is growing at an unprecedented rate,” CSE Director General Sunita Narain said while releasing the report at the online event held yesterday.

She added that a significant proportion of construction waste can be recycled and reused and brought back to construction to substitute naturally sourced material. “This demands a circular economy that can turn C&D waste into a resource. It can help reduce energy intensity and environmental footprints of buildings and infrastructure,” she said.

Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director- Research and Advocacy, CSE, said heaps of concrete, bricks and metal waste from construction were choking water bodies, green areas and public spaces in Indian cities.

“Toxic dust particles from the debris were polluting air at a time when cities had to reduce their particulate pollution by 20-30 per cent by 2024, under the ongoing National Clean Air Programme,” Roychowdhury said.

According to CSE researchers, the sorry state of affairs regarding C&D waste exists notwithstanding the removal of legal hurdles to using recycled C&D material in construction.

The Bureau of Indian Standards has allowed the use of concrete made from recycled material and processed C&D waste. The Construction and Demolition Waste Rules and Regulations, 2016 have mandated reuse of recycled material.

Even the Swachh Bharat Mission has recognised the need for C&D waste management. Ranking points for C&D waste management for Swachh Survekshan 2021 have been doubled to 100 points, divided equally between management infrastructure and waste processing efficiency, according to Down to Earth Magazine, managed by CSE.

However, cities will need to have a C&D waste collection system in place; notified charges for C&D services and segregation of waste in five streams. Under waste processing efficiency criteria, ranking points will be awarded based on the percentage of collected waste that is processed and reused, as per the CSE report.

“Our new study has carried out a detailed analysis of the current C&D challenge as well as technical and regulatory barriers to implementation of the Rules. It has identified strategies needed to accelerate the implementation of the Rules and market uptake of recycled material,” Roychowdhury said, adding that the analysis is supported by ground-reality checks in multiple cities.

-RJV/ARK

As COVID cases rise in Delhi, Kejriwal says testing to be doubled

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi (NVI): Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said that the state government will double the testing for Covid-19 infection in the national capital. The announcement came as Delhi recorded a spike in the number of new cases of the coronavirus disease.

“Delhi has seen a marginal rise in the number of cases in the last few days, though other numbers are in control. In the coming days, we will double the testing for the coronavirus testing,” Kejriwal said while addressing a media briefing.

The chief minister said that currently, 20,000 tests are being done in Delhi which will be increased to 40,000 per day.

“It is good that the people of Delhi have become confident, but it shouldn’t lead to complacency. People should always wear masks,” he added. Kejriwal further said that the government will provide pulse oxymetre and oxygen concentrators to households.

He once again appealed to the people to not shy away from getting tested. “It is very important to keep yourself and others in your vicinity safe. If you feel there are symptoms of Covid-19, get yourself tested. If you don’t do this, you will unnecessarily put others at risk,” said Kejriwal.

Delhi on Tuesday recorded 1,544 new cases of Covid-19, the highest single-day increase in infections in the city in 40 days.

Earlier in the day, Delhi CM called a high-level meeting to discuss the rising number of novel coronavirus cases in the national capital.

-CHK

Man killed, dozens of cattle perished as heavy rains lash J&K

Landslides in Rajouri

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): A 35-year-old man was killed in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, while dozens of cattle were perished due to landslides in various parts of the UT after incessant rains lashed the majority of parts in J&K since early morning, officials said.

The Jammu region bore the brunt where a series of landslides triggered by the heavy rains resulted in the death of a person in Kotli area of Manjakote area of Rajouri district.

Kashmir too witnessed heavy rainfall since this morning, thereby breaking the heatwave that had gripped the region since June this year. The Met department has predicted heavy rainfall in J&K till Saturday.

Officials said that a landslide hit Kotli village of Manjakote in Rajouri district in which 35-year-old Showkat Ahmed of Kallar village of Mendhar was killed.

“His body was removed from the debris by locals of the area,” said officials.

Similarly, many animals perished in an incident of cattle shed collapse in Sangiote village near Balakote in Poonch district due to landslides. The rescue operation by locals was going on when this report was filed.

Meanwhile, the officials said that heavy rainfall has triggered flash floods in most of the rivers and small water bodies of Rajouri district, creating panic among the people. In Kashmir, authorities have asked the people living close to river banks to remain cautious and to watch for the water level in rivers, especially river Jehlum.

Pertinently, this year August 11 recorded the season’s hottest day at 36.6 degrees Celsius, which according to the MeT department was highest since 1946.

-RJV/ARK

Ram Madhav to visit Srinagar tomorrow

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Bhartiya Janata Party General Secretary Ram Madhav will visit Srinagar tomorrow to check the party’s pulse and review its functioning amid a spate of attacks on BJP workers in the Valley recently after which some members were leaving party ranks.

Madhav will arrive in Srinagar tomorrow morning and right away chair party workers meeting where he will interact with the BJP workers, leaders and activists.

“He will chair workers meeting and take fresh feedback from the party workers over the prevailing situation in Kashmir and party-related activities,” a senior party leader said.

This will be the second visit by Madhav after the July 8 killing of BJP leader Waseem Bari, his brother and his father at Muslimabad area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.

A party source said that Madhav will get feedback from the party workers, leaders and activists over the situation post abrogation of Article 370. The BJP leader’s visit also comes at a time when the J&K unit of the party is holding month-long celebrations in connection with the first anniversary of Article 370 rollback.

He said that Madhav will also review the security arrangements made for the party workers, and panchayat representatives at their respective district headquarters and accordingly apprise the party high command and police top brass in case there is any change or further measures needed.

It is pertinent to mention here that J&K police have lodged BJP workers and panchayat representatives in hotels and guest houses in all Kashmir districts with fool-proof security cover in the wake of recent killings of BJP workers that triggered a fresh wave of fear among the party workers across the region.

The BJP leaders in the UT had shot letters to J&K DGP Dilbagh Singh and BJP national president JP Nadda demanding safe accommodations for the workers.

-ARK

WATCH | PM Modi shares iconic video of Sun Temple in Gujarat’s Modhera

(Image source: @narendramodi)

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today shared mesmerizing visuals of the iconic Sun Temple in Gujarat’s Modhera.

Taking to Twitter, Modi posted the video of the “splendid” view.

“Modhera’s iconic Sun Temple looks splendid on a rainy day ?! Have a look,” he wrote. The video shows water cascading though the steps of the temple and it makes for an amazing watch.

Dedicated to the solar deity Surya, located in Modhera village of Mehsana, the temple is situated on the bank of the river Pushpavati.

One can relax and soothe their nerves here, become one with nature and open their minds to the poetry in stone, dedicated to the sun god, living glimpses of the era far elapsed emerge out of the intricacies of narrative sculptures.

Set along the backdrop of River Pushpavati, this is one of the legacies of the Solanki rulers, according to the official website of Gujarat tourism.

-CHK

Ex-Assam CM tests positive for Covid-19

Tarun Gogoi

New Delhi (NVI): Former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that he has tested positive for coronavirus.

The veteran leader urged all those who came in contact with him recently to get tested.

Taking to twitter, Gogoi wrote, “I have been tested COVID-19 positive yesterday. People who came in contact with me during the last few days, should go for Covid test immediately.”

He has been advised by the doctors to stay in home quarantine till he tests negative.

Gogoi, represents the Titabor assembly constituency in Jorhat district, is the 13th Assam legislator to be diagnosed with COVID-19.

Earlier, two more Assam MLAs, Ramendra Narayan Kalita and Ajanta Neog were suffering from fever and were tested positive for coronavirus.

Assam’s coronavirus tally rose to 94,592 after 1,973 more people tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hours, while 8 fresh fatalities pushed it’s COVID-19 death toll to 260.

-RJV

1...1,2191,2201,221...1,763Page 1,220 of 1,763

MUST READ