Exhibition Area near Eco Park

File picture of Mining Exhibition few months ago just outside Gate 1 of Eco Park

Just outside the ticket counter near Gate 1 of Eco Park, the flat ground is used for many exhibitions and conventions especially in the non-rainy seasons. Now that the Milan Mela grounds near Science City is not likely to be available for renovation for the next two years or so, we are already getting a more-than-usual requests for advance booking of the exhibition area. In order to prepare ourselves for the increased demand, the Hidco Board in its meeting held yesterday decided to develop yet another exhibition area, behind the Japanese Forest. This is a seven acre plot and when completed would also add value to the Convention Centre being built on the 10 acre plot just 700 metres away. Together, ie Biswa Bangla Convention Centre, existing Mela Ground near Gate 1 and the proposed Ground to be developed, there should be a great synergy for convention-exhibition-based tourism in Kolkata
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Clippings:

Meeting with Anyang City, Korea

At Novotel today, 30th March 2017

We had a meeting with a delegation from Korea led by Mr Lee Phil Woon, Mayor of Anyang, a city situated in the south of Korea. CEO NKDA, CEs of NKDA/Hidco and others were with me while MLAs and Chairmen from Korean side were there.
We discussed possible areas of co-operation including use of ICT solutions for the citizens, quality of water improvement in canals, Solid Waste Management and some other areas. We agreed to take the matter forward. The Korean Association in Kolkata would act as the co-ordinator
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Clipping:

Telegraph Metro dt 30 March 2017

"Catch & Release" Angling Competition

We plan to introduce game fishing, also called sports fishing, in Eco Park.
Pictures, selfies and weight can be taken for fish caught but within a short time these will have to be released back to the lake.
The event will be held on 14th April and applications can be made on-line at http://www.ecoparknewtown.com/Angling/ .
The event will be done in association with SFDC, State Fisheries Development Corporation.
Depending on the success, we may make it a continuing practice.
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Clippings:

Millennium Post dt 29 March 2017

Times of India dt 29 March 2017

Aajkal dt 29 March 2017

Kolkata Gate

Work in progress of Kolkata Gate.
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Clippings:

Millennium Post dt 28 March 2017

Anandabazar dt 28 March 2017

https://youtu.be/cAv_zs4SZTU

Zero Waste in New Town : Pilot

After detailed discussions with NGOs and Consultants, we have decided to try out zero-solid-waste goal in two gated communities of New Town as an experimental and pilot scheme under he Green City mission. These are: Greenwood Sonata (near City Centre 2) and Shukhobrishti ( in AA-3) . I personally discussed with these housing society representatives and the consultants to tie this up. They want to do a 'waste audit' of Hidco Bhavan too but I am yet to take a call.

The strategy is to create compost through compost machines for food waste and other wet wastes and recycle through informal or formal markets the other wastes. If successful, we will try to expand to other areas.
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Clippings:

Khabar 365 dt 27 March 2017

Aajkal dt 27 March 2017

Free training to allottees of shops in New Town Markets

Free retail management training will be given by Alia University for allottees of Shops & Stalls
of ten community markets of NKDA in terms of an understanding between NKDA and Alia University's Business Management Department. Alia University is located in Action Area 2 of New Town. The move has been initiated because many allotttees are first generation business aspirants without any traditional family knowledge of the nuances of any particular trade and so have some difficulty in starting a venture.

With a view to meet the day to day requirements of inhabitants of New Town Kolkata as well as for the floating population, New Town Kolkata Development Authority has constructed ten Community Markets in Areas- I & II considering the demand and density of population. The shops and stalls of these markets have been allotted through lottery to general people and project affected persons.

However, it has been observed that the large number of allottees of shops and stalls are newcomer in this field. In order to educate & enrich them about procedural system of running business, NKDA has taken initiative in association with Department of Business Management, Aliah University, New Town, Kolkata. The training would be conducted at Aliah University from 03-04-2017 to 07-04-2017 in ten batches. Each batch will be imparted one day training. On each day two batches will be trained.

While NKDA is incurring some expenditure  for conducting the training , it is a totally free for the participants.

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Clipping:

Bartaman dt 26 March 2017

Times of India dt 26 March 2017

Appealing to residents

I held a meeting with some cable operators of New Town and NTTIDCO (New Town Telecom Infrastructure Development Corporation, which is a joint venture company of Hidco) and stressed the importance of shifting all overhead cable strung across street light poles into underground ducts. After the meeting, we decided to make an appeal to New Town residents to help us achieve the objective. This is as follows and will be circulated soon:
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Appeal to Inhabitants of New Town Kolkata

New Town Kolkata is a Green Field city created as per master plan. There are separate specific underground corridors for power cable and communication cables.
To make the city free from visual pollution as well as for security reasons, no over head cable is allowed within New Town.  Use of street light poles by cable operators is illegal.
However, it has been observed that some Cable TV Operators and internet providers have illegally strung overhead cables taking support of street light posts belonging to NKDA/HIDCO.
During last one year we have been pursuing all network operators to shift the cables to the dedicated underground ducts. Though some operators are taking measures to shift their cables to the underground ducts, there are a few operators who have not taken required measures.
In the meeting held with cable operators and internet providers in New Town Kolkata on 23-02-2017 at office of the NKDA and in the follow up meeting held on 26-02-2017 at the New Town Police Station, the deadline to shift all overhead communication cables to underground ducts was fixed as 31st March, 2017.
Any overhead cable found after 15th April, 2017 shall be removed. To avoid inconvenience, inhabitants of New Town Kolkata are requested to transfer their subscription/ connection only from lawful operators who are using underground ducts only.
NKDA solicits understanding and co-operation from all residents and corporates of New Town in the public interest.
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Clippings:

Millennium Post dt 25 March 2017

Khabar 365 dt 25 March 2017

Khabar 365 dt 25 March 2017

Anandabazar dt 25 March 2017

Plots to Police

In the meeting of the Cabinet on 22 March (last Wednesday), the following land plots were allotted to the Police:
One acre (at CF25) for second Police Station in Action Area 1
Three acres (at IIIA/2369) for Police Parade Ground
One Acre (at IIIA/2368) for Police Lines
0.41 acre (at AD-7/1) for Traffic Guard
0.50 acre (at IIE/69) for Police Out Post at Eco Park
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Clippings:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJFzHWW4WLQ

Telegraph Metro dt 24 March 2017

Ei Samay dt 24 March 2017

(Above and below) Salt Lake Telegraph dt 24 March 2017

Salt Lake Telegraph dt 24 March 2017

EWS Lottery on 19th April

More than 5,000 applications were received by the various branches of Allahabad Bank for allotment of 139 flats for the Economically Weaker Section. We had set up three teams to scrutinize the applications and form a data base with the applicants' particulars including email address and mobile number. This is just completed and we then approached the Sports Department to book the Netaji Indoor Stadium. Today we received a verbal communication that the venue could be available on 19th April 2017. If this is approved formally, we will intimate all applicants for being present. Only the applicant herself can be present and she is required to carry photo ID and original receipt of the application. All will be advised to reach the venue by 1030 am for registration.
The entire lottery will be done manually and the process will be video recorded. Applicants present will draw the lots. The specific EWS flat number will also be simultaneously selected by lottery.
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Clippings:

Millennium Post dt 23 March 2017

Bartaman dt 23 March 2017

HDFC and New India Assurance take plots in Financial Hub

Two more Financial Institutions were allotted plots in New Town Financial and Legal Hub today in a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Cabinet. HDFC has taken a 2.50 acre plot at CBD-121 while New India Assurance Company Ltd has taken 1.867 acres at plot no. CBD-124. This was based on a Notice Inviting  Expression of Interest to which these two institutions submitted their bids by 5.10.2016. With this, the number of Financial Institutions in the Financial and Legal Hub becomes 20.
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Clippings:

Bartaman dt 22 March 2017

 

Asian Age dt 22 March 2017

Millennium Post dt 22 March 2017

Times of India dt 22 March 2017

Recycled Water

I'd requested Forest Department to co-ordinate with Public Health Engineering Department. Forest Department, through its Wasteland Development Corporation, maintains our roadside plantation, while STPs (Sewage Treatment Plants) are maintained by New Town Circle of PHE Department. After a series of co-ordination meetings (who will give gate pass, etc multiple issues), we have been able to use a part of the treated waste water from the plant located in Action Area 2, past the Eco Urban Village. I am now trying it to do in Sector 5 too.
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Clippings:

Times of India dt 21 March 2017

Millennium Post dt 21 March 2017

Pratidin dt 21 March 2017

First private township project adjoining New Town at Rajarhat

The Cabinet in its meeting dated 3.3.2017 granted provisional permission to a private company for carrying out a township project within Rajarhat PS. It is located adjoining New Town Kolkata and shares common boundary near way to Eco Urban Village, at Jagdishpur mouza. The anchor theme of the township shall be "Innovative Township". The development will be done by M/s Forum Properties Holding Pvt Ltd and Hidco has been advised by the Govt of West Bengal vide no. 636-T&CP dt 16.3.2017 to issue provisional certificate for the development of the township subject to payment of necessary fees and compliance of statutory obligations.
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Clippings:

Asian Age dt 20 March 2017

Khabar 365 dt 20 March 2017

Aajkal dt 20 March 2017

Millennium Post dt 20 March 2017

Smart Solid Waste Management

In its last Board meeting held last week, NKDA decided to adopt a policy that all vehicles that will be used or are being used for solid waste management including compactors, sweeping of roads including mechanical road sweeping machines, will be brought under the GPS enabled Vehicle Tracking System.

Trials had been made for the last few months (see pic below):

Road Sweeping Machine of NKDA
Inset: GPS Vehicle Tracking System

The location of the machine is time-logged on to a map and a software generates the distances traveled. The effectiveness of the sweeping is thus tracked accurately in real time from a computer at the office of the engineer concerned.

After trials on the roads of New Town's MAR (Major Arterial Road) for the last few months, now the NKDA Board has just made it a policy to instal VTS in all other machines related to SMW/Road Sweeping as well. Furthermore, it has also been decided to use these sweeping machines in phases to the internal roads as well, not merely on the major roads.
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Clipping:

Millennium Post dt 19 March 2017

Pratidin dt 19 March 2017

Bartaman dt 19 March 2017

Information on NKDA Planning Area

Today we held a meeting with district and block officers with NKDA about the planning procedure for NKDA Planning Area. It may be recalled that recently another 9 mouzas have been added to the list of 34 mouzas already under NKDA Planning Area where an NOC from NKDA is mandatory for any building permission for which the height is more than 15 metres or with an area of 2.5 acres or more.

We decided on the following strategy:

1. CREDAI will be informed of the new notification and ask it to inform its members of the procedure to be adopted
2. Newspaper notice and outdoor hoardings carrying messages that all large projects of real estate must comply to the Planning Rules.
3. NKDA's IT wing will flag advertisements and hoardings that contain information on housing projects in NKDA Planning Area and inform them
4. Notice will be affixed on gates of suspected properties
5, Training / awareness campaigns will be held at Block and GP level. Interaction with Sabhapatis and Panchayat Representatives have already been held.
6. DM/ ADM(LR)/ BLLRO set up will be used to analyse data to identify from mutation / conversion cases and identify upcoming large real estate projects area.
7. Housing Department and Promoter's Act will be contacted for getting list of real estate projects in these areas
8. Notices will be issued to all projects that will be so identified
9. ROC (Registrar of Companies) or MoCA (Ministry of Company Affairs) web-sites will be used to identify promoter companies

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Clippings:

Telegraph dt 17 March 2017

Aajkal dt 17 March 2017

Aajkal dt 17 March 2017

Salt Lake Telegraph dt 17 March 2017

Ei Smay dt 17 March 2017

Anandabazar dt 17 March 2017

Khabar 365 p1 dt 17 March 2017

Telegraph dt 17 March 2017

Millennium Post dt 17 March 2017

Pratidin dt 17 March 2017

Ekdin dt 17 March 2017

Dainik Statesman dt 17 March 2017