Hawker Rehabilitation

New Hawker Zone near DC of Police Office

Yesterday, at Sector V (Nabadiganta) I had a detailed meeting with hawkers of Sector 5. We discussed all issues that they had to flag. At the end of a two-hour session, I asked them to nominate three local representatives with whom we could take actions together. Incidentally, one of the three was a lady with a post graduate degree. And one of the others asked my email address for keeping in touch.
I told that we were not adversaries: the govt principle, I said, is to first rehabilitate them with due consultation (I talked of the successful ones in New Town - see Telegraph story below) and prevent, with all our might, new encroachments. They agreed. And vowed to inform us if any new ones tried to set up new stalls.
I told that till this happened, let's do some improvements. We'd set up few Pay-n-Use Toilets if they showed us where they wanted these and if there were no technical problems (water out drainage and sewerage lines and water inlets, and space) . They said they are exploited by generator operators, water suppliers by getting charged too much. I said we'd try to make water available (l'll talk to JUSCO the water providers, to set up a sale counter; on Monday, I'll meet them in a function). I said LPGs were dangerous and they said the'd use induction heaters if these could be provided by corporates and they got a power connection meter. I said, I'd already approached few NGOs and Corporates (let's see). I requested them to keep the areas clean, use bins and we'd provide covered bins as many as they wish. They talked about some customers not paying attention to their request to use bins: I said, they could report to us and our men would interfere. They said they were even prepared to keep sweeping teams but I said I'll sit with our sweeping agency (Monday 2pm). Most of all, they themselves pointed out that there are certain vacant spaces where all of them of one area could be accommodated. But, they said, in IT sector shops had to be close to gates of buildings as staff didn't have much time to spare for lunch.
I think it is a long journey, but it is important to travel together.
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Clippings:

Millennium Post dt 16 June 2017

Khabar 365 dt 16 June 2017

Khabar 365 dt 16 June 2017

Ei Samay dt 16 June 2017

The Statesman dt 16 June 2017

Greening Plan

We held a meeting today with Forest Department, NKDA and Hidco to discuss the strategy to be adopted for greening New Town this monsoon.
After a longish discussion, we learnt the the Forest Department would revisit the 60,000 odd trees planted last year in New Town and do the necessary "in-filling", i.e, replant a few where the saplings did not survive. In addition, another 60,000 trees would be planted at Eco Urban Village, Eco Park and elsewhere. Avenue Plantation along new streets would be done. On 14th July, a small event would be held at Mela Ground where residents would be given free fruit saplings at 4pm in association with Forest Department. NKDA would take up several green spaces and plant saplings. In streets parallel to the Major Arterial Road on its both sides, tall trees would be planted in between street light poles in road medians where hedges had been planted. NGOs and Clubs who often volunteer to plant saplings would be encouraged to take care of maintenance too for a year. Sites to be offered to them were also broadly determined.
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Clippings:

Calcutta Times dt 15 June 2017

Times of India dt 15 June 2017

Rainwater Harvesting using Solar Energy

Solar Water Pump

We are planning to make a project of rainwater harvesting from NKDA market rooftop using solar water pumps. We plan to close all but one rainwater outlets from the market's roof. The rainwater pipe from the only remaining outlet will bring water captured by the rooftop into a ground level plastic tank. This water will be pumped up, little by little, by a pump such as the above which uses electricity (DC) from solar panels (not shown above) . The pump can lift water till 70 ft. The rooftop tank will be filled in and this water can be used for gardening, washing, cleaning etc.
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Clippings:

Millennium Post dt 14 June 2017

Dainik Statesman dt 14 June 2017

Times of India dt 14 June 2017

Corporate Cycling Competition

On 25th May, I'd met several corporates of Sector 5 and appealed to them to help us beautify Sector 5. I have also written to them suggesting that they could landscape, plant trees/ hedges/ creepers/ hang flowerpots, beautify or creatively paint  the portion in front of their boundary. I even talked to the Director of Bose Institute for their new campus in Sector 5.
To carry on the spirit of greenness, to create awareness on reducing automobile smoke, to encourage healthy habits for reducing traffic congestion, we are planning to have a corporate cycling competition in Sector 5 Nabadiganta for the first time.
We have heard about corporate car racing. But corporate cycling?
The brief rules are as follows:
There will be two categories: (a) Speed Cycling and (b) Slow Cycling
Each corporate can give a maximum of 3 participants for each category.
There is no entry fee. Cycles will be available for borrowing on request.
Corporates can have their brand logos displayed on the cycles. Participants will be given T-shirts and cap. Each participant will be given a participation certificate. Best winning teams (fastest or slowest in time) for each category would be given a medal and a prize.
Event date: 13 August 2017, Sunday.
Time: 6AM
Last date of entry 31 July 2017. Entry / query by email at info@ndita.org

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Clipping:

Millennium Post dt 13 June 2017

Lottery Schedule for 75 Residential Plots

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Clippings:

Dainik Statesman dt 12 June 2017

Golf Driving Practice

Golf Driving Course being readied in Eco Park

I visited the Golf Arena in Eco Park today. One can enter quickly by Gate 6. A driving range with 12 stands is being constructed. The distance will be more than 250 yards or so. Further extension is being done. We have partnered with a golfer who has agreed to help. We plan to start a demonstration with few local golf enthusiasts next Sunday 18th June at 6.30 am or so.

The idea of having a practising range for golf is this. In my younger days, I never had any chance of trying my hand at golf. Football, cricket, tennis etc are games where children have a chance to practice and learn the game, some of whom can excel in the game later. But the average middle class child or youth has few practice zones. Becoming members of Tolly Club, RCGC etc to try one's hand in golf is difficult and unaffordable for many. On the other hand, talent can reside everywhere and by giving an opportunity to try one's hand at golf, maybe we will discover the Shiv Chawrasias  of tomorrow.

To start with, we have so far decided on the following rules.

One can opt to get a morning walker's card of Eco Park from the Curator (Eco Park) at Eco Park Office. (Rs 200 registration fee and Rs 750 per month). Members of New Town Business Club and all morning-walking-card-holding-members of Eco Park will be allowed free entry and free parking. Resident guests of Cafe Ekante will also get free entry.
Golf balls will be available in buckets. (Rs.100 for a bucket of 50 balls). One can bring one's own golf club or hire at spot. Timings: 6am -9am and 4pm-6.30pm. Personal trainers would also be available on payment of fees.


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timesofnorth.co.in/kolkata-organized-fishing-competition-for-the-first-time-at-newtown-ecopark-video/

Floodlit Cricket Ground

The NKDA cricket stadium at AA2 had the floodlights installed. I, CEO NKDA Debapriya Biswas, CE Pradeep Ray, SE Uttam Jana went to inspect. The first ever floodlit match was already on and I could see the lights illuminating the pitch and field quite well.
Sitting there, we discussed and decided that we will also install floodlights in the football field in Action Area 1.
There are eight panels on high poles, each with 48 LED lamps of 250W each.
The field has an illumination level of 250 lumens and the pitch has 300 lumens.
A football field, I was told, requires 75 lumens uniformly.
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Clippings:

Bartaman dt 10 June 2017

Aajkal dt 10 June 2017

Tagore Centre for Natural Science and Philosophy at Rabindra Tirtha

His Excellency the Governor of West Bengal Shri Keshari Nath Tripathy visited Rabindra Tirtha today to inaugurate the new Tagore Centre for Natural Science and Philosophy.
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Clippings:

Ei Samay dt 9 June 2017

Markets in AA2

Meeting at Utility Building, AA2 with allottees

In an effort to quickstart the three markets of Action Area 2, we from NKDA held a meeting with allottes of shops in thre three markets of Action Area 2. We promised to look at their problems (some said they din't get a key, some had a water drainage issue etc) and each of these were recorded by NKDA staff. I announced that these would be looked into within a week.

Thereafter I announced that many people were waiting in the wings to run a shop and that NKDA wouldn't allow holding on the allotted shops for investment purposes and that if the allottees did not operate by 30 September 2017, NKDA would begin a process of taking back the shops.
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Clippings:

Bartaman dt 8 June 2017

Millennium Post dt 8 June 2017

Times of India dt 8 June 2017

Millennium Post dt 8 June 2017

On Kolkata Gate : First Walk, First Tea

Today afternoon, I went up on a boom lift to the ring of the Kolkata Gate. The view was spectacular and we walked all the 200 m walkway.
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Clipping:

Ei Samay dt 7 June 2017

Millennium Post dt 7 June 2017

Bike Taxis now in Nabadiganta (Sector 5) and Salt Lake too

In terms of notification above of Govt of West Bengal, Bike Taxis, which were allowed to operate in New Town only, have now just been allowed to also operate in NDITA (Sector 5) and rest of Salt Lake. Incidentally, I had written to the Government on behalf of NDITA to extend the services to Sector 5 after speaking to bike operators, stakeholders and traffic police. I am happy to see that the proposal has been accepted and I will soon talk to the operators.
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Clippings:

Bartaman dt 6 June 2017

Millennium Post dt 6 June 2017

Ei Samay dt 6 June 2017

Register Your Mobile for New Town News and Events

In course of observing World Environment Day in New Town, we launched the "Register Your Mobile for New Town News" . Anyone can send an SMS to 92300 60000 with the words and get a confirmation that it has been registered. The first "broadcast" we made was as follows:
"New Town Kolkata observes World Environment Day on 5th June 2017. Make your city Green by planting trees. Green New Town - Clean New Town. Chairman NKDA & HIDCO."

Launching 92300 60000 today

We also planted 60 Neem Saplings. Each officer present from Hidco, NKDA, PHED and Forest planted one and would be responsible for its adoption and survival.

60 Neem Saplings

On behalf of P C Chanda, Mr A K Chanda was present. The group would present 1,000 neem saplings that would be planted in the same area (near Owl More, in AA2). We announced an essay / story / poem of 1,000 words on "Green New Town" and selected essays would be published in a book form and the best submission would get a prize. Mr Chanda agreed to sponsor both.

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Clipping:

Khabar 365 dt 5 June 2017

" Produce electricity in Stationary Cycles in Gym"

At Sunrise Point, Action Area 2, today morning.
Trying Solar Fan Cooled Caps

I attended a discussion at Sunrise Point in Action Area 2 of New Town. It is a short distance from Mangaldeep island or Akankshya More. We assembled to talk of Environment and to celebrate Solar Energy installation at their Community Hall out of their own efforts. Organisers also intend to plant trees on their road median and I agreed to their proposal whole-heartedly, mentioning that I'd been telling residents on this for some time and also explained a few basics (no banyan, eucalyptus, sal or other tall trees as these would interfere with underground utilities and street lights. Use, instead, sunflowers, bougainvillea, lantana, roses etc).  I tried their experimental 'solar cooled cap" (see pic above).

I requested that in their gym, they could install a small dynamo / generator on stationary cycles in gyms (Eco Cycles) that will save on fossil fuels and motivate users to pedal with a purpose. I said that this may be done by 2018 World Environment Day.

Pic from internet

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Clippings:

Times of India dt 4 June 2017

Millennium Post dt 4 June 2017

Dainik Statesman dt 4 June 2017