Digital Payments in New Town

The Govt of India has cancelled Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes yesterday evening.
I was recounting the digital money options already available in New Town:
 
1. All salary in Hidco are paid by bank transfers
2. Debit / Credit Cards are accepted through POS machines at Cafe Ekante, Business Club, Nazrul Tirtha, MWM
3. BookMyShow enables one to buy tickets for movies at Nazrul Tirtha and theatres in Rabindra Tirtha
4. PayTM is operational at Eco Park, MWM, Cafe Ekante, Nazrul Tirtha
5. Online booking of Ekante Cottages through website and bank transfer
6. We are also planning to make all applications for 100 residential plots on-line with netbanking for application money
7. Payment to work agencies is done through RTGS and other netbanking options
8. NTESC, a joint venture of Hidco, accepts online payments
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Clippings:

Khabar 365 dt 9 Nov 2016

Aajkal dt 9 Nov 2016

Millennium Post dt 9 Nov 2016

MWM2 to be opened on 11 November 2016

It was tentatively decided today that Hon'ble CM will inaugurate by remote switch the Phase 2 of Mother's Wax Museum (at 5th Floor) from Netaji Indoor Stadium on 11 November 2016. The present MWM is in 6th floor.
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Clippings:

Bartaman dt 8 Nov 2016

Anandabazar dt 8 Nov 2016

Khabar 365 dt 8 Nov 2016

Millennium Post dt 8 Nov 2016

Call 90511 63800 for Home Delivery for Cafe Ekante

Cafe Ekante started its journey a little more than a year ago (15 May 2016 we celebrated its first birthday). It is on the island of Eco Park and was initially meant basically to cater to the guests in the cottages. It quickly adapted itself to meet the needs of visitors to the Eco Park. The unique proposition was : this is the only restaurant in the country where you get into a boat to have a cup of coffee and delicious Bangla food.  The boat ride of 2 minutes is extraordinarily satisfying and the ride is free. A dedicated jetty with a snack counter was commissioned quickly to keep visitors engaged while waiting for he boat to turn around. While in these few months Cafe Ekante expanded rapidly (Mother's Wax Museum, House Boat & Lawn on island, Two at Nazrul Tirtha, Bus Stand at Action Area 1, Seniors' Park and New Town Business Club), the dependence on Eco Park visitors has not gone away. Thus, the Cafe Ekante remains closed on Mondays since Eco Park also remains closed. (For indoor guests in cottages and special prior bookings, service is available on Mondays).

We have started breakfasts too, but response has been lukewarm.

To think of ways of expanding, we had a discussion last week with Zomato (see
https://www.zomato.com/kolkata/cafe-ekante-rajarhat-new-town/info ) . We agreed that by introducing home delivery services, we could provide food to homes not only on Mondays but also for lunch / breakfast. Unfortunately, existing service providers like Swiggy don't yet have delivery network in New Town. So we decided to tie up with a new independent New Town based home delivery organisation. It is now operational.

Dial 90511 63800 for home delivery in New Town, Chinar Park, Sector 5 Salt Lake area for fine food from Cafe Ekante.
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Clippings:

(Top and below) Page 1 of HT dt 7 Nov 2016

Times of India dt 7 Nov 2016

Khabar 365 dt 7 Nov 2016

Telegraph Metro dt 7 Nov 2016

Anandabazar dt 7 Nov 2016

Aajkal dt 7 Nov 2016

Aajkal dt 7 Nov 2016

Aajkal dt 7 Nov 2016

More Water Kiosks in New Town

Water Kiosk in Car Parking Zone near Tata Medical

Few weeks ago, Hidco installed Water ATM in Eco Park near Gate 2. This has proved to be very popular and hundreds of visitors take drinking water (chilled or normal) through a coin operated system. The technology used is German and daily computerised reports on performance are generated that engineers monitor to ensure quality and purity.

M/s Rupa had proposed few months ago that they would install and operate water kiosks if a site, water source and power connection is provided. Three such kiosks were put into operation last Friday: one at the fee parking area near Tata Medical Centre (photo above), one near Balaka Abasan and one near a market in Action Area 1. All three would generate cold water, duly purified in a standard aqua-guard machine and chilled through a standard machine. Input water is from pure treated Hoogly Water (I cannot resist stating that residents  are very very happy at the quality of water in New Town after the commissioning of the 100mgd surface water project earlier this year . The water now, they say is soft, iron-free and adequate, unmixed with any ground water. No more white shirts becoming reddish after a couple of washes, they say !). A stainless steel glass will also be attached to the kiosks. What is important is that persons from the Trust will be deputed to do servicing and maintenance very often to ensure that the kiosks run properly.  At the time of inauguration, I requested the MD of Rupa Trust Mr K B Agarwal to put in more such water kiosks in New Town.
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Clippings:

Times of Inddia dt 6 Nov 2016

Times of India dt 6 Nov 2016

Khabar 365 dt 6 Nov 2016

100 Residential Plots for Citizens

I held a follow up meeting yesterday with GM(Marketing) Hidco Krittibas Naik and others regarding the matter of operationalisation of the Cabinet Decision to allot 100 residential plots of sizes 2.5-5.0 kottahs in Action Area IIB (somewhat close to the Owl More, opposit Eco Park) through transparent means such as lottery and e-auction. There will be no Chairman's Quota or Special Quota.

We decided to target first week of December 2016 as the date of launching the scheme and the proposed last date of application would be in end January 2017. The application process would be, for the first time, done entirely online.  This will prevent the time, effort and error in transcribing from a paper form. We plan to talk to our software team to devise a simple method of filling up an online application form, use net banking for application money deposit and upload a pdf brochure for downloading. For those who may have a problem in online forms, a HelpDesk will be opened where Hidco staff will assist the applicants to fill up the forms online.

Of the 100 plots, those that are slightly larger and close to wider roads will be allotted through e-auction. There are 25 such e-auction plots. These are in HIG category. The starting price will be intimated in the e-auction opening web page. One plot will be e-auctioned in one day ; thus 25 e-auction days (barring off days and holidays) will be required for this.

Remaining 75 plots will be allotted through lottery. Some are meant for MIG, some for HIG. Some plots are for individuals while others will be for co-operatives. All plots will be on lease for 99 years.

We have started designing the brochures and will finalise the software issues in course of next week. We also plan to put up 100 signboards on the plots so that site identification is easy for applicants.
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Clippings:

Millennium Post dt 5 Nov 2016

Khabar 365 dt 5 Nov 2016

Shankar Netralaya to open shortly

Lt Col Raghavan from Shankar Netralaya met me today and discussed about their plans to open the eye clinic at New Town shortly. They are now looking for a CC, their building having been completed, and we assured them that the CC (Completion Certificate) would be given to them by next week. He mentioned that the applications under the Clinical Establishment Act would be made thereafter, after he gets the CC. He mentioned that he expects to inaugurate the unit within the calendar year.

The Shankar Netralaya building is opposite to the Unitech IT building. NKDA is building a beautifully planned food court where all roadside eateries can go. I held a meeting today with CEO NKDA, MS NKDA, CE NKDA and CA NKDA to chalk out the modalities of allotting stalls / food kiosks to existing vendors so that the roadside can be kept clean and free of shops.
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Clipping:

Bartaman dt 3 Nov 2016

Snehodia

Work started today at plot opposite Swapna Bhor. Of Shehodiya
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Clippings:

Millennium Post dt 2 Nov 2016

Times of India dt 2 Nov 2016

Bartaman dt 2 Nov 2016

Tarapith Development

Here is a copy of an information release from the department (unedited):
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The Cabinet in its 11th Meeting dated 24.10.16 has approved the proposal for extension of  Tarapith Rampurhat Development Authority (TRDA)   to include 15  Mouzas in Rampurhat Block I with an area 39.933 Sq. Km. The jurisdiction of the authority originally covered a total of 56 mouzas, scattered across  95.79 sq. Km. Now, the area will increase by 40% for a comprehensive development of TRDA areas like road connectivity, drainage systems, by-pass roads in a holistic way. TRDA was constituted on 25th March , 2015 and so far 8 General Body meetings have been held.
Tarapith , the famous temple town of Bengal  draws nearly twenty thousand pilgrims on weekday and about fifty thousand on weekends. The number jumps to 1 lakh to three lakhs on festive occasions. There are nearly two hundred and eighty hotels of different categories. Tarapith , best  known for its tantric temple and its adjoining cremation grounds is also renowned for  Panch Mundi Mandir , Bam Dev Mandir at Atla, and Kali Mandir. One of the reasons for the fame of the Town is probably due to it being part of  108 Shakti Piths, One theory states that it is one of 51 Piths , a Holy site due to having Maa’s 3rd Eye.
With the formation of this Development Authority, various development activities including beautification of mandir surroundings with lights & pavers block , rehabilitation of Sadhus,  beautification of the Maha Samsan and Pancha Mundi Mandir, Tarapith Entry gate , Rampurhat by-pass road from Cho-Pukho to NH-60 via Pakuria , alternative exit road from Tak  Factory Road (Rampurhat Railway station) to Hospital  Canal More, underground parking facilities with shopping complex and fairground at Tarapith ,Construction of Row shops ,swimming pool at Rampurhat  were taken up. The Development Authority is taking up several schemes like  up gradation of pilgrims facilities at Maa Tara Mandir , creation of Mini Amusement park at Tarapith , river front amenities on left bank of River Dwarka, multi-storied parking cum bus-stand facility, removal of encroachments in the road side at Rampurhat and rehabilitation in the shopping complexes, passenger and parking amenities at various traffic junctions at Rampurhat ,new bridge over River Dwarka for connecting Kali Mandir at Udaipur, new bridge over River Dwarka for connecting Tarapith to Block HQ at Sahapur G.P, beautification of various roads at Tarapith & Rampurhat, creation of Sakhti Pith Hub at Tarapith , foot over bridge over river Dwarka to connect Maa Tara Mandir for  planned urbanisation.
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Clipping:

Times of India dt 31 Oct 2016

Digital Technology in Eco Park

We are using more and more IT /ITeS applications to help visitors to Eco Park. Few examples:

1> The peak tourist season, with the advent of winter, is round the corner. There is usually a great rush on important festive days like Christmas, New Years' Day etc. Even otherwise, the popularity is soaring year-on-year; for example, there was a 23.89% increase in turnover of Eco Park in Durga Puja 2016 vs Durga Puja 2015. To give a seamless experience to visitors with little or no waiting, we have developed multiple-windowed glass-CC Camera-displayTV ticket counters that issue plastic RFID enabled cards (looks like debit cards). There are 5 automatic card operated gates in Entry Gate 1, and three each in gates 2, 3 and 4. These e-gates open as soon as the RFID card is inserted. This will prevent queues at entry gates.

2>  Option of using PayTM digital wallet has been introduced at each of the ticket counters. This prevents time and effort in dealing with changing cash. There are occasional cash-backs too, given by PayTM. Already this is proving to be quite attractive. During the very first 5 days of introduction just before the Pujas, more than 300 tickets were issued through PayTM. Use is increasing steadily.

3>  Water ATM at Gate 2. You insert Rs 2 coin and get one litre of pure water (chilled or normal temperature, your choice) that you can carry in your water bottle. Very popular.

4> CCTV and Public Address System: More CCTVs have been installed throughout Eco Park. Stone-looking speakers have been installed throughout the Eco Park that normally gives soft music but can be used during emergencies like lost children.

5> Automatic Car Parking: All three parking areas near Gates 1, 3 and 4 now have computer operated boom barriers that are card controlled. A floor mounted sensor detects the change in earth's magnetic field when a car is over it, activates a slot machine, gives out a card at the push of a button and read particulars at exit gate later. Exact, hassle-free payment at the exit makes the experience smooth.

6> The New Town Smart City Apps (Available in Google Play Store and Apple iOS store) gives audio guide facility for Eco Park. It also gives an account of other events in New Town.

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Clippings:

Ei Samay dt 29 Oct 2016

Times of India dt 30 Oct 2016

Millennium Post dt 30 Oct 2016

Millennium Post dt 30 Oct 2016

HT dt 30 Oct 2016

Snehodiya

We are making a habitat for senior citizens on a plot opposite the community building of Swapna Bhor Seniors' Park. The ground breaking will tke place tomorrow. Mackintosh Burn has been awarded the contract to build it. There will be 102 rooms and the financial model is that whenever one vacates, 75% of the price paid on entry will be refunded to the occupant or his heirs. Cost of food and maintenance charges, will, however be charged on actuals, on a monthly basis. The plot is 1 acre in size and the time of completion would be 3 years. There will be a guest house with six rooms. The high point is that there will be a hydro therapy unit that is unique and effective. Occupants will be automatically eligible to be members of Swapna Bhor and can use the library, games and cultural activities. The name Snehaditya, as for Swapna Bhor, is given by Hon'ble Chief Minister.

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Clipping:

Salt Lake Telegraph

New Electricity Cash Office at AA2

Today morning, I, allong with MD NTESCL and other Hidco Engineers went to the utility building near Mangaldeep where eHC by CISCO/NH, NKDA Office, Gr D Recruitment Board and Post Office are already running. Now acash payment office has started functioning and will be fully operational by Monday next. This would be for post-paid consumers only for now. The prepaid cash deposits would start after two months.

Most of AA2''s consumers in New Town seem to prefer pre-paid meters. But the supply of meters is slow and as a result there are more postpaid that prepaid consumers overall. However, I came to know that pre-paid meters are more beneficial for the average consumer because (a) they get a 2% additional rebate (b) there is no security deposit to bother about and (c) you get a warning when balance falls below Rs 100.
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Clippings:

Dainik Statesman dt 26 Oct 2016

Khabar 365 dt 26 Oct 2016

Pratdin dt 26 Oct 2016

Aajkal dt 26 Oct 2016

100 residential plots in AA2B for allotment

The Standing Committee of the Cabinet today decided to allot 100 residential plots of sizes varying from 400 sq m to 150 sq m. on 99 years' leasehold basis to MIG and HIG persons. 75 will be allotted through lottery and 25 through auction, the slightly larges ones and nearer to broader roads generally being of the auction category. Some will be co-operative category too, from among the lottery group. Details are being worked out.
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Clippings:

Ei Samay dt 24 Oct 2016

Ei Samay dt 24 Oct 2016

Greening Metro Piillars

For some time, I have been thinking of ways in which the dreary-looking sky-blocking elevated corridors of Metro / Road Flyovers could be converted into interesting street level art objects. I have learnt of citizen experiments in Kochi and Bangalore where certain stretches of Metro pillars were brightly painted by citizen groups or local chapter of Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) using bright spray paint or poster coloured graffiti paints. I had indeed given this as one of the six themes of a Design Hackathon  conducted with help of IIA in March this year at Rabindra Tirtha. However, although some of the six themes have fructified and being taken to the implementation stage (light sculpture in Eco Park and canal front development at Bagjola) , the Metro Pillar beautification project has not taken off.

It was then that I recalled that we had done a vertical garden at Eco Park (see picture below) and had also, separately, used creepers to camouflage walls of a sculpture garden at Eco Park. I invited senior officers of Forest Department to suggest if the concept could be used to make the metro pillars green. Of course, the complex iron lattice back-up of the vertical garden would not be appropriate for structural reasons and costs and so only creepers were to be considered.

The problem was that sunlight would not be available beneath such elevated structures. So the forest officers would have to locate appropriate species like money plants that we grow indoors. Dr K. Kunaldaivel, IFS, Deputy Conservator of Forest has been working on it and has just sent me the following photo. If the plants survive, we will escalate and extend to other pillars:

Experimenting with creepers to add green to metro pillars of
New Town

Vertical Garden in Eco Park near Gate 4

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Clipping:

Times of India dt 23 Oct 2016

e District Services for New Town

Earlier this week, the IT Department showcased a number of digital solutions in a meeting at Nabanna. We from NKDA have since decided to avail of the e District Services for the following :

1. Building Plan Sanction
2. Water Connection
3. Completion Certificate
4. Death & Birth  Certificate
5. Trade Licence
6. Record of Title

Conversations have been initiated with Webel. Work on study of systems may start by November.
It may be added that NKDA is the only ULB in the state that fully uses online building plan sanction scheme for all plans. Even then, it has opted to be in sl 1 so as to ensure compatibility with other ULBs of the country
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Plastic Waste Management

We had a meeting today with Member Secretary Pollution Control Board, chief Engineer WBPCB, CEO NKDA Debapriya Biswas and Member Secretary NKDA Gopal Ghosh at Nagarayan Bhavan to discuss about the latest guidelines on Plastic Waste Management. I recalled that Coca Cola had showed me few days ago how plastic bottles can be recycled into yarns and then into cloth and shirts / T-shirts and bags etc. Photos on my mobile taken that day:

WBPCB explained to us the provisions of the new rules which mandated segregation of domestic waste, charging of fees from shops that use plastic bags and involving recyclers and ragpickers into the process. They would also give us some lists so that we can have a discussion on the way forward in so far s New Town's plastic handling is concerned.

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Clippings:

HT dt 21 Oct 2016

Ei Samay dt 21 Oct 2016

Millennium Post dt 2016

Khabar 365 dt 21 Oct 2016

t2  dt 21 Oct 2016