
‘DDA takes a step towards bettering walkability’
The Delhi Development Authority approved the draft Regulations for Enhancing Walkability in Delhi on June 14, 2019, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri told the Rajya Sabha on July 3. These guidelines provide a framework to transform Delhi into a pedestrian-friendly city by creating a quality urban environment, he added.
88 people died cleaning sewers in last three years
In the last three years, 88 people have died while cleaning sewers and septic tanks in the country, Ramdas Athawale, minister of state for social justice and empowerment, informed the Rajya Sabha on July 3, 2019. Delhi registered the maximum number of deaths, where 18 people died, according to the data presented. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs also released Standard Operating Procedure to clean sewers and septic tanks in November 2018. But the SOP is an advisory to guide states, Union territories and urban local bodies in cleaning sewers and emptying septic tanks in scientific ways, said the MoS.
LPG coverage in Jharkhand goes up by 42.8%
LPG coverage in Jharkhand went up to 70.7 per cent (as on June 1, 2019) compared to 27.9 per cent (as on April 1, 2016). The national average of LPG coverage is 94.2 per cent as on June 1, 2019, said Dharmendra Pradhan, minister of petroleum and natural gas.
CPWD explores possibility of installing solar trees in govt residential complexes
The Central Public Works Department issued instructions to explore technical feasibility to install solar trees in open areas of General Pool Residential Accommodations and General Pool Office Accommodation, Puri told the House on July 3. The solar trees have been installed at National Salt Satyagraha Memorial in Dandi, Gujarat making it a net zero energy project.
More than Rs 3K crore released to construct toilets
The Centre has released Rs 4,820.31 crore for the construction of individual household latrines and public toilets under Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) since 2014. Of this, Rs 3488.69 crore has been released to various states and Union territories, said Puri while replying to a question on details of funds allocated in the last three years.