logo
MCD panel clears key infrastructure and civic projects, ETInfra

MCD panel clears key infrastructure and civic projects, ETInfra

Time of India17-07-2025
Advt
Advt
The standing committee ofon Wednesday approved several infrastructure and civic projects, which were pending due to its non-formation for over two years. The projects included construction of an ingesta plant at the Ghazipur slaughterhouse for processing paunch waste and a dedicated automated parking at Bharat Darshan Park, phase-wise replacement and maintenance of LED public lights in four zones, comprehensive maintenance of 24 mechanical road sweepers and procurement of 17 backhoe loaders for better sanitation services in four zones.The committee gave the nod to the rate and the agency for the construction of a multilevel puzzle parking for 188 vehicles at Bharat Darshan Park. "Equipped with advanced technology, the facility at such a high-footfall tourist destination will help regulate traffic and provide relief to visitors," said standing committee chairman Satya Sharma. The agency will be responsible for the installation, testing, commissioning, operation and maintenance of the parking for 10 years. The ₹31.6-crore project will be completed in 12 months.Sharma called the approval for the ingesta or dung processing plant at the Ghazipur slaughterhouse a significant step towards cleanliness and environmental protection. In May 2022, the slaughterhouse was shut down after Delhi Pollution Control Committee withdrew its consent for operation, referring to a National Green Tribunal order and the violation of norms. On July 6, 2022, DPCC permitted the abattoir to reopen on NGT's directive to fulfil norms in a time-bound manner, including the installation of the ingesta and RO plants.The concessionaire has installed the RO plant on a public-private partnership model. After multiple efforts, MCD identified an agency for running the ingesta plant last year. "But the project was costing around ₹6 crore and needed approval from the standing committee," said an official.A comprehensive proposal to replace approximately four lakh LED lights on streets, parks, etc., in a phased manner across Central, South, West and Najafgarh zones was also approved with conditions. The proposal, costing ₹1,144.3 crore, also includes the operation and maintenance of these lights for 10 years. It received the administrative approval and expenditure sanction in an MCD house meeting earlier. However, it needed a final nod from the standing committee for finalising the rate and the agency.A proposal related to strengthening the sanitation system and improving garbage collection in Central zone for six months and another for procuring 17 backhoe loaders for West, Najafgarh, Central and South zones were also passed.A decision to extend the service of 11 NGOs to manage 12 cremation grounds was approved. "A decision has been taken to extend their agreement till December 31, 2026," MCD stated. The standing committee also okayed the site regarding the development and construction of a DTC depot at the Hari Nagar facility.>
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Donald Trump tariffs: Possible alternatives for India to replace Russian oil imports
Donald Trump tariffs: Possible alternatives for India to replace Russian oil imports

Hindustan Times

time5 hours ago

  • Hindustan Times

Donald Trump tariffs: Possible alternatives for India to replace Russian oil imports

India, which gets more than a third of its oil imports from Russia, is likely to turn to supplies from the Middle East and Africa and other regions if it is forced to cut Russian imports due to possible US penalties. US President Donald Trump has slapped an additional 25 per cent tariff on goods coming from India as penalty for New Delhi's continued buying of Russian oil.(PTI) WHY IS INDIA IMPORTING RUSSIAN OIL? India turned to purchasing Russian oil sold at a discount after Western countries imposed sanctions on Moscow and shunned its supplies over its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russia has become the top supplier to India, accounting for about 35% of India's overall supplies, up from less than 2% before the war in Ukraine. Global crude prices surged to $137 per barrel on supply shortage fears in the wake of the Western-led sanctions before stabilising. The discounted Russian crude has reduced Indian refiners' costs. India imports more than 85% of its oil needs. HOW MUCH RUSSIAN OIL DOES INDIA BUY? The world's third biggest oil importer and consumer received about 1.75 million barrels per day of Russian oil in the first half of this year, up 1% from a year ago, trade data showed. While Indian state refiners buy Russian oil from traders, private refiners Nayara Energy and Reliance Industries Ltd, operator of the world's largest refining complex, have long-term supply deals with Rosneft. WHY DOES TRUMP WANT INDIA TO CUT RUSSIAN OIL IMPORTS? US President Donald Trump has said he would raise the tariff charged on goods imported from India substantially from 25%, in view of New Delhi's continued purchases of Russian oil. He has warned that countries purchasing Russian exports could face sanctions if Russia fails to reach a peace deal with Ukraine. New Delhi has resisted the pressure, citing its longstanding ties with Russia and its economic needs. However, the country's state refiners have paused buying Russian oil. WHAT ARE INDIA'S OPTIONS IF IT CAN'T BUY RUSSIAN OIL? Besides Russia, India buys oil from Iraq - its top supplier before the war in Ukraine followed by Saudi Arabia - and the United Arab Emirates. Indian refiners mostly buy oil from Middle Eastern producers under annual deals with the flexibility to request more supply every month. Since Trump's sanctions warning, the refiners have bought crude from the United States, Middle East, West Africa, and Azerbaijan. India has diversified its sources of supply to about 40 countries, oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri says, adding that more supply is coming onto the market from Guyana, Brazil and Canada.

What are MALE drones that India plans to build?
What are MALE drones that India plans to build?

First Post

time7 hours ago

  • First Post

What are MALE drones that India plans to build?

The Defence Ministry has given the green light for around 90 medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drones to be procured. The decision, which comes in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, will see an Indian company build these drones indigenously while tying up with a foreign firm. But what do we know about these drones? read more The decision was taken by the Rajnath Singh-led Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) as part of a larger 67,000 crore modernisation package. Firstpost India is making grand plans for drones. The Defence Ministry has given the green light for around 90 heavy duty armed drones to be procured. The decision comes in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, which India launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Not only that, India also plans to build these drones indigenously. But what happened? What do we know about these medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drones? Let's take a closer look What we know India's defence ministry has approved the acquisition of 87 such drones. The decision was taken by the Rajnath Singh-led Defence Acquisition Council (DAC). It was part of a larger 67,000 crore modernisation package approved by the DAC. The other acquisitions include BrahMos systems, mountain radars, night sights for BMPs (infantry fighting vehicles) and compact autonomous surface craft. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The drones will be purchased at a price of rupees 20,000 crores under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Make in India initiative. The deal will see an Indian company tie up with a foreign firm. The drones will be produced with an indigenous content of 60 per cent, those in the know said. The drones can stay in the air for a longer time than its competitors. They are remotely piloted and can also several payloads and weapons. The drones will have advanced surveillance and combat capabilities. This includes giving real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) in all types of terrain. An Indian Army soldier uses a drone to keep vigil near the Line of Control (LoC). PTI These drones must be able to remain in the air for over 30 hours. They must also be able to achieve a maximum altitude of at least 35,000 feet. The government has said the induction of these drones will increase the ability of the Indian Armed Forces to carry out around-the-clock surveillance on India's borders. It will also give a boost to the armed forces' combat capabilities. Why was this decision taken? A senior official told The Times of India that the need for the drones and other weapons was felt during Operation Sindoor. India had launched Operation Sindoor on 7 and 8 May in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in April. All three Indian services needed the equipment, the official said. 'The 87 drones, with ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) and weapon-carrying capability, will cost around Rs 20,000 crore. Another Rs 11,000 crore will be for logistical and other support by the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) for 10 years,' the official added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A resident inspects the debris of his house that was destroyed by Pakistani artillery shelling at the Lagama village in Uri, about 100 km from Srinagar, on May 9. Pakistan launched a swarm of drones and missiles on India in retaliation to Operation Sindoor. AFP 'The induction of MALE class drones will enhance the surveillance capabilities of all three services, especially the Indian Air Force to monitor the Eastern and Western Border,' an official previously told The Hindu. India hopes to induct these MALE drones ahead of the Predator drones it ordered from the US last year. Those drones will only be delivered by 2029-2030. The Indian Navy in January 2024 had received its first indigenously-made MALE drones. Those drones were manufactured in Hyderabad under a tie-up between Adani Defene and Israeli firm Elbit. The MALE drones, known as the Drishti 10 StarLiner, can remain in the air for 36 hours, have satellite connectivity and can carry a 450 kilo payload. They are based on the Hermes 900 Starliner made by Elbit. The Indian Army and Indian Navy each inducted two drones. A source had said that the indigenous content for the drones stood at 70 per cent. The Indian Armed Forces at the time said it was looking to purchase around 150 MALE drones. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies

Price cap, not a ban: Donald Trump's tariff threats contradict US 2022 sanctions policy on Russian oil
Price cap, not a ban: Donald Trump's tariff threats contradict US 2022 sanctions policy on Russian oil

Mint

time7 hours ago

  • Mint

Price cap, not a ban: Donald Trump's tariff threats contradict US 2022 sanctions policy on Russian oil

In a pointed warning on 4 August, US president Donald Trump threatened to impose 'substantial' tariffs on India for 'profiting' from fuel exports refined from Russian crude. The Republican also imposed a 25% tariff on Indian defence and energy imports from Moscow—reigniting scrutiny over Washington's approach to Russian oil and the global energy market. Yet experts and former diplomats argue Donald Trump's stance is at odds with the very framework of the US-led sanctions on Russian oil, introduced in December 2022—not a ban, but a price cap, designed to curb Kremlin revenues while keeping energy flowing to global markets. Contrary to Donald Trump's sweeping rhetoric, the US and its G7 allies did not impose a blanket ban on Russian crude. Instead, they introduced a $60 per barrel price cap on seaborne Russian oil—only when transported using Western shipping or insurance services. This cap aimed to squeeze Russian revenues without triggering a global energy shock. The policy explicitly allows non-participating countries—such as India—to buy Russian crude at any price as long as they do not use Western maritime services. The price cap was designed to ensure oil kept flowing into the global market, keeping inflation in check while still limiting Moscow's profits from the war in Ukraine. As such, the sanctions regime does not prohibit India from purchasing Russian oil—nor does it justify punitive tariffs based solely on such trade. However, as European and Western markets began phasing out Russian energy, Moscow started offering steep discounts on its crude. Within months, Russia became India's top crude oil supplier, displacing West Asian exporters. Today, Russian crude accounts for roughly 35–40% of India's total oil imports by volume. In May 2024, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti openly acknowledged that India's purchases aligned with Western strategy. 'Actually, they bought Russian oil because we wanted somebody to buy Russian oil at a price cap… That was the design of the policy,' Garcetti said. In 2024, then US Treasury Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy Eric Van Nostrand had said that the objective of the sanctions and G7 price cap regime was not to push Russian crude out of the market, but to keep it flowing while limiting the Kremlin's revenue from oil exports, which in turn impaired Russia's ability to fund the war in Ukraine. Donald Trump's latest threats and framing suggest that countries importing Russian oil are undermining Western efforts to end the war in Ukraine. But this overlooks the deliberately calibrated nature of the sanctions framework introduced by his own country's government. The aim of the 2022 price cap wasn't to shut off Russian oil exports entirely—it was to maintain global supply while reducing Kremlin revenue. Trump's claim that India is 'profiting' off the conflict ignores this policy nuance, and glosses over the fact that many countries, including the US itself, continue to import certain Russian goods—from uranium to fertilisers. No, not under the current regime. India is not part of the G7 or the price cap coalition, and it does not use Western shipping or insurance for these purchases. Therefore, it is under no obligation to adhere to the $60 per barrel ceiling. By promising tariffs on India's imports and exports linked to Russian oil, Donald Trump may be risking a diplomatic flashpoint with a key strategic partner. His position also conflicts with the nuanced sanctions policy still upheld by the US and its allies. India, for its part, has defended its energy strategy, stating that its imports from Russia began only after traditional suppliers were diverted to European markets. Donald Trump's latest salvo may appeal to his political base, but it fails to acknowledge the mechanics of global oil trade and the purposefully limited scope of the 2022 sanctions.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store