Latest news with #DBFOT


Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Waste-to-energy plan gets a push after Swachh ranking
Lucknow: Following its third-place ranking in the 'Swachh Shehar' million-plus category of the Swachh Survekshan 2024–25, the city is set to prioritise waste-to-energy (WtE) and sewage treatment initiatives. On her return to the city, Mayor Sushma Kharkwal said the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) would now focus on the scientific management of solid waste through a WtE plant to be set up at Shivri. The facility will convert refuse-derived fuel (RDF) — made from non-recyclable plastics, paper, cardboard and other combustible material — into electricity. "Our first priority is to establish a waste-to-energy plant in the city to tackle the waste in a scientific way," said the mayor. The city generates 1,000–1,200 metric tonnes of RDF daily, much of which is transported to cement factories about 500 km away. The new plant will reduce these high logistic costs by processing RDF locally. It will be a 15 MW RDF-to-electricity facility, proposed under a public-private partnership using the design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) model. The project, estimated at Rs 450 crore, will be developed on 20–25 acres and require about three million litre water per day. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 11 Foods That Help In Healing Knee Pain Naturally Undo The plant, expected to be completed in two years, will generate employment, produce revenue through electricity sale and support carbon credit activities. The mayor emphasised the need to strengthen coordination between the Jal Kal department and LMC to improve the city's sewer infrastructure. "It will curb water pollution," she added. She acknowledged the support of Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, stating that their guidance helped turn cleanliness into a public movement. Ministers A K Sharma and Suresh Khanna were also credited for their contributions. Kharakwal attributed the city's top-three ranking to efforts of govt officials, corporators and citizens. The next goal is to make Lucknow the cleanest city in the country through collective efforts, she said.


Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Karnataka govt tells NTPC to scout entire state for nuclear plant site, rejects initial locations
The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday decided to ask the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) to submit a report after carrying out a study across the state, regarding the location for the proposed nuclear power plant, following which it said it will take a considered view. The cabinet did not agree with three potential sites identified by NTPC to conduct preliminary studies for setting up the nuclear power plant. "In-principle approval was sought to set up a nuclear power plant in the state, along with permission to conduct preliminary studies at potential sites identified by NTPC. They (NTPC) were requesting to study three locations, but the cabinet did not agree with that. We have decided that let them study the whole of the state for possible viable alternatives and submit a report, so that the government of Karnataka will take a considered view," Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said. Speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting, he said, "Now we have agreed that we need to have a nuclear project, but as regards the location is concerned, they have to study all possible alternatives and submit the report and we will take the considered opinion later." The three places suggested were in Vijayapura, Raichur and Koppal district. "They were not considered for various reasons after detailed discussion," he said. Patil said, to promote tourism in the state, it was decided that, the North Karnataka tourist circuit including Hampi-Badami-Aihole-Pattadakallu-Vijayapura will be developed under the DBFOT (Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer) model through Karnataka Tourism Infrastructure Limited at an estimated cost of ₹166.22 crore. Administrative approval was given by the cabinet to undertake 5 years of Operation and Maintenance (O&M) work of the Lift Irrigation Project to fill 126 lakes in Kolar district and Chintamani taluk of Chikkaballapur district with treated wastewater from Bengaluru city at an estimated cost of ₹128.00 crore. Also approved was the purchase of the 32 Mobile Forensic Vehicles (with Fabrication + SOC kits) for the Directorates of Forensic Science Laboratories at a cost of ₹20.40 crore. To develop a new textile park in Raichur taluk, Raichur district, under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model at a total cost of ₹24.50 crore was approved by the cabinet. The cabinet has also decided to merge the Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani (ASU) Drugs Enforcement Division and Testing Laboratory of the Department of AYUSH with the Department of Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA). The establishment of Dr B R Ambedkar Constitution chair in the University of Mysore at an estimated cost of ₹10 crore was also approved.


Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Nuclear power plant: K'taka to ask NTPC to submit report regarding location after carrying out study
Bengaluru, The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday decided to ask the National Thermal Power Corporation to submit a report after carrying out a study across the state, regarding the location for the proposed nuclear power plant, following which it said it will take a considered view. Nuclear power plant: K'taka to ask NTPC to submit report regarding location after carrying out study The cabinet did not agree with three potential sites identified by NTPC to conduct preliminary studies for setting up the nuclear power plant. "In-principle approval was sought to set up a nuclear power plant in the state, along with permission to conduct preliminary studies at potential sites identified by NTPC. They were requesting to study three locations, but the cabinet did not agree with that. We have decided that let them study the whole of the state for possible viable alternatives and submit a report, so that the government of Karnataka will take a considered view," Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said. Speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting, he said, "Now we have agreed that we need to have a nuclear project, but as regards the location is concerned, they have to study all possible alternatives and submit the report and we will take the considered opinion later." The three places suggested were in Vijayapura, Raichur and Koppal district. "They were not considered for various reasons after detailed discussion," he said. Patil said, to promote tourism in the state, it was decided that, the North Karnataka tourist circuit including Hampi-Badami-Aihole-Pattadakallu-Vijayapura will be developed under the DBFOT model through Karnataka Tourism Infrastructure Limited at an estimated cost of ₹2,166.22 crore. Administrative approval was given by the cabinet to undertake 5 years of Operation and Maintenance work of the Lift Irrigation Project to fill 126 lakes in Kolar district and Chintamani taluk of Chikkaballapur district with treated wastewater from Bengaluru city at an estimated cost of ₹128.00 crore. Also approved was the purchase of the 32 Mobile Forensic Vehicles for the Directorates of Forensic Science Laboratories at a cost of ₹2,20,40 crore. To develop a new textile park in Raichur taluk, Raichur district, under Public-Private Partnership model at a total cost of ₹24.50 crore was approved by the cabinet. The cabinet has also decided to merge the Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani Drugs Enforcement Division and Testing Laboratory of the Department of AYUSH with the Department of Food Safety and Drug Administration . The establishment of Dr B R Ambedkar Constitution chair in the University of Mysore at an estimated cost of ₹10 crore was also approved. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.


Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Nuclear power plant: Karnataka to ask NTPC to submit report regarding location after carrying out study
The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday decided to ask the National Thermal Power Corporation ( NTPC ) to submit a report after carrying out a study across the state, regarding the location for the proposed nuclear power plant , following which it said it will take a considered view. The cabinet did not agree with three potential sites identified by NTPC to conduct preliminary studies for setting up the nuclear power plant. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Public Policy CXO Others Cybersecurity Degree Technology Management Artificial Intelligence Leadership Operations Management MCA Finance Product Management Data Science Data Science others Healthcare PGDM Data Analytics Digital Marketing Design Thinking MBA healthcare Project Management Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Months IIM Calcutta Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Economics for Public Policy Making Quantitative Techniques Public & Project Finance Law, Health & Urban Development Policy Duration: 12 Months IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate Programme in Public Policy Management Starts on Mar 3, 2024 Get Details "In-principle approval was sought to set up a nuclear power plant in the state, along with permission to conduct preliminary studies at potential sites identified by NTPC. They (NTPC) were requesting to study three locations, but the cabinet did not agree with that. We have decided that let them study the whole of the state for possible viable alternatives and submit a report, so that the government of Karnataka will take a considered view," Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elegant New Scooters For Seniors In 2024: The Prices May Surprise You Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Learn More Undo Speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting, he said, "Now we have agreed that we need to have a nuclear project, but as regards the location is concerned, they have to study all possible alternatives and submit the report and we will take the considered opinion later." The three places suggested were in Vijayapura, Raichur and Koppal district. "They were not considered for various reasons after detailed discussion," he said. Live Events Patil said, to promote tourism in the state, it was decided that, the North Karnataka tourist circuit including Hampi-Badami-Aihole-Pattadakallu-Vijayapura will be developed under the DBFOT (Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer) model through Karnataka Tourism Infrastructure Limited at an estimated cost of Rs 166.22 crore. Administrative approval was given by the cabinet to undertake 5 years of Operation and Maintenance (O&M) work of the Lift Irrigation Project to fill 126 lakes in Kolar district and Chintamani taluk of Chikkaballapur district with treated wastewater from Bengaluru city at an estimated cost of Rs 128.00 crore. Also approved was the purchase of the 32 Mobile Forensic Vehicles (with Fabrication + SOC kits) for the Directorates of Forensic Science Laboratories at a cost of Rs 20.40 crore. To develop a new textile park in Raichur taluk, Raichur district, under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model at a total cost of Rs 24.50 crore was approved by the cabinet. The cabinet has also decided to merge the Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani (ASU) Drugs Enforcement Division and Testing Laboratory of the Department of AYUSH with the Department of Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA). The establishment of Dr B R Ambedkar Constitution chair in the University of Mysore at an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore was also approved. PTI


Mint
6 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Aim for the long haul: Frame a ropeway policy in aid of urban mobility
From connecting tea gardens in Darjeeling in 1968 and India's first bi-cable gondola-style ride for tourists in Mussoorie in 1971, ropeways have evolved into a viable mode of public transport. Compared to traditional transit systems, they require minimal land acquisition and emit less carbon than electric buses. While their relatively low capacity, typically 2,500 to 4,500 passengers per hour (for mono-cable detachable gondolas) limits them from replacing metro systems, they excel in medium-density corridors and last-mile connectivity; they can thus be integrated with other public transit networks. According to Rajaji Meshram of the Infravision Foundation, in comparison the per-kilometre cost of metro construction ranges from ₹200 crore to ₹600 crore, making it one of the most expensive public transport investments. Ridership levels in metros often fall short of projected estimates across most cities. Nearly 70% of potential metro users cite inadequate links with stations as a deterrent. Also Read: Break the gridlock: Yes, there is a way out of the urban maze of jammed streets The Indian government's Parvatmala Pariyojna, billed as the world's largest ropeway project, envisages spending ₹1.25 trillion in public-private partnership (PPP) mode over five years till 2030 to build 200 ropeway projects spanning over 1,200km in length. The aim is to provide cheaper connectivity in hilly tourist zones and decongest traffic. Early pilots such as the Varanasi Urban Ropeway and Shimla multi-line project have shown promise. The ground reality of multiple government agencies: India's ropeway sector currently suffers from an unclear and fragmented institutional structure, with multiple government agencies like the departments of tourism, forest, public works and urban local bodies hindering urban adoption. The 1.8km Guwahati-Umananda ropeway, for example, took a long time to move from concept to execution, mired as it was in archaeological permissions and inter-departmental conflicts. But it has been running smoothly since 2020, says Guwahati entrepreneur Shyamkanu Mahanta. Also Read: India's growth and urban planning: On different planets We have no national policy that explicitly promotes ropeways as a solution for urban congestion. While the Parvatmala Pariyojana has sparked interest, its focus is largely on tourism and hilly terrain, not urban areas. The absence of a clear roadmap is reflected in the project's design frameworks. While the government has proposed a model concession agreement based on the design-build-finance-operate-transfer (DBFOT) model, recent pilot projects, such as the Varanasi ropeway, are being developed under the hybrid annuity model (HAM). Unlike DBFOT, HAM offers a more balanced risk-sharing structure, with the government funding a portion of the capital cost and making annual payments. This approach is especially relevant for urban ropeways, which often serve financially sensitive corridors where farebox revenue alone may not guarantee viability. Designed primarily for public transit rather than tourism, HAM prioritizes affordability, multi-modal integration and last-mile connectivity over financial returns. It scores well on long-term sustainability. Overhead opportunity: India must adopt a National Ropeway Mobility Policy under the ministry of housing and urban affairs and integrate ropeways with flagship programmes like Amrut, Smart Cities and Gati Shakti. The policy should clarify institutional roles, enable single-window approvals and set clear safety and design standards. States must incorporate ropeways into urban mobility and development plans, with Unified Metropolitan Transport Authorities overseeing multimodal integration. A dedicated national safety authority is also critical to regulate operations. Also Read: Hold tight, a global metro railway boom has only just begun Financially, ropeways should be reclassified under the 'transport and logistics' category in the Harmonised Master List of infrastructure to unlock priority lending and viability gap funding. A standard HAM model tailored for urban contexts, along with state-specific frameworks, can attract private investment. Additionally, ropeways should be given access to the Urban Challenge Fund, which supports pilot projects in cities with topographical or congestion challenges. Linking funding with outcomes like ridership and emissions reduction will ensure impact. Domestic ropeway manufacturing under 'Make in India' can reduce imports and create jobs. With over half of India expected to live in cities by 2050, urban ropeways need the right policy support and a bold shift in mindset to fulfil their potential. The author is a senior journalist and head, advocacy, The Infravision Foundation.