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Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Overall area of water bodies along four key lakes in Ahmedabad has reduced by 46%, says report, points out ‘lack of water sensitivity in statutory plans'
While there has been much talk over the status of redevelopment in their surrounding areas, the overall area of water bodies along four prominent lakes in Ahmedabad — Vastrapur, Memnagar, Thaltej and Sola — has reduced by almost 46%, according to a report by the Keshav Varma-led High-Level Committee (HLC) on Urban Planning under Urban Development and Urban Housing Department, government of Gujarat, released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday. Analysing the changes in lake land cover following the Lake Redevelopment and Interlinking of Lakes (LRIL) project, the report reveals that the redevelopment, in most cases, has happened by reclamation of lake land, effectively reducing the overall water spread of the lake. 'Lakes like Thaltej and Sola are still under threat due to encroachment because of lack of interventions,' the report added. Pointing out that often, lake redevelopment projects proposed with the goal of conserving them 'resulted in dried-up lakes', the report stressed that this was largely because of the vision of redeveloping the waterbody (mostly for placemaking) while ignoring its catchment, i.e., the streams that carry water to the lake and other green and grey infrastructure around the lakes. The section on water-sensitive urban planning by Professor Mona Iyer, CEPT University, with inputs from Prakash Datta, officer on special duty (OSD), Urban Development and Urban Housing Department; D P Desai, Chief Executive Authority of Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA); and Harpal Dave, Convenor, HLC Gujarat, highlighted, '47 per cent of new development in Ahmedabad is sited on high and very high recharge potential zone' as 'built up area in Ahmedabad increased by 46 per cent in the 0-50 km region between 2000 and 2015'. Urban natural water systems—such as rivers, wetlands, ponds, and groundwater—offer a range of essential ecosystem services that contribute to the health and well-being of urban environments. '83 per cent of urban water bodies in Gujarat are being used for groundwater recharge (NIUA, 2023). In the census of water bodies, 54,069 water bodies have been enumerated, out of which 98.3% (53,156) are in rural areas and the remaining 1.7% (913) are in urban areas. Out of these urban water bodies, 800 are natural and 113 are human-made. (MoJS, 2023),' states the first-of-its-kind exercise of census of water bodies, conducted in 2018-19 and published in 2023. Highlighting the role of and challenges faced by urban water systems and their planning, the report has listed the case study of Vastrapur lake and smaller lakes around it. A comparative analysis of aerial imagery from 2000, the proposed Town planning scheme (TPS) Bodakdev 1B, and aerial imagery from 2020 of Vastrapur lake reveals a declining trend in blue cover, highlighting the rapid loss of water bodies due to unregulated urban development. 'In the 2000 aerial image, the lake is prominently visible. However, in TPS Bodakdev 1B, the lake was appropriated, its land use reclassified, and a proposal for Socially and Economically Weaker Sections (SEWS) housing was introduced. Further analysis of the 2020 aerial imagery shows that a haat (marketplace) had been constructed on the site, completely replacing the lake,' the report stated. 'This case clearly demonstrates how statutory plans often lack water sensitivity, facilitating the conversion of water bodies into developable land and ultimately leading to their disappearance. The water bodies vanished as they were not recognised in the statutory plan. Champal talavadi labelled as a water body in the TP scheme. Dhoyu Talaavdi labelled as a neighbourhood centre. Both the erstwhile water bodies are now filled and developed as a land parcel,' it added. Terming the LRIL, which started in 2003, as a 'good initiative with mixed impacts', the report pointed out that it was a result of four triggers — climate extremes, groundwater depletion, lake encroachment, and civic activism and judicial intervention. Mapping of lakes is among the foremost steps towards their conservation; it is a quintessential element of their identification, the report stated. Several lakes have been lost due to oversight in notifying them, the report has pointed out. What should be taken care of during redevelopment, according to the report: -Mapping of the streams should be an integral part of the plan-making process. -Conservation of streams will help ensure water in the lakes and prevent urban flooding. -Statutory plans should recognise the streams that need to be conserved and make relevant proposals. -The extent of conservation measures should be determined by the stream order. -Authorities and developers should ensure that the flow of the streams is not restricted by development. Any linear, public infrastructure cutting across water channels should be retrofitted to allow unhindered passage of water. For example, stretches of roads cutting across the streams should be provided with culverts to allow unhindered flow of water. – (Appointment of) An officer in charge (catchment management authority/officer) or creation of task force/ water management services department, directly reporting to the Municipal Commissioner and District Collector. Or, specially created water systems cells for their respective administrative jurisdiction that would be responsible for periodic survey and record verification of demarcated water bodies. -Any re-engineering of the demarcated streams or lakes should be done with the permission of the officer-in-charge. -All water bodies to be given high priority and attention. A state-level empowered committee chaired by the Principal Secretary (Urban Development) should take decisions in case of any disputes in the demarcated water bodies. The committee should include urban planners, environment engineers, hydrologists, geologists, and other invited subject experts as per context-specific requirements.
Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
37 out of 172 water bodies in Ahmedabad have ‘vanished': Civic body report
As demolitions and evictions at Chandola Lake brought the spotlight back on lakes, an internal report of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has claimed that of the 172 water bodies in the city, 37 have 'vanished'. The Indian Express, which has accessed this report, visited some of the sites where once there were lakes, only to find private and government buildings on them now. The AMC report seems in line with the report of a High Level Committee (HLC) on Urban Planning under the Urban Development and Urban Housing department that was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Gujarat in May. While citing examples of 'vanished' lakes in Ahmedabad, the HLC report suggests, 'Authorities and developers should ensure that the flow of the streams is not restricted by development. Any linear, public infrastructure cutting across water channels should be retrofitted to allow unhindered passage of water.' The HLC report, which tackles various issue related to urban development in the state, points out that the overall area of water bodies along four lakes — Vastrapur, Memnagar, Thaltej and Sola — in Ahmedabad 'has reduced by almost 46 per cent'. Highlighting the role of and challenges faced by urban water systems and their planning, the report has listed the case study of Vastrapur lake and smaller lakes around it. A comparative analysis, for instance: the aerial imagery from 2000, and 2020 of Vastrapur lake, indicates a declining trend in blue-cover, highlighting the rapid loss of water bodies due to unregulated urban development. 'In the 2000 aerial image, the lake is prominently visible. However, in TPS (Town Planning Scheme) Bodakdev 1B, the lake was appropriated, its land use reclassified, and a proposal for Socially and Economically Weaker Sections (SEWS) housing was introduced. Further analysis of the 2020 aerial imagery shows that a haat (marketplace) had been constructed on the site, completely replacing the lake. This case clearly demonstrates how statutory plans often lack water sensitivity, facilitating the conversion of water bodies into developable land and ultimately leading to their disappearance', the report states. According to this report, the water bodies vanished because they were not recognised in the statutory plan, citing more cases in the city. The HLC report, in its list of suggestions, also states that mapping of streams should be 'integral to plan-making'. The AMC's internal report mentions that an unnamed lake in Thaltej not only has on it a residential society, but also a water distribution centre of the civic body. When asked about the encroachment on the lakes, an AMC official said, 'In places where buildings have come up, we are taking a call on a case-by-case basis after sending proposals to the state government. This is a policy matter.
Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
49% posts vacant across urban development authorities in Gujarat
At 49.49 per cent, a significant share of sanctioned planning posts across Urban Development Authorities (UDAs) and Area Development Authorities (ADAs) are lying vacant in Gujarat. Of the total 683 posts on deputation and 457 regular posts sanctioned in the Town Planning and Valuation Department (TPVD), 439 and 125, respectively, are vacant. Lower-level positions, such as Junior Town Planners and Planning Assistants, have the highest vacancies, revealed a report by a high-level committee (HLC) on urban planning under the Urban Development and Urban Housing Department, released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday. 'In view of the rapid urban and economic transformation in Gujarat, the capacity of planning and governance in Urban Development Authorities needs to be scaled up and professionalised. Analysis of the current sanctioned planning capacity and required capacity shows a gap in the projected demand and current supply. It is estimated that urban Gujarat would require between 1,300-2,100 planners by 2047 to cater to the projected urban population,' the report highlights. Taking into consideration the current vacancy rates across planning departments and future demand for higher number of urban planners, the HLC pointed out to the need to 'incrementally bridge the demand-supply gap'. 'It is recommended that the government streamline the hiring processes in the constituted urban and area development authorities and expedite the filling of vacancies and strengthen urban planning capacities,' it suggested. Among key steps, the HLC has suggested mapping of sanctioned versus filled posts across all UDAs and ADAs, prioritising recruitment in high-growth regions and under-capacitated authorities and establishing a state-level monitoring cell within the Urban Development department to track recruitment progress and address systemic hiring delays. 'The growing scale and complexity of Gujarat's urban transformation driven by high-speed rail, Special Investment Regions (SIRs), smart cities, and large-scale infrastructure indicate that the present structure of the TPVD may require creation of new verticals within the department focused on regional zones and special infrastructure projects,' it further stated. To effectively steer the urban transformation envisioned under the Viksit Gujarat 2047, there is a long-term need for enhanced institutional capacity of the TPVD, the HLC suggested. The TPVD is the main technical wing of the state government for urban planning and works under the Urban Development and Urban Housing Department of the Gujarat government, with the Chief Town Planner (CTP) as head of the department and its jurisdiction covering the entire state. The main aim of the department is to secure a well-balanced and planned development of the major urban centres of the state as well as small and medium towns. The HLC has also proposed the Gujarat State Urban Observatory (G-SUO) to be housed within the TPVD and operated under the strategic oversight of the Additional Chief Town Planner (Research). The state urban observatory aims at serving as a statewide urban intelligence network responsible for producing, managing and disseminating high-quality urban data expected to support evidence-based decision-making and policy design for the state government and urban local bodies through a knowledge repository system that it builds.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
City Council approves $40K Liquor Commission settlement
Litigation involving the Honolulu Liquor Commission and one of its former investigators who claimed discrimination, harassment and a hostile work environment based on his sexual orientation while working for the agency has advanced toward a settlement. Without discussion or public comment, the Honolulu City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to adopt the city's request to authorize the agreement for Jhumar Ray Waite, with the city agency solely charged with the power and authority to grant licenses for the manufacture, import or sale of liquor within the city and county. James DiPasquale, Waite's attorney, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser his client will receive $40, 000 from the city as part of the agreement. 'It just resolves this simple case, ' he added. The mayor's office also confirmed the Waite settlement. 'The city determined that the settlement amount was reasonable when compared to the anticipated costs of continued litigation, ' Ian Scheuring, the mayor's deputy communications director, told the Star-Advertiser. 'In exchange for the monetary settlement, the plaintiff agreed to release and dismiss with prejudice all claims against the City and the Hono lulu Liquor Commission.' Filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii in 2023, Waite's complaint had named HLC investigators Jacob Fears, Catherine Fontaine and Glen Nishigata as defendants in the case. The litigation alleged the trio, in their official and individual capacities, violated portions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as well as state laws related to discrimination against Waite. Waite—who had worked as a Honolulu liquor investigator starting in 2022 but later resigned—is gay and Filipino, the complaint stated. 'I think it is an appropriate agreement under the circumstances, ' DiPasquale said, adding that his client wanted to settle the case out of court. 'I think he was actually tired of the media. I think he was tired of the attention. He was very stressed. He wanted this to go away.' Meanwhile, the city's prior legal battle against Waite had amassed more legal fees for its hired law firm. In October the city requested the Council adopt Resolution 249, which sought an additional $115, 000 be appropriated to pay Kobayashi Sugita &Goda LLC to defend the city against the Waite civil lawsuit. On Oct. 9 the Council unanimously granted the city's funding request. The trial for Waite's civil litigation was set to begin in April, city officials said. Waite's jettisoned lawsuit follows a related 2021 federal complaint by a Chinatown nightclub and a guide to the islands catering to the LGBTQ + community that also led to a final settlement with the city in December, also involving DiPasquale as the plaintiff's attorney. That settlement agreement saw plaintiffs Scarlet Honolulu Inc. and Gay Island Guide LLC—who alleged anti -gay discrimination by investigators working for the HLC—receive $670, 000, and require mandated federal court oversight, among other reforms. Originally, the complaint had named two liquor commission investigators—Fears and Fontaine—who, along with other investigators working for the city, allegedly engaged in an 'ongoing campaign of unlawful, unconstitutional, and highly discriminatory anti-gay harassment of Scarlet, Gay Island Guide, and generally, the Honolulu LGBTQ + community ' that lasted more than six years, according to the complaint and attorney DiPasquale. After the city sought a motion to dismiss the Scarlet case in 2024, Chief U.S. District Judge Derrick K. Watson on Aug. 3, 2023, issued a 38-page order allowing the case to proceed to a bench trial. But the judge's prior ruling dismissed all claims against the two investigators, Fears and Fontaine, in their official capacities. Terms of the agreement involved changes to how Liquor Commission investigators operate as well as quarterly monitoring and reporting required to the court to oversee the status of implementation of those changes. This week, DiPasquale said his clients in the Scarlet case were also monitoring HLC and its supposed reforms. 'They got an opportunity to work with the new commissioner on a number of different things, ' he added, 'and they're happy with what they view as a legitimate desire to move things in the right direction.' Previously, Liquor Commission Administrator Sal Petilos told the Star -Advertiser his agency's reform efforts included a reorganization of the HLC's field services branch, increased and enhanced training for staff, and more funding for new applications and technologies to create the 'randomization of routine inspection and geolocation history data ' to deter bias among HLC investigators tasked with inspecting liquor-licensed businesses on Oahu. And as of May 1, HLC initiated a body-worn camera pilot program as a trial to document investigators' interactions with the licensed community, according to an agency news release. 'The intent is to increase transparency and accountability while building public trust and confidence in the Honolulu Liquor Commission, ' the April 17 release states. 'For the duration of the pilot program, no information collected will be used to issue warnings, violations, or any type of regulatory response.'
STV News
23-04-2025
- Climate
- STV News
£22m leisure centre roof damaged in Storm Eowyn remains 'fragile'
Helensburgh Leisure Centre's roof has been described as 'fragile', while 'a number of options for consideration' will be put before councillors. The £22m waterfront leisure centre and swimming pool, which only opened in 2022, sustained 'extensive wind and rainwater damage' during the strong winds, with debris left strewn across the streets. A report by Argyll and Bute Council's policy lead for finance and commercial services has detailed the effects of Storm Eowyn across the area. Councillor Ross Moreland (Liberal Democrat, Dunoon) said that work was ongoing to identify a solution at the leisure centre after the storm on January 24. The details are given in a report which will go before the full council at its meeting on Thursday, April 24. Councillor Moreland said: 'Following the devastating effects of Storm Eowyn on January 24, property services have been working hard to assist with the recovery work across the council estate, which saw over 100 incidents logged with the team. 'The majority of incidents related to roof damage, broken windows, water ingress, electrical issues and fallen debris, but there was notable damage to a number of buildings including Park Primary School, Glencruitten Hostel, Struan Lodge and Helensburgh Leisure Centre (HLC). 'With regard to HLC, the building has sustained extensive wind and rainwater damage. It has a fragile roof and to ensure public safety a cordon has been put in place around it. 'Works have been undertaken since then to make the building wind and water tight through the installation of waterproof membrane and a rainwater capture system. 'Survey work is also underway and the council is working with its insurer to inform the development of a strategy for a permanent design solution. 'Following this work a report will be prepared for council setting out a number of options for consideration. Live Argyll have put in place alternative arrangements to provide temporary gym facilities at Helensburgh Library (available since February 19) with the library re-locating to Hermitage Park Pavilion. 'I would like to thank all the staff at Live Argyll for their hard work and quick response in restarting the gym facilities as quickly as possible.' Planning permission was recently awarded for the gym and library to remain in their current premises for up to three years. However, no date has been identified for when the leisure centre could reopen. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
