Latest news with #Mahakumbh2025
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Prayagraj's British-era Mayo Hall Sports Complex gets facade glow-up
The historical building from the British rule era, Mayo Hall Sports Complex, has joined the list of monuments and buildings that have been decorated with facade lighting—an effort to boost the tourism potential of the city—after Prayagraj witnessed an unprecedented 66 crore visitor footfall from across the world during the recently concluded Mahakumbh 2025. According to regional tourism officer Aparajita Singh, the façade lighting for the sports complex—one of the oldest in the country built by the British—was planned for the financial year 2024–25. However, owing to excessive work and crowd pressure during Mahakumbh 2025, the same could not be completed in the last financial year, she added. As per Singh, the tourism department had got facade lights installed at the giant structure under the Mahakumbh scheme last month, after which its maintenance was handed over to the UP Project Corporation. The bill for the power consumed by it would be paid by the Sports Complex authorities. According to project manager, UP Project Corporation, Prayagraj region, Rajesh Sharma, the tourism department handed over the maintenance of the facade lights installed on Mayo Hall Sports Complex to the Project Corporation this month. As per Sharma, several other sites in Prayagraj are also on the list to be illuminated with façade lights before the 2031 Kumbh Mela, some of which include Victoria Memorial, Allahabad Museum, Minto Park, Chowk Clock Tower, etc. The facade lighting on Mayo Hall Sports Complex was carried out with a budget of ₹1.95 crore. It may be mentioned that before Mahakumbh 2025—organised between January 13 and February 26, 2025—several ancient temples and buildings, besides the New Yamuna Bridge, were decorated with façade lighting. These include Nagvasuki Temple, Shankar Viman Mandapam, Maa Alopshankari Temple, Akbar's Fort, New Yamuna Bridge, Shastri Bridge, etc.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Tackle plastic pollution on all fronts
Managing plastic has become one of the most pressing environmental issues of our times. And the theme of this year's World Environment Day, Beat Plastic Pollution, has reiterated this crisis. According to a 2024 report published in Nature, India is responsible for one-fifth of global plastic emissions. Clearly, as a nation we need to drive stronger action for plastic collection and disposal. But the fight against plastic is not one we can win alone. This fight is a shared responsibility one that demands the active participation of various stakeholders, including citizens, governments, and corporates. Corporate action – leading with purpose is key. The good news is that many are already doing so across industries, from FMCG to mining. Let's evaluate how good their fight is and if others can join in. Every time plastic waste is processed instead of being dumped or buried, greenhouse gases (GHGs) get reduced. Hyundai Motor India Foundation is redefining circular waste management with its flagship project, EcoGram, in Gurugram. The facility processes over 2,000 kg of wet waste and 5,000 kg of dry waste daily, converting organic matter into biogas and electricity and routing recyclables for reuse. Ecogram has made a measurable environmental impact through the reduction of landfill-generated GHGs by preventing over 1.44 lakh kg of CO₂ emissions since 2022. EcoGram is more than a facility; it's a decentralised movement from waste to renewable energy. Through such innovation, even discarded plastic gets a second chance to fight for the planet. The test of a corporate's resolve to fight plastic pollution can be gauged from the strategy it follows to tackle the issue. Applying this yardstick, ITC stands out as a leader in sustainability. What sets it apart is the adoption of a multidimensional plastic management strategy and successfully integrating it with its business operations. For instance, the company has created sustainable packaging alternatives through a No Plastic, Better Plastic, and Less Plastic approach. The company has been plastic neutral for four consecutive years. It's Well-Being Out of Waste (WOW) programme has engaged 29 million citizens, 7.1 million schoolchildren and over 2,240 corporates. WOW has enabled sustainable livelihoods for over 17,900 waste collectors and fostered 150 social entrepreneurs. In 2024-25 alone, 61,700 tonnes of dry waste were collected from towns and cities across India. What better platform than the Mahakumbh 2025 to spotlight plastic sustainability through messages as well as through actions? As part of its Maidaan Saaf campaign, Coca-Cola India produced and distributed 21,500 recycled PET jackets to sanitation workers, boatmen, and waste management volunteers. These jackets highlighted the transformative potential of recycled plastic, urging attendees to see value in waste. The company installed 1,000 changing rooms for women, built entirely from recycled multi-layered plastic. In addition, reverse vending machines (RVMs) were deployed at key locations such as railway stations and food courts in Prayagraj to further drive PET recycling. In the rugged mining belt of Chitradurga, Karnataka, Vedanta Sesa Goa is rewriting the playbook on industrial sustainability. Its site has been certified Single-Use Plastic Free, thanks to a series of eco-conscious steps. Apart from reducing harmful plastic use across operations, the company has been adopting biodegradable packaging, deploying electric vehicles and reducing water consumption. Another example of a corporate advancing the recycling agenda is UFlex. The company is driven by the purpose of transitioning to a circular plastics economy – 'keep plastic in the economy and out of the environment.' The company is innovating with recyclable mono-materials and compostable packaging, making it possible for brands to adopt sustainable packaging without burdening the planet. It is not only in India that UFlex is fixing plastics but in other countries as well. The company operates recycling plants to process post-consumer PET bottles and mixed plastic waste in Poland, Mexico and Egypt apart from Delhi-NCR. Collectively, the company recycles nearly 30,000 MT of plastic waste annually with a goal of reaching 100,000 MT by expanding its global recycling infrastructure. Vedanta is also driving a shift towards more sustainable practices in the display industry, aligning innovation with environmental responsibility. Through AvanStrate, it has introduced the Super Green SaiSei glass, an industry-first with at least 50% recycled content and 95% lower carbon emissions, setting a new benchmark in eco-conscious display glass manufacturing and helping its customers advance their own sustainability goals. To sum up, for corporates wanting to contribute meaningfully and join the good fight, several key elements are essential. They must create a sustainability strategy that aligns closely with their respective businesses. Having specific and measurable sustainability goals is critical, along with nurturing scalable impact programmes that raise awareness and drive change. Equally important are initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support environmental restoration. It has to be an attack on plastic pollution at various fronts, and as more companies join the good fight, it will eventually have to turn into a winnable great fight! For the sake of our planet. This article is authored by Ranganath Tannir, secretary general, Think Change Forum (TCF).
Hindustan Times
01-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Maiden Prayagraj municipal bond oversubscribed 4.4 times
The maiden municipal bond issued by Prayagraj Municipal Corporation has been oversubscribed 4.4 times as it received bids worth ₹221 crore against the offer size of ₹50 crore, a senior official in the state government said and credited the success to the organisation of the Mahakumbh in the state earlier this year. The bond was issued on the Bombay Stock Exchange's Electronic Bidding Platform and achieved a cut-off coupon rate of 8.07%—the lowest ever for a municipal bond in Uttar Pradesh. The funds raised will be directed towards the construction of a ₹76.54 crore super-specialty hospital in Naini under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with the bond covering ₹50 crore of the project cost, Principal secretary of the urban development department Amrit Abhijat said: 'The overwhelming investors' faith in the Prayagraj municipal bond is due to the effectiveness of our urban reforms and financial discipline. Mahakumbh-2025 demonstrated our ability to deliver world-class infrastructure and services, and this success is now translating into capital market trust.' The hospital, to come up in Naini, is expected to cater to over 1.5 million residents of Prayagraj and nearby regions and generate employment for 600–700 families. 'This facility draws on the globally acclaimed health infrastructure model of Mahakumbh 2025 and will further strengthen the city's capacity to manage large-scale events and health emergencies,' Abhijat added. So far in this fiscal year, urban local bodies in the state have collectively generated ₹5,550 crore in revenue, a sign of improving fiscal autonomy. The hospital project will generate ₹11–12 crore annually in revenue for the Municipal Corporation, ensuring a sustainable financial model while serving essential healthcare needs.
Hindustan Times
29-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
During Mahakumbh, Ayodhya leads as most preferred spiritual destination: Survey
Ayodhya, Prayagraj and Varanasi have emerged as the most preferred spiritual and tourist destinations among both Indian and international visitors, according to a survey conducted during the Mahakumbh 2025. The survey, commissioned by the department of tourism and culture and conducted by Deloitte, a global consulting and advisory firm, captured insights from over 3.5 lakh pilgrims, shedding light on travel trends and economic contributions linked to spiritual tourism. In terms of overall favourites, Ayodhya led with 22.55% of respondents naming it as their top choice. Sangam in Prayagraj followed at 19.96%, while Varanasi received 12.72% of the votes. Mathura stood at 6.31%, and Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar at 2.67%. A total of 3,52,388 pilgrims participated in the survey, including 1,093 foreign tourists from countries such as the USA, UK, Canada, Nepal, Australia, and Fiji. Minister of tourism and culture Jaiveer Singh, announcing the findings, said, the data collection for the 'Maha Kumbh Spiritual Survey–2025' took place from January 28 to February 26, at multiple points in Prayagraj including Teliarganj, Jhunsi, Arail, and Parade Ground. 'The initiative aims to identify key pilgrimage locations for focused development in coming years,' he said. Findings show that each pilgrim spent an average of ₹5,877.63 during their visit, contributing notably to the state's economy. The cumulative expenditure points to a major boost in Uttar Pradesh's tourism-led GDP during the Mahakumbh period). The study also revealed distinct travel preferences. Among domestic pilgrims, 40% travelled with their families, while 30.88% journeyed alone and 29.13% came with friends. In comparison, 55.26% of foreign tourists travelled solo. Only 24.43% of international visitors were accompanied by family and 20.31% by friends. These patterns help understand the kind of infrastructure and services that might be required at different pilgrimage sites. When asked about the last spiritual site visited, 27.32% of respondents named Ayodhya, followed by 22.68% who cited the Sangam in Prayagraj. Varanasi was the last visited destination for 8.81% of pilgrims, while 3.21% had been to Jammu & Kashmir and 3.05% to Mathura. Looking ahead, 32.57% of pilgrims said they intend to visit the Sangam in Prayagraj next. Ayodhya is on the future travel list for 12.46% of respondents, while 7.46% chose Varanasi, 3.77% selected Mathura, and 3.20% mentioned Akshardham as their upcoming destination.
Hindustan Times
27-04-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Soon, STPs across UP to be monitored every day for output
LUCKNOW Soon, the output of sewage treatment plants (STPs) across UP will be monitored every day by a cell under the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB). This follows concerns over reports of high fecal coliform levels in river water during the Mahakumbh that saw over 66 crore devotees taking a holy dip over a period of 45 days. The state has 152 STPs with a total capacity of 4651 MLD, monitored by different agencies at local/district leveland. As of now, the reports about their efficiency to remove pollutants from water is updated weekly or once/twice a week. However, the STP cell, likely to be formed in a month, will collect data of these plants and monitor their performance daily, thereby promoting swift repair in case of any malfunction. It will comprise UPPCB officials, technical experts and others. 'In case any STP gets defunct or its capacity gets reduced due to technical snag, the information will come as alert to the cell and action will be initiated the same day,' said a UPPCB official. Currently, daily accountability is missing as defunct STPs are managed at the local level with no state level monitoring in place. 'But this will not be the case anymore. Each STP will be monitored every day, and a report will be submitted, stating reduction in its capacity, if any,' said the officer. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath has given the nod to the formation of the STP cell. Chairing a recent review meeting of the UPPCB, he had told officials, 'The UPPCB will have a separate cell for solid, liquid, bio-medical and hazardous waste management.' During Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, concerns were raised over untreated sewage discharge into the Ganga and Yamuna. While measures such as temporary STPs and use of advanced oxidation techniques were brought in to address the issue, some STPs could not maintain the required water quality as per standards.
