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Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
UP: Water security can be attained only through community participation, says Irrigation Secretary
Water security and sustainability in Uttar Pradesh can be attained only through a combination of government and private initiatives and cooperation from the local communities. This was the biggest takeaway from the TOI Dialogues panel discussion on 'Green & Blue Future: UP's Holistic Approach to Sustainability & Water Security' on Thursday, August 7. 'Unless we conserve water, scarcity will follow' Water conservation is one of the most important issues globally in today's day and age. And, it was the centre of attention at TOI Dialogues. Speaking at the event, GS Naveen Kumar— Secretary, Irrigation and Water Resources— highlighted that even though Uttar Pradesh is lucky to have many rivers, preserving them would be possible only through a collective effort. To illustrate his point, he highlighted that Prayagraj faces water scarcity despite being surrounded by two major rivers– the Ganga and the Yamuna. 'Our state may seem abundant in water, but the reality is different—unless we actively conserve it, scarcity will follow,' he said. Kumar then pointed out how Azamgarh and Varanasi set a benchmark in this regard when several dying rivers were given a new lease of life to benefit farmers. Community involvement is a must, says Kumar Kumar then highlighted the role of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, which includes both 'green' (vegetation conservation) and 'blue' (water) initiatives, in ensuring sustainability. He, however, emphasised that the government's initiatives for ensuring infrastructural support alone aren't enough as the key lies in encouraging local communities to protect these resources. This, he added, can happen only if they receive proper training and education. Echoing similar sentiments, Ganesh— the CEO of Naam Foundation— highlighted how the community once funded the cleaning of a 25-acre pond in Jalalpur, Derapur (Kanpur district) with his organisation providing the machinery. Naam Foundation also plays a crucial role in helping farmers adapt to less water-intensive crops. Highlighting this, he pointed out that some farmers already have an idea of the subject but need guidance on the practical front. His comments come at a time when the siltation of farm ponds in Jhansi and Banda has had an adverse impact on ground level recharge. Naam Foundation plans to improve the situation by rejuvenating 5,000-6,000 such ponds while sharing costs with farmers and requesting CSR funding. Additionally, once the spotlight shifted back to Kumar, he highlighted a plan to modernise the canal network. The process involves metering and a water accounting system. These steps will ensure that farmers get access to the exact amount of water they need and eliminate wastage or scarcity. On a related note, crop diversification projects in Banda and Bundelkhan are already underway. They include the use of solar power to lift and distribute water. This is set to add a new dimension to the conversation surrounding sustainability.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
‘UP ahead of Maha, Guj in energy demand driven by industrial growth'
Lucknow: UP has surpassed industrial states like Maharashtra and Gujarat in peak energy consumption, touching 31,500 megawatts this year — a sign of rapid industrial growth and rising energy needs. This was stated by additional chief secretary of energy, renewable energy and technical education Narendra Bhooshan during the TOI Dialogues on Thursday. "With a population of 25 crore and energy demand growing by 8-10% annually, UP has now overtaken even the most industrialised states. Energy is no longer just a utility — it is the enabling force behind our economic transformation," he said. Bhooshan said energy is central to India's push to become a 1 trillion dollar economy and linked the state's plans to PM Narendra Modi's COP26 commitments: Net Zero by 2070, 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, and 50% renewables. "Our Chief Minister has aligned UP's energy strategy with these national goals. The state's commitment is strong — not just to meet growing demand but to do so sustainably," he added. A landmark reform underway is the privatization of two large electricity distribution companies (discoms) — the biggest such move in the country. "If we succeed in this, the rest of India will follow. This is a high-stakes reform aimed at improving service delivery, efficiency and competitiveness," Bhooshan said. On renewables, he highlighted the PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana, launched along with the Ram Temple inauguration in Ayodhya, which targets 22 GW of rooftop solar. "UP has 5 crore households. Even if 2.5 crore homes install 2 KW rooftop systems, it will create a solar revolution — generating power, reducing bills and creating jobs," he said. Solar manufacturing units worth Rs 8,000 crore have been sanctioned in Noida and Greater Noida, drawing investors such as Adani, Tata and others. Under PM-KUSUM, 4 lakh irrigation connections have been solarised out of 16 lakh. For industry, captive and group solar parks — including projects in Bundelkhand — are supplying power at Rs 2.5–3 per unit versus Rs 8-10 from discoms. To provide round-the-clock power, UP is promoting Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs), recording India's lowest-ever BESS tariff at Rs 3.115 per unit. Two PSPs have been sanctioned in Sonbhadra and Vijayapur. The state is also testing vertical wind turbines on expressways and tapping kinetic energy from rivers and canals, he said. UP leads the country in compressed bio-gas (CBG) capacity with 108 projects approved and aims for at least one plant in each tehsil using paddy straw, sugar waste and cow dung. "CBG offers the best return on investment, with payback in three to four years. It can fuel kitchens, vehicles and industries," he said. Green hydrogen is being encouraged through incentives, including a 30% capital subsidy and full SGST reimbursement; a Rs 2,500 crore subsidy has been approved for an Rs 8,000 crore project. Bhooshan also urged industry to help design courses in cybersecurity, mechatronics and LSI design. An Rs 8,000 crore project with Tata Technologies will upgrade 121 polytechnics. Highlighting UP's logistics edge — 33% of the nation's expressways and the junction of the Eastern and Western Freight Corridors at Greater Noida — he said exports that once took days can now move in hours. "If you have a project — come to Uttar Pradesh. If you're here — expand," he concluded. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
‘Participation of community key to water security'
1 2 Active involvement of local communities along with govt and private initiatives is essential for ensuring Uttar Pradesh's water security and agricultural sustainability. This was the core message at the TOI Dialogues panel discussion on "Green & Blue Future: UP's Holistic Approach to Sustainability & Water Security" on Thursday. Secretary, irrigation and water resources, UP govt, GS Naveen Kumar said while the state is blessed with many rivers, preserving this resource requires collective responsibility. Sharing an example from Prayagraj, he said despite being surrounded by two major rivers, the city has faced water shortages. "Our state may seem abundant in water, but the reality is different—unless we actively conserve it, scarcity will follow," he said. Kumar recalled projects in Azamgarh and Varanasi where dying rivers were revived, and thousands of ponds were created. Under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, both "green" (vegetation conservation) and "blue" (water management) regulations are being implemented. However, he emphasised that infrastructure alone is not enough—local communities must be educated, trained, and involved to maintain these assets and prevent encroachment. CEO of Naam Foundation Ganesh highlighted the importance of trust-building in villages. "When people contribute, they feel responsible for maintaining resources," he said, citing a project in Jalalpur, Derapur (Kanpur district) where the community funded the cleaning of a 25-acre pond while the foundation provided machinery. The organisation also guides farmers to shift to less water-intensive crops and promotes awareness campaigns. Ganesh noted that many farmers already have some knowledge through social media but need expert support for practical changes. Ganesh warned about the siltation of farm ponds in Jhansi and Banda, which has reduced groundwater recharge. Naam Foundation aims to revive 5,000-6,000 such ponds by sharing costs with farmers and seeking CSR funding. "When farmers see it as their project, they maintain it," he said. Kumar also outlined plans to modernise the canal network through metering and a water accounting system, ensuring farmers get only the water they need. Crop diversification projects in Banda and Bundelkhand, including the use of solar power to lift and distribute water, are also underway. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
State's GDP more than doubled since 2017: UP finance minister
1 2 3 4 Lucknow: Scaling a growth of 141%, the gross domestic product of Uttar Pradesh has gone up from Rs 12.71 lakh crore to Rs 30.77 lakh crore over the past eight years. Having scaled more than two-fold economic growth, UP is among the fastest growing states in the country, said finance minister Suresh Khanna. The nine-term MLA from Shahjahanpur and chief guest of the event, Khanna, was addressing the gathering at TOI Dialogues where he shared the growth story of the state with the audience on Thursday. Giving credit to the strong leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and consistent efforts of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath , Khanna said that UP has been able to create a positive image not only within the country but also internationally over the past eight years. Competing with Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra presently, UP is already among the top three economies in the country, reiterated Khanna while adding that the improved law and order situation helped the state attract investors in such a large number. "According to the national crime record bureau's report, 19 states in the country have a higher rate of crime compared to UP," he said. Revealing the strategy to grow further, Khanna said that the primary sector (agriculture and allied industries) which accounts for 26% of the state's economy is already getting saturated and the focus is now on pushing tertiary and manufacturing sectors to boost the economy further. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Remarkable Pictures from the Moments That Made History Undo While delivering his keynote address, former IAS officer who is serving as an advisor to CM Yogi Adityanath, Awanish Kumar Awasthi, said that the image of UP has changed before the world leaders. "I have been on two international official visits recently and met senior politicians and industry leaders. I assure you that the image of UP has improved drastically under Yogi Adityanath's regime. We are not looked down upon anymore," he said. Awasthi said, "Inspired by Modi, Chief Minister Yogi set a vision for the state to achieve USD 1 trillion economy and continuous efforts are being made to drive the economic growth." Adding that country or its state cannot move forward unless rule of law is established, Awasthi cited the example of organising mass gatherings such as 2019 Kumbh and 2025 Mahakumbh successfully and the strong message that has been sent out to the mafia. Pointing out towards the network of expressways, Awasthi said that the Ganga Expressway, which is nearing completion, also showcases the growth story of UP. "The 594km-long expressway being executed with a budget of close to Rs 45,000 crore would be the largest public-private-partnership project in the country and signifies the trust Yogi government has built within the industry leaders," he said, adding that Jewar airport is going to shape up as another achievement of the state. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Transformation of UP Police rooted in tech, compassion'
1 2 Summing up the transformation of the police in Uttar Pradesh, former director general of police OP Singh said that with a change in mindset, technology became the cornerstone of policing. Speaking at a session during TOI Dialogues, Singh recalled the situation and said that when he took charge in 2017-18, Uttar Pradesh was grappling with high crime rate, organised crime and elements of criminality. "It's erroneous to think we only went for encounters. We brought in a mindset change. Technology became the cornerstone of policing," he said. From drones, CCTVs and UP112 emergency response system — ranked third globally in Dubai in 2019 — to artificial intelligence-enabled tools, predictive policing, and citizen-centric platforms like UPCOP offering 29 contactless services, Singh spoke about a slew of measures aimed at enhancing investigative capabilities. Partnerships with IIT-Kanpur, IIM-Ahmedabad, IIM-Indore and ISRO helped build in-house technical expertise, he said. Singh also cited major budget boosts, with the state police budget jumping from Rs 18,000 crore to Rs 24,500 crore in 2019-20, enabling massive training drives and infrastructure expansion. "Modernisation comes only through technology — in weapons, forensic science, cybercrime units and ATS operations. Equally important is compassion in policing," he said, recalling how humane, unarmed policing ensured the smooth conduct of Kumbh Mela. Addressing concerns that technology could erode human contact, Singh emphasised balancing "hardware" — weapons, rules, enforcement — with "software" — empathy, openness and public trust. "A good leader must combine both at the ground level," he said, noting that daily call volume has risen from 18,000 in 2019 to 30,000 in 2023, aided by data analytics for predictive policing. Arya, who has lived in Noida since 1999, said policing in the city has improved "dramatically" — both in response time and citizen interaction. "The biggest change is that criminals are now afraid of the police, not citizens," he said, adding that while challenges remain, high-handedness has reduced and citizens' complaints are increasingly being heard. Looking ahead, Singh said the force must aim for "inclusive policing" with equitable access to justice, especially for women and the poor. "Smartness is not just a uniform — it's in ideas, mindset and action," he said, aligning with the PM's vision of a competent, sensitive, accountable and transparent police. Retired Major Gaurav Arya called for increased budgets to match the scale of UP's challenges, comparing its population to that of the fifth-largest country in the world. "More funds are needed for training, technology, morale building, and better housing for constables," he said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
