Massive transit-oriented-development plan for Hyderabad

The Times of India: ""Greater Hyderabad is a thickly populated city and plans should be for prepared with focus on transit-oriented development (TOD) with coordination between departments like GHMC, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority, Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB), Hyderabad Metro Rail, irrigation department, railways and AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC)," he added.

"The plan is to integrate public transport, create employment, improve greenery, protection and conserving lakes. The integrated plan will be ready in the next three months. As many studies were conducted on TOD in the city, there is no need for new studies as of now and the existing study reports can be utilized to prepare a plan," the chief secretary said."

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Loksatta urges govt to subsidise public transport

Loksatta members protesting in Shantinagar bus stand against BMTC bus fare hike

Bangalore News: "Members belonging to Loksatta political party on Saturday, 6 July 2013, protested against the hike in BMTC and KSRTC bus fares. They gathered at Shanthinagar bus stand and distributed pamphlets to bus commuters and the public."

5 years after peak $145 oil, India pays more today!

DNA: "India is paying more for oil today than what it did when Brent crude had touched an all-time high of $145 in 2008.

Blame the 51% decline in the currency.

On July 3, 2008, Rs 39.40 got a dollar. On July 1, 2013, it took Rs 59.52.

Now here’s the calculus on how India is paying more:
A barrel of crude on July 3, 2008, cost $145.66 x Rs 39.40 = Rs 5,739.

On Monday, it cost $102.16 x Rs 59.52 = Rs 6,080."

Climate change slams India

Incredible Flood Damage Across Northern India - Mark Byrnes - The Atlantic Cities: "A submerged statue of the Hindu Lord Shiva stands amid the flooded waters of river Ganges at Rishikesh in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand June 17, 2013. Early monsoon rains have swollen the Ganges, India's longest river, swept away houses, killed at least 60 people and left tens of thousands stranded, officials said on June 18, 2013. Picture taken June 17, 2013. (REUTERS/Stringer)"

Improved Bus System is Pune’s best (and only?) Public Transit option for the Short/Medium term

Amit Paranjape's Blog: "Pune is adding close to 1,000 vehicles every single day. That is nearly 400,000 vehicles per year on the already cramped Pune roads. And this number is increasing every single day. At the current rate of the growth of the city, I won’t be surprised if Pune starts adding 1,500 or 2,000 vehicles per day, before 2018. These are scary numbers, from the point of view of the city traffic.

...I believe that the right short and medium term (next 5-10 years) solution for efficient public transportation in Pune is an improved regular bus transit system. We need many more routes, with higher frequencies, and well maintained buses. We need mini-buses to enable good routes to crowded areas in the city center.  High frequency mini-buses are also needed because the relatively short distances that people cover can, otherwise, be done by private vehicles. The bus service needs to operate with well-designed point-to-point, circular and hub-and-spoke routes. We also need long range buses that have less stops for the longer routes (e.g. Deccan to Hinjavdi)."

Improved Bus System is Pune’s best (and only?) Public Transit option for the Short/Medium term

Amit Paranjape's Blog: "Pune is adding close to 1,000 vehicles every single day. That is nearly 400,000 vehicles per year on the already cramped Pune roads. And this number is increasing every single day. "

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Cars choking Delhi

Delhi choked by its car mania - Hindustan Times: "Frequent fights with neighbours over parking under that tree, constant haggling with parking attendants over a better spot and poor traffic situation has not deterred Delhiites from buying car after car or travelling in their newest hot wheels to buy milk from the nearby booth."