Mega Nashik Flyover inaugurated

Nashik (Maha): Union Agriculture Minister and NCP chief Sharad Pawar inaugurated the 6.1-km long four-lane flyover on NH-3 of Mumbai-Agra Road here today.

Speaking on the occasion, Pawar said that the flyover would save people's time and fuel.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, PWD Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, his nephew and NCP MP from Nashik Sameer Bhujbal, MP Supriya Sule, Union Minister of State for Surface Transport and National Highways Tushar Chaudhari and others were present on the occasion.


The flyover, which was raised at a cost of Rs 980 crore, connects Pathardi-Phata and Adgaon Naka.

Its construction began on January 4, 2010.About 172 pillars were required to complete the huge flyover and total 3,500 labourers were engaged to construct it.

Chhagan Bhujbal said that since the city would be hosting the Kumbh Mela in 2016, the state government need up to speed up infrastructure work.

PTI

A six-lakh flat developed by IIT Madras

Chennai:Imagine a 500-square foot flat that costs about six lakhs.  

The cheap and eco-friendly house has been designed by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras which hopes it has delivered a model for housing projects that can be used by the government for the poor.  

"We hope it will be a game changer in addressing the housing shortage," said Devdas Menon, a professor at IIT. The university has offered to train builders in copying its model.  

The house has been set up for display on campus.  Instead of bricks, the flat is made of gypsum reinforced with glass fibre.  The housing technology costs just Rs. 1250 per square foot. Ceilings, floor and staircase made using this don't require plastering. 

The big advantage of the technology, its developers say, is the time it saves. A 500 square foot flat with two bedrooms, a hall and a kitchen can be assembled in just a month.

Professor Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director of IIT Madras, say houses built using this technology are also earthquake resistant. "We have not compromised on anything. These structures are as sturdy and long lasting as any building built today. The designs have been approved," he said.

Professor Menon adds that the fact that Gypsum is an industrial waste material that is easily available is a big advantage.  "The fertiliser industry waste itself is around 40 million tonnes, building up annually and there are many other sources of gypsum. I think for a long time we can sustain with this kind of construction. We are already talking to potential private sector builders. What we need is large number of plants all over the country and trained workers to correctly build it and we hope to provide that support. We hope this would be game changer addressing the tremendous housing shortage". 

The technology can be used for buildings up to ten floors. Presently, a plant at Cochin manufactures the pre-fabricated structures. 

IIT Madras spent 10 years researching and finessing Australian technology on which its house is founded.  

40,000 low cost to be built for urban poor

New Delhi, Delhi Government today approved a long-pending proposal to construct around 40,000 low cost flats in the city for distribution among people belonging to economically weaker sections.

The proposal was given a go ahead at a meeting of Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) chaired by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

The flats will be constructed at Savda Ghevra and Bhalswa area of Jahangirpuri.

(PTI)

PCMC files 971 FIRs against owners of illegal structures

Taking a strong stand against illegal construction in their jurisdiction, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has begun filing First Information Reports (FIRs) against owners of illegal structures.

Till date the civic body has filed FIRs against 971 persons who had unauthorised structures approximately measuring 35,71,978 sq ft of land. As per the Bombay High Court’s order in March 31, 2012, PCMC began a demolition drive beginning on May 30, 2012 and it is still in progress.

Over 2012, PCMC razed structures occupying 35, 71,978 sq ft of land and this year from January 2013 till May 5, they have demolished 244 unauthorised structures occupying 9,13,567 sq ft of land. The PCMC has filed complaints against the owners of these illegal properties under Section 397 (a) & (b) of the Bombay Provincial Municipal Act (BPMC), 1949 PCMC city engineer M T Kamble said, “We are filing criminal complaints against those who constructed unauthorised structures.

Till date, we have filed complaints against 971 persons. The process is still on. We always registered complaints against owners of big illegal structures, but now we have begun filing complaints against small constructions and individual homeowners who have unauthorised structures. I don’t know how many people have been arrested by the police, our work is only to file the complaint.”