New Delhi, April 18
Delhi has spent a whopping Rs 1,188-1,491 crore on cleaning the Yamuna till 2006. In other words, Rs 71-85 crore per km in the 22-km stretch of the river as it passes through the city. But in spite of this massive investment, the Yamuna runs dirtier, CSE claims in a report.

"There is obviously something fundamentally wrong in the way we are managing our river cleaning programmes. Our planners believe in spending money without understanding the connection between sewage and its disposal and river pollution," the CSE Director Ms Sunita Narain today said at the release of the CSE's latest publication, 'Sewage Canal: How to Clean the Yamuna'.

The book was released by the Union Minister for Water Resources, Mr Saifuddin Soz and the Delhi Chief Minister Ms Sheila Dikshit. The CSE also premiered a 32-minute video on the subject, 'Faecal Attraction: Political Economy of Defecation', which explodes various myths about river cleaning.

As per the report, the Yamuna has become dirtier, and so have the towns along its stretch. "Delhi is its biggest polluter, followed by Agra, Ghaziabad and Faridabad," it claims. The Yamuna's 22-km stretch in Delhi is barely 2 per cent of the length of the river, but contributes over 70 per cent of the pollution load.

According to Mr S V Suresh Babu, deputy coordinator, CSE's river pollution campaign, Delhi, with only 5 per cent of the nation's urban population, has 40 per cent of India's sewage treatment capacity.

"The river, in fact, is relatively clean till it enters Delhi at Wazirabad. It leaves the city transformed into a murky sewer. In Delhi, the river has virtually no freshwater for nine months. Delhi impounds all its water at Wazirabad, where the dammed up river practically ceases to exist; what flows subsequently is only sewage and waste from Delhi's 22 drains. There is just no water available to dilute this waste," the book says.

Besides, the pollution levels in the Yamuna have risen. BOD load has increased 2.5 times between 1980 and 2005 -- from 117 tonne per day (tpd) in 1980 to 276 tpd in 2005. Dissolved oxygen (DO) - to check if the river is alive - in the upper segments, considered pristine, is dipping, indicating an increase in organic pollution. By the time the river is midway through Delhi, the total coliform count is so high that it is difficult to count the zeroes. Pesticides and heavy metals are also present in the river.

The CSE says that the river does not meet minimum standards for bathing even after treatment. There has been no change in pollution levels in Delhi from 1996. On April 10, 2001, the Supreme Court had directed that DO levels were to be maintained at a minimum concentration of 4 mg/l -- but five years after, the river is still dead.

It is clear that all the money spent to clean the Yamuna has literally flown down the drain, say the writers of Sewage Canal. In spite of that, in 2006, the Delhi government submitted another grand Rs 4,000 crore proposal under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. If approved, investment per km under this programme would be Rs 235-250 crore.

"Pollution of the river is directly linked to the inefficient water planning and management in Delhi. Treatment capacity has increased almost eight-fold in the last 40 years, but wastewater generation has grown 12-fold in the same period," the CSE says.

The 'sheer mindlessness' of Delhi's pollution control efforts is evident from one example: a major portion of whatever Delhi manages to treat is released back into the city's drains.

"What we need is to maximise utilisation of the existing treatment facilities and ensure reuse of treated effluents," says Ms Narain. All waste - legal and illegal, sewered and unsewered - must be trapped and treated and not mixed with untreated sewage.

Based on these principles, a detailed plan for the top six drains of the city, which contribute 90 per cent of the pollution in the river, should be made and implemented.

Simultaneously, steps should also be taken to achieve dilution in the river - mainly by reducing the city's demand for freshwater. The river needs water for a minimum flow to keep it alive, says Ms Narain. 

New Delhi, April 18
The Resident Welfare Association Convention organised by People's Action in association with United RWAs Joint Action (URJA) has thrown up an emphatic demand from members of the resident association bodies of Delhi for the dire need of formalising Residents Ward Committees in each ward.

Residents Ward Committees were formed in 35 wards of Delhi during the run-up to the recently held municipal elections as part of a procedure outlined by People's Action for improving the civil society's participation in the electoral process as well as improving quality of candidature.

"The residents have seen the collective benefits of having a ward-level committee of nominated members from various RWAs in their wards. They have made a suggestion for formalising the structure so that a consultative group can represent the ward in matters relating to MCD operation," said Rajeev Goyal of Tri Nagar RWA, one of the members who had formed a ward-level committee in their constituency.

The RWAs have suggested that such a body could be required to be registered with the MCD whereas the Councillor would be either an automatic member of this Committee or a permanent invitee. Residents have also suggested that there should be compulsory meetings every month, where all members could discuss various issues at the ward level with the councillors. This is being seen by the most RWAs as an effective way to maintain a working relationship with the councillor of the area.

Responding to the suggestion, Sanjay Kaul, president of People's Action said, "This proposal needs to be implemented immediately to not only introduce genuine participatory governance, but to also improve the functioning of the MCD in a more transparent and effective manner."

Mr Atul Goyal, who has been entrusted with the task of co-ordinating with the earlier submission of petitioning the MCD for an yearly audit, has also been nominated to pursue this aspect with the Leader of the House as well as the other prominent members who can effect this proposal. 

New Delhi, April 18
The correction work in as many as 27 lakh ration cards prepared by a private agency will commence in June, the Minister for Food and Supply, Delhi, Mr Raj Kumar Chauhan said today.

When asked by the MLA from Okhla Assembly constituency regarding the mistakes in his ration card, Mr Chauhan said "The MLA would have written wrong spelling of his name in the application form for getting a ration card."

Replying to a question during question hour in the Budget Session, he said spelling mistakes were reported in 27 lakh cards. The correction work in ration cards would start from June 1 in all the constituencies, he added.

Delhi Transport and Power Minister Mr Haroon Yusuf said that during the past four months, the Delhi Public Grievances Cell received a maximum number of complaints related to electricity and power cuts. A total of 4242 complaints were received. Of them, 3,100 were worked out, he claimed. The work was being done on 703 complaints and the rest had been rejected as they were 'baseless', he added. 

New Delhi, April 18
The tech-savvy Delhi Metro has a brand new acquisition, a train simulator for its train operators.

A train simulator is static equipment, which simulates the operating environment of train from the point of view of imparting training as well as testing of the train operators. Simulation of visual environment, train behaviour, cabin environment, track-side equipment like signals and turnouts is done to achieve good feel of real-life environment. The simulator has cost the DMRC around Rs 11.0 crore.

The first batch of operators started its training on the simulator. Earlier, the Delhi Metro had to train the operators on actual trains, which was neither feasible nor practical during daytime and regular train operation hours.

According to officials, the simulator is able to impart training in a close-to-real situation in controlled environment so that a trainee is able to improve in knowledge of railway line, driving rules, signaling, driving skills, troubleshooting skills and operation of the train in case of faults, defects and accidents.

Besides this, simulator enables safety critical issues that can be assessed in a safe environment and minimises the use of revenue earning trains for training purposes. Simulator is used for training of train operators in Metro operation under normal, fault and emergency situations.

The simulator acquired by Delhi Metro is a cab mock up equipped with all controls and instrumentation as found in real cab. All stimuli of the train operator's senses are reproduced. Major parts of a Simulator Cab includes a motion system with six degree of freedom cab motion systems that simulates the impressions of acceleration, braking, jerking when the train starts, stops, jerks, passes over points or inclines in bends.

The sound environment is fully simulated. Sounds of crossing trains, passing through tunnels, noise of board compressors and ACs have all been simulated. Communication system has also been simulated.

There is a three-D track visuals using the latest PC-based computer generated images (CGI) technology besides a platform view displays that provides CGI images of platforms to train operators.

Instructor station is provided for real time management of the training scenarios and trainee actions. Management functions include scenario preparation for training. Instructor can create different train environment i.e. weather conditions (day, night, mist, rain, fog), time of the day, traffic on line etc. introduction of malfunctions (either immediate or triggered at specific points).

Observer station is provided for group training and debriefing. 

Gurgaon, April 18
The administration here today reviewed the ongoing construction works on the three important railway overbridges meant to decongest the city roads and smoothen traffic movement.

The three overbridges are in Daulatabad, Basai and Hailymandi.

With regard to the one at Daultabad, which has an outlay of about Rs 12 crore, the administration was firm that it must be completed by November. This overbridge is being set up on Rewari-Delhi railway line.

The one being set up near Basai village on

Farukhnagar-Jhajhar Road has an outlay of about Rs 15 crore. The administration has stipulated coming January for completing the project. Construction work for the third railway overbridge is under way.

This project has plan outlay of about Rs 18 crore. This overbridge is being set up on Kulana Road and is supposed to act as a vital link to roads, including four national highways.

This stretch has one of the highest densities of traffic movement. The road connects NH-2 at Hodal, NH-71A at Nuh-Palwal, NH-71 on Jhajhar Road and merges with NH-8.

New Delhi, April 18
A cool, gentle breeze this morning brought some relief from the intense heat wave conditions prevailing in the Capital for the last few days with the maximum peaking at 41 degree Celsius yesterday.

The Met office said that the maximum temperature was likely to settle under 40 degree Celsius as against yesterday's high of 41 degree Celsius. The minimum today was 27 degree Celsius, six degrees above normal for this time of the year.

Faridabad, April 18
Angry over the death of a youth in police custody, residents of Banchari village in Hodal subdivision of the district staged a demonstration and blocked the traffic on the National Highway number two this morning.

The police had to use cane-charge to end the blockade by the villagers who were squatting on the highway. The blockade continued for about two hours. The protestors had reportedly thrown stones at the police team which had come to remove them from the spot.

This is the first case of death in police custody in the district this year. A judicial enquiry has been ordered into the incident.

According to information, the Hodal police arrested the youth identified as Rohtash (23), son of Partap Singh of Banchari village. Rohtash got involved in a quarrel with a youth and a girl going on a motorcycle, after his car had hit their bike at the bus stop near Hassanpur Crossing yesterday. While both sides started blaming each other for the incident, a traffic police head constable intervened in the matter. As it was charged that Rohtash had been trying to molest the girl, he was reportedly produced before a senior police official who sent him to the lock-up of the police station, Hodal.

The victim had allegedly assaulted the cops, including the head constable yesterday. It is alleged that the police then gave him a severe beating which resulted in his death.

Though the police claimed that he had committed suicide in the lock-up, the villagers suspect that after the youth was killed, he was hanged from the ceiling to show that he had committed suicide.

It is claimed that at least three cases had been pending against him. The police had booked a case under Sections 1, 7, 51 of the CrPC. The news of his death made the villagers angry and they blocked the highway at about 10.30 in the morning. While the protestors demanded immediate arrest of the policemen responsible for the death, they did not agree to end the blockade when a police party reached there. The protestors were dispersed and chased away only after a heavy contingent of police reached.

Some of the residents have been injured in the incident, said a villager. Senior officials of the administration, who reached later at the spot, stated that a judicial enquiry into the matter has been ordered.

"The police may have been trying to cover up the matter by claiming that the youth had a criminal background and had been trying to molest and abduct a girl, but they had no right to beat anyone to death in the lock-up. Those who are responsible should be punished," said a villager.

Ghaziabad, April 18
In a sensational incident, a six-year-old girl was raped by a 25-year-old youth who later killed the victim in a Hapur village of Ghaziabad.

Next morning when villagers came to know of it, they pounced upon the accused young man and lynched him. The irate villagers had even tried to cremate the body of the guilty youth. But somehow police, on being informed, reached in the nick of time and pulled the body from the pyre. The police have sent both the bodies for postmortem.

There is tension in the village with most of men have left the village fearing police harassment.

According to information, Reema, six-year-old daughter of Kalu Singh in Tatarpur village under Hapur police station, had gone to get 'prasad' at Sita Devi Bhandara in the neighbouring village on Monday, but she did not return by evening. The family had looked around for the girl the whole night.

Someone told the family on Tuesday morning that the body of a minor girl was lying in Lallu's field. It was identified as that of Reema who had been throttled to death. It was obvious that the child had been raped prior to her murder. It came to light that some people had seen Reema going along with 25-year-old Pawan, son of Ram Charan of the village.

Villagers concluded that Pawan was the culprit who had tried to molest a girl earlier also. At that time villagers had beaten him up and let him go. This time the villagers caught hold of Pawan and beat him up with lathis as a result of which he died.

The villagers then carried Pawan's body to Kali river bank to cremate it. As the pyre with Pawan's body was torched, the police reached the spot and retrieved the body.

Pawan's parents were so shocked and humiliated at having lost their young 
son in an embarrassing incident that they were rushed to hospital. Police are investigating.

Greater Noida, April 18
His own wife and her sister's husband, being romantically involved, had conspired and got the golf course supervisor Brij Mohan Dhodyal, killed through contract killers in Greater Noida. The contract was reached for Rs 50,000 out of which a sum of Rs 10,000 was paid as advance.

It may be recalled that two intruders had shot dead golf course supervisor Brij Mohan Dhodyal in his house in Sector Alpha on April 10.

It has come to light now that Brij Mohan's wife and her brother-in-law had been involved in illicit relationship for the past several years, and Brij Mohan lost his life as he was perceived as a hindrance by the lovers.

The Kasna police solved the murder on Tuesday when wife, her brother-in-law and one of the contract killers were arrested. The other killer is absconding. The killers, after shooting Brij Mohan dead, had taken away his mobile phone also. Virender, co-brother of Brij Mohan had lodged murder report against two unidentified killers with police.

During investigation, the key of suspicion pointed towards Virender, police CO Mani Ram Yadav said. When interrogated sternly, Virender spilled the beans and confessed his guilt. Virender was employed as an electrician in Golf Course in JP Greens where Brij Mohan had been working as a supervisor for last eight years. Both hailed from Pauri Garhwal and, being employed at the same place, became friends.

Brij Mohan once took him to his house and introduced him to his wife and children. After that he frequently used to visit Brij Mohan's house, even during his absence and became close to his wife Sarita, alias Munni. Brij Mohan, having come to know of their liaison, tried to dissuade both Virender and his wife Munni. But this had no effect on their romance and they continued their relations. 

New Delhi, April 18
A labourer was seriously injured when the construction-support pillars in a building, housing several ministries, collapsed today.

The police said the labourer was working in the North wing of Nirman Bhawan, which is being renovated.

The injured labourer was rushed to the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital, where his condition was stated to be critical. The police said the pillars collapsed due to a squall in the morning.

Many vehicles were also damaged.

New Delhi, April 18
The police today claimed to have arrested a notorious gangster of Braham Pradhan gang from Dwarka area. He was allegedly wanted in several cases of murder.

Acting on a tip-off that the accused Tarif Singh (37) would come in Dwarka area to meet one of his associates, a trap was laid around the area. The accused was also operating a cable network in the area.

New Delhi, April 18
Leading cardiologists have contested the claim of some studies that wine consumption, even in moderation, can be good for heart.

There are over 1.5 crore worldwide studies undertaken on the affect of alcohol on heart but not even a single survey has claimed that wine consumption is good for heart, the cardiologists say.

On the contrary, they warn that wine intake adds toxic content in human body and damages the heart to the extent beyond repair.

Cardiologists from AIIMS, Max Heart, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Moolchand Medicity were unanimous in their opinion that wine consumption should be avoided to keep heart absolutely fit.

At a meet on "Enhancing corporate health", they sought immediate ban on pubs that have mushroomed in the Capital.

New Delhi, April 18
In its continuing efforts to increase cross communication between different disciplines nurtured by various schools and centres in the Jawahar Lal Nehru (JNU) University here, the authorities have now initiated a 'Seminar Series Programme'.

Under this programme, eminent scholars, academicians, intellectuals, administrators and industry leaders are invited to share their thought and experiences with the university community.

The first in the series of lectures has been scheduled for April 23 where Mr R. Chandrashekhar, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Information Technology will talk on 'Transform Public Service, Deliver in India using Information Technology' at the SAA Auditorium.