New Delhi, September 19
The intervention of the Delhi government in the working of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will come as a ray of hope for many projects currently under the corporation.

The infrastructure development projects that are being undertaken by the MCD are running far behind schedule. Of all the MCD projects, the one which has seen the maximum progress of 30 per cent is the construction of parking at Kushak nullah near Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Around 750 buses will be parked here. The MCD had claimed it would finish the work before the deadline. The progress of other important infrastructure development projects like 16 railway overbridges and underbridges, streetscaping and upgradation of important roads, redevelopment of the walled city etc are even worse.

The Delhi government had given Rs 190 crore to the MCD for Games projects, but the civic body had claimed that the money was not enough.

The MCD’s mega projects, including 14 multi-level parking lots and 24 general parking lots, have seen a progress of mere 20 per cent in last two years. The construction of these parking lots was announced almost one year ago, but not a single parking has been completed yet.

The parking projects at Hauz Khas, Munirka, Model Town-II and Gandhi Nagar were supposed to get over in July this year, but the work has not even started at these sites.

“The residents have objected to the construction of three parking lots in south Delhi because they feel that the greenery around the area might get affected,” said a municipal officer.

The designs of Shalimar Bagh, Karol Bagh and Kailash Colony car parks are still waiting for approval from the INTAC, whereas the construction work of the parking at Aurobindo Market has been held up because of an objection put up by the ASI.

Similarly, the work started at the car park in Kamla Nagar one and a half years ago is far from complete.

As far as the construction of 16 overbridges and underbridges is concerned, work for only four of them has been allotted so far. The work for the construction of railway overbridges at Sarai Kale Khan, Nazafgar Bijasan Road, GT Road and Industrial area road has been allotted so far.

Whereas, the corporation is yet to invite tenders for construction of bridges at Shakur Basti, Samaypur Badli, Rohtak road, Rampura, Zkhira, Mundka and Sanjay Gandhi Nagar.

New Delhi, September 19
Facing any problem related to road or traffic management in your area? Approach a “roaming ambassador” for a quick redress.

The Automobile Association of Upper India (AAUI), associated with road safety issues, has come out with a unique scheme of roaming ambassadors to identify problems associated with roads in the national Capital.

Besides causes of traffic jams, damaged roads and parking issues, these ambassadors, living in different parts of Delhi, have been asked to identify uncovered manholes which often lead to serious accidents and deaths.

According to T.K. Malhotra, president, AAUI, about 100 people from over 1 lakh members in Delhi have been shortlisted and nominated as ‘Honorary AAUI Roaming Ambassadors’ to identify problems.

“Fractured and badly damaged roads, non-functional and redundant traffic signals, encroached walkways, black spots, hanging electricity cables and wires, electricity poles restricting traffic view and signals, road markings and signage, open manholes and any other obstacles to traffic movement are taken up by these roaming ambassadors and brought to the notice of authorities concerned,” said Malhotra.

He added that the response to the scheme launched recently was overwhelming. “An ‘AAUI Roaming Ambassador’ sent a report about a traffic signal pole, nearly uprooted, tilting dangerous over the road, endangering the moving traffic and pedestrians at ‘T’ junction of Aurobindo Marg and Press Enclave Road. Immediately, we sent an SMS to the joint commissioner of traffic police S.N. Srivastava. The signal pole was restored to its original position within a few hours,” said Malhotra.

The initiative comes following the setting up of a ‘Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning and Engineering) Center (UTTIPEC) by Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Tejinder Khanna to adopt an integrated approach and pay attention to problems confronting traffic and transportation in the city.

The roaming ambassadors during their routine commutes will observe and make brief notes/rough sketches of the troubled spots on roads and send the feedback to the AAUI, which, after filtering it, will send it to the UTTIPEC for directions to the authorities concerned to act. 

The scheme is also on its website - www.aaui.org so that citizens could also send their feedback about road issues online.

Gurgaon, September 19
Two Independent candidates today filed their nominations for the Haryana Assembly elections.

One of them filed his nominations from 76-Badshahpur Assembly segment while the other filed his nominations from 77-Gurgaon Assembly.

Bir Singh (39) of New Palam Vihar filed his nominations from Badshahpur Assembly in the office of returning officer-cum-district development and panchayat officer Deepak Kumar Yadav.

In the affidavits attached with the nomination papers, Singh has declared moveable property worth Rs 84.79 lakh and immoveable property worth Rs 1.40 crore.

In the moveable property, Singh has declared a Honda city car worth Rs 5 lakh and gold ornaments worth Rs 1.60 lakh. His wife Pinky has gold ornaments worth Rs 2.60 lakh. In the immoveable property, he has land worth Rs 1.10 crore in village Bajghera and a house in Phase-III of New Palam Vihar worth Rs 30 lakh.

The other independent candidate Swarup Singh (51) filed his nominations from 77-Gurgaon Assembly in the office of returning officer-cum-SDM of Gurgaon (north) Satender Duhan.

A resident of village Gadoli Kalan, Swarup has declared moveable property of Rs 16.72 lakh. He has immoveable property worth Rs 88.54 lakh. In moveable property, Swarup has Rs 20,000 in cash and the same amount in banks. In addition to this, he has insurance policies worth Rs 7 lakh, a Swift car worth Rs 5.72 lakh, Zen Estilo car worth Rs 3 lakh, a TVS Victor motorcycle worth Rs 15,000 and gold ornaments of Rs 45,000.

His wife has gold ornaments worth Rs 1.60 lakh.

In immoveable property, Swarup has two plots measuring 200 sq. yards and 150 sq yards worth Rs 7.3 lakh in village Gari Harsaru. He has a house built on 177 sq yards in village Gadoli Khurd worth Rs 3.84 lakh. He also has a house worth Rs 50 lakh in Gadoli Kalan.

As his liabilities, Swarup has shown bank loan of Rs 2.8 lakh and development charges amounting to Rs 1.33 lakh to be paid to the Municipal Corporation Gurgaon.

According to him, no case is registered against him at any police station.

Gurgaon, September 19
All licence holders need to deposit their firearms at police stations in their respective areas by September 22. In return they would be given a receipt issued by the concerned SHO.

District magistrate Anurag Aggarwal issued this direction under Section 144 of the CrPC Act 1973 here today. He issued this direction keeping in view the Haryana Assembly elections scheduled for October 13. Those violating the order would be punished under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

As per the DM’s orders, the SHO would be dutybound to ensure the safe custody of all firearms.

However, the order does not cover police personnel and security personnel of banks and petrol pumps.

Besides, the district administration has tightened the noose on people having red light on their vehicles without obtaining permission from the concerned authority, as it can cause problems in maintaining traffic laws.

Aggarwal has taken issued these directions under the Motor Vehicles Act.

Politicians, candidates contesting the elections and his/ her supporters are prohibited to use red, blue or any other significant light on vehicles without permission.

The direction will not cover vehicles of district administration officials, judiciary, police, transport, health and other departments who have been authorised use such lights for the maintenance of law and order.

The police, secretary RTA and returning officers have been directed to ensure compliance of the order. Violators would face action under the Election Law as well as Section 188 and other provisions of the IPC.

Faridabad, September 19
Shashi Bala Tewatia of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) today filed her nomination papers from the newly-created Prithla Assembly constituency.

She filed her papers before the general manager, Haryana Roadways, Ballabgarh, who is the returning officer concerned.

On the occasion, the INLD cadre took out an impressive procession headed by Tewatia.

She appealed to the people to vote for INLD. Tewatia criticised the Congress government in Haryana saying that it had failed on all fronts.

Shashi Bala is an educationist and was once the chairperson of Haryana Red Cross Society during the tenure of the INLD government.

Noida, September 19
The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to organise Shilpostav-2009, a crafts mela like the one at Surajkund in Haryana, in Noida from October 30 to November 8.

UP tourism secretary Harish Awasthi informed that the mela would be organised on the Ramlila Ground. Two hundred craftsmen from across the country would be invited to showcase their artefacts. Nine states of north India are expected to showcase their tourism and cultural potential in this event.

The three major entry gates to Ramlila Ground have been designed as Sanchi gate, Dharama Chakra gate and Gompa gate. Some events of Lord Buddha's life would also be displayed in the Shilpostav campus. A statue of Lord Budha will be seen in the middle of all gates.

An estimated sum of Rs 1 crore would be spent on the mela. The government of India would contribute Rs 30 lakh to the mela and the remaining fund would be collected from local people and sponsors.

There would be 200 stalls in over half a dozen pavilions. As Noida has emerged as a hub of high-profile industrial and education institutions, 100 stalls are being provided for local artisans and entreprenuers.

The mela will be held daily from 11 am to 10 pm. While the mega-cultural evenings will begin from 7 pm. Artistes like Kailash Kher, Sabri Borthers (Farid), Hansraj Hans, Shankar Mahadevan, Shaan, Shreya Ghoshal, Shubha Mudgal, Langa Brothers (Rajasthan) contestants of TV laughter shows will entrall visitors during the fest.

Cultural groups from schools, colleges and local folk artists will entertain visitors from 12 noon to 6 pm.

Awasthi added that food court, modern, neat and clean public toilets and quality infrastructure would also be provided.

"The idea is to capitalise on the festive season and project the art, craft and folklore from various parts of the country," he added.

He said proper security arrangements under SP (city) would be ensured. CCTV cameras would be installed on the mela campus. Besides, visitors would be frisking at entrance gates. Fire tenders, bomb disposal squad and ambulances would be provided at the venue. A special police station would be set up on the mela ground, SSP A.K. Singh informed.

Tourism secretary said on the basis of this year's craft mela, a better craft mela would be organised the next year during the Commonwealth Games which would attract sizeable foreign visitors.