Water Aid launches tool to track Swachh Bharat Mission

An interactive tool to monitor progress of toilet construction launched

Water Aid India has launched a tool called 'Interactive Map' to monitor the progress of toilet construction under the Swacch Bharat Mission. The tool will track the construction of individual household toilets (IHHL) and community sanitary complexes in each of the 624 districts in real time, the data of which will be provided to the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation. The tool will help the Ministry to identify loopholes in the scheme and also, the locations lagging behind in toilet construction.

Drought conditions prevail in Maharashtra

Maharashtra is likely to face a severe water crisis as nearly 138 talukas in Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad, Amravati and Nagpur divisions in the state have received less than 50% of normal rainfall this year. The situation has led to a 50% decline in agriculture yield this year and close to half of the villages in the state are under an agriculture crisis with Marathwada being the most affected. The State farmers are demanding compensation and relief from the Government, who has postponed a decision on the matter to November 27.

Post Jharkhand, Bihar also releases list of polluting industries

After Jharkhand, the Bihar State Pollution Control Board has released a list of 19 industrial units responsible for polluting the Ganga and its tributaries in the state. Big firms such as United Spirits Limited, Barauni Oil Refinery and Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd were also mentioned in the list. The stretch of Ganga's main stem along Patna seems to be at higher risk from industrial pollution. Also, towards Ganga clean up, the National Green Tribunal has constituted three committees i.e. principal, implementation, and state-level, to check and prevent industrial discharge into the river.

Lack of funds a hurdle to Yettinahole opposition

Activists who are opposing the Yettinahole and Netravathi Diversion Project are facing funds crunch to approach the Green Tribunal. A sum of about Rs 15 lakh is needed to approach the Tribunal, as this requires appointing senior lawyers and many other activities. The activists are reluctant to ask the public for money as they are concerned that there will be allegations of misuse and profiteering. 

DJB's sewer project amongs world's top 100 innovative infrastructure projects

KPMG, one of the world's largest professional services companies, has placed the Delhi Jal Board’s interceptor sewer project in the list of 100 most innovative infrastructure investment projects in the world. The projects have been selected on the basis of demonstrating excellence through one of the key criteria - scale, feasibility, technical or financial complexity, innovation and impact on society. From India, a total of six projects have been selected that includes the Delhi Metro and the Yamuna Expressway.

This is a weekly roundup of important news from November 18-24,  2014. Also read last week's policy matters updates.