Hey,
I just signed the petition "Hon. Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi: BHARAT RATNA FOR FIELD MARTIAL SAM MANECKSHAW" and wanted to see if you could help by adding your name.
Our goal is to reach 2,500 signatures and we need more support. You can read more and sign the petition here:
http://chng.it/jm2KBwrXCy
Thanks!
Rama Rao
Capt J Rama Rao's Blog
Saturday, April 4, 2020
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Myth of Nuclear Power
The former Chairman of NFC Dr. N Saibaba is reported to have stated
that “Nuclear Energy is not at all Expensive. It is Safe and Green Energy”, to
dispel the view that Nuclear Energy is dangerous. This seems to be distortion
of facts amounting to misleading the
Public.
Not Safe
The fact that the process of fissioning uranium in
Nuclear Power Reactors (NPRs) creates more than 200 new man-made radioactive
elements, some of which remain radioactive for millions of years, is a well
established scientific finding. It is also a well established fact that these
diabolical elements, once created, will inevitably find their way into the environment
and will eventually enter the reproductive organs of plants, animals and
humans. They will mutate the genes in reproductive cells to cause disease and
death in the immediate generation or pass a hidden genetic disease to distant
offspring down the time track.
Nuclear Power Reactor accidents
induced by human error/ fallibility or due to natural calamities cannot be
ruled out, as evidenced by melt-down of Three Mile Island Reactor in the United
States, a massive power excursion erupted at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant
in former Soviet Union and the Fukushima
Nuclear Power Plant disaster due to Tsunami in Japan as recent as March 2011.
The possible threat of terrorist attacks, similar to the one on WTC Towers in
New York, on Nuclear Power Reactors cannot be ruled out, by any stretch of
imagination.
Each stage of Uranium
processing and use creates large amounts of radioactive waste/materials, some
of which having half-life up to 4.5 billion years. The problem of permanent
storage and safe-disposal of highly radioactive nuclear waste / material is
currently practically unresolved.
Not Cheap
The Nuclear Industry way back, proclaimed that nuclear
power would provide an endless supply of electricity that would be good for
environment and “too cheap to meter” which is no where near the present day
reality. Taking into account the economic costs of Nuclear Power -all costs
incurred by the Society during the entire Nuclear Fuel life-cycle- the Solar
Power may prove to be cheaper even today.
The cost of the Six Westinghouse AP 1000 Reactors, now
under consideration for Kovvada Nuclear Power Project in Srikakulam District of
AP State, is estimated to be in the region of a whopping Rs. 2.8 lakh Crore!
The cost of such nuclear power would be about Rs.12-14 per unit (KWh), or about
three to four times that from coal fired plants, and far higher than the Wind
and Solar power costs.
Not Green / Clean
In fact, the vast hidden
infrastructure necessary to cater for the entire nuclear fuel life-cycle-- from
uranium mining to decommissioning of NPRs & safe disposal/storage of
nuclear waste-- is a prodigious user of fossil fuels, which actually releases a
large amount of carbon dioxide and as well as other global warming gases,
although nuclear power plant by itself releases no carbon dioxide.
“Electricity is but the fleeting byproduct from
Nuclear Power.
The actual product is forever deadly radioactive waste.”
“Nuclear
Power--A Very Expensive, Sophisticated and
Dangerous
Way to Boil Water”
Myth of SRDP - Reduction of CO2
The
proposed
Strategic Road Development Project (SRDP) around KBR Park at an
exorbitant cost, is being justified by guestimated reduction of CO2
Emissions. According to the Study, reported to have been conducted by
concerned Authorities regarding Road Transportation system in
Hyderabad City, around 2.5 lakh vehicles are reported to be at the
Jubilee Hills Check Post Junction per day, emitting around 107.92
Tonnes of CO2. The Study also reported to have estimated that number
of Vehicles is likely to go up to 5.5 Lakhs by 2035 emitting around
456.19 Tonnes of CO2.
Based
on the Study, the authenticity of which is not known, State Govt. is
reported to have planned construction of Flyovers / Sky-Ways at 6
junctions around KBR Park, with the object of limiting CO2 emissions
to 121.01 Tonnes of CO2 by 2035, apart from easing traffic bottle
necks. It is also claimed to save 40.59 Crore Ltrs of Fuel by
providing Signal-Free Traffic, during the next 20 years
SRDP
is Supply Side Management
The
Flyovers/SRDP are only “Supply Side Management” of the Traffic,
which will have snowball effect on traffic problems / air Pollution.
The benefits will not be commensurate with the expenditure
/environmental impact involved. As it has proved to be in Hyderabad
and Delhi, with building of flyovers /sky-ways by sacrificing the
green cover, more and more vehicles are added contributing to more
traffic congestion / problems and more air pollution.
The
reduced use of public transportation
proves that addition in road space is quickly occupied by the
increasing vehicular growth and induced travel behaviour In
a time when it is extremely easy to own a car. SRDP may prove to be
an expensive short term relief , if any.
We
Need Demand Side Management
What
we need is “Transport Demand Side Management”, so as to suppress
volume of Vehicular Traffic on the roads by providing an efficient
Mass Transport System and scientific Urban Planning & Development
to suppress intra-city commuting. As
highlighted in the Vision Document for “Car Free Thursday
Initiative” prepared by “Gear Change”, the problem of traffic
congestion is not unique to Hyderabad or just India.
In
the later part of
the 20th century, Cities attempted addressing this by widening roads
and building flyovers. However, they soon realized the effect of
“induced demand”. Researchers have found a one-to-one
relationship between road capacity and amount of traffic, which means
that a 20% addition to roads results in a corresponding increase of
20% or more in traffic.
Way
Out
As
suggested in Vision Document of “Gear Change” certain strategies
are to be adopted for “Travel Demand Management”(TDM), by
encouraging individuals to alter their Travel Behaviour. Some of them
are:
a)
“High Parking Fee” representing the value of land occupied will
bring down the number of vehicles in use. Case studies of London,
Mumbai.
b)
“Parking Space Reduction” in Residential, Commercial etc areas is
another strategy to be adopted. Case studies of Brooklyn-NewYork
State, Tokyo,Vancouver etc
c)
Re Purposing Road Space is another strategy to bring down congestion.
New York City has implemented multiple road re purposing
solutions including converting an 8 lane road into just 3 lanes for
cars. Indore BRTS Bus.
All
these measures involve No / Low Cost, with Short gestation& High
Impact.
Technological
Innovations
Before
investing huge sums in developing massive infrastructure, we should
take into account the technological advances in the offing. Within
next 10 years or so, we may not need
to own a Car, as it can be called on Phone to any location and
driven to the destination. It will change the Cities, because we will
need less cars and less parking space. We can transform former
parking spaces into Parks.
Auto mobile Pollution may go into history with introduction of
Electric Cars (Tesla).
Kodak,
which had 170,000 employees and sold 85% of all photo paper worldwide
in 1998, got bankrupt and disappeared within just a few years. Did
we think in 1998 that 3 years later, we would never take pictures on
paper film again?
Can
we think and plan Traffic Infrastructure required in 2035, taking
into account the likely technological advances ?
**********
SRDP around KBR Park repetition of Flyovers Blunder of 1996
FLYOVER
PROJECT of 1996
The
administrative & financial approval for construction of 16
flyovers, at an estimated cost of around Rs 125 Crores was cleared
by State Govt., in a hurry and then the Chief Minister laid the
foundation stones for four flyovers on March 12, 1996. The flyovers
built were not based on proper traffic surveys and realistic growth
projections; study of land availability, cost effective designs and
alignments; environmental impact assessment etc. As a result, the
project was unduly delayed, resulting in wasteful expenditure &
avoidable hardship to the citizens and finally not providing the
required relief to traffic congestion and air pollution.
LIMITATIONS
OF FLYOVER PROJECT
Many of the
flyovers were built, having the right of way around 20 to 24 meters
only against the requirement of 28 to 32 meters, limiting the width
of the vehicle carriage way and the service roads, imposing many
restrictions on free flow of vehicular traffic, defeating the very
purpose of flyovers. As the designs were prepared based on traffic
census conducted in January 1996, and not based on futuristic and
realistic traffic volume projections, these flyovers have now proved
to be serious traffic bottlenecks.
Strategic
Road Development Project (SRDP) around KBR Park
The
Flyovers/SRDP are only “Supply Side Management” of the Traffic,
which will have snowball effect on traffic problems / air Pollution.
The benefits will not be commensurate with the expenditure
/environmental impact involved. As it has proved to be in Hyderabad
and Delhi, with building of flyovers /sky-ways by sacrificing the
green cover, more and more vehicles are added contributing to more &
more traffic congestion/problems and more air pollution.
SRDP
is something like loosening the Belt to get relief from Bloating
Tummy after Overeating.
What
we need is “Demand Side Management”, so as to suppress volume of
Vehicular Traffic by providing an efficient Mass Transport System and
scientific Urban Planning & Development to suppress intra-city
commuting. The pollution checks of automobiles are end of the pipe
control measures and what we need are the preventive measures under
precautionary principle.
CONCLUSION
As
AP High Court observed in W.P Nos.25835/96 &35/97 “the
City's Parks & other open spaces are hopelessly inadequate as per
the standard in this behalf--.The city is already breathing less than
required breath and further depletions, by acts of the state, of the
lung spaces of the city will make the breathing more difficult"
"
We have taken the view that any conversion of the parks to any other
use, would violate the rights under Articles 21 & 14 of the
Constitution of India, we unhesitatingly accept the Petitioners' plea
that respondents have to be restrained from converting the parks to
any other use"
Cutting
down 3000 odd Trees in the name of SRDP is nothing but violation of
the Right of Hyderabad Citizens for Good Quality of Life – to
breathe Adequate Clean Air .
Friday, January 22, 2016
Miracle of Rs.750 !
About
Akshaya Patra
The
Akshaya
Patra Foundation is a non-profit organization , that operates on a
Public-Private -Partnership Model. It is the implementing partner of
the “Mid-day Meal Scheme” with steady support from Govt.of India,
various State Govts.and inestimable support from many Corporates,
Philanthropic Donors and Well-Wishers. By implementing the Mid-day
Meal Scheme in the Govt. Schools and Govt. Aided Schools, the Akshaya
Patra strives to fight issues like Hunger and Malnutrition of
impoverished & excluded families of India and also aims to bring
Children to Schools under “Right to Education.”
The
Foundation has grown from humble beginnings in the year 2000, serving
just 1,500 children across 5 schools. Today Akshaya Patra is the
world’s largest (not-for-profit run) mid-day meal programme serving
wholesome food to over 1.4
million children from 10,845 schools across 10 states in India. It
aims to accomplish
bold goal of feeding 5 million children by 2020.
The
Foundation is of the belief that there is a dire need for the
operations of Akshaya Patra to be replicated so that it realizes the
vision that “No child in India shall be deprived of Education
because of Hunger.”
What Can We Do ?
It
takes just Rs. 750 to feed a Child for a Year. Feeding
the school children is an excellent cause & dharma. We should
become part of this noble effort in service to the society, with
passion, dedication and excellence. May the world bear witness of how
such amazing things can be done with responsibility to care for
people and the environment.
Let
us make a beginning by contributing at least Rs. 2,250 to feed 3
Children
for a year or multiples of Rs.750.
How
to Go About ?
Or
Send
Cheque by Post to: The
Akshaya Patra Foundation
#72,
3 rd Floor, 3 rd Main Road, 1 st & 2 nd Stage
Yeshwantpur
Industrial Suburbs, Rajajinagar Ward No.10
Benguluru-560022
Note:Every
donation of Rs. 500 or above to Akshaya Patra is eligible for
100% Tax Exemption under section 35 AC or 50% Tax Exemption
100% Tax Exemption under section 35 AC or 50% Tax Exemption
under Section
80 G of the Indian Income Tax.
USA
:To
donate and receive a 100% Tax Exemption in USA, by accessing
www.foodforeducation.org/donate
United
Kingdom:
If you are a resident of the U.K. you can avail Tax Exemption by
donating on www.foodforeducation.org.uk
the U.K. wing of The Akshaya Patra Foundation
Let Us Donate and Help Change the Life of A Child
and
Reach
the
Goal
of Feeding 5 Million Children much before 2020.
“They
Alone Live , Who Live For Others----”
-----Swamy
Vivekananda
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, December 28, 2015
Let us avoid “Nuclear Disaster Made in India” at Kovvada
The
dangers of “Untested & Expensive Imported
Reactors”
pointed
out
in the Article“The
Strange Love for Nuclear Energy” by Prof.M.V. Ramana &
Prof.Suvrat Raju, published in The Hindu of 17 th December 2015,
are highlighted below:
Dangers
of Untested Nuclear Reactors
The“
Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactors” (ESBWR) developed by
General Electric (GE) in collaboration with Japan's Hitachi are
proposed for Kovvada Nuclear Power Project. (KNPP). The same GE,
which built the Fukushima Reactors, was considered a “laggard” in
the industry even before its reputation was damaged by Fukushima
Disaster in 2011.Since then GE struggled to find buyers for its ESBWR
design, which was certified by the U S Nuclear Regulatory Commission
only in 2014.
These
untested and unproven reactors provide no empirical track record of
safe operation, in spite of tall claims by the suppliers based on
unreliable theoretical grounds. The industry is itself well aware of
possibility of devastating accident, as is clear from its constant
efforts to alter India's Nuclear Liability Law.
Lessons
from Fukushima Nuclear Disaster of Japan
The
Fukushima disaster, which has not been contained even after 4 years,
continues to remind many Japanese of the dangers of Nuclear Power.
Despite a strong push by the Abe Govt., Nuclear Power finds little
support in the country. A poll conducted by a Japanese national news
paper in 2014, found that 77% of respondents supported a phase-out of
Nuclear Power.
More
than 50 years ago, Japan succumbed to pressure from Nuclear Suppliers
and initiated a law to indemnify them. Consequently, when the GE
Reactors at Fukushima suffered an accident, in part due to design
defect that had been pointed out decades earlier, G E was protected
from any claims from victims. The cost of the Clean-up, estimated at
about $200 billion, has been born almost entirely by Japanese
Tax-Payers.
Expensive
Nuclear Power
Apart
from being hazardous by way of Nuclear Waste generated and likely
disasters caused due to design / equipment failures of unproven
imported Nuclear Reactors, the Nuclear Power from Imported Reactors
is going to be prohibitively expensive source of electrical energy,
because of their astronomical capital costs.
A
Reactor that costs $11.6 billions in Europe is likely to lead to a
first-year tariff of Rs.19 per unit of electricity, against the range
of Rs.4.50 to Rs.5.50 per unit of electricity from Coal & Solar
Power. If the real and full cost of insurance against accidents of
Nuclear Reactors is included in the price, it is going to be
prohibitive.
Nuclear
Power from the G. E. Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactors
(ESBWR) is a Very Expensive, Sophisticated and Dangerous Way to Boil
Water.
The
“Electricity
is but the fleeting byproduct and the actual product is forever
deadly Radioactive Waste.”
Does
Nuclear Power provide Energy Security?
The
projection of huge growth of power generating capacity to 800,000
MW by 2031-32 (about 4 times from the present level), to sustain
annual growth rate of 8% to 10% .for the next 20 years, seems to be
based on the “Supply Syndrome”, rather than the thrust to
improve efficiencies in the Power Sector.
The
hollowness of the argument that India needs Nuclear Power for
ensuring Energy Security, can be seen from the fact that it hardly
contributes to around 2.50% of the present installed capacity, in
spite of huge investments in mega centralized Nuclear Power Projects
during the last 4 decades or so.
Even
assuming that the projected installed capacity of 60,000 MW of
Nuclear Power will be achieved by 2031-32, (which, going by the past
record, is most unlikely), at huge financial costs under the Myth of
Nuclear Safety, it hardly contributes to 7.5% of the projected total
installed capacity of 800,000 MW by then, which is no where near
providing energy security.
The
Nation’s Energy Security depends on efficient use of Energy
Services that maximize economic competitiveness and minimize resource
depletion, environmental degradation / impacts.
The Energy Efficiency / Conservation Measures coupled with
distributed and decentralized Renewable Sources of Energy can
compensate for more than the proposed Nuclear Power capacity by
2032. It is much cheaper and environment friendly option for Energy
Security.
Conclusion
Japan
is the unique country which experienced Nuclear Bomb and Nuclear
Power Reactor Accident. Both are quite delicate and sensitive to the
Japanese Psyche, forcing the Government to respect the public
sentiments in respect of Nuclear Power Policy and shutting down all
of its Nuclear Power Reactors. Germany, a major consumer of nuclear
power, permanently closed 8 of its 17 nuclear reactors following
Fukushima; other European countries shelved their Nuclear Plans.
It
is time for India to review and reconsider the option of going for
Mega Imported expensive & untested Nuclear Reactors and
locating them at places like Kovvada reported to be unsafe, ignoring Safety Precautions and
the Public Opinion.
____________________________________________________________
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
BRS / VRS & Govt. Lands Sale - Death Knell of Hyderabad
HMDA
Master Plan 2031
The
Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Plan covering an area of 5965 Sq
Kms., notified vide G.O. Ms No 33 dated 24-01-2013, is planned for a
time period up to 2031, taking into consideration population of about
184 lakhs, with work force of 65 lakhs. Also taking into account, the
present trends of developments, the Inner Ring Road, the Outer Ring
Road & Radial Roads, it has proposed a radial-concentric
structure of development with new urban nodes and urban centers in
all directions to promote balanced development in the Hyderabad
Metropolitan Region with a Peri Urban Zone all along the urban area,
hierarchy of circulation network to cater to the present and future
travel needs of population and activities.
Accordingly,
Zoning & Development Promotion Regulations are formulated,
conducive to balanced, integrated, comprehensive and sustainable
development of area in HMDA, so as to provide congenial surroundings
and Good Quality of Life, aspired by Urban Population.
As
per Zoning Regulations, the following Land Use Zones are classified
in the Master Plan:
1.Residential
(R1 to R4)
2.Peri-Urban
3.Commercial
4.Manufacturing
5.Public,
Semi Public Facilities & Utilities
6.Multiple
Use
7.Recreation
& Open Space & Open Space Buffer around Water Bodies
8.
Water Bodies
9.
Forest
10. Special Reservation ( Heritage Bldgs.& Precincts, Defence Lands, Bio-
Conservation &
Others reserved for special use)
11.
Conservation ( Agriculture)
12.
Traffic & Transport ( Roads, Railways , Railway Stations, Bus
Stands/
Stations, Airports and Allied Infrastructure )
Stations, Airports and Allied Infrastructure )
Note:
The Land Use under Water Bodies, Green Buffers around Water
Bodies,
Forests & Bio Conservation is designated as Protected
and their Land Use Change is not to be permitted.
and their Land Use Change is not to be permitted.
Metropolitan
Planning Committee
As
per the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed on 27-3-2006, seeking
financial assistance under JNNURM to Municipal Corporation of
Hyderabad (MCH), it was agreed to constitute Metropolitan Planning
Committee (MPC), vide Article 243- ZE, by March 2008. And also the
resolution by State Government, expressing commitment to implement 74
th Amendment Act, was to be passed within 6 months from the date of
MOA & copy submitted to MOUD, GOI.
Accordingly,
the Urban Areas are to function as institutions of self government in
accordance with Article 243 W of the Constitution of India. And also
any changes to approved Master Plans prepared by MPC are to be
considered and recommended by MPC to the Govt. as per Article 243
ZE.
BRS
& LRS Proposals
Any
unilateral regularization of of Buildings / Layouts undertaken in
violation of Zoning & Development Promotion Regulations
formulated under notified HMDA Master Plan 2031, amounts to violation
of Seventy-Fourth Amendment Act of 1992 and MOA signed under JNNURM.
In
particular, Building Regularization Scheme (BRS) & Layout Regularization Scheme (LRS) approvals in Water Bodies, Green Buffers
around Water Bodies,
Forests & Bio Conservation Areas, designated as Protected and
whose Land use cannot be changed, may amount to be a Criminal Offense. In this connection, the Chennai High Court order holding
“TN Govt responsible for flooding &deaths, as it let Land Sharks
Swallow Water Bodies” is relevant.
As
per Press Reports , Telangana Govt is reported to have relaxed Rules-
Minimum Setbacks & Height -for issuing No Objection Certificate
(NOC) for Buildings by the Fire Services Department while regularizing unauthorized buildings under BRS. This is nothing but
bending backwards to help/accommodate Owners & Builders of
Illegal Structures in violation of National Building Code, Fire
Safety & Prevention Rules, Norms of State Disaster Response etc,
which may prove to be disastrous to public safety. Where is the
Accountability ?
Sale
of Govt Land
As
HMDA Master Plan 2031 is prepared for estimated population of 184
lakhs by 2031, there is going to be tremendous pressure on land-use
and the traffic for intra urban travel. The Implementer of Master
Plan will have to give importance and priority for preservation and
protection of natural resources such as Water Bodies, Forests, Parks,
Hillocks, Open Spaces, Heritage Bldgs, & Precincts , with out
treating Urban Land as a Commodity as it is being done all these
years.
Protected
Areas
The
sale of Land, covered under Water Bodies, Green Buffers around Water
Bodies, Forests, Bio Conservation, which are designated as Protected
should be treated beyond the scope of any future Land transactions
as it amounts to selling Environment / Future, in violation of
provisions of Articles 48-A and 51-A (g).
Conservation
Area ( Agriculture )
The
area covered under Agriculture in HMDA area has already come down
drastically, because of rapid urban growth around Hyderabad during
the last 2 decades or so. This contributed to micro-climatic
changes having adverse impact on Quality of Life and shortage of
Vegetables, Fruits , Flowers etc grown in the vicinity.
Traffic
& Transport Area
The
City which is already experiencing serious traffic bottle necks
resulting in, far too many Road Accidents, serious Air Pollution
etc, cannot afford to loose, any area earmarked for meeting the
growing traffic & transport needs up to 2031.
Public,
Semi Public Facilities & Utilities
As
it is, there is acute shortage of Public Schools, Social &
Welfare Centers, Group Housing Facilities, Public Utility Bldgs,
Water Supply, Drainage & Sewage Systems, Other Services, Night
Shelters etc. As the requirement is going to be multiplied to cater
for the growing needs, any reduction of already earmarked area, is
bound to have serious adverse impacts on the delivery of essential
Public facilities, utilities & services.
Recreation
& Open Space
The
A.P.
High Court in its landmark judgment on WRIT PETITIONS W.P.
Nos.25835/96 and 35/97,observed "None of the respondents have
been able to dispute the averment on behalf of the Petitioners and
interveners that the City's Parks and other Open Spaces are
hopelessly inadequate as per the standard in this behalf ……The
city is already breathing less than required breath and further
depletions, by acts of the state, of the lung spaces of the city will
make the breathing more difficult" (Pages 51 - 52).
"Since
we have found that the respondents have acted in violation of the
fundamental rights of the Petitioners and others similarly situated
and we have taken the view that any conversion of the parks to any
other use, would violate the rights under Articles 21 and 14 of the
Constitution of India, we unhesitatingly accept the Petitioners' plea
that respondents have to be restrained from converting the parks to
any other use" (Page 59).
"Whatever
little scope was available to argue that the Government of the State
represent the sovereign and retained thus its eminent domain in
deciding in respect of the use of a public place one way or the other
is taken away by the Constitution (Seventy-Fourth Amendment) Act,
1992 and Article 243W(a) therein read with the list in the Twelfth
Schedule" (Page 49).
Conclusion
In
the light of the facts stated in the preceding paragraphs, the State
Govt should not be permitted, to unilaterally change the specified
Land Use and/or dispose off Govt. Lands, with the sole object of mobilizing the required funds to meet present day requirements. It
amounts to treating the precious Urban Land as a Commodity and
Depriving the Future Generations, just
to cater
for the present, without fully evaluating and assessing the long term
Environmental, Social and Economic implications.
_________________________________________________________________________
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