Development Watch – June ’22 Week #2
Development News
Cover Image Source: GK Today
Robots at Bengaluru Airport for enhanced passenger service
10 AI-driven robots have been introduced at Bengaluru Airport to guide passengers and answer basic queries. Bangalore airport has partnered with Artilligent Solutions. The robots are modeled along a customized passenger services software. They will provide a variety of services like flight status information, convenience services, and directional assistance. The robots can even escort passenger to desired locations. For further help, the robots will connect to the airport help desk through a video call.
National Tribal Research Institute inaugurated in Delhi
The National Tribal Research Institute (NTRI) will be the premier national institute for promotion and preservation of tribal heritage and culture. It will serve as the nerve centre of tribal research issues and matters in academic, executive and legislative fields. The institute will collaborate and network with reputed research institutes, universities, and organizations. It will work with academic bodies and resource centres as well. The NTRI was inaugurated on June 7 in New Delhi by the Union Home Minister, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Shri Arjun Munda, and Union Law Minister.
NTRI will also provide policy inputs to Tribal Affairs Ministry, under which it has been set up. More than 100 tribal artisans and dance troupes across India showcased their indigenous products and performances during the inauguration event.
Demolition of 571 Buildings ordered in Madurai
Madurai City corporation has identified 571 dilapidated buildings for demolition. The announcement came after a century-old building collapsed near Periyar bus terminal. The Mayor V. Indirani Ponvasanth has urged property owners to cooperate, as these buildings may collapse any time soon.
Welspun to design and operate Dharavi Wastewater Treatment Facility
Welspun Enterprises has received an order worth Rs. 4,636 Crores from Brinhanmumbai Municipal corporation (BMC). Under this project, the joint venture will design, build, operate and maintain the 418 MLD Dharavi Wastewater Treatment Facility. The project in Dharavi would be one of the largest wastewater treatment facilities in India.
Infosys Initiative to curb disease spread in Rural Karnataka
CSR arm of Infosys has partnered with Rotary Bangalore Southwest Charitable Trust to provide “Lab Built on Wheels”. The mobile labs are equipped with a medical unit, pharmacy, and minimal invasive emergency care unit. The cost-effective diagnostics units will help curb spread of communicable diseases.
New Campaign for upkeep of Parks in Chandigarh
Chandigarh Mayor Sarbjit Kaur launched “Humaare Parks, Humaari Pehchaan” campaign on June 7, Tuesday. The aim is to clean all neighbourhood parks in the city by involving area councillors and local citizens. The Mayor and Municipal Commissioner (Anindita Mitra) during the campaign cleaned footpaths, flowerbeds, and corners of the park. The commissioner directed engineers to plug illegal opening of storm water disposal pipes at the garden and issue challan against violators. Respective ward councillors praised efforts of gardeners in maintaining cleanliness. They thanked the gardeners by giving them flowers buds and handing safety equipment for cleaning.
8 friends transform Villages with Homes made of Kulhads
8 friends from CEPT, Ahmedabad, have started a sustainable architecture company called Compartments S4. It has led several projects to promote local community development, employment and eco-friendly architecture in rural India. Some of their typical ingenious features include roofs with clay axes (kulhads), play area with households items like cans and tyres, use of rat trap bonds to reduce bricks usage, among others. The adoption of these innovative techniques can bring down the costs by 50%.
Compartment S4’s clients include Nainital Tourism Department, Surat Forest Department, ISCON Group, Shankar Ice Cream, Midas Hospitality Group and the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme by UNICEF.
New Rail wheels manufacturing plant in Chhattisgarh
Jindal Steel and Power (JSP) is collaborating with GIFLO Steel of Hungary to install India’s first wheelset manufacturing plant in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh. The MoU for collaboration was signed at “India Hungary Business Forum” in Delhi, organized by FICCI and Embassy of Hungary. The plant will have a capacity of 25,000 wheelsets per year. It will help Indian Railways to speed up the modernization of its rail infrastructure.
70 MW Amguri Solar Park inaugurated in Assam
Amguri Solar Park inaugurated in Assam would help the state head towards generating 1,000 MW of power. There is a demand of 2,200 MW in the state. Additional demand would be met through hydroelectric and solar power potential.
Local Feedback
LocalFeedback.org aims to track and document actionable parameters that help improve urban and rural infrastructure. The founder, Susmita, has juggled diverse roles in real estate, project budgeting, valuation and execution on construction sites. Having traveled to more than 20 countries, she has worked across 4 regions in India. Her areas of interest include sustainable buildings, electric mobility and urban development. She visited top-ranking cities on livability indices and has presented published papers at international conferences.