PCEF Notes from Meeting of 2 March 2009

Agenda

1. Report on previous work
2. Reports and studies
   - NMT
   - DC Rules
   - Sludge disposal (new, to be studied)
3. Environment Status Report 2009

Notes

1. Report on Previous Work The minutes of the last meeting on 13 June 2008 were circulated. As per the last meeting, the Schools group has been meeting with SSA and School Ed Dept meetings, and the DC Rules group work has been integrated into DP Steering Committee. The PCEF was to focus on the ESR; frameworks had been developed by Prof Aneeta Benninger (for ward-level analysis), water, biodiversity, waste management in consultation with Dr Ajay Ojha; limited incorporation was possible due to inadequate of time and missing data; process is to be strengthened in 2009
2. Cycle Track and Footpath Designs
   a) Shri Ranjit Gadgil reported on a rapid assessment carried out of the design of the cycle track implemented on Sinhagad Road, which is good, but there are issues that are documented at http://government.wikia.com/wiki/Cyclists%27_Issues
   b) The Municipal Commissioner (MC) suggested that on roads which are not under JNNURM one could create cycle tracks quickly by using a curb stone separator. Cycle track would be at same level as the road and will be tarred surface. He asked Shri Bhosekar of Aundh ward to undertake such a cycle track on Aundh road (Raj Bhavan road - from University Circle to Bremen chowk). Shri Bhosekar informed that this would not be possible from the Ward maintenance budget since cost is likely to be high (2.6 km stretch) and would give a cost estimate for the said project.
   c) In each ward, approximately 5 km of footpaths are being built/ repaired; RWAs, Mohalla Committees can help in assessing the quality of the work done. Of special interest is the changeover (slope) at property access that should be checked by RWAs and citizens
   d) The list of roads where the footpath is to be made walk-able is available at http://government.wikia.com/wiki/N.M.T(Non-Motorized_Cell)#Tasks_Ahead_for_the_N.M.T_Cell The reports may be uploaded by the Mohalla Committees on the wiki or given to the NMT Cell
   e) Shri Satish Khot suggested that the Grievance Redress System be used for NMT related complaints; MC identified Mr Latkar as the officer in charge to address the complaints for NMT
   f) Shri Satish Khot suggested that the cycle track network and the footpath assessment exercise (and tools for the same) could be publicized in print form and not only on the wiki in order to reach many more citizens
3. Reaching organic fertilizer from Sewage Treatment Plants Sludge and organic MSW into Peri-urban Farmers
   a) MC suggested that PCEF should investigate the possibility of conversion of STP sludge into organic fertilizer and the mechanism of reaching it to farmers in the peri-urban areas of Pune and linking the whole initiative to organic farming networks who could help in monitoring the quality of the fertilizer and its regular availability
   b) Shri VG Kulkarni, Dev Engineer in charge of STP is to be the PMC contact for this; he is currently on leave; CEE would follow up on this task once Shri Kulkarni is back and obtain basic information regarding STP location-wise sludge production, quality etc. Further studies with students from Pune Univ/ other institutes would be done to work out the economics, hold consultations with farmers and related NGOs etc.
4. DC Rules
   Ms Anagha Paranjape reported on the discussions on the DC Rules group. An analysis of rules of other cities has been done; an Environmental Planning and Mgt chapter to be added to the DC Rules, based on Pune’s ecohousing policy (rainwater harvesting, SWM, noise and dust mgt on construction site). A presentation on the work done thus far is to be presented and discussed at the DP Steering Committee meeting, whenever next organized.
5. Environment Status Report
   a) Background: At the first meeting of the PCEF in 2007, it had been decided that the citizens groups and NGOs would help strengthen the process of development and use of the ESR. The current system of tendering of the ESR has meant that the report content and quality changes from year to year. The lack of mechanisms for participation in the process has also meant that the ESR is not used by citizens for ward level monitoring of the city environment. It was felt that this year another arrangement may be tried out in which citizens' groups could also participate/input.
   b) Prof Aneeta Benninger described the rationale for the ESR, as envisaged in the 74th CAA, and that the electoral ward level status should be reflected in the ESR; the data already available with the Ward Offices has to be compiled and analyzed so as to provide a picture of what improvements are needed in various wards; specific projects could then be budgeted by the prabhag samitis
   c) The first task is the preparation of the framework of the ESR, including information reporting, analysis, consultation process and cycle of data collection, analysis, recommendations, programme implementation review, etc. This may include the ward-level analysis suggested by Prof Aneeta Benninger, a consideration of the KPI work of Janwani, the Standardized Service Level Benchmarks initiative under the JnNURM, the Strategic Environment Assessment work being done as part of the Sustainable City Plan with Sida, the CEROI indicators (www.ceroi.net), actions to be taken by cities under the Kyoto Protocol and analysis of the past ESRs.
   d) The framework is to be drawn up by several participants who volunteered to do the same (Shri Sharad Mahajan, Ms Zigisha Mhaskar, Ms Anagha Paranjape, Shri Ranjit Gadgil, Shri Avinash Madhale, Ms Neha Ambastha, Ms Sanskriti Menon), in consultation with Shri Bhosekar and with Shri Mangesh Dighe and Shri Vikram Jadhavar (PMC Environment Dept); Sanskriti would also check with Ms Tasneem Balasinorwala about the possibility of her involvement in developing the framework
   e) The framework would be placed before the entire PCEF again in the first week of April, and once finalized, Department heads, Ward Officers etc. would be requested to give the necessary information; NGOs and academic institutes would also be requested to share any studies relevant to the ESR
   f) A team would then help with data analysis and writing of chapters, which would again be circulated as a draft, and Shri Satish Khot volunteered to circulate it among citizens' forums such as mohalla samitis, and then finalized for translation and production and placing before GB by PMC Environment Dept
   g) Further, after acceptance by GB, the main recommendations for each ward would be sent to the Prabhag Samiti by the PMC Environment Dept for consideration in the ward level planning and budgets subsequently
   h) Shri Sharad Mahajan offered to give various maps without any charge
   i) Shri Ashish Kothari suggested that if time is short, then a more practical approach be taken by concentrating on three or four areas that would be possible
   j) Shri Sharad Mahajan also suggested that July 31st should be sacrosanct and if electoral ward-wise report is not possible, then an aggregate ESR as per previous years should still be tabled on the due date
   k) The Commissioner said that a diffuse group such as PCEF will not be able to work unless someone agrees to anchor the activity. Janwani's name was suggested and was agreed to by MC and Ranjit Gadgil, though the PCEF would be mainly responsible for finalizing the framework for the ESR based on suggestions of all stakeholders.
   l) PMC (the Environment Dept.) would be responsible for the collection of the data and the Commissioner asked Mr. Devanikar, Addl Commissioner (Gen), to ensure that all wards and HoDs comply.
   m) It was further discussed that the actual production of the ESR (printing) could be tendered, however Sharad Mahajan suggested that PMC has in-house printing facility, and should do it. A final decision can be made by the PMC and as such does not impact the work of PCEF/Janwani.
   n) Sanskriti said that the work by PCEF/Janwani may involve some costs such as data entry, photocopies, printing of draft copies (limited) and possibly honorarium to be given to sector experts who agree to assist in the making or evaluation of the framework. The Commissioner agreed that any actual costs to Janwani could be reimbursed, or paid directly by PMC
   o) No tender has been issued for the creation of the ESR thus far and with this arrangement it was decided that it would not be needed. The idea that PMC would develop the ESR in-house and that the Environment Dept be strengthened was welcomed by everyone. The ESR would be a PMC product, but guided in this manner by the PCEF, which group effort would be anchored by Janwani
6. Update on DP Steering Committee Meeting
   Shri Aniruddha Pawaskar, Dy CE reported that the next DP Steering Committee is to be held shortly. MC suggested that the agenda should include:
   a) Presentations by the commissioned agencies and groups for ELU, DC Rules, Socio-economic and Demography studies, focusing on the important findings pertinent for the DP revision process
   b) Possibility of appointment of a City Architect as part of the DP Cell, as suggested by Prof Aneeta Benninger
   c) Focus on rules for redevelopment and renewal as suggested by Prof Aneeta Benninger
   d) Heritage conservation strategies
7. Environment Impact Assessment of Large Projects
   a) Shri Ranjit Gadgil initiated a discussion on the possibility of conducting Environment Impact Assessments (EIA) of large projects undertaken by the PMC.
   b) MC informed that the MoEF has a new notification for EIAs to be conducted (2009, available at http://envfor.nic.in/legis/legis.html#H)
   c) It was decided that the following should be incorporated into the contracting and tendering procedures of the PMC:
   a. That EIAs be done for green fields projects worth more than 50 crore to be taken up by PMC such as 100 feet rd, 80 ft road, bridges, ring road, STPs etc, and esp under the 23 villages DP
   b. Cost-Benefit analysis and Environment Damage Mitigation Plan (EDMP) to be incorporated into works in already built areas, retrofitting of existing infrastructure and projects currently underway
   d) The PMC Environment Cell should anchor this effort and make the ToRs for EIA, BC analysis , EDMP for new projects now being tendered and in the future, by listing out all the proposed projects over 50 crore – Shri Mangesh Dighe to identify 5-7 such projects of different kinds, roads, bridges, STP etc
   e) The ESR framework should include reporting on the EIAs done each year
   
   

Participants

1. Adv.Bhagyashree Alate ,SLA
2. Anagha Paranjape Purohit,BN College of Architecture
3. Anantrao Katkar ,A.E. Sahakar Nagar
4. Aneeta Benninger,CDSA
5. Anil Jagtap,Ward Officer, Bibwewadi
6. Ashish Kothari,Kalpavriksh
7. Ashok Pingle,MASHAL
8. Avinash Madhale,CEE Urban
9. C.K.Waghmare,A.C.Yerwada Office
10. D.S.Molak,DMC-2
11. Dinesh Girolla,JE, MC Office
12. L.M.Kondhare,Dy.M.C.[G] Security and Fire Brigade
13. Madhav Deshpande ,Ward Officer, Hadapsar
14. Madhav Jagtap,Ward officer, Kasba Vishrambagh
15. Mangesh Dhige,Environment officer PMC
16. Meher Gadekar,
17. Mr. Machindranath Devanikar,Addl. Municipal Commissioner (Gen.)
18. Mrs.Ulka Kalaskar,Dy.Ch .Acct
19. Mukund Bhosale,Ward Officer, Sangamwadi
20. Neha Ambastha,CEE
21. Nitin Udas ,Ward Officer, Karve Road
22. P.D.Pawar,J.E. Garden Department
23. Pravinsing Pardeshi,Municipal Commissioner
24. Pushkar Kanvinde,Principal College of Architecture
25. Ramesh Shelar,
26. Ranjit Gadgil,Janwani
27. S.P. Bhanage,Asstt.Engr. Parwadi Water Work
28. S.S.Jana ,O.S. Tax Department
29. Sanskriti Menon,CEE Urban
30. Satish Khot,NSCC Pune
31. Sharad Mahajan ,MASHAL
32. Shreeram Salvekar ,Ward Offcer, Dhole Patil road
33. Subhash Swami,School Board PMC
34. Sudhakar Tambe,Education Officer, PMC
35. Sudhakar Telang ,Z.C.4
36. Surendra Karpe,J.E. Road
37. Suresh Jagtap,DMC-3, Solid Waste and Vehicle Dept
38. T.S.Dharurkar,PMPML
39. Umesh Mali ,Ward Officer, Dhankawadi
40. Vijay Dahibhate,Dy. Comm Zone 1
41. Vijay Landge,Ward Officer, Ghole road
42. Vikram Jadhavar ,Environment officer JnNURM PMC
43. Zigisha Mhaskar,CHF International