GPS to improve twin-city trash collection

GPS to improve twin-city trash collection
Source:HDMC website

Photo shows,The web interface of the GPS tracker
The Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) is all set to become the first urban local body in Karnataka to adopt "Vehicle Tracking System"' which would enable effective collection of garbage in the twin cities even as it would prevent misuse of corporation vehicles.

The HDMC decided to adopt this system introduced by the Visakhapatnam City Corporation in Andhra Pradesh last month and already yielding 'good results' there in the wake of a heap of complaints from the general public about corporation employees skipping garbage collection in their areas.

To check this, the HDMC called for tenders, in which 12 Indian companies participated, and finally selected a Vizag company for the job. The system works with a GPS-aided instrument with the help of mobile phone sim cards. The HDMC has procured around 20 such cards and installed them in the instruments supplied by the company, on a trial basis.

In the twin cities, there were 16 garbage collection (GC) dumpers with 210 GC points. Those vehicles were supposed to collect trash from each of the metal bin placed for the purpose.

A complete map of the twin cities was prepared with separate icons for around 20 vehicles, each of which, fitted with the instrument, will send SMS about its location.

With a data collection centre located in the HDMC headquarters, the movement of each vehicle can be seen on the computer screen that would be constantly monitored by officers concerned. Any diversion of route or skipping of GC points would be automatically shown on the screen and recorded immediately. That would serve as a proof for the corporation authorities to question the drivers concerned.

Diesel theft

HDMC Commissioner P Manivannan told Deccan Herald that the instrument has been configured in such a way that SMS is sent once every five to 10 seconds. As soon as a vehicle starts its daily round, the tracking begins. Besides, the system also records the total distance covered by each vehicle, "helping us catch drivers who sell diesel and alter trip sheets".

The VTS has been in vogue in Chennai and Hyderabad for quite some time now. That instrument would be fit in on all vehicles, including that of the corporation commissioner, assistant commissioners of 12 zonal offices and all other senior officials.

Mr Manivannan said the process of fitting vehicles with the instrument would be completed within a week. Once the system is in place there would be a real check on misuse of corporation vehicles, besides better management of garbage collection in the twin cities

Three-day sangeetotsava begins in Hubli today

Three-day sangeetotsava begins in Hubli today
The Hindu - Staff Correspondent

Gangubai Hangal felicitates Rajyotsava award-winners

CELEBRATING MUSIC: Noted Hindustani classical singer Gangubai Hangal inaugurating the three-day music festival in Hubli on Thursday.

HUBLI: The three-day "Sangeetotsava" organised in memory of Sitar Ratna Rahimat Khan as part of his 52nd death anniversary began here on Thursday with a warm felicitation of three Rajyotsava Award-winners.

The programme, which was delayed by more than an hour at Dr. Mallikarjun Mansur Kalabhavan, was inaugurated by doyenne of Hindustani classical musician Gangubai Hangal, followed by a warm felicitation to Rajyotsava Award-winners Sadanand Kanavalli, T.V. Kabadi and Naganath Wodeyar, who belong to Hubli and Dharwad.

Referring to the contributions made by Pandit Rahimat Khan, who founded the Bharatiya Sangeet Vidyalaya in Dharwad with the objective of teaching music to all, she said it was because of Rahimat Khan that the Kannadigas became familiar with sitar.

Deputy Commissioner M.S. Srikar lauded the efforts of the samiti which has been organising the sangeetotsava for the past five decades.

Later in the night, Ruparani Das Borah, noted Kathak danseuse from New Delhi, set the tone for the three-day music festival with her splendid performance.

The festival has been organised by Sitar Ratna Samiti in association with Department of Kannada and Culture and Sangeet Natak Academy, New Delhi.

Entertainment scene set to change

Entertainment scene set to change
M L Kapur - TIMES NEWS NETWORK

21 Dec, 2006 2305hrs IST

HUBLI: People of this once sleepy commercial hub of north Karnataka can look forward to an altogether new shopping and entertainment experience with a number of shopping malls, multiplexes and retail chain stores becoming a reality.

Though BDK Group was the first to start a super bazaar here some four years back, off late a few branded stores have also come up on Koppikar Road.

But these developments did not help Hubli much in shedding its tag of an overgrown village. But two factors that made investors sit up and act were the fast development of the organised retail sector country-wide and projection of Hubli as a Tier-II destination for IT/ITeS companies which were finding Bangalore too over-crowded and costly for future expansion.

In the retail sector, a well-known retail chain offering household durables is set to open on Club Road. A Delhi-based retailer is also planning an outlet here and another mall is under construction on Club Road.

On the entertainment front, Raikar Exhibitors took the lead in planning a multiplexcum-mall in Hubli.With over 10 cinema halls, they are leading exhibitors in north Karnataka.

But their proposed mall-multiplex will have space for branded stores and food courts. Mall-multiplex promoter Ramesh Raikar said permissions from half-a-dozen agencies are required before getting the building plans approved by the municipal authorities.

"I have already obtained NOC from four of them. The two remaining are on the way and I hope to start construction
within a month,"he said.

A leading business house, which has presence in petrochemicals, telecom, textiles and recently entered the retail business, is now coming up with its first fruits and vegetables outlet in the city on Station Road in a couple of months.

So, no more jostling in overcrowded cinema halls and weekly vegetable markets for those looking for a complete shopping and entertainment experience.

And also no more jaunts to Mumbai or Bangalore for those trying to keep up with the Joneses.