Kerala unlikely to have railway expansion: Kerala, which has much less railway coverage compared to the national average, is unlikely to have any major railway expansion schemes in the near future. The state has made several demands for new lines, doubling of lines, electrification and introduction of new trains, but the response has not been encouraging. The action taken report by the railway ministry on these demands, especially the demands made by V M Sudheeran MP, demonstrates this. The railway ministry has rejected the demands for extension of Mangla Express, Netravati Express and Hyderabad-Cochin Express to Thiruvanathapuram via Alapuzha and the Madurai-Kollam passenger train to Alapuzha. There are severe line capacity constraints on Kollam-Thiruvananthapuram single line section and terminal problems at Thiruvananthapuram, besides non-availability of spare rakes.Highest rating air-cooled generator from Bhel: Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (Bhel), Haridwar, has manufactured and supplied a170 mva air-cooled generator for the 430 mw combined cycle power project of the National Thermal Power Corporation at Faridabad. This is the highest rating generator of this type manufactured by Bhel. Air-cooled generators are cost-effective and simpler to manufacture, operate and maintain due to elimination of gas and seal oil systems which are required in gas-cooled generators. According to the Bhel spokesman, the 180 tonne air-cooled generator has been desptached to Faridabad on a special trailer by road.
NGOs advocate power generation from water mills: A blend of modern and traditional water harvesting systems can be a way out of the impending crisis in the quantity and quality of water resources the country, according to NGOs working in the Garhwal Himalayas. With population growth placing a severe strain on the limited water resources. Strategies for conservation of water are gaining importance a `Jal Andolan' was launched a few years ago in the Himalayan region by the `Gharat Samiti' andthe Himalayan Environmental Studies Conservation Organisation (Hesco). The movement has created awareness about the need to harness the traditional water harvesting system and strengthen water management in the region, according to Anil Joshi of the Hesco. Joshi, who heads the Hesco, says Gharat (the traditional watermill popular in the hill region) is the only answer to many major problems in the hills, including generation of hydro power.
MP budget: Medicines, sports goods, readymade garments, match boxes and kerosene sold in the open market are among the items that will become costlier in Madhya Pradesh as per tax proposals made in the Budget for the financial year 1999-2000.
As per the tax proposals made by the state finance minister Ajay Narayan Mushran in his Budget speech, other things that would cost more include pump sets with capacity above three horse power. Processing of foodgrains and pulses would also become costlier even as chemical fertilisers and all types of seeds have come underthe tax net for the first time.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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