Activities //

2001 - 2002

1. CA was invitee on the Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI) Advisory Group dealing with pricing and infrastructure cost for supply and distribution of Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in Mumbai.
2. On ‘Earth Day’ 22nd April 2002, CA organized a programme in collaboration with Max Mueller Bhavan, where eminent personalities spoke about the connection between ill health and air pollution. Dr. Shyam Sunder, a renowned chest specialist, spoke on the direct relationship between air pollution and chest diseases and every day illnesses.
3. Eminent lawyer Shiraz Rustomjee gave an explicit and eloquent update on the pollution case in the High Court, its background and present status. Nikhil Anand, a member of NeTrA (Networking for Transport Alternatives), spoke concisely and lucidly about the NeTrA initiative.
4. CA was invited by the Asian Development Bank to attend a 5 day workshop in Manila, on transportation and planning.

1. NAGAR organised ‘A’ Ward Election-watch (A.W.E), a temporary alliance with active citizens of this Ward and eight Resident Associations to create awareness regarding importance of civic elections; held core group activities, meetings between residents and candidates, disseminated information via a barrage of fliers and drafted Local Citizens’ Manifestos
2. “Vote for Mumbai” rally was organised by NAGAR on the Independence Day which succeeded in registering 7.33% increase in the voter turnout in one of the constituencies. Also, we set up ‘Constituency Citizens’ Councils’ (CCC) in three out of the four municipal constituencies of this Ward.

1. Formed in response to the growing traffic and its affiliated problems faced by Mumbai city
2. Constituent members of NeTrA were: BEAG (Bombay Environmental Action Group), NAGAR, Critical Mass and Parisar Vikas
3. NAGAR played a major role in getting this networking body together. Its mission was to network and campaign for the formulation and implementation of an Integrated Transport Policy, and the setting up of a Unified Transport Authority for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), particularly focusing on the need to upgrade and prioritize sustainable transport and mass transport systems
4. The next step involved working closely with the appropriate authorities to ensure that the group’s agenda moved forward
5. On January 4, 2002, NeTrA met with the Chief Secretary Mr. Ranganathan and representatives of MMRDA, BEST, BMC, Railways and Traffic Police and a detailed paper was presented to them.
6. In the second week of March, NeTrA was invited by the MMDRA to attend several meetings with the World Bank - MUTP Assessment team that was putting together the final touches on the MUTP document.

1. NAGAR initiated a hands-on pilot project in SWM in collaboration with the MCGM and the Indian Centre for Plastics in the Environment (ICPE).
2. A partnership between the BMC, NGOs, residential associations and the citizen
3. Goal: To create a replicable model for the collection; storage and recycling of ‘dry’ waste in the city keeping within the chain the ubiquitous rag-picker, traditionally so useful in reducing the solid waste burden on our landfills
4. Time frame: From April – November 2001
5. A holistic attempt to avoid the litter and fire hazards of the traditional recycling chain and to take the waste directly from ‘user’ to ‘destination’.
6. Success: Increased the collection quantum of ‘dry’ waste from 600 kg per month to over 10,000 kg per month. Initially 5 ragpickers earned Rs. 48/- per day. After implementing the project it was seen that 7 ragpickers had started earning Rs. 144/- per day. Also, money generated from waste increased from Rs.1210/- per month to over Rs. 30,000/- per month.