The Delhi government plans to construct India’s first and one of the largest [spread over five acres in Vasant Vihar] multi-level electric bus depots at Vasant Vihar which includes charging stations for private vehicles. Besides this, another depot will be developed in Hari Nagar. The depot will have dedicated space for charging of private electric vehicles. Once the projects are completed, the depots at Hari Nagar and Vasant Vihar will be able to accommodate over 330 and 400 buses, respectively. The projects are important as the Delhi government has decided to purchase only electric vehicles for which infrastructure needs to be readied.

Soon, 1,400 women-driven pink e-autos in Mumbai

With the city set to get 1,400 pink electric autos exclusively for women, the government has decided to accord priority to widows, divorcées, inmates of state homes or children’s homes, orphans and economically disadvantaged women to provide them with a secure means of livelihood. Under the scheme, autos can be owned by women aged 18-35 holding a driving licence. The government will offer a 20 percent subsidy to buy an e-auto. Applicants will have to cover 10 percent of the vehicle cost and the remaining 70 percent will be financed through bank loans. There are 200-300 autos run by both women and men in two shifts across the Mumbai region. The state will have to ensure better charging infrastructure for e-autos as 4,400 pink e-autos are to be introduced across the MMR. 

'Illegal mining, constructions led to Wayanad tragedy'

Illegal mining and uncontrolled construction aggravated the disaster in Kerala, said Bhupender Yadav Union Minister, Environment, and added that the state government had ignored key aspects [Soil topography, geomorphology, slope angle and vegetation] of the region before granting approvals for such projects but the Pinarayi Vijayan-led state government rejected these claims. At least 221 people died after multiple landslides hit Wayanad following days of heavy rainfall. He clarified that the Centre had not granted environmental clearances for any activities in Wayanad. In a related development, the Indian Army constructed a 120-foot-long bailey bridge, with a weight capacity of 24 tonne, in record time of 31 hours to connect the worst-affected areas.  

Eco-friendly tunnel in Matheran Hills to reduce Mumbai-Delhi travel time  

A 4.39 km eight-tiered tunnel to be excavated through the hills of Matheran’s eco-sensitive zone will help in conveniently reaching Delhi from Mumbai. The tunnel’s construction will start at the Morbe village at the foothills of Matheran near Panvel and it is expected to be completed by 2025. As per the reports, the construction cost of the tunnel will be Rs.14.53 billion. It will extend to Bhoj village near Ambernath in Thane district.

As per reports, the time taken from Mumbai to Delhi will be reduced from 24 to 12 hours. This tunnel is a part of the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway. Eight cross passages are being made in this tunnel.

Central Railway (CR): Will Harbour line trains terminate at Sandhurst Road?

Central Railway (CR), as per reports, may consider terminating Harbour line services at Sandhurst Road since Harbour platforms and tracks between CSMT and Masjid station will be needed for the new CSMT-Parel lines. The CR also plans to demolish the fast corridor platforms at Byculla to create space for new tracks. If so, there will be no stoppage for fast trains between CSMT and Dadar. Under the plan, platforms 1 and 2 at CSMT and Masjid will be used for CR's Main line services, implying that all suburban network platforms at CSMT, from 1 to 7, will serve the Main line. Currently, fifth and sixth lines exist between Kalyan and LTT.