QKolkata: Kashmir Labourers Return; Call to Junk Old Diesel Cars

1. As Bengal Labourers Return from Kashmir, They Ask Themselves: ‘What Will We Do Now?’

As over 130 labourers from Bengal returned from Kashmir on Monday evening accompanied by government officials and a small police team, there was only question on their mind: “What will I do now? How will I earn?”

The uncertainty of jobs loomed over them as some even came empty-handed after being denied wage payment by those for whom they worked in Kashmir.

(Source: The Indian Express)

2. Scrap 10-Yr-Old Diesel Cars to Fight Pollution, Green Bench tells West Bengal

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday asked the state government to submit a detailed roadmap on how it plans to tackle Kolkata’s growing air pollution and implement it by next year. It also criticized the state for allowing commercial diesel vehicles to ply for over 15 years. The NGT bench had earlier ordered that such vehicles should be scrapped after 10 years. The state has four weeks to file its report.

“Why has the state allowed diesel cars to pollute the city’s air?” the tribunal asked chief secretary Rajiva Sinha in presence of the environment secretary Prabhas Mishra and advocate general Kishore Dutta on Monday.

(Source: The Times of India)

3. Cops Limit No of Small Vehicles on Tallah Bridge to 10 at a Time

The government is working on several short- and long-term solutions to ensure that the north-central connectivity is not hampered as the present Tallah Bridge is pulled down before a new one is built. These plans are either being implemented by the administration or are in an advanced planning stage.

From Monday, cops started providing restricted passage to autos and cars on the Tallah bridge at both of its ends. Smaller cars and autos heading towards Shyambazar and BT Road are now queuing up before the bridge and are being allowed in batches of five from both sides. The restrictions, though, are leading to major jams around Tallah on both sides of the bridge.

(Source: The Times of India)

4. First Cargo Set Sail for NE via Inland Waterways

In line with the Centre’s focus on improving connectivity to Northeast, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) set sail the first container cargo from Haldia Dock Complex to Pandu in Guwahati via India Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route on Monday, said a statement.

Shipping Secretary Gopal Krishna flagged off the vessel, MV Maheshwari, carrying 53 containers of petrochemicals, edible oil and beverage. “New Feat! First ever Containerised Cargo on #Brahmaputra through integrated movement (NW1, Sunderbans, IBP N NW2), a total 1425 KMs of seamless connectivity…,” IWAI said in a tweet.

(Source: The Indian Express)

5. Scolded Over Mobile, 14-Year-Old Kills Self

A Class-VIII student was found hanging from the ceiling fan at his home at Bijaynagar in Naihati, North 24 Parganas, on Monday afternoon. Police suspect that the 14-year-old boy committed suicide after being rebuked by his mother for his smartphone addiction.

Locals said Debojyoti Dutta, a student at Naihati Mahendranagar High School, was good at studies. “But he was losing concentration and would be glued to his mobile. His parents warned him against such addiction, but to no avail,” said a family member.

(Source: The Times of India)