Indra's Drishtikona (Viewpoint) http://drishtikona.com My online journal with thoughts, opinions, comments and more.. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:36:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.2 Indra's Drishtikona (Viewpoint) http://drishtikona.com/images/favicon.gif http://drishtikona.com en Bihar: Deluge Again http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002191.php http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002191.php#comments Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:34:06 +0000 Indra http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002191.php It's again a sad story of inaction. According to unconfirmed reports, hundreds of people have been washed away. With the 400-m breach now widening to 2.5 km, the situation is just grim and to a great extent unpredictable. Neither the state has the resources or the modern technology of plugging the breach. For instance, barriers made of driving sheet piles and geotextile bags weighing about three tonnes each are dropped using choppers to stop water flow. Interestingly, Kosi has now reverted to the course it followed over 200 years ago. And instead of camping their cadres in service to the people, Mr. Jestor Lalu and Mr. Clean Nitish are busy in blaming each other. As usual, the politicians are busy in aerial surveys, politicking even with this natural catastrophe, and begging for central aid of a large amount and then allowing that to be pocketed by unscrupulous. Lalu is happy by announcing his benevolence to donate the Rs 1 crore he had won in the game show Kya Aap Panchvin Pass Se Tez Hain to arrange for khichdi for the flood-affected people. Is he still not busy marketing himself? It's shame for the civil engineers and administrators of the country that have not been able to find a technically robust solution to tame Kosi. Can they emphatically say that there are no solutions and people will have to live under this situation forever? Why can't the IITs pull out its best engineering talents to find a solution? If the report of the N Sanyal Committee on Bihar floods provides the answers, why are the recommendations don't get implemented? If Hungary can do it effectively, why can't India? If high dams in the upper reaches of at least three rivers-Kosi, Kamla and Bagmati, in Nepal are the only way to check floods in Bihar, why couldn't it be pursued seriously with diplomatic and technical efficiency in last sixty years? And what is the guarantee that it will be taken up any more seriously now? As I understand there can be many short-term as well as long-term solutions including bunds, barrages, embankments, rivers' inter-linking and creating least resistance passages for water flow as well as for water storage. But the country and state as usual forget the problem once the flood subsides and the politicians in collusion with administrators get the best out of the relief money coming from the different sources. However, I am surprised that there is hardly any effort or appeal or visible concern for Bihar's flood relief activities in national media. Even no NRI association expressed its concern? Is it less serious that earthquake or other calamities? Is it because it relates to poor Bihar that hardly concerns anyone in the country or abroad? PS: Bihar on the edge]]> It's again a sad story of inaction. According to unconfirmed reports, hundreds of people have been washed away. With the 400-m breach now widening to 2.5 km, the situation is just grim and to a great extent unpredictable. Neither the state has the resources or the modern technology of plugging the breach. For instance, barriers made of driving sheet piles and geotextile bags weighing about three tonnes each are dropped using choppers to stop water flow. Interestingly, Kosi has now reverted to the course it followed over 200 years ago. And instead of camping their cadres in service to the people, Mr. Jestor Lalu and Mr. Clean Nitish are busy in blaming each other. As usual, the politicians are busy in aerial surveys, politicking even with this natural catastrophe, and begging for central aid of a large amount and then allowing that to be pocketed by unscrupulous. Lalu is happy by announcing his benevolence to donate the Rs 1 crore he had won in the game show Kya Aap Panchvin Pass Se Tez Hain to arrange for khichdi for the flood-affected people. Is he still not busy marketing himself? It's shame for the civil engineers and administrators of the country that have not been able to find a technically robust solution to tame Kosi. Can they emphatically say that there are no solutions and people will have to live under this situation forever? Why can't the IITs pull out its best engineering talents to find a solution? If the report of the N Sanyal Committee on Bihar floods provides the answers, why are the recommendations don't get implemented? If Hungary can do it effectively, why can't India? If high dams in the upper reaches of at least three rivers-Kosi, Kamla and Bagmati, in Nepal are the only way to check floods in Bihar, why couldn't it be pursued seriously with diplomatic and technical efficiency in last sixty years? And what is the guarantee that it will be taken up any more seriously now? As I understand there can be many short-term as well as long-term solutions including bunds, barrages, embankments, rivers' inter-linking and creating least resistance passages for water flow as well as for water storage. But the country and state as usual forget the problem once the flood subsides and the politicians in collusion with administrators get the best out of the relief money coming from the different sources. However, I am surprised that there is hardly any effort or appeal or visible concern for Bihar's flood relief activities in national media. Even no NRI association expressed its concern? Is it less serious that earthquake or other calamities? Is it because it relates to poor Bihar that hardly concerns anyone in the country or abroad? PS: Bihar on the edge]]> http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002191.php/feed/ Can Ratan Charm Mamta? http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002174.php http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002174.php#comments Sun, 10 Aug 2008 00:41:08 +0000 Indra http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002174.php agreed to talk to Ratan Tata about the Singur issues. So the ball is now in the court of Ratan Tata. Will he be able to convince Mamta o market the project to her? Will Mamata listen to Ratan and try to get convinced with logics for the project and its benefits to the local people and the nation at large? Will she show her magnanimity and try to find an amicable solution? If successful, Mamta can win the heart of millions that are waiting to see her a mature leader and a substitute for leftists in West Bengal. I wonder why the leftists' government has shown this generosity and promised to facilitate talks between Mamata Banerjee and the Tatas, if the Trinamul Congress leader made a formal request. However, will Mamata formally request as demanded by it? Let Tata not miss this opportunity. I wish Ratan Tata himself alone or if possible along with Buddha meet her bring her on his side for the project's shake. Tata will not loose anything. The country wants the Nano project to succeed. I know it is tough decision to take for Ratan, but he must go ahead if it doesn't displease the leftists. I favour such meetings. I saw one between Anand Mahindra and Medha Patkar on the issue of SEZ on a TV channel. Let the business leaders take care of the egos of the women leaders. Let the left not play any politics with it. ]]> agreed to talk to Ratan Tata about the Singur issues. So the ball is now in the court of Ratan Tata. Will he be able to convince Mamta o market the project to her? Will Mamata listen to Ratan and try to get convinced with logics for the project and its benefits to the local people and the nation at large? Will she show her magnanimity and try to find an amicable solution? If successful, Mamta can win the heart of millions that are waiting to see her a mature leader and a substitute for leftists in West Bengal. I wonder why the leftists' government has shown this generosity and promised to facilitate talks between Mamata Banerjee and the Tatas, if the Trinamul Congress leader made a formal request. However, will Mamata formally request as demanded by it? Let Tata not miss this opportunity. I wish Ratan Tata himself alone or if possible along with Buddha meet her bring her on his side for the project's shake. Tata will not loose anything. The country wants the Nano project to succeed. I know it is tough decision to take for Ratan, but he must go ahead if it doesn't displease the leftists. I favour such meetings. I saw one between Anand Mahindra and Medha Patkar on the issue of SEZ on a TV channel. Let the business leaders take care of the egos of the women leaders. Let the left not play any politics with it. ]]> http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002174.php/feed/ Beijing Olympics- Some Aspects with Difference http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002173.php http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002173.php#comments Fri, 08 Aug 2008 22:34:39 +0000 Indra http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002173.php Beijing Olympics opened today, the eighth day of the eighth month of 2008 at 8 minutes and 8 seconds past 8 PM Beijing Time. Chinese have not only built physical infrastructures, but also controlled pollution around the locations that will be part of Olympic activities in any way. Factories have been closed. Some 90% cars of Beijing will remain in garages. Missiles got deployed to avoid rain during opening ceremony. The Chinese have proved today that they are the best at whatever they do with this Olympic (images). I was never good in sports, nor I am a big sports enthusiast. I look Beijing Olympics from a different angle. Indian Technologies for Beijing Olympics Some small Indian companies have also contributed to make the Beijing Olympics, the sporting extravaganza a success.
The newly upgraded Beijing international airport will have the 45heat recovery ventilators made by Bry Air, a Gurgaon-based company. Bry Air's units reclaim energy from exhaust airflows of the air conditioners and then use eco-friendly heat exchangers to heat or cool incoming fresh air, as per the need. Bry Air units will make sure that those attending the event at the main conference centre do not suffer from induced attention deficient disorder, which brings a drop in productivity and loss in concentration, due to pollutants in stale air circulating in conventional air-conditioned rooms. Another Indian company will take care of safe landing and smooth check-in. The solution has been provided by the Kolkata-based Skytech Solutions, which has designed and implemented the airport messaging software to act as the nerve centre of Beijing airport's communication system during the premier sporting event. Called CIIMS (Central Information Integration Management Systems), "the software is an automated messaging service between the airport and the air-traffic controllers, various gates, terminals, ground crew and the numerous airlines." CIIMS is an intelligent communications network, programmed to react to multiple situations at a time, and respond accordingly. Ahmedabad-based Sintex Industries has collaborated with UK-based toiletries major Poly John International to manufacture and supply nearly 3,000 portable toilets to the Beijing Olympic Games. The toilets, designed by Poly John, are manufactured at Kalol, near Ahmedabad, under the brand name Pace. Sintex will use special plastics and some metal parts as fixtures for the toilets that weigh 85 kg each and can be fixed and unfixed in an hour to other events easily. Each toilet will be manufactured in three conditional processes, roto-moulding, extrusion and thermoforming, and will cost nearly Rs 20,000. And finally, a Pune-based company is making the rowing boats and canoes for the water sports events. Sunny Sebastian's Sunny Water Sports is going to supply about 200 kayaks, roving boats and canoes for the water sports events. To make sure it's the best in quality, the firm has forged an alliance with a European water sports major and designed it to match up to international standards. I had mentioned of this company in my 'Entrepreneur India'. Source: Economic Times
Per capita Income and Olympic bid Niranjan Rajadhyaksha has come out with a study correlating the per capita income of the country and the holding of Olympic game.
"Most countries have hosted their first post-war Olympics when their average incomes have moved into a tight band of between $4,000 and $8,000, calculated using 1990 purchasing power parity, or PPP, dollars." Japan had a per capita income of $5,668 in 1964. South Korea had a per capita income of $7,621 in 1988, the year the Games came to Seoul. Interestingly, even more developed nations had average incomes in the same range when they hosted their first post-war Olympics: London in 1948 ($6,746), Helsinki in 1952 ($4,674), Melbourne in 1956 ($8,108), Rome in 1960 ($5,916) and Moscow in 1980 ($6,427). The exceptions are few: Munich in 1972 ($11,481), Montreal in 1976 ($14,902) and Atlanta in 1992 ($23,298). But when Hitler and his thugs tried to use the Berlin Olympics in 1936 to showcase their achievements, Germany had a per capita income of $4,451." Source: Live Mint
India may try to host its first Olympics when its average income is somewhere in that range. And as per Niranjan, it will be only in 2020 with present rate of GDP growth rate. Indians will have to wait for long 12 years to watch an Olympic in India, perhaps in New Delhi. Till then, Indians will have to be content with the various political Olympics (elections) getting held every year somewhere or every five years throughout the country. But if Indians can throw at least some disruptive political parties, mostly regional ones in Indian Ocean and work hard, Olympics can come much earlier. -- Read: Suman Bery: The next twenty years ]]> Beijing Olympics opened today, the eighth day of the eighth month of 2008 at 8 minutes and 8 seconds past 8 PM Beijing Time. Chinese have not only built physical infrastructures, but also controlled pollution around the locations that will be part of Olympic activities in any way. Factories have been closed. Some 90% cars of Beijing will remain in garages. Missiles got deployed to avoid rain during opening ceremony. The Chinese have proved today that they are the best at whatever they do with this Olympic (images). I was never good in sports, nor I am a big sports enthusiast. I look Beijing Olympics from a different angle. Indian Technologies for Beijing Olympics Some small Indian companies have also contributed to make the Beijing Olympics, the sporting extravaganza a success.
The newly upgraded Beijing international airport will have the 45heat recovery ventilators made by Bry Air, a Gurgaon-based company. Bry Air's units reclaim energy from exhaust airflows of the air conditioners and then use eco-friendly heat exchangers to heat or cool incoming fresh air, as per the need. Bry Air units will make sure that those attending the event at the main conference centre do not suffer from induced attention deficient disorder, which brings a drop in productivity and loss in concentration, due to pollutants in stale air circulating in conventional air-conditioned rooms. Another Indian company will take care of safe landing and smooth check-in. The solution has been provided by the Kolkata-based Skytech Solutions, which has designed and implemented the airport messaging software to act as the nerve centre of Beijing airport's communication system during the premier sporting event. Called CIIMS (Central Information Integration Management Systems), "the software is an automated messaging service between the airport and the air-traffic controllers, various gates, terminals, ground crew and the numerous airlines." CIIMS is an intelligent communications network, programmed to react to multiple situations at a time, and respond accordingly. Ahmedabad-based Sintex Industries has collaborated with UK-based toiletries major Poly John International to manufacture and supply nearly 3,000 portable toilets to the Beijing Olympic Games. The toilets, designed by Poly John, are manufactured at Kalol, near Ahmedabad, under the brand name Pace. Sintex will use special plastics and some metal parts as fixtures for the toilets that weigh 85 kg each and can be fixed and unfixed in an hour to other events easily. Each toilet will be manufactured in three conditional processes, roto-moulding, extrusion and thermoforming, and will cost nearly Rs 20,000. And finally, a Pune-based company is making the rowing boats and canoes for the water sports events. Sunny Sebastian's Sunny Water Sports is going to supply about 200 kayaks, roving boats and canoes for the water sports events. To make sure it's the best in quality, the firm has forged an alliance with a European water sports major and designed it to match up to international standards. I had mentioned of this company in my 'Entrepreneur India'. Source: Economic Times
Per capita Income and Olympic bid Niranjan Rajadhyaksha has come out with a study correlating the per capita income of the country and the holding of Olympic game.
"Most countries have hosted their first post-war Olympics when their average incomes have moved into a tight band of between $4,000 and $8,000, calculated using 1990 purchasing power parity, or PPP, dollars." Japan had a per capita income of $5,668 in 1964. South Korea had a per capita income of $7,621 in 1988, the year the Games came to Seoul. Interestingly, even more developed nations had average incomes in the same range when they hosted their first post-war Olympics: London in 1948 ($6,746), Helsinki in 1952 ($4,674), Melbourne in 1956 ($8,108), Rome in 1960 ($5,916) and Moscow in 1980 ($6,427). The exceptions are few: Munich in 1972 ($11,481), Montreal in 1976 ($14,902) and Atlanta in 1992 ($23,298). But when Hitler and his thugs tried to use the Berlin Olympics in 1936 to showcase their achievements, Germany had a per capita income of $4,451." Source: Live Mint
India may try to host its first Olympics when its average income is somewhere in that range. And as per Niranjan, it will be only in 2020 with present rate of GDP growth rate. Indians will have to wait for long 12 years to watch an Olympic in India, perhaps in New Delhi. Till then, Indians will have to be content with the various political Olympics (elections) getting held every year somewhere or every five years throughout the country. But if Indians can throw at least some disruptive political parties, mostly regional ones in Indian Ocean and work hard, Olympics can come much earlier. -- Read: Suman Bery: The next twenty years ]]> http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002173.php/feed/ Obama, India and Indians http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002161.php http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002161.php#comments Tue, 29 Jul 2008 04:34:59 +0000 Indra http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002161.php Many Indians are hoping for a better deal on the issue of their visa. I wish Obama takes a rational approach. While in US in 2005, I found many young Indians working hard for many years after passing out from a reputed university in US, but feeling totally insecure about their future because of their visa status. All those graduate engineers with master degrees from American universities would have contributed much better, if they could work fearlessly. Why can't US issue green cards and even make them citizens? After all, they are not menial workmen from across the borders. Many of the highly educated Indians could become entrepreneurs helping American economy more intensely. Will Obama be doing some thing about those young Indians, who after so many years in US hesitate to go back to India and start the career all over again? ]]> Many Indians are hoping for a better deal on the issue of their visa. I wish Obama takes a rational approach. While in US in 2005, I found many young Indians working hard for many years after passing out from a reputed university in US, but feeling totally insecure about their future because of their visa status. All those graduate engineers with master degrees from American universities would have contributed much better, if they could work fearlessly. Why can't US issue green cards and even make them citizens? After all, they are not menial workmen from across the borders. Many of the highly educated Indians could become entrepreneurs helping American economy more intensely. Will Obama be doing some thing about those young Indians, who after so many years in US hesitate to go back to India and start the career all over again? ]]> http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002161.php/feed/ Energy Security: Beyond Nuclear Deal-2 http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002157.php http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002157.php#comments Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:58:28 +0000 Indra http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002157.php fuel efficiencies dramatically with better technologies and to make the use of alternative fuels significant. Only the effective alternative for fossil oil can provide the necessary relief and reduce the burden. The use of CNG as fuel and the electric vehicles, both two- and four- wheelers, requires popularization. The news of the solar cells on Prius by Toyota, development work to use carbon dioxide by Lotus Engineering, and bio-ethanol from waste as fuel, indicates the endeavours of the scientists and technocrats to face the grim situation of the fuel shortage in near future. Tata Motors association with an innovative approach of using compressed air as fuel in car is the step in that direction. I wish Indian scientists and technocrats appreciated the priority to work on the various alternatives to fossil fuels. While computers can be an effective aid in improving effective use of fuel, some breakthroughs in innovations are needed to make a real impact on the total requirements. The government and the industry have big plans. Auto industry had announced its plan on hydrogen as fuel. By 2020, the government wants 20% of all vehicles to run on HCNG and has also permitted mixing of ethanol in gasoline in limited way. Indian Railways, one of the big users of diesel, is blending bio-fuel from Jatropa in diesel. The country and its people must appreciate the importance of conserving the oil. As estimated, India can save 351 million tonnes of oil equivalent (MTOE) or 19% of its total requirement by 2032 in different ways: 1. 7.5% (142 MTOE) from efficient energy use in industry, lighting, and home appliances 2. 1.8% (34 MTOE) by increasing the share of the railways to 50% of freight transport from the present level of 32%. 3. 4.3% (81 MTOE) from use of mass transport and improved fuel efficiency in vehicles. 4. 5.8% (111 MTOE) from increase in thermal power generation efficiency from 31% at present to about 40%. It appears to be wonderfully ambitious on paper. The programme requires hard working of all concerned in interest of the country. A recent announcement on the use of CFL by Indian Railways and its employees as well as by some state government is exhilarating one. I wish the whole country participated in the conservation plan as a first step to face he grim situation. For instance, it is madness to drive a car to procure a loaf of bread from the market. However, the main thrust must remain on improvements and innovations in technology and discipline. Can one day a miniature nuclear device or solar energy run the prime movers? Lataest related readings: 1. Gassing Up With Garbage by MATTHEW L. WALD 2. JSW eyes nuclear power sector: According to the industry sources, at least 30 companies are eager to enter into nuclear power sector and related areas aiming to generate a minimum of 20,000 MW in the next 10 years involving investments of $40 billion. This includes almost all the big names of the power industry, including Reliance Power and a few new entrants. 3. India Inc bets big on N-power ]]> fuel efficiencies dramatically with better technologies and to make the use of alternative fuels significant. Only the effective alternative for fossil oil can provide the necessary relief and reduce the burden. The use of CNG as fuel and the electric vehicles, both two- and four- wheelers, requires popularization. The news of the solar cells on Prius by Toyota, development work to use carbon dioxide by Lotus Engineering, and bio-ethanol from waste as fuel, indicates the endeavours of the scientists and technocrats to face the grim situation of the fuel shortage in near future. Tata Motors association with an innovative approach of using compressed air as fuel in car is the step in that direction. I wish Indian scientists and technocrats appreciated the priority to work on the various alternatives to fossil fuels. While computers can be an effective aid in improving effective use of fuel, some breakthroughs in innovations are needed to make a real impact on the total requirements. The government and the industry have big plans. Auto industry had announced its plan on hydrogen as fuel. By 2020, the government wants 20% of all vehicles to run on HCNG and has also permitted mixing of ethanol in gasoline in limited way. Indian Railways, one of the big users of diesel, is blending bio-fuel from Jatropa in diesel. The country and its people must appreciate the importance of conserving the oil. As estimated, India can save 351 million tonnes of oil equivalent (MTOE) or 19% of its total requirement by 2032 in different ways: 1. 7.5% (142 MTOE) from efficient energy use in industry, lighting, and home appliances 2. 1.8% (34 MTOE) by increasing the share of the railways to 50% of freight transport from the present level of 32%. 3. 4.3% (81 MTOE) from use of mass transport and improved fuel efficiency in vehicles. 4. 5.8% (111 MTOE) from increase in thermal power generation efficiency from 31% at present to about 40%. It appears to be wonderfully ambitious on paper. The programme requires hard working of all concerned in interest of the country. A recent announcement on the use of CFL by Indian Railways and its employees as well as by some state government is exhilarating one. I wish the whole country participated in the conservation plan as a first step to face he grim situation. For instance, it is madness to drive a car to procure a loaf of bread from the market. However, the main thrust must remain on improvements and innovations in technology and discipline. Can one day a miniature nuclear device or solar energy run the prime movers? Lataest related readings: 1. Gassing Up With Garbage by MATTHEW L. WALD 2. JSW eyes nuclear power sector: According to the industry sources, at least 30 companies are eager to enter into nuclear power sector and related areas aiming to generate a minimum of 20,000 MW in the next 10 years involving investments of $40 billion. This includes almost all the big names of the power industry, including Reliance Power and a few new entrants. 3. India Inc bets big on N-power ]]> http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002157.php/feed/ Beyond Nuclear Deal-1 http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002156.php http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002156.php#comments Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:41:03 +0000 Indra http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002156.php Indian people will expect big business houses of Birla, Tata, and Ambanis with deep pockets to get into this high-tech manufacturing of power equipment besides focusing on lucrative telecom and retail sectors. Equally serious activities on shop floor, R&D labs, and in fields must go on to develop alternative sources of energy-solar, wind, bio-fuels, and hydel that have huge potential in the country.India's renewable energy potential is above 1,200,000 MW. With sunshine for more than 300 days in most parts of the country, and the reducing solar power cost, India can become a major user of this renewable clean energy. Solar energy is available at 20 MW per sq/km. If European Union scientists can work on an ambitious plan to harness solar energy under a £37 billion plan to power the EU with the Saharan sun, why can't India's scientists and technocrats make Rajasthan a power surplus state? Hydel projects may have huge potential of 150,000 MW (current 35,908MW). But controversies related to environmental and rehabilitation issues cause delays and hold up large hydel projects. Smaller ones of capacities up to 25 MW with not much of those problems can provide quicker answers to power shortages. Interestingly, many small hydel projects can come up down the stream on a single water source using the same water resource in series without much loss. But as much as I know the administrative red tapes and corruption are withholding quick implementation of these zero fuel cost projects. Coal based thermal power stations will remain for many years India's main stay, but the new ones can use natural gas as fuel. India's proven reserves are 1.08 trillion cubic metres (US has 600 billion cubic feet). Technocrats must look into viability to integrate the clean technology in the existing plants and upgrade them to keep in operation for longer time. India perhaps may not afford to close down these plants, Gore has asked US to do. The scientific community keeps on proposing many other sources of power generation. India's premier institution must work on providing feasible solutions to commercialize the innovations. One such little explored area is biomass, the waste that we as well as nature create regularly. However, the speed of execution of the Indian projects must be at par with the global best. If metro, airports and petro refinery can come up faster than schedule, why can't the power plants? Man Mohan Singh government and the opposition must at least agree and come out with some solution to the damaging delays of the large number of projects in hand that if once executed can change the face of the country. Can Indian enterprises afford taking ten years for a thermal power plant when China can do it in 2-3 years, when even Finance Minister wishes so strongly to emulate and compete with China? Why can't the people of India demand a trust vote on this issue? Let us understand if a region becomes power surplus, its GDP growth goes higher at least by 2-3%, if not more automatically. ]]> Indian people will expect big business houses of Birla, Tata, and Ambanis with deep pockets to get into this high-tech manufacturing of power equipment besides focusing on lucrative telecom and retail sectors. Equally serious activities on shop floor, R&D labs, and in fields must go on to develop alternative sources of energy-solar, wind, bio-fuels, and hydel that have huge potential in the country.India's renewable energy potential is above 1,200,000 MW. With sunshine for more than 300 days in most parts of the country, and the reducing solar power cost, India can become a major user of this renewable clean energy. Solar energy is available at 20 MW per sq/km. If European Union scientists can work on an ambitious plan to harness solar energy under a £37 billion plan to power the EU with the Saharan sun, why can't India's scientists and technocrats make Rajasthan a power surplus state? Hydel projects may have huge potential of 150,000 MW (current 35,908MW). But controversies related to environmental and rehabilitation issues cause delays and hold up large hydel projects. Smaller ones of capacities up to 25 MW with not much of those problems can provide quicker answers to power shortages. Interestingly, many small hydel projects can come up down the stream on a single water source using the same water resource in series without much loss. But as much as I know the administrative red tapes and corruption are withholding quick implementation of these zero fuel cost projects. Coal based thermal power stations will remain for many years India's main stay, but the new ones can use natural gas as fuel. India's proven reserves are 1.08 trillion cubic metres (US has 600 billion cubic feet). Technocrats must look into viability to integrate the clean technology in the existing plants and upgrade them to keep in operation for longer time. India perhaps may not afford to close down these plants, Gore has asked US to do. The scientific community keeps on proposing many other sources of power generation. India's premier institution must work on providing feasible solutions to commercialize the innovations. One such little explored area is biomass, the waste that we as well as nature create regularly. However, the speed of execution of the Indian projects must be at par with the global best. If metro, airports and petro refinery can come up faster than schedule, why can't the power plants? Man Mohan Singh government and the opposition must at least agree and come out with some solution to the damaging delays of the large number of projects in hand that if once executed can change the face of the country. Can Indian enterprises afford taking ten years for a thermal power plant when China can do it in 2-3 years, when even Finance Minister wishes so strongly to emulate and compete with China? Why can't the people of India demand a trust vote on this issue? Let us understand if a region becomes power surplus, its GDP growth goes higher at least by 2-3%, if not more automatically. ]]> http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002156.php/feed/ Energy Security and Nuclear Deal http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002154.php http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002154.php#comments Tue, 22 Jul 2008 05:24:17 +0000 Indra http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002154.php 'Powering India: the Road to 2017':
1. If India grows at an average rate of 8% for the next 10 years, the demand for power is likely to soar from around 120GW at present to 315-335GW by 2017. 2. India will require a generation capacity of 415-440GW-the three times the present installed capacity of about 140GW. 3. India will require an annual addition of 20-40 GW- five to ten fold of the addition, about 4GW, that India achieved in the last 10 years. 4. India power sector will need investment of about US $600 billion (Rs 24 lakh crore) - with $ 300 billion in generation, $ 110 billion in transmission, and $ 190 billion in distribution. 5. India must have manufacturing capacity for 30 GW power plant equipment and machinery or be ready to import. 6. India will also require 300,000 skilled and semi-skilled workers. 7. With inadequate coal in the country, India will have to create infrastructure capacity for 100 MMTPA of coal imports. 8. India takes 5-6 years to build a thermal power plant as against China taking 2-3 years and other countries doing that in less than four years. (It takes up to 10 years to build a Greenfield nuclear power plant).
 It is unfortunate that the parliamentarians that try to keep on boasting of the India's miracles in IT sector and the contribution of India's scientists in nuclear field hardly mentioned about the dismal efficiency of the project executions and huge cost escalations in almost all the sectors that is holding the country behind year after year. While participating in the debate, the politicians never mentioned of the losses that are due to political will to control it. I wish there would have been a pre-voting quiz to decide the MPs that should be allowed to vote for a serious issue such as Indo-US Nuclear Deal. ]]> 'Powering India: the Road to 2017':
1. If India grows at an average rate of 8% for the next 10 years, the demand for power is likely to soar from around 120GW at present to 315-335GW by 2017. 2. India will require a generation capacity of 415-440GW-the three times the present installed capacity of about 140GW. 3. India will require an annual addition of 20-40 GW- five to ten fold of the addition, about 4GW, that India achieved in the last 10 years. 4. India power sector will need investment of about US $600 billion (Rs 24 lakh crore) - with $ 300 billion in generation, $ 110 billion in transmission, and $ 190 billion in distribution. 5. India must have manufacturing capacity for 30 GW power plant equipment and machinery or be ready to import. 6. India will also require 300,000 skilled and semi-skilled workers. 7. With inadequate coal in the country, India will have to create infrastructure capacity for 100 MMTPA of coal imports. 8. India takes 5-6 years to build a thermal power plant as against China taking 2-3 years and other countries doing that in less than four years. (It takes up to 10 years to build a Greenfield nuclear power plant).
 It is unfortunate that the parliamentarians that try to keep on boasting of the India's miracles in IT sector and the contribution of India's scientists in nuclear field hardly mentioned about the dismal efficiency of the project executions and huge cost escalations in almost all the sectors that is holding the country behind year after year. While participating in the debate, the politicians never mentioned of the losses that are due to political will to control it. I wish there would have been a pre-voting quiz to decide the MPs that should be allowed to vote for a serious issue such as Indo-US Nuclear Deal. ]]> http://drishtikona.com/archives/government_policyadministration/002154.php/feed/