Fight to preserve CEPT Building goes online

The fight to preserve the building at Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology University has gone online. Former faculty member and known architect Neelkanth Chhaya has launched an online petition urging Chairman Sanjay Lalbhai and President Bimal Patel to "stop changes to CEPT buildings and maintain architectural, historical and cultural value".

The petition, which has been posted on www.change.org, was signed by more than 250 people by Monday evening. It states that the buildings on CEPT campus are important examples of post-independence architecture of India. "The campus as a whole is a very interesting exercise in site planning, climatic adaptation and landscaping. The significance of this work of architecture cannot be overestimated, and one can arguably claim that the campus and the buildings should be considered among the most important works of architecture in the latter part of the 20th century, not only in India but also at an international level," the petition states.

It adds, "The Campus has been the location of many important events in the history of education for architecture, planning, construction technology and interior design. It is a vitally important site in Ahmedabad's cultural history..... Citizens of Ahmedabad have recognized the campus as a place that has unique qualities. In a sense, the campus now can no longer be considered to be in the private domain." The petition carries four main demands.

* Consult the architect of the campus, B V Doshi, whenever designs are being prepared for alterations or additions.

* Appoint a committee (including Prof Doshi and at least one independent reputed outside architect) that will ensure that new works on the campus are designed and built in a proper manner. The committee must also publicly announce the norms to be followed for such work.

* CEPT University should pursue larger new works by conducting architectural competitions, but must clearly set down the criteria and manner of appointing master planners and architects for all works.

* All of the proceedings of the committee should be open to public scrutiny.

Sabarmati Riverfront Preparations for Visit of Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping

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New MA course on society and culture IIT-Gandhinagar

AHMEDABAD: Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar, on Monday became the first IIT in the country to launch a comprehensive two-year MA programme in society and culture.On Monday, the institute started the first batch comprising 13 students. IIT-Gn had received more than 400 applications from students across the country for the programme,Students holding a bachelors degree in any discipline can apply for the course, which provides an inter-disciplinary approach towards understanding and … Read more at candidshare.com

Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation seek public opinion on water meter

After putting on hold the water policy 16 days ago, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's (AMC) standing committee realized that prior to implementing such an important policy, it should seek public opinion - as any democratic process would demand. This would mean that the policy, with its suggestions on proposed water meter installation charges, water supply rates, should have ideally been posted on public forum or a website to invite suggestions and objections.

For this the AMC has now decided to engage a special advocate panel to scrutinize every clause of the policy before it goes before the public. "The process would take some time before the standing committee brings the water policy aboard," said a senior AMC official.

"If town planning schemes are put in public domain for inviting suggestions and objections, why should not a policy such as water metering be put in public forum? A municipal corporation is a democratic body and the committee members realized that it would be vital that public opinion be sought. For now the advocates are sprucing up the policy so that there are lesser objections," explained the official.

Another interesting aspect to the policy is that that the BJP-led AMC after eyeing the civic body elections next year will avoid any controversy over the proposed policy. Two weeks ago, AMC had placed a concept paper on the new water metering and tariff policy for more than 13 lakh properties in the city before the standing committee.

In the case of residential societies, according to the policy, it will now be compulsory for every house in a society to install a meter to check wastage and usage of water. Under this policy a payment limit was set for fixed usage of up to 20,000 litres a month and a fixed rate that ranged between Rs 240 to Rs 2,880 depending on the carpet area of the property. Any extra usage will be charged at rates per 1,000 litres of supply. This rate ranges from Rs 1 for properties with a carpet area of up to 15 square metres, and at Rs 12 for properties with a carpet area of more than 1,000 square metres.

The AMC had earlier announced the installation of water meters in areas of Jodhpur, Navrangpura, Stadium and Juna Vadaj on a pilot basis to study water usage, and then planned to extend metering to the entire city. The proposal says that the AMC incurs a cost of Rs 6.05 per 1,000 litres for treating and supplying water to citizens and charges 68 paise per 1,000 litres, according to the present taxation structure. -TOI