Concrete to replace gravel on Raj Bhavan pathway
Nearly five months after the Raj Bhavan proposed replacing its gravel pathway with concrete, the West Bengal Heritage Commission has approved the proposal and allowed the Raj Bhavan authorities to commence the replacement work. The decision was reached after a meeting between Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi, heritage commission chairman, artist Shuvaprasanna, and the PWD chief engineer. The proposal for replacing the gravel with concrete came from the Governor, who said many of the visitors faced difficulty in walking over the gravel pathway.
Mercury levels rise after rains recede
Mercury and humidity levels have risen across the eastern metropolis after rains receded over the past few days. While temperatures went below 30 degrees in the beginning of the week, they stayed at an average of 36 degrees in the second half of the week. According to the meteorological department, the capital city of West Bengal received 51 per cent less rains than normal in July this year. Also, the absence of heat-absorbing dust particles in the atmosphere has caused an increase in temperatures in the city. The dust particles were washed away by the drizzles.
David Cameron all praise for Kolkata infrastructure
Visiting Kolkata five years after his last visit, former British Prime Minister David Cameron was all praise for the infrastructural development in the city at an economic conclave held recently. Being driven from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport to a five-star hotel on the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, the former British PM was impressed by the new gates, buildings and flyovers that he saw on his way. He congratulated the administration for infrastructural development in the city and expressed the hope that the developmental streak would continue. He had last visited the city for three days in November 2013 and visited the older parts of the city, including Victoria Memorial, Dalhousie Square and Howrah Station, and had pakodas from a street food vendor outside Vardaan Market.
Ola, Uber can’t charge more than 45% surge fare
App-based cab services have been directed to not have a surge fare more than 45 per cent higher than the base fare. Though decided by the state government earlier, the move was brought into force on Friday. Corresponding to the AC taxi base fare of Rs 18.75, the base fare of app-based cabs has been fixed at Rs 27.2 per km. The move was taken after the app-based cabs increased fares by more than 200 per cent during peak demand.
Aishik Chanda
Our correspondent in West Bengal
chanda.aishik@gmail.com