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sustainable regional planning framework for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Appendix A Outreach Initiatives February 2012 contents
1.0 Introduction 5 2.0 Objective of the workshops 12 3.0 Workshop themes 13 4.0 Workshop Schedule and Summary 14 5.0 Issues and recommendations 32 6.0 Public sector participation 48 7.0 Media Outreach 50
1.0 Introduction
Puducherry and the adjoining Tamil Nadu region are very closely connected to each other through historical links, culture, religion, language, tourism, trade/business, population, transportation, climate and natural resources such as water bodies, ecosystems, coastline. This tightly knit connection calls for a Regional Plan that would benefit this region not just in the urban areas but also in the adjoining rural areas.
With funding assistance from ADEME and endorsement from the Government of Puducherry, INTACH Pondicherry and PondyCAN have embarked upon an initiative to develop a Model Inter-State Sustainable Regional Plan that would help realize the full potential of the region in terms of: sustainable and balanced socio-economic growth, land use development patterns, multimodal connectivity, energy consumption, infrastructure provision and protection of natural resources. Keeping this over-arching goal in mind, the Regional Planning Framework includes the following ‘themes’ that will be addressed in this initial phase- Land Use, Transportation, Energy, and Water.
Referred to as the ‘Puducherry – Viluppuram – Auroville- Cuddalore’ (PVAC), the region has been defined as the area generally bounded by the Kaluvelly Tank (Tindivanam taluk of Viluppuram District) on the north, Coromandel Coast on the east, and Perumal Lake (Kurinjipadi taluk of Cuddalore District) on the south. On the west, the boundary incorporates the Puducherry Urban Area and areas within the Viluppuram taluk of Viluppuram District that are a part of the 40 km radius drawn from the centre of Puducherry. Puducherry, Cuddalore, Viluppuram, and Auroville are the four major towns within this delineated regional boundary that encompasses a total area of 2,540 square kilometres.
This report is an account of the public and stakeholder workshops undertaken as part of the preparation of the sustainable regional planning framework for Puducherry, Viluppuram, Auroville & Cuddalore.
sustainable regional planning framework 5 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Minutes Of The Regional Planning Meet At French Consulate 8th October 2010
Background The Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, New Delhi wrote to the Govt of Pondicherry in Sep1986 and June 2005 to constitute a working group to undertake the preparation of Interstate Regional Plan for the Union Territory of Pondicherry and the surrounding areas including Auroville. Several rounds of meetings were held with the Lt Governor and Chief Minister of Puducherry, Govt officials from New Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to discuss about Regional Planning. The Ministry of Urban Development has now directed all the States to take up Regional Planning which should be the basis for Town Planning. ADEME, a French Agency for the Environment and Energy Management has signed an MOU with the Ministry of Urban Development to support a few cities in India for projects on sustainable development and included Pondicherry as one of the cities after a discussing it with the Pondicherry Govt.
PondyCAN, INTACH and representatives of Auroville have met with many key people both in Delhi and Tamilnadu to further this effort, starting with the Minister of Urban Delvelopment Shri Jayapal Reddy, Dr Kasturirangan, Member of Planning Commission, Mr. Mehta, Jt. Secretary MUD, GOI, Mr. Kshirsagar, Chief Planner, TCPO GOI, the Collectors of Villupuram and Cuddalore, Mrs. Susan Mathews, Vice Chairman CMDA, Chennai and others in the TN administration.
To take the Regional Planning forward a meeting was convened to discuss the formation of the Advisory Board and the Working Group for Interstate Regional Planning and the Ademe project.
Summary of the meeting: Members present: The Consul General of France Mr Pierre Fournier, Chief Town Planner Mr G. Durairaj & JTP Mr V. Bhuvaneshwaran (Town & Country Planning Dept), Ashok Panda (INTACH), Prashant Hedao (representing Auroville Foundation), Sunaina Mandeen and Probir Banerjee (PondyCAN) Summary: The Consul General Mr Pierre Fournier welcomed the gathering. Mr Durairaj, Chief Town Planner, explained how through Regional Planning the whole area could be benefitted especially the villages who are now keen on “Development”. The main points to be discussed are: • The formation of an Advisory board, • The Working group and 3) the ADEME project.
Ashok Panda gave an introduction of ADEME and also gave a broad outline of the project: • ADEME is the French Agency for the Environment and Energy Management. It is a public body under the joint supervision of the French Ministries for Ecology, Energy and Sustainable Development. It acts as the State’s tool to generalise the best practises
sustainable regional planning framework 6 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore designed to protect the environment and energy saving.ADEME had earlier funded the Asia Urbs Project under a tripartite agreement between Pondicherry, Urbino (Italy) and Villeneuve-sur-Lot (France) for urban environment management. • The French Govt has signed an MOU with the Ministry of Urban Development, New Delhi to support a few cities in India for projects on sustainable development. Pondicherry has been selected as one of the cities. An MOU has been signed between ADEME and INTACH which will have 2 components- Regional Planning and Eco-district. French experts will be also involved in developing these projects. • Once the Advisory board and Working group is finalised we need to engage a consultant for the project.
Probir gave a brief history leading to this project. The initiative was taken up by PondyCAN and INTACH in collaboration with TCP Dept, Pondicherry. It took shape only after the intervention of Dr. Harjit Singh Anand former Member Secretary of the NCR board. Some of the important events were mentioned: • Sept 1986 – Letter from Joint Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) to Chief Secretary, Pondicherry to take up Interstate Regional Planning. • 21st Dec 2004 – Reminder letter from MoUD for the formation of Working Group for Regional planning. • 15th May 2008- Consultation-meet in Auroville “Water management through Integrated Planning and Regional Collaboration”. • 25th July 2008 – Meeting held at the Chennai Secretariat with the Secretaries. • 26th July 2008 – Meet on “Preparation of Regional Plan” held at the Secretariat. • 4th Oct 2008 – Presentation to His Excellency the Lt Governor of Pondicherry Shri Govind Singh Gurjar • 5th Oct 2008 – Presentation to Chief Minister in his chamber. LAD Minister, Chief Secretary, other Secretaries and Heads of Govt departments were also present. • Feb 2009 – “Sustainable Regions Collaborative Planning” a participatory workshop held in Auroville which was inaugurated by the Lt Governor of Pondicherry • 24th July 2009 – Meeting held in the chamber of Chief Minister, Pondicherry regarding preparation of Interstate Regional Plan • 31st Aug 2009 – Letter from Govt of Pondicherry to Prof KT Ravindran requesting him to prepare a concept plan for the Interstate Regional Plan. • 11th Feb 2010 – Brainstorming session organised by TCPO, New Delhi for the 5 southern states in Auroville on Regional Planning inaugurated by the Chief Minister.
sustainable regional planning framework 7 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore • Prashant talked about the successful work done by Auroville towards sustainable development- water conservation and afforestation programs. Regarding GIS based system of hardware/ software for Planning he said: • ISRO had setup NRIS Pondicherry Node database in early-2003 at the Directorate of Information Technology, Planning & Research Department, Pondicherry under the then Chairmanship of Dr K Kasturirangan. Data is available till 2003. • Mr. P.G. Diwakar, Scientist & Assoc. Director at ISRO Headquarters (Bangalore) who was personally involved in setting up the database in 2003 in Pondicherry has agreed to work with Govt of Pondicherry and Auroville to setup this updated seamless database for the region. Mr. Ramaswamy, Secretary Auroville Foundation has already written to Dr. Radhakrishnan (Chairman ISRO) requesting him to initiate a collaboration between ISRO and Auroville for data sharing and its use in planning. Pondicherry is yet to finalise the location for setting up this centre.
The following names were proposed for the Advisory board: New Delhi: 1. Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, New Delhi 2. Dr K Kasturirangan, Member, Planning Commission, 3. Jt. Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, New Delhi 4. Mr Kshirsagar, Chief Planner, Town and Country Planning Organisation, New Delhi 5. Prof K.T. Ravindran (H.O.D Dept of Urban Design, School for Planning and Architecture)
Tamil Nadu: 1. Secretary, Urban Development, Chennai 2. Chief Planner, Town and Country Planning, Chennai
Puducherry: 1. Consul General of France, Pondicherry 2. Secretary, Urban Development, Puducherry 3. Chief Town Planner, Puducherry4.Collector, Puducherry 4. Representative of ADEME
Auroville: 1. Secretary, Auroville Foundation 2. Dr Harjit Singh Anand, (former Secretary MHUPA, Govt of India and advisor to L’Avenir D’Auroville)
NGOs: Representative of PondyCAN Representative of INTACH
sustainable regional planning framework 8 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore The working group will be as follows:
TCPO, New Delhi - representative ISRO – Mr P. G. Diwakar Associate Director Collectors of Villupuram and Cuddalore TCPO, Pondicherry – Mr V. Bhuvaneshwaran (JTP) DSTE- Director INTACH – Ashok Panda Auroville Foundation - Prashant Hedao Pondycan – Probir Banerjee
Regarding the Consultant and his role it was decided that it would be finalised after discussion with various people like Mr Kshirsagar, Chief Planner, TCPO, New Delhi and Prof K.T. Ravindran
It was agreed that a mission of the French expert, Bruno Lhoste of INDDIGO could be arranged through ADEME for providing sustainable eco-solutions to a couple of tourism related projects in Pondicherry.
It was felt by everyone that the formation of a separate cell at the Centre, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu and Auroville specifically for Regional Planning would ensure that this initiative moves forward efficiently. Pondicherry and Auroville will form Regional Planning cells as the next immediate step.
The French Consul agreed to facilitate the meeting with Thiru K. Ponmudy (Higher Education Minister from Villupuram) and Mr M.R.K Paneerselvam (Health Minister from Cuddalore) for acceptance at the political level before taking it up with the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru M.K. Stalin.
The Consul General of France mentioned about the conference being organised around March 2011 on sustainable tourism where this project could be presented. He thanked everyone and agreed to host the first meeting of the Advisory board once it is finalised.
sustainable regional planning framework 9 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore French delegation of small and medium enterprises: Pondicherry Mission (10-11 March 2011)
1. Internat Energy Solutions: Nicolas Nath, [email protected]
2. CITELUM: Antoine Kassis, [email protected] ainsi que son représentant sur place
3. INDDIGO Bruno Lhoste, [email protected]
4. SAFEGE: Patrick VAUGHAN [email protected]
5. Aria Technologies Bernard Favre, [email protected]
6. TECSUB: Hélène SZULC, [email protected]
7. IFP Energies nouvelles [email protected]
8. mc Phy Energy [email protected]
9. Ubifrance: Michael Ehrlich, [email protected] Sophie Clavelier, [email protected] Shoma Chakraborty [email protected]
10. ADEME Olivier Chazal, olivier.chazal@ademe Aurélie Bernard, [email protected]
sustainable regional planning framework 10 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore INDO-FRENCH WORKING GROUP ON URBAN DEVELOPMENT:
An Indo-French Joint Working Group on Urban Development was set up with the French side lead by Head of International Affairs in the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Tourism and Sea of Government of France and the India side lead by Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development. The mandate of the Working Group is to foster active cooperation in the field of water supply, sanitation, solid waste management and urban transport. So far six sessions of the Indo-French Joint Working on Urban Development have been held. The last session of the Joint Working Group was held on 21/9/2009 in Paris. The progress of MoU between National Building Construction Cooperation (NBCC) and Bureau de Recherches géologiques et minières (BRGM) was reviewed. Both the sides expressed their desire for further co-operation in the field of sustainable urban development.
INDO-FRENCH SEMINAR ON COOPERATION BETWEEN STATES AND REGIONS AND LOCAL ATHORITIES – LOCAL GOVERNANCE, SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
The first "Indo-French Seminar on Cooperation between States and Regions and Local Authorities - Local Governance, Sustainable Management and Regional Development" was held in New Delhi during 15-17 January, 2010 as a part of 'Bonjour India' which is the festival of France in India. The purpose of the Seminar was to enable French territorial authorities meet their counterparts at all levels (Central, State and Local) in order to encourage better exchange of ideas in respect of governance systems; intensify existing Indo-French decentralized partnerships (10 decentralized cooperation arrangements as of now); facilitate interaction with French territorial authorities in implementing new multi-player decentralized development, country and town planning, training of elected local representatives; public private partnerships, etc. One of the purposes of the seminar was to work out partnership arrangements between Indian and French cities. Officials and Elected Representatives both from the French and Indian side attended the Seminar.
sustainable regional planning framework 11 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore 2.0 Objective of the workshops
The general purpose of the series of workshops is to initiate discussions on developing a model inter- state sustainable regional planning framework for the Puducherry, Viluppuram, Auroville & Cuddalore region. The specific objectives are to:
- Inform the public and stakeholders about the regional planning project, the purpose of the regional plan and the process involved
- Increase awareness about the region’s current state of conditions and need for collaborative planning models
- Build a partnership between citizens and stakeholders (government officers, experts, NGOs) of Puducherry Region, Auroville and of the districts of Viluppuram and Cuddalore
- Identify the key issues, assets, and joint opportunities pertaining to sustainable growth in the region
- Share knowledge on initiatives, projects (past or ongoing) and proposals that already exist in the Region to address major challenges and suggest a collaborative continuation or complement to these activities
- Discuss on the modality of a coordinated effort at the regional level for integrated
- Distribute information to various sections of the society and educate them about their role in the area’s future growth
- Identify key community assets, issues, and joint- projects
- Document and present community opinions to the decision- makers
- Obtain the views of the public and stakeholders with regard to the future development of the region; their concerns, aspirations and suggestions.
sustainable regional planning framework 12 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore 3.0 Workshop themes
The workshops primarily attempted to initiate a discussion for a shared and coordinated management of resources across the region. The participants in each workshop were divided into groups and were asked to discuss issues and strategies under the following themes- Land Use Energy • Define areas to be preserved- identify productive • Defining Principles of Energy Efficiency agricultural lands • Awareness and Sensitization • Identify land for conservation • Renewable Energy Supply Options in the region • Designate locations for regional growth/ • Energy- efficient designing and management of development centres- promoting higher densities municipal buildings and mixed use • Barriers to Energy Efficiency in Puducherry and • Discuss alternative future land use scenarios- Tamil Nadu Strategies to strengthen relationships between the Opportunities for Capacity Building activities and urban and rural areas Regional Cooperation on Energy Efficiency • Explore alternative regional land use patterns • Identify lands for regional scale parks/ open Water Resources spaces • Water management / governance at Government • Explore opportunities for tourism sector to level Awareness and Sensitization develop across the region without affecting natural • Change in behaviour: value the domestic water resources and reduce usage. • Carrying Capacity- Coordinating land use, • Industry responsibilities in amount of water used infrastructure and transportation planning and its effluents. • Watershed based planning • Helping farmers to reduce the amount of • Discuss Governance issues related to land irrigation: adequate irrigation, water economical management and growth controls (Regional crops, alternative farming practices. Planning Agencies, TCPO, Local Administration, • Strengthen rainfed-based farming systems Decentralisation / Participatory Planning) (conservative agriculture).
Transportation Environment and Disaster Management • Identify future regional transit and transportation • Beach Erosion and Restoration of the Puducherry- routes and improvements to address carrying Tamil Nadu coastal environment capacity issues • Disaster Preparedness • Identify transit oriented development nodes • Post-Disaster Management • Promoting and improving public transport • Regional Collaboration on Pre- and Post- Disaster including busways and railways Management • Encouraging cycling and walking (regional • Water, Sanitation and Waste Management during greenways, trails and pedestrian walkways, disasters and emergencies waterways) • Ecosystem approach to Disaster Risk Reduction • Coordinating land use and transportation planning • Promoting alternative eco-friendly transportation modes (cleaner, quieter and lower CO2 road vehicles) • Location of regional freight and passenger transportation terminals- ports, airports, railways • Opportunities for joint infrastructural improvements • Improving the Tourism Circuit across the region
sustainable regional planning framework 13 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore 4.0 Workshop Schedule and Summary
Across a period of two months, a total of four workshops were conducted as listed below-
Workshop I- Pondicherry Date- 16th February 2012 Venue- Hotel Athithi, Pondicherry Themes discussed- Water
Workshop II- Pondicherry Date- 2nd March 2012 Venue- Hotel Athithi, Pondicherry Themes discussed- Land use, Transportation, Energy, Environment and Disaster Management
Workshop III- Cuddalore Date- 9th March 2012 Venue- GDP Hall, Collector’s office, Cuddalore Themes discussed- Land use and Tourism development, Transportation, Water, Environment and Disaster Management
Workshop IV- Auroville Date- 16th March 2012 Venue- Auroville Town Hall, Auroville, Villupuram District Themes discussed- Land use, Transportation, Energy, Water and Governance
A brochure (see facing page) was designed and put together as part of the information kit that was distributed to all participants of the workshops. The brochure explains the purpose of creating a regional plan, the themes that would be addressed as part of the regional plan as well as the rationale for defining the said region. It also briefly outlines the process involved.
Also part of the information kit was a concept note that was prepared for each workshop outlining the itinerary for the day. The note also identified the themes for the group discussion session including a suggested set of points for each theme that could be addressed during the group discussion. Each group had a facilitator as well as a note taker to help with the proceedings and achieve a productive session in the given time.
sustainable regional planning framework 14 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore sustainable regional planning framework 15 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Workshop I- 12:00 noon Helping farmers to improve Pondicherry irrigation efficiency and grow alternative crops by Mr. T.P. Raghunath, Centre for 16th February 2012 Ecology & Rural Development at Hotel Athithi, Pondicherry 1:00 pm Programme Lunch 9:00 am Welcome address by Ashok 2:30 pm Panda, Co-Convener, INTACH Group discussions
9:40 am 4:30 pm Regional Planning – Objectives Presentation by each working and activities involved by group Lata Iyer, Regional planner and Devaraj de Condappa, Hydrologist6:00 pm Vote of Thanks by Probir Banerjee, 10:00 am PondyCAN Suggestion for integrated water management at government level, view from Puducherry by Mr. Radhakrishnan, Hydrogeologist, Puducherry Groundwater Unit
10:30 am Keynote speech- Mr. R. P. Pal, IAS, Secretary Public Works Department, Government of Puducherry
11:00 am Suggestion for integrated water management at government level, view from Viluppuram and Cuddalore districts by Mr. S. Nagarajan, Retired CE PWD
11:30 am Rethinking on Policy: Can stakeholders’ dialogue contribute to conflict resolution, social learning and sustainable use of water? By Prof. Janakarajan, Madras Institute of Development Studies
sustainable regional planning framework 16 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore sustainable regional planning framework 17 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Summary of the Workshop
Mr. Ashok Panda, the Coordinator for INTACH Puducherry) welcomed the participants, the guests and the key note speakers to the workshop. Mr. Radhakrishnan elaborated on the present scenario of the water resources, current water The workshop commenced with a presentation management strategies in Puducherry, the issues by Lata Iyer, Regional planner, on the need for and drawbacks of the existing processes, and the an integrated regional planning strategy for remedial measures taken by the government to Puducherry, Viluppuram and Cuddalore Region. address them. He explained that currently there is no coordinated effort between the States of Following this, Devaraj de Condappa, Hydrologist Puducherry and Tamil Nadu to share and manage made a presentation which set the tone for the the water resources. The water management within workshop emphasizing the need for a coordinated one state is also fragmented between different water management strategy for the region. He authorities. briefly discussed the key challenges faced by our region’s water resources, specifically the rapid The speaker emphasized the need for a holistic decline of groundwater levels, its quality, and the and inter-disciplinary approach for the water large amount of ground water that continues to related problems. He suggested the formation of a be extracted for agriculture. Mr. Devaraj followed consolidated Water Resources Department (WRD), with a discussion about the significance of which would deal with all the water resources groundwater budgeting and the need to balance related issues under one roof. Mr. Radhakrishnan the “groundwater budget” through a combination stressed how the impact of climate change on of practices and techniques such as reducing the water resources availability need to be factored amount of extraction especially for agricultural into the water related policy considerations and uses. decisions. He also suggested that awareness generation at both government and at community Key Note Address: Mr. R. P. Pal, IAS, Secretary level, capacity building for the government officers, Public Works Department, Government of and adopting latest technologies would aid in better Puducherry water management strategies. In his key note address, Mr. Pal commended the role of the 25 odd, bed dams erected on the rivers Can stakeholder’s dialogue contribute to conflict and channels. There is a need for the society to resolution, social learning and sustainable use of conserve water, by adopting rain water harvesting; water? S.Janakarajan, Professor,Madras Institute of and by propagating percolation pits through Development Studies awareness campaigns and local legislations. Prof. Janakarajan shared his thoughts about the Agriculture sector has to contain food type importance of instituting an effective enforcement irrigation and opt for drip irrigation. The village mechanism to address the complex issues of ponds and lakes need periodic distillation for better urbanization, sprawl and growth. He observed percolation. The sullage water from big hotels and that new policies were not necessarily neededif rich colonies needs to be recycled for gardening. the existing policies were implemented rigorously He suggested that a chart of guidelines may be through government backed legislation. published, and public suggestions should be invited He moved on to explain that conflicts need to before a policy approach is formulated. be viewed as potential source for change rather than as a negative factor. Conflicts need to be Insight on Water Resources Management addressed by initiating a dialogue between the of Puducherry Region. Mr. Radhakrishnan stakeholders involved. MSD or Multi-Stakeholder Hydrogeologist-II (State Groundwater Unit & Dialogue Workshop is a conflict resolution tool that Soil Conservation, Department of Agriculture, could help in achieving the goals of sustainable development for the well-being of the society at large. He elaborated on the concept by quoting examples related to the natural resource
sustainable regional planning framework 18 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore management, particularly the issue of MSD and augmenting irrigation through the use of surface water governance. water should be driven by the state with active Towards sustainable use of groundwater by participation of all stakeholders for sustainable improving irrigation efficiency. Raghunath.T.P. use of ground water. Mr. Raghunath stressed the CERD-Pondicherry importance of community engagement as a key Mr. Raghunath described the shift in the cropping component to effective water management and pattern and its subsequent increase in the demand maintenance. Drawing from the example of the Tank for irrigation in Puducherry. As a result of the Rehabilitation Project, Mr. Raghunath discussed introduction of green revolution technologies the additional techniques that could be employed to area witnessed a shift from surface water irrigation use water in a sustainable manner. to ground water based irrigation, and as a result ground water was overexploited. He suggested
sustainable regional planning framework 19 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Workshop II- Pondicherry
2nd February 2012 at Hotel Athithi, Pondicherry
Programme 9:30 am Welcome address by Ashok Panda, Co-convener, INTACH
9:45 am Regional Planning Presentation by Lata Iyer, Regional Planner
9:30 am Inaugural Presentation by Dr. Abdul Razak, Head of Department- Planning, Anna University, Chennai
10:00 am Keynote address by Chief Guest, Mr. Mathew Samuel, I.A.S., Secretary to Government, Industries and Fisheries
10:30 am Presentation by Vidhya Mohankumar, Urban Designer on the role of transportation in regional planning
10:45 am Tea break
11:00 am Working Group Discussions
1:00 pm Working Group Summary Presentations
sustainable regional planning framework 20 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore sustainable regional planning framework 21 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Summary of the Workshop people, he emphasized the need for a stronger strategy to move the project forward. Mr. Ashok Panda, the Co-convener for INTACH He walked the participants through a historical welcomed everyone and introduced the concept of journey of the region and highlighted the similarities Regional Planning and the intent of the workshop. that exist within the region. He spoke about cultural and social links and the transformation the region The workshop commenced with a presentation by has witnessed in the recent decades. He suggested Bankim Kalra, Urban Planner, INTACH and Lata that perhaps one way to approach the integrated Iyer, Regional planner, on the need for an integrated planning is to move away from a Pondicherry regional planning strategy for Puducherry, centric approach and highlight all the urban and Viluppuram and Cuddalore Region. The key town centres in the region. He added that in India, challenges for the region were identified. Lata the railways and the roadways already work from concluded by stating that, the Regional Plan would a regional perspective and it is crucial to work promote economic, social and cultural development with these departments and get them on board for while preserving and enhancing the natural the project. Building on the existing relationship resources of the region, while positively affecting between Auroville and Pondicherry could be both the urban and rural areas. another potential starting point for a process that can mobilise the citizens. “Innovation and Experience in Participatory Approach to Regional Planning” Dr. Abdul Razak Transportation Planning at the Regional Level, Mohamed Vidhya Mohankumar Dr. Razak gave a brief introduction to the planning Ms. Vidhya Mohankumar began by presenting two process and realities of district planning in India. He scenarios- one which is car-centric, chaotic and emphasized the need for a participatory planning congested and another which is multimodal and approach and stated a few examples of such clearly dilineated for organized, safe and efficient processes in India. He later elaborated on the cases movement- her point being that we need to of Integrated District Development Plan (IDDP), collectively make the right choices that will promote Kollam, Kerala; District Planning Commission sustainable development. Having built the case, (DPC), Pallakad, Kerala; and the Redevelopment she then outlined 8 principles that are pivotal to Plan, T Nagar, Chennai. These project examples sustainable development: were used to explain the process involved and the 1. Walk: Developing neighbourhoods that promote hurdles faced in the implementation of participatory walking planning. Lack of coordination between the 2. Cycle: Prioritizing cycle networks various government departments involved and the 3. Connect: Creating dense network of streets and unavailability of data were identified as some of the paths to provide alternate routes for movement major issues. Dr. Razak suggested the need for a 4. Transit: Providing high quality transit sectoral reorganization at the administrative level to 5. Shift: Increasing mobility by regulating parking avoid duplication of schemes and investments. This and road use would also permit a cohesive action plan that can 6. Mix: Planning for mixed use better address the issues at the grass root level. 7. Densify: Matching density and transit capacity 8. Compact: Creating compact regions with short Keynote Speaker commutes Mr. Mathew Samuel, I.A.S. She concluded with examples of regional planning Secretary to Government, Industries and Fisheries efforts that have been rooted to transportation The key note speaker reminded the participants strategies including the 5 finger plan in about the hurdles that the current agenda for a Copenhagen, Denmark, the Randstad model in the ‘model inter-state regional plan’ is likely to face Netherlands, Kunming regional plan in Chenggong in the future. Although, he acknowledged the and our own National Capital Region around Delhi. awareness and motivation present among the
sustainable regional planning framework 22 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore sustainable regional planning framework 23 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Workshop III- Cuddalore
9th February 2012 at GDP Hall, Collector’s office, Cuddalore
Programme 10:15 am Welcome address by Ashok Panda, Co-convener, INTACH
10:20am Regional Planning Presentation by Vidhya Mohankumar, Urban Designer, INTACH
10:30am Inaugural Address by Mr. Thiagarajan, IAS (Rtd), Former Project Director – Tamilnadu Road Sector Project
10:45 am Special Address by Mr. Rajendra Ratnoo, IAS, District Collector, Cuddalore
11:00 am Presentation by Dr. Abdul Razzak, Head of Department - Urban Planning, Anna University, Chennai
12:00 noon Special Address by Mr. V. Shunmugasundaram, Additional Director of Town and Country Planning, Directorate of Town and Country Planning
12:15pm Tea Break
12:30 Working Group Discussions
1:30pm Working Group Summary Presentations
sustainable regional planning framework 24 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore sustainable regional planning framework 25 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Summary of the Workshop
Mr. Ashok Panda, the Coordinator for INTACH departments. He added that if megacities need welcomed the participants, the guests and the key to develop, they need to grow vertically and that note speakers to the workshop. governments need to adopt inter-sectoral thinking. He said that a regional perspective needs to be The workshop commenced with a presentation by brought in where the developmental needs are Vidhya Mohankumar, Urban Designer with INTACH, balanced with concern for environmental protection. on the need for an integrated regional planning On tourism, he added that Cuddalore with its rich strategy for Puducherry, Viluppuram and Cuddalore Chola heritage has a tremendous potential to Region. develop into a tourist destination. He emphasized that planning must incorporate the cultural and Following this, Mr. Thiagarajan, IAS, and retired social factors in addition to the economic factors. Project Director – Tamilnadu Road sector Project He also maintained that although Cuddalore had spoke about the issues of the compartmentalized unharnessed potential, the development should planning approach that is existent today. He not exploit the natural and cultural resources. indicated that there is a lack of coordinated thinking He concluded by pledging his support to the to address the issues, both within a state and in initiatives of the Regional Plan and that he intends between the states and further highlighted some to generate concept papers from the issues and of the issues in the Cuddalore and Viluppuram recommendations that would emerge from the region. He observed that there is loss of agricultural group discussions at the workshop and transform land, reduction in the quality of water and increase them into action plans to move the project forward. in the demand for resources due to urbanization. He explained that there is an absolute need to V. Shunmugasundaram, Additional Director of Town consolidate all these problems and understand and Country Planning, Directorate of Town and the disadvantages of induced growth due to Country Planning made a short speech after that fragmented approach in planning. For example, where he talked about the potential of tourism in the current development of hotels and residences the region. He explained that, if planned well, the along the ECR has resulted in over exploitation of tourism sector could flourish in the region but that the ground water resources. This has initiated an this has to be done without any damage to the irreversible process of sea water ingression in the environment. He explained that this will be possible ground water table. The environmental impacts of if the natural resources and potential of the region any development need to be evaluated before its are evaluated before any development is planned. implementation. He encouraged the participants to start an open dialogue about the issues within The last presenter was Dr. Abdul Razak Mohamed. the region, to achieve a fruitful outcome from the Dr. Razak’s shared his prior experience from the workshop. He concludesd by stating that the Palakkad District Planning project. He explained Regional Plan for the Puducherry – Viluppuram - the process involved and the hurdles faced in the Auroville - Cuddalore region should set an example implementation of participatory planning. Lack for other such regions in the country. of coordination between the various government departments involved and the unavailability of The next special address was by Mr. Rajendra data were identified as the major issues. He Ratnoo. IAS, District Collector, Cuddalore also suggested that there needs to be a sectoral The Collector welcomed the participants to the reorganization at the administrative level to avoid workshop and agreed with Mr. Thiagarajan on the duplication of schemes and investments. This issues of compartmentalization and stated that the would also permit a cohesive action plan that can workshop should be one such initiative to start better address the issues at the grass root level. a conversation between the various government
sustainable regional planning framework 26 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore sustainable regional planning framework 27 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Workshop IV- Auroville
10th February 2012 at Auroville Town Hall, Auroville, Villupuram District
Programme 9:45 am Welcome address by Bankim Kalra, Urban Planner, INTACH
10:00 am Regional Planning Presentation by Lata Iyer, Regional Planner
10:15 am Special Address by Mr. Bala Baskar, IAS, Secretary Auroville Foundation
10:30 am Presentation by Toine Van Megen, Auroville Consulting on Energy for the region
10:50 am Presentation by Thiru N. Muthuselvan, District Project Manager on the Pudhu Vaazhvu Project experience in Viluppuram
11:15 am Presentation by Dr. Abdul Razzak, Head of Department - Urban Planning, Anna University, Chennai
11:45 am Tea Break
12:00 Bio-Regional Vision- Presentation by Joss, Ram, and Suresh
12:30 Working Group Discussions
1:30 Working Group Summary Presentations sustainable regional planning framework 28 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore sustainable regional planning framework 29 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Summary of the Workshop
Mr. Ashok Panda, the Coordinator for INTACH - For the gross solar electrical energy produced by welcomed the participants, the guests and the key the “prosumer” a monthly payment to be made as note speakers to the workshop. per the feed-in tariff. - For the energy consumed, the prosumer continues The workshop commenced with a presentation to pay as per prevailing electricity tariffs. by Lata Iyer, Regional planner, on the need for - Two meters (the existing TNEB consumption an integrated regional planning strategy for meter) and a newly to be installed production meter. Puducherry, Viluppuram and Cuddalore Region. • Electrical Energy in Rural Areas 1. Rural feeders: 24 x 7 reliable grid supply will help Special Address: Mr. Bala Baskar, IAS ( Secretary, in the growth of a diversified rural economy AV Foundation) 2. Subsidise agricultural outputs rather than inputs Mr. Bala Baskar shared his thoughts aboutthe need (fertiliser, power) For example, there should be for understanding and integrating the true needs of no subsidy on power for farmers and agriculture the people prior to starrtingany new development but introducing subsidy to the output price of the project. He emphasized the need to identify new produce to enable them to be competitive in the models of sustainable development that address market. the challenges faced by urban and rural India. The • Energy for Agriculture non-negotiable base issues need to be identified 1. Irrigation policy needed. Flood irrigation to be with all the concerned people, so that at least those banned for most crops. aspects that everyone agrees and supports can be 2. Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to give energy successfully moved forward. star ratings for agricultural pumps. Only 3 star + to be allowed in the market. “Renergy”, or….Energy for the Region” by Toine • Energy for Mobility Van Megen (Auroville Consulting) 1. Need for reliable, comfortable public transport Mr. Toine Van Megen emphasized the need for which will reduce energy consumption energy conservation and the importance to weigh 2. High frequency of public transport. Vary capacity the ‘need vs. greed’ debate before consuming and not frequency energy. Toine presented key energy saving 3. Encourage the use of electrical two-wheelers, strategies that can be adopted at a regional level. E-Auto, mini bus These include: •Energy for Cooling and Heating • Electrical Energy 1. Passive cooling for buildings 1. Tariff should be rationalised (to promote low energy consumption) “Pudhu Vaazhvu Project- the Viluppuram 2. Renewable energy needs to be included in the Experience” by Thiru N. Muthuselvan (District grid Project Manager) 3. Renewable energy targets with long term policies Pudhu Vazhu project covers 15 districts, 70 blocks (feed-in tariffs, open access, distributed generation) and 2432 panchayats in Tamil Nadu. The details 4. Renewable energy sources of the project were explained at the session. The - Roof top solar; can produce energy required at an objective of the project is to empower the poor by individual building level improving their livelihoods and reducing poverty by: - Biomass; 1. Developing, strengthening pro-poor local - Small scale wind; institutions at the village level. - Storage solutions; 2. Building the skills and capacities of the poor. - Distributed generation 3. Enhancing their livelihoods by financing demand 5. Feed-in tariffs: driven sub project investments. - To make rooftop solar projects viable, feed-in tariffs need to be introduced.
sustainable regional planning framework 30 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore “Innovation and Experience in Participatory Approach to Regional Planning” Dr. Abdul Razak Mohamed Dr. Razak gave a brief introduction to the processes Suresh discussed the need for decentralized and realities of district planning in India. He planning to be adopted and hurdles of converting emphasized the need for a participatory planning an idea into reality. He stressed that initiatives need approach and stated a few examples of such to bring people together and they need to own processes in India. He later elaborated on the cases and propel it by themselves in order to achieve of Integrated District Development Plan (IDDP), sustainable development. Mr. Suresh explained that Kollam, Kerala; District Planning Commission difference between governance and government- (DPC), Pallakad, Kerala; and the Redevelopment how governance reforms include the government Plan, T Nagar, Chennai. These were used to explain and go beyond it. the process involved and the hurdles faced in the implementation of participatory planning. Lack He discussed how rules of traditional systems were of coordination between the various government established at the time of scarcity to ensure that the departments involved and the unavailability of data marginalized are priority. Suresh discussed the need were identified as the major issues. He suggests to re-explore the traditional values and plans and that there needs to be a sectoral reorganization incorporate them in new initiatives to move them at the administrative level to avoid duplication of forward. schemes and investments. This would also permit a cohesive action plan that can better address the issues at the grass root level.
Bio-Regional Vision- Presentation by Joss, Ram, and V. Suresh Mr. Joss explained about the bio-diversity in the Kazhuveli region and the traditional values and customs that are present in the area. He stressed on the fact that sustainable modes of living are already inherent in the people’s lives, however these aspects are not included in the development plans. Any initiative that is introduced needs to incorporate and accentuate these value systems. Mr. Ram continued the discussion by explaining that the lives of the people need to be enriched without breaking the links that exist in the community. He further explained the significance of creating livelihoods based on existing skills and traditions and then bringing in additional inputs to fund, enhance and encourage them. The existing schemes of the Government could be used to fit in the plans and projects. Mr. Suresh explained that often participation is used as a tool to satisfy certain criteria; Suresh emphasized the need to learn from the past when governance was a an integral working model owned by the people and was inherently self- sustainable and equitable.
sustainable regional planning framework 31 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore 5.0 Issues and recommendations
Land Use
Issues Recommendations 1. Workplace/ employment, education, infrastructure facilities are not decentralized in Physical Interventions: the region, therefore there is migration 1. Develop transportation network and accessible 2. The rural areas need to be given priority for secondary roads- for better linkages to the development social infrastructure in the region 3. Loss of agricultural land 2. Heritage preservation at the region level to 4. Lack of employment centres expand and enhance the existing tourist circuit 5. Need for coastal area protection and connect it to the places at the regional level 6. Heritage areas need to protected and 3. Promote Social Forestry developed sensitively 4. Development of secondary urban centers 7. Education: Inaccessible and low quality 5. Promote infill development 8. Conversion of agricultural land uses to non- 6. Water and land use: Identify water bodies which agricultural uses like industries lack maintenance 9. Encroachment: 7. Identify the watershed of the region and a. of development activities on wetlands increase check dams in the region to increase b.over natural course of water channels the ground water level 10. Industrial pollution: air, water, land, noise 8. Identify tourist cluster of tourist sites and 11. Lack/ poorly maintained local connectors promote infrastructure development to promote between towns sustainable tourism practices 12. Improper waste disposal and management a. Train the local communities in the tourism 13. Tourism potential untapped in region beyond related services Puducherry, and insufficient infrastructure to b.Tourism should not bring any negative impact support tourism within Puducherry 9. Consider individual regional plans for Tamil 14. Sand mining activities in Cuddalore is a serious Nadu, Auroville and Pondicherry for better concern implementation 15. Master plan of the municipalities have not been revised Policy & Enforcement: 16. Poor regulation enforcement: lack of manpower, 1. Revision of master plans of the respective requirement of planners towns 17. Built space vs Open Space ratio is low 2. Strengthening the local authorities to allow regionally better enforcement of regulations 18. Urbanization: 3. Promote a bottom-up planning approach a. Increased pressure on wetlands 4. Better coordination within and in-between the b. Food security issues states c. Increased stress on land 5. Regional level waste management strategy d. Unemployment in the agricultural industry 6. Strengthen regional centres and smaller towns 19. Pollution due to industrial developments; large 7. Regulations to preserve/protect water bodies, amount of water extracted for their use wetlands and agricultural lands (from converting 20. Unauthorized and unplanned development in to non-agricultural uses) the urban centres 8. The spread of the land uses should be at a regional level: especially for agricultural land and industries 9. Growth centres or growth pores need to be identified
sustainable regional planning framework 32 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore sustainable regional planning framework 33 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore 10. The development needs to be vertical in the needs to be applied for the rural areas that have urban centres local skill sets and/or heritage structures. 11. Integrated land uses: offices, residential/ 18. The local potential need to be tapped to housing develop it into a potential tourist destination 12. Increase the land under agriculture Increase which can be connected to a larger tourist crop productivity by introducing latest circuit technology/ set of modern equipment 19. Public-Private- Partnerships should be 13. Mandatory use of sea water for industrial plants, encouraged for ensuring quality education, to encourage the construction of desalination infrastructure/ basic amenities plants and zero waste treatment plants 20. Development should be based on socio-cultural 14. Integrated Environment Impact Assessment, factors before any project any project is implemented 21. Water demand resource plan & management 15. Increase enforcement mechanisms to prevent needs to be done in a sustainable way unauthorized constructions/ developments 16. Transferable development rights as a tool to Awareness & Community Participation: prevent sprawl into the natural environment 1. Inculcate social responsibility with respect to 17. The concept of eco-tourism/ rural tourism waste management and disposal
sustainable regional planning framework 34 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Transportation
Issues 20. Efficient and integrated public transport systems 1. Puducherry needs better connectivity to other missing within each town or their reliability, major towns and cities in the region frequency and quality is inconsistent 2. Transit corridors NH45 and railway line exist, 21. There is a high reliance on para-transit modes but do not enter into Puducherry such as rickshaws - which are unregularised 3. Tindivanam - Puducherry corridor sees high and often exploitative density traffic that needs to be addressed 22. Pondicherry - connection to bus stand and to 4. Lack of effective transit systems within each of Tindivanam road is congested Entry into city the four towns from outskirts is difficult 5. Policies continue to provide hidden subsidies to 23. Cuddalore - has poor quality roads private transit modes 24. Cycling and walking have not been incentivised 6. Lack of direct bus from Panruti to Puducherry 25. There is no connectivity to major built and 7. There is a need for more choice in transit / environmental sites of cultural and heritage transport modes to be made available for importance in the region movement of people and goods 26. The present location of the planned airport at 8. Number and frequency of trains out of Lawspet can only serve Pondicherry - Auroville Puducherry are insufficient 27. Freight corridors of the region need to be 9. There is a need for more outer ring roads in identified Puducherry 28. There is a need to create livelihood 10. Current road networks are not conducive to opportunities in local areas offer more travel modes options 11. Lack of coordination among different agencies Recommendations 12. Interface between the highways and access roads to the villages and settlements need to be Physical Interventions: designed appropriately to prevent accidents 1. The coast is too congested - development 13. Signage and safety measures are missing needs to be taken out of the coast. The ground 14. Connectivity: water along the coast cannot meet up to the a. Missing connection between Puducherry demands of the present growth. The NH45 and Panruti can be developed instead, allowing only low- b. By-passes are needed to relieve intensity, environmentally-friendly development congestion to happen along the coast 15. Buses: Lack of better services, frequency and 2. If the planned airport were to move south of maintenance of the existing buses Pondicherry, it would better serve the region 16. 16. Inadequate infrastructure to support the 3. Consider BRT and LRT systems for inter-city movement of freight to connect to the port connectivity 17. Lack of/ Improvement of public transportation. 4. Railway - need to connect speed and frequency The current public transportation is of poor 5. Roads - Develop ECR as “scenic beachway”. quality or is badly maintained and has low The quality of road/highway must change when frequency. Also, there is lack of proper it passes through a town or village connectivity between urban and rural areas 6. Bridge the gap between demand and supply 18. Transit corridors also function as development 7. Extension of ECR corridors. The development needs to be 8. Improve design of highways and increase coordinated to reduce the load on the existing access to towns and settlements network 9. Increase the number of buses and introduce 19. Detailed audits are needed for demand mechanisms for maintenance of the current assessment for transportation buses 10. Provide separate bus facilities for the fisherman
sustainable regional planning framework 35 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore sustainable regional planning framework 36 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore 11. There is a need for more trains and more 6. The need to shift from being car-centric to more compartments public transport driven mobility 12. ECR rail link : Rail service between Pondicherry- 7. Need for pilot projects / demonstration projects Cuddalore needs to be developed within each of the four towns 13. Introduce Suburban trains, EMUs 8. Need to improve access to transit 14. Separate freight access for better economic a. Increase pedestrian/ non-motorized vehicle development access 15. Introduce water connectivity along the coast 9. Viluppuram- Tanjavur needs a multi-modal transit facility Policy & Enforcement: 10. Bhuvaneshwar- Kameshwaram trains do not 1. There can be high speed transit across towns, stop at the Chidambaram station. It would be but low cost modes within each town beneficial for the region if the train stops at 2. There needs to be a regional greenway network the location to increase access to places like that connects canyons, waterbodies and Chidambaram, which is a popular spiritual wooded areas. These can be cycling highways, destination serving both as mobility corridors as well as 11. Mechanisms to enhance coordination among recreational corridors the governments 3. A regional waterway connection (hovercraft) for 12. Subsidies and incentives for the use of electric people can be considered connecting Chennai- vehicles Pondicherry-Cuddalore and other places along 13. Decentralized development the coast. These can be separate from the a. Land use and transportation needs to be frieght corridors that develop connecting ports coordinated of Karikal, Cuddalore, Cheyyur and Chennai - b. Several development clusters need to be their freight movement doesnt impact 4-towns interconnected with transit corridors region c. Renewable energy needs to be used 4. Any new highways should have dedicated cycling and pedestrian pathways on them Awareness & Community Participation: 5. Build the idea of both “destination” and 1. Advocacy and awareness building at local levels “journey” as being important and across media types required to sensitise need for better quality and sustainable modes of connectivity and mobility
sustainable regional planning framework 37 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore sustainable regional planning framework 38 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Water
Issues 1. Quality of the water, it has high EC, PH value, 19. Imbalance in demand and supply of ground etc in Cuddalore water recharge 2. The effluent from the sugar factory is causing 20. Lack of awareness in selection of crops based water pollution on economic value- eg Excessive plantation of 3. The pollution is also attributed to the sea water cash crops intrusion, due to the usage of NLC pumps 21. Mono cropping based on soil and water 4. Sewerage and solid waste is mixing with the condition as well as economic value water and causing pollution 22. Farmers are incentivized towards following the 5. One of the major reasons for bad quality of same cropping pattern because of industrial water is the use of heavy duty pumps for filling demand eg sugarcane the overhead tanks. This process extracts more 23. Natural processes of salination during high tide water than needed in short time when there is a back flow of sea water 6. Water supply to the farmers is not properly 24. Effluent dumping from industries pollutes water supplied. There is flooding when there is no 25. Excessive pumping leading to imbalance in need for water and it is scarce during the dry pressure periods 26. Sand dune destruction in coastal area induces 7. Permission given to the mineral water units, the shallow aquifer salinity who are excessively tapping the resources 27. Irrigation management starting from tail end 8. Excessive river sand mining 28. Horizontal and vertical extraction of ground 9. Drinking water is being wasted for irrigation and water due to competition and scarcity housing construction 29. Peer pressure among farmers to farm the same 10. Water resources are stressed: In Viluppuram, crops as successful farmers usage of water is 650M cuM with a recharge of 30. Need for watershed management for the benefit 250M cuM resulting in a deficit of 400M cuM of upper reach farmers 11. Misconception among villages about Auroville’s 31. Skepticism and lack of unity among farmers to afforestation efforts threatening them and some adopt alternate technologies even stopped some recharge measures being taken by Auroville Recommendations 12. Sand mining along the coast 13. Free power and water; as a result water is being Physical Interventions: sold by the citizens 1. Farm ponds for water storage and fish culture to 14. Issue of water recharge be promoted 15. The cost of domestic water for individual is 2. Creating storage systems infamously cheap in Puducherry (05 Rs / m3) 3. Sand mining to be controlled and regulated for while a participant quoted an actual cost for the better ground water levels government of 18 to 20 Rs / m3. This is too low 4. Ground water metering to be done and consequently people tend to waste and 5. Measuring rainfall for planning of crops undervalue the water depending on water availability for efficient 16. There are actually numerous regulations existing irrigation planning but these are not enforced 6. Soil conservation technique to be adopted to 17. Loan for drip and sprinklers is limited to people increase moisture content eg application of only who have bore wells tank silt, mulching, Sun hemp, daincha to be 18. Alternate irrigation systems are limited to incorporated farmers who can invest and who have own 7. Using urban sewage water after being treated water source 8. Prosume: Produce and Consume at the same time; recycle what is produced. The predominant trend for cities is to consume intensively all the resources (water, food, electricity etc) produced / available in its vicinity
sustainable regional planning framework 39 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore 9. Waste water treatment for: e. Rice intensification system needs to be a. Recycling back to the domestic supply cheme, introduced b.or supply back to agriculture for irrigation 26. Extend the region to fall between the two rivers, 10. Produce food in the cities. It is common in West the Palar in the north and the Pennaiyar in the Africa, with own gardens for subsistence, or in south (from Mahabalipuram to Cuddalore) western cities with rooftop gardens (produces 27. Sand mining needs to be curbed Alternative food and condition building temperatures) methods rather than using for construction 11. Everybody should pay for water, even the activities poorest, though with a price proportionate to the income Policy & Enforcement: 12. For regional cooperation, multi stakeholder 1. Voluntary Organisation /NGOs should dialogues needs to be initiated for coordination coordinate and work for tank management at the farmers’ level 2. A single department for handling water 13. Existing tanks, ponds, paleochannels to be resources, for both the states resurveyed and encroachment needs to be a. A collaborative framework for the region that removed with the community participation and includes these agencies and binds both to urbanization needs to be controlled abide by the decisions taken for the region 14. Groundwater augmentation needs to be done 3. There should be no distinction between rural based upon the necessity and need (maximum and urban areas; both should be seen as a consumption sector identification) continuous ecosystem 15. Demarcation of sources of groundwater 4. Example of tanks/river ways: instead of being salinization encroached / spoiled, the urbanisation should 16. Identification of proper recharge zones for grow including them as part of the system. groundwater augmentation Water bodies could be recreation areas or still 17. As a part of recharge zone identification the used for irrigation within the city (case of food existing tanks, bunds, nallas can be de-silted production in towns, cf below) which act as a recharge zone 5. Accountability and responsibility should at all 18. Focus on LEISA (low external input sustainable levels, ie, government but also individual agriculture) technologies for better water 6. Include the culture of planning to endorse the savings and subsidies aimed at them ecosystemic approach: there is a total lack 19. Creation of farm pond in low lying areas in India. For example the Town Planner of 20. Rehabilitation of tanks and ponds based on Puducherry government is not a planner but a cascaded approach- water shed management civil engineer 21. Build channels for natural irrigation of fields 7. More generally, a semi-governmental during rainy season from eris as opposed to organisation should be created and sanctioned usage of motor to pump water with the mission to create this awareness. Semi- 22. Creation of dead storage in existing tanks and governmental refers to including government as ponds well as citizens in the organizational structure. 23. Enforcement of creation of percolation ponds 8. Pricing the water is particularly suited to near a bore well/ open well to recharge ground decentralised / community schemes to pay the water maintenance and the salary of the staff involved 24. Restrict use of bore wells to one season 9. Pricing should not be an open door for 25. Water Recharge: privatisation / profit making a. Revitalise the Erie systems and actively monitor 10. Industries in rural areas which pump the past projects to see what’s successful and groundwater for their usage should be charged why the failures heavily per volume of groundwater extracted so b. To make the water flow perennial, repair all the that it becomes cheaper for them to treat their tanks, all channels including drainage waste water and reuse c. Reduce agricultural water consumption using 11. A Water Commission should be created on the better consumption practices model of the Election Commission, which is d. Recharge wells need to be built 6 can be built in powerful. The duty of this Commission would be one hectare to enforce the existing regulations
sustainable regional planning framework 40 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore 12. Irrigation of water supply should be first given to a. industries which may not treat their waste water, tail-end farmers b. gated communities or five star hotels which may 13. Priority and subsidy to be focused in consume excessive domestic water and merely improvement of soil quality through tank silt treat their waste water application, mulching, green manures before 8. De-silt of tanks with people participation by main crop collecting funds from different companies and 14. Minimum charge on electricity/ cap on raising 25% from people involved electricity units per year 9. Create awareness on tank management 15. Cap on water consumption per year 10. Create awareness and trainings for farmers to 16. Incentivize co-operative farming use water in an efficient manner, like alternate 17. In dry lands, need for standards specifying a wetting and drying method percentage of land for creation of irrigation 11. Information/ education/ communication strategy ponds 12. Creating awareness through school curriculum 18. Self-regulations within farmers associations 13. Dissemination of better technologies for irrigation such as drip irrigation Awareness & Community Participation: 14. Awareness on benefits of co-operative farming 1. Research on the reuse of treated sewerage 15. Soil texture and structure based irrigation water is needed calendar 2. Increase awareness about the sources of water 16. Need for consensus among farmers on what to and its distribution network grow in each season 3. Reduction of water demand by: 17. Research to determine water requirement for a. Awareness about water usage through each soil type i. Media campaigns 18. Disseminate knowledge of benefits related to ii. Farmers to farmers dialogue to bring the crop rotation and alternate/ multiple cropping findings of Puducherry farmers to TN farmers which consume less water iii. TRPP- Other projects should be reviewed and implemented in the same manner 4. This notion of awareness actually only concern those who are in the middle to high socio- economical classes. People living in situation of scarcity are already partly or totally aware of limited water resources 5. About the process of creating awareness: a. Transmission of change in behaviour is Individual - Collective- Community - Society b. Education in school is the most important act to root and spread this change 6. Sensitisation should also be realised by exemplary models which illustrates commendable practices, behaviour to adopt: a. in public spaces: schools, universities, government spaces etc, b. by private or governmental professionals: such as organisations dealing with public issues such as water management, planning, agriculture, education etc, but also corporates 7. Examples of illegal activities:
sustainable regional planning framework 41 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Energy
Issues 1. Detailed audits are needed for demand Policy & Enforcement: assessment: for transportation and energy 1. Tariff rationalization 2. Rural infrastructure is treated as second class a. No sale below cost except for marginalized infrastructure even though it is not sector 3. Tariff is not rationalised b. Stop cross sectoral subsidies 4. Renewable energy not included in the grid c. Ensuring cross subsidy within consumer sectors 2. Renewable energy long term plans Recommendations a. Wind energy from TN (owned by PED/PPCL) b. Solar roof top PV feed in tariff (recommendation Physical Interventions: to Government) 1. Energy Efficiency c. Roof top renting a. Smart load reduction d. Full utilization of Biomass and solid waste to b. Doing EE activities that have life cycle costs energy potential (diff technologies decentralised lower than Average power purchase costs and centralised) c. Building design and passive lighting 3. Agricultural energy use d. Government Procurement (5 star) a. Final product subsidy only (output subsidy e. Energy audit of govt buildings rather than input in long term) 2. Building Energy Efficiency (Commercial) b. 24 hours supply at cost of supply (encourage a. New building construction diversification and increased employment in the b. Insulation rural area) c. Energy neutral buildings c. Ground water recharge d. Day light lighting 4. Reduced pump size with EE pump sets (Head, delivery) 5. Long term Planning 5 year planning a. EE plan b. Pro-sumption plans Awareness & Community Participation: 1. Advocacy for Energy efficiency a. Awareness programs through electronic and print media b. Marketing push with retailers (awards program on EE appliances sold) c. Procurement push 2. Advocacy for Renewable energy a. Awareness programs b. Procurement push
sustainable regional planning framework 42 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Environment and Disaster Management Policy & Enforcement: Issues 1. Waste management is a very important need, 1. Lack of awareness about the fact that the and cannot be addressed just by a government trenches or walls built along the coast causes order. It has to be taken stage by stage through erosion/ shifting and uneven sand accumulation. strategy and to work towards zero plastic and The citizens only seem to be concerned zero pollution about the safety and not the subsequent a. A mass cleaning program should be carried environmental impact. out at a district level with inputs such as 2. No real necessity for a harbour in Puducherry transportation, safe disposal and stage by stage 3. Cuddalore : implementation with the help of officials and a. Industrialization in Cuddalore : people participation etc Lack of coordination and investment for the b. This will definitely require a government plan identification of the irregular/illegal production and also role modeling wherein important and limitations of an industry people such as politicians, officials, b. The industries are exceeding their limit of sportspersons etc, can set examples of proper production which has a hazardous impact on management and thus encourage the people to the environment do the same c. The pollution board is not stringent about these c. Key leaders should impart training as it is an impacts important part of the strategy 4. Water Management d. Keep a task force to regulate safe disposal and 5. Marine Pollution segregation 6. Unchecked Mining e. Recycling waste need to be decentralized 7. Deforestation f. Polluters (people who pollute) have to be fined 8. Waste Management 2. There should be a framework between different 9. Farmers are facing water problems, a lot of Governmental Offices for an active nourishment water from the river flows into the sea unutilized of the beaches for short term and then for long 10. Agriculturists are facing issues during lean and term flood seasons 3. Coordination in between a. Collectorate (District/State level) Recommendations b. Police officials c. NDMA manages the funding; but there needs to Physical Interventions: sufficient linkages between the region to ensure 1. Local Body Leaders: Along with taking care of funding during post disaster responsibilities like laying roads the leaders of d. Village level disaster management plan in pre local bodies must look into these issues as well and post disaster 2. Industrial rehabilitation should be done in 4. Community based disaster management plan Cuddalore. An authority to ensure the norms needs to be revised. This would include the (especially for industries) are addressed participation of NGOs 3. Segregation of waste (dry/ waste) and effective regional waste management strategies Awareness & Community Participation: 4. Create coordination centers within the region 1. Water Body: It is not enough just to pass a and network with NGO’s and other social law to safeguard the water bodies, but the groups who can actively take part during the real problems like encroachment and other disaster problems should be identified through people 5. Specialized team, which is common for participation. the region, should be available to tackle a. Creating a feeling of ownership for water body environmental and disaster management issues among the people. The government must create 6. Mobile toilets to be provided post disaster awareness among the people 2. Create an establishment that encourages community participation
sustainable regional planning framework 43 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore 3. Encourage coordination between the committees in villages in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. A platform for the exchange of information , and which allows communication between the two states on the issue of disaster management. 4. Continuous awareness program
sustainable regional planning framework 44 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Governance a. Collect data and document existing systems and their origins and ethos and philosophy Issues b. Using different media as communication tools 1. Top down approach is failing including audio, video, theatre, music and 2. Programs require capacity building and art to disseminate this knowledge and create empowerment awareness 3. Implementation and monitoring are the major c. Understanding our constitution hurdles of bottoms up planning 2. The regional plan along with the process of its 4. The voice of those who are vulnerable are not preparation needs to be sustainable heard 3. Identify strategies to address governance 5. Fragmentation in the Panchayat Raj and 4. Empower people through knowledge and the confusion between the traditional leadership process of decision making versus the elected one 6. The boundaries of governance are truncated Policy & Enforcement: by government schemes. They encourage the 1. Smaller to larger circles of consensus to be formation of committees built along the way and it has to end in concrete 7. Different backgrounds and situations are plans and suggestions not taken into account; plans are based on standardized behaviour Awareness & Community Participation: 8. Non-involvement of government officials 1. Education with a bottom-up approach; using schools as entry points for information and Recommendations planning centres 2. People need to be a part of the decision Physical Interventions: making and this should depend on continuous 1. There is a wealth of knowledge in our culture, involvement traditions and past. We must solve the issues 3. Learn from the examples that work at hand using the knowledge of the past, tools of the present (modern technology) to build a bright future for everyone
sustainable regional planning framework 45 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Issues specific to each district that could be addressed through the regional planNING FRAMEWORK
The group discussions also highlighted some issues that were specific to each of the districts i.e. Puducherry, Viluppuram, Auroville and Cuddalore. These have been summarized in the table here-
Puducherry Viluppuram Cuddalore (including Auroville) Transportation 1. Transit corridors NH45 Viluppuram- Tanjavur 1. Cuddalore - has poor and railway line exist, but needs a multi-modal quality roads. do not enter into Puduch- transport access 2. ECR rail link : Rail service erry. between Pondicherry- Cud- 2. Tindivanam - Puduch- dalore needs to be devel- erry corridor sees high oped. density traffic that needs 3. Bhuvaneshwar- to be addressed Kameshwaram trains do not 3. Lack of direct bus from stop at the Chidambaram Panruti to Puducherry. station. It would be ben- 4. Number and frequency eficial for the region if the of trains out of Puducherry train stops at the location to are insufficient. increase access to places 5. Pondicherry - connec- like Chidambaram, which is tion to bus stand and to a popular spiritual destina- Tindivanam road is con- tion. gested Entry into city from outskirts is difficult 6. The present location of the planned airport at Lawspet can only serve Pondicherry - Auroville. 7. ECR rail link : Rail serv- ice between Pondicherry- Cuddalore needs to be developed.
Land Use 1. Sand mining activities in Cuddalore is a serious concern. 2. Heritage preservation at the region level to expand and enhance the existing tourist circuit and connect it to the places at the regional level.
sustainable regional planning framework 46 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Water 1. In Viluppuram, usage Quality of the water, it has of water is 650M cuM high EC, PH value, etc in with a recharge of 250M Cuddalore. cuM resulting in a deficit of 400M cuM. 2. Misconception among villages about Auroville’s afforestation efforts threatening them and some even stopped some recharge measures being taken by Auroville.
Environment No real necessity for a 1. Industrialization in Cud- and Disaster harbour in Puducherry dalore : Lack of coordina- tion and investment for the Management identification of the irregu- lar/illegal production and limitations of an industry. 2. The industries are ex- ceeding their limit of pro- duction and limitation which has a hazardous impact on the environment. 3.The pollution board is not stringent about these impacts. 4. Industrial rehabilita- tion should be done in Cuddalore. An authority to ensure the norms (es- pecially for industries) are addressed.
sustainable regional planning framework 47 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore 6.0 Public sector participation
Relevant public sector agencies were invited to the workshop and it was well attended by representatives from the following public sector agencies: Workshop I- Pondicherry 1 A.Subramanian Joint Director- hydrology dept. 2 T.Tamizhselvi P.W.D. (G.W. Division)Cuddalore 3 Sobana Santhosh CERD/ PSF 4 S.Manohar CE,PWD, Puducherry 5 R.Ravichandran AE, Water works, PHD, PWD 6 Venkatsubramanan Research Engineer, FiD 7 Bhuvaneswar.R Research Engineer, FiD 8 M.Muthukumaran JE, PWD, WRO, Chidambaram 9 V.Bhuvaneswaran TCPD, Puducherry 10 R.Saisubramani PWD- Irrigation Div.Pondy 11 R.Reghunadanan JE, PWD, WRO, Irrigation Section, Thindivanam 12 C.Ganeche E.Director, CEAD, Pondicherry 13 V.Radhakrishnan Hydrology Dept., Pondicherry 14 K.Sivasubramanian Hydrology Dept., Pondicherry 15 Dr.N.Ramesh DSTE, Pondicherry 16 Dr. V.R.Sumathi Scientist, DSTE, Puducherry 17 R.P.Pal Secratery (P.W.D) PHC 18 N.Manthi S.E. (P.W.D) 19 P.Ranganathan Asst. Director, Villupuram 20 S.Dhanarasu Asst. Director, Member secratery, Cuddalore 21 Venkatraman Hydrology Dept.
Workshop II- Pondicherry 1 J. Antony Vivekanand Electricity Dept. Pondicherry 2 S. Mohan radja Electricity Dept. Pondicherry 3 M.Kandaswamy Dept. of Disaster Management 4 M.Ramesh Electrical Dept. 5 P.Ranganathan Asst. Director, DTP, Villupuram 6 A.Elango Puducherry Planning Authority 7 P.Mathew Samvel GOP 8 MPN Rao CII 9 S. Ragunathan CTP, Town & Country Planning Dept. 10 M.Kandar selvam STP, TCPO, Pondicherry 11 V.Vidjea Nehru JTP, TCPO, Pondicherry 12 G.Loganathan D.T.C.P Villupuram
Workshop III- Cuddalore 1 S. Dhanarasu Cuddalore Local Planning Authority 2 V. Shunmugasundaram Additional Director- Town and country planning 3 P. Ranganathan Additional Director- Town and country planning 4 C.D. Appavu Consumer Guild of Tamil Nadu. CDM 5 G. Loganathan Town planning , Villupuram
sustainable regional planning framework 48 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore 6 L. Baskaran J.E. Port Office, Cuddalore 7 N. Abiramasundori Typist, Tourism Dept. Chidambaram 8 S. P. Subramanian Tourist Office Thiruvannamalai 9 A. Sellakkannu AEE/ TWAD/ Cuddalore 10 P.Seshadrt Asst. Div. Engineer- Railways - Mailaduthurai 11 R. Asokan Deputy Director, Agri- Cuddalore 12 S. Boovaraghan Agriculture Officer- Cuddalore 13 Jayakumar. P Agriculture Officer- Cuddalore 14 N. Rajamohan P.A. To Collector Cuddalore 15 C. Vijayakumar Municipal Commissioner- cuddalore 16 D. Thamarai selvan Asst. Div. Engineer- Highways- Cuddalore 17 R. Sivasakthivel Asst. Div. Engineer- National Highways, Chidambaram 18 M. Muruganandam Asst. Div. Engineer- National Highways, Chidambaram 19 M.Kalaiyarasu Ground Water- Neyveli 20 T. Thamizhselvi Ground Water- Cuddalore 21 M.Jayachandran P.A(G) Collector office 22 C. Rajendran. D.R.O Revenue Dept.- Cuddalore 23 M. Jeyasankaran R.T.O- Cuddalore 24 P.Antonisamy AEE/ TWAD/ Cuddalore 25 R.Geetha AE/PWD/Cuddalore 26 J.Sreela sri jeeva AE/PWD/Plan formulation/ Cuddalore 27 N.Kanagavalli AE/PWD/Plan formulation/ Cuddalore 28 C. Amudha AE/PWD/Plan formulation/ Cuddalore 29 S. Ramamoorthy AEE/PWD/WRO/ Coleron Basin Sub Div. Chidambaram 30 S. Saravanan ADFO. Fire & Rescue- Cuddalore 31 Thanapatai.M PC To Sub Collector 32 K.Jayaramaraja Asst. Director of Town Panjayath- Cuddalore 33 S. G. Pathmavathi P.O. Villupuram 34 K.Selvarasu APO(DRDA), Villupuram 35 V.Balamurugan TNSF, Villupuram 36 D. Desing Guvi Bus Owner Association, cuddalore
Workshop IV- Auroville 1 P.Ranganathan Asst. Director, DTCP, Villuppuram 2 S.Dhanarasu Member secratery Cuddalore 3 M.Venkatesan B.D.O Vanur 4 M.Chandrasekaran Dy. B.D.O. Vanur 5 P.Kannan B.D.O (B.P) Vanur 6 D.Sivaprakasam Puduvazhvu Project, Villuppuram 7 S.Ashokan Puduvazhvu Project, Villuppuram 8 P.Gunasekar Puduvazhvu Project, Villuppuram 9 S.Ramanathan SIPCOT Area community environment m,onitring 10 Ramasubramanian IRD 11 K.Kalianasundaram WAT
sustainable regional planning framework 49 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore 7.0 Media Outreach
Media persons from both print and television were invited to cover all the workshops which resulted in the media highlighting some of the key issues that were discussed during the workshop. Shown here are a few scanned images of press clippings-
sustainable regional planning framework 50 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore sustainable regional planning framework 51 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore sustainable regional planning framework 52 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore sustainable regional planning framework 53 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore sustainable regional planning framework 55 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore 8.0 Field Visits
Field visits were conducted across the region to understand the current scenario at the local level and to interact with citizens to identify their needs and issues. Another objective of the field visits was to create awareness about the importance of regional planning.
During the field visits several stakeholders (over 80) were interviewed in the areas of Viluppuram, Panruti, Tindivanam, Cuddalore, and Puducherry. These stakeholders included a wide spectrum of the civil society including: doctors, plumbers, barbers, potters, housewives, daily wage women labourers, real estate agents, bus commuters, small scale industries owner (stitching units), auto drivers, tourists, traffic policeman, employees from the industries, government officials and local NGOs. Any individual who expressed interest to participate were included in the process.
The citizens were asked basic questions pertaining to the major trends, issues and problems observed in their respective area. Another objective was to identify the links (like physical, cultural, social) between Puducherry and the surrounding region of Tamil Nadu. Transit connections within the region and the issues pertaining to that were also explored during the interviews.
sustainable regional planning framework 56 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore 2.0 Objectives
• To analyze the area and observe the current land use patterns • Study the transit corridors and identify the key problems • Interact with the local community • To inform and create awareness about the Regional Planning process • To identify their understanding of the strengths and opportunities for their respective regions • To understand their vision for the future • To understand the connection and interdependency between Puducherry and the surrounding Tamil Nadu regions
3.0 Issues and Opportunities
The following were the issues and opportunities identified in the region. Area Issues Opportunities/ Assets
Puducherry 1. Inadequate agricultural facilities 1. After almost a decade, there is now 2. Shift from agriculture to other access to electricity activities 2. Good road networks which offers 3. In Thiruvandar Koil there was a hike connectivity to adjoining cities/ towns in land prices (increase from 25K to (via buses) 4.7 million for 1000 sft in the last 4-5 3. Rapid residential development years) 4. Wide roadways 4. Lack of proper educational facilities 5. Close proximity to medical college 5. Frequent travel to Puducherry for 6. Job opportunities due to the close recreational, medical or educational proximity to industries like Whirlpool, facilities Suzlon, Parry, etc. (job opportunities) Viluppuram 1. No hospital facilities 1. Urbanization; brings in development 2. Frequent travel to Puducherry for 2. Access to medical and educational recreational, medical, educational facilities through Puducherry facilities or for ration cards 3. No local bus facilities 4. Poor frequency of inter city/ town buses or interstate buses 5. Traffic 6. Air and water pollution 7. High road accident deaths
sustainable regional planning framework 57 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Area Issues Opportunities/ Assets
Tindivanam 1. Inadequate Water Supply, about 1. Potential to further develop 60% have access to water and this is Tindivanam as a transit hub due to the supplied form Rettanai, Kandarkottai high inflow of commuters. 2. Water bodies are encroached for 2. Nodal point in terms of road network development 3. Government initiated a Water Project 3. No designated bus station, causing (Lata Scheme) to bring in potable traffic jams and congestion water from Kolidam River 4. No local public transportation 4. Famous for its flower market 5. High inflow of out-of-town buses 5. Employment opportunities through the 6. Not many job opportunities. The quarry mines commercial development is centered 6. Good quality basic education around the needs of the transit hub 7. Educated people migrate to other towns/cities for better jobs 8. Tourism is under developed 9. Low quality medical facilities , travel to Chennai or maybe Pondicherry for medical facilities
sustainable regional planning framework 58 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Area Issues Opportunities/ Assets
Bahour Lake Poor maintenance Opportunity to develop the lake as a recreational area for tourism Panruti 1. Low frequency of buses to travel to 1. Proposed road development (State nearby towns and citiesInadequate Highway) access to water 2. In comparison to the last 5 years, 2. Frequent power outages more frequency of buses. 3. Narrow roads 4. Buildings constructed uptil the road edge along the state highway 5. Fast moving buses/ other vehicles along the highways
sustainable regional planning framework 59 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Area Issues Opportunities/ Assets
Cuddalore Cuddalore Town Cuddalore Town 1. Traffic and congestion 1. Close proximity to Chennai 2. No local public transportation 2. NT (New Town) is preferred over 3. Expensive autoricksaw fares OT (Old Town)for newer residential 4. Inadequate bus station facility development 5. More private vehicle usage for 3. Good hospitals and educational commute institutions 6. Old Town: Not a preferable locality 4. Ample recreational facilities: Temples, for living beach, shopping areas, restaurants, 7. The physical gap between the Old etc. Town and New Town is rapidly 5. Railway station and bus station developing and filling up located next to each other 8. Frequent travel to Pondicherry for higher education and better job facilities Cuddalore SIPCOT Area Cuddalore SIPCOT Area 1. Air and water pollution due to the 1. Employment generation due to the industrial waste dumped into the industries surrounding environment 2. Health issues like skin diseases, cancer, asthma, due to the untreated toxic dump in the local water bodies 3. Local people buy potable water for their daily use Cuddalore Port Cuddalore Port 1. There are no policies for port 1. Cuddalore has a natural Port development although it has the 2. It exports neat cargo (timber, potatoes, potential to create more employment sugar) opportunities 3. Employment generattion through 2. Port employees reduced from 150 to private port development 15 due to low port activity 3. Private port developments are ‘dirty ports’ due to the export/ import of oil, and other substances, that cause air and water pollution.
sustainable regional planning framework 60 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore sustainable regional planning framework 61 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore 9.0 Surveys
As part of the the preparation of the sustainable regional planning framework for Puducherry, Viluppuram, Auroville and Cuddalore several community surveys were conducted. A total of 2,500 stakeholders were interviewed during these surveys. Three of the surveys were based on the Water, Energy and Transportation themes of the regional planning framework. Additionally, a Vision Survey was conducted to identify the community’s vision for the future. The objective of these surveys was to gain insight into the community issues and concerns. The data collected from the various regions of Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu, was used by the core team in formulating a first draft on the various themes.
The field team comprised of students from the Pondicherry University. They conducted field visitsand surveys at the community level. They were initially trained for a period of three weeks before commencing the work . Various experts assisted the core team with the design and implementation of the questionnaire and the surveys. Although the findings of the survey are limited, they provide significant insight into the community perceptions and pave way for future research to explore the issues in depth and continue with an ongoing community involvement process beyond the scope of this phase.
sustainable regional planning framework 62 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Energy Survey
Objectives
The objective of this exercise is to carry out a consumer and vendor (of electrical appliance) survey in the region to: • Assess energy usage pattern in relation to domestic electrical appliances, cooking and mobility • Create awareness among the respondents about energy efficiency and challenges with energy production and consumption • Seek out likely future behaviour in various scenarios with cost and availability of energy. • And through this • Discover trends in behaviour relating to energy consuming products and energy consumption • Contribute to a sustainable energy policy framework
A total of 278 consumers and 23 vendors have been surveyed in the bio-region for this exercise. The survey questionnaire contained 169 questions related to energy consumption behaviour and covered the following key areas. They were further subdivided into the following aspects:
Electricity The survey contained questions related to all major electrical appliances and their usage related behaviour. It included; bulbs, lights, fans, TV, fridge, musical systems, ACs, computers and backup systems.
Cooking Questions pertaining to different fuels and appliances used for cooking have been included.
Transportation Various modes of transport such as public transport, walking, cycles, two wheelers and four wheelers have been covered in the survey questions.
Area Covered
Auroville: Edayanchavady , Irumbai, Kuilapalayam, Royappettai,
Cuddalore: Alpattai, Kodikat, Koothapakkam, Malumiyarpettai, Manjakuppam, Nellikuppam, Ottari, Patchayankuppam, Pillalithotti, Thakkai, Thirumanaikuzhi, Thirupathiripuliyur, Thiruvanthipuram, Vanpakkam, Visnavanam,
Pondicherry: Alangkuppam, Aranganur, Bahour, Boomiyanpet, Irulansanthai, Kalitheerthal Kuppam, Karasur, Kariyamanikam, Kathirkamam, Kottakarai, Kudiyirupupalayam, Kurummapet, Kuruvinatham, Madukarai, Mettupalayam, Moolakulam, Nettapakkam, Oulgaret, Pandasozhanallur, Parikalpattu, Periyamudaliyarchavady, Reddiyarpalayam, Sanjeevi Nagar, Sanyasikuppam, Sedarapet, Selliyamedu, Silukaripalayam,Thirubuvanai, Thodamanatham, Thuthipet, Uruvaiyar, Villianur.
Villupuram: Andiyarpalayam, Edapalayam, Kattrampakkam, Maharajapuram, Mundiyampakkam, Nainarpalayam, Panayapuram, Pannapattu, Ranganadhapuram, Sathiyampuliyur, Sendhanatham, Vanur, Villupuram, Vinayagapuram
sustainable regional planning framework 63 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Questionnaire
Categor Sub Question Choices Comments Men/Households 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 y Categor y G G Name What is the standard for such Both questions in other areas? G G Address Both G G Place type Home, Work Both G G Sub region Pondicherry, Villupuram, Cuddalore and Both Auroville G G Contact No Both G G No of adults in the house 1-2,3-4,5-7,>7 Both G G No of children in the house 1-2,3-4,>4 Both G G No of rooms in the house 1,2,3,4,5,>5 (including kitchen and living Both room) G G Employment /of head of the house hold business, farming, employed, daily Both wages, unemployed, retired G G Income group high, low, medium is there any precedent on this? Both get census information on income categories Appliance Current What is your electricty bill per month? <50,50-100,100-300,300-500,>500 Take a picture, see the bill Both
Appliance Current Which electricity tariff is applicable? domestic (1p), domestic (3p), Both commercial (1p), commercial (3p), industrial, agricultural Appliance Current For which types of appliances do you use stabilizers? N/A, Air Conditioner, Fridge, TV, Music Both System
Appliance Current For which types of appliances do you use inverter with battery N/A, Light, Fan, TV, Music System, Both back-up? Computer Appliance Current Do you have a back-up generator N/A, Yes Both
Appliance Current What type of lamps do you use for lighting? N/A, Incandescent, Tubelight, Both Tubelight+CFL, CFL, LED Appliance Current Why do use use that for lighting? Open ended Both
Appliance Current What do you do with used defective tube lights or CFLs? Bin, Open ended, Don't know Both
Appliance Current Do you use electric lighting during the day time? N/A, Yes Both
Appliance Current Why do you use electric lighting during the day time? Open ended Both
Appliance Current How many fans do you use? N/A, 1-2,3-4,>4 How many fans are on at any Both given time? Appliance Current For how many hours do you use the fan per day? N/A, <8,9-12,13-16,17-20,21-24 Both
Appliance Current What is the capacity of the refrigerator (in litres)? N/A, <100,100-200,>200 Both
Appliance Current How many stars is the refrigerator? N/A, 1,2,3,4,5 Explain the stars Both
Appliance Current What type of TV do you have? N/A, CRT, Plasma, LCD, LED Both
Appliance Current What size of TV do you have? N/A, <20", 20-32",>32" Both
Appliance Current What is the capacity of the water pump? N/A, 0.25hp, 0.5hp, 1hp,2hp,>2hp Both
Appliance Current Do you have an electric water heater? N/A, 3 ltr, 4-10 ltr, 10-15 ltr, 16-25 ltr, Both >25 ltr Appliance Current When do you use an electric water heater? N/A, 6-8AM,8-10AM,4-6PM,6-8PM,8- Both 10PM Appliance Current Do you have a washing machine? N/A, Yes Both
Appliance Current Do you use an electric iron for your clothes? N/A, Yes Both
Appliance Current How many Air Conditioners do you have? N/A, 1,2,3,>3 Both
Appliance Current What type of Air Conditioners do you have? N/A, Window-type, Split-type Both
Appliance Current How many stars are the Air Conditioners? N/A, 1,2,3,4,5 Explain the stars Both
Appliance Current How many hours of use of AC per day? N/A, <8,9-12,13-16,>16 Both
Appliance Current How many months in the year do you use the ACs ? N/A, <3mths,3-6mths,>6mths Both
Appliance Current At what temperature do you set the AC thermostat? N/A, 18,19-22,23-26,27-30,>30 Both
Appliance Current Do you use a micro-wave oven? N/A, Yes Both
Appliance Future If the price of electricity went up by 50%, how will your no change, use less AC, switch to CFL, Both behaviour change? look for energy efficient fans, look for energy efficient TV, look for energy efficient fridge, Appliance Future If you were to buy a new lighting device, which one would you Incandescent, CFL, tube-light, LED Both purchase? Cooking Current What fuel do you use for cooking? Wood/Biomass, Pellets, Kerosene, LPG, Both Electricity, Solar
Cooking Current How much do you spend on fuel per month? 100-200, 200-300,300-500,>500 Both Cooking Current On what basis do you choose your cooking fuel? convenience, availability, cost, cooking do not prompt Both time Cooking Current What are the barriers to using a solar cooker? awareness, availabilty, convenience, Both sustainable regional planning framework dietary habits, Cooking time 64 CookingforCurrent puducherry,If you are using viluppuram, wood or biomass, do youauroville use an efficient & and cuddalore N/A, Yes Both smokeless cook stove? Cooking Future What will you do if LPG price is doubled? Use biomass, pellets, solar cooker, Both electrical stove Mobility Current Do you use public transport? N/A, Yes Both Mobility Current How often do you use it? N/A, daily, more than once a week, Both weekly, other Mobility Current What do you use it for? N/A, work, shopping, school, all Both purposes Mobility Current Key barriers to using public transport N/A, availability, frequency, timing, cost, Both safety Mobility Current How do you commute to work? N/A, Walk, cycle, auto, autoshare, Both tempo, bus, train, electric scooter, moped, motorcycle, electric car, car Mobility Current How long does it take to get to work? N/A, <15,16-30,31-60,>60 Work Mobility Current How far is the work place from your home? N/A, <5,6-10,11-20,21-30,31-40,>40 Work Mobility Current If you travel by public transport, how do you get to the bus N/A, Walk, cycle, auto moped, Work stand / train station? motorcycle, car Mobility Current Do you own a cycle? N/A, Yes Both Mobility Current How often do you use cycle? N/A, daily, more than once a week, Both weekly, other Mobility Current What do you use cycle for? N/A, work, shopping, school, all Both purposes Mobility Current Do you own a motorcycle or moped? N/A, Yes Both Mobility Current What do you use motorcycle for? N/A, work, shopping, school, all Both purposes Mobility Current What is your monthly motor cycle fuel bill? N/A, 100-200, 200-300,300-500,500- Both 1000,>1000 Mobility Current Do you own a car? N/A, Yes Both Mobility Current What do you use car for? N/A, work, shopping, school, all Both purposes Mobility Current How often do you use the car? N/A, daily, more than once a week, Both weekly, other Mobility Current If you own a car, what is it? N/A, small, big, SUV, MUV Both Mobility Current What is your monthly car fuel bill? <500, 500-1000, 1000-2000,2000- Both 5000,>5000 Mobility Current Do you own a electric scooter? N/A, Yes Both Mobility Current How often do you use electric scooter? N/A, daily, more than once a week, Both weekly, other Mobility Current What do you use electric scooter for? N/A, work, shopping, school, all Both purposes Categor Sub Question Choices Comments Men/Households 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 y Categor y G G Name What is the standard for such Both questions in other areas? G G Address Both G G Place type Home, Work Both G G Sub region Pondicherry, Villupuram, Cuddalore and Both Auroville G G Contact No Both G G No of adults in the house 1-2,3-4,5-7,>7 Both G G No of children in the house 1-2,3-4,>4 Both G G No of rooms in the house 1,2,3,4,5,>5 (including kitchen and living Both room) G G Employment /of head of the house hold business, farming, employed, daily Both wages, unemployed, retired G G Income group high, low, medium is there any precedent on this? Both get census information on income categories Appliance Current What is your electricty bill per month? <50,50-100,100-300,300-500,>500 Take a picture, see the bill Both
Appliance Current Which electricity tariff is applicable? domestic (1p), domestic (3p), Both commercial (1p), commercial (3p), industrial, agricultural Appliance Current For which types of appliances do you use stabilizers? N/A, Air Conditioner, Fridge, TV, Music Both System
Appliance Current For which types of appliances do you use inverter with battery N/A, Light, Fan, TV, Music System, Both back-up? Computer Appliance Current Do you have a back-up generator N/A, Yes Both
Appliance Current What type of lamps do you use for lighting? N/A, Incandescent, Tubelight, Both Tubelight+CFL, CFL, LED Appliance Current Why do use use that for lighting? Open ended Both
Appliance Current What do you do with used defective tube lights or CFLs? Bin, Open ended, Don't know Both
Appliance Current Do you use electric lighting during the day time? N/A, Yes Both
Appliance Current Why do you use electric lighting during the day time? Open ended Both
Appliance Current How many fans do you use? N/A, 1-2,3-4,>4 How many fans are on at any Both given time? Appliance Current For how many hours do you use the fan per day? N/A, <8,9-12,13-16,17-20,21-24 Both
Appliance Current What is the capacity of the refrigerator (in litres)? N/A, <100,100-200,>200 Both
Appliance Current How many stars is the refrigerator? N/A, 1,2,3,4,5 Explain the stars Both
Appliance Current What type of TV do you have? N/A, CRT, Plasma, LCD, LED Both
Appliance Current What size of TV do you have? N/A, <20", 20-32",>32" Both
Appliance Current What is the capacity of the water pump? N/A, 0.25hp, 0.5hp, 1hp,2hp,>2hp Both
Appliance Current Do you have an electric water heater? N/A, 3 ltr, 4-10 ltr, 10-15 ltr, 16-25 ltr, Both >25 ltr Appliance Current When do you use an electric water heater? N/A, 6-8AM,8-10AM,4-6PM,6-8PM,8- Both 10PM Appliance Current Do you have a washing machine? N/A, Yes Both
Appliance Current Do you use an electric iron for your clothes? N/A, Yes Both
Appliance Current How many Air Conditioners do you have? N/A, 1,2,3,>3 Both
Appliance Current What type of Air Conditioners do you have? N/A, Window-type, Split-type Both
Appliance Current How many stars are the Air Conditioners? N/A, 1,2,3,4,5 Explain the stars Both
Appliance Current How many hours of use of AC per day? N/A, <8,9-12,13-16,>16 Both
Appliance Current How many months in the year do you use the ACs ? N/A, <3mths,3-6mths,>6mths Both
Appliance Current At what temperature do you set the AC thermostat? N/A, 18,19-22,23-26,27-30,>30 Both
QuestionnaireAppliance Current Do you use a micro-wave oven? N/A, Yes Both
Appliance Future If the price of electricity went up by 50%, how will your no change, use less AC, switch to CFL, Both behaviour change? look for energy efficient fans, look for energy efficient TV, look for energy efficient fridge, Appliance Future If you were to buy a new lighting device, which one would you Incandescent, CFL, tube-light, LED Both purchase? Cooking Current What fuel do you use for cooking? Wood/Biomass, Pellets, Kerosene, LPG, Both Electricity, Solar
Cooking Current How much do you spend on fuel per month? 100-200, 200-300,300-500,>500 Both Cooking Current On what basis do you choose your cooking fuel? convenience, availability, cost, cooking do not prompt Both time Cooking Current What are the barriers to using a solar cooker? awareness, availabilty, convenience, Both dietary habits, Cooking time Cooking Current If you are using wood or biomass, do you use an efficient and N/A, Yes Both smokeless cook stove? Cooking Future What will you do if LPG price is doubled? Use biomass, pellets, solar cooker, Both electrical stove Mobility Current Do you use public transport? N/A, Yes Both Mobility Current How often do you use it? N/A, daily, more than once a week, Both weekly, other Mobility Current What do you use it for? N/A, work, shopping, school, all Both purposes Mobility Current Key barriers to using public transport N/A, availability, frequency, timing, cost, Both safety Mobility Current How do you commute to work? N/A, Walk, cycle, auto, autoshare, Both tempo, bus, train, electric scooter, moped, motorcycle, electric car, car Mobility Current How long does it take to get to work? N/A, <15,16-30,31-60,>60 Work Mobility Current How far is the work place from your home? N/A, <5,6-10,11-20,21-30,31-40,>40 Work Mobility Current If you travel by public transport, how do you get to the bus N/A, Walk, cycle, auto moped, Work stand / train station? motorcycle, car Mobility Current Do you own a cycle? N/A, Yes Both Mobility Current How often do you use cycle? N/A, daily, more than once a week, Both weekly, other Mobility Current What do you use cycle for? N/A, work, shopping, school, all Both purposes Mobility Current Do you own a motorcycle or moped? N/A, Yes Both Mobility Current What do you use motorcycle for? N/A, work, shopping, school, all Both purposes Mobility Current What is your monthly motor cycle fuel bill? N/A, 100-200, 200-300,300-500,500- Both 1000,>1000 Mobility Current Do you own a car? N/A, Yes Both Mobility Current What do you use car for? N/A, work, shopping, school, all Both purposes Mobility Current How often do you use the car? N/A, daily, more than once a week, Both weekly, other Mobility Current If you own a car, what is it? N/A, small, big, SUV, MUV Both Mobility Current What is your monthly car fuel bill? <500, 500-1000, 1000-2000,2000- Both 5000,>5000 Mobility Current Do you own a electric scooter? N/A, Yes Both Mobility Current How often do you use electric scooter? N/A, daily, more than once a week, Both weekly, other Mobility Current What do you use electric scooter for? N/A, work, shopping, school, all Both purposes
sustainable regional planning framework 65 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Questionnaire
Categor Sub Question Choices Comments Men/Households 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 y Categor y Mobility Future What will you do if the cost of fuel doubles in the near future? walk more, cylce more, switch to smaller Both vehicle, look for a fuel efficient vehicle, switch to public transport, move closer to work, share the ride, G Awareness What do you think of when using an appliance, cooking or cost of purchase, cost of operation, Both driving? speed, convenience, pollution, power consumption G Awareness What do you think of when buying an appliance, cooking or cost of operation, speed, convenience, Both driving? pollution, Appliance Awareness Do you know the source of energy for the electricity you use? Solar, thermal plant, nuclear, wind, Both JNNSM schem Appliance Awareness Is India self-sufficient in energy? N/A, Yes, Open ended Both
Appliance Awareness Is there a limit to the sources of electricity and oil? N/A, Yes, Open ended Both
Appliance Awareness Do you have any idea why we have power cuts? N/A, Yes, Open ended Both
Appliance Awareness What happens to the emissions from power plants and N/A, Yes, Open ended Both vehicles? Appliance Awareness Did you know that appliances consume power in stand-by or N/A, Yes, Open ended explain meaning of stand-by Both sleep mode? Appliance Awareness Did you know that setting computers, monitors, and copiers to N/A, Yes, Open ended explain meaning of stand-by Both sleep-mode when not in use helps cut energy costs by half?
Appliance Awareness Did you know that there are energy efficient lamps, fans, N/A, Yes, Open ended Both refrigerators and air conditioners available in the market? Appliance Awareness Some appliances in the market have 1 to 5 energy stars. Do N/A, Yes, Open ended Both you know the significance of these energy stars? Appliance Awareness Do you check the number of energy stars when buying an N/A, Yes, Open ended Both appliance? Appliance Awareness Did you know that a 5-star fan consumes 25-40% less N/A, Yes, Open ended Both electricity than a normal fan? Appliance Awareness Did you know that CFLs can save upto 75% electricity and N/A, Yes, Open ended Both last 5-10 times longer than incandescent lamps? Appliance Awareness Do you know that though the CFL costs 10 times more than N/A, Yes, Open ended Both an incandescent lamp, the money can be recovered in 8 to 12 months? Appliance Awareness Do you know that power LED lights are becoming more N/A, Yes, Open ended Both energy efficient than CFL and they also last longer? Appliance Awareness Did you know that LED TVs are most energy efficient? N/A, Yes, Open ended Both
Appliance Awareness Did you know that microwaves save energy by as much as N/A, Yes, Open ended Both 50% by reducing the cooking time?
Appliance Awareness Did you know an air conditioner consumes as much electricity N/A, Yes, Open ended Both as 15 to 25 fans? Appliance Awareness Did you know that a 5-star air conditioner consumes at least N/A, Yes, Open ended Both 30% less electricity than a 1-star air conditioner? Appliance Awareness Did you know that you can reduce a further 10% of electricity N/A, Yes, Open ended Both by setting the AC to 25C instead of 22C? Appliance Awareness Did you know that you can save further by keeping the AC N/A, Yes, Open ended Both filters clean and by maintaining the AC unit? Cooking Awareness Did you know that India imports LPG and that its price will rise N/A, Yes Both in future?
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
sustainable regional planning framework 66 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Questionnaire
MARKET SURVEY (ENERGY) NAME: NAME OF THE SURVEYOR: AGE: DATE: ADDESS: LOCATION:
CONTACT NO:
1 Are you a Retailer or a wholesaler? Retailer Wholesaler if yes then 2 Do you purchase the goods directly from Manufactures or from wholesallers? Address: Wholeseller/Manufacturer
3 How many years are you in this Profession? More than 2 years More than 5 years More than 10 years 4 Which kind of electrical products have more demand ? Lighting Cooling Home Appliance Others (Remarks) Tube light Celing Fan Refrigerators Bulbs Table Fan Colour TV. Halogens ACs Electric Induction Cooler Heater
5 Are you aware of energy star rated products and it's benefits?
6 Are the consumers aware of energy star rated products and it's benefits?
7 If Yes then what are the most common energy star rated product that users prefer?
8 What is the Units Consumption for these products? Items Units Consumption Items Units Consumption Acs Ceiling fans Tube lights LPG stoves Frest Free Refrigerators Agricultural pump sets Colour TV Induction motors Direct coll Refrigerators Distribution Transformers Washing machine Geysers
9 What are the factors that motivate you to sell the products? Brand Sales Margins Any Other Quality Consumer Demands Design
10 What are the factors that influence users to buy products? (Non Rating Products) Brand Valur for Money Quality Discount Price
11 Is there any link between star rating of the product and it's price?
12 Is there any link between star rating of the product and it's brand?
sustainable regional planning framework 67 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Electricity - Vendor Survey: 1. General • In terms of ownership more than half (60%) run an independent shop whereas others own a franchise- dealership • Most (85%) retail outlets are small in size with 35% having less than 5 employees and another 50% with less than 10 employees • Around half (48%) the shops use tube-lights in their shop and another 35% use CFL lights. None of them use incandescent lights in their shops • More than two thirds (70%) of the shops are air-conditioned and half of them have an AC load of more than 6 tonnes. • More than half the shops interviewed (56%) experience power cuts of more than 4 hours a day. All shops in the Villupuram and Cuddalore area experience some daily power cuts. Pondicherry shops experience power cuts few times a week • Of the total shops surveyed, 60% pay between Rs. 2000-10,000 per month and 26% pay over Rs. 10,000, out of which only one vendor is located in Pondicherry. • More than 90% of the shops interviewed offer TV, fridge and washing machine. Interestingly, 65% of the shops now offer ACs • Samsung and LG (90% of the shops) are top most in the list of companies represented, followed by Onida, Phillips, Siemens and Sony. Godrej is the least represented company
2. Product • The production selection of the vendors is largely based on the cost and quality of the product and the profit it generates. The vendors (only 1 looks at energy) do not seem to be concerned about the energy consumption of the products sold. Warranty is considered by 40% of the shops while selecting a product to sell
3. Market • All shops are targeting middle income segment, however, around 48%, target low income group and 26% target the rural segment
4. Energy Related • All shops interviewed claim that they are aware of the energy consumption of products and related energy star rating system. They also claim they train their staff on energy consumption and energy rating system. However, this does not hold true from the results of user survey and personal interactions with shopkeepers on the market. • 91% of the vendors use the energy consumption or ratings in their sales pitch. However, this doesn't seem to be a preference for customers for selecting a product • More than 40% (43%) of the shops claim that less than 10% of their customers enquire about the energy efficiency of the products sold. Only 2 vendors claim that a majority of their customers are aware and enquire about the energy efficiency of the products sold. • All shopkeepers use energy efficient products at home.
Electricity - Current behaviour: 1. Electricity bills • Of the respondents surveyed, it seems the spending on electricity is directly related to annual household income . A typical low income electricity bill is around Rs 50-100, middle income is Rs 100- 300 and high income is Rs 300-500. • This simply means that the kWh consumption is higher in Pondicherry area
sustainable regional planning framework 68 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore 2. Voltage stabilisation and Back up systems • Voltage stabilisers are being used only for fridges and 50% of the households in the survey are using it. • Inverters with batteries for backup have not spread in the region with only 5% of houses reported to having one. Its main application is for powering lights and fans. Around 4 households reported to have been using an inverter system to provide backup for computers. • At present, less than 2% houses from the sample have a back-up generator
3. Lighting and Fans • Incandescent lamps are still being used in the region particularly in low (24%) and middle income (10%) segments. Tube lights still dominate the lighting market with 43% households surveyed using it. CFLs are being used only at 17% of all households. They have not taken off in terms of penetration despite being the most energy efficient and financially viable. Moreover, there is lack or awareness and infrastructure on how to dispose off used CFL bulbs. • The chief characteristics that respondents look for in choosing a lighting device is brightness. Power consumption is the second most important factor followed by cost as the third most mentioned factor. However, it does not reflect in people's choices. This could be due to lack of awareness. • It has emerged that 40% of the respondents use electric lighting during day time. It is likely that the design of houses and habits that do not support sensible use of sunlight could be key factors. • Similarly 47% of respondents use fans for 9 to 12 hours a day. It is likely that poor house design plays a role in fan usage too • Incandescent lamps are still being used in the region particularly in low (24%) and middle income (10%) segments. Tube lights still dominate the lighting market with 43% households surveyed using it. CFLs are being used only at 17% of all households. They have not taken off in terms of penetration despite being the most energy efficient and financially viable. Moreover, there is lack or awareness and infrastructure on how to dispose off used CFL bulbs. • The chief characteristics that respondents look for in choosing a lighting device is brightness. Power consumption is the second most important factor followed by cost as the third most mentioned factor. However, it does not reflect in people's choices. This could be due to lack of awareness. • It has emerged that 40% of the respondents use electric lighting during day time. It is likely that the design of houses and habits that do not support sensible use of sunlight could be key factors. • Similarly 47% of respondents use fans for 9 to 12 hours a day. It is likely that poor house design plays a role in fan usage too
4. Fridge, TV and Water Pump • Around two thirds of households have a fridge and most (75%) of the fridges are of 100-200 ltrs. However, more than two thirds of the fridges where Energy Stars are known (54 out of 77) have 3 stars or less. Only 1 household of surveyed houses had a 5 star energy rating fridge. • 80% of the households surveyed are still using CRT TVs. The survey did not cover the year of purchase. One could assume that most of TVs were bought before energy efficient TVs become widely available and financially viable. • Most households (80%) do not use a water pump and most of them who own a water pump have 1 hp capacity • Around two thirds of households have a fridge and most (75%) of the fridges are of 100-200 ltrs. However, more than two thirds of the fridges where Energy Stars are known (54 out of 77) have 3 stars or less. Only 1 household of surveyed houses had a 5 star energy rating fridge. • 80% of the households surveyed are still using CRT TVs. The survey did not cover the year of purchase. One could assume that most of TVs were bought before energy efficient TVs become widely available and financially viable. • Most households (80%) do not use a water pump and most of them who own a water pump have 1 hp capacity
sustainable regional planning framework 69 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore 5. Water Heater, Washing Machine and Electric Water Heater • A mere 10% of households have an Electric Water Heater and most of them (84%) use hot water between 6 to 8 AM. However, none of the households surveyed have a Solar Water Heater. • Most households (80%) do not have a washing machine. However, 75% of high income households own one. • Irons are popular across all income groups and penetration is high (59%) even in low income houses
6. AC and Microwave • At present 14% of households surveyed already own an AC. There 1 AC per house in all the cases (except 1). However, 68% of high income households own an AC. Only 5 (15%) houses with ACs have more than 3 star energy efficiency rating. And nearly half the AC users keep the temperature setting of their AC between 19 and 22 degrees. • Most households surveyed do not use a micro-wave oven
Trends: • A significant number of respondents surveyed (45%) claim that their behaviour will not change if the price of Electricity went up. The figure rises to 70% in high income segment. • The survey suggests that 8% of the users will continue to buy an incandescent lamp in future. Around 40% would buy a tube light. Their future behaviour relating to CFL is unclear. The response to question 45 suggests more than 50% will chose a CFL in future. However, the response to question 44c seems to indicate only a small number 7% will switch to CFL if electricity prices went up. • Only 20% of the fan users will look for energy efficient fans if electricity prices went up. And 13% of the users will look for energy efficient fridge if electricity prices went up • Less than 10% will look for energy efficient TV if electricity prices went up • However, 25% of AC users may use it less if electricity prices go up
Key finding: • Electricity consumption and bills is dependent on income groups • Average Pondicherry household consume more kWhs • 45% people across different income groups do not foresee any reduction in their consumption if there electricity prices went up • Incandescent lamps are still being used. Uptake for CFL is not significant despite obvious advantages. No awareness and provision for disposing used CFL exists in the region. • Poor house design results in more light and fan usage in homes • The major domestic load at present includes lights, fans, fridge and TV. This will change as more products are being offered in the market and the affordability improves with rise in per capita income. • Similarly, only 5% respondents currently have an inverter backup system. This will grow with rise in per capita income and power outages • Electricity consumption and bills is dependent on income groups • Average Pondicherry household consume more kWhs • 45% people across different income groups do not foresee any reduction in their consumption if there electricity prices went up • Incandescent lamps are still being used. Uptake for CFL is not significant despite obvious advantages. No awareness and provision for disposing used CFL exists in the region. • Poor house design results in more light and fan usage in homes • The major domestic load at present includes lights, fans, fridge and TV. This will change as more products are being offered in the market and the affordability improves with rise in per capita income. • Similarly, only 5% respondents currently have an inverter backup system. This will grow with rise in per capita income and power outages
sustainable regional planning framework 70 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Cooking - Current behaviour: Current Behaviour • An overwhelming majority of households (78%) surveyed use LPG for cooking. Only 1 respondent from a sample of 278 is using electricity for cooking. Within the low income segment 48% households use biomass for cooking. And only one third of them are currently using smokeless stoves • Most households (75%) spend between Rs. 300 and 500 per month on cooking fuel. However, 43% of low income segment spend less than Rs. 200 a month. • There is no significant difference in selection criteria for cooking fuel across income groups. The significant factors in selecting a cooking fuel are convenience (40%) and shorter cooking time (37%). However, availability and cost of fuel do not seem to matter much in selection of cooking fuel. • When asked about the solar cooker, a significant 83% of households felt that lack of awareness about the solar cooker was the key barrier in its adoption. Availability, convenience, dietary habits and cooking time were not cited as barriers for its adoption. This is partly due to lack of understand of the functioning of solar cooker.
Trends: • If the LPG prices double, 30% of the households surveyed would switch to electric whereas 65% would switch to Biomass. Most low income households intend to switch to Biomass • Key finding • Most households use LPG for cooking. Most of them will switch to biomass if the price of LPG doubled. One third of them will switch to electric cooking. • LPG user are spending around Rs 300 to 500 per month on cooking fuel where as biomass user tend to spend less than Rs 200 • Only one third of biomass users are using smokeless stoves for cooking • Convenience and cooking time matter in cooking fuel selection and not cost and fuel and fuel availability • Lack of awareness seems to be the key factor in poor adoption of solar cookers.
Transportation - Current behaviour: 1. Public Transport • Public transport is being used by 70% of the respondents out of which 34% of them use it daily. The usage is slightly higher among low income users. However, only 10 % use it to commute to work. Most people (63%) walk to catch public transport whereas 13% take a motorcycle to get to the public transport station. • Availability, frequency and timings do not seem to be strong barriers in usage of public transport. However, cost (28%) and safety (19%) did figure as barriers to usage of public transport. The cost factor could have emerged as significant partly due to recent hike in fuel prices • Commuting to work: • More than 60% of respondents use a motorcycle to go to work. • Within low income segment one fourth walk and another one fourth cycle to work. This could be partly driven by distance to work. Bus (17%) is also a significant mode of transport for work within low income segment. However, more than a quarter within low income segment now use a motorcycle to go to work • More than 50% live within 5 kilometres of work and another 26% stay within 10 kilometres. The distance for work is similar for low and middle income groups whilst higher income earners travel a little further for work. Walking, cycling and bus to work contribute for around 10% each. However, walking and cycling to work is not prevalent among middle and high income groups. This could be partly driven by distance to work.
sustainable regional planning framework 71 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore 2. Cycle • The cycle is used daily if the household owns one. More than 75% of houses who own a cycle use it daily. However, more than 37% households do not own a cycle.
3. Motorcycle/Moped • Motorcycle/moped is the most common mode of transport in the region. 75% of the respondent households own a motorcycle or a moped. More than 65% motorcycle users across all income groups use more than Rs 1,000 on fuel.
4. Car • Car ownership is not pervasive in the region yet. Only 13% of the households surveyed own a car. However, 62% of high income households own a car. • Only one third of the car owners use it daily whereas more than 44% use it less than once a week. Yet, half of the car owners spend Rs 2000-5000 per month on fuel and around one third of car owners spend more than Rs 5,000 per month on fuel.
5. Electric Scooter • No respondent owns an electric scooter
Trends: • If the fuel cost doubles a staggering 45% people will look for fuel efficient vehicles and 27% people will switch to public transport. Some will walk more (10%) and cycle more. However, not many will switch to smaller vehicles (3%), or move closer to work or share a ride if the fuel cost doubles.
Key finding: • Most people use public transport but not daily. It is not popular with commuting to work. Cost and safety are key barriers in its usage. • Low income segment walk and cycle more to work than high income segment. • Most people 60% use motorcycle to commute to work. Low income is beginning to use it to commute to work too with more than 25% penetration. • The roads and parking spots are overflowing with cars when the car ownership is only 13%. • More than 44% people use cars less than once a week. This is ideal for car sharing. • Electric scooters have not caught on in the region.
Awareness level: • Key influencing factors for purchase and usage of devices • Cost of purchase seems to be an important factor (47%) while using an energy consuming device • Convenience seems to be a significant factor (40%) while using and (49%) while buying an energy consuming device • Cost of operation does figure as a significant factor (46%) while buying an energy consuming device however, it does NOT seem to be an important factor (12%) while using an energy consuming device. • Speed is not a factor while using or buying an energy consuming device. Pollution does NOT seem to be an important factor (1%) while using and (2.5%) while buying an energy consuming device. Energy consumption does NOT seem to be an important factor (5%) while using an energy consuming device
sustainable regional planning framework 72 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Energy availability, power cuts and pollution: • Most respondents (79%) are aware that India is NOT self-sufficient in Energy. Most respondents (79%) are also aware that there is a limit to energy sources being used presently. . • A significant 83% seem to know the reasons for power cuts. Some of them believe it is due to rainy season, maintenance works etc. However, a good number of them think it is due to more demand and more power being supplied to the industrial sector. • A significant 71% seem to know what happens to the emissions from thermal power plants and fossil fuel vehicles. Most of them believe, it results in health related problems including respiratory and skin conditions.
Power saving: • A staggering 92% of respondents did NOT know that appliances consume power in stand-by mode. Similarly, 91% of respondents did NOT know that one could save power by putting computers, monitors and copiers in sleep mode • More than half the respondents are NOT aware of energy efficient appliances. And 70% of respondents are NOT aware of energy star efficiency ratings . Furthermore, a significant, 75% of respondents do NOT look for energy star efficiency ratings while shopping • A good 80% of the respondents are NOT aware of power savings with energy efficient fans. Around 40% of respondents are still NOT aware of energy savings possible with CFL. Similarly, 44% of respondents are still NOT aware of cost advantage of CFLs • The level of awareness with regards to LED technology is very low in the region. 82% are not aware of LED lights and their energy efficiency. And 85% are not aware that LED TVs are most energy efficient • 91% of respondents are not aware of energy efficiency of microwaves
Power Saving AC: • The level of understanding about power consumption and efficiency measure is again very low in the region. 80% are not aware that one AC consumes as much electricity as 15 to 25 fans . • Similarly, 88% were not aware that a 5-star AC is 30% more energy efficient. And 90% of respondents are not aware that setting the AC temperature to 25 degrees instead of 22 degrees could result in 10% saving in energy consumption. Furthermore, 90% of respondents are not aware that keeping AC filters clean and maintaining ACs will result in saving in energy consumption • More than 77% respondents are aware that India imports LPG and that their price will go up in future
Key finding: • Pollution and energy consumption do not figure as important factors in buying or using energy devices. • Most respondents are aware of limited energy resources. They also seem to be aware of the reasons behind power outage is higher demand and more industries. The pollution from the emissions and its affect on health were mentioned by a number of respondents • The general awareness on power saving is very low across the board including; energy savings possible with different appliances; energy consumption in standby mode and saving in sleep mode; and energy star ratings and their significance.
Trends that support sustainable development and lifestyles: • Power consumption is the second most important factor that respondents look for in choosing a lighting device. However, it does not reflect in people's choices. This could be due to lack of awareness. • 25% of AC users may use it less if electricity prices go up • Availability, frequency and timings do not seem to be strong barriers in usage of public transport.
sustainable regional planning framework 73 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore • The cycle is used daily if the household owns one. More than 75% of houses who own a cycle use it daily. • Only one third of the car owners use it daily whereas more than 44% use it less than once a week. There is a potential for car sharing here • If the fuel cost doubles a staggering 45% people will look for fuel efficient vehicles and 27% people will switch to public transport. • Most respondents are aware of limited energy resources. They also seem to be aware of the reasons behind power outage is higher demand and more industries. The pollution from the emissions and its affect on health were mentioned by a number of respondents
Trends that oppose sustainable development and lifestyles: • A significant number of respondents surveyed (45%) claim that they do not foresee any reduction in their consumption if there electricity prices went up. The figure rises to 70% in high income segment. • Similarly, only 5% respondents currently have an inverter backup system. This will grow with rise in per capita income and power outages • Incandescent lamps are still being used. Uptake for CFL is not significant despite obvious advantages. No awareness and provision for disposing used CFL exists in the region. • None of the households surveyed have a Solar Water Heater. • Only 5 (15%) houses with ACs have more than 3 star energy efficiency rating. • Availability and cost of fuel do not seem to matter much in selection of cooking fuel. • When asked about the solar cooker, a significant 83% of households felt that lack of awareness about the solar cooker was the key barrier in its adoption. Availability, convenience, dietary habits and cooking time were not cited as barriers for its adoption. This is partly due to lack of understand of the functioning of solar cooker. • If the LPG prices double, 30% of the households surveyed would switch to electricity • The roads and parking spots are overflowing with cars when the car ownership is only 13%. • More than 60% of respondents use a motorcycle to go to work. • Electric scooters have not caught on in the region. • 62% of high income households own a car • Pollution and energy consumption do not figure as important factors in buying or using energy devices. • The general awareness on power saving is very low across the board including; energy savings possible with different appliances; energy consumption in standby mode and savings in sleep mode; and energy star ratings and their significance.
Recommendations: There is a tremendous opportunity to create awareness and public policy to curb energy consumption without compromising the real quality of life and growth potential of the region
Policy: • Regulate building application process to encourage passive lighting and cooling house designs • Introduce a environmental clearance certification for building permission. These could be based on national and international standards of Griha and LEED • Create infrastructure for car sharing schemes • Build car sharing hubs, charging stations and infrastructure that enables renting and sharing cars for short term possible. Zip car and other companies can be approached for technology • Create infrastructure for electric scooter rentals • Build scooter sharing hubs, charging stations and infrastructure that enables renting and sharing scooter for short and long term possible. Zip car, Velib (Paris) and other companies can be studied and approached for solutions
sustainable regional planning framework 74 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore • Ensure that power consumption of appliances and related running costs are highlighted in the shops • Make display of, and information on, power consumption of appliances and related running costs mandatory to encourage purchase of low energy consumption appliances. • Consider lower sales tax levels for 5 star rated appliances. • Create policy to promote CFL and provide infrastructure to dispose them after use. • Promote CFLs with lower sales tax levels and consider gradual phasing out of incandescent lamps over a 5 – 10 year period. • Make CFL disposal services mandatory for all lamp selling shops. • Grid power tariff needs to be increased significantly for it be to considered as a tool to curb unnecessary consumption and related wastage • The annual electricity tariff increase should be at least equal to the inflation plus 2% with a steeper increase in the first few years to achieve a break-even for EDP. This break-even also has to be achieved off course with cost saving measures. The slab-wise tariff system to be re-designed whereby above a certain slab (e.g. 150 kWh per month) all consumption (also that first 150 kWh) is charged at a commercially viable tariff. • EDP to prepare and implement a preventive maintenance program that includes replacement of old transformers with energy efficient transformers and reduction of line losses (energy and voltage) to acceptable levels. • Promote solar cooking with house designs and user-friendly models • Provide incentives and guidelines for buildings where the kitchen is designed and oriented to use solar power for cooking. (http://www.princeindia.org/Balcony%20cooker%20article.pdf) One such apartment block exists in Delhi.
Recommendations - Actions: • Create awareness among the architect and civil engineer fraternity to design houses with passive cooling and lighting. • Design short seminars to share ideas and solutions on energy conservation for retrofitting existing buildings and designing new ones • Create awareness around power consumption stand-by mode and power saving in sleep mode. • Multi channel campaign that is catchy and potentially involves a superstar • Create awareness around power LED technology for lights and TVs • Multi channel campaign that is catchy and potentially involves a superstar • Create a clean travel campaign around cycling to work as most commuters travel between 5 (50%) to 10 (26%) kms • Make cycling easier in the city • Make cycling popular by promoting it at educational and public institutes • Create an extensive campaign to promote CFL lamps • Multi channel campaign that is catchy and potentially involves a superstar • Create a campaign to promote to solar cookers through possible recipes, role model users, and nutrition value of the food. • Leverage existing solar cooker users from the Ashram • Multi channel campaign that is catchy and potentially involves a superstar • Create a campaign to highlight energy consumption related pollution and its impact on people’s lives in the region. • Multi channel campaign that is catchy
sustainable regional planning framework 75 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Water Survey
The water survey was a pilot conducted to understand the key water related issues in the region . Based on the pilot survey experience, the questionnaire and the survey strategy were to be further structured. However, due to the limited time and man-power, the surveys could not be completed. The survey was divided into two primary segments: Domestic Survey: The objective of this survey was to sample typical domestic water issues faced by inhabitants, of different areas of Pondicherry town and the surrounding villages. Agriculture Survey: The objective of this survey was to sample typical cropping patterns and irrigation practices. As part of the pilot survey, Bahour Lake was also surveyed. This lake belongs to both the states; Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, and the objective was to understand the water consumption patterns across the states.
Methodology The survey was primarily conducted in marginalized communities. These were identified based on the local knowledge of the team. As the target group is selected based on a bias, the analysis is not a true representation of the issues in the region. However, it is an indication of some of the trends and problems in the region.
Observations: Domestic Water Supply
• About half of the respondents surveyed have a tap at home; community taps are also accessed in some communities • Poor quality of water/ low water pressure or inaccessibility to water is a major issue across the surveyed areas. Some areas receive yellow coloured water at least for the first few hours of the supply. • All the areas surveyed identified the issues of malaria and the problem of mosquitoes. This could also be attributed to the fact that the grey water is let out onto open land. Only about half of the respondents had had connection to the municipal pipe system to let out grey water • About half of the respondents had access to own toilets, the remaining used public toilets. • In Mettupalayam, some of the respondents located near the industries, enjoyed access to domestic water supply from PIPIDIC • In Bahour Lake Area, the tank is maintained by the Water User Association and PWD, but the respondents are unhappy with the committee. There is also an issue of excessive ground water extraction and industrial effluent dumping into the water bodies.
sustainable regional planning framework 76 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore PUDUCHERRY-CUDDALORE-VILLUPURAM REGIONAL PLANNING STUDY WATER SURVEY
Name Address City/ District/ Village Age Occupation
Question 1 What is/are your main use(s) of water? Domestic (drinking, cooking, house maintenance) Irrigation Livestock Business Others Question 2 What is/are the source(s) for this/these water use(s)? Municipal Water through tap in house Municipal Water through common tap outside Groundwater through handpump Groundwater through open well Groundwater through tubewell River Tank Public tanker Private tanker Others Question 3 How often do you get access to water (per source)? Daily Every 2 days Every 3 days Weekly Others Question 4 Does this access satisfy your requirement (per source)?
Question 5 Where do you go for toilet? Toilet in the house Public toilet Open air Question 6 Do you have any health issues related to water? Bad water quality Mosquitoes Others Question 7a If you are a farmer, which crops do you grow? The cropping schedule? Examples:Rice from October to January, Rice from February to May, Pulses from February to April, Groundnut from … Crop Growing period
Question 7b If you are a farmer and if you irrigate, how often do you irrigate the crops mentioned above in Question 6a? Examples:Rice from October to January: occasionally with groundwater, Rice from February to May: daily with groundwater, Groundnut 4 times during growing season with river water… Crop Frequency irrigation
sustainable regional planning framework 77 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore PUDUCHERRY-CUDDALORE-VILLUPURAM REGIONAL PLANNING STUDY WATER SURVEY
Address
City/ District/ Village
Age
Occupation
Question 1 What is/are your main use(s) of water? Domestic (drinking, cooking, house maintenance) Irrigation Livestock Business Others
Question 2 What is/are the source(s) for this/these water use(s)? Municipal Water through tap in house Municipal Water through common tap outside Groundwater through handpump Groundwater through open well Groundwater through tubewell Ousteri Lake Public tanker Private tanker Others
Question 3 How often do you get access to water (per source)? Daily Every 2 days
Every 3 days Weekly Others Question 4 Does this access satisfy your requirement (per source)?
Question 5 Where do you go for toilet? Toilet in the house Public toilet Open air Question 6 Do you know where goes the waste water from your house? To a septic tank Town pipe system Open land Others
Question 7 Do you know if any waste water goes to Ousteri Lake?
Question 8a Do you have any health issues related to water? Bad water quality Mosquitoes Others
Question 9a If you are a farmer, which crops do you grow? The cropping schedule? Examples:Rice from October to January, Rice from February to May, Pulses from February to April, Groundnut from … Crop Growing period
sustainable regional planning framework 78 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Question 7c If you are a farmer and if you irrigate with groundwater: What is the depth of your well(s)? What is the depth of the groundwater level? Type of pump(s): diesel / electric, centrifugal / submersible? What is/are the HP of your pump(s)? Is the water saline? How is the yield of your well? (flow is enough?)
Question 8 If you are not a farmer but live near agriculture lands, what are the main crops? Cropping schedule?
Examples: Rice from October to January, Rice from February to May, Pulses from February to April, Crop Growing period
Question 9 If you rear livestock, which breed(s)? How often do you water them (per source)?
Livestock breed Watering frequency
Question 10 If you live near a Tank, is it maintained or abandoned? If maintained, how is it managed? For which purpose is it used? Examples: Managed by Water Users Association, PWD Used for Irrigation, Fish Pond, Groundwater Recharge Tank name Maintained, abandoned? Managed by? Used for?
Question 11 Do you know where goes the waste water from your house? To a septic tank Town pipe system Open land Others Question 12 If you live near industries, do you know if these industries use water? What are these industries? Question 13 Do you have any particular issue(s) related to water?
sustainable regional planning framework 79 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Observations: Agriculture
Difficulties faced by farmers from Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu: • The agricultural inputs are bought at market price, however the produce is sold at government set or middle men set price. • Lack of agricultural labour due to government schemes (e.g., free rice, dal etc).
Water Market: • This is accessed by those who don’t own a pump and purchase water from other pumps for irrigation. The payment is of two types: in cash or in kind. The payment ‘in kind’ is equal to about 1/3rd of the total production • Income on produce: • Sugarcane: Rs 2,000 / T. • Rice: Rs 500 to 1,000 / 100 kg. • Casurina: Rs 1,500 to 2,000 / T. • Tapioca: Rs 700 to 2,000 / T. • Sesame: Rs 1,500 to 2,000 / 100 kg. • Ragi: Rs 1,300 to 1,500 / kg. • Interactions Tamil Nadu/ Pondicherry: • Agriculture inputs are cheaper in Puducherry, therefore the farmers from Tamil Nadu try to purchase their inputs from Puducherry. Also, the farmers sell their products at different places depending on the market prices.
Data Quality Limitations • This survey is by no means exhaustive. • Domestic survey: Only the inhabitants of huts, shanty houses were interviewed. The survey is biased as only those who are more susceptible to face water problems were targeted. • Agriculture Survey: Only farmers of some villages in Puducherry UT and a few villages in Tamil Nadu were interviewed
sustainable regional planning framework 80 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Domestic Supply: Water Survey Analysis
Area Locality Domestic Health Issues Satisfaction Toilet Grey Water Complaints Water Access of access Disposal Pondicherry Kuruchikuppam, Municipal Few cases of Somewhat Public/ Not Low water Vaithikuppam Commin Tap Malaria satisfied Private connected quality/ low to town pressure pipe systems Pondicherry Karuvadikuppam Municipal: Malaria/ poor Unsatisfied Public/ Municipal Low water tap at home water quality Private pipe quality/ low (irregular systems/ pressure/ supply) drained on inaccessibility open land Pondicherry Mettupalayam Municipal: Mosquitoes Satisfied Private Municipal tap at home/ pipe PIPDIC systems
Pondicherry Kanagan lake Municipal: tap Mosquitoes/ Somewhat Private/ Municipal Yellow coloured at home bad quality satisfied open pipe water/ poor water/ defecation systems/ quality untreated few drained waste on open disposal in land water Pondicherry/ Bahour Village Municipal: tap Mosquitoes Satisfied Private/ Municipal Ground water Tamil Nadu at home open pipe extraction/ defecation systems/ untreated drained on effluents into open land water Bahour tank maintained by a Water User Association & PWD but some people not satisfied with this committee. Pondicherry Kuruvinatham Municipal: tap Mosquitoes Satisfied Private/ Municipal Low quality village at home open pipe domestic water defecation systems/ drained on open land
Pondicherry Villages around Municipal: Mosquitoes Satisfied Private/ Municipal Ousteri lake tap at home/ open pipe (Ousteri, Sorapet, ground water defecation systems/ Katterikuppam) pumps/ public drained on tap open land
Tamil Nadu Villages around Municipal: Mosquitoes Satisfied Private/ Municipal Ousteri lake tap at home/ open pipe (Nerkunam, ground water defecation systems/ Pakkiripalayam), pumps/ public drained on tap open land
sustainable regional planning framework 81 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Vision Survey
The vision survey was conducted to understand the stakeholders (including citizens, government officials, NGOs) future vision for the region. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and suggested recommendations were also identified through the interviews conducted.
The stakeholders envision the future Puducherry region to be green and safe for its citizens. They would like to see Puducherry regain its original charm. They recognise that water is precious and it is currently being wasted without any consideration for the future demands. They hope that environmental resources are protected and the region will be free from traffic, congestion and pollution in the future.
Assets • The stakeholders identified tourism, good quality social and physical infrastructure as one of the strongest assets of Puducherry. Auroville, Ashram, French culture, historical buildings, religious destination were considered as strong tourism promoting factors. The beach and the coastal line, climatic conditions are some of the other factors that makes Puducherry favourable. Puducherry is considered to be a peaceful and clean community. • From the transportation perspective, the stakeholders were pleased with the connectivity with Chennai and other destinations. ECR and the other national highways allow easy access by road. Airport was also identified as an asset to Puducherry.
Issues • The predominant issue identified by the government officials was the decline in the agricultural sector. These is loss of agricultural land, as it is converted to other land use activities. There is also a decline in the agricultural labourers, leading to migration of workers to other employment sectors. • With respect to water, decrease in the quality of water, explotation of ground water; and salt water intrusion into the aquifers were identified as the key issues. Due to the rapid migration towards urban centres there is sprawl. The respondents felt that over the last three decades, the population has drastically increased adding to congestion and stress on urban infrastructure. Increase in crime and violence is another factor, which seems to be on the rise since the last few decades. • Improper waste disposal, traffic and poverty were some of the other issues that were identified. The respondents felt the need of better planning practices and enforcement mechanisms to ensure a more cohesive and coordinated development. They also felt that the governance needs to be improved for better implementation of programs in place.
Opportunities • Tourism and IT industry development were perceived to be the top most development opportunities, followed by development of Ousteri Lake, port and airport. The stakeholders also felt that establishing a special economic zone would give rise to several opportunities.
sustainable regional planning framework 82 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Recommendations The following are some of the recommendations made by the stakeholders: • Promote tourism • Effective integrated planning across the region. • Better upkeep and maintenance of the existing built environment • Manage industrial waste • Protect agricultural sector • Promote inter-state coordination • Effective traffic management plan • Construct river dams • Introduce organic farming • Protect and restoring natural features • Effective waste management strategies • More infrastructure developments
As part of the questionnaire, the government officials enlisted some of the relevant projects currently undertaken in their respective departments. Some of the details of the project were also elaborated upon. A few of these projects are:
DEPARTMENT PROGRAMMES ISSUES SUGGESTED RECOMMENDATIONS Agriculture • Funding: A 950 million Rupees Department budget for subsidies and improvement of infrastructure has been set aside for the year 2011-12, out of which 65 are grants are given from the centre. • Presented a paper to the government to stop the conversion of agriculture lands. No action has been taken as yet. • They are in the process of preparing another document to urge the government to stop the conversion of agriculture lands. Agriculture • Awareness creation among • A lot of governmental • Officers / persons with department different sectors, such as posts are vacant due responsibility should be (Hydrology) farmers, industries, public. to lack of funding. dedicated to the success Also introduces programs in The department is of their project. schools. understaffed • Government should • Research studies appoint the right person on groundwater: to a given position, when Availability, Quality and it (the Govt) moves one Reharge. officer to one position to • Helping farmers to construct another. tube wells. Subsidy for drilling up to 60% of cost with a maximum of 1.2 lakh, • Installation of pump set. • Renovation of abandoned tube wells for groundwater recharge.
sustainable regional planning framework 83 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore Vision Survey: Programs underway in the government departments
DEPARTMENT PROGRAMS ISSUES SUGGESTED RECOMMENDATIONS
World Bank • World Bank Hydrology Project: About the Hydrology Project: • Educate staff members Hydrology The objective is to feed • The objective of the and Government Project thoughtful / knowledgeable project is to create to convey the idea decisions. The project is comprehensive that intangible currently ongoing. knowledge on water. This outputs are required • Promote the System of Rice output is not tangible and for further studies Intensification (Agriculture this is its major challenge. and knowledgeable Department): to reduce the • Govt persons and even decisions. water uses for rice cultivation. the persons involved in • Promote commercial crops the project consequently (Agriculture Department): to do not consider the replace rice and sugarcane, project very seriously. for better income but with They just focus on the more water economical crops. deliverables and do not • Precision farming (Agriculture envision what could be Department): for more efficient the way forward with use of water, mainly for such a knowledge / data horticulture base. They do not carry a vision. Public Works • Coastal protection. • The different political • Awareness among • Groundwater recharge by setup between TN and citizens constructing dams across Pondicherry UT makes • Citizens should be rivers. it difficult, as any step involved: any new • Supply of domestic water from taken requires approval project should be in Ousteri tank. from legislatives of both consultation with them, states. from early stage of Current status: • Pondicherry Government a project. Otherwise • Dam across rivers are is willing to cooperate time and money would constructed. with Tamil Nadu be wasted if ever a • Coastal and Ousteri: at study Government project is cancelled at level, not yet implemented. an advanced stage by public protests. Opportunities: • This would also avoid • More constructions of river the local political games dams where a given party can • Bigger port and airport manipulate the facts • A special economic zone to get protest from the public.
sustainable regional planning framework 84 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore QUESTIONNAIRE FOR STAKEHOLDERS: GREATER PUDUCHERRY REGIONAL PLANNNING FRAMEWORK
The fates of the four towns – Cuddalore, Auroville, Villipuram, and Pondicherry – are DEPARTMENT PROGRAMS ISSUES SUGGESTED RECOMMENDATIONS inextricably and intimately linked. Referred to as the Greater Puducherry Region (GPR)in this regional planning initiative, these communities are located within a radius of 40 kilometers, have pockets of territories within each others boundaries, form part of a single water basin, and have numerous concerns that need to be addressed jointly.
Please respond to the following questions to help us communicate your thoughts and ideas to the appropriate authorities and fellow citizens.
1. What do you consider to be the Greater Puducherry Region’s most significant assets/strengths (things that make the community unique or a desirable place)? 2. What do you consider to be the key issues or problems that threaten the ability of the region to sustain its quality of life in the next 30 years? 3. Do you have any ideas or recommendations on how the region can sustain the qualities it values and address the key concerns impacting the citizens? 4. What is your perspective vision for the future of the Greater Puducherry Region?
Additional Questions to ask Government officials, NGOs, and selected individuals associated with project development/management in the region:
5. What projects, plans, programs or studies from your organization will have an impact on the future of the region? 6. What is the current status? 7. What opportunities do you see for the future of the region associated with these? 8. What are the major issues or concerns that might prohibit the success of your program/project? 9. What would you recommend to resolve these issues and concerns?
sustainable regional planning framework 85 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore sustainable regional planning framework 86 for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore MoU between the Govt of Puducherry, India and the city of Villeneuve-sur-Lot, France
The Government of Puducherry and the city of Villeneuve-sur-Lot abide by the principles of protecting, promoting and conserving the cultural heritage, promoting tourism and improving the urban environment and the living socio-cultural resources of Puducherry.
It has been agreed by the Government of Puducherry and the city of Villeneuve-sur-Lot to enter into an MOU for strategic partnership to achieve the principles enunciated above and the stated objectives mentioned below: -
• Prepare a Detailed Report for the protection of urban environment in Puducherry in collaboration with INTACH, Puducherry. The Urban Plan would deal thematically with the architectural, environmental, social-cultural heritage resource of the state. • Prepare specific urban environment plan for Puducherry. • Assist in formulating pedestrian zones and traffic regulations for the Boulevard town of Puducherry. • Bring awareness on urban issues to citizens by innovative and interactive means through the press, heritage walks, addressing school and college students, local administration etc. • Prepare a comprehensive solid waste management plan for the Boulevard town of Puducherry. • Assist in developing programmes between Puducherry and France in the field of protection of environment, education, culture and promotion of tourism.
This Memorandum will be subject to review after five years from the date of signature. This Memorandum may be terminated by the either party, or by mutual agreement, prior to the date of review giving not less than six months notice.
The Government of Puducherry and the city of Villeneuve-sur-Lot do mutually agree that the above responsibilities are acceptable and realisable in mutual interest.
Marc Tranchard B.R Babu Deputy Mayor Special Secretary (Tourism) City of Villeneuve-sur-Lot, Government of Puducherry France Puducherry
Date : 7 December 2011, Puducherry