I was at the Delhi Regional Chapter meeting where Anuj Dayal, metro PR man
made the presentation. Most of the stuff was from the website. but some
interesting highlights from the other side:
after the introduction to how good the metro is for us health wise
(pollution and accident reduction) and how we got funds it goes on to tell
us that the metro adopted a "very pragmatic strategy for rehabilitation and
resettling those uprooted due to land acquisition process".
We were also informed that all this good work is because of the management
style of the Leader and work culture where 'decisions are fast and working
transparent' and ofcourse the CMD is in the office ten minutes before nine!
and he knows how to hire people and he was able to 'insulate the DMRC from
the political and bureacratic interferences'. As an evidence 'case study' of
appointment of general consultants was given where there was some
controversy and the DMRC refused to hand over the Tender papers to the
Ministry for scrutiny to send the message that they can not be bent. Mr.
Dayal also proudly mentioned that till date in all the litigations (I forget
the numbers but I guess around 400) metro has not lost a single case and no
stay has ever been granted!
He went on to talk of some of the controversies that the PR deptt. had to
handle; appointment of general consultants, gauge isolation, rolling stock
and increase in fare chart.
Some of the delays were caused by the initial routing given by the
government which was to Holambi Kalan. We had to change it because a
parallel norther railway corridor was running and also it was primarily
rural! (whither all the promises for relocated and resettled?)
The presentation ended by explaining how the Metro has reduced number of
buses, prevented accidents etc. ofcourse someone from the DDA raised the
issue of availability of studies on the numbers. Another point was raised
that DMRC is working in isolation to which he agreed and said that that is
what is needed. The issue of isolation (in connection to orther rail
network) brought the issue of public money and scrutiny to which he said
that we have managed Metro on time unlike Calcutta because we have gone
forward 'without waiting for approvals'.
On recovery from property development, he informed that the target was Rs.
300 cr. and it has not been recovered (I wonder!) and on the PR budget, he
said there is no budget and there was a slide which said 'Low cost publicity
and advertising'. besides high bbudget advertising only when necessary,
other means of low budget brochures, pamphlets, posters are distributed
during street plays and community interactions organised by the DMRC.
Newspapers are directly approached and some money is spent on entertainment
to the journalists; lunches, dinners and gifts.
and finally, on being asked as to why the public notices are not put on
their website and that does the DMRC not have a stay on finalisation of
tender for the recreation park, and the effective PR he does that none of
such information reaches the newspapers, he reluctantly said yes there is
something like a stay and then he left soon after.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gita Dewan Verma" <mpisgplanner@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "Master plan issues in media" <mpisgmedia@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 1:05 AM
Subject: Re: [mpisgmedia] Quota ... 100/200 and more!
>
> * ITPI decided to organise on 31/08 a metro talk by
> DMRC PRO Anuj Dayal. Maybe planners enrolled in that
> club (controlled by same old planner chaps for the
> quarter century of my acquaintance with planning) have
> trouble reading newspapers or need reinforcing reading
> with audio. Or maybe they avoided dmrc planner to
> avoid the freak possibility of him spoiling their
> seminar-n-snacks with technicalities. you could go for
> this (it is at 4:30) as they are likely to be talking
> of aesthetics of metro near Qutb and you could give
> the PRO return-gift of copy of F-Zn Plan to throw at
> so-called critics (you could get it heavy-bound, it is
> too slim).
>
> * PR Mehta (as former CoA Prez) and Sudhir Vohra (boss
> of something like ethics committee in CoA,
> misrepresented as Urban Planner) got quoted in
> Financial Express of 27/08 amidst realtors and Rakesh
> Mehta connecting usaid-sponsored law to hopes-of-FDI
> (really!). I recall being rude to Ramanathan (CoA) and
> YRG (SPA), who called me up in 2003-04 about the
> honour of being asked to opine in that exercise. You
> could ask CoA to explain the fuzzy usaid-sponsored
> heritage provision. could also ask AMDA; big-daddy EFN
> Ribiero (AMDA chief), to whom I had gone to whine
> about MCD-Usaid tie-up wrt to prior AMDA conference at
> which I had said in presence of all big-daddies
> properly rude oye to (Usaid employed) Chetan for
> mentioning Usaid model municipal law for us, is listed
> among experts on it. and I am told his firm is also in
> receipt of honour of doing one of the pilot-projects
> for it. what pilot project for law already drafted
> means is beyond the limits of minds like mine but
> since his outburst re IBC-awards I dont pester EFNR
> for not teaching me enuff)
>
> * Montek Singh Ahluwalia told law graduates to prepare
> for unspecified concessions that the nation will have
> to offer under GATS. (Hindu reported, with pic of MSA
> in convo robes, on 29/08). architects are reportedly
> also covered in the revised GATS offer submitted on
> 12/08. CoA (ie Mehta and Vohra) were also doing the
> profession management for that and with the Budhadeb
> Bhatacharya style I-dun-what-is-good-for-us
> fait-accompli they have presented us with on FE, I
> think SPA (which is also supposed to have informed the
> usaid-sponsored thingummy) should call them over to
> teach the faculty what to teach in the abruptly
> changed paradigm. (ITPI could too, it hosted GATS
> workshop in 2003 with CoA on dais and IIA presentation
> taking different view and ITPI chaps all prefacing
> their speeches with the remark that they dunno
> anything about WTO but would opine anyway on GATS).
>
> ----
>
> I dont credit these chaps with intelligence of
> conspirators and attribute to them the pettiest of
> motives. In my reckoning it is the alliance of their
> petty interests that is deadly. those who have failed
> to deliver. those who have profited from the failure.
> those profiting from the cover-up by making failure
> look good (with buzz words).
>
> I dont think ordinary chaps interested in solutions
> have a chance in hell against this anti-solution
> alliance, currently furiously legislating problems.
> that is where the fire is. and the fire extinguishers
> are dysfunctional. witness the silence of institutions
> and professions meant to discern. Aruna, I apologize
> for u not finding a bacha planner for ur dmp2021
> response and I thank you for wanting to find one. and
> if sarabjit has not mailed u with proper-respect,
> tell. I have his cell no :)
>
> I dont mean to pontificate, just to share the way I
> see things. I ask myself three questions while mulling
> any idea: (a) can it heal institutions that solutions
> need? (b) can it weaken the anti-solutions alliance?
> (c) can it mark a route for reversing reckless
> decisions? If I can answer yes to all and not
> counter-argue any I mull more, for khuraafaat. If I
> can counter-argue even one I reject, as damaging
> jugaad (which is why I quarrel about so many things,
> that is how I see them). the rest are harmless
> time-pass, great for getting-even and maybe handy at
> another time, excuses enuff to yield to wicked
> temptations ;)
>
> ---
>
> FE item, especially relevant to heritage and mixed
> landuse (and the professions gone quiet):
> http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=100619
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ____________________________________________________
> Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page
> http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
>
> _______________________________________________
> mpisgmedia mailing list
> mpisgmedia@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> http://mail.architexturez.net/mailman/listinfo/mpisgmedia
>
>
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> Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
> Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.17/85 - Release Date: 8/30/05
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>
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made the presentation. Most of the stuff was from the website. but some
interesting highlights from the other side:
after the introduction to how good the metro is for us health wise
(pollution and accident reduction) and how we got funds it goes on to tell
us that the metro adopted a "very pragmatic strategy for rehabilitation and
resettling those uprooted due to land acquisition process".
We were also informed that all this good work is because of the management
style of the Leader and work culture where 'decisions are fast and working
transparent' and ofcourse the CMD is in the office ten minutes before nine!
and he knows how to hire people and he was able to 'insulate the DMRC from
the political and bureacratic interferences'. As an evidence 'case study' of
appointment of general consultants was given where there was some
controversy and the DMRC refused to hand over the Tender papers to the
Ministry for scrutiny to send the message that they can not be bent. Mr.
Dayal also proudly mentioned that till date in all the litigations (I forget
the numbers but I guess around 400) metro has not lost a single case and no
stay has ever been granted!
He went on to talk of some of the controversies that the PR deptt. had to
handle; appointment of general consultants, gauge isolation, rolling stock
and increase in fare chart.
Some of the delays were caused by the initial routing given by the
government which was to Holambi Kalan. We had to change it because a
parallel norther railway corridor was running and also it was primarily
rural! (whither all the promises for relocated and resettled?)
The presentation ended by explaining how the Metro has reduced number of
buses, prevented accidents etc. ofcourse someone from the DDA raised the
issue of availability of studies on the numbers. Another point was raised
that DMRC is working in isolation to which he agreed and said that that is
what is needed. The issue of isolation (in connection to orther rail
network) brought the issue of public money and scrutiny to which he said
that we have managed Metro on time unlike Calcutta because we have gone
forward 'without waiting for approvals'.
On recovery from property development, he informed that the target was Rs.
300 cr. and it has not been recovered (I wonder!) and on the PR budget, he
said there is no budget and there was a slide which said 'Low cost publicity
and advertising'. besides high bbudget advertising only when necessary,
other means of low budget brochures, pamphlets, posters are distributed
during street plays and community interactions organised by the DMRC.
Newspapers are directly approached and some money is spent on entertainment
to the journalists; lunches, dinners and gifts.
and finally, on being asked as to why the public notices are not put on
their website and that does the DMRC not have a stay on finalisation of
tender for the recreation park, and the effective PR he does that none of
such information reaches the newspapers, he reluctantly said yes there is
something like a stay and then he left soon after.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gita Dewan Verma" <mpisgplanner@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "Master plan issues in media" <mpisgmedia@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 1:05 AM
Subject: Re: [mpisgmedia] Quota ... 100/200 and more!
>
> * ITPI decided to organise on 31/08 a metro talk by
> DMRC PRO Anuj Dayal. Maybe planners enrolled in that
> club (controlled by same old planner chaps for the
> quarter century of my acquaintance with planning) have
> trouble reading newspapers or need reinforcing reading
> with audio. Or maybe they avoided dmrc planner to
> avoid the freak possibility of him spoiling their
> seminar-n-snacks with technicalities. you could go for
> this (it is at 4:30) as they are likely to be talking
> of aesthetics of metro near Qutb and you could give
> the PRO return-gift of copy of F-Zn Plan to throw at
> so-called critics (you could get it heavy-bound, it is
> too slim).
>
> * PR Mehta (as former CoA Prez) and Sudhir Vohra (boss
> of something like ethics committee in CoA,
> misrepresented as Urban Planner) got quoted in
> Financial Express of 27/08 amidst realtors and Rakesh
> Mehta connecting usaid-sponsored law to hopes-of-FDI
> (really!). I recall being rude to Ramanathan (CoA) and
> YRG (SPA), who called me up in 2003-04 about the
> honour of being asked to opine in that exercise. You
> could ask CoA to explain the fuzzy usaid-sponsored
> heritage provision. could also ask AMDA; big-daddy EFN
> Ribiero (AMDA chief), to whom I had gone to whine
> about MCD-Usaid tie-up wrt to prior AMDA conference at
> which I had said in presence of all big-daddies
> properly rude oye to (Usaid employed) Chetan for
> mentioning Usaid model municipal law for us, is listed
> among experts on it. and I am told his firm is also in
> receipt of honour of doing one of the pilot-projects
> for it. what pilot project for law already drafted
> means is beyond the limits of minds like mine but
> since his outburst re IBC-awards I dont pester EFNR
> for not teaching me enuff)
>
> * Montek Singh Ahluwalia told law graduates to prepare
> for unspecified concessions that the nation will have
> to offer under GATS. (Hindu reported, with pic of MSA
> in convo robes, on 29/08). architects are reportedly
> also covered in the revised GATS offer submitted on
> 12/08. CoA (ie Mehta and Vohra) were also doing the
> profession management for that and with the Budhadeb
> Bhatacharya style I-dun-what-is-good-for-us
> fait-accompli they have presented us with on FE, I
> think SPA (which is also supposed to have informed the
> usaid-sponsored thingummy) should call them over to
> teach the faculty what to teach in the abruptly
> changed paradigm. (ITPI could too, it hosted GATS
> workshop in 2003 with CoA on dais and IIA presentation
> taking different view and ITPI chaps all prefacing
> their speeches with the remark that they dunno
> anything about WTO but would opine anyway on GATS).
>
> ----
>
> I dont credit these chaps with intelligence of
> conspirators and attribute to them the pettiest of
> motives. In my reckoning it is the alliance of their
> petty interests that is deadly. those who have failed
> to deliver. those who have profited from the failure.
> those profiting from the cover-up by making failure
> look good (with buzz words).
>
> I dont think ordinary chaps interested in solutions
> have a chance in hell against this anti-solution
> alliance, currently furiously legislating problems.
> that is where the fire is. and the fire extinguishers
> are dysfunctional. witness the silence of institutions
> and professions meant to discern. Aruna, I apologize
> for u not finding a bacha planner for ur dmp2021
> response and I thank you for wanting to find one. and
> if sarabjit has not mailed u with proper-respect,
> tell. I have his cell no :)
>
> I dont mean to pontificate, just to share the way I
> see things. I ask myself three questions while mulling
> any idea: (a) can it heal institutions that solutions
> need? (b) can it weaken the anti-solutions alliance?
> (c) can it mark a route for reversing reckless
> decisions? If I can answer yes to all and not
> counter-argue any I mull more, for khuraafaat. If I
> can counter-argue even one I reject, as damaging
> jugaad (which is why I quarrel about so many things,
> that is how I see them). the rest are harmless
> time-pass, great for getting-even and maybe handy at
> another time, excuses enuff to yield to wicked
> temptations ;)
>
> ---
>
> FE item, especially relevant to heritage and mixed
> landuse (and the professions gone quiet):
> http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=100619
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ____________________________________________________
> Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page
> http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
>
> _______________________________________________
> mpisgmedia mailing list
> mpisgmedia@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> http://mail.architexturez.net/mailman/listinfo/mpisgmedia
>
>
> --
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
> Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.17/85 - Release Date: 8/30/05
>
>
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.18/86 - Release Date: 8/31/05