Opinion
Scary future: more hot days, floods likely
24 Oct 2005 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| The Times of India
The world, in general, and India, in particular, have been hit by a series of disasters over the past 10 months. First, the December 26 tsunami wreaked havoc and then the sudden floods in Mumbai during the monsoons this year shook the whole nation. And now the earthquake of October 8 in Jammu and Kashmir! Though earth-quakes have no direct linkage with human-induced climate change, we need to reflect on the possibility of an earthquake of the intensity of the one that caused the tsunami last year occurring, say, in the year 2080. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects sea level rise between the years 1990 and 2100 at between 9 cm and 88 cm. If, let us say the average sea level was to be even half a metre higher in the year in 2080, a tsunami of the severity of the one that took place last year would cause massive devastation.
For an integrated energy policy for India
11 Oct 2005 |
Dr Leena Srivastava
| The Economic Times
An integrated energy policy needs to clearly recognize the trade-offs in energy choices in an economy and optimize over the same such that the end-uses for which energy is demanded are met in the most efficient and least cost manner. Several such trade-offs exist in India that could go a long way in alleviating the potentially crippling energy shortages that the economy is facing.
Wait and watch?
03 Oct 2005 |
Mr R K Batra
| The Pioneer
Immediately after India's vote at the IAEA meeting in Vienna, the Iranian ambassador met his Indian counterpart and told him that as a direct consequence, the LNG deal between Iran and India would not take place. This set off alarm bells in Delhi and the Government was at pains to state that energy ties between the two countries remained unchanged.
India heading for a major energy crisis
03 Oct 2005 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| The Tribune
With the international crude oil prices hovering around $65 per barrel and the oil import bill set for a jump of over Rs 55,000 crore, to reach over Rs 1,75,000 crore this year, India is heading for a major energy crisis. With a population of around 110 crore, we cannot afford to follow the high-energy consumption pattern of the West that has resulted in an indiscriminate exploitation of fossil fuels and high pollution levels, says Dr Rajendra K Pachauri, Director-General, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). The situation will aggravate if necessary steps are not taken in time, he says.
Should policy promote small cars?
23 Sep 2005 |
Mr S Sundar
| The Economic Times
As urban India grows and personal incomes rise, peoples' aspirations too rise. Owning a car is one of them. Providing for inexpensive private vehicles helps to bridge the mobility divide. Perhaps, these have influenced the FM to consider a reduction in excise duty for small cars. But would that be wise?
No roadblocks
20 Sep 2005 |
Ms Pragya Jaswal
| The Financial Express
The new concession agreements for national highway projects, recently approved by the Cabinet, are both innovative and imaginative. They recognise some of the major obstacles that have stood in the way of furthering public-private partnerships in highway construction.
People's power in Delhi!
27 Aug 2005 |
Dr Leena Srivastava
| The Financial Express
The situation in Delhi vis-a-vis the electricity sector is signaling the awakening of the Indian consumer and this needs to be applauded. We have, for far too long, passively accepted the very poor quality of services provided. As such, it is wonderful that the 'civil disobedience' movement led by the RWAs in Delhi have found a reverberation in Parliament and all parties concerned are scrambling for solutions.
Need to take up new energy R & D in mission mode
23 Aug 2005 |
Dr Sameer Maithel
| The Financial Express
In his address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day, President APJ Abdul Kalam emphasised the need for 'energy independence' wherein 'energy security' is a strategy in transition only. He stated: "The strategic goals for energy independence by 2030 would thus call for a shift in the structure of energy sources... The most significant aspect, however, would be that the power generated through renewable energy technologies may target 20-25% against the present 5%".
Energy: a new arena in Indian diplomacy
07 Aug 2005 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| The Indian Express
The past few weeks have been a hectic period for Indian diplomacy, with forays into territory not traversed so intensely in previous years.
Mumbai deluge: lessons for the future
06 Aug 2005 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| The Indian Express
The city of Mumbai has been through a frightening trauma with the cloudburst that took place on July 26 and incessant rains on several days since. The population of the city is understandably angry with the breakdown of services and drainage systems and failure of power supply in large areas in and around the city. Two questions arise from this unfortunate experience.