The OoruLabs Podcast Sathya Sankaran

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On, OoruLabs, India's premier urban issues podcast, Sathya Sankaran, Host of OoruLabs talks to Sumana Narayan who worked on a report which documented the impact of the free bus scheme in Tamil Nadu while working at Citizen, consumer and civic action group. This is an absolutely eye opening interview. It opens my eyes to how women use the bus completely different from men. This is a must listen.



You can download the full report here https://www.cag.org.in/database/fair-fares-towards-gender-inclusive-public-transport 

The conversation explores the implementation and impact of free bus rides for women in Indian states. The study focuses on the Tamil Nadu government's fair free public transport scheme for women. The findings reveal that women were able to save money and invest it in their families' well-being. The scheme also provided women with greater mobility and access to job opportunities. However, there was backlash from some men who felt it was unfair and a burden on the exchequer. The study suggests that the scheme has multiple benefits, including improved nutrition, healthcare, and women's empowerment. The conversation explores the challenges and potential solutions related to the implementation of free bus services for women in India. The main themes discussed include the inadequate fleet strength, overcrowding, poor frequency, and lack of disabled-friendly buses. The need for better data collection and analysis to improve services and address the specific travel patterns of women is emphasized. The complexity of the current ticketing system and the potential benefits of simplifying fare structures are also highlighted. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the financial viability of public transport systems and the importance of budgeting for long-term sustainability.

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Keywords

free bus rides, women, socio-economic participation, mobility, public transport, Tamil Nadu, impact, savings, investment, job opportunities, backlash, benefits, nutrition, healthcare, women's empowerment, free bus services, women, fleet strength, overcrowding, frequency, data collection, fare structures, financial viability

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Timecodes

00:00 Introduction: Free Bus Rides for Women in Indian States

02:36 Motivation for the Study: Understanding the Success of the Scheme

05:26 Methodology: Surveying Women Across Six Cities in Tamil Nadu

09:38 Findings: Savings, Investment, and Impact on Women's Lives

11:30 Backlash and Debates: Fairness and Burden on the Exchequer

15:14 Impact on Women's Mobility and Access to Job Opportunities

21:18 Balancing the Argument: Benefits Beyond Economic Quantification

23:17 Broader Benefits: Nutrition, Healthcare, and Women's Empowerment

25:13 Conclusion: Need for Further Study and Future Considerations

27:35 Challenges of Inadequate Fleet Strength and Overcrowding

29:01 The Need for Better Data Collection and Analysis

33:21 Simplifying Fare Structures for Accessibility and Affordability

46:30 Budgeting for Long-Term Financial Viability

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On, OoruLabs, India's premier urban issues podcast, Sathya Sankaran, Host of OoruLabs and Susheel Nair of Artand discuss the heat wave sweeping across the country. What did we do wrong and where do we go from here?



The conversation discusses the current heatwave in Bengaluru and the factors contributing to it. It highlights the urban heat island effect caused by the city's infrastructure and consumerism. The speakers emphasize the need for citizens to take action in mitigating the heat and reducing their environmental footprint. They suggest measures such as using energy-efficient devices, reducing waste, and increasing green cover. They also discuss the role of the government in incentivizing sustainable practices and recognizing citizen initiatives. The conversation concludes with a call for collective action and a hope for change.

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Keywords

heatwave, Bengaluru, urban heat island effect, infrastructure, consumerism, citizen action, environmental footprint, energy efficiency, waste reduction, green cover, government role, sustainable practices

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Takeaways

The urban heat island effect in Bengaluru is caused by the city's infrastructure and consumerism, leading to a prolonged heatwave.

Citizens can take action to mitigate the heat and reduce their environmental footprint by using energy-efficient devices, reducing waste, and increasing green cover.

The government should incentivize sustainable practices and recognize citizen initiatives to create positive change.

Collective action is necessary to address the heat crisis and create a more sustainable future.

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Sound Bites

"We have to start controlling the way we are engineering our cities and weather."

"Air conditioners are not a solution, we are running and buying it now because that is being sold as a solution."

"We need to start understanding that our ability to live a less resource-intensive life is the only way to make a positive impact on the environment."

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Timecodes

00:00 Introduction and the Heatwave in Bengaluru

08:15 Understanding the Urban Heat Island Effect

24:36 Citizen Action to Mitigate the Heat

35:08 The Government's Role in Incentivizing Sustainable Practices

40:23 The Need for Collective Action

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On, OoruLabs, India's premier urban issues podcast, Sathya Sankaran, Host of OoruLabs talks to Vishwanath S on the new way of water management that the rest of the cities in India can adopt. Nothing like a crisis to change the approach and try new things.



The conversation discusses the water situation in Devanalli, a town in Bengaluru, and how wastewater treatment can address water scarcity. The town was dependent on deep bore wells for water, but many were dysfunctional and had high salinity. To address this, treated wastewater from sewage treatment plants is pumped into a lake, which then filters through the earth and recharges the aquifer. The water is then treated and supplied to the town. The conversation highlights the importance of local water sources, the symbiotic relationship between the city and its surroundings, and the potential for scaling up this approach in Bengaluru.

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Keywords

water scarcity, wastewater treatment, Devanalli, Bengaluru, deep bore wells, salinity, treated wastewater, lake, aquifer, water treatment, sustainability, institutional setup, governance structure, urban water cell, groundwater management, legal framework, common pool resource, Pune Municipal Council, aquifer recharge, water engineering, self-sufficiency

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Takeaways

Treated wastewater can be used to address water scarcity and provide a sustainable water source.

Reviving lakes and recharging aquifers with treated wastewater can improve water quality and reduce energy consumption.

A comprehensive institutional setup and governance structure is needed to manage water resources effectively.

Groundwater management should be formalized and regulated to ensure sustainability.

Scaling up this approach can make Bengaluru self-sufficient in water and serve as a model for other cities.

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Sound Bites

"There is a huge proportion of wastewater treatment that can help address the concerns of water scarcity."

"The lake recharges the shallow aquifer, which has tremendous potential for storage."

"Treated wastewater has tremendous potential for reuse, both for industrial and natural applications."

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Timecodes

00:00 Addressing Water Scarcity and Wastewater Treatment

07:35 The Potential of Treated Wastewater

14:09 Building an Institutional Framework for Water Management

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On, OoruLabs, India's premier urban issues podcast, Sathya Sankaran, Host of OoruLabs talks to Sharif Qamar of The Energy and Resources Institute, TERI on Indian Railways, it progress and potential opportunities for becoming a transportation powerhouse.



The conversation discusses the challenges and potential reforms needed for the Indian Railways to play a larger role in the country's economic growth and achieve its net-zero commitments. It explores the profitability of the freight segment compared to the passenger segment, the need for efficient last-mile connectivity, and the potential for private players in the railway cargo space. The conversation also touches upon the need for infrastructure reforms, the importance of social obligations in passenger transportation, and the possibility of separating the infrastructure and operations of the railways.

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Keywords

Indian Railways, freight segment, passenger segment, last-mile connectivity, private players, infrastructure reforms, social obligations, separating infrastructure and operations

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Takeaways

The freight segment of the Indian Railways is profitable, while the passenger segment makes large losses.

Efficient last-mile connectivity and streamlining cargo operations are crucial for the railways to compete with other modes of transportation.

Infrastructure reforms and the involvement of private players can help improve the efficiency and quality of railway services.

The railways have social obligations and play a vital role in providing affordable transportation for the masses.

Separating the infrastructure and operations of the railways could potentially lead to more efficiency and optimization.

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Sound Bites

"What ails Indian railways and its plans?"

"Is railways prepared? I mean, they are doing what they are doing. But are they ready?"

"Railways is four times more efficient in terms of emissions compared to road trucks."

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Timecodes

00:00 Introduction: Challenges and Potential Reforms for Indian Railways

08:33 The Importance of Last-Mile Connectivity

31:04 The Social Obligations of Indian Railways

38:37 Separating Infrastructure and Operations for Efficiency



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On, OoruLabs, India's premier urban issues podcast, Sathya Sankaran, Host of OoruLabs talks to Anjali Karol Mohan, Urban Planner and Partner, Integrated Design on how the recent FAR amendment bill by the Karnataka Government will yield very little compared to the potential dramatic improvements if could have brought to the cities in the state.



The conversation discusses the recent amendment to the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act, which allows developers to obtain additional floor area ratio (FAR) by paying a fee. The amendment aims to generate revenue for land acquisition and public infrastructure development. However, the conversation highlights several concerns and limitations of the amendment. It questions whether the amendment will actually result in compact development and generate significant revenue. It also raises issues related to the dominance of large developers, the neglect of small developers, the lack of accountability for the use of funds, and the absence of a comprehensive master plan. The conversation emphasizes the need for evidence-based decisions, proactive planning, and a holistic approach to urban development.

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Keywords

Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act, floor area ratio, FAR, revenue generation, land acquisition, public infrastructure development, compact development, large developers, small developers, accountability, master plan, urban development

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Takeaways

The amendment to the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act allows developers to obtain additional floor area ratio (FAR) by paying a fee, aiming to generate revenue for land acquisition and public infrastructure development.

There are concerns about whether the amendment will actually result in compact development and generate significant revenue.

The amendment primarily benefits large developers, while neglecting the role of small developers who contribute significantly to urban development.

There is a lack of accountability for the use of funds generated through the amendment, and it is unclear how the funds will be utilized to improve the city's infrastructure and living conditions.

The absence of a comprehensive master plan and a proactive approach to urban development hinders the effectiveness of the amendment and the overall planning process.

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Sound Bites

"It depends on what lens you're looking at."

"Your city is anyway sprawling because that sprawl is a result of your land use.”

"Cities are created largely by the mid-segment and the very small segment developer."

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Timecodes

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:25 Understanding Density and the FAR Amendment

03:27 Debating the Pros and Cons of the FAR Amendment

06:19 The Challenges of Compact Development and Vertical Growth

09:11 The Dominance of Large Developers and Neglect of Small Developers

28:46 The Need for a Comprehensive Master Plan and Proactive Planning

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On, OoruLabs, India's premier urban issues podcast, Sathya Sankaran and Susheel Nair are back on their Monthly ones episode for mango people. With election season upon us, how should urban people choose?



The conversation discusses the importance of local governance and the need for capable and efficient politicians. It emphasizes the role of citizens in pushing for local governments and holding politicians accountable. The conversation also highlights the need for quality candidates who can understand and represent the expectations of the people. It suggests that citizens should prioritize the capabilities and capacities of the candidates rather than just focusing on party affiliations. The conversation concludes by calling for citizen action and engagement beyond voting, and the need for strong state election commissions to drive local elections.

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Keywords

local governance, politicians, citizens, elections, capabilities, accountability

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Takeaways

There is an urgent need to promote local governance across cities in the country.

Citizens should prioritize the capabilities and capacities of candidates when voting.

Voting is just the first step in citizenship and democracy; citizens should continue to engage and hold politicians accountable.

Citizens should push for local body elections and demand local governments in their cities.

Strong state election commissions are needed to drive local elections.

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Sound Bites

"Not having local governance is affecting us in a bad way."

"Why are politicians like diapers? Because they need to be changed often and for the same reasons."

"The quality of the representative needs to be far more than what they were earlier."

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Timecodes

00:00 The Importance of Local Governance

06:38 Prioritizing Capabilities of Candidates

13:29 Beyond Voting: Citizen Action

25:25 The Role of State Election Commissions

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