The OoruLabs Podcast Sathya Sankaran

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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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On, OoruLabs, India's premier urban issues podcast, Sathya Sankaran speaks with Anupam Manur of Takshashila Institution on government setting the prices of various goods and services.



The conversation discusses the issue of price control in transportation and the effectiveness of government intervention. It explores the role of price in affordability and the complexity of pricing in transportation. The importance of price as an incentive and signal is highlighted, emphasizing the fairness of the pricing system. The consequences of government price fixing and the lack of competition in transportation are examined. The government's role in water pricing and the influence of lobbying in price fixing are also discussed. The unintended consequences of price fixing are addressed. The conversation explores the resistance to competition in various industries, such as transportation, and the role of government intervention in providing public services. It delves into the economic nature of water and the need for pricing and regulation. The discussion also highlights the distinction between piped water and groundwater as common goods. The importance of understanding economics and civics is emphasized as a means to promote better governance and citizen engagement.

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Takeaways

Price control in transportation can have unintended consequences and may not effectively address affordability concerns.

The pricing system acts as an incentive and signal, allowing for efficient allocation of resources.

Government price fixing is often ineffective and can hinder competition and innovation.

Competition and choice are crucial in transportation to ensure fair pricing and quality of service.

Price control in certain goods may be influenced by public perception and the perceived need for government intervention. Incumbents in the market often resist competition, but consumers benefit from increased competition.

Water is an economic good that requires pricing to cover the costs of provision.

Groundwater is a common good that requires regulation to prevent over-extraction.

Water tankers should pay for the water they extract to avoid theft from the community.

Government should play a role in providing public services, but pricing and regulation should be based on economic principles.

Understanding economics and civics is crucial for promoting better governance and citizen engagement.

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Timecodes

00:00 Introduction

01:14 The Issue of Pricing in Transportation

04:17 The Ineffectiveness of Price Fixing

06:12 The Complexity of Pricing in Transportation

07:27 The Perception of Price Control in Certain Goods

08:43 The Need for Control in Specific Goods

09:12 Understanding the Role of Price

10:08 The Importance of Price as an Incentive and Signal

11:34 The Fairness of the Pricing System

15:53 The Consequences of Government Price Fixing

23:45 The Government's Role in Water Pricing

26:57 The Influence of Lobbying in Price Fixing

28:46 The Unintended Consequences of Price Fixing

29:43 Resistance to Competition

31:24 Government Intervention in Transportation

33:05 Water as an Economic Good

36:23 Groundwater as a Common Good

38:17 Pricing and Regulation of Water

41:19 Water Tankers and Pricing

46:30 Role of Government in Water Supply

54:00 Importance of Understanding Economics and Civics

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On, OoruLabs, India's premier urban issues podcast, Sathya Sankaran speaks with Bicycle Mayors of 

Chennai - Felix John

Hyderabad - Santana Selvan

Pimpri-Chinchwad - Ashik Jain

New Delhi - Dalip Sabharwal

Guwahati - Arshel Akhter

The conversation discusses the tragic incidents of cyclists and pedestrians being hit by vehicles in different cities across India. It highlights the need for a collective effort to improve road safety and reduce accidents. The participants also discuss the concept of victim shaming and the importance of holding authorities accountable for ensuring safety. The conversation explores the role of infrastructure, traffic calming measures, and the automobile industry in promoting road safety. It emphasizes the need for an overarching system and representation from various stakeholders to address road safety issues effectively. The conversation covers various themes related to road safety and the steps needed to improve it.

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Timecodes

00:00 Introduction and Tragic Incidents

03:09 Responsibility and Victim Shaming

04:37 Need for a Collective Effort

07:01 Incidents in Different Cities

09:24 Lack of Attention to Non-Famous Incidents

13:10 Safety as a Culture

15:00 Infrastructure and Traffic Calming

23:27 Enforcement and Road Safety Cells

26:22 Responsibility of Automobile Industry

32:30 Ownership of Road Safety

39:04 Pinpointing Responsibility and Cultural Change

43:21 Driver Education

45:10 Building the NMT Community

46:38 Influencing Government Officials

48:30 Awareness of Safety

50:25 Changing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

52:51 Designing Safe Infrastructure

54:16 The Strength of Community

55:12 Behavior Change and Responsibility

57:36 Enforcement and Penalties

58:03 Preventive Measures and Road Safety Cells

59:30 KPIs and Outcome-Based Approach

01:01:30 Policy Changes and License Reform

01:02:28 Infrastructure Stakeholders and Design

01:03:52 Urban Roads and Non-Motorized Transport

01:05:14 Motion Detection Cameras and Safety Sales

01:06:38 Design Works Better Than Laws

01:08:28 Carrots and Sticks: Stricter Punishments and Self-Accountability

01:09:56 Behavior Change Starts at Home and in the Community

01:10:22 Enforcement, Education, and Engineering

01:11:47 Fractured Cycling Community and Building Alliances

01:14:08 Designing Streets for People and Differentiating Urban Roads and Highways

01:17:29 Balancing Strict Laws and Negative External Risks

01:19:52 Using Technology and Dash Cams for Accountability

01:21:48 Designing Streets for Mobility and Place Function

01:25:00 Understanding Accountabilities and Valuing Life in the City

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On, OoruLabs, India's premier urban issues podcast, Sathya Sankaran quizzes civic activist and resident of Brookefields layout in the IT Hub of Bengaluru Arvind on the transformation in his neighbourhood.

The conversation explores the state of infrastructure in Bangalore and the challenges faced by the community. It highlights the need for active citizenship and taking matters into our own hands to improve the living conditions. The chapters cover topics such as community-led approaches, engaging with the government, challenges and solutions, limitations of government involvement, and the importance of design and quality control. This conversation explores the concept of citizen-led infrastructure improvement in Bangalore. The guest, highlights the complexity of underground infrastructure and the challenges it poses for maintenance. The lack of planning in Bangalore and the need for citizen involvement in addressing infrastructure issues are emphasized. The conversation delves into the concept of local taxation as a means to fund neighborhood improvement projects and the importance of community engagement and ownership. The chapter concludes with a discussion on starting small and building momentum in community development.

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Takeaways

Active citizenship is crucial for improving infrastructure and quality of life in communities.

Engaging with the government is important, but it may not always lead to effective solutions.

Community-led approaches can bring about significant positive changes in infrastructure.

Design and quality control are essential for creating sustainable and efficient infrastructure. Innovation in road design can prioritize pedestrian safety and reduce vehicle traffic.

The complexity of underground infrastructure poses challenges for maintenance and requires innovative solutions.

The lack of planning in Bangalore and the organic growth of the city have led to infrastructure issues.

Citizen-led initiatives can effectively address infrastructure problems and improve the quality of life in neighborhoods.

Local taxation can be a viable funding mechanism for neighborhood improvement projects.

Community engagement and ownership are crucial for successful community development.

Starting small and building momentum is key to initiating and sustaining neighborhood improvement projects.

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Timecodes

00:00 The State of Infrastructure in Bangalore

03:23 Transforming a Community

05:16 Community-led Approach

09:02 Active Citizenship and Government Responsibility

10:00 Engaging with the Government

11:00 Challenges and Solutions

15:24 Why Take Matters into Our Own Hands

23:10 Adjusting to Existing Growth

25:29 The Importance of Design and Quality Control

26:56 Innovation in Road Design

27:54 Complexity of Underground Infrastructure

28:49 Lack of Planning in Bangalore

30:13 Citizen-Led Infrastructure Improvement

32:36 Challenges of Government Inefficiency

34:03 Local Taxation for Neighborhood Improvement

36:58 Engagement and Ownership in Community Development

39:51 Funding and Execution of Neighborhood Projects

41:59 Encouraging Communities to Take Initiative

45:47 The Importance of Local Administration

48:41 Affordability and Accountability in Local Taxation

51:29 Starting Small and Building Momentum

52:56 Funding and Resolving Challenges

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