BIMSTEC needs a ‘power tool’; here’s why it is time for a green energy revolution
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is an international organisation involving a group of countries in South- and Southeast-Asia. These are: Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal. The main objective of BIMSTEC is technological and economic cooperation among South- and Southeast- Asian countries. Recently, BIMSTEC leaders met during the BRICS summit in Goa on October 16, 2016, where they decided to expedite the signing of the BIMSTEC Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on grid interconnection, given the high potential of renewable energy sources in the region, for energy cooperation and promoting regional energy trade. Clean energy resources With the recent ratification of the Paris agreement on climate change by India, the country needs to (i) achieve a 30-35% reduction in intensity (emissions per unit of GDP) in 2030 vis-a-vis 2005 and (ii) source 40% of the electricity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. Recently, the ministry of power also revised its target upwards, to have 60% of the electricity from non-fossil fuels by 2027. The predominant renewable energy sources are wind and solar. But a problem with renewable energy sources is variability/uncertainty; so, they need back-up generating resources during the non-operating period. These variabilities/uncertainties are best handled with grid interconnection, fast-acting ramp up/down resources like hydro and gas, and large regional power pool. The regional power pool has many potential benefits, including: 1. Reduced or postponed costs: Lower operation costs due to energy exchange and lower investments in power generation due to least cost development of regional energy resources and reduced cost of maintaining power generation reserves. 2. Improved conditions on the supply side: These include reduced coincident peak load of the regional power pool; mutually utilised power generation reserves for interconnected national power grids; increased robustness of power supply to meet unexpected events, such as variability of wind and solar, load growth above forecast and/or delayed commissioning of generation/transmission projects. Amongst BIMSTEC, Nepal uniquely possesses rich natural resources like hydro, wind, solar, etc, which can facilitate the process of having carbon-free BIMSTEC countries. But as far as grid interconnection is concerned, only Bhutan and Bangladesh have been interconnected with India synchronously and asynchronously, respectively, whereas Nepal is operating radially. The regional interchange at present is to the tune of 2,200 MW. The technical, commercial, legal and regulatory issues have been well-settled and trading is working satisfactorily. Similarly, there are many international success stories of electricity power pool amongst countries in Europe, Central America, South America, Africa and East Asia. Powergrid had also prepared a feasibility report for interconnection with Sri Lanka through overhead/undersea cable and also with Myanmar for Tamanti hydroelectric project. Therefore, it would not be difficult to interconnect all the BIMSTEC countries, including Thailand, with proven high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology wherever the need be. Before introduction of multilateral energy exchange, the first step in regional power pool starts with two neighbouring countries signing for cross-border trading of energy services through a bilateral cooperative framework. This has been successful with four countries, i.e, India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh for several years. Thus, establishment of multilateral energy exchanges, though complex with regards to settlement approaches and requirements of greater verification, would not be difficult. One of the main reason for not having large interconnection and regional trading is that every country is working isolated and there is no single agency to integrate them and trade the power. In line with international practices, it is suggested that a dedicated ‘power pool’ for energy trading and a special purpose vehicle for grid interconnections be established amongst BIMSTEC countries to take it forward. The critical success factors in creating power pool are; 1. Common legal and regulatory framework: Governments and the transmission system operators (TSO) of their respective national grids should be able to define a common legal and regulatory framework to facilitate achievement of regional objectives. These involve the preparation of “Intergovernmental memorandum of understanding” granting permission for the utilities to make a contract and providing guarantees regarding obligations resulting from an interconnection contract. As also an “Inter-utility memorandum of understanding” among participating national power utilities defining ownership of assets and key principles to be followed on establishing, putting in place and enforcing rules of practice covering technical planning, operations, and commercial aspects of regional power system integration. graph-6 2. Durable framework for system planning and operation: To maintain flexibility in setting up of a viable, multi-country, organisational structure to leverage the individual and collective capabilities of TSOs (a) have to plan for and implement cross-border interconnections, (b) harmonise the operational rules of practices for their interconnected national power grids, (c) put in place a transparent, fair, and viable commercial framework for cross-border trading in energy services. 3. Equitable commercial framework for energy exchanges: Power utilities must exchange a range of energy services such as (a) lowering of generation capacity reserve requirements, (b) ability to achieve scale economics, (c) opportunity to interchange economy energy, (d) increased load and fuel diversity, (e) opportunities of sale of surplus firm energy, (f) emergency support on major breakdowns. It must have a clear, transparent and harmonised set of commercial rules of practice, which are adhered by the interconnected national utilities. It may be observed that this is the right time for India to assume a leadership role for establishment of “BIMSTEC power pool” and a SPV for grid interconnections amongst BIMSTEC countries as a part of MoU, likely to be signed amongst countries during the fourth summit this year in Nepal. Marcus Maye Womens Jersey
India tendered 1.7 GW of solar in December, finds Mercom Capital
India’s impressive 2016 for solar showed no signs of slowing down in the year’s final month, with data from market analysts Mercom Capital Group revealing that more than 1.7 GW of new solar capacity was tendered in December. Accounting for the majority of the new solar capacity offered was the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), the government’s sanctioned solar division that is the driving force behind a push to build 1 GW of rooftop solar PV atop government buildings nationwide. In addition to SECI’s 1 GW worth of tenders, Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) also issued two solar tenders in December for 500 MW and 250 MW, to be set up in Tamil Nadu and Odisha respectively. The remaining capacity offered came from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for 15 MW to be built at the HAL Ojhar Township in Nasik, and 10 MW from Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments on behalf of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) for a project in Gujarat. Mercom Capital said that the 1,776 MW of tendered solar capacity in December was more than double the 755 MW tendered in November. With 2016 ending strongly, thoughts now turn to what 2017 has in store for India’s solar market. The early signs are good, following the news on January 1 that the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) has permitted the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) to issue a further 500 MW tender for solar through competitive bidding. An earlier TANGEDCO tender issued late in 2016 was met with a lukewarm response by developers due to mounting problems in the state concerning late payments and curtailment. TANGEDCO is hopeful that this latest tender can prove more attractive, with reports in the local media suggesting that the utility has sought a procurement price of INR 4.50/kWh ($0.07/kWh). Calvin Johnson Authentic Jersey
Delhi govt yet to pay Rs50 cr to discoms for waiving off electricity bills
The Delhi government’s Power Amnesty Scheme that resolved problems of overcharging or non-payment of bills is long over, but distribution companies claim they haven’t received payments promised by the government. Government data revealed that the scheme which was open for nine months offered waivers in power bills of consumers worth a whopping Rs128 crore. The discoms, that implemented the scheme, were supposed to get compensated for the energy charges they had waived off and this amounted to nearly Rs50 crore for all the three companies combined. “It is seven months since the scheme got over, but we are yet to receive the money. The BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) and BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL) together are to get somewhere around Rs40 crore, whereas the TPDDL needs Rs11 crore,” discom officials said. Sources in the government said that the file is still with power minister Satyendar Jain, who is yet to approve it. A letter accessed by HT dated August 13, 2015 which had asked discoms to implement the scheme from August 30, 2015 read, “The discoms shall provide details of any energy dues waived as a result of the settlement scheme in the case of JJ clusters. The GNCTD will provide subsidy to the discoms on actual basis equivalent to the amount of the energy charges (exclusive LPSC) so waived.” As many as 76,663 people had benefitted from the scheme. Although the discoms earned Rs83.22 crore through resolution of grievances, waivers given to consumers amounted to more than Rs100 crore. Under the scheme, consumers in JJ clusters were charged Rs250 per month for the period for which they had not paid their dues and had the option of paying it in instalments over six months. The late payment surcharge was also fully waived off for them. Besides, all criminal or civil proceedings against those who voluntarily disclosed having tampered with meters were withdrawn. Marcus Kruger Womens Jersey
India’s peak power demand to jump four-fold by 2035-36: draft CEA plan
India’s peak demand for power is expected to rise from the current level of 153 GW to about 690 GW by 2035-36, according to the Perspective Transmission Plan of the Draft National Electricity Plan prepared by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). The CEA is the policy ideation and demand projection arm of the Ministry of Power. The report notes that this “can at best be an indicative plan giving broad transmission corridors across various regions and possible international exchange corridors.” According to the CEA, the demand projection till 2022-36 includes the 14th Plan (2022-2027), 15th Plan (2027-2032) and first three years of 16th (2032-2036) Plan. The massive increase in power generation and transmission infrastructure would require an expenditure of ?2,60,000 crore during the 13th Plan (2017-2022) alone. This also includes an estimate of ?30,000 crore in the transmission system at below 220kV voltage level. The generation projections under the draft National Electricity Plan note that there will be no need for coal-based power generation capacity addition in the country from 2017 to 2022. Effectively this suggests that all new projects during the 13th Plan need to be restricted to the transmission sector. Integration of renewable energy into the grid will be a focus area, according to report. The transmission corridors between various regions are sufficient to cater to variable dispatches of wind and solar, both during evening peak and noon time (when solar dispatches are high), provided the gas generation is reduced to zero and coal based generation are also brought down as shown under various scenarios, the report said. The analysis assumes that, the all-India peak dispatch from wind would be 50 per cent of the wind installed capacity due to spatial diversity. It is also assumed that the all-India dispatch from solar plants would be 60 per cent of the installed capacity during summer months and 50 per cent during rest of the months. James Paxton Authentic Jersey
Enough transmission capacity till 2022: CEA
India will not need power transmission projects in addition to the already planned capacity till 2021-22, a report by power sector planner Central Electricity Authority (CEA) said, citing low electricity consumption, delay in development of proposed power generation plants and high growth in power transmission capacity. A senior CEA official said while the country has over achieved transmission system capacity addition targets, some power generation projects have got stuck on account of various factors including shortage of finance and lack of demand for electricity from distribution utilities. “From system studies, it was observed that the already planned transmission corridors towards SR (southern region) and NR (northern region) are sufficient to cater to the assessed import requirement of SR/NR for year 2021-22 under base as well as N-1 contingency conditions,” CEA said in the draft national electricity plan for transmission. It is estimated that an expenditure of Rs 260,000 crore would be carried out during 2017-22 for addition to transmission system capacity. CEA said that the already planned transmission corridors between various regions is sufficient to tackle variations in generation from wind and solar power plants. Marc Staal Jersey
More CNG pumps to come up by year-end
Vehicle riders and housing societies in the city can expect availability of compressed natural gas (CNG) within close proximity of their residence. CNG supplier Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited (MNGL) has chalked out an extensive plan for the year to start more CNG pumps and widen the reach of piped gas connections at housing societies across Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. As part of expansion plan, MNGL has approached the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) seeking vacant spaces in eight areas to set up refilling units. It is also exploring options to hire more than 20 to 25 plots of private land to set up refilling stations. By the end of 2017, the company plans to take up the number of CNG pumps beyond 50. Darren Fells Authentic Jersey
Mahanagar Gas Limited Launches CNG Kits For Two-Wheelers in Mumbai
Continuing in its endeavor to protect the environment through its eco-friendly fuel, Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) in association with M/s Eco Fuel (Indian Partners of Lovato, Italy) launched CNG fueled two-wheelers on January 1. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan launched the company’s initiative in Mumbai, in the presence of Vinod Tawde, Minister for Education, Youth, Sports & Cultural Affairs and Guardian Minister of Mumbai Suburban, Government of Maharashtra. Dharmendra Pradhan also launched e-wallet payments for CNG filling stations, thus supporting the government’s objective of making India a cashless economy. Other dignitaries including MP Poonam Mahajan, MLA Adv Trupti Prakash Sawant, Rajesh Pandey, Director – MNGL, B.C Tripathi, Chairman & Managing Director – GAIL (India) Limited and Rajeev Mathur, Managing Director – MGL also attended the event. The CNG kit for two wheelers comprises of two CNG cylinders of 1.2 kg each, which can run up to 120 to 130 km per kg at an approximate cost of Rs 0.60 per km. In the initial phase, the scooters shall be retrofitted with a CNG kit manufactured by Lovato. Presently two kit manufacturers namely M/s ITUK & M/s Lovato have got two-wheeler CNG kits approved by ARAI, Pune and ICAT Gurgaon respectively. Lovato has got approval for 18 scooter models of various OEMs present in the market. Considering the huge potential of this segment, other kit manufacturers are also planning to launch their two-wheeler kits. Salient features of a two-wheeler CNG kit: • CNG Cylinders: Two, each having capacity to 5 litres • One fill CNG quantity: 1.2 Kg (0.6 kg in each cylinder) • Mileage on CNG: Average 90 km/kg and 110 km per fill • Per KM operating cost: Approximately 60 paise per km The following two-wheelers can run on CNG fuels: Hero Duet with 110.9 Engine cm3 TVS Jupiter with 109.7 Engine cm3 Hero Maestro with 109 Engine cm3 TVS Scooty Zest with 109.7 Engine cm3 Hero Pleasure with 102 Engine cm3 TVS Wego with 109.7 Engine cm3 Honda Activa 125 with 124.9 Engine cm3 Vespa with 124.49 Engine cm3 Honda Dio with 109.2 Engine cm3 Yamaha Alpha with 113 Engine cm3 Mahindra Duro DZ with 124.6 Engine cm3 Yamaha Fascino with 113 Engine cm3 Mahindra Gusto with 109.6 Engine cm3 Yamaha Ray with 113 Engine cm3 Mahindra Gusto 125 with 124.6 Engine cm3 Suzuki Access with 124 Engine cm3 Suzuki LET’S with 112.8 Engine cm3 Suzuki Swish with 124 Engine cm3 Easy availability and accessibility of CNG stations should keep filling time to the minimal, except some pockets in the day that will take more time due to shift changes of the autos and taxis. The average distance between CNG stations across in the given zone is as follows: Western: 1.52 KM; Central: 1.47 km; Navi Mumbai: 3.2 km; Kalyan, Dombivali, Ambernath and Badlapur (KDAB): 4.5 km. The present infrastructure has the capacity of dispensing more than 2.7 million kgs of CNG per day which can fuel over 1 million vehicles in its operational area. Additionally, MGL has also launched MGL Connect Mobile App (available on Google Play Store) which will assist consumers find the nearest CNG station in MMR and nearby areas for convenient refueling. MGL also promotes the opening of CNG stations from third parties on availability of plots and other pre-requisite permissions. Joe Kocur Womens Jersey
All eyes on imported gas to meet Pakistan’s energy requirements
Despite extensive drilling by oil and gas E&P companies that resulted in over 90 new discoveries in just three years, the much-talked about IP, TAPI and LNG projects are considered the thirst-quenching streams for the energy starved nation. Now with the concerted efforts of the present government, the decades old projects-Iran-Pakistan (IP), Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipelines and import of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) – are almost in practical phase. Last year has already seen LNG’s import, while work on TAPI began in December, 2015. Similarly, the IP project will hopefully commence this year after amendment in the gas sale-purchase agreement with Iran. Critics believe it or not, there is light at the end of the tunnel as setting sun of 2017 will see end to this crippling legacy of the previous years when energy shortages started to hit the country slowly and steadily. In Pakistan, the gas supply-demand gap has reached 4 Billion Cubic Feet per Day (BCFD) as total gas demand of the country is 8 BCFD against total supply of 4 BCFD. Needless to say, in winter, the demand rapidly increases. “The country has no option other than to import gas whether it is LNG or through IP and TAPI pipeline projects as its existing reserves are depleting and there is no major find since long,” Secretary Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources said while addressing a seminar titled “Transparency in public sector: An appraisal.” The present government, he said, was eyeing on imported gas besides accelerating local oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) activities to meet the ever-growing energy needs in the country. Commenting on IP project, official sources in the Ministry revealed that the government was in the process of negotiating amendments in the Gas Sale Purchase Agreement (GSPA) with Iran for early implementation of the much-delayed project, which was conceived in mid-1950s. “A draft amendment has been shared with Iran, and it has agreed to negotiate on it along with some other amendments in the GSPA, following which construction work on the pipeline is expected to commence soon in collaboration with China,” the sources aware of the project updates said. Sharing details of the project, the sources said Inter-Governmental Framework Declaration was signed between the two countries on May 24, 2009, while GSPA had been agreed on June 2009. Subsequently, Pakistan issued sovereign guarantee on May 28, 2010. The project consultant was appointed on April 11, 2011, while the design, feasibility, route survey and other formalities of the project were completed on September 8, 2012. The 56-inch diameter pipeline will start from South Pars gas field in Iran and end at Nawabshah, covering a distance of around 1,931 km with 1,150 km portion in Iran and 781 km in Pakistan. The 750 mmcfd gas flow in the IP pipeline is projected to help generate around 4, 000 MW electricity ALSO, along with creating job opportunities in backward areas of Balochistan and Sindh, the sources said. Commenting on TAPI project, the sources said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif along with other regional leaders performed the groundbreaking of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project in Turkmenistan in December last. The groundbreaking ceremony took place near the city of Mary in the southeastern part of the central Asian country, close to the giant Galkynysh gas field which is meant to provide gas for the 1,814-kilometre (1,127-mile) link. The $10 billion pipeline, from Turkmenistan via Herat, Kandhar, Chaman, Quetta and Dera Gazi Khan to Multan and onwards to India, is expected to be operational by 2019. A state-owned company of Turkmenistan is the consortium for the TAPI and overseeing coordination in the construction, financing, ownership and operation of the project. As per the agreement, it was prerequisite for Pakistan, India and Afghanistan to have five per cent shares each in the project. Turkmengaz, leader of the consortium, would have 51 per cent shares, with the rest marked for partner countries It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan is already working on laying a 42-inch diameter 700-kilometer gas pipeline from Gwadar to Nawabshah, and a 1122-kilometer north-south (Karchi-Lahore) gas pipeline that can be used for supply the both regassified LNG and imported gas under IP and TAPI. On LNG import, the official sources said this year Pakistan signed a 15 year agreement with Qatar to import up to 3.75 million tonnes of LNG a year, which was being highly appreciated by the business community as the previous governments had been reluctant to take any practical step in this regard. After arrival of LNG, industries, gas-based power units, CNG sector, fertilizer plants and especially domestic consumers started receiving uninterrupted supply, which is not less than of any miracle by any mean. A LNG-terminal is already operational at the Port Qasim, while two more each at Gwadar and Karachi are also being set up on priority basis to handle increased cargoes of the imported commodity for onward injection in the transmission network of gas companies – Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited. With the present government firmly resolved and making all-out efforts to bring these projects to maximum fruition, the sources expressed high hopes that gas shortfall problem would be solved to maximum extent within remaining period of the government. Dion Lewis Jersey
Iran and India eye a refinery deal in northern Brazil
Talks between Brazil, Iran and India could result in the construction of an oil refinery and petrochemical plant in one of the South American nation’s poorest states, according to politicians, a diplomat and other people close to the talks. The state of Maranhao, on Brazil’s northern Atlantic coast, is offering a 5,000-acre site for the project, according to a senior official in the state’s government, who requested not to be named because he doesn’t want to jeopardize the talks. The area already has a deep water port for tankers and its location would provide relatively easy access to the Pacific and Asia via the Panama Canal. Despite extensive oil reserves, Brazil lacks refining capacity. The project would help Brazil address its dependence on refined fuel imports and could provide a boost to the local economy, Jose Reinaldo Tavares, a federal lawmaker, said in an interview. The project would require investment of at least $2.5 billion, according to the legislator, who recently travelled to Tehran and New Delhi as part of an official delegation from Maranhão. Iranian oil officials have visited the proposed site twice already, a local Maranhao official said. Mohammad Ali Ghanezadeh, Iran’s ambassador to Brazil, said in an interview that his government is “very much interested” and “ready to put money and energy” into the project. He added that the main obstacle to the deal are U.S. banking sanctions. Engineers India Ltd, a New Delhi-based design and engineering company, is participating in the discussions but its involvement will depend on financing conditions, according to people in India and Brazil familiar with the talks. Ryan Succop Jersey
Gurgaon: New Year, new authority, renewed hopes
The city did not have much to cheer about in 2016 except a few announcements such as the Pod taxi project that is too ambitious for Gurgaon where basic infrastructure is in shambles. This year, Gurgaon residents have high hopes that all infrastructure developments undertaken by the authorities are fulfilled and some respite is provided at least on the traffic and transportation fronts. HT focuses on some major government plans and announcements that could improve the quality of life in the city this year. New Development Authority Waterlogging and massive traffic jams in July and August were largely attributed to the lack of coordination among government agencies in the city. The mess forced the government to think of an integrated authority that could bridge gaps in governance and ensure delivery of projects on time. The announcement of Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) was the result. A senior IAS officer V Umashankar was assigned the task of preparing a draft bill and overseeing the formation of the authority. The authority will prepare plans and get them executed through various government departments. However, the announcement received mixed reactions from residents. Several residents are not convinced by the role it has been assigned. “A new development authority is welcome but its role should be clearly defined. We are not able to understand why the municipal corporation and other departments could not deliver projects that the GMDA aims to take up,” Brij Mohan of DLF Phase 4 said. Residents want the authority to focus on public transportation and improve civic facilities in the city. Umashankar is of the view that the city has been developed haphazardly and it was not right to expect things to get right overnight. He said the authority could deliver but with time. GMDA authorities said, after its formation, the authority would purchase 500 CNG buses and prepare a master plan for development of the city. Rapid Metro Rapid Metro’s Phase 2 (south extension) operations are expected to begin in February-March with the trial run underway, sources said. The deadline for the project was extended from 2015-end to 2016-end and now to the first quarter of 2017. The line has been under construction since April 2013. This line of the Rapid Metro will have stations at DLF Phase 1, Sushant Lok, Sector 53/54, AIT Chowk and Sector 55/56. It will start from Sikanderpur metro station near Bristol Chowk and terminate at Golf Course Extension T-junction. Built at a cost of ?2,143 crore, the service is expected to provide last-mile connectivity and a gateway to New Delhi via the yellow line of the Delhi Metro through the interchange station at Sikanderpur. Delhi Metro Extension (Gurgaon-Bawal) A Mass Rapid Transit System is being developed to connect Gurgaon and Bawal industrial area through an elevated Metro project. The corridor will run along the Southern Peripheral Road (SPR) and Global City project. In the first phase, the Metro corridor will connect Huda City Centre Metro station to Panchgaon Chowk through SPR and Global City. In phase II, it will extend up to Bawal from Panchgaon along NH-8. Work is expected to begin from March, and last week, the Haryana Urban Developement Authority transferred 147 acres to the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) to develop a metro depot near the Global City. The project is part of the public-private partnership between HSIIDC and Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Ltd that is launching several infrastructure projects on the stretch at a cost of ?3,500 crore. Projects To Ease Snarls Several infrastructure projects aimed at easing traffic congestion are expected to start this year. Work has started on the three underpasses at Rajiv Chowk, Signature Tower crossing and Iffco Chowk on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway. Trenching started at the three sites in the first week of December and the concessionaire has started barricading these sites. Union Transport minister Nitin Gadkari has set a deadline of 15 months from the day the work formally starts for the completion of the project. One of the underpasses is expected to be open this year. The Northern Peripheral Road also known as the Dwarka Expressway, which has been limbo since 2006, was designated as a national highway by the Union transport ministry in 2016. Consequently, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) started the exercise to connect this road with NH-8 at Shiv Murti near Mahipalpur in New Delhi. Also, a section of the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway became operational between Manesar and Palwal in 2016. The Haryana government revised the deadline to complete the Kundli-Manesar section from August 2018 to February 2017. Commuters are hoping that the new road projects will give them some respite from their daily traffic woes. “We want a smooth ride to work and back. Spending more than two hours a day in traffic is not an ideal condition for a city resident. People are also expected to cooperate in this direction,” Manish Arora, a banker, said. Real Estate Blues Gurgaon is considered one of the largest real estate markets in the country. However, a large number of property buyers have been complaining of fraud and cheating by developers as projects are not delivered on time. Developers, on the other hand, blame adverse market conditions for the delay. Apartment buyers are hoping that the state government will implement the Real Estate Regulatory Act 2016 (RERA) that will set up a regulatory body to oversee the real estate sector in the state. The Act is aimed at protecting homebuyers and boosting investments in the real estate industry. “The shortage of cash following demonetisation is expected to deal another blow to the real estate sector and projects will get delayed. We expect the government to intervene so that developers can complete projects on time,” Satish Mishra, an apartment buyer who has been waiting for delivery of his flat for the last three years, said. Policing With a burgeoning population, the crime rate is increasing in Gurgaon. It is becoming tough for the police to keep a