Times of India , Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Correspondent : Staff Reporter

CHANDIGARH: Chandigarh is preparing to become the First Solar City of the country by 2012, announced Adviser to the Union Territory Administrator, Pradip Mehra on the occasion of World Health Day 2008. Adviser disclosed that the he has directed all the officers of the administration to start preparation for making city beautiful a Solar City. Mehra was speaking in the symposium on "Protecting Health from Climate Change" organised by the Indian Public Health Association at the Advance Pediatric Auditorium in PGI, Sector 12. In his inaugural address, Adviser said that people should accept that they are in the middle of climate change and the frequency of natural disasters is increasing at an alarming pace. He said that with economic development accompanied with the Industrial Revolution has led to the unprecedented development and great increase in welfare activities and thus has increased the comfort levels. But consequent to it is the huge consumption of fuels leading to Global Warming, added Mehra. While addressing the gathering, he discussed the consequences of Global warming which would lead to the rise of sea level and submerging of Islands and Coastal areas of the world. "This will again lead to greater migration from coastal region in the internal cities getting influx of people thus would metamorphose the face of the cities in another 50 years", added Adviser. Talking of the role played by the Administration, Adviser said that soon 1100 CNG three-wheelers will be moving on the roads of Chandigarh and Mass Rapid Transit System is also in progress which will help in reducing the Carbon foot prints in the city.

SOURCE : Times of India,Wednesday, 09 April 2008