Assessment of Infrastructure and Service Supply on Sustainable Urban Transport Systems in Delhi-NCR: Implications of Last-Mile Connectivity for Government Policies

In this study, efforts are made to improve the simulation of heavy rainfall events over National Capital Region (NCR) Delhi during 2010 summer monsoon, using additional observations from automatic weather stations (AWS). Two case studies have been carried out to simulate the relative humidity, wind speed and precipitation over NCR Delhi in 48-h model integrations; one from 00UTC, August 20, 2010, and the other from 00UTC, September 12, 2010. Several AWS installed over NCR Delhi in the recent past provide valuable surface observations, which are assimilated into state-of-the-art weather research and forecasting (WRF) model using the three-dimensional variational data assimilation (3DVAR). The quality of background error statistics (BES) is a key component in successful 3DVAR data assimilation in a mesoscale model. In this study, the domain-dependent regional background error statistics (RBS) are estimated using National Meteorological Center method in the months of August and September 2010 and then compared with the global background error statistics (GBS) in the WRF model. The model simulations are analyzed and validated against AWS and radiosonde observations to quantify the impact of RBS. The root mean square differences in the spatial distributions of precipitation, relative humidity and wind speed at the surface showed significant differences between both the global and regional BES. Similar differences are also observed in the vertical distributions along the latitudinal cross section at 28.5°N. Model-simulated fields are analyzed at five different surface stations and one upper air station located in NCR Delhi. It is found that in 24-h model simulation, the RBS significantly improves the model simulations in case of precipitation, relative humidity and wind speed as compared to GBS.

The automotive industry in India has metamorphosed from a virtually non existent, low-quality-low-volume industry to a conglomerate of one among world best auto manufacturers with highest growth rate with in last 15 years. The earlier studies revealed that Indian automotive industry was not competitive enough for the global market due to inferior quality, lower labour productivity and high cost of raw materials in India (Khisty, V., 2004)1. Recent trends show that Indian auto component industry has become the hub of high quality, low cost products. How the industry has changed in last one decade is an important burning issue to be analysed. The reforms adopted by the government have opened up tremendous opportunities for investment and technology transfer. Indian firms are now looking for joint ventures and technology transfer specializing niche technology and to complement their range of products with the world's latest and the best. It is important to know the dynamics of the industry while it is undergoing a tremendous restructuring. The various technological and non-technological innovations that have been brought in by the industry to capitalize on the opportunities in the wake of globalization need to be closely monitored. In India, the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi alone accounts for almost 40% share of the overall component industry. A case study based on automotive sector in the NCR of Delhi was initiated to examine the effect of Globalization, Competitiveness and Innovation. The study is a part of a major programme on the vast industrial growth in NCR. The main focus is on innovative activities and initiatives in enhancing capabilities in technology, RD export obligations and policies of progressive liberalization have actually brought confidence and dynamism in the industry.

The intelligent urban transportation system is a significant component of the economic development process of countries. However, the transportation system is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, and transportation accidents may cause environmental damage due to the transport of hazardous materials. Hence, a sustainable transportation system is significant in providing safe, environmentally friendly, and intelligent urban transport modes for economies when achieving sustainable development goals and evaluating environmental, social, and risk assessment pillars. This paper aims to evaluate the sustainable and intelligent urban transportation systems of fifty global economies by using nine main and fifty-six sub-criteria. In this paper, nine main and fifty-six sub-criteria are defined to evaluate the sustainable and intelligent urban transportation systems of fifty global economies. The nine main criteria and their sub-criteria have never been used before for assessing the transportation systems of fifty global economies. The experts’ opinions are asked to deal with uncertainty when generating pairwise comparison matrices for specified criteria. Then, a novel integrated intuitionistic fuzzy-based AHP and VIKOR framework is proposed to assess the sustainable and intelligent urban transportation systems of fifty global economies. Economic (C1), safety (C2), and hazards (C3) are the top three weighted criteria from the results of the framework for evaluating the sustainable and intelligent urban transportation systems of fifty different economies. Also, the environmental impact and utilization (C5) and sustainability (C8) criteria are notable, and they constitute 21.6% of the total weight for the evaluation of sustainable and intelligent transportation processes. Then, several different scenarios and comparison studies are also presented for the fifty global economies. Sweden, the United States, and Denmark are the top three choices for sustainable and intelligent urban transportation systems based on the results. Moreover, managerial recommendations of the application are drawn for sustainable and intelligent transportation processes. Finally, the safe, reliable, sustainable, and intelligent transportation process may positively impact economic, environmental, and social aspects of the development process of global economies when minimizing potential disruptions and risks.

Mixing ratio of ambient ammonia (NH3) was measured at various locations of the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi, India using a NH3-analyzer during January 2010 to June 2012 in campaign mode. The present study has been carried out on campaign based measurement of mixing ratios of NH3 and NOx for short period of time over the NCR of Delhi represent the indicative values over the region. The average mixing ratio of ambient NH3 was 20.9 ± 1.6 ppb during the period. The maximum average mixing ratio of ambient NH3 (28.8 ± 3.0 ppb) was recorded in an industrial area surrounded by intensive vehicular traffic followed by an agricultural farm (27.5 ± 2.1 ppb), whereas the minimum (6.4 ± 1.2 ppb) was recorded in the semi-urban area. The diurnal trend of NH3 depended on the ambient temperature at most of the sites and was affected by wind direction. Ambient NH3 was correlated with the NOx mixing ratio suggesting that the vehicular emission may be one of the sources of ambient NH3 in the NCR of Delhi. However, long-term measurements of ambient NH3 and their precursors will lead to seasonal variation of source apportionment over the NCR, Delhi, India.

As cities around the world are growing at a rapid pace, the need to understand their impact on the regional to local climate has become more crucial.  Urban settlements are more affected by extreme weather than rural areas. Localised circulation patterns, the topography of the region and micro-scale systems induced by Land-Use Land-Cover (LULC) can modify regional flows to produce unique patterns in the urban region. National Capital Region (NCR) - Delhi, the second biggest urban settlement globally, reported an almost ~20 fold increase in urban and built-up areas in past decades. NCR urbanisation during the past few decades caused a corresponding increase up to 3–5 and 2–4 K in values of LST and T2m, respectively, while a decrease in the magnitude of surface winds up to 2 m s−1 was noted. The LULC plays a crucial role in meteorological models because they determine the crustal properties that interfere with the exchange of energy, moisture, and momentum between the land surface and the atmosphere. This study attempts to assess the impact of legitimate present-state LULC based on AWiFS in the mesoscale model for simulating monsoon weather over NCR Delhi. The newly implemented AWiFS LULC precisely distinguishes the default MODIS classification used in the model framework. Overall, the AWiFS-based simulations showed an improved performance in predicting the study period during the monsoon.

High prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency has been reported among selective population, but its population prevalence from representative adult population is lacking in India. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and identify the correlates of Vitamin D deficiency among urban and rural areas of the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi, India. Serum Vitamin D levels of 1403 adults (aged 30 years above), 702 from urban and 701 from rural NCR of Delhi, who participated in a representative cross-sectional survey were measured using the quantitative chemiluminescent immunoassay method. The prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency was classified as severe deficient, and insufficient at three serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D-<10, 10-<20, and 20-<30 ng/mL, respectively. The median (interquartile range) 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in urban and rural areas were 7.7 (5.2, 10.8) ng/mL and 16.2 (10.9, 22.3) ng/mL, respectively. The prevalence of Vitamin D severe deficiency, deficiency, and insufficiency in urban areas were 71%, 27%, and 2%, respectively. The corresponding prevalence in rural areas was 20%, 47%, and 25%. Urban location (odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.7 [8.6, 15.9]), female gender (OR [95% CI]: 1.5 [1.1, 2.2]), and abdominal obesity (OR [95% CI]:1.5 [1.1, 2.0]) were independently associated with severe deficiency. This study revealed a high prevalence of severe vitamin deficiency among the adult living in NCR, more so among urban areas, women, and obese.

This paper reports biochemical changes in foliar of four plant species due to deposition of atmospheric dust falling onto the foliar surface. The paper also reports air pollution tolerance index (APTI) and air pollution index (API) in order to categorize the selected plants into sensitive and tolerant species against air pollution and their usefulness for green belt development in National Capital Region (NCR) Delhi. Two sites and four plant species Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Morus (Morus alba), Sheesham (Dalbergia sissoo), and Ashok (Polyalthia longifolia) were selected for this study. Results indicated that for all the plant foliar, the dustfall fluxes were more than two times higher at the industrial site (SB) than that at the residential site (JNU). Among major ions (Cl−, F−, NO3 −, SO4 −2, Na+, NH4 +, K+, Ca++ and Mg++), Ca++ and SO4 −2 had very high fluxes representing as major constituents of dustfall at both the sites. APTI values suggested that all the four species are sensitive species and can be used as biological indicators. API values suggested that Arjun and Morus are very good performers (API = 5) whereas Sheesham and Ashok as only good performers (API = 4) further suggesting that Arjun and Morus species can be used for green belt development in NCR Delhi. Since Sheesham and Ashok have their aesthetic as well as economic values and are good performers, these can also be planted for green belt development.

The marketing of broilers/chicken meat in the National Capital Region (NCR) Delhi has been compared in two distinct kinds of markets, viz. organized (shopping malls, organized multi-product retailers) and unorganized or primarily wet markets (exclusive chicken dressers, poultry meat retailers, etc.). Data have been collected from various functionaries involved in marketing of broilers/poultry meat in the NCR Delhi during the year 2008–09 through primary survey. The most prominent channel in the unorganized broiler market has been found as: Producer-Wholesaler- Dresser-cum-Retailers –Consumer, whereas the same in the organized market as Producer - Commission agent- Supplier-Distributor- Shopping Malls/Hotels/Retailer-Consumer. The marketing cost, marketing margins, price spread and producers’ share in consumers’ rupee, in the most efficient unorganized marketing channel have been found as Rs 10480, Rs 30220, Rs 40700 per tonne (live wt. basis) and 62 per cent, respectively, whereas the corresponding figures in the most efficient organized marketing channel were Rs 12750, Rs 76350, Rs 88500 per tonne and 43 per cent.

Spatial variability of concentrations of gaseous pollutants across the National Capital Region of Delhi, India

Background:Call center sector in India is a relatively new and fast growing industry driving employment and growth in modern India today. Most international call centers in National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi operate at odd work hours corresponding to a time suitable for their international customers. The sleep quality of call handlers employed in these call centers is in jeopardy owing to their altered sleep schedule.Objective:To assess the sleep quality and determine its independent predictors among call handlers employed in international call centers in NCR of Delhi.Methods:A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted on 375 call handlers aged 18–39 years employed in international call centers in NCR of Delhi. Sleep quality was assessed using Athens Insomnia scale along with a pre-tested, structured questionnaire.Results:The mean age of respondents was 24.6 (SD 2.4) years. 78% of participants were male. 83.5% of respondents were unmarried. 44.3% of call handlers were cigarette smokers. Physical ailments were reported by 37% call handlers. 77.6% of call handlers had some suspicion of insomnia or suspected insomnia; the rest had no sleep problem. Smoking, poor social support, heavy workload, lack of relaxation facility at office, and prolonged travel time to office were independent predictors of sleep quality (p<0.05).Conclusion:Call handlers have to compromise upon their sleep owing to the contemporary work settings in call centers. Safeguarding their health becomes an occupational health challenge to public health specialists.

Characteristics of absorbing aerosols during winter foggy period over the National Capital Region of Delhi: Impact of planetary boundary layer dynamics and solar radiation flux

The present study aims to examine the status of digital preservation in media libraries and understand the process, methods, issues, benefits and digital preservation policy regarding digital preservation in media libraries in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi. The findings shed light on the digital preservation media and formats. Meta tagging, improved reliability and availability and reduced risk and complexity are top-most benefits of digital preservation. The obsolescence of hardware is the major technical problem. Identifying what needs to be preserved, technical support, selection, appraisal and the act of deciding what is to be preserved are top-most strategic and archival issues. Technological obsolescence and economic barriers are major technological barriers in accessing the digital heritage. The study also highlights the strong and weak points of preservation methods/techniques. There are no legal hassles in the way of digital preservation and have a well-devised plan for the task of digital preservation in media libraries.

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the internet-banking behaviour of customers in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi in India. The paper attempts to find out how demographic variables affect internet-banking behaviour of customers, the services they prefer to use through internet banking and also tries to identify reasons for using or not using internet banking. Data on customer behaviour for internet banking has been collected through a survey of bank customers of the NCR of Delhi. Questionnaire was administered personally and also using Google Docs application. Quantitative analysis on the data collected has been carried out using SPSS (Originally stood for Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Chi-square test and simplefrequency analysis has been done. The paper has important practical implications to banks. As internet-banking behaviour is affected by demographic variables like gender, income and type of employment, it is possible for banks to develop customised strategies to woo each of these customer segments. They also need to educate customers about internet banking and satisfy their concerns about security of online transactions. Banks can also try to improve online experience of customers for services which are not frequently used by customers so that usage of such services through internet banking increases.

Is spatial decentralization in National Capital Region Delhi, India effective? An intervention-based evaluation

Fine aerosol fraction (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter <= 1.0μm (PM)1.0) over the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi campus was monitored day and night (10h each) at 30m height from November 2009 to March 2010. The samples were analyzed for 5 ions (NH4+, NO3-, SO42-, F-, and Cl-) and 12 trace elements (Na, K, Mg, Ca, Pb, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, Cd, Cr, and Ni). Importantly, secondary aerosol (sulfate and nitrate) formation was observed during dense foggy events, supporting the fog-smog-fog cycle. A total of 76 samples were used for source apportionment of PM mass. Six factors were resolved by PMF analyses and were identified as secondary aerosol, secondary chloride, biomass burning, soil dust, iron-rich source, and vehicular emission. The geographical location of the sources and/or preferred transport pathways was identified by conditional probability function (for local sources) and potential source contribution function (for regional sources) analyses. Medium- and small-scale metal processing (e.g. steel sheet rolling) industries in Haryana and National Capital Region (NCR) Delhi, coke and petroleum refining in Punjab, and thermal power plants in Pakistan, Punjab, and NCR Delhi were likely contributors to secondary sulfate, nitrate, and secondary chloride at the receptor site. The agricultural residue burning after harvesting season (Sept-Dec and Feb-Apr) in Punjab, and Haryana contributed to potassium at receptor site during November-December and March 2010. The soil dust from North and East Pakistan, and Rajasthan, North-East Punjab, and Haryana along with the local dust contributed to soil dust at the receptor site, during February and March 2010. A combination of temporal behavior and air parcel trajectory ensemble analyses indicated that the iron-rich source was most likely a local source attributed to emissions from metal processing facilities. Further, as expected, the vehicular emissions source did not show any seasonality and was local in origin.