Puducherry, Viluppuram, Auroville & Cuddalore: Sustainable Regional Planning Framework

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sustainable regional planning framework

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puducherry, viluppuram,
auroville & cuddalore
Appendix A
Outreach Initiatives
February 2012
contents
1.0 Introduction 5
2.0 Objective of the workshops 12
3.0 Workshop themes 13
4.0 Workshop Schedule and Summary 14
5.0 Issues and recommendations 32
6.0 Public sector participation 48
7.0 Media Outreach 50
1.0 Introduction
Puducherry and the adjoining Tamil Nadu region are very closely connected to each other through historical
links, culture, religion, language, tourism, trade/business, population, transportation, climate and natural
resources such as water bodies, ecosystems, coastline. This tightly knit connection calls for a Regional Plan
that would benefit this region not just in the urban areas but also in the adjoining rural areas.
With funding assistance from ADEME and endorsement from the Government of Puducherry, INTACH
Pondicherry and PondyCAN have embarked upon an initiative to develop a Model Inter-State Sustainable
Regional Plan that would help realize the full potential of the region in terms of: sustainable and balanced
socio-economic growth, land use development patterns, multimodal connectivity, energy consumption,
infrastructure provision and protection of natural resources. Keeping this over-arching goal in mind, the
Regional Planning Framework includes the following ‘themes’ that will be addressed in this initial phase-
Land Use, Transportation, Energy, and Water.
Referred to as the ‘Puducherry – Viluppuram – Auroville- Cuddalore’ (PVAC), the region has been defined
as the area generally bounded by the Kaluvelly Tank (Tindivanam taluk of Viluppuram District) on the north,
Coromandel Coast on the east, and Perumal Lake (Kurinjipadi taluk of Cuddalore District) on the south. On
the west, the boundary incorporates the Puducherry Urban Area and areas within the Viluppuram taluk of
Viluppuram District that are a part of the 40 km radius drawn from the centre of Puducherry. Puducherry,
Cuddalore, Viluppuram, and Auroville are the four major towns within this delineated regional boundary that
encompasses a total area of 2,540 square kilometres.
This report is an account of the public and stakeholder workshops undertaken as part of the preparation of
the sustainable regional planning framework for Puducherry, Viluppuram, Auroville & Cuddalore.

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for puducherry, viluppuram, auroville & cuddalore
Minutes Of The Regional Planning Meet At French Consulate
8th October 2010
Background
The Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, New Delhi wrote to the Govt of Pondicherry
in Sep1986 and June 2005 to constitute a working group to undertake the preparation of
Interstate Regional Plan for the Union Territory of Pondicherry and the surrounding areas
including Auroville. Several rounds of meetings were held with the Lt Governor and Chief
Minister of Puducherry, Govt officials from New Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to
discuss about Regional Planning. The Ministry of Urban Development has now directed
all the States to take up Regional Planning which should be the basis for Town Planning.
ADEME, a French Agency for the Environment and Energy Management has signed an
MOU with the Ministry of Urban Development to support a few cities in India for projects
on sustainable development and included Pondicherry as one of the cities after a
discussing it with the Pondicherry Govt.
PondyCAN, INTACH and representatives of Auroville have met with many key people
both in Delhi and Tamilnadu to further this effort, starting with the Minister of Urban
Delvelopment Shri Jayapal Reddy, Dr Kasturirangan, Member of Planning Commission, Mr.
Mehta, Jt. Secretary MUD, GOI, Mr. Kshirsagar, Chief Planner, TCPO GOI, the Collectors
of Villupuram and Cuddalore, Mrs. Susan Mathews, Vice Chairman CMDA, Chennai and
others in the TN administration.
To take the Regional Planning forward a meeting was convened to discuss the formation of
the Advisory Board and the Working Group for Interstate Regional Planning and the Ademe
project.
Summary of the meeting:

Members present:
The Consul General of France Mr Pierre Fournier, Chief Town Planner Mr G. Durairaj &
JTP Mr V. Bhuvaneshwaran (Town & Country Planning Dept), Ashok Panda (INTACH),
Prashant Hedao (representing Auroville Foundation), Sunaina Mandeen and Probir
Banerjee (PondyCAN)
Summary:
The Consul General Mr Pierre Fournier welcomed the gathering.
Mr Durairaj, Chief Town Planner, explained how through Regional Planning the whole area
could be benefitted especially the villages who are now keen on “Development”. The main
points to be discussed are:
• The formation of an Advisory board,
• The Working group and 3) the ADEME project.
Ashok Panda gave an introduction of ADEME and also gave a broad outline of the project:
• ADEME is the French Agency for the Environment and Energy Management. It is a
public body under the joint supervision of the French Ministries for Ecology, Energy and
Sustainable Development. It acts as the State’s tool to generalise the best practises

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designed to protect the environment and energy saving.ADEME had
earlier funded the Asia Urbs Project under a tripartite agreement
between Pondicherry, Urbino (Italy) and Villeneuve-sur-Lot (France)
for urban environment management.
• The French Govt has signed an MOU with the Ministry of Urban
Development, New Delhi to support a few cities in India for projects
on sustainable development. Pondicherry has been selected as
one of the cities. An MOU has been signed between ADEME and
INTACH which will have 2 components- Regional Planning and
Eco-district. French experts will be also involved in developing these
projects.
• Once the Advisory board and Working group is finalised we need to
engage a consultant for the project.
Probir gave a brief history leading to this project. The initiative was
taken up by PondyCAN and INTACH in collaboration with TCP Dept,
Pondicherry. It took shape only after the intervention of Dr. Harjit Singh
Anand former Member Secretary of the NCR board. Some of the
important events were mentioned:
• Sept 1986 – Letter from Joint Secretary, Ministry of Urban
Development (MoUD) to Chief Secretary, Pondicherry to take up
Interstate Regional Planning.
• 21st Dec 2004 – Reminder letter from MoUD for the formation of
Working Group for Regional planning.
• 15th May 2008- Consultation-meet in Auroville “Water management
through Integrated Planning and Regional Collaboration”.
• 25th July 2008 – Meeting held at the Chennai Secretariat with the
Secretaries.
• 26th July 2008 – Meet on “Preparation of Regional Plan” held at the
Secretariat.
• 4th Oct 2008 – Presentation to His Excellency the Lt Governor of
Pondicherry Shri Govind Singh Gurjar
• 5th Oct 2008 – Presentation to Chief Minister in his chamber. LAD
Minister, Chief Secretary, other Secretaries and Heads of Govt
departments were also present.
• Feb 2009 – “Sustainable Regions Collaborative Planning” a
participatory workshop held in Auroville which was inaugurated by
the Lt Governor of Pondicherry
• 24th July 2009 – Meeting held in the chamber of Chief Minister,
Pondicherry regarding preparation of Interstate Regional Plan
• 31st Aug 2009 – Letter from Govt of Pondicherry to Prof KT
Ravindran requesting him to prepare a concept plan for the
Interstate Regional Plan.
• 11th Feb 2010 – Brainstorming session organised by TCPO, New
Delhi for the 5 southern states in Auroville on Regional Planning
inaugurated by the Chief Minister.

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• Prashant talked about the successful work done by Auroville
towards sustainable development- water conservation and
afforestation programs. Regarding GIS based system of hardware/
software for Planning he said:
• ISRO had setup NRIS Pondicherry Node database in early-2003
at the Directorate of Information Technology, Planning & Research
Department, Pondicherry under the then Chairmanship of Dr K
Kasturirangan. Data is available till 2003.
• Mr. P.G. Diwakar, Scientist & Assoc. Director at ISRO Headquarters
(Bangalore) who was personally involved in setting up the database
in 2003 in Pondicherry has agreed to work with Govt of Pondicherry
and Auroville to setup this updated seamless database for the
region. Mr. Ramaswamy, Secretary Auroville Foundation has already
written to Dr. Radhakrishnan (Chairman ISRO) requesting him to
initiate a collaboration between ISRO and Auroville for data sharing
and its use in planning. Pondicherry is yet to finalise the location for
setting up this centre.
The following names were proposed for the Advisory board:

New Delhi:
1. Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, New Delhi
2. Dr K Kasturirangan, Member, Planning Commission,
3. Jt. Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, New Delhi
4. Mr Kshirsagar, Chief Planner, Town and Country Planning
Organisation, New Delhi
5. Prof K.T. Ravindran (H.O.D Dept of Urban Design, School for
Planning and Architecture)
Tamil Nadu:
1. Secretary, Urban Development, Chennai
2. Chief Planner, Town and Country Planning, Chennai
Puducherry:
1. Consul General of France, Pondicherry
2. Secretary, Urban Development, Puducherry
3. Chief Town Planner, Puducherry4.Collector, Puducherry
4. Representative of ADEME
Auroville:
1. Secretary, Auroville Foundation
2. Dr Harjit Singh Anand, (former Secretary MHUPA, Govt of India
and advisor to L’Avenir D’Auroville)
NGOs:
Representative of PondyCAN
Representative of INTACH

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The working group will be as follows:
TCPO, New Delhi - representative

ISRO – Mr P. G. Diwakar Associate Director
Collectors of Villupuram and Cuddalore
TCPO, Pondicherry – Mr V. Bhuvaneshwaran (JTP)
DSTE- Director
INTACH – Ashok Panda
Auroville Foundation - Prashant Hedao
Pondycan – Probir Banerjee
Regarding the Consultant and his role it was decided that it would be
finalised after discussion with various people like Mr Kshirsagar, Chief
Planner, TCPO, New Delhi and Prof K.T. Ravindran
It was agreed that a mission of the French expert, Bruno Lhoste of

INDDIGO could be arranged through ADEME for providing sustainable
eco-solutions to a couple of tourism related projects in Pondicherry.
It was felt by everyone that the formation of a separate cell at the

Centre, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu and Auroville specifically for Regional
Planning would ensure that this initiative moves forward efficiently.
Pondicherry and Auroville will form Regional Planning cells as the next
immediate step.
The French Consul agreed to facilitate the meeting with Thiru K.

Ponmudy (Higher Education Minister from Villupuram) and Mr M.R.K
Paneerselvam (Health Minister from Cuddalore) for acceptance at the
political level before taking it up with the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil
Nadu Thiru M.K. Stalin.
The Consul General of France mentioned about the conference being

organised around March 2011 on sustainable tourism where this project
could be presented. He thanked everyone and agreed to host the first
meeting of the Advisory board once it is finalised.

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French delegation of small and medium enterprises: Pondicherry
Mission (10-11 March 2011)
1. Internat Energy Solutions:

Nicolas Nath, n.nath@internat-energy.com
2. CITELUM:
Antoine Kassis, akassis@citelum.fr
ainsi que son représentant sur place
3. INDDIGO
Bruno Lhoste, b.lhoste@inddigo.com
4. SAFEGE:
Patrick VAUGHAN patrick.vaughan@safege.fr
5. Aria Technologies
Bernard Favre, bfavre@aria.fr
6. TECSUB:
Hélène SZULC, helene.szulc@techsub.com
7. IFP Energies nouvelles

patrick.duval@ifpen.fr
8. mc Phy Energy
geoffroy.ville@mcphy.com
9. Ubifrance:
Michael Ehrlich, michael.ehrlich@ubifrance.fr
Sophie Clavelier, sophie.clavelier@ubifrance.fr
Shoma Chakraborty Shoma.CHAKRABORTY@ubifrance.fr
10. ADEME
Olivier Chazal, olivier.chazal@ademe
Aurélie Bernard, aurelie.bernard@ademe.fr

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INDO-FRENCH WORKING GROUP ON URBAN
DEVELOPMENT:
An Indo-French Joint Working Group on Urban Development was set up

with the French side lead by Head of International Affairs in the Ministry
of Transport, Infrastructure, Tourism and Sea of Government of France
and the India side lead by Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development.
The mandate of the Working Group is to foster active cooperation
in the field of water supply, sanitation, solid waste management and
urban transport. So far six sessions of the Indo-French Joint Working
on Urban Development have been held. The last session of the Joint
Working Group was held on 21/9/2009 in Paris. The progress of MoU
between National Building Construction Cooperation (NBCC) and
Bureau de Recherches géologiques et minières (BRGM) was reviewed.
Both the sides expressed their desire for further co-operation in the field
of sustainable urban development.
INDO-FRENCH SEMINAR ON COOPERATION BETWEEN STATES

AND REGIONS AND LOCAL ATHORITIES – LOCAL GOVERNANCE,
SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
The first "Indo-French Seminar on Cooperation between States and

Regions and Local Authorities - Local Governance, Sustainable
Management and Regional Development" was held in New Delhi during
15-17 January, 2010 as a part of 'Bonjour India' which is the festival
of France in India. The purpose of the Seminar was to enable French
territorial authorities meet their counterparts at all levels (Central, State
and Local) in order to encourage better exchange of ideas in respect
of governance systems; intensify existing Indo-French decentralized
partnerships (10 decentralized cooperation arrangements as of now);
facilitate interaction with French territorial authorities in implementing
new multi-player decentralized development, country and town
planning, training of elected local representatives; public private
partnerships, etc. One of the purposes of the seminar was to work out
partnership arrangements between Indian and French cities. Officials
and Elected Representatives both from the French and Indian side
attended the Seminar.

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2.0 Objective of the workshops
The general purpose of the series of workshops is
to initiate discussions on developing a model inter-
state sustainable regional planning framework for
the Puducherry, Viluppuram, Auroville & Cuddalore
region. The specific objectives are to:
- Inform the public and stakeholders about the

regional planning project, the purpose of the
regional plan and the process involved
- Increase awareness about the region’s current

state of conditions and need for collaborative
planning models
- Build a partnership between citizens and

stakeholders (government officers, experts, NGOs)
of Puducherry Region, Auroville and of the districts
of Viluppuram and Cuddalore
- Identify the key issues, assets, and joint

opportunities pertaining to sustainable growth in the
region
- Share knowledge on initiatives, projects (past or

ongoing) and proposals that already exist in the
Region to address major challenges and suggest a
collaborative continuation or complement to these
activities
- Discuss on the modality of a coordinated effort at

the regional level for integrated
- Distribute information to various sections of the

society and educate them about their role in the
area’s future growth
- Identify key community assets, issues, and joint-

projects
- Document and present community opinions to

the decision- makers
- Obtain the views of the public and stakeholders

with regard to the future development of the region;
their concerns, aspirations and suggestions.

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3.0 Workshop themes
The workshops primarily attempted to initiate a discussion for a shared and coordinated management of
resources across the region. The participants in each workshop were divided into groups and were asked
to discuss issues and strategies under the following themes-
Land Use Energy
• Define areas to be preserved- identify productive • Defining Principles of Energy Efficiency
agricultural lands • Awareness and Sensitization
• Identify land for conservation • Renewable Energy Supply Options in the region
• Designate locations for regional growth/ • Energy- efficient designing and management of
development centres- promoting higher densities municipal buildings
and mixed use • Barriers to Energy Efficiency in Puducherry and
• Discuss alternative future land use scenarios- Tamil Nadu
Strategies to strengthen relationships between the Opportunities for Capacity Building activities and
urban and rural areas Regional Cooperation on Energy Efficiency
• Explore alternative regional land use patterns
• Identify lands for regional scale parks/ open Water Resources
spaces • Water management / governance at Government
• Explore opportunities for tourism sector to level Awareness and Sensitization
develop across the region without affecting natural • Change in behaviour: value the domestic water
resources and reduce usage.
• Carrying Capacity- Coordinating land use, • Industry responsibilities in amount of water used
infrastructure and transportation planning and its effluents.
• Watershed based planning • Helping farmers to reduce the amount of
• Discuss Governance issues related to land irrigation: adequate irrigation, water economical
management and growth controls (Regional crops, alternative farming practices.
Planning Agencies, TCPO, Local Administration, • Strengthen rainfed-based farming systems
Decentralisation / Participatory Planning) (conservative agriculture).
Transportation Environment and Disaster Management

• Identify future regional transit and transportation • Beach Erosion and Restoration of the Puducherry-
routes and improvements to address carrying Tamil Nadu coastal environment
capacity issues • Disaster Preparedness
• Identify transit oriented development nodes • Post-Disaster Management
• Promoting and improving public transport • Regional Collaboration on Pre- and Post- Disaster
including busways and railways Management
• Encouraging cycling and walking (regional • Water, Sanitation and Waste Management during
greenways, trails and pedestrian walkways, disasters and emergencies
waterways) • Ecosystem approach to Disaster Risk Reduction
• Coordinating land use and transportation planning
• Promoting alternative eco-friendly transportation
modes (cleaner, quieter and lower CO2 road
vehicles)
• Location of regional freight and passenger
transportation terminals- ports, airports, railways
• Opportunities for joint infrastructural
improvements
• Improving the Tourism Circuit across the region

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4.0 Workshop Schedule and Summary
Across a period of two months, a total of four workshops were conducted as listed below-
Workshop I- Pondicherry
Date- 16th February 2012
Venue- Hotel Athithi, Pondicherry
Themes discussed- Water
Workshop II- Pondicherry

Date- 2nd March 2012
Venue- Hotel Athithi, Pondicherry
Themes discussed- Land use, Transportation, Energy, Environment and
Disaster Management
Workshop III- Cuddalore

Date- 9th March 2012
Venue- GDP Hall, Collector’s office, Cuddalore
Themes discussed- Land use and Tourism development, Transportation,
Water, Environment and Disaster Management
Workshop IV- Auroville

Date- 16th March 2012
Venue- Auroville Town Hall, Auroville, Villupuram District
Themes discussed- Land use, Transportation, Energy, Water and Governance
A brochure (see facing page) was designed and put together as part of the information kit that was
distributed to all participants of the workshops. The brochure explains the purpose of creating a regional
plan, the themes that would be addressed as part of the regional plan as well as the rationale for defining
the said region. It also briefly outlines the process involved.
Also part of the information kit was a concept note that was prepared for each workshop outlining the
itinerary for the day. The note also identified the themes for the group discussion session including a
suggested set of points for each theme that could be addressed during the group discussion. Each group
had a facilitator as well as a note taker to help with the proceedings and achieve a productive session in
the given time.

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Workshop I- 12:00 noon
Helping farmers to improve
Pondicherry irrigation efficiency and grow
alternative crops by
Mr. T.P. Raghunath, Centre for
16th February 2012 Ecology & Rural Development
at Hotel Athithi, Pondicherry
1:00 pm
Programme Lunch
9:00 am
Welcome address by Ashok 2:30 pm
Panda, Co-Convener, INTACH Group discussions
9:40 am 4:30 pm
Regional Planning – Objectives Presentation by each working
and activities involved by group
Lata Iyer, Regional planner and
Devaraj de Condappa, Hydrologist 6:00 pm
Vote of Thanks by Probir Banerjee,
10:00 am PondyCAN
Suggestion for integrated water
management at government level,
view from Puducherry by
Mr. Radhakrishnan,
Hydrogeologist, Puducherry
Groundwater Unit
10:30 am
Keynote speech-
Mr. R. P. Pal, IAS, Secretary Public
Works Department,
Government of Puducherry
11:00 am
Suggestion for integrated water
management at government
level, view from Viluppuram and
Cuddalore districts by
Mr. S. Nagarajan, Retired CE PWD
11:30 am
Rethinking on Policy: Can
stakeholders’ dialogue contribute
to conflict resolution, social
learning and sustainable use of
water?
By Prof. Janakarajan,
Madras Institute of Development
Studies

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Summary of the Workshop
Mr. Ashok Panda, the Coordinator for INTACH Puducherry)
welcomed the participants, the guests and the key
note speakers to the workshop. Mr. Radhakrishnan elaborated on the present
scenario of the water resources, current water
The workshop commenced with a presentation management strategies in Puducherry, the issues
by Lata Iyer, Regional planner, on the need for and drawbacks of the existing processes, and the
an integrated regional planning strategy for remedial measures taken by the government to
Puducherry, Viluppuram and Cuddalore Region. address them. He explained that currently there
is no coordinated effort between the States of
Following this, Devaraj de Condappa, Hydrologist Puducherry and Tamil Nadu to share and manage
made a presentation which set the tone for the the water resources. The water management within
workshop emphasizing the need for a coordinated one state is also fragmented between different
water management strategy for the region. He authorities.
briefly discussed the key challenges faced by our
region’s water resources, specifically the rapid The speaker emphasized the need for a holistic
decline of groundwater levels, its quality, and the and inter-disciplinary approach for the water
large amount of ground water that continues to related problems. He suggested the formation of a
be extracted for agriculture. Mr. Devaraj followed consolidated Water Resources Department (WRD),
with a discussion about the significance of which would deal with all the water resources
groundwater budgeting and the need to balance related issues under one roof. Mr. Radhakrishnan
the “groundwater budget” through a combination stressed how the impact of climate change on
of practices and techniques such as reducing the water resources availability need to be factored
amount of extraction especially for agricultural into the water related policy considerations and
uses. decisions. He also suggested that awareness
generation at both government and at community
Key Note Address: Mr. R. P. Pal, IAS, Secretary level, capacity building for the government officers,
Public Works Department, Government of and adopting latest technologies would aid in better
Puducherry water management strategies.
In his key note address, Mr. Pal commended the
role of the 25 odd, bed dams erected on the rivers Can stakeholder’s dialogue contribute to conflict
and channels. There is a need for the society to resolution, social learning and sustainable use of
conserve water, by adopting rain water harvesting; water? S.Janakarajan, Professor,Madras Institute of
and by propagating percolation pits through Development Studies
awareness campaigns and local legislations. Prof. Janakarajan shared his thoughts about the
Agriculture sector has to contain food type importance of instituting an effective enforcement
irrigation and opt for drip irrigation. The village mechanism to address the complex issues of
ponds and lakes need periodic distillation for better urbanization, sprawl and growth. He observed
percolation. The sullage water from big hotels and that new policies were not necessarily neededif
rich colonies needs to be recycled for gardening. the existing policies were implemented rigorously
He suggested that a chart of guidelines may be through government backed legislation.
published, and public suggestions should be invited He moved on to explain that conflicts need to
before a policy approach is formulated. be viewed as potential source for change rather
than as a negative factor. Conflicts need to be
Insight on Water Resources Management addressed by initiating a dialogue between the
of Puducherry Region. Mr. Radhakrishnan stakeholders involved. MSD or Multi-Stakeholder
Hydrogeologist-II (State Groundwater Unit & Dialogue Workshop is a conflict resolution tool that
Soil Conservation, Department of Agriculture, could help in achieving the goals of sustainable
development for the well-being of the society
at large. He elaborated on the concept by
quoting examples related to the natural resource

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management, particularly the issue of MSD and augmenting irrigation through the use of surface
water governance. water should be driven by the state with active
Towards sustainable use of groundwater by participation of all stakeholders for sustainable
improving irrigation efficiency. Raghunath.T.P. use of ground water. Mr. Raghunath stressed the
CERD-Pondicherry importance of community engagement as a key
Mr. Raghunath described the shift in the cropping component to effective water management and
pattern and its subsequent increase in the demand maintenance. Drawing from the example of the Tank
for irrigation in Puducherry. As a result of the Rehabilitation Project, Mr. Raghunath discussed
introduction of green revolution technologies the additional techniques that could be employed to
area witnessed a shift from surface water irrigation use water in a sustainable manner.
to ground water based irrigation, and as a result
ground water was overexploited. He suggested

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Workshop II-
Pondicherry
2nd February 2012
at Hotel Athithi, Pondicherry
Programme
9:30 am
Welcome address by Ashok
Panda, Co-convener, INTACH
9:45 am
Regional Planning Presentation by
Lata Iyer, Regional Planner
9:30 am
Inaugural Presentation by
Dr. Abdul Razak,
Head of Department- Planning,
Anna University, Chennai
10:00 am
Keynote address by Chief
Guest, Mr. Mathew Samuel,
I.A.S., Secretary to Government,
Industries and Fisheries
10:30 am
Presentation by Vidhya
Mohankumar, Urban Designer
on the role of transportation in
regional planning
10:45 am
Tea break
11:00 am
Working Group Discussions
1:00 pm
Working Group Summary
Presentations

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Summary of the Workshop people, he emphasized the need for a stronger
strategy to move the project forward.
Mr. Ashok Panda, the Co-convener for INTACH He walked the participants through a historical
welcomed everyone and introduced the concept of journey of the region and highlighted the similarities
Regional Planning and the intent of the workshop. that exist within the region. He spoke about cultural
and social links and the transformation the region
The workshop commenced with a presentation by has witnessed in the recent decades. He suggested
Bankim Kalra, Urban Planner, INTACH and Lata that perhaps one way to approach the integrated
Iyer, Regional planner, on the need for an integrated planning is to move away from a Pondicherry
regional planning strategy for Puducherry, centric approach and highlight all the urban and
Viluppuram and Cuddalore Region. The key town centres in the region. He added that in India,
challenges for the region were identified. Lata the railways and the roadways already work from
concluded by stating that, the Regional Plan would a regional perspective and it is crucial to work
promote economic, social and cultural development with these departments and get them on board for
while preserving and enhancing the natural the project. Building on the existing relationship
resources of the region, while positively affecting between Auroville and Pondicherry could be
both the urban and rural areas. another potential starting point for a process that
can mobilise the citizens.
“Innovation and Experience in Participatory
Approach to Regional Planning” Dr. Abdul Razak Transportation Planning at the Regional Level,
Mohamed Vidhya Mohankumar
Dr. Razak gave a brief introduction to the planning Ms. Vidhya Mohankumar began by presenting two
process and realities of district planning in India. He scenarios- one which is car-centric, chaotic and
emphasized the need for a participatory planning congested and another which is multimodal and
approach and stated a few examples of such clearly dilineated for organized, safe and efficient
processes in India. He later elaborated on the cases movement- her point being that we need to
of Integrated District Development Plan (IDDP), collectively make the right choices that will promote
Kollam, Kerala; District Planning Commission sustainable development. Having built the case,
(DPC), Pallakad, Kerala; and the Redevelopment she then outlined 8 principles that are pivotal to
Plan, T Nagar, Chennai. These project examples sustainable development:
were used to explain the process involved and the 1. Walk: Developing neighbourhoods that promote
hurdles faced in the implementation of participatory walking
planning. Lack of coordination between the 2. Cycle: Prioritizing cycle networks
various government departments involved and the 3. Connect: Creating dense network of streets and
unavailability of data were identified as some of the paths to provide alternate routes for movement
major issues. Dr. Razak suggested the need for a 4. Transit: Providing high quality transit
sectoral reorganization at the administrative level to 5. Shift: Increasing mobility by regulating parking
avoid duplication of schemes and investments. This and road use
would also permit a cohesive action plan that can 6. Mix: Planning for mixed use
better address the issues at the grass root level. 7. Densify: Matching density and transit capacity
8. Compact: Creating compact regions with short
Keynote Speaker commutes
Mr. Mathew Samuel, I.A.S. She concluded with examples of regional planning
Secretary to Government, Industries and Fisheries efforts that have been rooted to transportation
The key note speaker reminded the participants strategies including the 5 finger plan in
about the hurdles that the current agenda for a Copenhagen, Denmark, the Randstad model in the
‘model inter-state regional plan’ is likely to face Netherlands, Kunming regional plan in Chenggong
in the future. Although, he acknowledged the and our own National Capital Region around Delhi.
awareness and motivation present among the

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Workshop III-
Cuddalore
9th February 2012
at GDP Hall, Collector’s office,
Cuddalore
Programme
10:15 am
Welcome address by Ashok
Panda, Co-convener, INTACH
10:20am
Regional Planning Presentation
by Vidhya Mohankumar, Urban
Designer, INTACH
10:30am
Inaugural Address by Mr.
Thiagarajan, IAS (Rtd), Former
Project Director – Tamilnadu Road
Sector Project
10:45 am
Special Address by
Mr. Rajendra Ratnoo, IAS, District
Collector, Cuddalore
11:00 am
Presentation by Dr. Abdul
Razzak, Head of Department -
Urban Planning, Anna University,
Chennai
12:00 noon
Special Address by
Mr. V. Shunmugasundaram,
Additional Director of Town and
Country Planning, Directorate of
Town and Country Planning
12:15pm
Tea Break
12:30
1:30pm
Presentations

24
25
Mr. Ashok Panda, the Coordinator for INTACH departments. He added that if megacities need
welcomed the participants, the guests and the key to develop, they need to grow vertically and that
note speakers to the workshop. governments need to adopt inter-sectoral thinking.
He said that a regional perspective needs to be
The workshop commenced with a presentation by brought in where the developmental needs are
Vidhya Mohankumar, Urban Designer with INTACH, balanced with concern for environmental protection.
on the need for an integrated regional planning On tourism, he added that Cuddalore with its rich
strategy for Puducherry, Viluppuram and Cuddalore Chola heritage has a tremendous potential to
Region. develop into a tourist destination. He emphasized
that planning must incorporate the cultural and
Following this, Mr. Thiagarajan, IAS, and retired social factors in addition to the economic factors.
Project Director – Tamilnadu Road sector Project He also maintained that although Cuddalore had
spoke about the issues of the compartmentalized unharnessed potential, the development should
planning approach that is existent today. He not exploit the natural and cultural resources.
indicated that there is a lack of coordinated thinking He concluded by pledging his support to the
to address the issues, both within a state and in initiatives of the Regional Plan and that he intends
between the states and further highlighted some to generate concept papers from the issues and
of the issues in the Cuddalore and Viluppuram recommendations that would emerge from the
region. He observed that there is loss of agricultural group discussions at the workshop and transform
land, reduction in the quality of water and increase them into action plans to move the project forward.
in the demand for resources due to urbanization.
He explained that there is an absolute need to V. Shunmugasundaram, Additional Director of Town
consolidate all these problems and understand and Country Planning, Directorate of Town and
the disadvantages of induced growth due to Country Planning made a short speech after that
fragmented approach in planning. For example, where he talked about the potential of tourism in
the current development of hotels and residences the region. He explained that, if planned well, the
along the ECR has resulted in over exploitation of tourism sector could flourish in the region but that
the ground water resources. This has initiated an this has to be done without any damage to the
irreversible process of sea water ingression in the environment. He explained that this will be possible
ground water table. The environmental impacts of if the natural resources and potential of the region
any development need to be evaluated before its are evaluated before any development is planned.
implementation. He encouraged the participants
to start an open dialogue about the issues within The last presenter was Dr. Abdul Razak Mohamed.
the region, to achieve a fruitful outcome from the Dr. Razak’s shared his prior experience from the
workshop. He concludesd by stating that the Palakkad District Planning project. He explained
Regional Plan for the Puducherry – Viluppuram - the process involved and the hurdles faced in the
Auroville - Cuddalore region should set an example implementation of participatory planning. Lack
for other such regions in the country. of coordination between the various government
departments involved and the unavailability of
The next special address was by Mr. Rajendra data were identified as the major issues. He
Ratnoo. IAS, District Collector, Cuddalore also suggested that there needs to be a sectoral
The Collector welcomed the participants to the reorganization at the administrative level to avoid
workshop and agreed with Mr. Thiagarajan on the duplication of schemes and investments. This
issues of compartmentalization and stated that the would also permit a cohesive action plan that can
workshop should be one such initiative to start better address the issues at the grass root level.
a conversation between the various government

26
27
Workshop IV-
Auroville
10th February 2012
at Auroville Town Hall, Auroville,
Villupuram District
Programme
9:45 am
Welcome address by Bankim
Kalra, Urban Planner, INTACH
10:00 am
Regional Planning Presentation
by
Lata Iyer, Regional Planner
10:15 am
Special Address by
Mr. Bala Baskar, IAS, Secretary
Auroville Foundation
10:30 am
Presentation by Toine Van
Megen, Auroville Consulting on
Energy for the region
10:50 am
Presentation by Thiru N.
Muthuselvan, District Project
Manager on the Pudhu
Vaazhvu Project experience in
Viluppuram
11:15 am
Presentation by Dr. Abdul
Razzak, Head of Department -
Urban Planning, Anna
University, Chennai
11:45 am
Tea Break
12:00
Bio-Regional Vision-
Presentation by Joss, Ram,
and Suresh
12:30
1:30
Presentations
28
29
Mr. Ashok Panda, the Coordinator for INTACH - For the gross solar electrical energy produced by
welcomed the participants, the guests and the key the “prosumer” a monthly payment to be made as
note speakers to the workshop. per the feed-in tariff.
- For the energy consumed, the prosumer continues
The workshop commenced with a presentation to pay as per prevailing electricity tariffs.
by Lata Iyer, Regional planner, on the need for - Two meters (the existing TNEB consumption
an integrated regional planning strategy for meter) and a newly to be installed production meter.
Puducherry, Viluppuram and Cuddalore Region. • Electrical Energy in Rural Areas
1. Rural feeders: 24 x 7 reliable grid supply will help
Special Address: Mr. Bala Baskar, IAS ( Secretary, in the growth of a diversified rural economy
AV Foundation) 2. Subsidise agricultural outputs rather than inputs
Mr. Bala Baskar shared his thoughts aboutthe need (fertiliser, power) For example, there should be
for understanding and integrating the true needs of no subsidy on power for farmers and agriculture
the people prior to starrtingany new development but introducing subsidy to the output price of the
project. He emphasized the need to identify new produce to enable them to be competitive in the
models of sustainable development that address market.
the challenges faced by urban and rural India. The • Energy for Agriculture
non-negotiable base issues need to be identified 1. Irrigation policy needed. Flood irrigation to be
with all the concerned people, so that at least those banned for most crops.
aspects that everyone agrees and supports can be 2. Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to give energy
successfully moved forward. star ratings for agricultural pumps. Only 3 star + to
be allowed in the market.
“Renergy”, or….Energy for the Region” by Toine • Energy for Mobility
Van Megen (Auroville Consulting) 1. Need for reliable, comfortable public transport
Mr. Toine Van Megen emphasized the need for which will reduce energy consumption
energy conservation and the importance to weigh 2. High frequency of public transport. Vary capacity
the ‘need vs. greed’ debate before consuming and not frequency
energy. Toine presented key energy saving 3. Encourage the use of electrical two-wheelers,
strategies that can be adopted at a regional level. E-Auto, mini bus
These include: •Energy for Cooling and Heating
• Electrical Energy 1. Passive cooling for buildings
1. Tariff should be rationalised (to promote low
energy consumption) “Pudhu Vaazhvu Project- the Viluppuram
2. Renewable energy needs to be included in the Experience” by Thiru N. Muthuselvan (District
grid Project Manager)
3. Renewable energy targets with long term policies Pudhu Vazhu project covers 15 districts, 70 blocks
(feed-in tariffs, open access, distributed generation) and 2432 panchayats in Tamil Nadu. The details
4. Renewable energy sources of the project were explained at the session. The
- Roof top solar; can produce energy required at an objective of the project is to empower the poor by
individual building level improving their livelihoods and reducing poverty by:
- Biomass; 1. Developing, strengthening pro-poor local
- Small scale wind; institutions at the village level.
- Storage solutions; 2. Building the skills and capacities of the poor.
- Distributed generation 3. Enhancing their livelihoods by financing demand
5. Feed-in tariffs: driven sub project investments.
- To make rooftop solar projects viable, feed-in
tariffs need to be introduced.

30
“Innovation and Experience in Participatory
Approach to Regional Planning” Dr. Abdul Razak
Mohamed
Dr. Razak gave a brief introduction to the processes Suresh discussed the need for decentralized
and realities of district planning in India. He planning to be adopted and hurdles of converting
emphasized the need for a participatory planning an idea into reality. He stressed that initiatives need
approach and stated a few examples of such to bring people together and they need to own
processes in India. He later elaborated on the cases and propel it by themselves in order to achieve
of Integrated District Development Plan (IDDP), sustainable development. Mr. Suresh explained that
Kollam, Kerala; District Planning Commission difference between governance and government-
(DPC), Pallakad, Kerala; and the Redevelopment how governance reforms include the government
Plan, T Nagar, Chennai. These were used to explain and go beyond it.
the process involved and the hurdles faced in the
implementation of participatory planning. Lack He discussed how rules of traditional systems were
of coordination between the various government established at the time of scarcity to ensure that the
departments involved and the unavailability of data marginalized are priority. Suresh discussed the need
were identified as the major issues. He suggests to re-explore the traditional values and plans and
that there needs to be a sectoral reorganization incorporate them in new initiatives to move them
at the administrative level to avoid duplication of forward.
schemes and investments. This would also permit
a cohesive action plan that can better address the
issues at the grass root level.
Bio-Regional Vision- Presentation by Joss, Ram,

and V. Suresh
Mr. Joss explained about the bio-diversity in the
Kazhuveli region and the traditional values and
customs that are present in the area. He stressed
on the fact that sustainable modes of living are
already inherent in the people’s lives, however
these aspects are not included in the development
plans. Any initiative that is introduced needs to
incorporate and accentuate these value systems.
Mr. Ram continued the discussion by explaining
that the lives of the people need to be enriched
without breaking the links that exist in the
community. He further explained the significance
of creating livelihoods based on existing skills and
traditions and then bringing in additional inputs to
fund, enhance and encourage them. The existing
schemes of the Government could be used to fit in
the plans and projects.
Mr. Suresh explained that often participation is
used as a tool to satisfy certain criteria; Suresh
emphasized the need to learn from the past when
governance was a an integral working model
owned by the people and was inherently self-
sustainable
and equitable.

31
5.0 Issues and recommendations
Land Use
Issues Recommendations
1. Workplace/ employment, education,
infrastructure facilities are not decentralized in Physical Interventions:
the region, therefore there is migration 1. Develop transportation network and accessible
2. The rural areas need to be given priority for secondary roads- for better linkages to the
development social infrastructure in the region
3. Loss of agricultural land 2. Heritage preservation at the region level to
4. Lack of employment centres expand and enhance the existing tourist circuit
5. Need for coastal area protection and connect it to the places at the regional level
6. Heritage areas need to protected and 3. Promote Social Forestry
developed sensitively 4. Development of secondary urban centers
7. Education: Inaccessible and low quality 5. Promote infill development
8. Conversion of agricultural land uses to non- 6. Water and land use: Identify water bodies which
agricultural uses like industries lack maintenance
9. Encroachment: 7. Identify the watershed of the region and
a. of development activities on wetlands increase check dams in the region to increase
b.over natural course of water channels the ground water level
10. Industrial pollution: air, water, land, noise 8. Identify tourist cluster of tourist sites and
11. Lack/ poorly maintained local connectors promote infrastructure development to promote
between towns sustainable tourism practices
12. Improper waste disposal and management a. Train the local communities in the tourism
13. Tourism potential untapped in region beyond related services
Puducherry, and insufficient infrastructure to b.Tourism should not bring any negative impact
support tourism within Puducherry 9. Consider individual regional plans for Tamil
14. Sand mining activities in Cuddalore is a serious Nadu, Auroville and Pondicherry for better
concern implementation
15. Master plan of the municipalities have not been
revised Policy & Enforcement:
16. Poor regulation enforcement: lack of manpower, 1. Revision of master plans of the respective
requirement of planners towns
17. Built space vs Open Space ratio is low 2. Strengthening the local authorities to allow
regionally better enforcement of regulations
18. Urbanization: 3. Promote a bottom-up planning approach
a. Increased pressure on wetlands 4. Better coordination within and in-between the
b. Food security issues states
c. Increased stress on land 5. Regional level waste management strategy
d. Unemployment in the agricultural industry 6. Strengthen regional centres and smaller towns
19. Pollution due to industrial developments; large 7. Regulations to preserve/protect water bodies,
amount of water extracted for their use wetlands and agricultural lands (from converting
20. Unauthorized and unplanned development in to non-agricultural uses)
the urban centres 8. The spread of the land uses should be at a
regional level: especially for agricultural land
and industries
9. Growth centres or growth pores need to be
identified

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33
10. The development needs to be vertical in the needs to be applied for the rural areas that have
urban centres local skill sets and/or heritage structures.
11. Integrated land uses: offices, residential/ 18. The local potential need to be tapped to
housing develop it into a potential tourist destination
12. Increase the land under agriculture Increase which can be connected to a larger tourist
crop productivity by introducing latest circuit
technology/ set of modern equipment 19. Public-Private- Partnerships should be
13. Mandatory use of sea water for industrial plants, encouraged for ensuring quality education,
to encourage the construction of desalination infrastructure/ basic amenities
plants and zero waste treatment plants 20. Development should be based on socio-cultural
14. Integrated Environment Impact Assessment, factors
before any project any project is implemented 21. Water demand resource plan & management
15. Increase enforcement mechanisms to prevent needs to be done in a sustainable way
unauthorized constructions/ developments
16. Transferable development rights as a tool to Awareness & Community Participation:
prevent sprawl into the natural environment 1. Inculcate social responsibility with respect to
17. The concept of eco-tourism/ rural tourism waste management and disposal

34
Transportation
Issues 20. Efficient and integrated public transport systems

1. Puducherry needs better connectivity to other missing within each town or their reliability,
major towns and cities in the region frequency and quality is inconsistent
2. Transit corridors NH45 and railway line exist, 21. There is a high reliance on para-transit modes
but do not enter into Puducherry such as rickshaws - which are unregularised
3. Tindivanam - Puducherry corridor sees high and often exploitative
density traffic that needs to be addressed 22. Pondicherry - connection to bus stand and to
4. Lack of effective transit systems within each of Tindivanam road is congested Entry into city
the four towns from outskirts is difficult
5. Policies continue to provide hidden subsidies to 23. Cuddalore - has poor quality roads
private transit modes 24. Cycling and walking have not been incentivised
6. Lack of direct bus from Panruti to Puducherry 25. There is no connectivity to major built and
7. There is a need for more choice in transit / environmental sites of cultural and heritage
transport modes to be made available for importance in the region
movement of people and goods 26. The present location of the planned airport at
8. Number and frequency of trains out of Lawspet can only serve Pondicherry - Auroville
Puducherry are insufficient 27. Freight corridors of the region need to be
9. There is a need for more outer ring roads in identified
Puducherry 28. There is a need to create livelihood
10. Current road networks are not conducive to opportunities in local areas
offer more travel modes options
11. Lack of coordination among different agencies Recommendations
12. Interface between the highways and access
roads to the villages and settlements need to be Physical Interventions:
designed appropriately to prevent accidents 1. The coast is too congested - development
13. Signage and safety measures are missing needs to be taken out of the coast. The ground
14. Connectivity: water along the coast cannot meet up to the
a. Missing connection between Puducherry demands of the present growth. The NH45
and Panruti can be developed instead, allowing only low-
b. By-passes are needed to relieve intensity, environmentally-friendly development
congestion to happen along the coast
15. Buses: Lack of better services, frequency and 2. If the planned airport were to move south of
maintenance of the existing buses Pondicherry, it would better serve the region
16. 16. Inadequate infrastructure to support the 3. Consider BRT and LRT systems for inter-city
movement of freight to connect to the port connectivity
17. Lack of/ Improvement of public transportation. 4. Railway - need to connect speed and frequency
The current public transportation is of poor 5. Roads - Develop ECR as “scenic beachway”.
quality or is badly maintained and has low The quality of road/highway must change when
frequency. Also, there is lack of proper it passes through a town or village
connectivity between urban and rural areas 6. Bridge the gap between demand and supply
18. Transit corridors also function as development 7. Extension of ECR
corridors. The development needs to be 8. Improve design of highways and increase
coordinated to reduce the load on the existing access to towns and settlements
network 9. Increase the number of buses and introduce
19. Detailed audits are needed for demand mechanisms for maintenance of the current
assessment for transportation buses
10. Provide separate bus facilities for the fisherman

35
36
11. There is a need for more trains and more 6. The need to shift from being car-centric to more
compartments public transport driven mobility
12. ECR rail link : Rail service between Pondicherry- 7. Need for pilot projects / demonstration projects
Cuddalore needs to be developed within each of the four towns
13. Introduce Suburban trains, EMUs 8. Need to improve access to transit
14. Separate freight access for better economic a. Increase pedestrian/ non-motorized vehicle
development access
15. Introduce water connectivity along the coast 9. Viluppuram- Tanjavur needs a multi-modal
transit facility
Policy & Enforcement: 10. Bhuvaneshwar- Kameshwaram trains do not
1. There can be high speed transit across towns, stop at the Chidambaram station. It would be
but low cost modes within each town beneficial for the region if the train stops at
2. There needs to be a regional greenway network the location to increase access to places like
that connects canyons, waterbodies and Chidambaram, which is a popular spiritual
wooded areas. These can be cycling highways, destination
serving both as mobility corridors as well as 11. Mechanisms to enhance coordination among
recreational corridors the governments
3. A regional waterway connection (hovercraft) for 12. Subsidies and incentives for the use of electric
people can be considered connecting Chennai- vehicles
Pondicherry-Cuddalore and other places along 13. Decentralized development
the coast. These can be separate from the a. Land use and transportation needs to be
frieght corridors that develop connecting ports coordinated
of Karikal, Cuddalore, Cheyyur and Chennai - b. Several development clusters need to be
their freight movement doesnt impact 4-towns interconnected with transit corridors
region c. Renewable energy needs to be used
4. Any new highways should have dedicated
cycling and pedestrian pathways on them Awareness & Community Participation:
5. Build the idea of both “destination” and 1. Advocacy and awareness building at local levels
“journey” as being important and across media types required to sensitise
need for better quality and sustainable modes
of connectivity and mobility

37
38
Water
Issues
1. Quality of the water, it has high EC, PH value, 19. Imbalance in demand and supply of ground
etc in Cuddalore water recharge
2. The effluent from the sugar factory is causing 20. Lack of awareness in selection of crops based
water pollution on economic value- eg Excessive plantation of
3. The pollution is also attributed to the sea water cash crops
intrusion, due to the usage of NLC pumps 21. Mono cropping based on soil and water
4. Sewerage and solid waste is mixing with the condition as well as economic value
water and causing pollution 22. Farmers are incentivized towards following the
5. One of the major reasons for bad quality of same cropping pattern because of industrial
water is the use of heavy duty pumps for filling demand eg sugarcane
the overhead tanks. This process extracts more 23. Natural processes of salination during high tide
water than needed in short time when there is a back flow of sea water
6. Water supply to the farmers is not properly 24. Effluent dumping from industries pollutes water
supplied. There is flooding when there is no 25. Excessive pumping leading to imbalance in
need for water and it is scarce during the dry pressure
periods 26. Sand dune destruction in coastal area induces
7. Permission given to the mineral water units, the shallow aquifer salinity
who are excessively tapping the resources 27. Irrigation management starting from tail end
8. Excessive river sand mining 28. Horizontal and vertical extraction of ground
9. Drinking water is being wasted for irrigation and water due to competition and scarcity
housing construction 29. Peer pressure among farmers to farm the same
10. Water resources are stressed: In Viluppuram, crops as successful farmers
usage of water is 650M cuM with a recharge of 30. Need for watershed management for the benefit
250M cuM resulting in a deficit of 400M cuM of upper reach farmers
11. Misconception among villages about Auroville’s 31. Skepticism and lack of unity among farmers to
afforestation efforts threatening them and some adopt alternate technologies
even stopped some recharge measures being
taken by Auroville Recommendations
12. Sand mining along the coast
13. Free power and water; as a result water is being Physical Interventions:
sold by the citizens 1. Farm ponds for water storage and fish culture to
14. Issue of water recharge be promoted
15. The cost of domestic water for individual is 2. Creating storage systems
infamously cheap in Puducherry (05 Rs / m3) 3. Sand mining to be controlled and regulated for
while a participant quoted an actual cost for the better ground water levels
government of 18 to 20 Rs / m3. This is too low 4. Ground water metering to be done
and consequently people tend to waste and 5. Measuring rainfall for planning of crops
undervalue the water depending on water availability for efficient
16. There are actually numerous regulations existing irrigation planning
but these are not enforced 6. Soil conservation technique to be adopted to
17. Loan for drip and sprinklers is limited to people increase moisture content eg application of
only who have bore wells tank silt, mulching, Sun hemp, daincha to be
18. Alternate irrigation systems are limited to incorporated
farmers who can invest and who have own 7. Using urban sewage water after being treated
water source 8. Prosume: Produce and Consume at the
same time; recycle what is produced. The
predominant trend for cities is to consume
intensively all the resources (water, food,
electricity etc) produced / available in its vicinity

39
9. Waste water treatment for: e. Rice intensification system needs to be
a. Recycling back to the domestic supply cheme, introduced
b.or supply back to agriculture for irrigation 26. Extend the region to fall between the two rivers,
10. Produce food in the cities. It is common in West the Palar in the north and the Pennaiyar in the
Africa, with own gardens for subsistence, or in south (from Mahabalipuram to Cuddalore)
western cities with rooftop gardens (produces 27. Sand mining needs to be curbed Alternative
food and condition building temperatures) methods rather than using for construction
11. Everybody should pay for water, even the activities
poorest, though with a price proportionate to
the income Policy & Enforcement:
12. For regional cooperation, multi stakeholder 1. Voluntary Organisation /NGOs should
dialogues needs to be initiated for coordination coordinate and work for tank management
at the farmers’ level 2. A single department for handling water
13. Existing tanks, ponds, paleochannels to be resources, for both the states
resurveyed and encroachment needs to be a. A collaborative framework for the region that
removed with the community participation and includes these agencies and binds both to
urbanization needs to be controlled abide by the decisions taken for the region
14. Groundwater augmentation needs to be done 3. There should be no distinction between rural
based upon the necessity and need (maximum and urban areas; both should be seen as a
consumption sector identification) continuous ecosystem
15. Demarcation of sources of groundwater 4. Example of tanks/river ways: instead of being
salinization encroached / spoiled, the urbanisation should
16. Identification of proper recharge zones for grow including them as part of the system.
groundwater augmentation Water bodies could be recreation areas or still
17. As a part of recharge zone identification the used for irrigation within the city (case of food
existing tanks, bunds, nallas can be de-silted production in towns, cf below)
which act as a recharge zone 5. Accountability and responsibility should at all
18. Focus on LEISA (low external input sustainable levels, ie, government but also individual
agriculture) technologies for better water 6. Include the culture of planning to endorse the
savings and subsidies aimed at them ecosystemic approach: there is a total lack
19. Creation of farm pond in low lying areas in India. For example the Town Planner of
20. Rehabilitation of tanks and ponds based on Puducherry government is not a planner but a
cascaded approach- water shed management civil engineer
21. Build channels for natural irrigation of fields 7. More generally, a semi-governmental
during rainy season from eris as opposed to organisation should be created and sanctioned
usage of motor to pump water with the mission to create this awareness. Semi-
22. Creation of dead storage in existing tanks and governmental refers to including government as
ponds well as citizens in the organizational structure.
23. Enforcement of creation of percolation ponds 8. Pricing the water is particularly suited to
near a bore well/ open well to recharge ground decentralised / community schemes to pay the
water maintenance and the salary of the staff involved
24. Restrict use of bore wells to one season 9. Pricing should not be an open door for
25. Water Recharge: privatisation / profit making
a. Revitalise the Erie systems and actively monitor 10. Industries in rural areas which pump
the past projects to see what’s successful and groundwater for their usage should be charged
why the failures heavily per volume of groundwater extracted so
b. To make the water flow perennial, repair all the that it becomes cheaper for them to treat their
tanks, all channels including drainage waste water and reuse
c. Reduce agricultural water consumption using 11. A Water Commission should be created on the
better consumption practices model of the Election Commission, which is
d. Recharge wells need to be built 6 can be built in powerful. The duty of this Commission would be
one hectare to enforce the existing regulations

40
12. Irrigation of water supply should be first given to a. industries which may not treat their waste water,
tail-end farmers b. gated communities or five star hotels which may
13. Priority and subsidy to be focused in consume excessive domestic water and merely
improvement of soil quality through tank silt treat their waste water
application, mulching, green manures before 8. De-silt of tanks with people participation by
main crop collecting funds from different companies and
14. Minimum charge on electricity/ cap on raising 25% from people involved
electricity units per year 9. Create awareness on tank management
15. Cap on water consumption per year 10. Create awareness and trainings for farmers to
16. Incentivize co-operative farming use water in an efficient manner, like alternate
17. In dry lands, need for standards specifying a wetting and drying method
percentage of land for creation of irrigation 11. Information/ education/ communication strategy
ponds 12. Creating awareness through school curriculum
18. Self-regulations within farmers associations 13. Dissemination of better technologies for
irrigation such as drip irrigation
Awareness & Community Participation: 14. Awareness on benefits of co-operative farming
1. Research on the reuse of treated sewerage 15. Soil texture and structure based irrigation
water is needed calendar
2. Increase awareness about the sources of water 16. Need for consensus among farmers on what to
and its distribution network grow in each season
3. Reduction of water demand by: 17. Research to determine water requirement for
a. Awareness about water usage through each soil type
i. Media campaigns 18. Disseminate knowledge of benefits related to
ii. Farmers to farmers dialogue to bring the crop rotation and alternate/ multiple cropping
findings of Puducherry farmers to TN farmers which consume less water
iii. TRPP- Other projects should be reviewed
and implemented in the same manner
4. This notion of awareness actually only concern
those who are in the middle to high socio-
economical classes. People living in situation
of scarcity are already partly or totally aware of
limited water resources
5. About the process of creating awareness:
a. Transmission of change in behaviour is
Individual - Collective- Community - Society
b. Education in school is the most important act to
root and spread this change
6. Sensitisation should also be realised
by exemplary models which illustrates
commendable practices, behaviour to adopt:
a. in public spaces: schools, universities,
government spaces etc,
b. by private or governmental professionals: such
as organisations dealing with public issues such
as water management, planning, agriculture,
education etc, but also corporates
7. Examples of illegal activities:

41
Energy
Issues
1. Detailed audits are needed for demand Policy & Enforcement:
assessment: for transportation and energy 1. Tariff rationalization
2. Rural infrastructure is treated as second class a. No sale below cost except for marginalized
infrastructure even though it is not sector
3. Tariff is not rationalised b. Stop cross sectoral subsidies
4. Renewable energy not included in the grid c. Ensuring cross subsidy within consumer sectors
2. Renewable energy long term plans
Recommendations a. Wind energy from TN (owned by PED/PPCL)
b. Solar roof top PV feed in tariff (recommendation
Physical Interventions: to Government)
1. Energy Efficiency c. Roof top renting
a. Smart load reduction d. Full utilization of Biomass and solid waste to
b. Doing EE activities that have life cycle costs energy potential (diff technologies decentralised
lower than Average power purchase costs and centralised)
c. Building design and passive lighting 3. Agricultural energy use
d. Government Procurement (5 star) a. Final product subsidy only (output subsidy
e. Energy audit of govt buildings rather than input in long term)
2. Building Energy Efficiency (Commercial) b. 24 hours supply at cost of supply (encourage
a. New building construction diversification and increased employment in the
b. Insulation rural area)
c. Energy neutral buildings c. Ground water recharge
d. Day light lighting 4. Reduced pump size with EE pump sets (Head,
delivery)
5. Long term Planning 5 year planning
a. EE plan
b. Pro-sumption plans
Awareness & Community Participation:
1. Advocacy for Energy efficiency
a. Awareness programs through electronic and
print media
b. Marketing push with retailers (awards program
on EE appliances sold)
c. Procurement push
2. Advocacy for Renewable energy
a. Awareness programs
b. Procurement push

42
Environment and Disaster Management
Policy & Enforcement:
Issues 1. Waste management is a very important need,
1. Lack of awareness about the fact that the and cannot be addressed just by a government
trenches or walls built along the coast causes order. It has to be taken stage by stage through
erosion/ shifting and uneven sand accumulation. strategy and to work towards zero plastic and
The citizens only seem to be concerned zero pollution
about the safety and not the subsequent a. A mass cleaning program should be carried
environmental impact. out at a district level with inputs such as
2. No real necessity for a harbour in Puducherry transportation, safe disposal and stage by stage
3. Cuddalore : implementation with the help of officials and
a. Industrialization in Cuddalore : people participation etc
Lack of coordination and investment for the b. This will definitely require a government plan
identification of the irregular/illegal production and also role modeling wherein important
and limitations of an industry people such as politicians, officials,
b. The industries are exceeding their limit of sportspersons etc, can set examples of proper
production which has a hazardous impact on management and thus encourage the people to
the environment do the same
c. The pollution board is not stringent about these c. Key leaders should impart training as it is an
impacts important part of the strategy
4. Water Management d. Keep a task force to regulate safe disposal and
5. Marine Pollution segregation
6. Unchecked Mining e. Recycling waste need to be decentralized
7. Deforestation f. Polluters (people who pollute) have to be fined
8. Waste Management 2. There should be a framework between different
9. Farmers are facing water problems, a lot of Governmental Offices for an active nourishment
water from the river flows into the sea unutilized of the beaches for short term and then for long
10. Agriculturists are facing issues during lean and term
flood seasons 3. Coordination in between
a. Collectorate (District/State level)
Recommendations b. Police officials
c. NDMA manages the funding; but there needs to
Physical Interventions: sufficient linkages between the region to ensure
1. Local Body Leaders: Along with taking care of funding during post disaster
responsibilities like laying roads the leaders of d. Village level disaster management plan in pre
local bodies must look into these issues as well and post disaster
2. Industrial rehabilitation should be done in 4. Community based disaster management plan
Cuddalore. An authority to ensure the norms needs to be revised. This would include the
(especially for industries) are addressed participation of NGOs
3. Segregation of waste (dry/ waste) and effective
regional waste management strategies Awareness & Community Participation:
4. Create coordination centers within the region 1. Water Body: It is not enough just to pass a
and network with NGO’s and other social law to safeguard the water bodies, but the
groups who can actively take part during the real problems like encroachment and other
disaster problems should be identified through people
5. Specialized team, which is common for participation.
the region, should be available to tackle a. Creating a feeling of ownership for water body
environmental and disaster management issues among the people. The government must create
6. Mobile toilets to be provided post disaster awareness among the people
2. Create an establishment that encourages
community participation

43
3. Encourage coordination between the
committees in villages in Tamil Nadu and
Puducherry. A platform for the exchange of
information , and which allows communication
between the two states on the issue of disaster
management.
4. Continuous awareness program

44
Governance a. Collect data and document existing systems
and their origins and ethos and philosophy
Issues b. Using different media as communication tools
1. Top down approach is failing including audio, video, theatre, music and
2. Programs require capacity building and art to disseminate this knowledge and create
empowerment awareness
3. Implementation and monitoring are the major c. Understanding our constitution
hurdles of bottoms up planning 2. The regional plan along with the process of its
4. The voice of those who are vulnerable are not preparation needs to be sustainable
heard 3. Identify strategies to address governance
5. Fragmentation in the Panchayat Raj and 4. Empower people through knowledge and the
confusion between the traditional leadership process of decision making
versus the elected one
6. The boundaries of governance are truncated Policy & Enforcement:
by government schemes. They encourage the 1. Smaller to larger circles of consensus to be
formation of committees built along the way and it has to end in concrete
7. Different backgrounds and situations are plans and suggestions
not taken into account; plans are based on
standardized behaviour Awareness & Community Participation:
8. Non-involvement of government officials 1. Education with a bottom-up approach; using
schools as entry points for information and
Recommendations planning centres
2. People need to be a part of the decision
Physical Interventions: making and this should depend on continuous
1. There is a wealth of knowledge in our culture, involvement
traditions and past. We must solve the issues 3. Learn from the examples that work
at hand using the knowledge of the past, tools
of the present (modern technology) to build a
bright future for everyone

45
Issues specific to each district that could be addressed through the regional
planNING FRAMEWORK
The group discussions also highlighted some issues that were specific to each of the districts i.e.
Puducherry, Viluppuram, Auroville and Cuddalore. These have been summarized in the table here-
Puducherry Viluppuram Cuddalore

(including Auroville)
Transportation 1. Transit corridors NH45 Viluppuram- Tanjavur 1. Cuddalore - has poor
and railway line exist, but needs a multi-modal quality roads.
do not enter into Puduch- transport access 2. ECR rail link : Rail service
erry. between Pondicherry- Cud-
2. Tindivanam - Puduch- dalore needs to be devel-
erry corridor sees high oped.
density traffic that needs 3. Bhuvaneshwar-
to be addressed Kameshwaram trains do not
3. Lack of direct bus from stop at the Chidambaram
Panruti to Puducherry. station. It would be ben-
4. Number and frequency eficial for the region if the
of trains out of Puducherry train stops at the location to
are insufficient. increase access to places
5. Pondicherry - connec- like Chidambaram, which is
tion to bus stand and to a popular spiritual destina-
Tindivanam road is con- tion.
gested Entry into city from
outskirts is difficult
6. The present location
of the planned airport at
Lawspet can only serve
Pondicherry - Auroville.
7. ECR rail link : Rail serv-
ice between Pondicherry-
Cuddalore needs to be
developed.
Land Use 1. Sand mining activities

in Cuddalore is a serious
concern.
2. Heritage preservation at
the region level to expand
and enhance the existing
tourist circuit and connect it
to the places at the regional
level.

46
Water 1. In Viluppuram, usage Quality of the water, it has
of water is 650M cuM high EC, PH value, etc in
with a recharge of 250M Cuddalore.
cuM resulting in a deficit
of 400M cuM.
2. Misconception among
villages about Auroville’s
afforestation efforts
threatening them and
some even stopped
some recharge measures
being taken by Auroville.
Environment No real necessity for a 1. Industrialization in Cud-

harbour in Puducherry dalore : Lack of coordina-
and Disaster
tion and investment for the
Management identification of the irregu-
lar/illegal production and
limitations of an industry.
2. The industries are ex-
ceeding their limit of pro-
duction and limitation which
has a hazardous impact on
the environment.
3.The pollution board is
not stringent about these
impacts.
4. Industrial rehabilita-
tion should be done in
Cuddalore. An authority
to ensure the norms (es-
pecially for industries) are
addressed.

47
6.0 Public sector participation
Relevant public sector agencies were invited to the workshop and it was well attended by representatives
from the following public sector agencies:
Workshop I- Pondicherry
1 A.Subramanian Joint Director- hydrology dept.
2 T.Tamizhselvi P.W.D. (G.W. Division)Cuddalore
3 Sobana Santhosh CERD/ PSF
4 S.Manohar CE,PWD, Puducherry
5 R.Ravichandran AE, Water works, PHD, PWD
6 Venkatsubramanan Research Engineer, FiD
7 Bhuvaneswar.R Research Engineer, FiD
8 M.Muthukumaran JE, PWD, WRO, Chidambaram
9 V.Bhuvaneswaran TCPD, Puducherry
10 R.Saisubramani PWD- Irrigation Div.Pondy
11 R.Reghunadanan JE, PWD, WRO, Irrigation Section, Thindivanam
12 C.Ganeche E.Director, CEAD, Pondicherry
13 V.Radhakrishnan Hydrology Dept., Pondicherry
14 K.Sivasubramanian Hydrology Dept., Pondicherry
15 Dr.N.Ramesh DSTE, Pondicherry
16 Dr. V.R.Sumathi Scientist, DSTE, Puducherry
17 R.P.Pal Secratery (P.W.D) PHC
18 N.Manthi S.E. (P.W.D)
19 P.Ranganathan Asst. Director, Villupuram
20 S.Dhanarasu Asst. Director, Member secratery, Cuddalore
21 Venkatraman Hydrology Dept.
Workshop II- Pondicherry

1 J. Antony Vivekanand Electricity Dept. Pondicherry
2 S. Mohan radja Electricity Dept. Pondicherry
3 M.Kandaswamy Dept. of Disaster Management
4 M.Ramesh Electrical Dept.
5 P.Ranganathan Asst. Director, DTP, Villupuram
6 A.Elango Puducherry Planning Authority
7 P.Mathew Samvel GOP
8 MPN Rao CII
9 S. Ragunathan CTP, Town & Country Planning Dept.
10 M.Kandar selvam STP, TCPO, Pondicherry
11 V.Vidjea Nehru JTP, TCPO, Pondicherry
12 G.Loganathan D.T.C.P Villupuram
Workshop III- Cuddalore

1 S. Dhanarasu Cuddalore Local Planning Authority
2 V. Shunmugasundaram Additional Director- Town and country planning
3 P. Ranganathan Additional Director- Town and country planning
4 C.D. Appavu Consumer Guild of Tamil Nadu. CDM
5 G. Loganathan Town planning , Villupuram

48
6 L. Baskaran J.E. Port Office, Cuddalore
7 N. Abiramasundori Typist, Tourism Dept. Chidambaram
8 S. P. Subramanian Tourist Office Thiruvannamalai
9 A. Sellakkannu AEE/ TWAD/ Cuddalore
10 P.Seshadrt Asst. Div. Engineer- Railways - Mailaduthurai
11 R. Asokan Deputy Director, Agri- Cuddalore
12 S. Boovaraghan Agriculture Officer- Cuddalore
13 Jayakumar. P Agriculture Officer- Cuddalore
14 N. Rajamohan P.A. To Collector Cuddalore
15 C. Vijayakumar Municipal Commissioner- cuddalore
16 D. Thamarai selvan Asst. Div. Engineer- Highways- Cuddalore
17 R. Sivasakthivel Asst. Div. Engineer- National Highways, Chidambaram
18 M. Muruganandam Asst. Div. Engineer- National Highways, Chidambaram
19 M.Kalaiyarasu Ground Water- Neyveli
20 T. Thamizhselvi Ground Water- Cuddalore
21 M.Jayachandran P.A(G) Collector office
22 C. Rajendran. D.R.O Revenue Dept.- Cuddalore
23 M. Jeyasankaran R.T.O- Cuddalore
24 P.Antonisamy AEE/ TWAD/ Cuddalore
25 R.Geetha AE/PWD/Cuddalore
26 J.Sreela sri jeeva AE/PWD/Plan formulation/ Cuddalore
27 N.Kanagavalli AE/PWD/Plan formulation/ Cuddalore
28 C. Amudha AE/PWD/Plan formulation/ Cuddalore
29 S. Ramamoorthy AEE/PWD/WRO/ Coleron Basin Sub Div. Chidambaram
30 S. Saravanan ADFO. Fire & Rescue- Cuddalore
31 Thanapatai.M PC To Sub Collector
32 K.Jayaramaraja Asst. Director of Town Panjayath- Cuddalore
33 S. G. Pathmavathi P.O. Villupuram
34 K.Selvarasu APO(DRDA), Villupuram
35 V.Balamurugan TNSF, Villupuram
36 D. Desing Guvi Bus Owner Association, cuddalore
Workshop IV- Auroville

1 P.Ranganathan Asst. Director, DTCP, Villuppuram
2 S.Dhanarasu Member secratery Cuddalore
3 M.Venkatesan B.D.O Vanur
4 M.Chandrasekaran Dy. B.D.O. Vanur
5 P.Kannan B.D.O (B.P) Vanur
6 D.Sivaprakasam Puduvazhvu Project, Villuppuram
7 S.Ashokan Puduvazhvu Project, Villuppuram
8 P.Gunasekar Puduvazhvu Project, Villuppuram
9 S.Ramanathan SIPCOT Area community environment m,onitring
10 Ramasubramanian IRD
11 K.Kalianasundaram WAT

49
7.0 Media Outreach
Media persons from both print and television were invited to cover all the workshops which resulted in the
media highlighting some of the key issues that were discussed during the workshop. Shown here are a few
scanned images of press clippings-

50
51
52
53
55
8.0 Field Visits
Field visits were conducted across the region to understand the current scenario at the local level and to
interact with citizens to identify their needs and issues. Another objective of the field visits was to create
awareness about the importance of regional planning.
During the field visits several stakeholders (over 80) were interviewed in the areas of Viluppuram, Panruti,
Tindivanam, Cuddalore, and Puducherry. These stakeholders included a wide spectrum of the civil society
including: doctors, plumbers, barbers, potters, housewives, daily wage women labourers, real estate agents,
bus commuters, small scale industries owner (stitching units), auto drivers, tourists, traffic policeman,
employees from the industries, government officials and local NGOs. Any individual who expressed interest
to participate were included in the process.
The citizens were asked basic questions pertaining to the major trends, issues and problems observed
in their respective area. Another objective was to identify the links (like physical, cultural, social) between
Puducherry and the surrounding region of Tamil Nadu. Transit connections within the region and the issues
pertaining to that were also explored during the interviews.

56
2.0 Objectives
• To analyze the area and observe the current land use patterns
• Study the transit corridors and identify the key problems
• Interact with the local community
• To inform and create awareness about the Regional Planning process
• To identify their understanding of the strengths and opportunities for their respective regions
• To understand their vision for the future
• To understand the connection and interdependency between Puducherry and the surrounding
Tamil Nadu regions
3.0 Issues and Opportunities

The following were the issues and opportunities identified in the region.
Area Issues Opportunities/ Assets
Puducherry 1. Inadequate agricultural facilities 1. After almost a decade, there is now

2. Shift from agriculture to other access to electricity
activities 2. Good road networks which offers
3. In Thiruvandar Koil there was a hike connectivity to adjoining cities/ towns
in land prices (increase from 25K to (via buses)
4.7 million for 1000 sft in the last 4-5 3. Rapid residential development
years) 4. Wide roadways
4. Lack of proper educational facilities 5. Close proximity to medical college
5. Frequent travel to Puducherry for 6. Job opportunities due to the close
recreational, medical or educational proximity to industries like Whirlpool,
facilities Suzlon, Parry, etc. (job opportunities)
Viluppuram 1. No hospital facilities 1. Urbanization; brings in development
2. Frequent travel to Puducherry for 2. Access to medical and educational
recreational, medical, educational facilities through Puducherry
facilities or for ration cards
3. No local bus facilities
4. Poor frequency of inter city/ town
buses or interstate buses
5. Traffic
6. Air and water pollution
7. High road accident deaths

57
Tindivanam 1. Inadequate Water Supply, about 1. Potential to further develop

60% have access to water and this is Tindivanam as a transit hub due to the
supplied form Rettanai, Kandarkottai high inflow of commuters.
2. Water bodies are encroached for 2. Nodal point in terms of road network
development 3. Government initiated a Water Project
3. No designated bus station, causing (Lata Scheme) to bring in potable
traffic jams and congestion water from Kolidam River
4. No local public transportation 4. Famous for its flower market
5. High inflow of out-of-town buses 5. Employment opportunities through the
6. Not many job opportunities. The quarry mines
commercial development is centered 6. Good quality basic education
around the needs of the transit hub
7. Educated people migrate to other
towns/cities for better jobs
8. Tourism is under developed
9. Low quality medical facilities , travel
to Chennai or maybe Pondicherry
for medical facilities

58
Bahour Lake Poor maintenance Opportunity to develop the lake as a

recreational area for tourism
Panruti 1. Low frequency of buses to travel to 1. Proposed road development (State
nearby towns and citiesInadequate Highway)
access to water 2. In comparison to the last 5 years,
2. Frequent power outages more frequency of buses.
3. Narrow roads
4. Buildings constructed uptil the road
edge along the state highway
5. Fast moving buses/ other vehicles
along the highways

59
Cuddalore Cuddalore Town Cuddalore Town

1. Traffic and congestion 1. Close proximity to Chennai
2. No local public transportation 2. NT (New Town) is preferred over
3. Expensive autoricksaw fares OT (Old Town)for newer residential
4. Inadequate bus station facility development
5. More private vehicle usage for 3. Good hospitals and educational
commute institutions
6. Old Town: Not a preferable locality 4. Ample recreational facilities: Temples,
for living beach, shopping areas, restaurants,
7. The physical gap between the Old etc.
Town and New Town is rapidly 5. Railway station and bus station
developing and filling up located next to each other
8. Frequent travel to Pondicherry for
higher education and better job
facilities
Cuddalore SIPCOT Area Cuddalore SIPCOT Area
1. Air and water pollution due to the 1. Employment generation due to the
industrial waste dumped into the industries
surrounding environment
2. Health issues like skin diseases,
cancer, asthma, due to the untreated
toxic dump in the local water bodies
3. Local people buy potable water for
their daily use
Cuddalore Port Cuddalore Port
1. There are no policies for port 1. Cuddalore has a natural Port
development although it has the 2. It exports neat cargo (timber, potatoes,
potential to create more employment sugar)
opportunities 3. Employment generattion through
2. Port employees reduced from 150 to private port development
15 due to low port activity
3. Private port developments are ‘dirty
ports’ due to the export/ import of
oil, and other substances, that cause
air and water pollution.

60
61
9.0 Surveys
As part of the the preparation of the sustainable regional planning framework for Puducherry, Viluppuram,
Auroville and Cuddalore several community surveys were conducted. A total of 2,500 stakeholders were
interviewed during these surveys. Three of the surveys were based on the Water, Energy and Transportation
themes of the regional planning framework. Additionally, a Vision Survey was conducted to identify the
community’s vision for the future. The objective of these surveys was to gain insight into the community
issues and concerns. The data collected from the various regions of Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu, was used
by the core team in formulating a first draft on the various themes.
The field team comprised of students from the Pondicherry University. They conducted field visits and
surveys at the community level. They were initially trained for a period of three weeks before commencing
the work . Various experts assisted the core team with the design and implementation of the questionnaire
and the surveys. Although the findings of the survey are limited, they provide significant insight into the
community perceptions and pave way for future research to explore the issues in depth and continue with
an ongoing community involvement process beyond the scope of this phase.

62
Energy Survey
Objectives
The objective of this exercise is to carry out a consumer and vendor (of electrical appliance) survey in the
region to:
• Assess energy usage pattern in relation to domestic electrical appliances, cooking and mobility
• Create awareness among the respondents about energy efficiency and challenges with energy production
and consumption
• Seek out likely future behaviour in various scenarios with cost and availability of energy.
• And through this
• Discover trends in behaviour relating to energy consuming products and energy consumption
• Contribute to a sustainable energy policy framework
A total of 278 consumers and 23 vendors have been surveyed in the bio-region for this exercise. The survey
questionnaire contained 169 questions related to energy consumption behaviour and covered the following
key areas. They were further subdivided into the following aspects:
Electricity
The survey contained questions related to all major electrical appliances and their usage related behaviour.
It included; bulbs, lights, fans, TV, fridge, musical systems, ACs, computers and backup systems.
Cooking
Questions pertaining to different fuels and appliances used for cooking have been included.
Transportation
Various modes of transport such as public transport, walking, cycles, two wheelers and four wheelers have
been covered in the survey questions.
Area Covered
Auroville:
Edayanchavady , Irumbai, Kuilapalayam, Royappettai,
Cuddalore:
Alpattai, Kodikat, Koothapakkam, Malumiyarpettai, Manjakuppam, Nellikuppam, Ottari, Patchayankuppam,
Pillalithotti, Thakkai, Thirumanaikuzhi, Thirupathiripuliyur, Thiruvanthipuram, Vanpakkam, Visnavanam,
Pondicherry:
Alangkuppam, Aranganur, Bahour, Boomiyanpet, Irulansanthai, Kalitheerthal Kuppam, Karasur, Kariyamanikam,
Kathirkamam, Kottakarai, Kudiyirupupalayam, Kurummapet, Kuruvinatham, Madukarai, Mettupalayam,
Moolakulam, Nettapakkam, Oulgaret, Pandasozhanallur, Parikalpattu, Periyamudaliyarchavady,
Reddiyarpalayam, Sanjeevi Nagar, Sanyasikuppam, Sedarapet, Selliyamedu, Silukaripalayam,Thirubuvanai,
Thodamanatham, Thuthipet, Uruvaiyar, Villianur.
Villupuram:
Andiyarpalayam, Edapalayam, Kattrampakkam, Maharajapuram, Mundiyampakkam, Nainarpalayam,
Panayapuram, Pannapattu, Ranganadhapuram, Sathiyampuliyur, Sendhanatham, Vanur, Villupuram,
Vinayagapuram

63
Questionnaire
Categor Sub Question Choices Comments Men/Households 1 2

y Categor
y
G G Name What is the standard for such Both
questions in other areas?
G G Address Both
G G Place type Home, Work Both
G G Sub region Pondicherry, Villupuram, Cuddalore and Both
Auroville
G G Contact No Both
G G No of adults in the house 1-2,3-4,5-7,>7 Both
G G No of children in the house 1-2,3-4,>4 Both
G G No of rooms in the house 1,2,3,4,5,>5 (including kitchen and living Both
room)
G G Employment /of head of the house hold business, farming, employed, daily Both
wages, unemployed, retired
G G Income group high, low, medium is there any precedent on this? Both
get census information on
income categories
Appliance Current What is your electricty bill per month? <50,50-100,100-300,300-500,>500 Take a picture, see the bill Both
Appliance Current Which electricity tariff is applicable? domestic (1p), domestic (3p), Both
commercial (1p), commercial (3p),
industrial, agricultural
Appliance Current For which types of appliances do you use stabilizers? N/A, Air Conditioner, Fridge, TV, Music Both
System
Appliance Current For which types of appliances do you use inverter with battery N/A, Light, Fan, TV, Music System, Both
back-up? Computer
Appliance Current Do you have a back-up generator N/A, Yes Both
Appliance Current What type of lamps do you use for lighting? N/A, Incandescent, Tubelight, Both
Tubelight+CFL, CFL, LED
Appliance Current Why do use use that for lighting? Open ended Both
Appliance Current What do you do with used defective tube lights or CFLs? Bin, Open ended, Don't know Both
Appliance Current Do you use electric lighting during the day time? N/A, Yes Both
Appliance Current Why do you use electric lighting during the day time? Open ended Both
Appliance Current How many fans do you use? N/A, 1-2,3-4,>4 How many fans are on at any Both
given time?
Appliance Current For how many hours do you use the fan per day? N/A, <8,9-12,13-16,17-20,21-24 Both
Appliance Current What is the capacity of the refrigerator (in litres)? N/A, <100,100-200,>200 Both
Appliance Current How many stars is the refrigerator? N/A, 1,2,3,4,5 Explain the stars Both
Appliance Current What type of TV do you have? N/A, CRT, Plasma, LCD, LED Both
Appliance Current What size of TV do you have? N/A, <20", 20-32",>32" Both
Appliance Current What is the capacity of the water pump? N/A, 0.25hp, 0.5hp, 1hp,2hp,>2hp Both
Appliance Current Do you have an electric water heater? N/A, 3 ltr, 4-10 ltr, 10-15 ltr, 16-25 ltr, Both
>25 ltr
Appliance Current When do you use an electric water heater? N/A, 6-8AM,8-10AM,4-6PM,6-8PM,8- Both
10PM
Appliance Current Do you have a washing machine? N/A, Yes Both
Appliance Current Do you use an electric iron for your clothes? N/A, Yes Both
Appliance Current How many Air Conditioners do you have? N/A, 1,2,3,>3 Both
Appliance Current What type of Air Conditioners do you have? N/A, Window-type, Split-type Both
Appliance Current How many stars are the Air Conditioners? N/A, 1,2,3,4,5 Explain the stars Both
Appliance Current How many hours of use of AC per day? N/A, <8,9-12,13-16,>16 Both
Appliance Current How many months in the year do you use the ACs ? N/A, <3mths,3-6mths,>6mths Both
Appliance Current At what temperature do you set the AC thermostat? N/A, 18,19-22,23-26,27-30,>30 Both
Appliance Current Do you use a micro-wave oven? N/A, Yes Both
Appliance Future If the price of electricity went up by 50%, how will your no change, use less AC, switch to CFL, Both
behaviour change? look for energy efficient fans, look for
energy efficient TV, look for energy
efficient fridge,
Appliance Future If you were to buy a new lighting device, which one would you Incandescent, CFL, tube-light, LED Both
purchase?
Cooking Current What fuel do you use for cooking? Wood/Biomass, Pellets, Kerosene, LPG, Both
Electricity, Solar
Cooking Current How much do you spend on fuel per month? 100-200, 200-300,300-500,>500 Both
Cooking Current On what basis do you choose your cooking fuel? convenience, availability, cost, cooking do not prompt Both
time
Cooking Current What are the barriers to using a solar cooker? awareness, availabilty, convenience, Both
sustainable regional planning framework dietary habits, Cooking time
64
Cooking Current If you are using wood or biomass, do you use an efficient and N/A, Yes
smokeless cook stove?
Both
Cooking Future What will you do if LPG price is doubled? Use biomass, pellets, solar cooker, Both
electrical stove
Mobility Current Do you use public transport? N/A, Yes Both
Appliance Current How many stars are the Air Conditioners? N/A, 1,2,3,4,5 Explain the stars Both
Appliance Current How many hours of use of AC per day? N/A, <8,9-12,13-16,>16 Both
Appliance Current How many months in the year do you use the ACs ? N/A, <3mths,3-6mths,>6mths Both
Appliance Current At what temperature do you set the AC thermostat? N/A, 18,19-22,23-26,27-30,>30 Both
Questionnaire
Do you use a micro-wave oven?
Appliance Current N/A, Yes Both
Appliance Future If the price of electricity went up by 50%, how will your no change, use less AC, switch to CFL, Both
behaviour change? look for energy efficient fans, look for
energy efficient TV, look for energy
efficient fridge,
Appliance Future If you were to buy a new lighting device, which one would you Incandescent, CFL, tube-light, LED Both
purchase?
Cooking Current What fuel do you use for cooking? Wood/Biomass, Pellets, Kerosene, LPG, Both
Electricity, Solar
Cooking Current How much do you spend on fuel per month? 100-200, 200-300,300-500,>500 Both
Cooking Current On what basis do you choose your cooking fuel? convenience, availability, cost, cooking do not prompt Both
time
Cooking Current What are the barriers to using a solar cooker? awareness, availabilty, convenience, Both
dietary habits, Cooking time
Cooking Current If you are using wood or biomass, do you use an efficient and N/A, Yes Both
smokeless cook stove?
Cooking Future What will you do if LPG price is doubled? Use biomass, pellets, solar cooker, Both
electrical stove
Mobility Current Do you use public transport? N/A, Yes Both
Mobility Current How often do you use it? N/A, daily, more than once a week, Both
weekly, other
Mobility Current What do you use it for? N/A, work, shopping, school, all Both
purposes
Mobility Current Key barriers to using public transport N/A, availability, frequency, timing, cost, Both
safety
Mobility Current How do you commute to work? N/A, Walk, cycle, auto, autoshare, Both
tempo, bus, train, electric scooter,
moped, motorcycle, electric car, car
Mobility Current How long does it take to get to work? N/A, <15,16-30,31-60,>60 Work
Mobility Current How far is the work place from your home? N/A, <5,6-10,11-20,21-30,31-40,>40 Work
Mobility Current If you travel by public transport, how do you get to the bus N/A, Walk, cycle, auto moped, Work
stand / train station? motorcycle, car
Mobility Current Do you own a cycle? N/A, Yes Both
Mobility Current How often do you use cycle? N/A, daily, more than once a week, Both
weekly, other
Mobility Current What do you use cycle for? N/A, work, shopping, school, all Both
purposes
Mobility Current Do you own a motorcycle or moped? N/A, Yes Both
Mobility Current What do you use motorcycle for? N/A, work, shopping, school, all Both
purposes
Mobility Current What is your monthly motor cycle fuel bill? N/A, 100-200, 200-300,300-500,500- Both
1000,>1000
Mobility Current Do you own a car? N/A, Yes Both
Mobility Current What do you use car for? N/A, work, shopping, school, all Both
purposes
Mobility Current How often do you use the car? N/A, daily, more than once a week, Both
weekly, other
Mobility Current If you own a car, what is it? N/A, small, big, SUV, MUV Both
Mobility Current What is your monthly car fuel bill? <500, 500-1000, 1000-2000,2000- Both
5000,>5000
Mobility Current Do you own a electric scooter? N/A, Yes Both
Mobility Current How often do you use electric scooter? N/A, daily, more than once a week, Both
weekly, other
Mobility Current What do you use electric scooter for? N/A, work, shopping, school, all Both
purposes

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Questionnaire
Categor Sub Question Choices Comments Men/Households 1 2

y Categor
y
Mobility Future What will you do if the cost of fuel doubles in the near future? walk more, cylce more, switch to smaller Both
vehicle,
look for a fuel efficient vehicle,
switch to public transport,
move closer to work,
share the ride,
G Awareness What do you think of when using an appliance, cooking or cost of purchase, cost of operation, Both
driving? speed, convenience, pollution, power
consumption
G Awareness What do you think of when buying an appliance, cooking or cost of operation, speed, convenience, Both
driving? pollution,
Appliance Awareness Do you know the source of energy for the electricity you use? Solar, thermal plant, nuclear, wind, Both
JNNSM schem
Appliance Awareness Is India self-sufficient in energy? N/A, Yes, Open ended Both
Appliance Awareness Is there a limit to the sources of electricity and oil? N/A, Yes, Open ended Both
Appliance Awareness Do you have any idea why we have power cuts? N/A, Yes, Open ended Both
Appliance Awareness What happens to the emissions from power plants and N/A, Yes, Open ended Both
vehicles?
Appliance Awareness Did you know that appliances consume power in stand-by or N/A, Yes, Open ended explain meaning of stand-by Both
sleep mode?
Appliance Awareness Did you know that setting computers, monitors, and copiers to N/A, Yes, Open ended explain meaning of stand-by Both
sleep-mode when not in use helps cut energy costs by half?
Appliance Awareness Did you know that there are energy efficient lamps, fans, N/A, Yes, Open ended Both
refrigerators and air conditioners available in the market?
Appliance Awareness Some appliances in the market have 1 to 5 energy stars. Do N/A, Yes, Open ended Both
you know the significance of these energy stars?
Appliance Awareness Do you check the number of energy stars when buying an N/A, Yes, Open ended Both
appliance?
Appliance Awareness Did you know that a 5-star fan consumes 25-40% less N/A, Yes, Open ended Both
electricity than a normal fan?
Appliance Awareness Did you know that CFLs can save upto 75% electricity and N/A, Yes, Open ended Both
last 5-10 times longer than incandescent lamps?
Appliance Awareness Do you know that though the CFL costs 10 times more than N/A, Yes, Open ended Both
an incandescent lamp, the money can be recovered in 8 to 12
months?
Appliance Awareness Do you know that power LED lights are becoming more N/A, Yes, Open ended Both
energy efficient than CFL and they also last longer?
Appliance Awareness Did you know that LED TVs are most energy efficient? N/A, Yes, Open ended Both
Appliance Awareness Did you know that microwaves save energy by as much as N/A, Yes, Open ended Both
50% by reducing the cooking time?
Appliance Awareness Did you know an air conditioner consumes as much electricity N/A, Yes, Open ended Both
as 15 to 25 fans?
Appliance Awareness Did you know that a 5-star air conditioner consumes at least N/A, Yes, Open ended Both
30% less electricity than a 1-star air conditioner?
Appliance Awareness Did you know that you can reduce a further 10% of electricity N/A, Yes, Open ended Both
by setting the AC to 25C instead of 22C?
Appliance Awareness Did you know that you can save further by keeping the AC N/A, Yes, Open ended Both
filters clean and by maintaining the AC unit?
Cooking Awareness Did you know that India imports LPG and that its price will rise N/A, Yes Both
in future?
x x x x x x x x

66
Questionnaire
MARKET SURVEY (ENERGY)
NAME: NAME OF THE SURVEYOR:
AGE: DATE:
ADDESS: LOCATION:
CONTACT NO:
1 Are you a Retailer or a wholesaler?
Retailer
Wholesaler if yes then
2 Do you purchase the goods directly from Manufactures or from wholesallers?
Address: Wholeseller/Manufacturer
3 How many years are you in this Profession?
More than 2 years
More than 5 years
More than 10 years
4 Which kind of electrical products have more demand ?
Lighting Cooling Home Appliance Others (Remarks)
Tube light Celing Fan Refrigerators
Bulbs Table Fan Colour TV.
Halogens ACs Electric Induction
Cooler Heater
5 Are you aware of energy star rated products and it's benefits?
6 Are the consumers aware of energy star rated products and it's benefits?
7 If Yes then what are the most common energy star rated product that users prefer?
8 What is the Units Consumption for these products?
Items Units Consumption Items Units Consumption
Acs Ceiling fans
Tube lights LPG stoves
Frest Free Refrigerators Agricultural pump sets
Colour TV Induction motors
Direct coll Refrigerators Distribution Transformers
Washing machine Geysers
9 What are the factors that motivate you to sell the products?
Brand Sales Margins Any Other
Quality Consumer Demands
Design
10 What are the factors that influence users to buy products? (Non Rating Products)
Brand Valur for Money
Quality Discount
Price
11 Is there any link between star rating of the product and it's price?
12 Is there any link between star rating of the product and it's brand?

67
Electricity - Vendor Survey:
1. General
• In terms of ownership more than half (60%) run an independent shop whereas others own a franchise-
dealership
• Most (85%) retail outlets are small in size with 35% having less than 5 employees and another 50%
with less than 10 employees
• Around half (48%) the shops use tube-lights in their shop and another 35% use CFL lights. None of
them use incandescent lights in their shops
• More than two thirds (70%) of the shops are air-conditioned and half of them have an AC load of more
than 6 tonnes.
• More than half the shops interviewed (56%) experience power cuts of more than 4 hours a day. All
shops in the Villupuram and Cuddalore area experience some daily power cuts. Pondicherry shops
experience power cuts few times a week
• Of the total shops surveyed, 60% pay between Rs. 2000-10,000 per month and 26% pay over Rs.
10,000, out of which only one vendor is located in Pondicherry.
• More than 90% of the shops interviewed offer TV, fridge and washing machine. Interestingly, 65% of
the shops now offer ACs
• Samsung and LG (90% of the shops) are top most in the list of companies represented, followed by
Onida, Phillips, Siemens and Sony. Godrej is the least represented company
2. Product
• The production selection of the vendors is largely based on the cost and quality of the product and
the profit it generates. The vendors (only 1 looks at energy) do not seem to be concerned about the
energy consumption of the products sold. Warranty is considered by 40% of the shops while selecting
a product to sell
3. Market
• All shops are targeting middle income segment, however, around 48%, target low income group and
26% target the rural segment
4. Energy Related
• All shops interviewed claim that they are aware of the energy consumption of products and related
energy star rating system. They also claim they train their staff on energy consumption and energy
rating system. However, this does not hold true from the results of user survey and personal
interactions with shopkeepers on the market.
• 91% of the vendors use the energy consumption or ratings in their sales pitch. However, this doesn't
seem to be a preference for customers for selecting a product
• More than 40% (43%) of the shops claim that less than 10% of their customers enquire about the
energy efficiency of the products sold. Only 2 vendors claim that a majority of their customers are
aware and enquire about the energy efficiency of the products sold.
• All shopkeepers use energy efficient products at home.
Electricity - Current behaviour:

1. Electricity bills
• Of the respondents surveyed, it seems the spending on electricity is directly related to annual
household income . A typical low income electricity bill is around Rs 50-100, middle income is Rs 100-
300 and high income is Rs 300-500.
• This simply means that the kWh consumption is higher in Pondicherry area

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2. Voltage stabilisation and Back up systems
• Voltage stabilisers are being used only for fridges and 50% of the households in the survey are using it.
• Inverters with batteries for backup have not spread in the region with only 5% of houses reported to
having one. Its main application is for powering lights and fans. Around 4 households reported to have
been using an inverter system to provide backup for computers.
• At present, less than 2% houses from the sample have a back-up generator
3. Lighting and Fans

• Incandescent lamps are still being used in the region particularly in low (24%) and middle income
(10%) segments. Tube lights still dominate the lighting market with 43% households surveyed using
it. CFLs are being used only at 17% of all households. They have not taken off in terms of penetration
despite being the most energy efficient and financially viable. Moreover, there is lack or awareness and
infrastructure on how to dispose off used CFL bulbs.
• The chief characteristics that respondents look for in choosing a lighting device is brightness. Power
consumption is the second most important factor followed by cost as the third most mentioned factor.
However, it does not reflect in people's choices. This could be due to lack of awareness.
• It has emerged that 40% of the respondents use electric lighting during day time. It is likely that the
design of houses and habits that do not support sensible use of sunlight could be key factors.
• Similarly 47% of respondents use fans for 9 to 12 hours a day. It is likely that poor house design plays
a role in fan usage too
• Incandescent lamps are still being used in the region particularly in low (24%) and middle income
(10%) segments. Tube lights still dominate the lighting market with 43% households surveyed using
it. CFLs are being used only at 17% of all households. They have not taken off in terms of penetration
despite being the most energy efficient and financially viable. Moreover, there is lack or awareness and
infrastructure on how to dispose off used CFL bulbs.
• The chief characteristics that respondents look for in choosing a lighting device is brightness. Power
consumption is the second most important factor followed by cost as the third most mentioned factor.
However, it does not reflect in people's choices. This could be due to lack of awareness.
• It has emerged that 40% of the respondents use electric lighting during day time. It is likely that the
design of houses and habits that do not support sensible use of sunlight could be key factors.
• Similarly 47% of respondents use fans for 9 to 12 hours a day. It is likely that poor house design plays
a role in fan usage too
4. Fridge, TV and Water Pump

• Around two thirds of households have a fridge and most (75%) of the fridges are of 100-200 ltrs.
However, more than two thirds of the fridges where Energy Stars are known (54 out of 77) have 3 stars
or less. Only 1 household of surveyed houses had a 5 star energy rating fridge.
• 80% of the households surveyed are still using CRT TVs. The survey did not cover the year of
purchase. One could assume that most of TVs were bought before energy efficient TVs become widely
available and financially viable.
• Most households (80%) do not use a water pump and most of them who own a water pump have 1 hp
capacity
• Around two thirds of households have a fridge and most (75%) of the fridges are of 100-200 ltrs.
However, more than two thirds of the fridges where Energy Stars are known (54 out of 77) have 3 stars
or less. Only 1 household of surveyed houses had a 5 star energy rating fridge.
• 80% of the households surveyed are still using CRT TVs. The survey did not cover the year of
purchase. One could assume that most of TVs were bought before energy efficient TVs become widely
available and financially viable.
• Most households (80%) do not use a water pump and most of them who own a water pump have 1 hp
capacity

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5. Water Heater, Washing Machine and Electric Water Heater
• A mere 10% of households have an Electric Water Heater and most of them (84%) use hot water
between 6 to 8 AM. However, none of the households surveyed have a Solar Water Heater.
• Most households (80%) do not have a washing machine. However, 75% of high income households
own one.
• Irons are popular across all income groups and penetration is high (59%) even in low income houses
6. AC and Microwave
• At present 14% of households surveyed already own an AC. There 1 AC per house in all the cases
(except 1). However, 68% of high income households own an AC. Only 5 (15%) houses with ACs have
more than 3 star energy efficiency rating. And nearly half the AC users keep the temperature setting of
their AC between 19 and 22 degrees.
• Most households surveyed do not use a micro-wave oven
Trends:
• A significant number of respondents surveyed (45%) claim that their behaviour will not change if the
price of Electricity went up. The figure rises to 70% in high income segment.
• The survey suggests that 8% of the users will continue to buy an incandescent lamp in future. Around
40% would buy a tube light. Their future behaviour relating to CFL is unclear. The response to question
45 suggests more than 50% will chose a CFL in future. However, the response to question 44c seems
to indicate only a small number 7% will switch to CFL if electricity prices went up.
• Only 20% of the fan users will look for energy efficient fans if electricity prices went up. And 13% of the
users will look for energy efficient fridge if electricity prices went up
• Less than 10% will look for energy efficient TV if electricity prices went up
• However, 25% of AC users may use it less if electricity prices go up
Key finding:
• Electricity consumption and bills is dependent on income groups
• Average Pondicherry household consume more kWhs
• 45% people across different income groups do not foresee any reduction in their consumption if there
electricity prices went up
• Incandescent lamps are still being used. Uptake for CFL is not significant despite obvious advantages.
No awareness and provision for disposing used CFL exists in the region.
• Poor house design results in more light and fan usage in homes
• The major domestic load at present includes lights, fans, fridge and TV. This will change as more
products are being offered in the market and the affordability improves with rise in per capita income.
• Similarly, only 5% respondents currently have an inverter backup system. This will grow with rise in per
capita income and power outages
• Electricity consumption and bills is dependent on income groups
• Average Pondicherry household consume more kWhs
• 45% people across different income groups do not foresee any reduction in their consumption if there
electricity prices went up
• Poor house design results in more light and fan usage in homes
• The major domestic load at present includes lights, fans, fridge and TV. This will change as more
products are being offered in the market and the affordability improves with rise in per capita income.

70
Cooking - Current behaviour:
Current Behaviour
• An overwhelming majority of households (78%) surveyed use LPG for cooking. Only 1 respondent from
a sample of 278 is using electricity for cooking. Within the low income segment 48% households use
biomass for cooking. And only one third of them are currently using smokeless stoves
• Most households (75%) spend between Rs. 300 and 500 per month on cooking fuel. However, 43% of
low income segment spend less than Rs. 200 a month.
• There is no significant difference in selection criteria for cooking fuel across income groups. The
significant factors in selecting a cooking fuel are convenience (40%) and shorter cooking time (37%).
However, availability and cost of fuel do not seem to matter much in selection of cooking fuel.
• When asked about the solar cooker, a significant 83% of households felt that lack of awareness
about the solar cooker was the key barrier in its adoption. Availability, convenience, dietary habits and
cooking time were not cited as barriers for its adoption. This is partly due to lack of understand of the
functioning of solar cooker.

Trends:
• If the LPG prices double, 30% of the households surveyed would switch to electric whereas 65%
would switch to Biomass. Most low income households intend to switch to Biomass
• Key finding
• Most households use LPG for cooking. Most of them will switch to biomass if the price of LPG
doubled. One third of them will switch to electric cooking.
• LPG user are spending around Rs 300 to 500 per month on cooking fuel where as biomass user tend
to spend less than Rs 200
• Only one third of biomass users are using smokeless stoves for cooking
• Convenience and cooking time matter in cooking fuel selection and not cost and fuel and fuel
availability
• Lack of awareness seems to be the key factor in poor adoption of solar cookers.
Transportation - Current behaviour:

1. Public Transport
• Public transport is being used by 70% of the respondents out of which 34% of them use it daily. The
usage is slightly higher among low income users. However, only 10 % use it to commute to work.
Most people (63%) walk to catch public transport whereas 13% take a motorcycle to get to the public
transport station.
• Availability, frequency and timings do not seem to be strong barriers in usage of public transport.
However, cost (28%) and safety (19%) did figure as barriers to usage of public transport. The cost
factor could have emerged as significant partly due to recent hike in fuel prices
• Commuting to work:
• More than 60% of respondents use a motorcycle to go to work.
• Within low income segment one fourth walk and another one fourth cycle to work. This could be partly
driven by distance to work. Bus (17%) is also a significant mode of transport for work within low
income segment. However, more than a quarter within low income segment now use a motorcycle to
go to work
• More than 50% live within 5 kilometres of work and another 26% stay within 10 kilometres. The
distance for work is similar for low and middle income groups whilst higher income earners travel a
little further for work. Walking, cycling and bus to work contribute for around 10% each. However,
walking and cycling to work is not prevalent among middle and high income groups. This could be
partly driven by distance to work.

71
2. Cycle
• The cycle is used daily if the household owns one. More than 75% of houses who own a cycle use it
daily. However, more than 37% households do not own a cycle.
3. Motorcycle/Moped
• Motorcycle/moped is the most common mode of transport in the region. 75% of the respondent
households own a motorcycle or a moped. More than 65% motorcycle users across all income groups
use more than Rs 1,000 on fuel.

4. Car
• Car ownership is not pervasive in the region yet. Only 13% of the households surveyed own a car.
However, 62% of high income households own a car.
• Only one third of the car owners use it daily whereas more than 44% use it less than once a week.
Yet, half of the car owners spend Rs 2000-5000 per month on fuel and around one third of car owners
spend more than Rs 5,000 per month on fuel.
5. Electric Scooter
• No respondent owns an electric scooter
Trends:
• If the fuel cost doubles a staggering 45% people will look for fuel efficient vehicles and 27% people will
switch to public transport. Some will walk more (10%) and cycle more. However, not many will switch
to smaller vehicles (3%), or move closer to work or share a ride if the fuel cost doubles.
Key finding:
• Most people use public transport but not daily. It is not popular with commuting to work. Cost and
safety are key barriers in its usage.
• Low income segment walk and cycle more to work than high income segment.
• Most people 60% use motorcycle to commute to work. Low income is beginning to use it to commute
to work too with more than 25% penetration.
• The roads and parking spots are overflowing with cars when the car ownership is only 13%.
• More than 44% people use cars less than once a week. This is ideal for car sharing.
• Electric scooters have not caught on in the region.
Awareness level:
• Key influencing factors for purchase and usage of devices
• Cost of purchase seems to be an important factor (47%) while using an energy consuming device
• Convenience seems to be a significant factor (40%) while using and (49%) while buying an energy
consuming device
• Cost of operation does figure as a significant factor (46%) while buying an energy consuming device
however, it does NOT seem to be an important factor (12%) while using an energy consuming
device.
• Speed is not a factor while using or buying an energy consuming device. Pollution does NOT seem
to be an important factor (1%) while using and (2.5%) while buying an energy consuming device.
Energy consumption does NOT seem to be an important factor (5%) while using an energy consuming
device

72
Energy availability, power cuts and pollution:
• Most respondents (79%) are aware that India is NOT self-sufficient in Energy. Most respondents (79%)
are also aware that there is a limit to energy sources being used presently. .
• A significant 83% seem to know the reasons for power cuts. Some of them believe it is due to rainy
season, maintenance works etc. However, a good number of them think it is due to more demand and
more power being supplied to the industrial sector.
• A significant 71% seem to know what happens to the emissions from thermal power plants and fossil
fuel vehicles. Most of them believe, it results in health related problems including respiratory and skin
conditions.
Power saving:
• A staggering 92% of respondents did NOT know that appliances consume power in stand-by mode.
Similarly, 91% of respondents did NOT know that one could save power by putting computers,
monitors and copiers in sleep mode
• More than half the respondents are NOT aware of energy efficient appliances. And 70% of respondents
are NOT aware of energy star efficiency ratings . Furthermore, a significant, 75% of respondents do
NOT look for energy star efficiency ratings while shopping
• A good 80% of the respondents are NOT aware of power savings with energy efficient fans. Around
40% of respondents are still NOT aware of energy savings possible with CFL. Similarly, 44% of
respondents are still NOT aware of cost advantage of CFLs
• The level of awareness with regards to LED technology is very low in the region. 82% are not aware
of LED lights and their energy efficiency. And 85% are not aware that LED TVs are most energy
efficient
• 91% of respondents are not aware of energy efficiency of microwaves
Power Saving AC:

• The level of understanding about power consumption and efficiency measure is again very low in the
region. 80% are not aware that one AC consumes as much electricity as 15 to 25 fans .
• Similarly, 88% were not aware that a 5-star AC is 30% more energy efficient. And 90% of respondents
are not aware that setting the AC temperature to 25 degrees instead of 22 degrees could result in 10%
saving in energy consumption. Furthermore, 90% of respondents are not aware that keeping AC filters
clean and maintaining ACs will result in saving in energy consumption
• More than 77% respondents are aware that India imports LPG and that their price will go up in future
Key finding:
• Pollution and energy consumption do not figure as important factors in buying or using energy devices.
• Most respondents are aware of limited energy resources. They also seem to be aware of the reasons
behind power outage is higher demand and more industries. The pollution from the emissions and its
affect on health were mentioned by a number of respondents
• The general awareness on power saving is very low across the board including; energy savings
possible with different appliances; energy consumption in standby mode and saving in sleep mode;
and energy star ratings and their significance.
Trends that support sustainable development and lifestyles:

• Power consumption is the second most important factor that respondents look for in choosing
a lighting device. However, it does not reflect in people's choices. This could be due to lack of
awareness.
• 25% of AC users may use it less if electricity prices go up
• Availability, frequency and timings do not seem to be strong barriers in usage of public transport.

73
• The cycle is used daily if the household owns one. More than 75% of houses who own a cycle use it
daily.
• Only one third of the car owners use it daily whereas more than 44% use it less than once a week.
There is a potential for car sharing here
• If the fuel cost doubles a staggering 45% people will look for fuel efficient vehicles and 27% people will
switch to public transport.
• Most respondents are aware of limited energy resources. They also seem to be aware of the reasons
behind power outage is higher demand and more industries. The pollution from the emissions and its
affect on health were mentioned by a number of respondents
Trends that oppose sustainable development and lifestyles:

• A significant number of respondents surveyed (45%) claim that they do not foresee any reduction in
their consumption if there electricity prices went up. The figure rises to 70% in high income segment.
• None of the households surveyed have a Solar Water Heater.
• Only 5 (15%) houses with ACs have more than 3 star energy efficiency rating.
• Availability and cost of fuel do not seem to matter much in selection of cooking fuel.
• When asked about the solar cooker, a significant 83% of households felt that lack of awareness
about the solar cooker was the key barrier in its adoption. Availability, convenience, dietary habits and
cooking time were not cited as barriers for its adoption. This is partly due to lack of understand of the
functioning of solar cooker.
• If the LPG prices double, 30% of the households surveyed would switch to electricity
• The roads and parking spots are overflowing with cars when the car ownership is only 13%.
• More than 60% of respondents use a motorcycle to go to work.
• Electric scooters have not caught on in the region.
• 62% of high income households own a car
• Pollution and energy consumption do not figure as important factors in buying or using energy devices.
• The general awareness on power saving is very low across the board including; energy savings
possible with different appliances; energy consumption in standby mode and savings in sleep mode;
and energy star ratings and their significance.
Recommendations:
There is a tremendous opportunity to create awareness and public policy to curb energy consumption
without compromising the real quality of life and growth potential of the region
Policy:
• Regulate building application process to encourage passive lighting and cooling house designs
• Introduce a environmental clearance certification for building permission. These could be based on
national and international standards of Griha and LEED
• Create infrastructure for car sharing schemes
• Build car sharing hubs, charging stations and infrastructure that enables renting and sharing cars for
short term possible. Zip car and other companies can be approached for technology
• Create infrastructure for electric scooter rentals
• Build scooter sharing hubs, charging stations and infrastructure that enables renting and sharing
scooter for short and long term possible. Zip car, Velib (Paris) and other companies can be studied and
approached for solutions

74
• Ensure that power consumption of appliances and related running costs are highlighted in the shops
• Make display of, and information on, power consumption of appliances and related running costs
mandatory to encourage purchase of low energy consumption appliances.
• Consider lower sales tax levels for 5 star rated appliances.
• Create policy to promote CFL and provide infrastructure to dispose them after use.
• Promote CFLs with lower sales tax levels and consider gradual phasing out of incandescent lamps
over a 5 – 10 year period.
• Make CFL disposal services mandatory for all lamp selling shops.
• Grid power tariff needs to be increased significantly for it be to considered as a tool to curb
unnecessary consumption and related wastage
• The annual electricity tariff increase should be at least equal to the inflation plus 2% with a steeper
increase in the first few years to achieve a break-even for EDP. This break-even also has to be
achieved off course with cost saving measures. The slab-wise tariff system to be re-designed whereby
above a certain slab (e.g. 150 kWh per month) all consumption (also that first 150 kWh) is charged at a
commercially viable tariff.
• EDP to prepare and implement a preventive maintenance program that includes replacement of old
transformers with energy efficient transformers and reduction of line losses (energy and voltage) to
acceptable levels.
• Promote solar cooking with house designs and user-friendly models
• Provide incentives and guidelines for buildings where the kitchen is designed and oriented to use
solar power for cooking. (http://www.princeindia.org/Balcony%20cooker%20article.pdf) One such
apartment block exists in Delhi.
Recommendations - Actions:
• Create awareness among the architect and civil engineer fraternity to design houses with passive
cooling and lighting.
• Design short seminars to share ideas and solutions on energy conservation for retrofitting existing
buildings and designing new ones
• Create awareness around power consumption stand-by mode and power saving in sleep mode.
• Multi channel campaign that is catchy and potentially involves a superstar
• Create awareness around power LED technology for lights and TVs
• Create a clean travel campaign around cycling to work as most commuters travel between 5 (50%) to
10 (26%) kms
• Make cycling easier in the city
• Make cycling popular by promoting it at educational and public institutes
• Create an extensive campaign to promote CFL lamps
• Create a campaign to promote to solar cookers through possible recipes, role model users, and
nutrition value of the food.
• Leverage existing solar cooker users from the Ashram
• Create a campaign to highlight energy consumption related pollution and its impact on people’s lives in
the region.
• Multi channel campaign that is catchy

75
Water Survey
The water survey was a pilot conducted to understand the key water related issues in the region . Based
on the pilot survey experience, the questionnaire and the survey strategy were to be further structured.
However, due to the limited time and man-power, the surveys could not be completed.
The survey was divided into two primary segments:
Domestic Survey: The objective of this survey was to sample typical domestic water issues faced by
inhabitants, of different areas of Pondicherry town and the surrounding villages.
Agriculture Survey: The objective of this survey was to sample typical cropping patterns and irrigation
practices.
As part of the pilot survey, Bahour Lake was also surveyed. This lake belongs to both the states; Tamil Nadu
and Puducherry, and the objective was to understand the water consumption patterns across the states.
Methodology
The survey was primarily conducted in marginalized communities. These were identified based on the
local knowledge of the team. As the target group is selected based on a bias, the analysis is not a true
representation of the issues in the region. However, it is an indication of some of the trends and problems in
the region.
Observations: Domestic Water Supply
• About half of the respondents surveyed have a tap at home; community taps are also accessed in some
communities
• Poor quality of water/ low water pressure or inaccessibility to water is a major issue across the surveyed
areas. Some areas receive yellow coloured water at least for the first few hours of the supply.
• All the areas surveyed identified the issues of malaria and the problem of mosquitoes. This could also
be attributed to the fact that the grey water is let out onto open land. Only about half of the respondents
had had connection to the municipal pipe system to let out grey water
• About half of the respondents had access to own toilets, the remaining used public toilets.
• In Mettupalayam, some of the respondents located near the industries, enjoyed access to domestic
water supply from PIPIDIC
• In Bahour Lake Area, the tank is maintained by the Water User Association and PWD, but the respondents
are unhappy with the committee. There is also an issue of excessive ground water extraction and industrial
effluent dumping into the water bodies.

76
PUDUCHERRY-CUDDALORE-VILLUPURAM REGIONAL PLANNING STUDY
WATER SURVEY
Name
Address
City/ District/ Village
Age
Occupation
Question 1 What is/are your main use(s) of water?

Domestic (drinking, cooking, house maintenance)
Irrigation
Livestock
Business
Others
Question 2 What is/are the source(s) for this/these water use(s)?
Municipal Water through tap in house
Municipal Water through common tap outside
Groundwater through handpump
Groundwater through open well
Groundwater through tubewell
River
Tank
Public tanker
Private tanker
Others
Question 3 How often do you get access to water (per source)?
Daily
Every 2 days
Every 3 days
Weekly
Others
Question 4 Does this access satisfy your requirement (per source)?
Question 5 Where do you go for toilet?

Toilet in the house
Public toilet
Open air
Question 6 Do you have any health issues related to water?
Bad water quality
Mosquitoes
Others
Question 7a If you are a farmer, which crops do you grow? The cropping schedule?
Examples:Rice from October to January, Rice from February to May, Pulses from February to April, Groundnut from …
Crop Growing period
Question 7b If you are a farmer and if you irrigate, how often do you irrigate the crops mentioned
above in Question 6a?
Examples:Rice from October to January: occasionally with groundwater, Rice from February to May: daily with groundwater,
Groundnut 4 times during growing season with river water…
Crop Frequency irrigation

77
PUDUCHERRY-CUDDALORE-VILLUPURAM REGIONAL PLANNING STUDY
WATER SURVEY
Address
City/ District/ Village
Age
Occupation
Question 1 What is/are your main use(s) of water?

Domestic (drinking, cooking, house maintenance)
Irrigation
Livestock
Business
Others
Question 2 What is/are the source(s) for this/these water use(s)?

Municipal Water through tap in house
Municipal Water through common tap outside
Groundwater through handpump
Groundwater through open well
Groundwater through tubewell
Ousteri Lake
Public tanker
Private tanker
Others
Question 3 How often do you get access to water (per source)?

Daily Every 2 days
Every 3 days Weekly Others

Question 4 Does this access satisfy your requirement (per source)?
Question 5 Where do you go for toilet?

Toilet in the house
Public toilet
Open air
Question 6 Do you know where goes the waste water from your house?
To a septic tank
Town pipe system
Open land
Others
Question 7 Do you know if any waste water goes to Ousteri Lake?
Question 8a Do you have any health issues related to water?

Bad water quality
Mosquitoes
Others
Question 9a If you are a farmer, which crops do you grow? The cropping schedule?
Examples:Rice from October to January, Rice from February to May, Pulses from February to April, Groundnut from …
Crop Growing period

78
Question 7c If you are a farmer and if you irrigate with groundwater:
What is the depth of your well(s)?
What is the depth of the groundwater level?
Type of pump(s): diesel / electric, centrifugal / submersible?
What is/are the HP of your pump(s)?
Is the water saline?
How is the yield of your well? (flow is enough?)
Question 8 If you are not a farmer but live near agriculture lands, what are the main crops?
Cropping schedule?
Examples: Rice from October to January, Rice from February to May, Pulses from February to April,
Crop Growing period
Question 9 If you rear livestock, which breed(s)? How often do you water them (per source)?
Livestock breed Watering frequency
Question 10 If you live near a Tank, is it maintained or abandoned? If maintained, how is it managed?
For which purpose is it used?
Examples: Managed by Water Users Association, PWD
Used for Irrigation, Fish Pond, Groundwater Recharge
Tank name Maintained, abandoned? Managed by? Used for?
Question 11 Do you know where goes the waste water from your house?
To a septic tank
Town pipe system
Open land
Others
Question 12 If you live near industries, do you know if these industries use water? What are these industries?
Question 13 Do you have any particular issue(s) related to water?

79
Observations: Agriculture
Difficulties faced by farmers from Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu:

• The agricultural inputs are bought at market price, however the produce is sold at government set or
middle men set price.
• Lack of agricultural labour due to government schemes (e.g., free rice, dal etc).
Water Market:
• This is accessed by those who don’t own a pump and purchase water from other pumps for irrigation.
The payment is of two types: in cash or in kind. The payment ‘in kind’ is equal to about 1/3rd of the
total production
• Income on produce:
• Sugarcane: Rs 2,000 / T.
• Rice: Rs 500 to 1,000 / 100 kg.
• Casurina: Rs 1,500 to 2,000 / T.
• Tapioca: Rs 700 to 2,000 / T.
• Sesame: Rs 1,500 to 2,000 / 100 kg.
• Ragi: Rs 1,300 to 1,500 / kg.
• Interactions Tamil Nadu/ Pondicherry:
• Agriculture inputs are cheaper in Puducherry, therefore the farmers from Tamil Nadu try to purchase
their inputs from Puducherry. Also, the farmers sell their products at different places depending on the
market prices.
Data Quality Limitations

• This survey is by no means exhaustive.
• Domestic survey: Only the inhabitants of huts, shanty houses were interviewed. The survey is biased
as only those who are more susceptible to face water problems were targeted.
• Agriculture Survey: Only farmers of some villages in Puducherry UT and a few villages in Tamil Nadu
were interviewed

80
Domestic Supply: Water Survey Analysis
Area Locality Domestic Health Issues Satisfaction Toilet Grey Water Complaints
Water Access of access Disposal
Pondicherry Kuruchikuppam, Municipal Few cases of Somewhat Public/ Not Low water
Vaithikuppam Commin Tap Malaria satisfied Private connected quality/ low
to town pressure
pipe
systems
Pondicherry Karuvadikuppam Municipal: Malaria/ poor Unsatisfied Public/ Municipal Low water
tap at home water quality Private pipe quality/ low
(irregular systems/ pressure/
supply) drained on inaccessibility
open land
Pondicherry Mettupalayam Municipal: Mosquitoes Satisfied Private Municipal
tap at home/ pipe
PIPDIC systems
Pondicherry Kanagan lake Municipal: tap Mosquitoes/ Somewhat Private/ Municipal Yellow coloured
at home bad quality satisfied open pipe water/ poor
water/ defecation systems/ quality
untreated few drained
waste on open
disposal in land
water
Pondicherry/ Bahour Village Municipal: tap Mosquitoes Satisfied Private/ Municipal Ground water
Tamil Nadu at home open pipe extraction/
defecation systems/ untreated
drained on effluents into
open land water
Bahour tank
maintained by
a Water User
Association &
PWD but some
people not
satisfied with this
committee.
Pondicherry Kuruvinatham Municipal: tap Mosquitoes Satisfied Private/ Municipal Low quality
village at home open pipe domestic water
defecation systems/
drained on
open land
Pondicherry Villages around Municipal: Mosquitoes Satisfied Private/ Municipal

Ousteri lake tap at home/ open pipe
(Ousteri, Sorapet, ground water defecation systems/
Katterikuppam) pumps/ public drained on
tap open land
Tamil Nadu Villages around Municipal: Mosquitoes Satisfied Private/ Municipal

Ousteri lake tap at home/ open pipe
(Nerkunam, ground water defecation systems/
Pakkiripalayam), pumps/ public drained on
tap open land

81
Vision Survey
The vision survey was conducted to understand the stakeholders (including citizens, government
officials, NGOs) future vision for the region. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and suggested
recommendations were also identified through the interviews conducted.
The stakeholders envision the future Puducherry region to be green and safe for its citizens. They would
like to see Puducherry regain its original charm. They recognise that water is precious and it is currently
being wasted without any consideration for the future demands. They hope that environmental resources
are protected and the region will be free from traffic, congestion and pollution in the future.
Assets
• The stakeholders identified tourism, good quality social and physical infrastructure as one of the
strongest assets of Puducherry. Auroville, Ashram, French culture, historical buildings, religious
destination were considered as strong tourism promoting factors. The beach and the coastal line,
climatic conditions are some of the other factors that makes Puducherry favourable. Puducherry is
considered to be a peaceful and clean community.
• From the transportation perspective, the stakeholders were pleased with the connectivity with Chennai
and other destinations. ECR and the other national highways allow easy access by road. Airport was
also identified as an asset to Puducherry.
Issues
• The predominant issue identified by the government officials was the decline in the agricultural sector.
These is loss of agricultural land, as it is converted to other land use activities. There is also a decline in
the agricultural labourers, leading to migration of workers to other employment sectors.
• With respect to water, decrease in the quality of water, explotation of ground water; and salt water
intrusion into the aquifers were identified as the key issues. Due to the rapid migration towards urban
centres there is sprawl. The respondents felt that over the last three decades, the population has
drastically increased adding to congestion and stress on urban infrastructure. Increase in crime and
violence is another factor, which seems to be on the rise since the last few decades.
• Improper waste disposal, traffic and poverty were some of the other issues that were identified. The
respondents felt the need of better planning practices and enforcement mechanisms to ensure a more
cohesive and coordinated development. They also felt that the governance needs to be improved for
better implementation of programs in place.
Opportunities
• Tourism and IT industry development were perceived to be the top most development opportunities,
followed by development of Ousteri Lake, port and airport. The stakeholders also felt that establishing
a special economic zone would give rise to several opportunities.

82
Recommendations
The following are some of the recommendations made by the stakeholders:
• Promote tourism
• Effective integrated planning across the region.
• Better upkeep and maintenance of the existing built environment
• Manage industrial waste
• Protect agricultural sector
• Promote inter-state coordination
• Effective traffic management plan
• Construct river dams
• Introduce organic farming
• Protect and restoring natural features
• Effective waste management strategies
• More infrastructure developments
As part of the questionnaire, the government officials enlisted some of the relevant projects currently
undertaken in their respective departments. Some of the details of the project were also elaborated upon.
A few of these projects are:
DEPARTMENT PROGRAMMES ISSUES SUGGESTED

RECOMMENDATIONS
Agriculture • Funding: A 950 million Rupees
Department budget for subsidies and
improvement of infrastructure
has been set aside for the
year 2011-12, out of which
65 are grants are given from
the centre.
• Presented a paper to the
government to stop the
conversion of agriculture
lands. No action has been
taken as yet.
• They are in the process of
preparing another document
to urge the government
to stop the conversion of
agriculture lands.
Agriculture • Awareness creation among • A lot of governmental • Officers / persons with
department different sectors, such as posts are vacant due responsibility should be
(Hydrology) farmers, industries, public. to lack of funding. dedicated to the success
Also introduces programs in The department is of their project.
schools. understaffed • Government should
• Research studies appoint the right person
on groundwater: to a given position, when
Availability, Quality and it (the Govt) moves one
Reharge. officer to one position to
• Helping farmers to construct another.
tube wells. Subsidy for drilling
up to 60% of cost with a
maximum of 1.2 lakh,
• Installation of pump
set.
• Renovation of
abandoned tube
wells for groundwater
recharge.

83
Vision Survey: Programs underway in the government departments
DEPARTMENT PROGRAMS ISSUES SUGGESTED

RECOMMENDATIONS
World Bank • World Bank Hydrology Project: About the Hydrology Project: • Educate staff members
Hydrology The objective is to feed • The objective of the and Government
Project thoughtful / knowledgeable project is to create to convey the idea
decisions. The project is comprehensive that intangible
currently ongoing. knowledge on water. This outputs are required
• Promote the System of Rice output is not tangible and for further studies
Intensification (Agriculture this is its major challenge. and knowledgeable
Department): to reduce the • Govt persons and even decisions.
water uses for rice cultivation. the persons involved in
• Promote commercial crops the project consequently
(Agriculture Department): to do not consider the
replace rice and sugarcane, project very seriously.
for better income but with They just focus on the
more water economical crops. deliverables and do not
• Precision farming (Agriculture envision what could be
Department): for more efficient the way forward with
use of water, mainly for such a knowledge / data
horticulture base. They do not carry a
vision.
Public Works • Coastal protection. • The different political • Awareness among
• Groundwater recharge by setup between TN and citizens
constructing dams across Pondicherry UT makes • Citizens should be
rivers. it difficult, as any step involved: any new
• Supply of domestic water from taken requires approval project should be in
Ousteri tank. from legislatives of both consultation with them,
states. from early stage of
Current status: • Pondicherry Government a project. Otherwise
• Dam across rivers are is willing to cooperate time and money would
constructed. with Tamil Nadu be wasted if ever a
• Coastal and Ousteri: at study Government project is cancelled at
level, not yet implemented. an advanced stage by
public protests.
Opportunities: • This would also avoid
• More constructions of river the local political games
dams where a given party can
• Bigger port and airport manipulate the facts
• A special economic zone to get protest from the
public.

84
QUESTIONNAIRE FOR STAKEHOLDERS:
GREATER PUDUCHERRY REGIONAL PLANNNING FRAMEWORK
The fates of the four towns – Cuddalore, Auroville, Villipuram, and Pondicherry – are
inextricably and intimately linked. Referred to as the Greater Puducherry Region (GPR)in
this regional planning initiative, these communities are located within a radius of 40
kilometers, have pockets of territories within each others boundaries, form part of a
single water basin, and have numerous concerns that need to be addressed jointly.
Please respond to the following questions to help us communicate your thoughts and
ideas to the appropriate authorities and fellow citizens.
1. What do you consider to be the Greater Puducherry Region’s most

significant assets/strengths (things that make the community unique or
a desirable place)?
2. What do you consider to be the key issues or problems that threaten the
ability of the region to sustain its quality of life in the next 30 years?
3. Do you have any ideas or recommendations on how the region can
sustain the qualities it values and address the key concerns impacting the
citizens?
4. What is your perspective vision for the future of the Greater Puducherry
Region?
Additional Questions to ask Government officials, NGOs, and selected individuals

associated with project development/management in the region:
5. What projects, plans, programs or studies from your organization will

have an impact on the future of the region?
6. What is the current status?
7. What opportunities do you see for the future of the region associated
with these?
8. What are the major issues or concerns that might prohibit the success of
your program/project?
9. What would you recommend to resolve these issues and concerns?

85
86
MoU between the Govt of Puducherry, India and the city of
Villeneuve-sur-Lot, France
The Government of Puducherry and the city of Villeneuve-sur-Lot abide by the principles of protecting,
promoting and conserving the cultural heritage, promoting tourism and improving the urban environment
and the living socio-cultural resources of Puducherry.
It has been agreed by the Government of Puducherry and the city of Villeneuve-sur-Lot to enter into
an MOU for strategic partnership to achieve the principles enunciated above and the stated objectives
mentioned below: -
• Prepare a Detailed Report for the protection of urban environment in Puducherry in collaboration with
INTACH, Puducherry. The Urban Plan would deal thematically with the architectural, environmental,
social-cultural heritage resource of the state.
• Prepare specific urban environment plan for Puducherry.
• Assist in formulating pedestrian zones and traffic regulations for the Boulevard town of Puducherry.
• Bring awareness on urban issues to citizens by innovative and interactive means through the press,
heritage walks, addressing school and college students, local administration etc.
• Prepare a comprehensive solid waste management plan for the Boulevard town of Puducherry.
• Assist in developing programmes between Puducherry and France in the field of protection of
environment, education, culture and promotion of tourism.
This Memorandum will be subject to review after five years from the date of signature. This Memorandum
may be terminated by the either party, or by mutual agreement, prior to the date of review giving not less
than six months notice.
The Government of Puducherry and the city of Villeneuve-sur-Lot do mutually agree that the above
responsibilities are acceptable and realisable in mutual interest.
Marc Tranchard B.R Babu

Deputy Mayor Special Secretary (Tourism)
City of Villeneuve-sur-Lot, Government of Puducherry
France Puducherry
Date : 7 December 2011, Puducherry

Puducherry, Viluppuram, Auroville & Cuddalore: Sustainable Regional Planning Framework

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Puducherry, Viluppuram, Auroville & Cuddalore: Sustainable Regional Planning Framework

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p puram .

sustainable regional planning framework

sustainable regional planning framework

Summary of the meeting:

sustainable regional planning framework

sustainable regional planning framework

The following names were proposed for the Advisory board:

sustainable regional planning framework

TCPO, New Delhi - representative

It was agreed that a mission of the French expert, Bruno Lhoste of

It was felt by everyone that the formation of a separate cell at the

The French Consul agreed to facilitate the meeting with Thiru K.

The Consul General of France mentioned about the conference being

sustainable regional planning framework

1. Internat Energy Solutions:

7. IFP Energies nouvelles

sustainable regional planning framework

An Indo-French Joint Working Group on Urban Development was set up

INDO-FRENCH SEMINAR ON COOPERATION BETWEEN STATES

The first "Indo-French Seminar on Cooperation between States and

sustainable regional planning framework

- Inform the public and stakeholders about the

- Increase awareness about the region’s current

- Build a partnership between citizens and

- Identify the key issues, assets, and joint

- Share knowledge on initiatives, projects (past or

- Discuss on the modality of a coordinated effort at

- Distribute information to various sections of the

- Identify key community assets, issues, and joint-

- Document and present community opinions to

- Obtain the views of the public and stakeholders

sustainable regional planning framework

Transportation Environment and Disaster Management

sustainable regional planning framework

Workshop II- Pondicherry

Workshop III- Cuddalore

Workshop IV- Auroville

sustainable regional planning framework

sustainable regional planning framework

sustainable regional planning framework

sustainable regional planning framework

sustainable regional planning framework

sustainable regional planning framework

sustainable regional planning framework

sustainable regional planning framework

sustainable regional planning framework

Bio-Regional Vision- Presentation by Joss, Ram,

sustainable regional planning framework

sustainable regional planning framework

sustainable regional planning framework

Issues 20. Efficient and integrated public transport systems

sustainable regional planning framework

sustainable regional planning framework

sustainable regional planning framework

sustainable regional planning framework

sustainable regional planning framework

sustainable regional planning framework

sustainable regional planning framework

sustainable regional planning framework

sustainable regional planning framework

Puducherry Viluppuram Cuddalore

Land Use 1. Sand mining activities

sustainable regional planning framework