Why talk of N-plant when we can rely on gas-based projects: Sunita Narain

In Hyderabad, there is no water in swanky colonies like Banjara Hills because the development happened on the catchment area of the lake. So they have to get water from as far off as the Krishna river. Half the water is lost in transportation,” pointed out Guest Editor Sunita Narain. The subject fascinated us enough to take a focused look at six cities. Narain said that Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) had done a book on the issue, which we could use for initial research. But in true Editor mode, she was quick to add, “But make sure to visit the areas and verify the data independently.” We did.

We also dared her to headline the page, “Cities in deep shit”. She laughed, but refused to take the bait. “I’ve just been brought up to write in a very traditional style,” she said.

Did she have any story ideas, we asked. “I keep travelling from one protest site to another,” she said. “And it’s really struck me how so many of them are motivated by the concept of NIMBY (Not In My Backyard). As awareness about rights grows, people want development, but they don’t want the dirty back-end of development to be in their backyards. We could look at various protests across India and how so many of them are motivated by NIMBY. Of course, we will need a small introductory piece.” A brief discussion followed on who should write the holding piece, which she settled with a crisp “I can do it,” — a reminder, if any was needed, that she’s also a prolific writer on green issues.

As the meeting wound to a close, she mentioned that she would be leaving town for a few weeks and would — for the first time in many years — be without her laptop. “Going on pilgrimage?” someone joked.

“No, but isn’t it amazing how most of India’s revered pilgrimage spots are in ecologically fragile zones?” she retorted. That observation promptly led us to do one more report.

Narain was back a few days later, raring to go. She worked through the weekend, clearing reports as they came in, and stepped into the TOI office on June 4. The pages were brought out for her to inspect. She read them carefully, asked for a few changes. And graciously sought — and incorporated — feedback on her own articles.

In passing, the subject on gas-powered plants came up. It’s a subject she feels strongly about. “People talk so much about a nuclear policy but what about gas? It’s much easier to install than nuclear technology and comes with far lesser baggage, but no one seems to care about it. Do you know there are at least three power plants in Delhi that aren’t functioning because they aren’t getting gas? And then people have to suffer power cuts?” Our ears perked up at that — and it promptly turned into another report. As we discovered over these interactions, when you’re chatting with India’s foremost eco warrior, there’s no such thing as small talk.

People talk so much about a nuclear policy but what about gas? It’s much easier to install than nuclear technology and comes with far lesser baggage, but no one seems to care about it.