Manoj Sharma is Metro Features Editor at Hindustan Times. He likes to pursue stories that otherwise fall through the cracks.
Articles by Manoj Sharma
The names we keep: India’s unchanged urban memory
Across India, major streets in megacities have been renamed, but the new names have failed to catch on in everyday conversations.
Updated on Jan 13, 2025 03:00 AM IST
India’s many Chandni Chowks
Chandni Chowk, Delhi's historic marketplace, inspires similar markets in cities like Kolkata and Patna, each with distinct identities and histories.
Updated on Dec 16, 2024 04:48 AM IST
Crowdfunding lights up Kolkata heritage: A blueprint for urban renewal in India?
Indian cities, most of which are constrained by tight municipal budgets, have yet to explore crowdfunding’s potential for urban rejuvenation
Updated on Nov 25, 2024 05:28 AM IST
Cycle quest in Indian cities going off-track
Efforts have largely missed the mark, with minimal cycling adoption and most lanes left deserted, damaged, or encroached upon
Updated on Nov 11, 2024 03:55 AM IST
Battling paan stain: The never-ending struggle against spitting in public spaces
Connaught Place has become the site of a relentless game of cat and mouse between the errant public and civic authorities.
Updated on Oct 14, 2024 05:02 AM IST
Creating safer pathways to schools
Fatalities among school children under 18 years of age have consistently risen in India, with increases of 6.4% in 2017, 6.6% in 2018, and 7.4% in 2019
Updated on Sep 30, 2024 05:26 AM IST
The traffic light conundrum: Do they improve mobility or slow it?
Delhi has over 990 traffic signals, Mumbai has 660, and Chennai has 312, and their numbers are steadily increasing
Published on Sep 16, 2024 04:22 PM IST
Traffic lights: A boon or bane for city mobility?
Delhi has over 990 traffic signals, Mumbai has 660, and Chennai has 312, and their numbers are steadily increasing
Updated on Sep 16, 2024 05:44 AM IST
Women’s safety in building plans a must, say experts
In India, building design have historically prioritised aesthetics and economic considerations while giving little or no attention to women’s safety
Updated on Sep 02, 2024 05:26 AM IST
The struggle for study spaces in Indian cities
The brutal culture of competitive exam in India, with its rising numbers, drives countless students to these urban centres.
Updated on Aug 19, 2024 04:40 AM IST
The battle for course correction in India’s corporation-run schools
Today, MCD runs 1,534 primary schools in the city, serving over 700,000 students — the highest of any municipal corporation in India
Updated on Jul 15, 2024 05:34 AM IST
Packages by air: Drones take to city skies to deliver groceries
Skye Air has created two hubs — in Sector 30 and Sector 71 — where e-commerce and quick commerce companies send their packages to be delivered to customers
Updated on Jul 01, 2024 05:14 AM IST
How street furniture shapes aesthetics of urban life
Street furniture enhances urban spaces by improving their aesthetics, functionality, and sociability.
Updated on Jun 17, 2024 06:28 AM IST
Billboards: Cluttering urban eyeline, posing life threat
The tragedy in Mumbai starkly exposed the perilous and unregulated nature of these towering structures
Updated on May 20, 2024 01:23 AM IST
Ever-shifting colours of public transport in cities
Experts say frequent changes in colour schemes of public transport vehicles can create confusion for commuters, and ultimately dilute a city’s unique identity
Updated on May 06, 2024 05:16 AM IST
Urban apathy? Metros grapple with poor voter turnouts
India’s major cities face low voter turnout in elections despite being hubs of progress. Efforts underway to boost participation and civic duty.
Updated on Apr 22, 2024 04:40 AM IST
Adaptive reuse of old, decaying buildings in metros across India
Driven by a need for sustainable development, preservation of heritage, and innovative space use, some cities are reusing old buildings instead of razing them
Updated on Apr 08, 2024 04:07 PM IST
What is in a logo? Mysuru and Bengaluru hope to give us the answer
These two Indian cities alone have logos, though many others have sobriquets. Done right, it can offer a unifying symbol to bring people together
Updated on Apr 02, 2024 07:33 AM IST
Transforming railway stations into new city centres
India is transforming colonial-era railway stations into modern city centres under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, reshaping the city-station relationship.
Updated on Mar 18, 2024 05:36 AM IST
Urban Agenda | Beyond Google Maps: How a signage system shapes our cities
Effective signage is essential for wayfinding, it also plays an important part in a city's branding. There is no standardisation of road signage across cities
Updated on Mar 11, 2024 11:16 AM IST
To a new urban sprawl — Dwarka expressway
The Dwarka expressway, a central government initiative in Gurugram, has transformed into a microcity with rising property rates and luxury housing segments.
Updated on Mar 04, 2024 05:46 AM IST
In India, the city square makes a comeback
Over the decades, most city squares in India lost their essence as vibrant hubs of urban life, devolving into mere traffic nodes
Updated on Feb 12, 2024 06:14 AM IST
India’s cities are transforming their waterfronts
The riverfront has quickly become a popular attraction for both locals and tourists, with approximately 10,000 people visiting it daily
Updated on Jan 29, 2024 03:52 PM IST
Reshaping our cities, one bite at a time
The neglect towards food is changing with cities working towards creating sustainable, efficient, and inclusive food systems
Updated on Jan 08, 2024 05:14 AM IST
Once a key business street, Asaf Ali road now a derelict road
A sought after address by businesses in 1950s and 1980s, Asaf Ali Road in central Delhi, is now a picture of civic apathy
Updated on Dec 11, 2023 11:06 AM IST
Libraries seeing revival under Smart Cities mission
Cities in India are investing in the revitalisation and digitalisation of libraries to improve cultural, intellectual and academic vitality. More than 80 digital libraries have been developed as part of the Smart City Mission, including the Modern Doon Library in Dehradun and the Nalanda Parisar Oxy Reading Zone Library in Raipur. The Allahabad Government Public Library in Prayagraj is also undergoing a revamp. These libraries are not only offering a diverse range of academic resources but are also becoming centres of community engagement and cultural activities.
Updated on Nov 27, 2023 06:04 AM IST
Double-decker buses making a comeback in India
Hyderabad and Kolkata have already brought these giants on wheels back on the streets, with Ahmedabad and Bengaluru in the process of doing the same
Updated on Nov 06, 2023 08:15 AM IST
Turning clock towers back to past glory
Clock towers, once iconic city landmarks, are being restored and revived in cities across India. Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Mumbai, Ludhiana, Karimnagar, and Srinagar are among the cities restoring their historic clock towers, while Mysuru and Chennai are planning restoration projects. Vintage clock restorers are experiencing a surge in demand, but some cities are opting for modern electronic GPS-enabled clocks. Clock towers in India were built during the mid-19th and early 20th centuries and were symbols of progress and urban development. They are now being recognized as integral parts of a city's heritage and identity.
Updated on Oct 23, 2023 04:54 PM IST
New infra brings Dwarka sub-city back in demand
Over the past decade, Dwarka has transformed from a suburb saddled with myriad civic problems into one of the most sought-after addresses in the Capital
Updated on Oct 09, 2023 06:06 AM IST
Cities switching to robots to tackle water, sanitation issues
Indian cities are increasingly using AI-powered robots to tackle water and sanitation challenges. Robots are being deployed for tasks such as cleaning manholes, inspecting water pipelines for leaks, and clearing trash from water bodies. Start-ups led by young engineers are at the forefront of developing these robotic solutions. These robots offer sustainable solutions and eliminate the need for humans to work in highly hazardous environments. They also help improve the efficiency of water distribution networks and address water pollution issues. The use of robotics and AI in urban ecosystems is seen as transformative and has the potential to create autonomous cities in the future.
Updated on Sep 26, 2023 04:14 PM IST