Varuna Pvt. Ltd. / Varuna Auroville

The bill for the hill

An interview with Arun Ambathy (Major ret’d), By Alan

The cleared forest area intended for the hill. “The hill, in providing a wonderful viewpoint of both the Matrimandir and the sea, will encourage real estate speculation and the growth of tourist facilities in the area

On 6th January, 2012, Michael Bonke, along with Toine van Megen and Harald Kraft, made a presentation to the Auroville community about Auroville’s future energy and drinking water needs [published in AVToday # 271, February 2012].

New hope for the roads

An interview with Michael Bonke, By Alan and Carel

The Crown Road nearby Kalpana community. A retaining wall is being built to prevent earth from the roadside flushing into Kalpana

Dr. Jayanti Ravi, the Secretary of the Auroville Foundation, recently has looked into the possibility to build the remaining section of the Crown Road with all components being manufactured in Auroville and using Auroville resources for its construction.

The Matrimandir lake controversy

Feature, By Alan

In our July issue, we reported on recent developments on the site of the Matrimandir lake. These included the excavation of section two of the lake, which will be 250 metres long, more than twice the length of the existing test lake.

In memoriam - Ursula Loose

In memoriam:

Ursula Loose Tuschkewitz of Gratitude passed away on July 15th in the Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences PIMS at the age of 69. She had been suffering from cancer (lymphoma) affecting her spine.

Proposal for a solar energy plant

Feature, By Manas

Location of the proposed solar power plant

On the 3rd of March this year, Varuna presented their plans for a solar energy plant in a General Meeting (GM). Auroville Today reports on the meeting and looks at the wider issue of solar power in Auroville.

Horizontal directional drilling at Varuna Beach

An interview with Toby, By Carel

Google Earth map showing the route of the pipelines

More than a year ago, in its June-July issue 2015, Auroville Today examined the challenges of meeting the city’s future water requirements. One option, that of providing desalinated water, is actively being pursued by Varuna Pvt.

The AV desalination plant project

An interview with Michael Bonke, By Alan

Michael Bonke is a long-time friend of Auroville who has been instrumental in initiating and funding major projects in the community. One of the aims of Varuna, a company he set up and runs with a team of Aurovilians, is “to build and operate a small desalination plant which can supply water to Auroville, for the future Matrimandir Lake and the nearby villages”.

Extension of the electricity-in-kind scheme

News in brief

The Budget Coordination Committee (BCC) has agreed that Varuna, Auroville, an Auroville unit that operates two wind generators owned by the Auroville Foundation, will cover the electricity bills of all grid-connected residents receiving a City-Services maintenance and those who pay the full monthly contribution of Rs. 2,850 to the Central Fund.