Good morning, Chennai!
☁️ Today’s weather: High: 36 ℃ | Low: 24 ℃ | Mostly cloudy for the day.
🧐 Did you know? The Government Law College in Chennai has produced the maximum number of Indian finance ministers (five).
🎓 IIT Madras’ rise
The institute’s emphasis on research, its outreach and global expansion, set it apart among technical institutes.
Ranking accolades: Since 2016, IIT Madras has been among the best engineering institutes in India. In the latest National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings, it was the best institute overall and second-best in research and innovation.
- The campus has dozens of research institutes which work with other off-campus organisations. Its Anaivarukkum IITM, or “IIT Madras for All” scheme provides opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.
- The institute also has an excellent startup incubation program with companies like Ather Energy and Agnikul Cosmos benefiting from it. In April, the institute set a target of 100 startups a year.
Wildlife and the ecosystem: The campus is home to deer, monkeys, cats, and hundreds of butterflies. The environment committee ensures the campus remains green and future expansions won’t harm the campus’ ecology.
🦟 Drones to combat mosquitos
The Chennai Corporation has deployed drones to tackle the escalating mosquito problem.
What’s it about? With increased rain over the past month, the city has seen an escalation in mosquitos. The civic body gets over 100 complaints daily. Last year, it received over 5,300 mosquito-related complaints. The Chennai Corporation is now using drones to combat the menace.
- The drones are used to spray bio larvicides in rivers, canals, and other water bodies to curb breeding. Officials are identifying areas with high flu cases to locate breeding grounds.
- The focus is on waterways and stormwater drains, particularly in Old Washermenpet, Tondiarpet, and Mint along the Buckingham Canal.
Scaling up: To combat the mosquito problem, the Corporation has mobilised 3,200 personnel, including over 2,000 field workers, and 900 supervisors.
📱 Southern Railway collecting phone numbers
The collection of phone numbers of unreserved passengers in the city has sparked concerns.
What’s it about? Since July 1, the Southern Railway has been collecting the phone numbers of unreserved passengers who come to get their season tickets issued or renewed. Previously, the phone numbers of only reserved passengers were collected to enable them to get text alerts.
- Passengers were asked to provide their contact number by the staff at the ticket counters and were told it was mandatory. Many feel this is another instance of unreserved passengers being mistreated.
- Members of the railway users’ consultative committees were concerned. They criticised the move, saying it was people acting on verbal instructions from the railway board without an official order.
Passenger data: Most of the city’s working population travel to and from Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, and Ranipet by train. The Chennai division transports over 11 lakh passengers daily. Across these sections, over 7 lakh passengers use season tickets.
🚻 Pay-and-use toilets overcharge
Toilets in railway stations exploit passengers by overcharging.
What’s it about? At the Tambaram, Pallavaram, and Central railway stations, the pay-and-use toilet facilities overcharge passengers when they’re supposed to have a nominal fee. Passengers say this has become more common as officials haven’t taken notice.
- At the Central station, contract employees demand ₹10 instead of ₹5 on the display board. Staff say the additional charge is for cleanliness and maintenance.
- At the Tambaram station, despite a sticker stating passengers not to overpay, employees demand ₹10. At the Pallavaram station, the absence of a notice board means passengers are unaware of the rates.
Official response: An official of the Southern Railway said there’s a rule to display the official rates of pay-and-use toilets and to only charge the amount stipulated. The contractors are the ones to blame for violating this rule.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you prefer Zomato or Swiggy?
- I prefer Zomato.
- I prefer Swiggy.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
How often do you exercise in a week?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Preliminary bio-mining work at the Kodungaiyur dump yard will be completed before the monsoon.
- The Guindy railway station will be revamped with new and modern facilities.
- Kasturba Nagar residents will begin their 9th dry waste collection drive to increase awareness on waste segregation.
- The Independence Day Museum at the restored Humayun Mahal will open in a year.
- IPS Officer A Arun is the new Police Commissioner of Chennai after the transfer of Sandeep Rai Rathore.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I prefer alcoholic beverages: 57.1% 🏆
- I prefer non-alcoholic beverages: 42.9%
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
Which historical figure would you like to know more about?
Suchi: “Raja Raja Cholan”
Shiva: “Rajendra Cholan”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!