Good morning, Chennai!
🌤️ Today’s weather: High: 36 ℃ | Low: 27 ℃ | Mostly sunny for the day.
🧐 Did you know? The Goschen Library is named after Lady Goschen, wife of then Governor of Madras George Goschen, who laid the foundation stone for the public library.
🚍 Paratransit services
CUMTA has called for tenders to study the possibility of paratransit services in the city with increased options.
What’s it about? The Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) has plans to improve bus transport and last-mile connectivity in the Chennai Metropolitan Area which spans over 5,900 sq km. CUMTA has called for tenders to select a consultant.
- The consultant will map separate routes for Intermediate Public Transport (IPT), including share autos, minibuses, and minivans. The proposal also includes increasing last-mile connectivity to transit hubs.
- The consultant will also study and map the existing routes and performance of bus routes, with indicators like distance covered, ridership per bus, and revenue patterns.
Mapping Chennai: The IPT routes within the Chennai metropolitan area will also be mapped. The routes prescribed by the Regional Transport Offices will be studied and compared against the actual operations on the ground.
🪡 Sustainable craftsmanship
An exhibition at the InKo Centre celebrates the art of transforming nature into works of craft.
What’s it about? The InKo Centre, in association with the Crafts Council of India, presents Metamorphosis: Crafting a Green Future. The exhibition showcases traditional and contemporary work that reflects nature’s beauty and advocates for a sustainable future.
- Among the works on display are Pattamadai mats woven from Korai grass, plant-based screwpine mats, palmyra-leaf baskets, and banana and coconut-based household items.
- The makers of these items learn and update their products to suit evolving modern lifestyles. It helps make sustainable living a reality for consumers.
Necessary value: The exhibition aims to showcase the importance of handcrafted materials and items and how nature has inspired craftspeople from across India.
✈️ New airport gets clearance
The Greenfield airport at Parandur has gotten its first clearance from the Centre.
What’s it about? The Steering Committee on Greenfield Airports recommended a grant of site clearance for the Parandur airport. The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited (TIDCO) submitted the application to the civil aviation ministry.
- The proposal was examined by the Airport Authority of India (AAI), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and the Ministry of Defence. The clearance was given per the 2008 Greenfield Airport Policy.
- The pre-feasibility report stated that Parandur was finalised after considering land availability, travel distance, airspace availability, and existing obstacles around the site.
Next step: The next step is getting an in-principle approval for the project from the Centre. The state government will then apply for a license for the airport from the DGCA.
🚌 Minibus scheme deliberations
A public hearing on the draft minibus scheme received mixed responses.
What’s it about? The draft minibus scheme has received mixed responses. Commuters have welcomed it, existing minibus operators are on the fence, and private carriers and trade unions in the state have opposed it.
- The minibus scheme is expected to increase connectivity to the interior areas. Many passengers have to spend a lot on autos. It can also help in last-mile connectivity for train and metro stations.
- However, the MTC is fearful that minibuses will affect its operations. Some unions have also opposed it, saying it would affect the livelihoods of cab and auto drivers.
Complications: Since the expansion of Chennai, the government declared the newly added areas as unreserved routes to operate the minibuses. Per the Motor Vehicle Act, e-rickshaws should be operated on unreserved routes for last-mile connectivity.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you consume street food in the city?
- I consume street food in the city.
- I don’t consume street food in the city.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Which animal best describes your personality?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- A tempo feeder service was launched between the Taramani IT park and the Little Mount Metro station.
- Concerned residents have asked the Chennai Corporation to increase surveillance for vector-borne illnesses.
- The cancellation plans of the Southern Railway’s suburban trains in Chennai Beach, Tambaram, and Chengalpet have been postponed.
- Google Maps’ location has warned Chennai motorists about the presence of cops.
- Food safety officials who took pani puri samples from 60 street vendors have yet to release their analysis.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I was affected by the global IT outage: 20.0%
- I wasn’t affected by the global IT outage: 80.0% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What’s your favourite sport to watch in the Olympics?
Suchi: “Gymnastics”
Shiva: “Archery”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!