Good morning, Chennai!
☁️ Today’s weather: High: 37 ℃ | Low: 27 ℃ | Cloudy weather for the day.
🧐 Did you know? Vai. Mu. Kothainayaki Ammal, a prolific writer, ran Jaganmohini magazine for over three decades and a printing press in Triplicane. She was the first woman to write a detective story in Tamil.
👩💻 Quantum computing development
IIT Madras’ Director believes quantum computing hardware is just a few years away.
What’s it about? According to IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti, quantum computing will be the next generation of computers, providing the most reliable and accurate information. Hardware for these is expected to be ready in the next 4-5 years.
- At the 16th edition of the International Conference on Quantum Communication, Measurement, and Computing at the IIT Madras campus, the Director said quantum computing will be faster than computers today.
- The institute is currently researching using quantum sense technology to provide accurate information.
Hardware: For AI to work in the future based on quantum computing, the technology will need to evolve. Hardware for such quantum technology is challenging to make and will take a few years to fabricate and realise.
🌊 Proposal to interlink rivers
A proposal to interlink two rivers has been made to tackle seawater incursion and flood risks for Chennai.
What’s it about? The Water Resources Department (WRD) is studying the possibility of interlinking the Kosasthalaiyar and Arani rivers. A report will be finalised in the next few months. After that, the Department will work with the Central Water Commission to implement the project if it’s feasible.
- The primary linking channel would be set up at Tamaraipakkam anicut to help drain excess water and minimise seawater intrusion. There are already plans to build check dams at the confluence points.
- If the channel is built with a minimum width of 20 metres, it can store up to 11 million cubic feet of water. The project will also help boost groundwater levels in Tiruvallur and Chengalpattu districts.
Broader strategy: The river-linking initiative was one of the recommendations made by the Tirupugazh Committee. The WRD has also been removing encroachments from riverbeds.
🛬 Preventing gold smuggling at the airport
Repeated gold smuggling incidents have resulted in enhanced strength of the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU).
What’s it about? Recently, there have been several gold smuggling cases reported at the airport. Some have taken place with help from staff at the shops inside the terminals. The Chennai Airport has strengthened its AIU as a preventive measure.
- In most cases, the smugglers bypassed the customs check and took the gold outside the airport with help from the staff at the duty-free shops.
- The number of AIU personnel has been increased. The officers will be in plain clothes inside the terminal and monitor passengers arriving from abroad.
Additional measures: The Customs Department will deploy sniffer dogs to detect illegal narcotics.
🛣️ Toll hike
Travelling from Chennai to Bengaluru will cost more with revised toll rates.
What’s it about? From September 1, travelling from Chennai to Bengaluru or the state’s southern and western districts will become costly. The toll rates at over 25 toll plazas have been revised by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
- The tolls have been increased by ₹30-₹115. This could make the trip from Chennai to Bengaluru cost between ₹430 to ₹460. The revision comes amid growing demands to remove toll plazas.
- State highways minister EV Velu requested the NHAI to remove the toll plazas, but no action was taken.
Unpopular move: Transport activists and residents are unhappy with the toll increase. It’s an unnecessary burden on the public as infrastructure projects like road widening and lighting remain incomplete across several stretches.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you check the nutritional information on packaged foods before buying?
- I check the nutritional information on packaged foods before buying.
- I don’t check the nutritional information on packaged foods before buying.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Who’s you favourite Indian literary character?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- A Chennai Corporation survey has found that one-third of the city’s speed breakers are faulty.
- Couples and youngsters are barred from entering the Pallavaram eco-park.
- The upcoming elevated corridor project along ECR will catalyse real estate growth.
- Chief Minister MK Stalin laid the foundation stone for six projects in North Chennai.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I read on long travels: 33.3%
- I watch something on long travels: 66.7% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What’s your favourite traditional Indian sweet?
Shiva: “Rasamalai”
Suchi: “Laddoo”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!