Good morning, Chennai!
🌤️ Today’s weather: High: 30 ℃ | Low: 22 ℃ | A misty morning followed by clear skies for the day.
🧐 Did you know? Basin Bridge gets its name from the fact that the area was once a large basin where boats came, loaded and unloaded goods.
🥻 Showcasing Indian crafts
The Dastkar Bazaar showcases works from over 100 artisans across several states.
What’s it about? The Dastkar Bazaar showcases the diversity of crafts from 110 artisans across 18 states. The exhibition runs till January 12th at YMCA Boys Town. Visitors can explore indigenous crafts like Sabai grass weaving, neem woodwork, and paper mache from Kashmir. Dastkar is an NGO established in 1981 to uplift traditional Indian craftspeople.
- The exhibition will showcase textiles, like handwoven linen, tussar silk saris, Kantha and Chikankari embroidered saris, and Kalamkari hand-painted saris.
- Cultural performances will include the Chhau dance by artists from Jharkhand. There’ll also be live food counters where visitors can sample snacks from different regions.
Demos: Artisan-led demonstrations will include glass bangle making and carpet weaving.
🌊 IIT-M’s new research facility
IIT Madras opened Asia’s largest Shallow Wave Basin research facility.
What’s it about? The new facility will cater to Indian research and industry requirements. It’s located at the Discovery Satellite campus in Thaiyur and was established through the National Technology Centre for Ports Waterways and Coasts, the technology arm of the Ministry of Shipping.
- The facility will be used to address issues in Indian ports, waterways, and coastal engineering and to foster technical innovations in the port and maritime sectors.
- The basin will be used for harbour, coastal, and inland waterways-related projects. A variety of coastal structures, post-impact analysis, and large floating plants can be tested.
Importance: The facility will help the government in future initiatives for new ports, coastal engineering, and inland waterways projects.
💳 Common mobility progress
The launch of the MTC Singara Chennai card is another step in Chennai’s common mobility journey.
What’s it about? The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) launched the Singara Chennai card which allows passengers to pay bus fares with just a tap. The same card can be used for the metro also. It’s a significant boost to achieve common mobility in the city.
- The Singara Chennai card is issued by the State Bank of India (SBI) and is a prepaid National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) for seamless travel on buses and the metro.
- The MTC will distribute 50,000 cards for free at bus pass sale counters at several bus stops including Koyambedu, Broadway, Central Railway, Tambaram, Avadi, and T Nagar.
Progress: The Chennai Metro has already issued 4 lakh NCMC cards which can be used for travel on MTC buses. These are easier to use than UPI or card-based payments which faced glitches due to network issues and peak hours.
🚇 Metro extension status
The project report for the metro extension from Koyambedu to Avadi will be ready this month.
What’s it about? The detailed project report (DPR) for the metro rail extension from Koyambedu to Avadi will be completed this month. Metro officials are also conducting a feasibility study for an extension till Pattabiram.
- The extension to Avadi is part of corridor 5 from Madhavaram to Sholinganallur. The length will be approximately 16.1 km and increase to 20 km if it extends to Pattabiram.
- If the extension is approved, a depot will be built in Avadi or a vacant space on the Outer Ring Road (ORR) in Pattabiram. The estimated cost would be ₹6,500 crore.
Stations: The extension to Avadi will have 15 elevated stations including Wavin, Ambattur Estate bus stand, Ambattur railway station, and Avadi railway station.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you use any AI tools for your daily work?
- I use AI tools for my daily work.
- I don’t use AI tools for my daily work.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What food or dish immediately takes you back to your childhood?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- One HMPV case was detected in Chennai as the government says no need to panic.
- The 21st Mylapore Festival will take place from January 9 to 12 showcasing Mylapore’s history and culture.
- Ward 145 councillor T Sathyanathan organised a protest against civic officials to open the park at Perumal Koil Street.
- Chennai Equitation Centre’s junior riders win 18 medals at the National Championships.
- Ambattur residents oppose the highways department’s plan to widen the Chennai-Thiruvallur High Road.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have set New Year’s resolutions: 44.4%
- I haven’t set New Year’s resolutions: 55.6% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What common New Year’s resolution would you consider?
Suchi: “To exercise daily.”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!