Good morning, Chennai!
🌦️ Today’s weather: A little cloudy with the possibility of some rain.
🧐 Did you know? Chennai Super Kings is the only sports team in India whose shares are available to the general public. In 2021, its market capitalisation reached ₹7,200 crores.
🏬 Downsides of metro construction
Small businesses and shops have borne the brunt of metro construction disruptions.
What’s it about? Travelling across some sections of Chennai, there’s the common sight of the metro phase 2 taking shape. While the metro has eased commute in the city for some, it has been a nightmare for others, like small traders and businesses. With traffic diversions and disruptions, many shops incurred losses or were forced to close.
- Traders have asked officials to provide some compensation. When they complained to Metro officials about an 8-month traffic diversion plan, they were informed it could be extended to a year or more. With bus stops shifted, shops close by have had to close.
- For pedestrians, it’s hard to get to the shops. Private vehicles have encroached on pavements, and people often have to wade through dense traffic. Several stretches with hospitals don’t have adequate space for ambulances.
Who said what? A Shankar Udupa, owner of the Vishwa Sagar Hotel in Ayanavaram, said there’s no way for people to visit since the entrance is partially closed. He said it’s a struggle to keep the lights on. V Santhosh of the Pure Cinema bookstore said the store’s cafe is doing poorly due to the pollution.
🛫 Re-surveying obstacles of second runway
Officials will re-survey obstacles like buildings affecting landings at the airport’s second runway.
What’s it about? The Airports Advisory Committee has asked the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to re-survey obstacles like buildings that affect landings at the second runway. Committee members said they could be removed without affecting buildings with infringements of up to 0.5 metres.
- The AAI recently asked residents to remove obstacles like water tanks and roofs of top floors that impact an aircraft’s landing from the Manapakkam-end.
- Committee member TR Baalu said the district administration should also remove any obstacles that hinder bigger planes from landing. The committee believes the airport isn’t using the second runway to its fullest potential.
Other improvements: Baalu suggested posting CISF personnel fluent in the local language in areas with high passenger interactions. The committee also asked the AAI to organise a meeting of defence officials and the state government for the handing over of defence land for airside development.
⚽ New football academy
FC Madras’ Youth Academy has a new tech-enabled facility to foster talent.
What’s it about? The Youth Academy of FC Madras has launched a modern tech-enabled residential football facility for kids below 15. Located in Mahabalipuram, it’s spread over 23 acres with India’s second-only hybrid turf, a mix of natural grass and astroturf. Former India captain Abhishek Yadav is the club’s new CEO, and Venkatesh S will be joining from East Bengal as technical director.
- Apart from the hybrid turf, the facility has a strength and conditioning centre, a residential hostel, and an alternative learning centre.
- The club selected 50 kids from more than 2,400 from 19 locations across India. They’ll be given scholarships for the residential training programme at the new facility.
Who said what? FC Madras founder Girish Mathrubootham said the dream is to find the next Messi from Madras. He said the new facility is a step forward in nurturing sporting talent and should inspire other companies and leaders to create similar academies.
🌊 Combining two SWD systems
The planned union of two stormwater drains has been scrapped.
What’s it about? The planned combination of the stormwater drains found on one of the two stretches of Pantheon Road that connect at the Egmore Roundtana has been shelved. One, from the British era, has been well preserved. The other one was new, made from concrete and thermo-mechanically treated bars.
- Officials from the Chennai Corporation and the traffic police at the Egmore F2 station tried to come up with a plan. Preparations were underway with pre-cast slabs at the ready.
- Metro water drains cast doubt on the project. The work was on hold due to alignment issues with the drains. When the digging was being done for the linking, the metro water drains’ content was spewing out.
Future plans: While the pre-cast slabs are still waiting to be used, the stormwater drain work at the Roundtana could be done once the pending work at Casa Major Road is finished.
📊 Today’s Poll
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Do you know how to play chess?
- Yes, I know how to play chess.
- No, I don’t know how to play chess.
❓ Today’s Question
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Given a chance, which sport would you pursue professionally?
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🗞️ In other news…
- Louis Mountbatten’s first visit to Madras didn’t turn out how he had hoped.
- Residents want the green cover to be increased at Shenoy Nagar park.
- The second pipeline from the Chembarambakkam treatment plant to the city has gathered pace.
- Madhavaram residents protested against the metro’s decision to scrap the Thapalpetti station.
- Kerala Pavillion, set up during the 1968 India International Trade Fair, continues at the Anna Nagar Club.
That’s it for today. Have a great day!