Good morning, Chennai!
☀️ Today’s weather: It’s going to be sunny and hot.
🧐 Did you know? India’s first labour union started when workers of the Buckingham and Carnatic Mills formed the Madras Labour Union in 1918.
✈️ Chennai-Bengaluru airfares drop
Airfares from Chennai to Bengaluru have dropped as travel companies look to woo customers.
What’s it about? With the emergence of the Vande Bharat Express, airlines and online travel portals are looking to lure customers with discounted airfares. Airline tickets were available for as low as ₹900 on Monday.
- As the summer vacations get underway, more families are looking at flights as an option since it gives them a better experience and can be cheaper.
- The passenger number in trains from Chennai to Bengaluru has increased as the travel time was cut with increased speeds for some trains on the Chennai-Jolarpet route.
Who said what? Gaurav Patwari of Cleartrip said the present dip in airfares is due to reduced Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices and increased capacity from low-cost carriers. Competition from Vande Bharat has further reduced the rates, according to Basheer Ahemd from Chennai Metro Travels.
⚡ Electric vehicle sales surge
Chennai sees an increase in sales of electric vehicles (EVs).
What’s it about? Nearly 60% of the 9,300 EVs that hit the road in the state were in Chennai. There has been a surge in EV sales in the state over the past couple of months. Thanks to subsidies and company offers, customers have taken to EVs.
- Most sales are registered in places like Tambaram, Poonamallee, and Ambatur, places where there’s no metro connectivity yet.
- Among the reasons for high sales is mandatory onboard diagnostic tools (OBD-II) for all vehicles from April 1. Companies have also announced summer offers with ₹20,000-30,000 discounts.
Who said what? S Rajvel of the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA) said the mandatory OBD-II conditions were time-consuming, so consumers opted for EVs. Transport activist R Rengachari said people were hesitant to buy EVs due to well-documented fire accidents. Now, companies have advertised with in-built fire suppressors.
📱 Foxconn facility expansion
The iPhone supplier might expand its Chennai facility as Apple sees India as an important market.
What’s it about? Apple CEO Tim Cook is in India as the company opened its first store in Mumbai. Amid increased ambitions for the Indian market, Foxconn, the company’s main manufacturer, will expand its Chennai facility. The company began making the iPhone 14 in India last September.
- The Foxconn Hon Hai Technology India facility is located at Sriperumbudur. Reports suggest the company will add two more buildings that will be used to make iPhones.
- Tamil Nadu is fast becoming an iPhone manufacturing hub with Foxconn and Pegatron. The company has been looking to India for its manufacturing requirements, shifting away from China.
Future prospects: 20-25% of Apple’s global production will be in India in the next three to four years. Foxconn will begin constructing a new iPhone manufacturing facility and assembly unit near the Bengaluru International Airport this May.
🚶 Perambur heritage walk
A heritage walk is being organised in Perambur to uncover the history of its Anglo-Indian community.
What’s it about? ‘Madras Inherited’ is an initiative to preserve the city’s heritage. Part of this includes organising heritage walks across the city. The latest one will be in Perambur to learn about the Anglo-Indian community who called the area home.
- The community played an important role in the functioning of the Indian Railways as it was a way of life for them. Hidden within the area’s structures are the community’s blend of Indian and Western traditions.
- The walk will focus on tracing their history, their institutions of work, worship, and recreation. It’ll be an opportunity to learn about their contributions to the area, the Railways, and the city.
Details: The walk will take place on April 30 from 6.30 am to 8.30 am.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you or do you currently use a fitness tracker like a Fitbit?
- Yes, I have/am currently using a fitness tracker.
- No, I haven’t/don’t currently use a fitness tracker.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s a historical site you want to visit?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in south Chennai have begun seizing two-wheelers operating as bike taxis.
- Stand-up paddle boarding is gaining popularity among people from different age groups.
- 74 compactors will be bought by the Chennai Corporation to improve solid waste management.
- Baskin Robbins’ Chennai plans include opening 4-6 outlets in the city every year.
- The Chennai Corporation has spent over ₹350 crore relaying 3,000 roads.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I am interested in paying for social media verification: 14.3%
- I’m not interested in paying for social media verification: 85.7% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
How do you plan on keeping cool this summer?
Chitra: “Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!