Good morning, Chennai!
☀️ Today’s weather: It’s going to be sunny and humid.
🧐 Did you know? The St Mary’s Church on the premises of Fort St George is the earliest Protestant church built east of the Suez. It’s reportedly the oldest surviving British-era building in Chennai. It was inaugurated in 1680.
👷🏽 Who’s keeping waste management workers safe?
Sanitary workers in solid waste management lack basic amenities to do their job safely.
What’s it about? Many of the workers aren’t given face masks, gloves, or even a room to change their clothes. They have to travel to other locations to use toilets since the public ones aren’t maintained. Many suffer from health issues as they aren’t given regular health checkups.
- Those who sweep the roads aren’t given gloves or a mask and breathe in the dust, leading to cough and breathing difficulties. They are forced to carry dogs and cats off the roads with their bare hands, risking infection.
- The workers are forced to spend their own pocket from a limited salary on masks or gloves. The health camps conducted aren’t regular, and workers are forced to go to private hospitals where treatments are expensive.
Sick leave: Due to manpower shortage at the Chennai Corporation, conservancy workers are denied leave even during emergencies. Sick leave results in a loss of pay, so they’re forced to work when ill. The hike in salary is meagre at only ₹14-16 every year.
🗑️ Waste management in apartment complexes
Apartment complexes are encouraged to have waste management systems in place to reduce the quantum of waste.
What’s it about? Large apartment complexes and gated communities in the city are deemed Bulk Waste Generators (BWGs). According to the Solid Waste Management rules, any space that generates over 100 kg of waste a day is a BWG. They are supposed to deal with waste by setting up their own in-house mechanism and engaging a vendor.
- In the absence of adequate space, BWGs can hand over waste to an external agency to process. However, this is a costly option over time. Managing waste in-house is cost-effective.
- Residential BWGs can hire an organisation that offers solid waste management services. The costs will vary depending on the type of service the BWGs choose to engage with. The entire process can take between 3-6 months.
Challenges and concerns: Sometimes, residents may oppose the idea of an in-house facility. Also, getting hold of the right vendor can be challenging. And the returns on investment in such projects tend to be low.
🛣️ Possible diversions at Kilambakkam
The opening of the Kilambakkam bus terminus could result in some traffic diversions to ease congestion.
What’s it about? The Tambaram Police have requested the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) for alternative routes in the area to prevent traffic congestion during the festival seasons. The new bus terminus is expected to be inaugurated next month.
- The proposal is to divert private and heavy vehicles and government buses through two alternative routes so that they don’t cause traffic issues.
- There was also a discussion of building a roundtana at Guduvancheri. The plan is to widen the road from the Guduvancheri – Madambakkam junction to Mannivakkam. This could help ease traffic on the GST Road.
New terminus: The Kilambakkam bus terminus is expected to reduce traffic congestion in Koyambedu and surrounding areas. It can accommodate over 200 buses. It has underground parking facilities for over 2,700 two-wheelers and 300 cars.
😮💨 Pollution levels in summer
As the temperature increases, so do air pollution levels in the city.
What’s it about? Over the past few days, the city’s air pollution levels have been high thanks to dust from construction sites, industrial emissions, landfills, and burning of waste. Pollution levels were high on May 11, 12, and 14, with high humidity due to cyclone Mocha pulling away moisture.
- Between 10 am and 4 pm, the National Clean Air Programme’s (NCAP) real-time data showed pollution levels were above 100 micrograms per cubic metre for PM10.
- PM10 levels at the Alandur bus depot, Arumbakkam, and Perungudi were as high as 126 and 145. In industrial areas like Ennore, pollution levels reached 80.
Cause: Experts said when temperatures go high or low, the air quality is poor due to increased emissions. In the absence of winds or precipitation, the pollutants get trapped or suspended in the air.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you find it easy to commute via public transportation in the city?
- Yes, I find it easy to commute via public transportation in the city.
- No, I find it difficult to commute via public transportation in the city.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Which is the cleanest beach in Chennai?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- The Madras High Court now has an IP Division to deal with trademarks and patents.
- City temperatures for the second consecutive day crossed 40 degree Celsius.
- IIT Madras opened its Centre for Responsible AI with Google as a member.
- TASMAC outlets, despite selling dozens of brands, have only a limited selection at outlets.
- New Corporation Commissioner has promised a transparent civic body.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I consider Chennai a safe place for women: 80.0% 🏆
- I wouldn’t consider Chennai a safe place for women: 20.0%
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What was your favourite extracurricular activity in school?
Kalaiarasi: “Voluntary and community clubs”
Chitra: “Volley ball”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!