Good morning, Chennai!
🌧️ Today’s weather: Mostly cloudy with some rain.
🧐 Did you know? Chennai is the second-oldest English settlement in India after Surat.
🛣️ Smart technology transport system
The Chennai Corporation will initiate a pilot for the Intelligent Transport System across the city.
What’s it about? The locations for the pilot project have been finalised, with the design work and data collection currently in progress. The pilot is expected to be installed at 17 locations.
- Passenger information systems will be installed at bus shelters at Park Station, Shanti Theatre, LIC, Ashok Pillar, and the Anand Theatre. In January, the system will be installed at Sterling Road and Liberty Theatre bus stops and Royapettah police station bus shelter.
- At the bus stops and shelters, passengers will be able to see the estimated time of arrival of the buses. The adaptive traffic signal control system will be installed at the junctions of EVR Periyar Salai, Barnaby Road, Harrington Road, and Taylors Road.
Benefit and timeline: With the systems in place, commuters will experience a decline in stopping times at signals. The pilot will begin in January with a one-month trial.
🏨 Iconic hotel to close its doors
The Crowne Plaza Hotel on Chamiers Road will make way for luxury apartments.
What happened? The nearly 4 decade-old hotel announced that effective December 20, 2023, it will no longer welcome guests as part of the company’s decision to begin a rebuilding phase.
- It was first promoted as the Adyar Gate Hotel by industrialist TT Vasu. Later, it was bought by garment exporters, the Goyals. It then became popular as the ITC Park Sheraton Hotel & Towers. Once ITC built the Grand Chola, it was renamed Crowne Plaza.
- A couple of years ago, developer Cebros was supposed to acquire it and develop a luxury residential property. However, that deal didn’t happen. Now, Baashyaam Construction Group has agreed to take over the property.
Future plans: The Baashyaam Group has plans for twin residential towers with 130 apartments. They’re expected to be priced between ₹15-21 crore.
♻️ Carbon-neutral market
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A cold storage unit will help make the Koyambedu market carbon-neutral.
What’s it about? The Koyambedu wholesale market is set to become carbon-neutral thanks to a cold storage unit set up by the Tamil Nadu Cooperative Marketing Federation (TANFED). The government has enlisted IIT Madras to help make the market energy-efficient and plastic-free.
- IIT had already submitted a report which included details on waste management, water supply, and sanitation. Officials are also keen on building structures for energy utilisation and traffic management.
- There are also plans to revamp the sewage pumps within the market premises and provide additional water supply connections. Currently, the market gets its water from a borewell.
Previous cold storage unit: The previous cold storage unit at the market was discontinued. TANFED was making a profit from the unit from 1995 to 2002. After that, it suffered a ₹25 lakh loss.
☂️ Umbrella sellers rejoice
As the monsoon sets in over the city, it’s a good time for umbrella sellers.
What’s it about? While the rainy season is a challenge for commuters and pedestrians, it’s good business for umbrella sellers in the city. Across several stores, umbrellas are on sale for reasonable prices, ranging from ₹50 to ₹200.
- While umbrellas can be a fashion statement, it’s also now a necessity. Even during the Hajj season, devotees buy umbrellas before they embark on the pilgrimage. For kids, there are ones with cartoon figures and vibrant colours.
- There are new styles on sale, like couple umbrellas, walking-stick umbrellas, mini-fan umbrellas, and ones that change colour and design when water falls on them.
Long-term use: For some, umbrellas are a use-and-throw item. For others, they’ve been maintained for years since they’ve been preserved properly.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you ever taken a driving test?
- I have taken a driving test.
- I haven’t taken a driving test.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s been your favourite book from this year?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- High taxes have affected the number of new vehicle registrations in the city.
- Radial Road drains continue to overflow with garbage and plastic bottles.
- Heavy rains across the city affected normal life as several areas witnessed waterlogging.
- Hapag-Lloyd opened its new technology centre at the World Trade Center Chennai.
- A Chennai builder took delivery of India’s first Rolls-Royce Spectre EV.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I would consider buying an EV if it was cheaper: 66.7% 🏆
- I wouldn’t consider buying an EV if it was cheaper: 33.3%
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What would be the components of your dream meal?
Suchi: “Rice, Crab masala”
Shiva: “Rasa malai, methu vadai, chilli parotta, adai – aviyal, veg pullav, paal payasam, thayir saatham”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!