Good morning, Chennai!
☀️ Today’s weather: High: 40 ℃ | Low: 26 ℃ | Hot and sunny weather for today.
🧐 Did you know? Chennai has several medical firsts. It includes India’s first successful kidney transplant in 1985 and the first successful heart and lung transplant in 1995.
🚀 Space startup’s launch awaits
The maiden launch of Agnikul Cosmos’ first rocket was delayed again due to a technical issue.
What’s the story so far? Chennai-based Agnikul Cosmos had planned to launch its Agnibaan Sub Orbital Technology Demonstrator (SOrTeD) from Sriharikota on March 22, but it got postponed. It was rescheduled for Saturday but was postponed again.
- When the rocket does launch, it will be India’s first launch from a private launch pad located at ISRO’s spaceport. The SOrTeD is a highly customisable 2-stage launch vehicle that can carry 100-300 kg.
- The Agnikul Launch Pad (ALP) was built inside Sriharikota as part of new reforms by the Department of Space. The launch is meant to test and validate the guidance, control, and navigation systems.
Many firsts: The SOrTeD will be the country’s first semi-cryogenic engine-powered rocket launch. It will also be India’s first liquid oxygen-kerosene rocket flight from its first privately developed launchpad.
🧳 Visa delays
For those travelling to Europe, delays in getting visas have hindered their vacation plans.
What’s it about? Due to high demand, new appointments or appeals can’t be fixed within the time limit after a visa is rejected. There have been delays in getting appointments and the time taken to process visas.
- The delays have become an issue for those applying for Schengen visas for France, Italy, Spain, and other European countries. Travel operators say this caused hassles in planning group tours.
- In many cases, getting a visa appointment is difficult, and dates are available only after the middle of the month. Those who don’t have the time to appeal are forced to cancel their trips.
Best practices: Some operators say, it’s best to apply in January for summer travel. The booking window for European tours has been reduced to 90 days, and last-minute changes become difficult.
⚡ Increased power demand
High temperatures and humidity have driven Chennai’s power demands to new highs.
What’s it about? As the summer rolls in and temperatures are expected to increase further, the city’s electricity demand has reached new highs. On Friday, the city’s power demand reached over 4,000 MW, while Tamil Nadu recorded 19,580 MW.
- The city consumed 86.03 million units on Friday. According to data, the city’s maximum power demand was 4,300 MW last June. This time, it crossed the 4,000 MW mark in April.
- Over the past week, the city’s power demand has increased, with over 30 lakh connections. Chennai accounts for nearly 10% of the state’s total power consumption.
State power demand: Last Thursday, the city’s energy consumption set a new record of 441.83 million units. Officials say the peak is expected to be 21,000 MW this year.
🧾 Tax collection time
The Chennai Corporation has collected more property tax compared to last year and beat its target.
What’s it about? For the 2023-24 financial year, the Chennai Corporation collected ₹2,218 crore in property taxes, surpassing its target and last year’s haul. From the revenue collected, ₹567 crore was professional tax.
- Among the zones, Kodambakkam was at the top with ₹327 crore in property taxes and ₹113 crore in professional taxes. Next came Royapuram followed by Adyar.
- For the 2024-25 financial year, the Corporation has set a target of ₹1,750 crore as property tax and ₹550 crore as professional tax.
Defaulters: The Corporation collected ₹250 crore as tax arrears from defaulters. It’s better compared to the previous financial year. Arrear collection is ongoing, and the Corporation hopes to complete it in a few months.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Would you consider going on a solo vacation?
- I would consider going on a solo vacation.
- I wouldn’t consider going on a solo vacation.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What was your favourite activity at school?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Prime Minister Modi will arrive in Chennai on Tuesday for a campaign roadshow.
- Village panchayats along East Coast Road (ECR) have no waste management facilities and burn garbage at the Muttukadu backwaters.
- Food safety officials have asked shops to keep plastic water and beverage bottles inside to avoid contamination due to high temperatures.
- Embassy Office Parks REIT announced its Chennai entry with the acquisition of the Embassy Splendid TechZone (ESTZ).
That’s it for today. Have a great day!