Good morning, Chennai!
☀️ Today’s weather: High: 40 ℃ | Low: 29 ℃ | Hot and humid for the day!
🧐 Did you know? IIT-Madras was inaugurated by the then Union Minister for Scientific Research and Cultural Affairs Humayun Kabir, at the temporary campus at A.C. College of Technology at Guindy on July 31, 1959.
🏢 Net zero tech park
Chennai is now home to the country’s first tech park certified as net zero.
What’s it about? The International Tech Park Chennai, developed by CapitaLand Investments Limited at Radial Road, was certified as India’s first net zero tech park. The facility was awarded the distinction by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).
- The net-zero tag is thanks to the building using passive and active measures to restrict energy use and maximise efficiency. The premises also ensure minimal water consumption by reusing it.
- It also attained the WELL Building Standard certification that recognises project design that enhances the well-being of the occupants through regulating air and water quality.
What’s next? The project is part of the first phase of operations. When it’s completed, the 5 million square feet business park will have four Grade A office blocks to accommodate 50,000 IT professionals.
🐕 Dogs let go
After an incident involving a 5-year-old girl and two rottweilers, the Chennai Corporation hasn’t addressed pet ownership.
What happened? The child who was mauled by the rottweilers at a park in Thousand Lights is still in the ICU. The owner of the dogs drove them to Madurai after a notification to relocate them. Meanwhile, the Chennai Corporation, the licensing authority for the city’s pets, hasn’t properly addressed the issue.
- In a 2022 case where a German Shepherd bit a child, the Corporation seized, quarantined, and tested the dog for any diseases.
- Pet owners face no accountability when incidents happen. The laws and rules in place aren’t enforced by local authorities or the Chennai Corporation.
What’s the protocol? Per the Animal Welfare Board of India’s guidelines, the local bodies must seize, impound, and quarantine the dog for one to three weeks.
🌊 New flood-prevention plan
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The water resources department plans to link 200 tanks in the Adyar and Kovalam river basins.
What’s it about? The plan to link the basins is to help improve Chennai’s water storage capacity and prevent flooding in case of heavy rain during the monsoon. The locations in particular are Tambaram and Mudichur.
- 90% of the rainwater flows into the sea due to inadequate storage. 134 tanks in the Adyar basin and 66 in the Kovalam basin have been identified.
- They’ll be linked through a “cut and cover” method. Instead of needing land to build open channels, a covered structure will be built below ground level to carry excess water from one tank to another.
Status: The project is awaiting approval from the state government. The Japan International Cooperation Agency will provide financial assistance.
🏖️ Blue flag status
The state coastal zone management has asked the CMDA to align its beach restoration project to get a blue flag status.
What’s it about? The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has proposed the restoration of the Kasimedu, Thiruvottiyur, and Injambakkam to Akkarai stretch. To get the blue flag status, the work shouldn’t just be cosmetic but address environmental and hygiene issues.
- The coastal zone management has asked the CMDA to work with the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM). At Kasimedu and Thiruvottiyur, the CMDA should address oil leaks and sewage issues.
- The CMDA’s original plan involved pedestrian footpaths, toilets, landscaping, public plazas, parking, and play areas. The CMDA has also been asked to provide alternate livelihood opportunities to benefit coastal communities.
What will be done? CMDA’s current plan meets 20 of the 30 criteria needed for a blue flag certification. Officials will conduct water sampling tests, demarcate safe areas for swimming, and form a beach management committee.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you ever been to a spa?
- I have been to a spa.
- I’ve never been to a spa.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s your favourite type/flavour of doughnut?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- The pet licensing system in Chennai is in poor shape.
- The Chennai Police have begun to crack down on unauthorised stickers on vehicles, with 1,200 cases in five days.
- New 12-hour shifts for bus crews have been introduced by the MTC to help boost frequency.
- Flyover construction begins on Usman Road, with traffic diversions till December.
- KSH Logistics announced an expansion of its Chennai multi-client warehousing facility.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have visited a farm: 70.6% 🏆
- I’ve never visited a farm: 29.4%
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What plants would you grow in a garden?
Suchi: “Rose, Jasmine, Bougainville”
Shiva: “Mostly flowers, rarely vegetables”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!