Good morning, Chennai!
🌤️ Today’s weather: High: 38 ℃ | Low: 28 ℃ | Partly cloudy with high humidity.
🧐 Did you know? The Chennai Suburban Railway began operations in 1931 on an electrified line from Chennai Beach to Tambaram.
👩💻 Choosing a career path
The rise of AI and data science has seen more school students choose computer science over commerce.
What’s it about? As the topic of AI has permeated several sectors, it’s up to students to choose what their career path will be given new-age technologies. Students across some city schools seem more interested in computer science-based streams than pure sciences or commerce.
- Students who have scored high marks are opting for computer science since they want to learn about AI and the possibility of more job opportunities in fields like robotics.
- During the pandemic, there were more takers for the commerce stream. Due to the 7.5% reservation in engineering colleges, many students in government schools have preferred computer science.
Shifting sands: There’s more buzz around AI and tools like ChatGPT. Some schools are planning to have more sections to meet the increasing demand. Others are encouraging toppers to join biology-maths groups.
💸 Rail passengers beware
Authorities have warned rail passengers to be cautious in dealing with strangers on trains and at stations.
What’s it about? There have been increasing complaints from passengers at the city’s railway stations, including Egmore and Central, of losing their belongings by being cheated by people posing as travellers. Officials have issued warnings to travellers.
- The Central and Egmore stations are prime targets since they’re the most crowded. These conmen exploit passengers’ goodwill who part with their money.
- Usually, they ask people to buy them a ticket, claiming to not have money. The ticket is then refunded to enable them to make some money. Most of the perpetrators are juveniles and youngsters.
What’s being done? While law enforcement authorities are aware of such incidents, there haven’t been any written complaints so far which are needed for the police to act upon.
📹 Identifying stolen vehicles
The city police launched a new tool to help quickly track and verify vehicles.
What’s it about? As part of the Safe City project, the new technology includes installing over 5,000 cameras across the city. The portable cameras can scan vehicle number plates and detect their registration numbers. The city police hope this new tool will help crack down on rising vehicle theft cases.
- Once the number plate is scanned, the registration number is cross-referenced with a database maintained at the command and control centre at the police headquarters in Vepery.
- When it identifies a match, the system sends alerts to officers. Separate handheld devices used by the police can take a photo of the person and link it with a facial recognition system. The pilot phase was launched in Old Washermentpet.
Other applications: The new tool can also be used to book vehicles for traffic offences to reduce road accidents.
🛣️ Less time to prepare the mobility plan
CUMTA is cutting down the time to prepare the mobility plan by taking help from TANGEDCO in collecting data.
What’s it about? Collecting data to prepare the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) has been a challenging and time-consuming task for the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA). To save time, it’s using The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited’s (TANGEDCO) help to collect data.
- The lack of a current land use plan was concerning since it’s needed to prepare the plan. Initially, the idea was to collect the data manually since they wanted over 90% accuracy. However, it’s a tiring process and could take over 2 years.
- Instead, officials have decided to collect data on power connections from TANGEDCO. CUMTA has saved 18 months and ₹3 crore thanks to this decision.
What’s next? The plan is expected to be ready by the end of July. It’ll focus on an inclusive, resilient, safe, and sustainable transportation model that prioritises people instead of vehicles. The mass transit options will complement existing and upcoming metro alignments.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Which type of chocolate do you prefer?
- I prefer white chocolate.
- I prefer dark chocolate.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
How often do you go to the theatre?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- The Chennai Corporation roped in radio jockeys for a campaign on solid waste management.
- Rail passengers on the Chennai-Gummidipoondi route want better security and safer stations.
- The Elephant Gate railway bridge’s second arm is scheduled to be ready by June.
- Automatic doors and glass panels have been installed by the MTC on hundreds of buses to prevent travelling on footboards.
- The Kodai Nataka Vizha, in its 33rd edition, showcased the best of theatre.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have read the Harry Potter books: 20.0%
- I haven’t read the Harry Potter books: 80.0% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
Who are some of your favourite authors?
Suchi: “James Hadley Chase, Dan Brown”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!