Good morning, Chennai!
🌤️ Today’s weather: High: 36 ℃ | Low: 28 ℃ | Mostly sunny for the day.
🧐 Did you know? The first hospital in the city was set up in 1664 at Fort St. George to treat sick soldiers of the East India Company.
🎭 Fun in a public space
The Happy Street at Avadi event will see several cultural activities and performances to celebrate local talent.
What’s it about? Chennaiites, especially those in Avadi, are in for a fun weekend. The Housing Board of Avadi will conduct the Happy Street at Avadi event, also known as Valarchiyai Nokki Avadi, to transform the streets into lively public spaces.
- The event aims to bring families and kids together for several cultural events while raising awareness about important issues like waste management, empowering women workers, etc.
- People can expect street performances like traditional dances, martial arts, mimicry by KPY Naveen and a live concert by Martin Kartenjer.
Foster happiness: The initiative aims to foster social responsibility and a sense of happiness among locals. It’s an opportunity to break down social barriers and socialise.
👩💻 Startup’s AI product plans
Chennai and US-based Rocketlane raised capital for its upcoming AI roadmap.
What’s it about? The software services company raised $24 million in Series B funding for a grand total of $45 million. The startup will use the money for its AI roadmap – to build AI-based products for its client project deliveries.
- The company’s AI-driven capabilities in resource management and productivity are expected to give it a competitive edge.
- The company’s growth has been fuelled by an increased demand for efficiency and cost optimisation in professional service teams.
Performance: The business-to-business Software as a Service platform for client project delivery tripled its revenue in the past year and reached over 500 customers.
🛣️ Protecting the Pallikaranai Marsh
The highways department has proposed a high-level bridge on the Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam Radial Road.
What’s it about? The State Highways Department has proposed the bridge from Kamakshi Hospital to Thoraipakkam to protect the Pallikaranai Marsh. The marshland plays a vital role in flood alleviation and is cut by the 200-foot Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam Radial Road.
- The Forest Department has 749 hectares of marshland under its control, and the Chennai Corporation has 173 hectares. The remaining is legally and illegally occupied by public and private institutions.
- A high-level bridge over the existing road would allow for the free flow of water on the marshland.
Other projects: There are several other transport infrastructure projects in the pipeline. These include foot-over bridges with escalators at the Velachery railway station bus stop and on the Inner Ring Road near Koyambedu junction and the widening of six roads and bypasses.
🚌 More E-buses
500 additional electric buses are being procured for Chennai.
What’s it about? Chennai will get 500 new electric buses to replace a third of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation’s (MTC) ageing fleet. Tenders for the first batch will reach the final stage this week.
- The second phase of this project will cost about ₹959 crore. 70% of that will be funded by the World Bank and the rest by the state government.
- There could also be premium bus services for the city. A feasibility study will be done for this service, where the buses will have WiFi connections, GPS trackers, and luxury seats.
Fleet numbers: In a political tussle in the assembly, state transport minister SS Sivasankar said when the DMK came to power in 2021, 50% of the MTC’s fleet were old buses. He said under the AIADMK regime, from 2011 to 2021, only 14,000 buses were bought.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you ever done an internship?
- I have done an internship.
- I haven’t done an internship.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s your favourite way to unwind after a stressful day?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Flu and other illnesses are on the rise in Chennai as doctors and the government advise on care.
- The Bio-mining process at the Perungudi landfill is likely to be complete by August-end.
- Guduvanchery residents staged a road blockade on GST Road following repeated power failures.
- Gorilla glass maker Corning laid the foundation stone for its new manufacturing facility.
- A government high school in Kannagi Nagar overcame roadblocks to be revamped with new facilities and infrastructure.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have visited a factory: 83.3% 🏆
- I haven’t visited a factory: 16.7%
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
If you could have a personal mascot, what would it be?
Suchi: “Elephant. They’re loyal, empathetic and have strong family bonds.”
Shiva: “Elephant”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!