Good morning, Chennai!
🌧️ Today’s weather: Cloudy with the possibility of some rain.
🧐 Did you know? When the Gemini flyover opened in 1973, it was the longest in the country at 1,600 feet. It’s officially called the Anna flyover, after former Chief Minister CN Annadurai.
🧑🏫 New academic season beckons
Colleges are opening the new academic season for freshers with new courses and lectures.
What’s it about? Arts and science colleges in the city are planning to begin the new academic year for freshers with a host of new programs and courses. Among them are bridge courses, counselling, and talks by eminent people.
- Queen Mary’s College will have a 4-day induction programme with spoken English and employability skills. Presidency College will have a week-long induction from July 10 with eminent people invited to inspire first-year students.
- At the Government Arts College for Men, a bridge course will help students transition from school to college. The placement guidance cell will educate students about career paths.
Numbers: Across the 164 government arts and science colleges, just under 85,000 seats have been filled out of 1.07 lakh vacancies. Of those enrolled, 57% are girls.
🛣️ Instilling lane discipline
Chennai Police has been directed by the Madras high court to have a plan to enforce lane discipline.
What’s it about? The high court directive came in the wake of a public interest litigation about road accidents resulting from lane indiscipline. The court stated coming up with a plan shouldn’t be difficult since most city roads have CCTV cameras to catch and penalise violators.
- The Indian Road Congress standards state each lane should be 3.5 metres wide. Most roads aren’t wide enough for lane markings to accommodate all types of vehicles. The number of vehicles has also increased over the years.
- Some experts feel the responsibility shouldn’t just be with the traffic police but also with the Corporation and state highways department. There should also be enough space for pedestrians.
Previous attempt: A trial arrangement was done for 2 km from Anna Salai Head Post Office to Whites Road junction in 1992. It wasn’t that successful since three-wheelers and motorcycles didn’t follow the prescribed lanes.
🖧 Taking the entrepreneurial plunge
Four friends founded a company to help banks in their digital transformation.
Who are they? As Infosys and NIIT were coming to the fore in the Indian Information Technology space, four friends in Chennai decided to quit their jobs and start a company. Using their experience in consulting for financial services and sensing a technology disruption for banks, they launched Maveric Systems.
- The company works with a few of the top five banks across the Middle East, APAC, and India. It offers them solutions for data technology, regulatory compliance, and other digital operational services.
- 18 customers contribute almost 85% of the company’s revenue. 13 of their clients have been with them for over a decade. The company grew by over 20% over the past three years and is expected to double this in the coming three.
Secrets to success: The company isn’t chasing growth on a large scale but instead focuses on building a relationship with its clients and understanding them end-to-end. CEO and co-founder Ranga Reddy cited a project with a UK bank as an example of the company’s resilience since it executed a digital transformation while fully remote.
🏘️ Mahindra Lifespaces’ Chennai foray
The real estate developer announced its upcoming Lakefront Estates at Mahindra World City.
What’s it about? The company’s first plotted development project in Chennai is envisioned as an ideal, customised living experience with green open spaces, world-class infrastructure, and facilities. It’ll be located overlooking Kolavai Lake.
- The project will be spread over 19 acres with a variety of plots. It’ll have designed gardens with unique amenities for residents to relax and socialise.
- The company already has its Mahindra World City, a preferred destination for more than 65 international companies. The industrial zone has generated 1 lakh jobs with direct connectivity to the Grand Southern Trunk Road and major highways.
Market opportunity: The market in South India has matured with increased demand for plotted developments. They’ve become a game changer in the real estate market. It allows homebuyers to design their dream homes.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you think Chennai is better prepared for flooding now than it was before?
- I think Chennai is better prepared for flooding now.
- I don’t think Chennai is better prepared for flooding now.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What irks you most about other motorists while driving?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Chennai Corporation has not yet begun desilting work, with no tenders floated so far.
- City-based businessman paid ₹11.11 lakh as parking charges at Metro stations for his 21 cars.
- Chilli prices in the city have increased to ₹100 per kg due to a supply shortage.
- The Chengai Sivam bridge will benefit lakhs of residents in Perambur, Otteri, among others.
- 74.06 lakh passengers travelled in the Chennai Metro in June, setting a new record.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I buy groceries weekly: 75.0% 🏆
- I buy groceries monthly: 25.0%
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What’s your go-to market in the city for everyday items?
Chitra: “Kovai Pazhamudir Nilayam”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!