Good morning, Chennai!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 29 ℃ | Low: 23 ℃ | Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain.
🧐 Did you know? The Pilot Theatre was the first in the city to get a wide screen.
🛣️ Revamping Loop Road
The Chennai Corporation is looking to redevelop the Loop Road into a vibrant public space.
What’s it about? The civic body wants to redevelop the Loop Road near Marina Beach into a public space prioritising non-motorised transport. A tender has been floated to prepare a detailed project report for ₹17.7 lakh. The chosen consultant will conduct topographic, traffic, and land use surveys.
- The Corporation recently relocated fish vendors along Loop Road to a new facility to ease traffic on the stretch. The project aims to make this space a high-value, pedestrian-friendly waterfront that’s accessible and sustainable.
- The plan includes designated highways, green spaces, and zones for social and recreational activities in compliance with NGT and zonal regulations.
About Loop Road: It stretches 2.55 km and connects the Light House junction to the Greenways Road junction. It caters to a fishing community, street vendors, and beachgoers but has struggled with traffic congestion and unregulated vending zones.
✈️ “Digi Buddies” at the airport
Specially trained personnel will assist passengers with the DigiYatra option at the airport.
What’s it about? Digi Buddies are specially trained personnel who will help passengers unfamiliar with the DigiYatra option at the airport. The facial recognition system speeds up the entry and check-in process since passengers don’t have to wait in long queues.
- The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will deploy over 60 trained Digi Buddies at the departure lounge of the T1 and T4 domestic terminals by February 1.
- For some passengers who aren’t tech-savvy or senior citizens, Digi Buddies will help them through the process. It involves downloading the app, uploading a selfie and boarding pass information, and ensuring they match.
DigiYatra use: Per official data, 14% of passengers at the domestic terminal use DigiYatra. The AAI has a target of 40%.
💻 MSI laptops manufacturing
Laptop maker MSI announced the beginning of its manufacturing operations from its Chennai facility.
What’s it about? Taiwanese laptop maker MSI announced it has begun manufacturing operations in India from its first facility in Chennai. India has become one of the company’s fastest-growing markets with a strong presence across the country.
- Since the demand for high-performance laptops continues to increase, the company will introduce the locally-produced MSI Modern 14 and MSI Thin 15 models, retailing for ₹52,990 and ₹73,990, respectively.
- To cater to more customers, the company is increasing the number of touchpoints. This includes more laptop brand stores and making its products available at Croma and Reliance Retail outlets.
Getting started: The company plans to introduce more powerful configurations of its Thin series as India’s thriving technology ecosystem necessitates high-performance laptops.
🌧️ More rains forecast
The IMD has issued a rain alert for the city and neighbouring districts.
What’s it about? Monsoon rains may return to the city and north Tamil Nadu. The IMD has issued an orange alert, signalling heavy to very heavy rain, for Chennai, Chengelpet, Cuddalore, and other nearby districts.
- A low pressure has formed over the Bay of Bengal and is likely to move towards Tamil Nadu over the next two days after it intensifies. Heavy rains are forecast till December 19.
- Heavy rains will be pushed to Chennai if there’s a delay in the incoming westerly trough. The city and suburbs could be in for more rainfall in this case.
Rainfall so far: Since October 1, Chennai has recorded 97 cm of rain. That’s 28% more than normal. The state recorded 56 cm, which is 37% above normal.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Would you live in the upper floors of a skyscraper?
- I would live in the upper floors of a skyscraper.
- I wouldn’t live in the upper floors of a skyscraper.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Which new subject do you think should be taught in schools?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Author Renuka Narayanan delved into her 2019 book Mahadev, at Chennai’s Art on Terrace event.
- A T Nagar heritage walk aims to uncover its rich history and heritage.
- The Singara Chennai Card issued by the Chennai metro hasn’t had many takers.
- Tokens for senior citizens for free MTC bus travel will be distributed from December 21 onwards.
- IIT Madras announced admissions to UG programs through Fine Arts and Culture Excellence.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have tried homoeopathic medicine/treatment: 50.0% 🏆
- I haven’t tried homoeopathic medicine/treatment: 50.0% 🏆
That’s it for today. Have a great day!