Good morning, Chennai!
🌤️ Today’s weather: High: 31 ℃ | Low: 20 ℃ | Foggy and misty in the morning and sunny for the day.
🧐 Did you know? The first screening in the iconic Devi theatre was the film Sweet Charity in 70mm in May 1970.
🚘 Better parking experience at airport
Paytm has introduced the FASTag payment system at the Chennai Airport.
What’s it about? Parking at the Chennai Airport is about to become a smoother experience. Paytm has introduced FASTag payments for those availing the airport’s parking facilities.
- Paytm Payments Bank and Ltd and the Olympia Group have teamed up for the service. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) sensors will read the sticker on vehicles, and the charge will be automatically deducted.
- The amount will be deducted from the user’s Paytm bank wallet or the linked bank account.
Expanding FASTag: Paytm Payments Bank has issued 1.8 crore FASTags to date. A similar service has been implemented at airports in Dehradun, Pune, and Indore.
🛣️ Elevated expressway project begins
After a decade, construction for the double-decker Chennai-Maduravoyal expressway began.
What’s the story so far? The foundation stone for the elevated expressway was laid by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2009. Under the AIADMK government in 2011, the project stalled due to environmental concerns and alignment issues along the Cooum. In May 2022, the DMK government revived it.
- Work on the 20.593-km elevated corridor began along the Cooum bank. It includes a 12.5 km double-decker expressway from Napier Bridge to Koyambedu. The project is expected to be completed in 30 months.
- The first tier is for local traffic movement between Koyambedu and Chennai Port. It’ll have 13 ramps with seven entry and six exit points. The second tier is exclusively for heavy vehicles port-bound.
Moving cargo faster: The elevated expressway will help move cargo faster to and from the port. Currently, trucks ply through the port’s northern end in Royapuram.
🚆 Resuming MRTS line
The Beach-Chintadripet MRTS line will likely resume services in March.
What’s the story so far? Last August, the Southern Railway truncated services on the Beach-Chintardipet line to facilitate building a fourth line between the Beach and Egmore stations. That work is expected to be completed soon.
- Many people travelled from Chennai Beach to Velachery. Travelling between Ambattur Industrial Estate and Gowrivakkam became difficult due to limited service.
- The truncated services mean many people from the western and southern parts of the city who travel to Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) have been affected.
Increased travel times: With the disruption in services, many have had no option but to opt for different modes of transport as a last-mile option. While some used to walk to their place of work from the station, several had to take share-autos and buses.
🔌 BSNL cable theft
The theft of BSNL copper cables has become a lucrative opportunity for burglars.
What’s it about? Looting of these quite expensive copper cables has become common and a lucrative prospect for thieves. At the same time, BSNL is gradually replacing copper connections with fibres.
- During metro construction and stormwater connection work, these cables are often exposed. They, along with cables stored in the telephone exchanges, are routinely stolen.
- Recently, at the Kelly’s telephone exchange, cables worth over three lakhs were stolen. Some suspect BSNL employees themselves are involved. Similar incidents were reported in Pattalam and Kilpauk.
Money matters: These underground cables cost several crores, and if sold through an auction, it can help clear debts.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you still use cash or digital payments for transactions?
- I still use cash for transactions.
- I use digital payments for transactions.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s the first movie you remember watching in the theatre?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- After a few dull days, the Chennai Book Fair saw increased footfall.
- Kaanum Pongal celebrations took place under tight security at the Thiruvanmiyur Beach.
- Six-member band “Spaghetts” will perform in the city as part of inKo Centre’s AccessMusic event.
- Citizens and civil organisations have called on the Chennai Corporation to hold area sabhas on January 25.
- Tambaram Corporation residents will be able to report garbage collection issues via a QR code.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I like reading poetry: 42.9%
- I don’t like reading poetry: 57.1% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What particular dish or cuisine would you like to learn to cook?
Suchi: “Thai cuisine”
Chitra: “Chinese”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!