Good morning, Chennai!
⛅ Today’s weather: Mostly sunny with some cloudy skies.
🧐 Did you know? Since 1851, the Government Museum has stood on the campus known as the Pantheon Complex. The road outside shares its name. While most traces of the complex disappeared with the construction of the National Gallery and Connemara library, most people still know it as Pantheon Road.
🏫 Government schools get a makeover
Thanks to some young professionals, government schools have been renovated to help youngsters.
What’s it about? Some young professionals have been spending their weekends renovating government schools in the suburbs and neighbouring districts. It began in 2017 with IT professionals, doctors, and engineers starting an NGO called Arta Foundation to improve the look of government schools.
- The team has renovated 40 schools, 10 anganwadis, public parks, libraries, and Covid-19 wards of government hospitals. Most recently, they were at the Methuthandalam government school in Chengalpet.
- The members discuss their plans virtually during the weekdays and meet on weekends. They not only do the renovation work but also have career guidance sessions for students.
Arta’s journey: Arta’s founder Mageswar Radhakrishnan said he was motivated by the shambled look of the school where his mother was the principal. After he and his friends pooled money to renovate and paint the classrooms and library, there was a rise in student admissions. They were recently facilitated by the Puducherry government for their work.
🚄 Faster Chennai-Bengaluru trains
Trains on the Chennai-Bengaluru route will run faster as the maximum speed will be increased.
What’s it about? Trains on the Chennai-Bengaluru and to Tirupati or Mumbai will run faster from next month. The maximum speed will be increased to 130 kmph on the Chennai-Jolarpet stretch. Even the Vande Bharat trains will run at a better average speed, reducing the travel time.
- The Vande Bharat trains reach Bengaluru in 4.25 hours. The Shatabdi takes 4.45 hours. This’ll get cut by 30 minutes. Travel times will further decrease when tracks are ready on the Jolarpet-Bengaluru route.
- The speed can be increased by upgrading the track, strengthening the bridges and curves, and constructing walls at locations where people can trespass.
Other routes: Work is currently being done to increase speed on the Jolarpet-Chennai sections to 130 kmph. Speed enhancement work was recently done to increase speed on the Chengalpet-Arakkonam, and Tambaram-Chengalpet lines.
🤝🏽 Area sabha members’ appointments
The Corporation has appointed members to area sabhas in 15 zones in the city.
What’s it about? The Corporation has appointed members in all 15 zones following a resolution in a council meeting on Monday. It stated that ten people per ward were elected as members. It also stated that no fee would be paid to the members for attending the ward committee or area council meetings.
- Area sabhas are urbanised versions of grama sabhas. Here, a councillor meets with residents about grievances. The members should hold a monthly meeting and submit recommendations to the Corporation.
- In an earlier meeting, civic body authorities were asked to form 10 area sabhas in all 200 wards. The zonal officers were asked to provide details of the staff.
Residents speak: One resident of Thiru Vi Ka Nagar said they hadn’t received any communication with the ward councillor in the past two months. Since then, they’ve been filing complaints to the Corporation and other government departments. He also said residents weren’t aware that members were chosen for the area sabha.
📢 Loudspeakers in waste collection vehicles
The Corporation will install more than a thousand loudspeakers in waste collection vehicles.
What’s it about? A resolution was passed on Monday for the Corporation to install 1,366 loudspeakers in battery-operated vehicles that collect waste door-to-door. They’ll be installed in the vehicles operating in zones 4-8. There are more than 2,000 of these vehicles in the city.
- In December, the commissioner wanted loudspeakers installed to broadcast songs and messages on solid waste management. Officials want people to be aware of cleanliness.
- The vehicles will have sound amplifiers. During the monsoon, the loudspeakers were damaged due to the rains. A new manufacturer was invited to replace the broken ones.
The numbers: The loudspeakers will be installed for a cost of ₹1.09 crores. Zone 4, Tondiarpet, will have 435 speakers. Royapuram Zone will have 424, and the Thiru Vi Ka Nagar Zone will have 243.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you prefer allopathy or homoeopathy medicine/treatment for common illnesses?
- I prefer/trust allopathy medicines.
- I prefer/trust homoeopathy medicines.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s your favourite genre of music?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- A CPCB report stated that the Cooum is the most polluted river in the country.
- The Corporation and CMDA will soon begin using the same planning approval software.
- E-toilets in the city have been out of order in various parts due to a lack of maintenance.
- The Arumbakkam Police help trace elderly people thanks to a bangle with the phone number of a relative inscribed on it.
- Ban on public smoking ban has done little to stop the menace.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I prefer a budget smartphone: 30.0%
- I prefer a mid-range/premium phone: 70.0% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What’s the scariest movie you’ve watched?
Suchi: “Poltergeist”
Rajkamal: “Ratchasan”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!