Good morning, Chennai!
☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny and humid for the day.
🧐 Did you know? Once its expansion is complete, the Chennai Metropolitan area will be the second-largest in the country. It’s estimated to cover an area of 5,904 sq km.
🚇 IT corridor Metro
Chennai Metro will begin services along the IT corridor in 2027.
What’s it about? For thousands of residents and commuters in Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), Metro services could begin in 2027 as part of phase II.
- Travelling from OMR to different parts of the city takes hours. It’s a 20-km stretch from Nehru Nagar in Perungudi till Siruseri, part of corridor 3 that runs from Madhavaram to SIPCOT.
- It’ll be a challenge to complete the stretch before the projected 2027 deadline since the work is only now picking up pace. There also needs to be a depot with 8-10 stabling lines to repair and maintain trains.
Planned route: The 44.6-km Madhavaram to Sholinganallur and the 26.1-km Light House-Poonamallee stretches are the other two corridors of phase II. The Madhavaram to Taramani stretch will be an underground line with an elevated stretch till the final station in Siruseri at SIPCOT.
🚌 MTC strike affects commuters
Bus services were hit as some Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) employees went on strike.
What’s it about? Some MTC employees went on strike protesting the government’s decision to hire drivers on a contract basis. Commuters returning home from work were stranded at bus stands in Tambaram, Koyambedu, and T Nagar.
- Several workers’ unions, including the DMK’s Labour Progressive Front, opposed the MTC’s proposal to hire 500 drivers through a private agency.
- The agency Stalwart People Service put up advertisements across the city claiming it was assigned to hire drivers and provide them with insurance and benefits.
Cabs and autos take advantage: Due to the disruption, autos, and taxis decided to capitalise and demanded fares two or three times the normal rate. A one-way trip from Guindy to Tambaram was ₹350 during the evening peak hours.
🚦 Increased traffic violations
A new study showed how traffic violations contribute to people getting delayed in reaching their destinations.
What’s it about? A sample study between Saidapet and Teynampet found over 20,000 vehicles took 10-20 minutes longer to cover the 5 km stretch due to jumping signals and stop line violations. These violations delay people’s journeys and pose a risk to pedestrians and other motorists. In Chennai, an average of 3,000 cases are booked every day.
- An IIT Kanpur study in six junctions, including at Kotturpuram, RA Puram, and Velachery showed 39% of vehicles violated signals and stop lines. The worst offenders were two-wheelers.
- Traffic deaths have reduced over the years thanks to better signal management, but violations continue. At stop lines, there’s herd mentality at play since people tend to follow one motorist jumping the signal.
What can be done? Experts say compliance is proportional to the presence of police. More automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras can help detect such violations. Chennai currently has only 30, with 200 more planned. Some even suggest adherence to road rules should be a part of the school curriculum.
🥡 Food trucks expand offerings
Food trucks have expanded their offerings to cater to people’s evolving tastes and preferences.
What’s it about? While food trucks aren’t a new concept in the city, they’re now broadening their offerings, hoping to be on par with multicuisine restaurants. They’re no longer confined to just Chinese cuisine but have several options, including South Indian, Mexican, and desserts.
- In Besant Nagar, Pepino food truck owner E Selvam said business is sustainable if they offer people restaurant-quality food at a reasonable price. Food writer Dr Wasim believes some options have also gone gourmet.
- While the pandemic has given rise to more food trucks in the city, not many can sustain themselves. INR Food Trucks has three branches across Chennai serving kebabs, south Indian, and Chinese.
It’s a tough business: INR’s owner Guru Karthikeyan said opening and running a food truck has its set of challenges. For one, getting manpower was difficult since people would prefer working in air-conditioned restaurants. There’s also the misconception that running a food truck is way cheaper than a restaurant.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you ordered food from a food truck in the city?
- Yes, I have ordered food from a food truck.
- No, I haven’t ordered food from a food truck.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s one thing you would change about your neighbourhood?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Labour statue crossing at Marina will be redesigned to be pedestrian-friendly.
- Drinking water supply in some parts will be suspended due to pipework by the Chennai Metro.
- The Chennai arm of the Trichy junction RoB has been opened.
- Mobile toilet along Marina Loop Road is inaccessible to senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
- Chennai Corporation is attempting to regulate wall posters keeping in mind its micro-economy.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I believe Chennai has a lively nightlife: 71.4% 🏆
- I don’t believe Chennai has a lively nightlife: 28.6%
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What do you think is Chennai’s signature food?
Chitra: “Pongal, Idli, vadai, sambar.”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!