Good morning, Chennai!
🪔 Happy Pongal! We are taking a day off today, hence we will not be publishing this newsletter tomorrow. See you on Wednesday!
🌤️ Today’s weather: High: 30 ℃ | Low: 22 ℃ | A foggy morning and partly cloudy for the rest of the day.
🧐 Did you know? Rev. William Miller upgraded a school set up by Rev. Lawrie and Rev. Bowie into the Madras Christian College in 1867 and affiliated it with the Madras University.
🐾 New animals at Vandalur
The Vandalur Zoo will have new animals for visitors during the Pongal holidays.
What’s it about? Anticipating huge crowds for the Pongal holidays, the zoo officials have decided to display new animals, including a Himalayan black bear. The zoo has also brought in additional staff to manage the crowds.
- Apart from the Himalayan bear from Jammu, the other new animals are the Oriental pied hornbill, Malayan giant squirrel, and the red-breasted parakeet.
- Over 130 uniformed forest staff and 100 police personnel will be deployed for crowd management.
Extra arrangements: The zoo has arranged additional shuttle buses to ferry visitors from the parking to the entrance. There are also extra focus lights for better visibility in the evenings.
🏞️ Reclaiming the Pallikaranai Marshland
As the Chennai Corporation looks to reclaim affected portions, residents are sceptical about planned projects.
What’s it about? The Corporation has almost completed the bio-mining process of legacy waste from the landfill. Residents in nearby areas aren’t convinced that the proposed projects, like an eco-park, will benefit the marshland.
- A Francis of the Thoraipakkam Residents Welfare Association said authorities should drop planned projects and allow water on the land. Also, trees won’t grow due to the soil type.
- The proposed park will have walkways, trees, and play areas. Bio-mined soil will be mixed with soil from suitable places. There are also plans for waste treatment plants on the remaining portion of reclaimed land.
Let it be: The marshland acts as a sponge during floods. The landfill deters water flow and should become an aquatic habitat. Also, since Pallikaranai is a Ramsar site, projects on its outskirts mean the location will lose the tag.
😷 Poor air quality
The city’s air quality dipped as Bhogi bonfires contributed to its deterioration.
What’s it about? On Saturday evening, the city’s air quality index was at “yellow alert”. Later, the Air Quality Index (AQI) increased to 173. Experts say it’s likely to remain high in the coming days.
- The AQI at Manali was 179. Almost all air quality monitoring systems continuously flagged a yellow alert indicating poor air quality.
- State pollution officials stated that pollution levels will remain high following Bhogi and Pongal celebrations.
Air Quality Index levels: A yellow alert means prolonged exposure can cause discomfort to people with lung and breathing issues. The prominent pollutant PM2.5 can enter into the lungs.
🛫 Increase in passenger traffic
The Chennai airport saw a surge in passenger traffic last month.
What’s it about? The increase in passenger numbers seen in December was the highest this financial year. 18.31 lakh people passed through the airport last month compared to 17.12 lakh in the corresponding period last year.
- Part of the increase was due to a surge in travel during Christmas and New Year weekends, especially to domestic destinations. The domestic terminal handled 13 lakh passengers.
- Throughout the financial year, there has been a steady increase in passenger traffic. In the most recent April-December period, the airport handled 1.57 crore passengers compared to the corresponding period last year of 1.30 crore.
Scope for more: Since the opening of the modified T4 terminal for domestic operations, airlines could operate more flights during peak hours. The new integrated terminal for international flights is also likely to see an increase in traffic.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you still wear a mask when venturing outside?
- I still wear a mask when venturing outside.
- I don’t wear a mask when venturing outside.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Which cuisine has the best street food?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Arterial roads in the city faced traffic congestion, unable to handle the Pongal exodus.
- City beaches will be closed off to the public during the Pongal holidays.
- A chief administrative officer will be appointed to operate and maintain the Kilmabakkam Bus Terminus.
- Singapore Illakiam at the Chennai Book Fair attracts readers to know about Singaporean Tamils and writers.
- Chennai International Book Fair‘s second edition will take place at the Chennai Trade Centre from January 16 to 18.
That’s it for today. Have a great day!