Good morning, Chennai!
☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny weather with elevated temperatures, so stay cool.
🧐 Did you know? Madras Christian College was set up by Reverend John Anderson, a Christian missionary who came to India from Scotland. The college was previously the General Assembly School, built in 1837.
🏗️ New building rules
New building regulations may come into effect on East Coast Road (ECR).
What’s it about? The South Coastal Chennai aquifer spread across some sections of ECR holds a substantial amount of groundwater. It’s under threat due to rapid urbanisation. The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has recommended new building regulations for the area.
- The city’s second master plan has declared an Aquifer Recharge Area (ARA) bounded by the coastline of the Bay of Bengal, the Buckingham Canal, and the city limits. Eight villages fall under this area.
- Buildings constructed in this area are restricted to a minimum Floor Space Index (FSI) of 0.8. For Natham, dedicated to economically weaker sections, it’s 1.0. All buildings are mandated to have rainwater harvesting facilities.
What’s been happening? With increased urbanisation and groundwater usage, the aquifers were being inundated with seawater. Thanks to government restrictions, the pumping of groundwater was reduced. Previously, there was a total construction ban in the area, but it was later lifted.
- Anna University professor KP Subramanian said the government’s decision to reverse the ban impacted the ecological equilibrium of the area.
🚶♀️ No room for pedestrians
Many of the city’s pavements have no room for pedestrians leading to accidents.
What’s it about? The city’s poor road safety record has been particularly harmful to pedestrians. Last year, 35% of all road fatalities in Chennai were pedestrians. Koyambedu, Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), Egmore, and George Town were among the identified hotspots.
- Shops and vehicles have encroached on pavements, and there’s little space for people to walk. They either have to take transport even for a relatively short distance or are forced to walk on the road. Repeated complaints to officials go in vain.
- Another issue is that pavements aren’t repaired after they’re dug up for infrastructure work. Those without private transport options are forced to use the pavements. The subways and foot-over bridges are sometimes inadequate and inaccessible.
What’s being done? The Greater Chennai Traffic Police (GCTP) has been acting on public complaints about encroachments by vehicles by putting a lock on them. The Chennai Corporation is looking at pedestrian-friendly streets through the Mega Streets Project. Among the areas selected are Anna Nagar, Mylapore, and Velachery.
♻️ Recycling drives
The circular economy is thriving as residents’ associations conduct recycling drives.
What’s it about? Many Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) in the city have been conducting exclusive drives to collect waste and create awareness about waste segregation and collection. Among such associations, thrifting, which is recycling old clothes and accessories, has become popular.
- On April 2, the Valmiki Nagar Women’s Club in Thiruvanmiyur held its first waste drive. Clothes and appliances in good condition were collected and sold for ₹20-100.
- The main goal is to reduce waste and ensure things don’t need to be discarded. For many, items that would otherwise be discarded or destroyed may be useful.
Who said what? Ann Anra, founder of Wasted 360 Solutions, said more RWAs would come forward to support the repair and recycling of items in the city. She said it’s due to the efforts of the residents that people will know about the circular economy.
🛠️ Mitsubishi Electric coming to Chennai
The company will set up a plant at one of the city’s industrial parks.
What’s it about? Spread over 52 acres, the $222 million plant will manufacture air-conditioners (ACs) and compressors. The plant will be at the Mahindra Industrial Park and will be the company’s first in India to make ACs and compressors.
- When fully operational, the factory will have a production capacity of 3 lakh AC units and 6.5 lakh compressors. The factory will cater to the growing demand for ACs in India and will begin operations by October 2025.
- The Park is a preferred destination for many companies, including those from Taiwan and Japan. It’s located within the influence zone of the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC) and Chennai-Vizag Industrial Corridor (CVIC).
Who said what? Kazuhiko Tamura, MD of Mitsubishi Electric India, said the new plant would support product supply since the Indian market continues to grow. Rajaram Pai of the industrial park said they’re a leading destination due to its robust infrastructure and commitment to sustainability.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Are you interested in paying for social media verification like Twitter Blue or Meta Verified?
- Yes, I am interested in paying for social media verification.
- No, I’m not interested in paying for social media verification.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
How do you plan on keeping cool this summer?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- The Madhavaram to Retteri junction of the Metro will be ready by 2026.
- Respiratory diseases among kids are on the rise as summer kicks in.
- Apple’s Chennai factory has emerged as India’s largest employer in a single location with 35,000 people.
- Tamilkalai.com launched as an online platform to support Tamil folk artists.
- LEAP Open House, in association with IIT Madras Research Park, showcased the ingenious creations of students.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have bought a second-hand product: 25.0%
- I’ve never bought a second-hand product: 75.0% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What’s the best birthday gift you’ve received?
Nirja: “Instacam”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!