Good morning, Chennai!
☀️ Today’s weather: It’s clear and sunny skies ahead.
🧐 Did you know? There was once a theatre in Wallajah Road called Paragon Talkies in the 1920s. It was taken over by Alagappa Chettiar-owned Presidency Talkies Limited, and it prospered. By the 1970s, it was no longer a theatre of choice. There’s now a high-rise apartment complex where it once stood.
🌧️ IMD’s expansion
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) will expand its observational network and upgrade its forecast techniques.
What’s it about? The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, will expand and upgrade its observational network for better forecasting accuracy. More stations will be added in several areas to accurately predict weather patterns in urban areas.
- The IMD is currently identifying locations for automatic rain gauges and weather stations. Chennai has 12 automatic rain gauges and weather stations.
- The IMD will use new-age technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to upgrade their forecasting techniques and analyse radar data.
Who said what? P Senthamarai Kannan from the Area Cyclone Warning Centre spoke of the importance of the southwest monsoon in ensuring water availability. B Geetha from the RMC said the state recorded normal rainfall during last year’s northeast monsoon. Scientist B Arul Malar Kannan spoke of the 50 years since radar came to Chennai and the instalment of the doppler weather radar.
🚰 How safe are water cans in Chennai?
With rising temperatures come an increasing number of illegal and unhygienic bubble-top water cans.
What’s it about? For the past few weeks, residents have noticed that some bubble-top cans are damaged and have no brand names or ISI marks. In places like Mandaveli and Mypalore, these cans are sold on pavements for ₹20. Vendors say unlicensed cans are on the rise. Per the 2011 food safety regulations, packaged drinking water can’t be sold or exhibited without a BIS license.
- During the summer months, Chennai’s packaged drinking water demand is about 12 lakh cans a day. BIS-registered operators supply about 7 lakh of these. The rest is through illegal cans.
- Some suppliers sell water from illegal units to private tankers. Their quality can’t be assured since they don’t undergo BIS tests. BIS Chennai officials deal with quality checks and raid units with expired licenses.
Who said what? Dr M Jagadeesan from the Corporation said they only test water quality as the laws are with the food safety department. R Lalvena of the food safety department said that it was the job of the local bodies to act. E Saravanan of the Greater Tamil Nadu Packaged Drinking Water Association said the number of registered operators has reduced from 750 to 512.
📽️ PVR’s Chennai milestone
PVR Cinemas crossed an important milestone in Chennai crossing 100 screens.
What’s it about? Post its merger with INOX Leisure Ltd, PVR Cinemas announced the opening of an 11-screen multiplex at Phoenix Market City. The company has now crossed the 100-screen milestone in the city. With this, the company strengthens its foothold in South India.
- The company has opened 159 screens across 28 properties in 22 cities this financial year. The new complex marks an increased presence in the state with 136 screens in 16 cinemas.
- The new multiplex has a seating capacity of 2,688 with one IMAX screen. It’s the second IMAX screen in Chennai and the 17th in India.
Who said what? PVR MD Ajay Bijli said the southern market had revived the theatre-going experience thanks to regional cinema. Executive Director Sanjeev Kumar Bijli said the company believes in providing an unparalleled movie-going experience for Chennai residents as the new multiplex opens.
🏞️ Taking stock of Shenoy Nagar park
A Madras High Court judge will visit the park in the wake of a citizen complaint on its restoration.
What’s it about? Justice M Dhandapani will visit the Thiru Vi Ka Park at Shenoy Nagar in the wake of former judge and local resident KP Sivasubramaniam’s dissatisfaction with the restoration work done by the Chennai Metro. What was once covered with trees, shrubs, and greenery is now mostly gone. The park is expected to be inaugurated this month.
- When the Metro took over to construct the underground station, it was done on the condition that the park would be restored. However, they created a recreational space with sporting facilities and other amenities with a minimal green cover.
- More than 240 trees were cut. The Metro wasn’t able to plant deep-rooted saplings. Once the station entry and exit points were finished, 4,800 saplings were planted through the Miyawaki method on four corners.
The complaints: Justice Sivasubramaniam said the Metro didn’t need to disturb such a vast area since the entry and exit points need only a small patch. He said the park had been damaged for commercial purposes. He also believes it was unnecessary to have consumer amenities since the station’s footfall was the least in the city.
✨ Things to do…
Here are some fun and interesting things to do in the city over the weekend!
- The 7th edition of Metal Chennai returns with Brutal Carnage featuring three heavy metal bands this Saturday at Gears & Garage.
- Madras Comedy Circuit presents a live taping of the Madras Comedy Show this Saturday at Backyard.
- PETGALA is a day for pets and pet lovers with interactive events throughout this Sunday at SPP Gardens.
- The Peacock Prince is a show from playwright V Balakrishnan happening this Saturday at Alliance Francaise.
- Ratty Adhiththan’s India Tour with his first-ever live concert in Chennai at Sherlock’s Pub.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll Results:
- I would participate in a marathon: 70.0% 🏆
- I would never participate in a marathon: 30.0%
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What’s your preferred mode of public transportation?
Sagaya: “Auto”
Nirja: “Train”
Sanjay: “Metro”
Vigneshwaran: “Train and car”
That’s it for today. Have a great weekend!