Good morning, Chennai!
☀️ Today’s weather: High: 36 ℃ | Low: 27 ℃ | Sunny for the day.
🧐 Did you know? The first proposal for the Railways under the British Administration was at Madras in 1832. The first rail line was installed in Chennai in 1835.
♻️ Awareness of zero waste
The CAG, as part of its Climate Action Month, began its annual zero waste carnival.
What’s it about? The Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG) kicked off its carnival, Kuppai Thiruvizha, where vendors and experts met with students at the Patricia Arts and Science College to promote zero waste practices. This year, the programme focuses on youngsters, educating them on lifestyle changes to make environmentally-friendly decisions.
- The stalls had products ranging from toothbrushes to combs to bags, clothes and kitchenware. Students of AM Jain College visited the Kodungaiyur dump yard to see first-hand the amount of waste generated.
- Another group visited the Ennore panchayat to see how local panchayat officials and residents work together to manage recyclable waste.
Chennai’s waste issues: According to the Chennai Corporation, the city will generate over 11,700 metric tonnes of waste by 2040. The current average is 6,143 metric tonnes.
🌊 Working with volunteers
The Chennai Corporation will work with volunteer groups to prepare the city for monsoons.
What’s it about? The Corporation was criticised for ineffectiveness during the floods following cyclone Michaung last year. It’s now prepared to work with volunteer groups ahead of the monsoon. Corporation officials recently met with volunteers to discuss preparations.
- The meeting discussed gaps in responding to public issues, the civic body’s flood mitigation plans and knowing how the system operates.
- A volunteer network of 10,000-15,000 volunteers will be formed to engage with citizens and gather information. Last time, areas like North Chennai and Madipakkam were left unattended following inundation.
Corporation’s plans: The civic body has prepared GPS-enabled maps and conducted street-wise household surveys to assess water spread and stagnation. They’ve also mapped areas where resources need to be marshalled.
🌉 Elevated road project returns
The elevated road from the Light House to ECR is back as a Sea Link Bridge.
What’s it about? Over a decade after the elevated road project from Marina Beach’s lighthouse to East Coast Road (ECR) in Kottivakkam was scrapped, it’s now back as a Sea Link Bridge. It was among the six highway projects for Chennai reviewed by Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.
- The project was first proposed to decongest Santhone High Road, Greenways Road, Sardar Patel Road, and Lattice Bridge Road. The new iteration is in the preliminary stages, and the feasibility will be done to finalise the alignment.
- According to one retired highway official, it’s possible to build a sea link from the Light House to Kottivakkam with CRZ clearance. He cited the example of Atal Setu.
Project history: In 2007, a 9.7 km highway was proposed to be built in two phases – an elevated road from the Light House to Besant Nagar and from Besant Nagar to East Coast Road. Fisherfolk and environmentalists opposed it. The AIADMK government dropped it once they came to power in 2011.
🌇 Developing North Chennai
Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs) joined forces to urge the government to address issues and develop the region.
What’s it about? North Chennai has a reputation for high crime rates affecting developmental projects and other underlying issues. To tackle this, 90 RWAs from Ennore to Ambattur formed the Federation of North Chennai Residents Welfare Association (FNCRWA) to urge the government to develop the region.
- Compared to South and Central Chennai, it’s one of the most populated areas. The federation’s members have asked the police to take action against drug peddlers and requested the film industry to not portray the region in a negative light.
- They’ve also asked the government to extend the metro to Ennore and announced new infrastructure projects. Service departments have largely ignored the region’s civic issues, particularly during the monsoon.
Long-pending demands: Some issues, like relaying roads, were only resolved after multiple complaints to Corporation officials. The demand for a railway gate at the Korukkupet station has not been met. Residents hope they can raise the issue through the federation.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you have a family member/relative who’s a doctor?
- I have a family member/relative who’s a doctor.
- I don’t have a family member/relative who’s a doctor.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Which state has the best beaches?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Madras University is looking to offer a master’s programme in defence and strategic studies.
- A fund crunch by the Chennai Corporation has resulted in at least ₹240 crore of pending payments to contractors.
- Tambaram residents were left frustrated due to a sudden hike in water charges.
- The Kindness Awards rewarded Chennaiites who work for animal welfare.
- Titan and IIT Madras have signed an MoU to drive innovation and social impact.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have gone boating: 57.1% 🏆
- I haven’t gone boating: 42.9%
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
Which children’s programme was your favourite growing up?
Suchi: “Paapa Malar on the radio!”
Shiva: “Shaktimaan”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!