Comply with helmet rule or shell out Rs.1000 as fine

The city traffic police will soon start levying fines on two wheelers that violate the helmet rule, as per the Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill. To avoid confrontation with the public, the police have issued a warning to adhere to the rule or shell out Rs.1000 as fine (up 10x from the current fine of Rs 100).  The police have said that there needs to be an attitudinal shift in the mindset among the public, that safety is more important than convenience or fashion.

According to the new rule, pillion riders must wear a helmet.

Source: The Hindu

Smart traffic signals to ease out traffic at junctions

When the Comprehensive Mobility Plan for Chennai comes into force, Chennai traffic signals will use sensor-based technology to assess the volume of traffic and speed of vehicles.

The project as part of the Japanese Project Development has initially identified 12 places in the city. As per traffic police data, a total of 407 signals are managed across four zones of east, west north and south. The draft report has suggested smart signals to be set up at 296 intersections across the city.

The project will be implemented in the next 10 years at an estimated cost of Rs 360 crore.

Source: The New Indian Express

Public opinion sought to re-classify 6-acre water body

On one hand the Chief Minister has appealed to citizens actively pursue rain water harvesting (RWH) for water conservation, and on the other, the Greater Chennai Corporation has sought  public opinion to re-classify a 6-acre water body for residential purposes.

The planning authority has issued a notification seeking to re-classify the plot at Nandambakkam that falls under the Corporation jurisdiction. Ironically, as per the 2026 master plan, the place has been earmarked as a water body.

Source: The Times of India

Water situation continues to improve as storage levels rise

Heavy rains in the neighboring states are bringing good news to the state and Chennai in particular, as storage levels of the reservoirs have risen considerably.

Due to heavy downpour in the Cauvery catchment area in Karnataka, surplus water is being released from Kabini dam.

Meanwhile, the demand for water supply through tankers have come down, and Metrowater has said that it is able to complete the requests for water within 48 hours. The body has recently launched Dial for Water  2.0.

Source: The Times of India

[Compiled by Sandhya Raju]