Food and beverage stalls at MRTS stations
The Southern Railways is all set to introduce food and beverage stalls across MRTS stations in Chennai. The move has been in limbo for many years due to stringent norms for setting up stalls at stations. When this was attempted previously, only two stalls came up, one at Thiruvanmiyur and Mandaveli each.
The move to set up stalls will also improve the overall safety of the stations which currently have long, deserted platforms. The reason for few takers for the stalls is that the rules demand a fixed fee from the contractors who are awarded the rights to set up shop regardless of the earning potential from setting up a stall at the stations.
With the linking to St. Thomas Mount set to be completed by the end of the year, the railway officials hope that an increased footfall will be incentive to set up such stops at all MRTS stations.
Source: The Times of India
Read more: Why Chennai’s suburban rail passengers are struggling to get their voices heard
Corporation to develop parks and playgrounds
The Greater Chennai Corporation will develop parks and playground facilities across the city. The effort would be part of the Singara Chennai 2.0 scheme. Large parks will be developed first. The work is underway in 25 parks and 14 playgrounds at present and will expand to cover 85 parks and 28 playgrounds.
The Mint Flyover Park is one of the parks under development at a cost of Rs 4.25 crore and will have attractions such as a children’s play area.
A park will also come up at the resettlement colony KP Park at a cost of Rs 1.95 crore. A sensory park for persons with disabilities will also be set up in Valasaravakkam.
The civic body will also improve facilities in playgrounds across the city. Subramanian Colony in Velachery is set to get a playground under this initiative.
Source: The Hindu
Chennai’s longest unidirectional flyover inaugurated
The Medavakkam Flyover that spans 2.03 kms and connects Velachery – Tambaram was inaugurated by the Chief Minister M K Stalin. This is the second arm of the flyover that has a total of three. Two unidirectional arms have been opened to the public at present. The flyover was built at a cost of Rs 95.21 crore.
The construction of the flyover is expected to ease traffic congestion and reduce the travel time in these areas. The first arm spanning 1.06kms was inaugurated last year. The newly inaugurated flyover is named after Maraimalai Adigalar.
Source: The Print
Read more: New plans for Singara Chennai raise hope among citizens
Mass cleaning drive by civic body
A mass cleaning drive is being organised by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) across the city on Saturday, May 14. The effort would see increased deployment of conservancy staff and heavy machinery. The first day of the drive would cover the most polluted wards across all 15 zones.
In addition to cleaning, pothole and streetlight repairs would also be done at 150 spots. The mass cleaning drive will be repeated at other wards after a gap of two weeks. Residents have been roped in to do their bit by spreading awareness on the clean-up drive.
The clean-up drive is expected to recover 280 tonnes of waste and 376 tonnes of debris from the city. Residents’ Welfare Associations have also been asked to help identify spots where waste has accumulated.
Source: The Hindu
[Compiled by Aruna Natarajan]