Articles by News Desk

Rainfall, groundwater data to be available online Chennai Metrowater Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) has expedited work to patch the automatic water gauge and digital water recorder devices. This will help inform residents of the city about variations in the groundwater table as well as the volume of rainfall in their respective neighbourhoods through data available on the CMWSSB website.  According to officials, the rainfall data would be useful to determine how it impacts the level of groundwater table, its quality and also assess over-exploitation of water as it happens. The agency also intends to distribute water based on the…

Bengaluru was 'cleanest' city post Deepavali Karnataka State Pollution Control Board's Air Quality Index data during this year's Deepavali (November 14 to 16) showed that air pollution levels in Bengaluru were lower by 30.34% when compared with the corresponding days last year. With an AQI between 50 and 70, it had the cleanest air among other cities. The most polluted localities on those days were Chandra Layout, Vijayanagar, Hampinagar and Nayandahalli, with an average AQI of around 90. The least polluted areas were the Kempegowda International Airport, Madiwala, Bellandur, Bommanahalli, Yemlur, Koramangala and HSR Layout. There has been a 20%…

Central and state government Public Sector Units (PSUs) have encroached upon 656 acres of the Kosasthalai River’s backwaters in Ennore since the disastrous floods of 2015, according to a report by Save Ennore Creek Campaign. Released on the eve of Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Chennai, the report highlighted the fact that central government PSUs, including Kamarajar Port, NTECL Vallur and Bharat Petroleum had converted 417 acres into industrial real estate since 2015. Shah’s program in the city includes the inauguration of a new berth in Kamarajar Port. TIDCO’s poly park – a plastics industrial estate – encroached into…

Post Diwali, air quality worsens in Delhi-NCR On the night of Diwali (14th November 2020), pollution levels in the national capital rose up to eight times above the safe limit and further worsened on Sunday morning. Air quality in the NCR area was in the 'severe' category due to Diwali celebrations. On Sunday morning at 6 AM, the level of PM 2.5 (particles that are directly inhalable and as small as 2.5 micrometers) in Delhi was 469.3 ug/m3 against the safe limit of 60 ug/m3 as per Indian standards. As of 9 AM on Sunday, AQI (Air Quality Index) for…

Only green crackers are allowed in Bengaluru this Deepavali. Pic: Pxfuel Green crackers allowed during Deepavali Though Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa had earlier announced a firecracker ban, on November 6, the state government specified that green crackers could be burst. The National Green Tribunal has also said that only green crackers can be allowed in Bengaluru, which is a 'non-attainment city' in terms of air quality. According to the records maintained by the CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board), Bengaluru is polluted beyond the prescribed National Ambient Air Quality Standards. NGT also said it might have to consider issuing directions…

To begin with, a quick update on the pandemic. On November 13th, Chennai recorded 565 fresh COVID cases. The day also saw 681 recoveries and six deaths. And now, for other important news that you may have missed this week: Consultant appointed to chart organisational structure for CUMTA The World Bank has appointed Deloitte as a consultant for charting out an organisational structure for the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA). Reports state that the transport agency is likely to conduct the first meeting before the board meeting, which will take place in February 2021. Deloitte has been entrusted with…

'Poison in the Air', a study by Chennai Climate Action Group (CCAG), has revealed that six major industries in the Ennore-Manali region have been contributing to pollution during 59% (215.35 days) of the previous year (2019). The study analyzed over 18 lakh hours of the stack emissions data of TANGEDCO’s North Chennai Thermal Power Station (NCTPS) Stage I, NTECL Vallur power plant, Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd (CPCL), Tamil Nadu Petroproducts Ltd (TPL), Manali Petrochemicals Ltd (MPL), and Madras Fertilizers Ltd (MFL) obtained from Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board's (TNPCB) Care Air Centre through the Right to Information (RTI) Act. According…

COVID-19: One-third of the population did not wear masks correctly; only one active containment zone in the city On November 6th, Chennai recorded 612 fresh COVID cases and 13 deaths. The day also witnessed 650 recoveries.  A study jointly conducted by the National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) and the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) revealed that only one-third of the population within the GCC limits wore masks correctly. The survey, which was conducted from October 16 to 19, covered 3,600 persons from 60 random streets in slum and non-slum localities. The survey found that 28% people wore masks correctly in slum…

Power tariff hiked, water tariff hike likely The KERC (Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission) has approved an average increase in power tariff by 40 paise per unit. The new rates will come into effect from the first meter reading date falling on or after November 1. The FKCCI (Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industries) warned that many industries would shut down due to the tariff hike. The Kassia (Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association) said the hike would be particularly disastrous for MSMEs as they struggle to revive operations amid the pandemic and a severe slowdown in the economy. The…

Mini transfer stations to process waste To strengthen decentralised waste collection, BBMP will set up 50 mini transfer stations. Waste collected by auto-tippers and push carts, instead of being loaded onto compactor trucks, will be brought to the mini transfer stations. The stations will process waste from two wards each. According to BBMP, this system will reduce garbage transfer points as well as black spots in the city. It will also ensure there is no leakage of garbage residue from compactor trucks. Besides, fewer garbage vehicles will be required, which in turn will reduce air pollution. Only four waste processing…