Articles by Shobana Radhakrishnan

Does the water supplied to your home smell strange or taste metallic? With growing concerns over drinking water contamination in Chennai, it is a wake-up call for residents to question what is coming out of their taps. A survey conducted by IIT-Madras revealed that water in 75% of city homes is contaminated with E. coli, a bacteria responsible for causing diarrhoea and vomiting. Moreover, another IIT-Madras study discovered the presence of harmful chemicals known as forever chemicals or pre- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in major water bodies such as the Buckingham Canal, Adyar River, and Chembarambakkam Lake. Samples from a…

Lakshmipathi, a small-scale dairy farmer, has lived in Madambakkam for over 25 years. "Madambakkam’s name originates from cows, but the common grazing grounds around the lake have disappeared over time. Now, if we let the cattle roam the streets, corporation officials will impound them. It costs us ₹2,600 every time we retrieve them," he says. A government cattle grazing poromboke land converted into the urban forest near Madambakkam Lake. Pic: Shobana Radhakrishnan Cattle rearing is a vital livelihood for many in Madambakkam. "The area is home to around 3,000 cattle. The Madambakkam Lake and its surrounding land have historically served…

"I have been interested in politics ever since I was a 10-year-old girl as my family has been part of DMK for generations," says Pavithra Nareshkumar, Councillor of Ward 43 in Chennai, speaking about her political journey. She spoke to Citizen Matters about the measures she has taken to address the civic issues in Ward 43 of Chennai, especially for flood mitigation and improving underground drainage systems in the ward. Ward 43 Name of Councillor: Pavithra Nareshkumar Party: DMK Age: Educational Qualification: Contact: 9445467043 / 8939536466 Pallavan Nagar slum, Nagooran Thottam, Thideer Nagar, Kasipuram, Pudhumanai Kuppam, Singaravelar slum and Chokkalingam…

On January 6 2025, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) launched the ‘Singara Chennai’ smart card, enabling cashless transactions not only on MTC buses but also on metro trains in Chennai. It can be used in Bengaluru and Delhi too, which accept the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC). In the first phase of the rollout, MTC has partnered with the State Bank of India (SBI) and plans to distribute 50,000 cards free of charge. Within the first 15 days, MTC sold around 11,000 cards. One of the challenges faced by MTC bus conductors and passengers is ensuring the correct change for…

In October 2023, Alby John Varghese, a 2013-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, took charge as the Managing Director of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) in Chennai. His appointment marked a significant shift, as an IAS official had not helmed the government body for over two decades. From implementing an electronic ticketing system that now accounts for 99.5% of transactions, to expanding social welfare schemes like the Vidiyal Payanam Scheme and the Singara Chennai Mobility Card, Alby's tenure has been marked by a strong emphasis on improving efficiency and passenger experience. In an interview with Citizen Matters, Alby offers an…

Ramesh S, a resident of Perambur, stands at his local bus stop, waiting to start his daily commute. A beat-up Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) bus, painted pink at the front and rear, arrives, emitting visible black smoke from its exhaust. The fumes and unpleasant smell make him cough. In 2023-24, the average age of MTC buses was 9.61 years as opposed to the recommended 9 years. With the addition of a few new buses into the fleet in 2024, this improved to 7.56 years, yet the overall situation remains concerning. The new buses still run on fossil fuel and the…

As the first light of dawn paints the sky in hues of orange and gold, 17-year-old Ravi steps out of his home. The cool breeze brushes his face as he walks towards the expansive, 150-acre Sembakkam Lake for his morning bath. Millipedes and blanket worms scuttle across the road, their movements as steady as a train on its tracks. A flock of white pelicans glides across the sky as he nears the lake, where a few people fish in the serene waters. After his bath, Ravi returns home to prepare for college. This was M Ravi's experience as a young…

AP Poornima, a physician by profession and Councillor of Ward 87 in Chennai, says she was always drawn to politics. Her political journey began early, starting as a class leader in school and later becoming a student councillor in college. "It has always been my passion to enter politics," she says. "Gone are the days when only people with less educational qualifications made politics their career. Many youngsters get the opportunity to contest in elections these days and I see it as a good sign," she adds. Ward 87 Name of Councillor: Dr AP Poornima Party: DMK Age: 32 Educational…

It feels like 2024 passed in the blink of an eye. It seems just a week ago that we were dealing with massive floods, gas leaks, and oil spills in Chennai. Yet, here we are, a year later, battling heatwaves, and unpredictable rains, and petitioning the government to avoid bringing another Thermal Power Plant, Waste-to-Energy Plant, or Eco-park into the city. This year, discussions around climate change have been more prevalent than ever before. Yet, the marginalised, who contribute the least to climate change and are ironically, the most affected, remain largely absent from mainstream conversation. After nearly three years…

It has been over two centuries since the construction of the Buckingham Canal, a once vital navigational route stretching from Pedda Ganjam in Andhra Pradesh to Marakkanam in Tamil Nadu. At its peak, the canal could carry 5,600 cubic feet per second (cusecs) of water. However, decades of unplanned urbanisation have drastically reduced its capacity to just 2,850 cusecs with the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) being the major encroacher. Map: Shanthala Ramesh Regular desilting is crucial for maintaining the Buckingham Canal, yet its upkeep has been a significant challenge since the early 20th century. Over the years, numerous proposals…