Chennai Buzz: Steps to improve air quality| Burial bookings to be digitised…and more!

More news in this weekly recap: Flower show at Semmozhi Poonga begins on June 3; CMRL to provide promotional tickets to potential passengers.

GCC takes measures to improve air quality in Chennai

In a bid to improve the air quality in Chennai, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has planned to implement civic infrastructure projects. As part of it, projects like door-to-door clearance of garbage, bio-mining, non-motorised transport infrastructure, mechanisation of road sweeping and conversion of ten wood fire gasifier crematoriums to LPG crematoriums are to be implemented.

While some of these projects have already been launched, proposals are to be sent for the rest of the projects. Meanwhile, officials from the Central Pollution Control Board are assessing the progress of projects to improve air quality in the city.

Source: The Hindu


Read more: Chennai air quality: City sees 94% spike in NO2 pollution


Bookings for burial grounds in Chennai to be digitised soon

All the services at the burial grounds and crematoriums in GCC are free of cost for the residents including the hearse service, the involvement of thugs and strongmen in the localities has forced the residents to pay from their pockets.

To bring an end to such malpractices, Mayor R Priya said in the council meeting held on May 30 that the bookings for all such services at the burial grounds and crematoriums in GCC limit will be digitised soon. The residents will have the provision to enter their name, address and other details of the deceased to book the slots.

Source: The Times of India

MRTS service between Beach and Chepauk likely to be suspended from July 1

A train on an MRTS route in Chennai
Representational image of an MRTS train in Chennai. Pic: Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

The Chennai division of the railways issued a circular on May 25 to all departments, informing them that MRTS services operating between Beach and Velachery, will only be available between Chepauk and Velachery, starting July 1 until January 31, 2024.

The decision to suspend the MRTS services between Chennai Beach and Chepauk came in order to relocate the overhead lines, signalling system, and power cables to commence the construction of a 5.1 km fourth line between Chennai Beach and Chennai Egmore.

While the lack of alternative plans received a backlash from the regular commuters, the public relation department of the railways announced that the decision to cancel services between Beach and Chepauk was under review and will be notified with further updates later.

Source: The New Indian Express


Read more: Velachery – St Thomas Mount MRTS Line could soon be open, but some concerns remain


CMRL plans to provide promotional tickets to select passengers

The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is planning to introduce promotional tickets to potential passengers with an anticipation to increase the daily average ridership to 2.50 lakh and over. The CMRL will conduct a study on the potential passengers following which the promotional tickets will be provided either free or at a discounted rate.

These tickers will not be transferable from one passenger to another. Meanwhile, the CMRL is also preparing the standard operating procedures for the same.

Source: DT Next

Semmozhi Poonga is all set to host the annual flower show

All preparations have been made for the second edition of the annual flower show at Semmozhi Poonga in Chennai. The three-day event will begin on June 3 and will have around 5,000 potted plants, various species of flowers and fruits and models made out of various flowers, shrubs and trees.

During the first edition of the flower show held last year, there was a footfall of 4,500 people on day 1, 14,000 people on day 2 and 20,000 people on day 3.

As the flower show is expected to attract thousands of visitors this year, the park will remain closed for general visitors from June 1 to 8.

Source: The Times of India

[Compiled by Shobana Radhakrishnan]

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