25 schools in Chennai and suburbs unrecognized

Over 5900 schools in the state including 25 schools in Chennai and Tiruvallur districts are being run without No-Objection-Certificate (NOC) and recognition of the school education department.

The department had asked all private schools to upload details of recognition on the EMIS portal, and according to the details received, 5902 schools in the state have not renewed the recognition. Parents have been advised to look up the school education department website to know the recognition status.

Source: New Indian Express

City to get 500 mld till November despite the impending water crisis

The State government has set aside Rs 233 crores to tap water from agriculture fields, and also add more lorries, tankers to the existing fleets, to help the city tide over the water crisis.

Three lakes located at Ayanambakkam, Kolathur and Perumbakkam appear be the government’s backup plan for the city.

Storage of the reservoirs that supply water to the city has reduced to 6.8% of total capacity owing to a rainfall deficit this year. Currently, the city gets 100 mld each from the desalination plants in Nemmeli and Minjur and quarries in Sikkarayapuram are supplying 30 mld to the city.

After a review meeting, Minister S P Velumani has assured that from June 1, Metrowater would supply a minimum of 500 mld till November, despite the drought and challenging conditions.

Source: The New Indian Express | The Hindu

Suburban trains lose its patrons to metro

Passenger travel in suburban trains saw a steep decrease in April by 18 lakhs compared to the same period last year. Officials attribute this loss to the shift to the metro.

The number of season tickets sold has also drastically reduced. The first class season ticket holders have reduced by 40,000 while the regular season ticket holders have reduced by 1000.

The time consumed for the travel, air-conditioned coaches seem to be the reason for the shift to metro trains.

Meanwhile, Southern Railways has resumed the services of fast local trains that were suspended in July following an accident at St Thomas Mount. The Southern Railway would be extending four electrical multiple units (EMU) trains to Arakkonam on the circular route of Chennai Beach-Chengalpattu-Thirumalpur-Takkolam-Arakkonam. Of the four extended services, three would be fast locals.

The five fast local trains from Chengalpattu/Thirumalpur to Chennai Beach would be operated at 7.50 a.m., 7.05 a.m., 8.05 a.m., 8.25 a.m. and 8.50 a.m.

Source: Times of India | The Hindu

CMDA to have building approval papers online

Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has directed its officials to upload inspection reports of building plans as part of the approval process within 48 hours after completing the exercise.

The Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP) 2019 has mandated that the State should have a detailed procedure covering all applicable steps and that the checklist should not be open-ended.

Source: New Indian Express

Chennai corporation to hike pet license fee 

All pet owners in the city will soon have to pay a higher license fee if the Chennai corporation proposal to hike the fee gets a nod from the municipal administration.

The civic body runs 4 veterinary clinics where pet owners can register their dogs and get a license that is valid for one year. It is mandatory for all pet owners to have the license.

In the previous year alone, the corporation had issued 1200 licenses for pet dogs.

Source: Times of India

[Compiled by Sandhya Raju]