Now you can volunteer with the Chennai Corporation

The Chennai floods of 2015 saw many individuals and associations coming together to reach out to the needy and ever since, there has been a steady increase in the rise of citizen movements.  Taking cue from this, the Chennai Corporation has now rolled out the carpet for individuals and groups to enrol as volunteers with the Chennai Corporation.

All you have to do is fill in a form that is available on www.chennai.corporation.gov.in or with the respective zonal offices.  The volunteering service will mainly be related to relief and rescue operations in the city and its outskirts during emergency situations like flood. The civic body prefers retired defence personnel and those who have prior experience in community services.

Once registered, the names of individuals and associations will be linked to their respective zonal offices. This will be purely voluntary and no identity cards or proof of service is being planned by the civic body.

Source: The Hindu

Chennai Corporation to restore 10 water bodies along with CREDAI

The water bodies in Ambattur, Valsaravakaam, Alandur, Perungudi and Sholinganallur are soon expected to regain lost glory, thanks to the MoU signed between CREDAI and Chennai Corporation.  Under the initiative, the floors of the lakes and ponds will be cleaned, the area fenced and trees will planted around these water bodies.

There are 210 water bodies in the city and according to the Corporation officials, within a span of one year, close to 100 water bodies have been restored. As part of the smart city initiative, the storm water drain department has taken up the restoration.

Source: The Times of India

Southern Railways reduces MRTS service frequency

When the Tamil Nadu Government increased bus fares, commuters had turned to MRTS in a big way, with the suburban rail routes serving up to 10 lakh passengers. But Southern Railways has been phasing out operations of some trains and the frequency of some others have been reduced over a period of time.  Additional services were started to meet the demand of passengers, who took trains due to low fares.

Beginning this month, passengers travelling in Chengalpet Tambaram Beach route and Velachery Beach MRTS have to wait a little longer as there will be fewer services operational. However, a new special has been introduced from Kanchipuram to Beach at 6:10 am.

Source: The Times of India

Chennai Corporation to facilitate NOCs from various departments

For regularisation of plots, one need not run from pillar to post any more to get NOC from various departments nor endure unduly long waits. Chennai corporation has now taken the ownership of granting NOC, layout-wise.  Plot owners applying for regularisation have to obtain no objection from PWD, AAI, Housing Board etc for their plots in the vicinity of the land owned by these bodies. At a recent meeting held by the civic body, it was decided that the latter will co-ordinate the efforts of various departments to obtain no objection for entire layouts instead of individual plots.

Source : The Times of India

[Compiled by Sandhya Raju]