Chennai gets its first electric bus

The first electric bus in the city was flagged off between Chennai Central and Tiruvanmiyur early this week. Built as per the specifications suggested by Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the bus can run up to 200 km after swapping the battery every 40 km.

The minimum fare is Rs 11 and the fare for end to end travel is fixed at Rs 25. The first bus was launched as part of the proposal to introduce two electric buses in Chennai. The Union government has sanctioned 525 electric buses for Tamil Nadu under Phase-II of Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India Scheme (FAME India Scheme).

Source: The New Indian Express

First Aadhar Seva Kendra in the city becomes operational

Chennai has got its first Aadhaar Seva Kendra (ASK) at Koyambedu. The ASK is set up by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to extend Aadhaar-related services to the general public. ASK will charge ₹50 for updates in Aadhaar details though fresh enrolments can be made free of cost.

The centre will be operational on all days except Tuesday. Citizens can book appointments for fresh enrolments or update details in the existing Aadhaar entries through this link.

The UIDAI has plans to set up a total of 114 ASKs in 53 cities across the country.

Source: The Hindu

Corporation to impose fines for mosquito breeding spots

The rains inevitably bring along with it mosquito menace. Residential areas, construction sites, educational institutions, industrial and commercial establishments will now face a fine if found negligent over mosquito breeding sites.  Greater Chennai Corporation has announced that government and private hospitals will have to shell out fines of up to Rs 10 lakh if they are found to be breeding spots for Aedes mosquitoes, that cause dengue.

Hospitals have been advised to keep a check on unclean backyards, terrace and other areas which are prone to negligence. G Prakash, Corporation Commissioner has said that this has been a year-long exercise and 2950 breeding checkers have been working to identify vulnerable spots.

Source: The Times of India

Professional cricket coaching for corporation school students soon

City corporation school students will soon get their first 22 yard-cricket pitch in the premises of Nungambakkam boys higher secondary school. The students will be coached by trainers from the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT). The city corporation is also planning to construct two more pitches, in one of the Corporation schools in North Chennai and South Chennai, each through CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) funds.

Source: The New Indian Express

Chennai Metro increases frequency of trains

The ridership in Chennai Metro has been steadily increasing, prompting CMRL to increase the frequency of trains during weekdays. Commuters traveling through the blue corridor from Washermanpet to Airport via LIC will have trains every five minutes, and commuters in the green corridor from Chennai Central to St Thomas Mount and Inter-corridor from Chennai Central to Airport, will have a train every 10 minutes during the peak hours.

Chennai Metro has also been working on improving last mile connectivity by providing feeder services. This has, however, earned the wrath of MTC. The transport corporation has sent a letter to CMRL stating that it has been losing revenue because of feeder services operating around the stations.

The letter stated that vehicles like autorickshaws, share autos and maxi cabs are contract carriages meant for private transit. Using these vehicles as a mode of public transit (like buses) to promote last-mile connectivity is against conditions stipulated as per provisions under Section 172 of the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

Source: The New Indian Express | The Hindu

ECR gets number plate recognition cameras

To reduce the number of accidents and monitor traffic rule violations, traffic police have fitted eight Automatic Number Plate Reading (ANPR) at Muttukadu. ANPR cameras can trace owner details of vehicles, thus helping in sending e-challans for fines to violators.

The cameras will also take photos of vehicles flouting traffic rules. Many motorists drive rashly on the ECR stretch, as the road is empty most of the time. 209 cameras have also been installed in Neelankarai and Kanathur police station jurisdictions as part of the ‘third eye’ project.

Source: The Times of India

[Compiled by Sandhya Raju]