Namma Chennai App to the rescue of residents, yet a long way to go
Since the launch of the Namma Chennai App in January, Greater Chennai Corporation is witnessing a steady flow of complaints. As many as 3000 complaints have been received so far and officials say they act on the complaints swiftly. Poor street lighting, Pavement encroachments, abandoned cars are some of the issues that are getting the attention of the officials. As on May 4, the app had seen 8000 downloads on Google Play store, and it has also been introduced in the iOS store.
Source : Times of India
Finally, a ray of hope for air travellers in Chennai
The Central Government has approved the construction of a new terminal at Chennai airport, with an estimated capacity of handling 35 million passengers by 2027. One news report even mentioned L&T as the shortlisted bidder for the project. The first phase of construction is expected to take around 30 to 34 months and the second phase will take 20 to 24 months.
Source: Business Standard ! The New Indian Express
Five years on, Ennore shoreline still awaits protection
The Water Resource Department is still awaiting approval on a plan that was drawn five years ago to construct groynes to arrest sea erosion along the coast north of Chennai. During the monsoon the fishing hamlets around this area face inundation. After several years, the stretch between Ennore and Thalangkuppam has 10 groynes laid perpendicular to the coastline. However the second phase is still awaiting implementation..
Residents feel that groynes have certainly helped in protection against the rough sea, but there is a need for such structures all along the coastline to prevent loss of property.
Source: The Hindu
Stringent safety checks at all schools ahead of the new academic year
The State Government seem to have woken up to rising incidents of school safety with the Madras High court clearly instructing that all schools in the state, including matriculation, CBSE and ICSE schools need to be inspected to ensure compliance.
The District collectors have been instructed to form a committee to check all schools for not only infrastructure, but also for implementation of RTE Act, Fee Regulation etc. A mobile app comprising of checklists, will help keep track of the inspected schools and document the violations.
Chennai Educational district CEO S.M. Manoharan said the committees had inspected around five schools already and would continue inspecting all schools in the district over the next few weeks.
Source: The Hindu
GPS meters with panic button to be fitted in 43,000 city autos
After a five-year delay, the government is all set to begin installation of GPS-fitted digital meters, which have inbuilt printers and panic buttons, in 43,000 autos in the city of Chennai, in the first phase. When pressed, the alarm will ring at the nearest police station.
Source: Times of India
Polluted water bodies now up for adoption
Corporates and local communities can now adopt local water bodies for restoration for a specific period of time. Greater Chennai Corporation is putting up 206 local water bodies for adoption and working on a special resolution to facilitate the adoption.
“The corporation has started clearing solid waste from Oma Kulam in Madhavaram zone using its own funds. We will develop walkways near the 3.66 acre pond,” said an official.
Bunds, walkers path, high mast lamp, park and children’s play area will be developed in all the water bodies. Already 93 of the 563 parks in the city have been given up for adoption and maintenance.
Source: The Hindu