Coronavirus impact: CSK practice suspended, flights cancelled, KG to Class V shut

In view of the coronavirus pandemic, Chennai Super Kings suspended their practice matches at the M A Chidambaram Stadium. IPL 2020 has been postponed till April 15.

As the government has issued travel advisories, flights are being cancelled and international passenger arrivals have fallen down by 22- 25%. In addition, officials state that arrivals in the domestic terminal have also fallen significantly.

Primary schools across the state will be closed from March 16 to 31 to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Additionally, malls and theatres have been ordered to shut in 16 districts bordering the neighbouring states of Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.

Source: India Today | The New Indian Express | The Times of India

Smart Carts for vendors on Marina

Greater Chennai Corporation has announced the purchase of 900 Smart Carts (standardised carts) for vendors on Marina Beach. The civic body stated that 60% of the carts will be allotted to existing sellers and the remaining to new ones.

Two types of applications with terms and conditions, vending fees, monthly rent, timings, maintenance charges and penalty amounts have been uploaded on its official website. The form with supporting documents should be submitted between April 3 and April 8. Following this, the applications will be scrutinised from April 10 to April 15. The final list will be released on April 18 and applicants will be selected by drawing chits. GCC will give a certificate to conduct business to selected vendors.

Source: The Times of India | The News Minute

Madras HC pulls up GCC for not monitoring illegal banners

Madras High Court came down heavily on Greater Chennai Corporation for not monitoring the use of unauthorised banners on its land. Earlier,  banners were being placed on the city corporation’s land and space. However, with its latest ruling, the court has quashed the same, saying the corporation’s inability to check the use of unauthorised digital banners cannot be an excuse in the matter.

“There cannot be a logical presumption that there will be no violations if hoardings are set up on corporation land exclusively,” a Times of India report quoted the judges as saying.

Source: The Times of India

Integrated SWDs to be constructed in city to prevent flooding

In a bid to prevent flooding, GCC’s focus has shifted to building Integrated Storm Water Drains (ISWD). Officials state that the project is the civic body’s top priority in 2020-21 budget. The Kosasthalaiyar Basin network is slated to cover 763 kms in parts of North Chennai, including Thiruvotriyur, Manali and Madhavaram. The Kovalam basin that covers 360 km will include Pallikaranai, Adambakkam, Thiruvanmiyur and areas along the East Coast. The project is already underway and a  52-km phase has already been started between Kottivakkam and Uthandi.

Source: The New Indian Express.

Water supply to parts of South Chennai to be affected for two weeks

Chennai Metrowater has announced that regular water supply to areas in Zones 9, 13, 14 and 15 will be affected as the Nemmeli desalination plant will be shut for fitment of additional filters. This closure, effective March 17, will last 15 days. CMWSSB. Areas that will be affected include Mylapore, Adyar, Velachery, Thiruvanmiyur, Neelankarai, Perungudi and Sholinganallur.

Source: The Newsminute, The Hindu

Compiled by Bhavani Prabhakar