GCC to work with NGOs for stray dog census
The Greater Chennai Corporation is planning to work with various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to carry out the census of stray dogs in Chennai. The census will be part of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme that will ensure that all strays in the city are sterilised. A comprehensive policy for the census, vaccination and sterilisation of strays will also be evolved by the civic body.
The meeting of the civic body officials also flagged the issue of the city having only two NGOs which have been authorised to carry out sterilisations. One of the two NGOs is no longer in operation. The civic body requested more NGOs to sign up to help with the sterilisation of stray dogs in Chennai. Activists at the meeting raised the issue of the city having an inadequate number of ABC centres and pounds.
Source: The Times of India
Stormwater drain work and other monsoon preparedness measures in Chennai
With the onset of the monsoon, the GCC has expedited the stormwater drain work across the city. Around 92% of the work on stormwater drains has been completed and the remaining work is to be completed in the next 10 days according to an update shared by Mayor R Priya. The pending SWD work is to be carried out in areas such as Tondiarpet, Royapuram, Thiru Vi Ka Nagar and Kodambakkam. The work in added areas is expected to take more time.
In addition to this, other monsoon preparedness measures have been put in place such as the identification of 109 spots for the stationing of rescue and relief boats and the deployment of pumps to drain excess water. Relief centres have also been set up across 169 locations. Flood sensors and cameras have been installed along canals to monitor flooding.
Source: The Hindu
Read more: Can imposing speed limits on Chennai roads make them safer?
Speed limits set for Chennai city
The Greater Chennai Traffic Police has announced speed limits for various categories of vehicles across the city. The speed limits will come into effect from November 4. The GCTP has set a limit of 60 km/hr for Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and 50 km/hr for Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs). The speed limit for two-wheelers is 50 km/hr and for autorickshaws is 40 km/hr. The speed limit for all vehicles passing through residential areas is 30 km/hr.
As per a recently released report by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the majority of the road accidents in the city took place due to overspeeding which is also the reason for 65% of road accident fatalities.
In addition to imposing speed limits, the GCTP has also installed speed radars and automatic number plate recognition cameras to reduce speeding and curb traffic violations.
Source: The Indian Express
Chennai Metro tunnel boring breakthrough
A tunnel boring machine engaged in work on Phase II of the Chennai Metro achieved a breakthrough in Madhavaram by completing a 1.4km stretch of the tunnel. The work on the tunnel was carried out over a period of ten months. The tunnel boring machine named Podhigai has been deployed in the area since January.
This machine is one of seven working on a 9km stretch of the tunnel that will span from Madhavaram to Kellys. Other tunnel boring machines at work across the city have been deployed in areas such as the section from Lighthouse to Thirumayilai and in Adyar and Aynavaram.
Source: The Times of India
Read more: Chennai’s road signs – a long and confusing story
Damaged and missing sign boards to be replaced
A resolution was passed in the council meeting of the Greater Chennai Corporation to replace damaged and missing sign boards across the city. The drive will take place over 45 days and cover 34,588 roads across Chennai. The issue was raised in the council meeting by V Ramesh, Councillor of Ward 82.
The Corporation undertook an exercise to identify damaged sign boards in 2012 and came up with a list of 30,000 sign boards. Of this, 8000 had been replaced as of January 2023. In the new drive, the GCC will also include signage for facilities such as public toilets and government offices.
Those found causing damage to the sign boards will be penalised and charged.
Source: The Hindu
[Compiled by Aruna Natarajan]