Rains leave two dead and parts of the city waterlogged
With the onset of the northeast monsoon on October 29th, Chennai has been experiencing heavy rains. The city was issued an orange alert.
The downpour over the course of the week resulted in the deaths of two people. A 52-year-old autorickshaw driver, Devendran, was fatally electrocuted in Vyasarpadi on October 31st after he touched the pole of a pandal erected in front of a house, where rainwater had stagnated. Shanthi K, a 45-year-old resident of Pulianthope died after a concrete slab collapsed on her on November 1st.
There has been waterlogging in several areas and disruption to traffic. A Manali-bound MTC bus that was passing through the inundated subway in Vyasarpadi broke down leaving 28 persons stuck in the bus. After being alerted by the passersby, the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services (TNFRS) personnel rescued the passengers and the bus crew.
Source: The Hindu
Read more: Looking beyond stormwater drains to realise the dream of a flood-free Chennai
Marina Beach to get rope car facility
As an attractive addition to Chennai’s landmark tourist spot, Marina Beach, the Greater Chennai Corporation has planned to start a rope car service on the beach. Mayor R Priya, who shared details of the project during the council meeting, said that the project, which stretches for 3.5 km, would be launched after obtaining the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance. She opined that the facility would serve as another mode of transport and benefit both the residents and the tourists.
A Detailed Project Report (DPR) in this regard would soon be prepared by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and approval would be obtained from the State government. Notably, the GCC also announced recently that plans were underway to provide free internet service along the stretch of Marina Beach. With the rope car facility and more such projects, the beach is to get a facelift.
Source: The Hindu | Times Now
20 Chennai women selected for Tamil Nadu government’s climate change initiative
With an aim to ensure gender equity in climate action, 20 young women from Chennai have been selected by the Tamil Nadu government to embark on a 10-month mentorship programme. C40 Cities, a global network of mayors taking urgent action to confront the climate crisis, has launched the “women for climate” programme.
“We have selected 20 women from across sectors, especially young women who have a mind of their own and will be willing to take up this ten-month mentorship programme where they would basically be mentored on several climate action initiatives by senior officers in the department,” said Supriya Sahu, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Climate Change and Forests, Government of Tamil Nadu.
The government had earlier put out an advertisement inviting applicants for the mentorship programme. The selections were then made by the committee consisting of the chairperson of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and other eminent individuals.
Source: The Hindu
Read more: Does Chennai need a climate action plan?
Warning to shopkeepers dumping garbage on roads and footpaths
Data compiled by the GCC reveals that more than 60% of the shops in the 15 zones across the city have not installed two separate bins for the proper disposal of solid waste in compliance with the Solid Waste Management Bylaws 2019. The shops dump garbage on the roadsides and footpaths which in turn clog the storm water drains leading to inundation during rains. In view of the northeast monsoons, the corporation workers have cleared the clogs in the drains.
Following this, GCC officials have warned the shopkeepers that a sum of Rs 500 would be levied as a fine if they fail to place two bins for the disposal of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste. The waste from these bins would be collected by the conservancy workers every day.
Source: The Hindu
Outer Ring Road to be developed by CMDA
Tenders have been floated by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) to hire consultants to prepare a Detailed Project Report to develop the Outer Ring Road (ORR). As part of the plan, the ORR will see improvements such as the creation of sports grounds, convention halls, urban squares and developments around the waterfronts in the area. The project will also improve connectivity and reduce congestion.
The 62-km long corridor will be worked on keeping in mind an economic development plan as well. Consultants will focus on tapping into the potential of the suburban and periphery of the city. The residents along the corridor have welcomed the move while also requesting that the work be carried out without affecting greenery and water bodies in the area.
Source: The Times of India
[Compiled by Shobana Radhakrishnan]