Traffic diversions announced for Republic Day rehearsals
Chennai traffic police have released a directive with the details of traffic diversion on certain routes between January 20th-23rd and on the 26th. Vehicular movement will be completely prohibited from Santhome church to the War Memorial on Kamarajar Salai from 6 am to 10 pm on all the above four days.
Besides the change in the bus routes plying on these routes, the bus stand at Anna Square will be temporarily shifted near Walajah road guest house.
Source: The News Minute
Three bridges in North Chennai to be retrofitted
Plans are underway to retrofit three bridges in North Chennai – Vaithyanathan bridge in Tondiarpet, Parthasarathy bridge in Old Washermanpet and the bridge across the cotton canal in MKB Nagar at a cost of around 15 Crore. Chennai Corporation is working along with the Police officials on a traffic plan to ensure a smooth commute when the bridge work happens. These bridges are over 50 years old. Earlier the civic body had taken up non-destructive testing to check out the strength of the bridge and found that the bearings had worn out.
Source: The Times of India
Technology to ensure safety during Kanum Pongal
The city police used drones and self-balancing vehicles to control the crowd that thronged the city beaches during the festival. To ensure that missing children could be identified easily, police gave out identity tags that had names and mobile phone numbers of the parents. Awareness about Kavalan App was also created among the visiting public.
Source: The New Indian Express
Madras HC directs Corporation to keep children’s hospital clean
The Madras High Court has directed Chennai Corporation to maintain standards of hygiene at the Government Children’s hospital. Hearing a PIL to remove garbage bins placed at the entrance of the hospital, the Madras HC issued this directive and has also asked the civic body to file a status report. Responding to the plea, the counsel for the civic body has said that good quality garbage bins will be placed and regular clearance will be done.
Source: The Times of India
Protests and demonstrations prohibited in city till month-end
To avoid obstruction to free flow of traffic, inconvenience to general public/VIPs and disruption of law and order, Chennai Commissioner has promulgated an order under Section 41 of Tamilnadu City Police Act 1888, regulating/prohibiting assemblies, processions, fasts, demonstrations, human chain and meetings within the city for 15 days from Monday. However, this order shall not apply to any assembly or procession or demonstration for which permission had already been granted.
Source: The Hindu
[Compiled by Sandhya Raju]