City: Chennai

In the last couple of years, Rapido has become a well-known name in Indian cities. The ride-hailing platform, focussed solely on two-wheelers, has been gaining popularity in cities struggling to deal with congestion. Now the other major ride-hailing platforms - Ola and Uber - are also offering bike taxi services. Rapido has also become a household name as it were because of the recent spate of backlash against it and attempts to get it banned. Several states have banned the platform, cases have been filed in court and the tug-of-war between the company and state governments (Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and…

Every time motorists or pedestrians pass by Sembudoss street and Armenian street in George Town, they feel like they are part of a hurdle race that never seems to end. Apart from the fact that many of the roads in the locality are riddled with potholes, manhole covers which are protruding out on the road add to the misery of citizens. These unscientifically built structures that are quite a few inches above ground, pose a threat to commuters.  Apart from George Town, these utility hole chambers that are used for covering the underground drainage pipes, can be seen in several…

Greater Chennai Corporation coordinates with other departments to resolve civic issues Following the first widespread heavy rains this Northeast monsoon, the Greater Chennai Corporation received as many as 401 complaints as of November 15. This includes 276 complaints about water stagnation, 97 about faulty streetlights, 16 about trees, 5 about sewage overflow and 4 complaints about power supply disruption. Corporation Commissioner Dr J Radhakrishnan told the media persons that the GCC officials are coordinating with the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) and the Electricity department to resolve issues on sewage flow and junction boxes. The GCC is…

"I would like to go to a police station to file a complaint supporting a 60-year-old woman who is abused by her husband without being told by the police, 'You are already 60 years old. Why would you want to make a complaint against him now and file for a divorce?' I would like to walk into a police station and sit as I please without being lectured by any police personnel that I should not sit cross-legged as it is disrespectful," says Archana, a Chennai-based activist. while speaking about the safety of women in public spaces at the Gender…

As the city continues to grow and evolve, so does the need for robust fire safety preparedness. Chennai has had its fair share of fire accidents, claiming lives and gutting properties. This Diwali weekend, the fire department received more than 100 calls, most of them for minor incidents. According to the data from the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services, there has been a noticeable uptick in fire mishaps over the past few years. In 2022, Tamil Nadu recorded over 19,206 fire-related emergencies, and 67 lives lost to fire hazards. Property worth 29.76 crores was lost, underlining the financial impact…

Kavin*, a student of Class 6 in a private school in Chennai, was bullied by his classmates for a long time. He did not know how to seek help for his predicament until recently when the school appointed a counselling psychologist to ensure the mental health and overall well-being of its students. When the counsellor observed bullying by a few students, she organised a successful group session for all school children in that age group. While her meetings with the children had a positive impact on their behaviour, it was short-lived as the counsellor had to quit the job owing…

Mosquito breeding sites identified by GCC The Greater Chennai Corporation has located sites where there is extensive mosquito breeding in the city. The civic body has tagged 1500 such sites across the city. The sites include commercial buildings and spots that are under construction. The exercise has been underway since August. Thiruvottiyur zone has the highest number of mosquito breeding sites, followed by Manali.  Mosquito breeding and the onset of monsoon have caused a spike in Dengue cases in the city with the current tally for the year at 493. The civic body has undertaken several mosquito control measures in…

அக்டோபர் முதல் டிசம்பர் வரையிலான பருவமழைக் காலத்தில் சென்னை அதன் ஆண்டுவாரியான மழையின் பெரும்பகுதியைப் பெறுகிறது. இது பருவமழை வெயிலில் இருந்து நிவாரணம் அளித்தாலும், வாகன ஓட்டிகளுக்கு பல்வேறு சவால்களை ஏற்படுத்துகிறது.  மழைக்காலத்தில் வாகனம் ஓட்டுவது ஆபத்தானது. இதனால் சாலை விபத்துகள் மற்றும் உயிரிழப்புகள் கூட ஏற்படலாம். இந்த அபாயங்கள் இரண்டு முக்கிய காரணிகளால் விளைகின்றன: சாலை நிலைமைகள் மற்றும் ஓட்டுநர்கள் போதுமான பாதுகாப்பு முன்னெச்சரிக்கை நடவடிக்கைகளை எடுக்காமை. Read more: Road accidents in Chennai and what can be done to prevent them மழைக்காலத்தில் சென்னை சாலைகள் மழை நாளில் ஓட்டுநர்கள் எதிர்கொள்ளக்கூடிய மிக வெளிப்படையான ஆபத்து மேற்பரப்பு நீர் தேங்கலாக இருக்கலாம். எடுத்துக்காட்டாக,  ஜூன் இ 2023 இல் , சென்னையில் ஒரே இரவில் பெய்த மழை குறிப்பிடத்தக்க விளைவுகளை ஏற்படுத்தியது, அங்கு காவல்துறை மற்றும் பேரிடர் மீட்புப் பணியாளர்களை நியமிக்கக் கோரி கிட்டத்தட்ட 80 இடங்களில் தண்ணீர் தேங்கியது. மேற்பரப்பு நீர் தேங்குவது ஏற்கனவே உள்ள…

Every time the rainy season brings its share of thundershowers and gusty winds, Roshni Pillai, a resident of Thiruvanmiyur is wary of taking her three-year-old out of the house. Last year, the little girl caught a respiratory infection during the monsoons, which took a while to resolve. "Children are vulnerable to seasonal infections, especially during the monsoons and we are being careful so that the severe cough and runny nose do not come back," says Roshni. With the onset of the rainy season, diseases tend to surge, creating health concerns for residents. Meanwhile, Chennai's public health system is also gearing…

People of North Chennai have been vocal about the adverse effects of pollution that taints the air, land and water in their area. They are often seen staging protests against projects that may have a negative bearing on the lives and livelihoods of the people and the environment. Several studies have reiterated that major industries operating in the Ennore-Manali region, including the state-owned thermal power plant, contribute to the rising pollution in North Chennai. It is the residents who bear the brunt of this toxic onslaught — as they breathe poisonous air every day and use water that is highly…