City: Chennai

Our roads are not designed for driving below 50 km/hr, so why should one be penalized for pushing on the accelerator? For starters, I am a relatively slow driver. This subjective disclaimer is no proof before the Rs 1000 fine I was charged for going over the speed limit in Chennai recently.  Following this, I started driving consciously and analyzing speed behaviours in different parts of my daily commute, only to realize that speed is inherently connected to the roads you are driving in. Fundamental issues with road design Roads in India, at best, are planned for a comfortable journey…

The current administration has undertaken several infrastructure development activities across Chennai over the last few years. Roads have been resurfaced and stormwater drains (SWDs) have been constructed during this time. The members of the Perambur Neighborhood Development Forum have been engaging closely with the local authorities and contractors to monitor the quality of the civic work carried out in Chennai and ensure that they are up to prescribed standards. Our observations in this time have been that the civic body and the contractors have failed to properly adhere to processes when it comes to several works including the laying of roads.…

Chennai has long been guilty of excluding marginalised communities from the scope of its flagship projects such as Singara Chennai. Explaining this historical marginalisation process, the Information and Resource Centre for the Deprived Urban Communities (IRCDUC), in its ‘Urban October Campaign’ says that historically, marginalised communities settled near water bodies in Chennai, as these were the only available lands that were neither in demand nor in possession of affluent communities. Forcibly dislocating marginalised and vulnerable families from their places of habitation to the city margins, without exploring possibilities of relocation near their existing sites of residence, is an act of…

"As a woman in politics and mother of a two-year-old, I am aware of my child's needs and am in a position of power to create a safe space for children. That's precisely what I have been trying to do," says Brindhaa Shrri Murali Krishnan, the Councillor of Ward 160. Brindhaa also highlights the importance of promptly addressing the needs of the residents. "I am dedicated to ensuring that each query and issue raised by the residents of my Ward receives thorough follow-up and timely updates", she adds. Brindhaa’s journey into politics has been shaped by her upbringing and early experiences…

The increasing instances of student suicides in Chennai have brought the need to discuss mental health of students, especially teenagers, to the fore. Given that the environment at home and at school has a major role to play in the mental health of students, a closer examination of what transpires in these spaces is essential. Saranya A, the founder of Arukah Counselling Service, speaks to Citizen Matters on the factors that affect the mental health of students and what can be done to create safe spaces for them. Saranya A, Counselling Psychologist Saranya holds a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology…

Elevated corridor to come up on Mount Road The State Highways department has invited bids for the construction of an elevated corridor above the metro tunnel on Mount Road. The elevated corridor will be 3.2 km long and have four lanes and the width of the flyover will be 34m. Footpaths measuring 2m will be present on both sides.  The flyover will allow vehicles to drive up to a speed of 80 km/ph and cut travel time between Teynampet and Saidapet to under 10 minutes. The budget for the project is Rs 525 crore.  The project will commence after clearance…

3233 பேருந்துகள். 633 தனித்துவமான வழிகள். நகரம் முழுவதும் உள்ள 31 டிப்போக்களில் பணிபுரியும் 19,762 பணியாளர்களின் அர்ப்பணிப்பு முயற்சியின் மூலம் நாள் ஒன்றுக்கு 28 லட்சம் பயணிகளுக்கு சேவை செய்தல். இது சென்னையின் பெருநகரப் போக்குவரத்துக் கழகத்தால் (MTC) நடத்தப்படும் பேருந்து சேவையின் மேலோட்டமாகும். சென்னையில் அடிக்கடி பேருந்துகளில் பயணிக்கும் அமுல்யா கூறுகையில், “சென்னையில் செல்ல வேண்டிய இடத்திற்கு பேருந்து வருமா என்பது அதிர்ஷ்ட விளையாட்டாகவே உள்ளது. நான் ஒரு பேருந்தைப் பிடிக்கும் நம்பிக்கையில் மணிக்கணக்கில் காத்திருப்பேன். பேருந்து கிடைக்காத நாட்கள் பல உண்டு."  சில நகர வழித்தடங்களில் பேருந்துகள் மிகவும் குறைவாகவே உள்ளன என்பதையும் சுட்டிக் காட்டுகிறார், மேலும் பெசன்ட் நகர் டெர்மினஸிலிருந்து எழும்பூருக்கு பேருந்துக்காக ஒரு மணி நேரத்திற்கும் மேலாகக் காத்திருந்த தனது தனிப்பட்ட அனுபவத்தை விவரிக்கிறார்.  அடையாரைச் சேர்ந்த மற்றொரு பயணியான உர்சுலா கூறுகிறார், "மெட்ரோ பணியை அனைவரும் குற்றம் சாட்டுகிறார்கள், ஆனால் பேருந்துக்காக மணிக்கணக்கில் காத்திருப்பதை நான் புரிந்துகொள்வது கடினம்."…

A few residents of Kannagi Nagar Block 1 were occupied with the task of sun-drying salted fish on jute sheets; there were children in school uniforms amongst them. At the entrance of the block, under the relentless noon sun, the women talked about the state government's newly launched breakfast scheme in government-run schools - sharing their optimism and concerns. The breakfast scheme being discussed was inaugurated on September 15, 2022, on a small scale before being expanded the following year to cover primary schools across the entire state. The scheme now spans more than 1,500 government schools throughout Tamil Nadu. …

Sudden, heavy downpours after hot and humid days have been a frequent occurrence over the past two months in Chennai. Such rainfall during the lesser southwest monsoon season is a deviation from the norm for the city. The northeast monsoon season is the most critical period for rainfall in Chennai, as it provides more than 50% of the city's annual rainfall. The southwest monsoon season, on the other hand, provides only around 20% of the city's annual rainfall. However, this year, the city experienced an early and abundant southwest monsoon this year. What do these high numbers mean for the…

Chennaiites have had a spate of complaints about the state of the city in recent months. From the menace of stray cattle to poor roads, all avenues such as social media and the civic body’s official app are being used by residents to raise their grievances. However, they continue to be deprived of constitutionally mandated platforms in the form of Area Sabhas and Ward Committees to put forth their complaints. With most of the residents not having the chance to attend Area Sabhas and Ward Committee meetings, citizen participation in urban governance has a long way to go in Chennai.…