City: Chennai

It is difficult to imagine a couple of constantly-overflowing garbage bins standing near a transformer being a part of so much history. But the ones you see at the tri-junction in Thiruvanmiyus where Malaviya Avenue Third Street bifurcates into the left and right of Sivakamipuram First Street in Thiruvanmiyur dominate the conversation in these parts.  For nearly a decade, efforts have been made by tenacious residents to transform the area by moving street furniture and getting the necessary infrastructure in place to prevent flooding. During this time, there have been recurring issues with waste management in the streets. If only…

Settling into a cosy corner at home with a mug of hot tea during the rains is the idea of a picture-perfect monsoon for many. However, when we relax indoors enjoying the drizzle, there is often someone out and about ensuring the roads are not inundated, that power lines stay intact, the drains are not clogged, and garbage is not strewn on the streets after a heavy downpour. Chennai's many frontline workers deal with these unenviable tasks even as they are unable to attend to their own needs or that of their families during these situations. With the impact of…

The United Nations' 27th Conference of Parties(COP27) is currently underway in Egypt, from November 6th to 18th. Nations from across the world are discussing ways and means to tackle the problem of climate change at this congregation. Climate change is a real and present danger and every nook and corner of the world is facing a climate crisis at present. Recent years have shown that climate change has not spared Chennai either. As countries at COP27 discuss how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, or find mechanisms for Loss and Damage reparations, or create new institutions for 'Climate Finance', how do…

Translated by Sandhya Raju தமிழ்நாடு மின் உற்பத்தி மற்றும் மின் பகிர்மான கழகம் (TANGEDCO) செப்டம்பர் 10-ம் தேதி மின் கட்டண உயர்வை அறிவித்தது. இதனால் மின் கட்டணம் 50% அதிகமாகலாம் என கூறப்பட்டது. எந்த அளவு மின் கட்டணம் உயரும் என்ற கவலையில் மக்கள் உள்ள்னர்.  இதனை சமாளிக்க என்ன நடவடிக்களை நாம் மேற்கொள்ளலாம் என குறிப்புகளை உங்களுக்காக இங்கே பகிர்கிறோம். முதல் 100 யூனிட் இலவசம் என்றாலும், 400 யூனிட் வரை ஒவ்வொரு 100 யூனிட்டிற்கும் அடிப்படை கட்டணம் ₹2.50-லிருந்து ₹4.50 ஆக உயர்த்தப்பட்டுள்ளது. 400 யூனிட் முதல் 500 யூனிட் வரை, ₹6 ஆகவும், 1000 யூனிட் வரை ஒவ்வொரு 100 யூனிட்டிற்கும் ₹1 முதல் ₹2 வரை உயர்த்தப்பட்டுள்ளது.  சென்னையில் வீட்டு உபயோகத்திற்கான புது கட்டணம். தகவல்: TANGEDCO Read more: Did your July electricity bill shock you? Here is…

Desilting of Pallikaranai marshland invites backlash in Chennai Water Resources Department (WRD) is desilting a drain in the Pallikaranai marshland to prevent flooding in areas like Perumbakkam and Semmenchery, near Chennai. However, environmental experts believe that this move can backfire and cause more flooding in the surrounding areas because the marshland will get to a lower level than its current elevation. The latter is lower than that of the sea level. The Madras High Court has also restrained the authorities from desilting the marshland, point out activists from Chennai. But, the authorities plan to complete the dredging within a week,…

The Greater Chennai Corporation has been working on stormwater drain (SWD) desilting and restoration work, along with the creation of new drains across the city, over the past six months. Building a stormwater drain network to cover the entire city can be a challenging task. The experience over the past months has established that regardless of the talent and knowledge of professionals involved in creating stormwater and flood management facilities, it is prudent to seek public input during the planning, design, maintenance and operation phases. With their knowledge of local practices and preferences, the public can bring to light issues…

L Kumar, a resident of Vadapalani, was on his way to T Nagar on his bike. It was one of those rare days when the weather in Chennai was pleasant and the road was free of traffic. All was well until Kumar encountered a herd of stray cattle which barged into the middle of the road abruptly. In an attempt to avoid colliding with the herd, he hit the brakes hard. He slipped from his bike and hit the ground. The accident left Kumar with a dislocated shoulder, a fractured elbow and injuries to both his legs. The bike was…

The infamous floods of 2015 were a catalyst for the formation of many a residents' welfare association (RWA) in Velachery and other parts of the city. The need for collective action was felt acutely during this time as residents were marooned in more ways than one. The AGS Colony Residents’ Welfare Association (ACRWA) in Velachery West was started as a response to the crisis that ensured during the floods and the difficult aftermath that many residents had to deal with.   Some home truths from the floods The 2015 floods were a difficult time for all Chennaiites, especially those in…

Visit any of the Amma Canteens in Chennai, and you are very likely to run into a food delivery worker, satiating his hunger with sambar rice or idlies at a maximum of Rs 5, after delivering orders costing hundreds and thousands to patrons of other restaurants across the city. It's not only gig workers, of course. Amma canteens are the go-to place for many other working class people in Chennai for their daily meals. Food subsidy schemes dispensed through low cost canteens aim to tackle hunger and poverty. Tamil Nadu was a pioneer among all states in implementing such a…

While social media lauded the efforts of the civic body and state administration in preventing widespread urban flooding during the initial spell of the Northeast Monsoon, the past week also saw parts of North Chennai's residents feel neglected in terms of response to the rains and overall flood mitigation efforts.  "If the Corporation can constantly keep vigil in core areas in Chennai like Nungambakkam, what about North Chennai? There may be so many people who are educated enough to raise complaints in the centre of the city. But North Chennai is predominantly made up of the working class, who are…