CHENNAI BUZZ

Men in khaki sweat it out as sea of people bid an emotional farewell to Kalaignar With all roads leading to Rajaji Hall and the Marina, it was a sea of heads, as lakhs of people thronged to catch a last glimpse of Kalaignar.  As soon as news of DMK leader M Karunanidhi’s passing was confirmed, people started gathering at the Cauvery hospital and later at the residences of Kalaignar. It was an emotional outburst for many, and some of the crowd started venting their ire at the government’s decision on land allotment for the final resting place of the…

Is Chennai ready to withstand the monsoon? The city experienced good showers last week, but the short spell left many Chennai roads dirty and water logged. That raises a pertinent question: Are we ready to face the monsoon, leave alone a flood-like situation? The storm water drain work is still incomplete in many parts of the city instilling fear of floods, especially in the suburbs of Chennai. Though the officials claim they are undertaking the work and will complete them before the onset of north east monsoon, there still is a long way to go. Meanwhile, the integrated stormwater drain…

Relief for property owners: property tax hike reduced to 50% Within days of announcing a likely increase in property tax to as much as 100%, the Government reduceD the cap to 50% for residential buildings. The rollback on tax hike came after requests from the public, and resident welfare associations. The owners of residential buildings, irrespective of whether they are self-occupied or rented out, will now face a tax rate hike of not more than 50%. Source: Times of India Are private schools hampered by the fixed fee rule? The recent controversy surrounding the demand of a caution deposit by…

With truckers nationwide strike, veggie prices likely to shoot up Truck operators across the nation called for an indefinite strike against rising fuel cost, and calling for rationalising road toll plazas. Though the strike might not impact the supply of essential items like milk, water and medicine it is likely to affect the prices of vegetables. In Tamil Nadu it is estimated that around 4.5 lakh lorries would be off the road. Source: New Indian Express Key bus terminuses likely to be put to commercial use The MTC that has been financially strained with steady loss of commuters is likely…

Do our smart city projects come at the cost of green cover? Several trees have been cut in T Nagar to pave the way for road development under the Chennai Smart City projects. Greater Chennai Corporation is building a pedestrian plaza from Anna Salai to Bashyam Road near Panagal Park, covering a stretch of 1.45 km. Residents, traders and NGOs have criticized Chennai Corporation's lackadaisical attitude towards conservation of trees and allege that work for the plaza has started without any survey or census of trees in the area. Source: The Hindu | The Times of India Two new sewage treatment…

Some plastic items go off the banned list As Government issues notification for ban of plastic items with effect from January 2019, it has also issued orders exempting a number of plastic items such as plastic bags that constitute or form an integral part of packaging, in which goods are sealed prior to use in manufacturing / processing units. The order issued by Environment and Forest Secretary Md Nasimuddin said no industry or person shall manufacture, store, supply, transport, sell or distribute throwaway plastics. The exemptions include plastic carry bags manufactured exclusively to meet an export order at a plastic…

Chennai Corporation to acquire lands to widen roads The Chennai Corporation will acquire land worth ₹2,829 crore from residents for widening of roads in congested parts of the city. The land to be acquired is estimated at 18.8 lakh sq ft, which is around 786 grounds. Meanwhile, the Chennai Smart City Limited has put on hold a proposal to develop two bridges across Anna Salai. At a board meeting on Tuesday, the proposal to develop a bridge connecting Thyagaraya Road and Eldams Road was not cleared. Another bridge connecting Thanikachalam Road and Chamiers Road (Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar Salai) was also…

Prepare to pay if you litter or spit! Chennai Corporation has framed solid waste management bylaws under Section 349 of the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act of 1919 to collect fines ranging from ₹100 to ₹25,000 for littering. The bylaws apply to domestic, institutional, commercial and any other non-residential solid waste generators, as well as individuals who dump solid waste in stormwater drains, underground sewage systems and waterbodies in the city. For example, any resident who dumps garbage on the street will have to pay a fine of ₹1,000 to the Chennai Corporation. Those who burn solid waste in public spaces will also…

Most of the city’s minor canals are choked with plastic The city's minor waterways, meant to carry rainwater, have become sewage feeder canals that convey domestic sewage into Adyar and Cooum. Indiscriminate garbage dumping by residents and alleged diversion of untreated sewage by Metrowater have contributed to the mess since the waterways were cleaned up last year. Chennai Corporation, which maintains the waterways, is set to complete desilting the canals before the northeast monsoon begins in October. Source: Times of India Road relaying work to begin on 2000 stretches across Chennai The Greater Chennai Corporation has received a go-ahead to relay roads…

Is Chennai ready for  the monsoon? A short spell this week brought much cheer to the people of Chennai, but near immediate reports of water stagnation and potholes on many roads, raises this important question - Is Chennai ready for the monsoon?  A funds crunch has delayed the consturction of storm water drains under the Integrated Storm Water Drain (ISWD) project, by over 12 months, and last week, the state's request from funding was rejected by the Central government. ISWD was mooted by the former CM J Jayalalithaa in 2014 to reduce the impact of floods. Estimated to cost `4,034…