City: Chennai

In October 2023, Alby John Varghese, a 2013-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, took charge as the Managing Director of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) in Chennai. His appointment marked a significant shift, as an IAS official had not helmed the government body for over two decades. From implementing an electronic ticketing system that now accounts for 99.5% of transactions, to expanding social welfare schemes like the Vidiyal Payanam Scheme and the Singara Chennai Mobility Card, Alby's tenure has been marked by a strong emphasis on improving efficiency and passenger experience. In an interview with Citizen Matters, Alby offers an…

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Ramesh S, a resident of Perambur, stands at his local bus stop, waiting to start his daily commute. A beat-up Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) bus, painted pink at the front and rear, arrives, emitting visible black smoke from its exhaust. The fumes and unpleasant smell make him cough. In 2023-24, the average age of MTC buses was 9.61 years as opposed to the recommended 9 years. With the addition of a few new buses into the fleet in 2024, this improved to 7.56 years, yet the overall situation remains concerning. The new buses still run on fossil fuel and the…

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As the first light of dawn paints the sky in hues of orange and gold, 17-year-old Ravi steps out of his home. The cool breeze brushes his face as he walks towards the expansive, 150-acre Sembakkam Lake for his morning bath. Millipedes and blanket worms scuttle across the road, their movements as steady as a train on its tracks. A flock of white pelicans glides across the sky as he nears the lake, where a few people fish in the serene waters. After his bath, Ravi returns home to prepare for college. This was M Ravi's experience as a young…

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AP Poornima, a physician by profession and Councillor of Ward 87 in Chennai, says she was always drawn to politics. Her political journey began early, starting as a class leader in school and later becoming a student councillor in college. "It has always been my passion to enter politics," she says. "Gone are the days when only people with less educational qualifications made politics their career. Many youngsters get the opportunity to contest in elections these days and I see it as a good sign," she adds. Ward 87 Name of Councillor: Dr AP Poornima Party: DMK Age: 32 Educational…

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On December 22nd last year, the Chennai District Collector and the Joint Chief Environmental Engineer of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) abruptly left Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Maligai in Ennore in the middle of a public hearing. The reason? Chaos and backlash from the local communities of Ennore, who wanted to voice their concerns regarding the Ennore Thermal Power Station (ETPS) Expansion Project. Since the meeting, the unrest has persisted, with many attendees saying they were not allowed to participate, express their views, or raise their concerns. Of the 44 people who spoke at the hearing, only two were women.…

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Smartphones have almost become indispensable in our daily lives. The many mobile apps that we use every day are continuously growing and provide assistance for different purposes, including transportation.  From navigating city streets, hailing a taxi, to booking tickets, smartphone apps are simplifying our commutes in many ways. By offering tools that streamline our journeys, smartphone apps enhance the commuter experience and also play a vital role in alleviating traffic congestion and reducing pollution. They help users find the shortest, cheapest, and least congested routes, making daily travel more efficient. There are an array of popular transportation apps, such Google…

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Perambur, the second oldest railway station in Chennai after Royapuram was taken up for restoration under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme at ₹17.86 crores months after the foundation stone was laid on August 6, 2023. The Coimbatore-based contractor, who was initially awarded the tender, backed out for unknown reasons and the contract was retendered and awarded to a different company. The work is currently in progress. According to the original plan, the main railway station building was supposed to be constructed at the extreme west end of the first platform behind the existing parking area and buildings are already under…

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Makeshift homes made with mosquito nets, broken chairs, and tables and groups of families making and selling beaded ornaments under Chennai’s longest flyover. This may be a familiar sight for commuters travelling along Velachery, Madipakkam and Sholinganallur. Ever wondered who are these people and why they live on the streets?  The Narikurava tribal community living under the Medavakkam flyover in Chennai faces daily struggles that often go unnoticed. The 2.3-km unidirectional flyover, inaugurated in May 2022, facilitates faster travel from Tambaram to Velachery and is a boon for commuters. But families living under the overpass have many concerns. They face…

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Plans are afoot to establish a solar-powered ropeway along the Marina Beach. The proposed project will stretch from Anna Square to the Lighthouse, with stations at Anna Square, Kannagi Statue, Vivekananda House and the Lighthouse. With the number of weekend visitors to the beach reportedly touching one lakh, the project is expected to help manage crowds and also boost foreign tourism as the ropeway will offer passengers ‘panoramic views of the coastline.’ There are hopes too that it will emerge as a convenient mode of transport for commuters as the stretch will encompass an area dotted with public offices and…

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On a particularly hot October morning this year, I stood on our terrace and marvelled at the IAF flying machines dazzling the skies at the Aero Show over Chennai’s Marina Beach. However, later that evening, news broke of spectators struggling in the oppressive weather, leading to five heat-related deaths and over a hundred hospitalisations. It wasn't just the heat. The roads were choked and traffic came to a standstill. Public transport proved grossly inadequate for people travelling to and from the venue. I felt a mix of relief and guilt — relief that I had skipped the event and guilt…

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