GENRE: Report

A few months ago, our federation in South Chennai's Adyar area hosted a meeting with Urbaser Sumeet, the private garbage collection agency responsible for waste management in Besant Nagar, Adyar, and Thiruvanmiyur. This event was part of the Federation of Adyar Residents' Association's (FEDARA) regular catch-up meetings with the Urbaser team. It aimed to address residents’ feedback and get a clear understanding of the agency's challenges in garbage collection and segregation. The goal was to ensure that waste management continues to improve while fostering cooperation between the residents and the waste collection agency. Concerns about lack of source segregation The…

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST), considered Mumbai’s second-biggest public transport lifeline, is far from its glory days. The bus accident in Kurla last December that killed nine passengers has brought sharp scrutiny on its operations. The company is also battling losses and recurrent workers’ strikes, the latest one being a flash strike by drivers last week at Wadala depot. According to activists and the BEST Workers’ Union, the core problem is the wet-leasing model introduced in 2018, under which contractors own and operate buses on behalf of BEST. Since then, BEST has steeply reduced its own fleet,…

Malar, a widowed pensioner resettled to Perumbakkam by the State government, had to reapply for her benefits after they were discontinued due to her address change. Despite gathering the necessary documents and reapplying for the National Social Assistance Pension Scheme (NSAP), her application was rejected because the eligibility criteria had changed since she first enrolled. The NSAP, implemented by the Revenue Department, provides monetary support to elderly, differently-abled, and widowed individuals below the poverty line. Funds are allocated at the taluk level, and recipients must reside within the same jurisdiction to access benefits. The Revenue Department ensures that pensions are…

A massive facelift of railway stations is underway in Mumbai and its extended suburbs. As part of this exercise, seventeen local suburban railway stations including that of Khar, Ghatkopar, Kandivli, Borivali, Goregaon etc  have been taken up for commercial redevelopment at a cost of over Rs 900 crores. More than 6.43 lakh sq ft or 147 acres of elevated commercial spaces are being created across railway stations as part of this exercise.  This project, which has been undertaken as part of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP- 3A) is unlike earlier rail station developments in that the exercise is not…

Once celebrated as the 'Garden City' for its lush greenery and rich biodiversity, Bengaluru is grappling with the realities of urbanisation. Now, residents struggle to find a spot of shade amidst the onslaught of concretisation. An Indian Institute of Science (IISc) study suggests that Bengaluru has lost a staggering 80% of its forest cover since the 1970s. Trees are the first casualties of the rapid development and mega-construction projects of Bengaluru. That's why conducting a tree census in the city is crucial. Such an exercise regulates tree felling and helps monitor tree health, assess species diversity, and inform resilient urban…

As our cities struggle to curb the menace of alarming levels of air pollution, a transition to electric vehicles is seen as a much-needed step towards cleaner air, as it would significantly cut down carbon emissions. According to a source apportionment study by CSTEP, Bengaluru’s vehicular emission contributes to 40% of PM2.5 pollution and 19% of PM10 pollution in the city, thus posing a great threat to public health and the environment. Electric vehicles (EVs) could bring considerable relief by completely cutting down on tailpipe emission. But a smoother transition from fossil fuel driven vehicles demands adequate and affordable EV charging infrastructure.…

As the Convener of the Perambur Neighborhood Development Forum and an active citizen journalist, I have spent the past few years auditing the public infrastructure across the city. I have regularly shared the findings from my observations with the community through digital, social and print media. A few days ago, I visited the Vyasarpadi Jeeva Railway Station to conduct an on-the-spot audit on the state of its public infrastructure. Here is what I found:  Vyasarpadi Jeeva Railway Station. Pic: Raghukumar Choodamani. Lifts and foot overbridge The concrete steps on the existing foot overbridge, located on the platform, are dilapidated and…

Just last month, a tragic accident on the Carmelaram- Gunjur 100 Feet road claimed the life of a young boy, highlighting the increasing dangers of this stretch. This key route, opened to the public just nine months ago, was meant to improve connectivity but has instead become an increasingly unsafe, accident-prone zone, posing serious risks to commuters, particularly at night. Unfinished roadwork and missing safety features Despite the road being opened for public use, it was not fully completed at the time. One of the most significant issues is the abrupt transition in lane structure. For about 100 metres, the…

"Whenever anyone mentions the word 'cancer,' it makes me feel uneasy. My children don't even say the word in front of me," said 73-year-old Chhabubai Kshirsagar from Govandi, Mumbai, wiping away her tears. Draped in a cotton nine-yard saree with a pallu over her head, Chhabubai once had long, waist-length hair. However, after undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer, her hair started falling out and eventually, all of it was gone. This loss has left a deep emotional impact on her. "I’ve carefully preserved my lost hair," Chhabubai said softly, gently running her hand over the short new hair that has…

Car and two-wheeler horns are unrelated to vehicular motion. Yet, a closer look at our busy roads reveals a constant din caused by drivers honking relentlessly, even when unnecessary. Once serene residential areas now reverberate with the cacophony of different horn sounds. The noise at traffic signals and bottlenecks is hitting deafening levels of around 90 decibels (dB), and vehicle drivers ignore 'silence zones' near schools and hospitals. People continue to have multi-toned and high-pressure horns, which they use out of habit, while many vehicles have their silencers modified.  Numerous articles and awareness campaigns in Bengaluru and other cities have focussed…