Civic

Many Chennaiites are naturally anxious about what the revised electricity tariff would do to their EB bills. TANGEDCO raised the EB tariff on September 10, and the changes could mean the bi-monthly bill could see an increase by around 50%. Here are some tips and tricks to help you use electricity judiciously in Chennai, making your homes energy-efficient and keeping power bills reasonable. What is the hike in electricity tariff in Chennai? Current electricity tariff for Chennai's domestic households, post-revision. Source: TANGEDCO Although the initial 100 units remain free, the base rate has increased from Rs. 2.50 to Rs. 4.50,…

It has been a little over two years since the urban local body in Bengaluru had an elected body of representatives. While cases pending in Supreme Court have been cited as a reason for the delaying the BBMP elections, the absence of elected corporators at the local level has meant that MLAs have been calling the shots even for local level initiatives. Reports have tracked how the role of ward committees is being chipped away leading to lack of accountability and eventually translating to citizens losing whatever little say they had in matters pertaining to urban service delivery and civic…

First anti-conversion case registered The first case under the 'anti-conversion' law or the Karnataka Right to Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, 2022, was registered by the Yeshwanthpur police. A girl, who is a major, was allegedly converted to Islam and married a youth she is in love with. The girl’s mother complained to the police, who arrested the youth, even before recording the girl’s statement on the issue. Opponents to the arrest said that the couple had married in Penukonda (Andhra Pradesh), where the law is not in place. Moreover, the girl is a major and was not…

Chennai Metro Water spreads message on rainwater harvesting 'Water volunteers', appointed under the Tamil Nadu Urban Livelihood Scheme, have joined the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) and are encouraging the public to harvest rainwater. CMWSSB is also distributing flyers and brochures to residents about rainwater harvesting (RWH). Moreover, RWH structures in government and private buildings will undergo a makeover in the wake of the coming monsoon. New systems will be installed in government offices, residential buildings, private and government hospitals, movie theatres, marriage halls, private and government schools, colleges and malls, which lack RWH structures. Source: DT…

Art exhibition on Mumbai's monsoon Making a comeback after 16 years, the month-long Monsoon Festival has landed in Mumbai this year. The art exhibition is currently on show at two venues: at Method Bandra till October 16th, and the Tao Art gallery in Worli till October 23rd. Chock-full of art in diverse mediums, from paintings, drawings, photographs, to poetry, sculpture and vintage prints, the festival depicts the 'love-hate' relationship Mumbai has with the season. It attempts to capture the lived but un-documented aspects of the downpour, the relief and distress it brings, and the home-grown culture around it. The exhibition…

"Of the people. By the people. For the people." Former US President Abraham Lincoln defined democracy thus. This quote is also the idea behind the Namakku Naame Thittam (NNT) scheme in Chennai, as the scheme calls for public participation in creating community spaces and facilities: spaces of the people; built or revamped by the people; and for the use of the people. To put it simply, the public can restore or create community infrastructure by collaborating with the Greater Chennai Corporation under the NNT. The public will have to bear a share of the cost of the projects they want…

I live in Kranti Nagar, Kandivali, at the base of a hill in an informal settlement. Our homes are made of tin sheets and we have received everything from water supply to electricity, but after a long struggle. Heavy rainfall coupled with a poor sewage system has made the monsoons unbearable. The water cannot flow into the gutters as they are choked to the brim with waste, causing them to overflow and the water to collect entering our homes after a round of heavy showers. Our roads are not concretised or tarred and our homes are makeshift shelters or incrementally…

City drops 15 ranks in Swachh Survekshan Ranked 43 out of 45 cities (among those with a population above 10 lakhs), Bengaluru has slipped by 15 spots in Swachh Survekshan, 2022. Last year, it was 28th among 48 cities. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs released the list of cleanest cities on October 1st, evaluated on three parameters scored at 7,500 for service-level progress, certification and citizens’ voice. The BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) has scored 2,892.98. Almost Rs 1,500 crore was spent on solid waste management per year. Sources said that delays in the preparation of reports, disputes…

One mohalla clinic opens under 'Mission Healthy Dharavi', 12 more to come The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) opened one mohalla clinic at T-Junction this week under 'Mission Healthy Dharavi' initiative. The civic body plans to open 12 more of such portable clinics in Mumbai and will keep them operational from 3 pm to 10 pm. The initiative aims to provide access to primary healthcare to working class population by ensuring the clinics are functional when they get home from work. The portable clinics will be easy to dismantle and can be carried around to avoid congestion in the area. Source:…

Traffic restrictions in T Nagar for Deepavali Given the expected traffic congestion ahead of the Deepavali shopping in T Nagar, the Greater Chennai Traffic Police have announced new traffic arrangements from October 8th to 24th. Accordingly, commercial and goods vehicles will be permitted only between 11 pm and 7 am. Meanwhile, vehicle parking will be allowed at the Chennai Corporation School, Prakasam Salai; Ramakrishna High School, Bashyam Salai and Ramakrishna High School, Dhandapani Street. Paid parking facilities will also be available. Besides, the autorickshaws will be restricted on the routes including those from Thiyagaraja Street-Thanikachalam Salai towards Panagal park; from…