Civic

Revenue sharing under consideration for bus terminals The Chennai Metropolitan Development authority is looking into the feasibility of a revenue-sharing model for Kilambakkam, Kuthambakkam and Madhavaram bus terminals. It is also exploring how best to use the Koyambedu bus terminal and the omni bus terminal when the south and west bound buses start operations out of Kilambakkam. Tenders have been issued as the planning body is looking for a concessionaire to operate and maintain the three bus terminals. The bidder can earn revenue through various means such as parking charges, rent from shops and dorms and through advertisements.  A similar…

Mumbai schools to reopen from December 1st The State government announced on November 25th that physical classes will resume for students from class 1 to 12, effective from December 1st. “After discussing with the CM, cabinet and paediatric task force, the state cabinet has decided to reopen schools from classes 1-4 in rural areas and classes 1-7 in urban areas from December 1. We are committed to the safe resumption of schools,” Maharashtra education minister Varsha Gaikwad told ANI. Reactions from parents ranged from relief to hesitancy. “We also need to mentally prepare younger children to go to school and…

The recent spell of rains in Chennai saw large-scale inundation across the city. Visuals of residents wading in knee-deep water dominated the news. Many residents saw water enter their homes and found their belongings destroyed. Anguish and anger poured out on social media posts of those who went through this harrowing experience. And all along came questions about the city's many stormwater drains and why they failed to serve the purpose. Are the questions being asked of the stormwater drain project in the city legitimate? Could design flaws in the stormwater drains be a contributing factor to wide-spread water stagnation? What…

Civic or community engagement is a continuous process, which requires relentless efforts. Members from Community Welfare Brigade W70Z6 and Perambur Neighborhood Development Forum have been actively engaging with the local administration and enforcement agencies on issues of public interest. While we have managed to address several issues, others are yet to be resolved. For example, what would a workable, efficient traffic plan for Perambur High Road entail? Community issues are complex and it’s important to make the problem-solving process inclusive so that decision-makers have a better understanding of their community’s needs and aspirations before setting a course of action. A traffic…

In September 2021, a mother-daughter duo was killed due to a fire that broke out in an apartment near Bannerghatta Road. After the incident, whether in the media or discussions with friends and colleagues, there was a sudden interest and surge of questions on who can be held accountable for fire accidents in high-rise buildings. Just last week, another fire in an apartment near Electronic City brought the issue into focus again. Often, people conclude that fire accidents occur due to the negligence of builders. The builders might either construct buildings in violation of the sanctioned plan or resort to…

Controversial farm laws repealed after a year of protests On the morning of November 19th, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation and announced that all three farm laws that the Centre had introduced a year ago will be now be repealed in view of the stiff opposition of farmers. The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, Farmers’ (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act had sparked the largest protest in India's history. The protest, led by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) at Delhi's border,…

Half of Chennai without stormwater drains; sewer lines helped clear floodwater In the aftermath of the recent spell of rains that inundated the city, questions are being asked of the stormwater drain network that should have prevented water-logging. Data shows that more than half the city still doesn’t have a robust, well-connected network of drains, causing flooding during monsoons. The city has 2058 km of drains, which is less than 50% of the area that should be covered to prevent water-logging. In the absence of stormwater drains, data from the Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) has revealed…

BDA to call global tenders for fresh Master Plan The BDA (Bangalore Development Authority) will begin to call global tenders for a fresh Master Plan for the city in a week. The new plan is expected to be ready by mid-2023. The previously drafted RMP (Revised Master Plan) 2031 was supposed to guide the city's development until 2031, but was scrapped by the BDA last year following objections from the public. A focus area for the new Master Plan 2031 would be to boost TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) along the city's transit corridors, especially along the Metro rail and the upcoming…

First ‘pod’ hotel at Mumbai Central railway station Indian railways’ first pod hotel was inaugurated at Mumbai Central station on Wednesday, November 17th, by Raosaheb Danve, minister of state of railways. The hotel is spread over 3000 square feet and is located on the first floor of the station building, with facilities such as 48 capsule-like rooms and separate pods for women and differently-abled persons. Affordable overnight accommodation is also available. For 12 hours, passengers will have to pay Rs 999, and Rs 1,999 for 24 hours.  Source: Hindustan Times Private hospital in Mumbai becomes first provide free COVID-19 vaccination …

Translated by Sandhya Raju 2015-ம் ஆண்டுக்கு பின், இது வரை கண்டிராத அளவு மழை கடந்த சில தினங்களுக்கு முன் சென்னையில் கொட்டித் தீர்த்தது. வடகிழக்கு பருவ மழைக்கு பின் வந்த இந்த அடர் மழையால் சென்னையின் பல பகுதிகள் தண்ணீரில் மிதந்தன. பல பகுதிகளில் வீடுகளுக்குள் தண்ணீர் புகுந்ததால், தாழ்வான பகுதிகளில் வசிக்கும் மக்கள் பாதுகாப்பான இடத்தில் தற்காலிகமாக தங்க வைக்கப்பட்டனர். நாட்டின் பல நகரங்களைப் போலவே, சென்னையில் ஏற்படும் வெள்ளத்திற்கு பல காரணங்கள் உள்ளன. இது சில ஆண்டுகளாக இன்னும் மோசம் அடைந்துள்ளது. இந்த பிரச்சனைகள் களையப்படவில்லை எனில், அடுத்த பத்து வருடங்களானாலும் வெள்ள பாதிப்பை தடுக்க முடியாது. நகர்ப்புற வெள்ளத்திற்கு வித்திடும் விரிவாக்கம் சென்னை மாநகராட்சிக்கு கீழ் வரும் நகர்ப்புற பகுதி, கடலை ஒட்டி அமைந்துள்ளது. முன்பு விவசாயப் பகுதியாக இருந்த சமயத்தில் அதற்காக பல ஆயிரம் ஆழமற்ற பெரிய ஏரிகள் அமைக்கப்பட்டன. சென்னையின் நிலப்பரப்பு…