Pillion riders must now wear helmets

Under the provisions of the Motor Act 2015, both rider and pillion rider can be booked for not wearing a helmet, however the implementation of this Act has been far from strict. Last week, the TN State Government assured Madras High Court that an awareness drive will be launched through advertisements etc, and the Traffic Police has stated that it will take strict action against violators.

It has been highlighted often in studies that not wearing a helmet is the cause of ⅓ fatalities in two-wheeler accidents in the state. The Government had made helmets compulsory for the rider in 2015.

Source:  The Hindu, New Indian Express

Chennai among the worst in urban mega cities on emission levels

In a recent study on toxic emissions of particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), heat-trapping carbon dioxide (CO2), and energy consumption from urban commuting practices, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) says Chennai ranks 10th on per trip energy usage among the 14 urban mega cities ranked, making it as one of the poorest ranking  in urban emisison levels, among the mega cities. Despite better infrastructure in terms of bus and metro connectivity, the use of public transport is still not widespread,  which is cited as one of the reasons for high emission levels. Average trip length of cars is the highest in Chennai.

Among the other cities in India, Bhopal emerges the cleanest and Delhi tops the list of most polluted cities.

Source: Citizen Matters,  The Times of India

Police stations to sport new look

Piles of abandoned and confiscated vehicles are a common sight across many police stations in the city. combined with lack of maintenance, most city police stations wear a drab look, Now things are set to change as steps have been taken to give them a new look. 90 stations have already had this beautification and transformation, while 45 stations are undergoing the change.

Police stations are being spruced up with paver blocks, greenery and some even with parks, walk paths and gym.

Meanwhile, police stations are also fast adapting to new technological initiatives, with verification on tenants and employees going online from September.  The police will be introducing this facility through the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS). Citizens can download the form from the portal, and upload with a government authorized identity as proof. Rs.500 is charged for an individual and Rs.1000 for companies for the verification process.

Source: The Hindu

Did we learn anything at all from the floods of 2015? A new private school on the banks of Adyar river raises serious questions

A few metres away from where water gushed from Chembarabakkam lake during the 2015 floods, a new aesthetically designed private school has come up, raising serious questions on  the approval process and the safety of its students..

The school has come up exactly at the junction where an outlet channel of Chembarabakkam lake and the Adyar river meet. Should a similar flood situation arise in Chennai, it will put many lives at risk.

Source:  New Indian Express

The Government wants to tackle waste on a war footing, but we are yet to get our basics right

The TN State Government says it is going to level existing landfills and ensure no further waste is dumped there, while pushing for decentralised daily waste management by encouraging local area composting of wet waste and bio mining.

However, at the ground level, it appears the State, and Chennai in particular, has a long way to go, as two  instances at Pammal and Thiruneermalai highlight. A public playground at Pammal has turned to a waste composting unit emitting a foul smell throughout the day.  Over 300 Kg of wet waste collected from the locality is being brought here for composting.

In another instance, bio medical waste is being dumped in the burial ground at Thiruneermalai and worse, occasionally being set on fire, posing a health risk to local residents. While the wet waste is being composted and the plastics being recycled, the Municipality has been quietly dumping sanitary napkins, diapers and non biodegradable waste in the burial ground.

Source: The Times of India | New Indian Express, The Times of India

Chennai Metro begins trial run to Washermanpet

As part of the last leg of the 45 km stretch of Phase I, Chennai Metro Rail began trial runs between AG-DMS and Washermanpet. The much awaited phase offering connectivity to North Chennai is expected to be ready by December and commercial operations in this route will begin soon after, subject to inspection and approval.

Meanwhile, Metro Rail has introduced an affordable cab service to commuters within 3 Km radius from the metro stations. CMRL will charge Rs.15 for pick up and drop service within this radius. This service is currently available only for commuters of five metro stations – Annanagar east, AG-DMS, Vadapalani, Alandur and Koyambedu and will soon be extended to other stations.

To book the service, commuters can call customer care number 18604251515.

Source:  The Times of India, The HIndu

Compiled by Sandhya Raju