EDITORS' PICK | Citizen Matters, Chennai

To go zero-waste, this may be Chennai’s best bet

June 17, 2019 Varun Sukumar

The Chennai Corporation has initiated a zero-waste plan for the city, but for any initiative to work from the ground up, the government isn’t necessarily the best placed to complete the entire cycle by itself. Can our city go circular to successfully crack the waste puzzle?

Dry taps, blocked sewers, garbage mess and more: Koyambedu market cries out for better infrastructure

June 13, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

Koyambedu market has Asia’s largest perishable goods complex. But with heaps of garbage, water scarcity and serious sanitation issues creating really sorry conditions on the ground, authorities really need to act urgently.

Does Chennai have enough buses for its commuters?

June 7, 2019 Aruna Natarajan

A large number of commuters in areas unserviced by the MRTS, Metro or other services remain fully reliant on the bus system, but does the city have enough buses to meet the demand?

As Chennai reels under water crisis, faulty restoration of Paruthipattu lake angers residents

May 30, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

An eco park at Paruthipattu Lake is due for inauguration. But with restoration work causing raw sewage to enter the lake, citizens are least cheered by the prospect of a boating facility and more worried about groundwater contamination in this time of acute water scarcity.

To fight sexual harassment of women, it is important to continue to talk: Chinmayi Sripada

May 27, 2019 Swati Amar

Chinmayi Sripada, one of the earliest and most prominent faces of the #MeToo movement in India, was recently denied permission to hold a protest in Chennai against the clean chit to CJI Ranjan Gogoi in a case of sexual harassment. In this interview, Chinmayi tells us why she chose to take this case up, and about her activism on this issue in general.

Nearly a third of Kodungaiyur residents have difficulty breathing, but no action on waste dump

May 22, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

An in-depth survey by CAG revealed the presence of heavy metals at Chennai’s Kodungaiyur dump yard. As it has a direct, visible impact on public health, remediation of the dump yard is the need of the hour. Realisation, however, does not seem very close.

Chennai Metro has failed to boost the city’s economy; here’s why

May 20, 2019 Varun Sukumar

Chennai is expected to grow at 8.1% between now and 2035. Mobility will play a vital role in how the city shapes up and public transit will be central to that. But Chennai Metro needs to do a lot more to rise to the occasion.

What does Ramzan mean to Triplicane?

May 16, 2019 Sri Loganathan

Illuminated roads, varieties of food and a pervasive spirit of hope and unity. A walk on the roads of Triplicane during Ramadan month reflects festive fervour and harmony. Watch our short video to know more about the Big Mosque and its observance of Ramzan.

Chennai Corporation plans to decentralise waste management, but how?

May 11, 2019 Aruna Natarajan

In an interview with Citizen Matters, Corporation Commissioner G Prakash talks about the plan to decentralise the handling and management of 100% of wet waste generated in the city, and the efforts under way to implement the same.

Shenoy Nagar residents fight to save Thiru Vi Ka Park

April 26, 2019 Aruna Natarajan

Thiru Vi Ka park, which served as vital lung space for the neighbouring communities, has been closed to the public since 2011, when it was taken over for Metro construction. Now, with recent plans of the CMRL, the park and green cover may be lost forever, fear citizens.

I am a frustrated Indian citizen who wants reform: Kameela Nasser

April 15, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

Kameela Nasser is the Makkal Needhi Maiam candidate from Chennai Central constituency. In this interview, Kameela talks about her party’s poll promises and why she wants to be an MP.

Enter the jungle: Where in this busy city would you find 150 species of birds?

April 12, 2019 Seetha Gopalakrishnan

The Guindy National Park is not just a critical green lung in the heart of Chennai, but also an excellent space to showcase urban forest conservation. Let this photoessay take you on a visual stroll through the park with its marvellous display of flora and fauna.