EDITORS’ PICK – Page 2 – Citizen Matters, Chennai

Bhogi pollution less this year, says TNPCB, but can Chennai rest easy?

January 15, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

Historical data shows that the air quality in Chennai hovers between poor and severe not just during festivals such as Bhogi and Diwali, but often on other days as well. Is the TNPCB up to the challenge?

Transferring car ownership after death of owner: A harrowing experience

January 11, 2019 Padma Viswanathan

A citizen describes the tortuous procedure of changing ownership of their car from her recently deceased father-in-law to his wife, and the insensitivity of the RTO.

Plastic ban in Chennai: How are businesses coping?

January 9, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

Some have switched to traditional or alternative methods of packaging while some continue to use polypropylene bags under the misconception that these are better than plastic. Here’s an overview of how various businesses in the city are adapting to the ban on single use plastic.

Going zero-waste may not be as difficult as we think; here’s why

January 8, 2019 Seetha Gopalakrishnan

It’s not expensive, nor does it entail a huge investment of time, and a good number of conscious citizens in Chennai have already taken firm steps towards sustainable living. The recently-enforced plastic ban could provide a great opportunity for all to move towards the same.

Why does actor Rajinikanth pay less tax than Nagarajan of Nanganallur?

January 5, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

Areas newly inducted into the Chennai Corporation have to pay much higher property tax than those in the older, posh localities, despite pathetic infrastructure. This and other anomalies in the recent revision are raising eyebrows across the city.

What happens when the government wants your land?

January 2, 2019 Aruna Natarajan

Several conflicts have arisen as land acquisition for Phase 2 of Chennai Metro gets underway. Residences, shops and even a school that could become ‘collateral damage’ in the exercise have raised their voices against the move. Will their interests be considered?

Video: Is Chennai ready for a ‘plastic-less’ new year?

December 31, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

The ban on plastic has generated mixed response among Chennai citizens. Yet, there are some who have embraced the cause wholeheartedly and are inspiring others to follow suit.

Chennai Buzz: Plastic ban | Lake restoration | Road user survey…and more

December 31, 2018 News Desk

With the plastic ban and news on lake restoration, Chennai looks to begin the new year on a positive note. A quick round-up of what the city is talking about as we end the year.

What Chennai’s real estate sector tells prospective home buyers

December 28, 2018 Mahesh Kumar S T

Here is what the housing price index from the National Housing Board says about property price trends in the city. Under the circumstances, is renting a better option than buying a home?

A day in the life of a de-addiction centre worker in Chennai

December 27, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

Rescue workers in de-addiction centres across the city have a thankless job. It entails a fair amount of physical risk, and yet they remain underpaid and have no medical insurance.

Victims of stereotyping: How Chennai treats migrants to the city

December 18, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

The theme for International Migrants Day 2018, observed on December 18th, is Migration with Dignity. Conversations with migrants from other states to the city, however, reveal that dignity is the last thing they can take for granted even as they continue to live and work here.

Why a visit to Egmore museum fascinates and saddens us at the same time

December 18, 2018 Aruna Natarajan

Visitors to the government museum in Egmore are deeply impressed by the breadth of collections on display, yet rue the lack of maintenance and features that could make the museum experience comparable to the best globally.