Raghukumar Choodamani Citizen Matters, Chennai

With elections coming up, civic works gather steam. Are you watching?

January 22, 2021 Raghukumar Choodamani

Citizens need to be cautious and ensure that the work is needed and meets quality standards. Also, leaders must be held accountable throughout their tenure.

Living next to a TASMAC outlet: A citizen experience

January 6, 2021 Raghukumar Choodamani

The presence of TASMAC shops in residential areas has inconvenienced many citizens. But
despite protests, there is no attempt at lasting solutions, as the writer finds.

Knock knock, no response: The tale behind Chennai’s civic mess

September 23, 2020 Raghukumar Choodamani

Across the city roads are being dug up and relaid to lay pipes and cables. The relaying occurs mostly without milling. Despite complaints, authorities delay action.

In search of a shelter for a mentally ill person on the streets of Chennai

August 30, 2020 Raghukumar Choodamani

For months, an empathetic citizen has been trying to secure shelter for a mentally-ill individual in his neighbourhood, in vain. He writes about his experience.

When we have 108 and 104, why do we need to call the police for health emergencies?

May 25, 2020 Raghukumar Choodamani

An 80-year-old citizen took ill at night, and succumbed, while the family and neighbours tried desperately to reach health helplines.

How a pond becomes a sewage dump: The Vannankuttai tale

April 6, 2018 Raghukumar Choodamani

Toilets by the shore, illegal sewage pipes draining into stormwater drains, debris dumped secretly — A citizen journalist’s trip to the Vannankuttai in GKM Colony reveals the sordid tale of how Chennai is losing its precious waterbodies.

In Digital India, why do we need a broker to renew our driving licence?

February 6, 2018 Raghukumar Choodamani

Incomplete digital records, lack of information on actual fees payable to the RTO, and intermediaries waiting to take advantage — that’s what a Chennai citizen comes up against, in something as simple as renewal of a driving licence.

Tired of your road being laid and relaid? Don’t be silent!

January 3, 2018 Raghukumar Choodamani

Lack of coordination between government departments is at the root of many civic problems, most notably the condition of roads. An angry citizen calls for action by the people to get such issues solved.