Varun Sukumar | Citizen Matters, Chennai

Opinion: Chennai must not shift focus from testing as it enters Unlock 5.0

October 1, 2020 Varun Sukumar

The city’s COVID trajectory shows that it was able to contain spread only through sustained testing and isolation. It must stick to the strategy as it allows for phased reopening.

Restarting public transport in the age of COVID-19: The challenge before Chennai

June 23, 2020 Varun Sukumar

In a city where 75% of residents express preference for public transport, providing safe mobility options in a post COVID world will be tricky.

Can Chennai’s economy bounce back after COVID-19?

May 4, 2020 Varun Sukumar

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the economy will be widespread, but recovery must begin from the ground up.

Why Chennai Metro needs to pay more attention to use of public space

March 12, 2020 Varun Sukumar

The aim of any transport hub, like a metro station, should be to make the wait time for a passenger entertaining and hassle-free. This means effectively using the available space in multiple ways, some of which can also help boost non-fare revenue.

The balancing act Chennai must perform to become truly ‘smart’

January 7, 2020 Varun Sukumar

Infrastructure may be the most tangible manifestation of growth in an urban centre, but smart development has to integrate various components — sustainability, quality of services, employment, land use etc — to make a true impact on the life of the citizen.

Why citizen engagement will be vital for the success of Chennai as a smart city

November 13, 2019 Varun Sukumar

Technology adoption is at the heart of success of any smart city, Chennai included. But can physical and digital infrastructure help make a city more liveable? Here’s where citizen engagement plays a key role.

Sustainability needs a people-centric approach; is smart city Chennai geared to that?

September 26, 2019 Varun Sukumar

A city tackling climate change needs to think big and small and involve all stakeholders in the process — policymakers, state and local governments, private entities and citizens. That should be one of the primary goals of the Chennai Smart City programme.

How ‘smart city’ Chennai can be more resilient to disasters such as 2015 floods

August 24, 2019 Varun Sukumar

Technology in many ways forms the base for a smart city. With the 2015 floods exposing the city’s inability to deal with heavy rains and flooding, the smart city mission should address the gaps and build resilience through use of digital infrastructure.

Smart mobility: The three primary challenges before Chennai today

July 31, 2019 Varun Sukumar

Ease of mobility and efficient transportation must be key features in any smart city. As the city sets its own goals under the Chennai Smart City programme, the author identifies the crucial areas that need attention for realisation of those.

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?

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.