V Sriram Citizen Matters, Chennai

From Victoria Public Hall to College of Fine Arts — who will save our heritage buildings?

January 9, 2021 V Sriram

In 2010, a Madras High Court bench had mandated protection and restoration of the city’s heritage structures, suffering years of neglect. Sadly, both state and public will appear to be lacking.

Why Chennai needs to rethink Deepavali celebrations

November 7, 2020 V Sriram

COVID numbers in the city have gone down recently, but that may not mean that the peak has passed. People must celebrate responsibly.

A case for shifting the state capital from Chennai

October 12, 2020 V Sriram

The COVID-19 crisis has revived the debate over a shift of the TN capital to Madurai or Trichy. A look at some important factors that should guide the decision.

Should houses of COVID positive patients be boarded up as they are?

August 6, 2020 V Sriram

Presently, corrugated sheets are nailed all around the infected house or block, leaving an opening much like the eye of a needle! What if there is a need for emergency evacuation?

From Sayyad Shah Pet to Saithappettai? Tamil Nadu’s latest renaming spree lacks logic

June 15, 2020 V Sriram

It is difficult to figure out why the suggested new spellings for these areas in the city are what they are, writes historian V Sriram.

What happens in Chennai when lockdown is lifted on May 17th?

May 9, 2020 V Sriram

There must be clear communication on dos and don’t and procedures to be followed upon lifting of lockdown in order to avoid chaos and confusion among the citizens, writes Sriram V.

The forgotten connection between Madras and smallpox eradication

March 25, 2020 V Sriram

As India enters a 21 day lockdown to fight coronavirus, read about the man from Madras who helped eradicate smallpox.

Banners and hoardings to be back on city streets, much to citizens’ dismay

March 10, 2020 V Sriram

The rules have been relaxed for the erection of banners for social, religious and political events, increasing the possibility of reappearance of banners and hoardings across the city.

Wake-up call: Read the writing in the Kolams

January 28, 2020 V Sriram

Chennai has never been afraid to stand up for what it feels is right. Eminent writer and heritage activist V Sriram decries the strong-arm tactics against peaceful, artistic expressions of dissent in the city, such as the recent one against Kolams carrying a message.

A year on, Chennai still awaits CUMTA

January 17, 2020 V Sriram

Hurdles in the formation of CUMTA has prolonged the chaos of public commute in the city; a central authority to provide a cohesive vision remains missing.

Why celebrate Chennai?

August 12, 2019 V Sriram

As Madras Week draws closer, historian V Sriram talks of the various reasons to celebrate the city.

How smart are our Smart City projects?

July 25, 2019 V Sriram

Chennai needs effective, workable and lasting solutions to water management, property encroachment, traffic violation, public transport, local area planning, river cleanups and other issues that the city grapples with, but are the proposed Smart City projects really in sync with ground realities?

What can be done better with Chennai Metro Phase 2?

March 15, 2019 V Sriram

Phase I of Chennai Metro is fully operational now, while preliminary work for the construction of Phase 2 is underway. Does the former hold any important lessons for the latter?

Will shoddy design prove a dampener for Chennai’s Metro pride?

November 28, 2018 V Sriram

With exposed metal bars, cracking panes and flawed design leading to overheating, Metro stations in the city leave a lot to be desired.

Elevated corridor at Cooum’s expense?

November 8, 2018 V Sriram

This was a project cancelled by the newly elected government in 2011 for environmental reasons, as piers for the elevated road were being erected on the Cooum riverbed. But has anything really changed now for the same party in power to revive the project?