Chennai Buzz: Voter enrolment camp | Chennai Metro initiatives | Green corridor for ambulances and more…

Not yet on the voter list? Check here for what may be your last chance, plus several other news from your city over the week gone by -- from new initiatives on the Metro to revamp plans for several streets.

Another opportunity to enrol in voters’ list

If you have not registered your name in the voters’ list yet, here is another chance to enrol. The Election Commission of India is organising a special two day camp today and tomorrow (Feb 23rd and 24th) to enable eligible citizens to add their names to the voters list.

The camp will be open from 10 am to 5 pm at all polling stations.

Source: The Hindu

Railways says no to plastics 

Indian Railways has identified 36 stations across the country including Chennai Central where plastics will be banned and CCTV surveillance will be enhanced. This is part of the initiative to achieve  ‘ISO 14001’ certification prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The stations identified would launch an  intensive cleanliness, water and energy management programme.

Further ‘polluter to pay’ principle will be effective against any person who causes damage to the environment, to recover the cost of restoration of the damage, in compliance with the Solid Waste and Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.

Source: The Hindu

Chennai metro to have dynamic maps and wifi connectivity

Chennai Metro Rail is working on improving mobile connectivity in the tunnels and will also introduce wi-fi connectivity at all the stations.  CMRL is also planning to launch a mobile app to provide free movies, music and TV shows to commuters on trains. The service is expected to be launched between the end of March and early April.

With the launch of the app, Chennai metro will be the first in the country to get free entertainment during commute in four languages.

To improve last mile connectivity, Chennai Metro will also offer service of share cars and share autos to all 32 stations in Phase I. In a trial run, e-scooters have also been introduced in four stations – Guindy, Alandur, Vadapalani and Anna nagar tower.

Source: The Hindu | New Indian Express | Times of India

MTC bus stops planned near metro stations

As a step towards unified transport system, MTC is planning to move bus stops closer to metro stations. A few stops have been identified including LIC, Teynampet and Nandanam military quarters, where work will commence shortly. The move when implemented is expected to benefit commuters at large and pull them towards public transportation.

Source: The Hindu

Traffic signals to go green automatically for 108

Automatic green signal for 108 ambulance will soon become a reality once the pilot test is completed in the stretch of Poonamallee High Road.  To take this plan forward, the Tamil Nadu State Health Projects has had a series of discussions with the transport department and World Bank consultants.

When an ambulance reaches within 100 m of a signal, the pilot will switch on the GPRS device. The controller device installed at the traffic signal, on receiving the signal from the GPRS device, will turn the traffic signal into green and activate the hooter. Once the ambulance crosses the signal, the pilot will manually switch off the device.

Source: The Hindu

Usman road to get face lift

The busy streets of T Nagar, North and South Usman road will soon become pedestrian friendly and have better parking management as part of the smart city initiative. Besides better pedestrian movements, these roads will also have organised junctions, street furniture and wider footpaths. Parking of vehicles will be regularised in specific areas such as Panagal Park, with separate parking for two and four wheelers.

Source: The Times of India

[Compiled by Sandhya Raju]

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