May, 2018 Citizen Matters, Chennai

Will new underground stretch put Chennai Metro on the path to profits?

May 31, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

Chennai Metro Rail has inaugurated two new sections, making Chennai the only Indian city to have all its transport hubs – Koyambedu, Central and Airport – connected by Metro. However, high fares continue to keep occupancy low. Will CMRL’s strategy of providing free rides to attract commuters be successful in breaking the jinx?

For the people, Of the people, By the people – the rise of citizen movements in Chennai

May 30, 2018 Sandhya Raju

Hemraj, a youth in his mid twenties, hails from Royapuram, in North Chennai, which is a neglected area in terms of development or infrastructure compared to other parts of the city. From street light malfunction

Economy

Kuppai Matters: How much plastic waste, which brand?

May 28, 2018 Aruna Natarajan

As a small group of volunteers walked though the snaking pathway that led through Urur Kuppam to the stretch of Elliot’s beach near the Broken Bridge, we spotted litter through the trek. There were styrofoam

Getting smart ration card online now a pain, Chennai’s E seva centres no help

May 28, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

The Public Distribution System in Tamil Nadu (TNPDS), perceived as a boon to citizens from low income groups has many issues. Its nodal agency, the Civil Supplies department, has failed at various levels of operations

Chennai Buzz: Next phase of Metro opened, protests against Thoothukudi violence, Metrowater tariff hike and more!

May 28, 2018 Sandhya Raju

The new phase of the Metro connects Chennai’s airport, bus terminus and major train stations, Metrowater hikes tanker tariff without prior information, Chennai citizens protest Thoothukudi violence and Arappor Iyakkam demands Lokayukta in TN, in this week’s news round up

How much can we do? ask the conservancy workers of Chennai

May 25, 2018 Shobha Menon

Conservancy staff work quietly and tirelessly in the face of growing amounts of garbage and indifference among the citizens of Chennai. Nature lover and journalist Shobha Menon spends a morning with them and comes away with a heavy heart.

Coastal zone management plan does not follow rulebook; communities feel betrayed

May 22, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

Tamil Nadu’s draft Coastal Draft Management Plan does not specify a hazard line, causing confusion and concern among local communities about their future. They say the plan violates the Centre’s CRZ Notification 2011, and must be amended.

Chennai Buzz: Cleaning up after DefExpo, Cashless payment of traffic fines, a rail expo and more!

May 21, 2018 Meenakshi Ramesh

A month after DefExpo, citizens spot trash and debris strewn at the site, and traffic police go cashless for payment of fines, an international rail expo draws enthusiasts and experts alike, and there are encouraging signs of solar power use in public buildings. The week that was!

A Champion of Hygiene transforms the cancer block in Royapettah General Hospital

May 17, 2018 Bhavani Prabhakar

An ordinary citizen becomes a champion of chanGe and helps improve hygiene levels of Royapettah GH’s cancer block, bringing down infection levels and helping the hospital provide

Chitlapakkam residents seek solutions for flooding and water crisis

May 15, 2018 P Viswanathan

Citizens list out their woes, and seek solutions for long standing issues in this southern suburb, that has seen unbridled growth amid lack of planning

Chennai Buzz : A pedestrian plaza in T Nagar, faulty SWD work in Mylapore, Anna Salai to be two way once again!

May 12, 2018 Sandhya Raju

Work begins on T Nagar pedestrian plaza and Villivakkam lake facelift, while Mylapore wakes up to faulty SWD work, Koyambedu waits for new infrastructure and Chennai waits for Anna Salai to be two way again! A look at the week that went by.

The case of the missing pulses: How Urad Dhal disappeared from Chennai ration shops

May 9, 2018 Sandhya Raju

Its inclusion in PDS supplies had made the nutritious and protein-rich Urad Dhal easily accessible to the urban poor. Its withdrawal over the last year has meant a forced change of food habits among many. Is the National Food Security Act to blame?

Chennai Buzz: Namma Chennai App, promise of a new airport, lake adoption and more!

May 7, 2018 Sandhya Raju

A new app for citizens to report problems and grievances, cheer for air travellers, hope for our waterbodies and mandatory safety checks for schools – in this week’s news round up.

How a caring Headmistress brought about change in a Kottur school

May 4, 2018 Seetha Gopalakrishnan

In a school that was struggling with absenteeism and lack of focus and self esteem among students, HM Maheswari Kalpana and her team reach out of parents to help their children come to school and improve their performance. She and her team aspire to make all these children leaders in society.

Why Chennai Central needs an anti-trafficking help desk

May 2, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

A total of 1269 children were rescued in Chennai Central and Egmore railway stations; close monitoring of these train stations would help in preventing incidence of trafficking and faster support for victims.