GENRE: Solutions

Creating an ecosystem for a market-based ‘waste economy’ has given a big boost to dry waste recycling in the city, says Azhagu Pandiaraja M P, one of the core members who created the Madras Waste Exchange. Find out more about the unique initiative in this exclusive interview.

Infrastructure lapse, weak traffic rule implementation and irresponsible citizen behaviour — all have a role to play in creating the traffic nightmare that GST Road presents today. A look at the top reasons and possible solutions

A week ago, the passageway near Block H of Kotturpuram Housing Board resembled a mini dump yard with bags full of domestic waste strewn all around. Today, it is a clean, colourful space, buzzing with kids and youngsters who have actually led this transformation.

Chennai Corporation has collaborated with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to restore the Villivakkam Lake, using waste water treated through a special technology. We spoke to J Daniel Chellappa, Senior Scientist at BARC, to know more about the plans and the larger implications.

Members of ROKA — Residents Of Kasturba Nagar Association — write about the association’s dedicated efforts to restore cleanliness and hygiene in the larger neighbourhood, with proper waste management practices in place.

The Chennai Road Safety Council is a coming together of various organisations, volunteers from which are helping to raise awareness on road safety and traffic rules at busy junctions on OMR.

Five-month data sourced from the Chennai Corporation shows a slow, yet steady, reduction in garbage going to the landfills from across the city. How did the civic body make it possible?

A ground report and photos from the slums and economically backward areas of the city: How are people here dealing with the water shortage and sharing the meagre supplies?

Five Resident Welfare Associations across the city have been recognised by the TNPCB for their adoption of environment-friendly practices. This is what they’ve been doing.

From sensitisation campaigns for the public on water conservation to compassionate steps that will ease the sufferings of Chennai’s animal population, a lot of measures are in place to help the city beat the gruelling summer heat.

The operational and maintenance cost of the two functional desalination plants is exorbitant, while it is possible to procure the same yield in the form of treated water from lakes, ponds and quarries at one fourth the cost. Why, then, is Chennai looking at a third plant?

Naturally blessed with hundreds of lakes and ponds, the city of Chennai can easily improve its ground water levels by restoring these water bodies. Here are two success stories of pond rejuvenation projects that could inspire other neighbourhoods in the city.