In a year where we published 280 stories on a variety of themes that shape life in Chennai, here is a look back at our favourite stories and a roundup of the year for Citizen Matters Chennai.
The spike in pollution levels has been drawing public attention in Chennai over the last one week. But a study from Health Energy Initiative and Doctors for Clean Air-Tamil Nadu shows that poor air quality in the city is neither an isolated nor a seasonal incident.
Are you aware that on the afternoon of Nov 7th, the Air Quality Index (AQI) level in Velachery stood at 271, only marginally better than Delhi’s (282) at the same time? Both data from monitors and snapshots from different areas in the city show why we need urgent action on air pollution.
Chennai is the only metro left out of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) that lays down a framework to tackle air pollution in 102 cities have not met the clean air standards stipulated. Why is the city excluded, and what does it stand to lose as a result?