T Nagar Citizen Matters, Chennai

Forget what you saw at Kumaran Silks, small traders in Chennai are struggling

October 21, 2020 Aruna Natarajan

Diwali shopping season is one of the busiest periods for retailers in shopping hubs such as T Nagar. But the fear of coronavirus and its economic impact has hit business hard.

Smart city chief: If we love cities like Paris and Singapore, why not have pedestrian plazas in Chennai?

February 7, 2020 Aruna Natarajan

The T Nagar Pedestrian Plaza is one of the flagship projects that have been launched under the smart city banner in Chennai. Raj Cherubal, CEO of Chennai Smart City Limited, speaks of the work that went into creating the plaza and the challenges faced in the process.

Ranganathan Street faces many problems, but proposed ‘smart’ solution looks elsewhere

September 5, 2019 VS Jayaraman

The overcrowded shopping hub of Ranganathan street faces many risks due to encroachment and lack of fire safety, but this citizen writer points out why the skywalk proposed under the Smart City mission fails to address the core issue.

Citizens in the dark as Corporation and CMDA ignore zoning laws at will

August 26, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

How can a residential locality be changed to allow operations of banks, restaurants or other commercial establishments? CMDA and Chennai Corporation are far from transparent on the rules, while residents watch haplessly, often entirely unaware of plans till the damage has been done.

Chennai Buzz: Stormwater drain maintenance | Coming soon – water from Jolarpet | T Nagar makeover

July 8, 2019 News Desk

A quick recap of some important news from last week that’s likely to hold significant implications for life in the city

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

February 23, 2019 News Desk

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.

In five years, T Nagar will see dramatic transformation: Ashwathy Dilip, ITDP

January 21, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

How will the ongoing pedestrianisation project in T Nagar under the Chennai Smart City mission impact the area and the lives of residents and visitors? Will it address the current concerns shared by citizens and traders? Can it hold lessons for other neighbourhoods?

Chennai Buzz: Aavin’s plastic free initiatives | Road safety gallery | Crackdown on illegal dumping…and more

January 19, 2019 News Desk

From Aavin’s planned buy-back policy for its plastic satchets to stricter action against illegal dumping along waterways, from smart parking projects to Chennai’s very own robot for its roads — here’s a round-up of key headlines from your city this week.

Chennai Buzz: Hope for a smokeless Bhogi, a plastic-free book fair, new buses for MTC and more!

January 12, 2019 News Desk

The new year brings in lots to cheer about for Chennai! Look no further, if you missed some of these news items from the week that went by!

Where, oh where, have the goldsmiths gone?

December 12, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

With the mushrooming of giant jewellery showrooms in the city and growing corporatisation, self-employed goldsmiths of yore have become an almost invisible tribe in Chennai. A few, however, hang on to their passion, offering unique creations and customisation.

What ails Parry’s Corner — colonial history or civic apathy?

November 13, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

Once a historic town in itself, Parry’s Corner is a text-book example of unplanned development, with poor traffic, dingy and unclean roads, and overall chaos. But does history too have a role to play in the present condition of this central Chennai neighbourhood?

Chennai Buzz: Monsoon vulnerability | Nod to four smart city projects | Chennai Central turns green…and more

September 17, 2018 News Desk

Smart city projects worth Rs 258 crore were sanctioned last week; which are these and which areas will they impact? How are power and water supply set to change in the days to come? Catch all this and more important news from last week in our weekly Chennai buzz.

Chennai buzz: Crackdown on plastic, scanner on illegal high-rises and all-women Metro stations

August 6, 2018 News Desk

Have you been keeping track of the latest developments in Chennai? The new expressway that will connect Bengaluru to the city? Or Corridor 4 of Chennai Metro? Here’s a quick round-up of some key headlines from your city.

Chennai Buzz: Likely property tax hike, plans for MTC terminus and truckers’ strike

July 23, 2018 News Desk

A look back at some of the key headlines from last week which could affect life in the city.

Smart city spending: Where is Chennai putting its money?

July 11, 2018 Aruna Natarajan

The Corporation of Chennai recently shared the budget break-up for the Chennai Smart City programme. With an allocation of more than Rs 36 crore, the multi-level parking in T Nagar is the most expensive among ongoing projects. Any guesses which are the others and where they stand?