Governance | Citizen Matters, Chennai

How building violations lead to gridlocks on GST Road

December 9, 2019 S David Manohar

RTI responses point to rampant, unregulated commercialisation on GST Road. What is often missed is the link between such commercial construction and the growing, chaotic traffic on this important national highway.

அம்மா ரோந்து வாகனங்கள்: பெண்கள் உதவிமையத்திற்கு 15000 அழைப்புகள்-துணை ஆணையர் ஜெயலஷ்மி தகவல்

December 6, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

Here’s a Tamil translation of the interview with H Jayalakshmi, DCP of the Crime against Women and Children (CWC) wing, in which she talks about how the Amma Patrol service is making the city safer for women and children.

How government schemes can help domestic workers

December 5, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

Every domestic worker in our state is entitled to certain benefits under a handful of government schemes. Unfortunately, neither the workers nor their employers are aware of these. Here is an explainer.

Fishermen contest charges of encroachment in Thiruvanmiyur

December 3, 2019 Sukriti Vats

Recent construction of some shanties and a road for better access and mobility by the fishing community has been labelled as encroachment after complaints from residents in nearby locations. However, the community rebuts charges and enjoys the support of environmental activists.

No waiting for the government, friends of Kotturpuram Tree Park begin replanting

November 20, 2019 Meenakshi Ramesh

Tired of waiting for PWD to fulfil its promise, volunteers sourced and planted saplings in an effort to restore the tree cover at Kotturpuram Tree Park.

Why citizen engagement will be vital for the success of Chennai as a smart city

November 13, 2019 Varun Sukumar

Technology adoption is at the heart of success of any smart city, Chennai included. But can physical and digital infrastructure help make a city more liveable? Here’s where citizen engagement plays a key role.

“ஊரத் தெரிஞ்சிகிட்டேன் உலகம் புரிஞ்சிகிட்டேன்” with Raaghav: How to approach consumer courts

November 8, 2019 Aruna Natarajan

In the first of our new video series, Raaghav Ranganathan tells you how to assert your rights as a consumer and guides you through the process of filing a consumer complaint.

A bangle for a dream: A tale of uncertain futures along the Buckingham canal

October 29, 2019 Sukriti Vats

A group of residents along the Buckingham Canal in R A Puram live under the imminent threat of eviction, worried about the loss of livelihood and the homes they have built over decades of hard work.

Three-way segregation, as in Bengaluru, soon to be streamlined in Chennai: Alby John, RDC South

October 15, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

Alby John Varghese, Regional Deputy Commissioner (South) has been trying to make a meaningful difference in the areas of waste management, rainwater harvesting and restoration of water bodies. In this exclusive interview, he talks of the various initiatives undertaken.

Road to Mahabalipuram sparkles for Modi – Xi summit. EllamEyewaas?

October 10, 2019 Mahesh V

The road from Chennai airport to Mahabalipuram is being given an unprecedented face lift for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit. The question on most locals’ minds is – do we not deserve such clean and good roads? All the time?

Wedding blues: Unscrupulous kalyana mandapams fleece hapless customers

October 9, 2019 Swati Amar

What’s in a venue? Everything, find hapless customers as unscrupulous kalyana mandapams insist on cash payment and no refunds in case of cancellation. It may be a good time to come full circle – weddings celebrated at home or a temple!

Chennai better prepared than others for smart city projects: Smart City CEO

October 8, 2019 Varsha Venugopal

In an interview, Raj Cherubal, CEO of Chennai Smart City Limited, talks of the various projects under the umbrella and the progress made on pedestrian plaza and parking management.

Cheated by a seller? Check where you can lodge a consumer complaint in Chennai

October 1, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

Found a product to be defective after buying it, or a service failing the promises it made? Here’s what you can do to get your grievances addressed under the existing consumer law in the country.

RTI data reveals that only 34% of Chennai roads are flood proof!

September 30, 2019 Ranga Prasad

A robust storm water drain network is the need of the hour for Chennai to prevent floods similar to that of 2015. But only 1894 km out of the total 5500 km of roads in the city were networked with storm water drains as of October 2018.

From 1104 cases in August 2017 to just 196 this year: How Chennai is battling dengue

September 18, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

Thanks to proactive measures by the Chennai Corporation, dengue incidence has shown significant decline in the city. But there’s more to be done and citizens must play an active role in that.

On thriving ECR, a family left behind relates its story

September 16, 2019 Mahesh V

Paul Rajapandian, or Raja, lives with his two daughters and a granddaughter in a small shack alongside ECR road. His family has been in the cane weaving business for over two generations. In the buzzing suburbs of our metropolis, lives such as Raja’s remain invisible.

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.

Chennai Buzz: City’s first Aadhaar Seva Kendra | Electric bus gets going | ECR cameras to nab traffic rule violators…and more

September 1, 2019 News Desk

On which route will you find Chennai’s first electric bus? What can the Aadhaar Seva Kendra help you with? And what is Chennai Metro’s latest initiative for its commuters? Catch all this and more in this weekly recap of news.

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: Water tanker strike called off | World Bank funding for roads project | Dial for Water gets upgrade..and more!

August 25, 2019 News Desk

From the latest update on the tanker protests to the reported terror threat to city, and boost for several large infrastructure projects, catch the most important news headlines from the city over the last seven days.