Water | Citizen Matters, Chennai

2020-ம் ஆண்டிற்கான குடிநீர் வாரியத்தின் பத்து பெரிய வாக்குறுதிகள்

February 20, 2020 Aruna Natarajan

Read the Tamil translation of our article that lists the Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board’s ambitious goals on expansion of services and initiatives for 2020.

How ‘nature-based’ transformation of Mylapore tank area could ease Chennai’s water problems

February 14, 2020 Aruna Natarajan

A collective comprised of domain experts and designers have come together under the banner ‘City of 1000 Tanks’ to work towards water security in the city. Citizen Matters spoke to Sudheendra NK of Madras Terrace, a member organisation, on the plans in place.

Metro Water’s 10 big promises for Chennai citizens in 2020

January 27, 2020 Aruna Natarajan

Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board put forth ambitious goals of expansion of services and initiatives at the very start of the year; taking a look at the ten big goals of the department in 2020.

Could Chennai see a repeat water crisis in 2020? Hear what Tamil Nadu Weatherman has to say

January 20, 2020 Aruna Natarajan

We catch up with Tamil Nadu Weatherman, Pradeep John, to hear his analysis of the north east monsoon this year, and if the city will have enough water to tide over the summer.

ஆக்கிரமிப்பினால் காணாமல் போன வட சென்னையின் ஏழு நீர்நிலைகள்

January 6, 2020 Laasya Shekhar

Water bodies in North Chennai have disappeared over the last three decades to rampant commercialisation and encroachment. Read the Tamil version of our reportage on the issue here.

The slow killing of Korattur Lake: Can it be reversed?

January 3, 2020 Laasya Shekhar

Water crisis is not in the news now. But in two months, fifty thousand houses surrounding Korattur lake are likely to be struggling for water because the lake is polluted yet again, and the concerned authorities do not seem to be looking at long term solutions seriously.

71 done, 139 in progress: Efforts to restore Chennai water bodies show promise

December 12, 2019 Nina Varghese

Out of 3,000 water bodies in Chennai city, 210 have already been taken up for restoration. The work entails desilting as well as removing water hyacinth and garbage in the water bodies. Here are more details about the same.

Why a women’s entrepreneur zone in Red Hills catchment area is a bad move

October 14, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

There is uncertainty about the construction of a women’s entrepreneur zone at Red hills reservoir. However the primary questions remain unanswered: Why are the officials not speaking up? Why should Chennaites worry about the development?

Not just Villivakkam Lake, apartments and malls too can benefit from our technology: BARC scientist

September 22, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

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.

Why water scarcity never ceases to haunt the women of Chennai

September 11, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

Intermittent rains in Chennai may have eased the situation but water continues to be a scarce resource. And across the city, regardless of social class, women invariably bear the brunt and are expected to make arrangements to quench the family’s thirst.

This year, let’s celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in Chennai the green way

August 30, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

Rooting for clay idols? We have an even better suggestion. Looking for green decor ideas? Or wondering how to minimise the use of disposables? It’s all here. As Ganesh Chaturthi approaches, here’s your complete guide to eco-friendly celebrations.

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.

Chennai Buzz: Water situation improves | Lake clean ups | Plans for Metro Phase 2… and more

August 17, 2019 News Desk

What exactly is the water scenario in the city now? Shall the rains continue long enough? Why are eateries and food vendors under the scanner of the Chennai collectorate? And what can we expect from Metro Phase 2? A quick compilation of some important news from the week gone by.

In photos: How temple tanks are helping the city conserve rain water

August 13, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

Most temples in Chennai and suburbs were designed to include tanks, that help to collect rainwater and recharge the groundwater in neighbouring areas. Take a look at some of these tanks today to see how they are preparing to catch and save water as the rains arrive.

Chennai Buzz: Flood mitigation project | Waste and sewage treatment plans | Cauvery to the rescue

August 5, 2019 News Desk

Waste, water and climate — catch some of the latest and most important headlines on these critical issues that will definitely impact life in the city.

Why CMWSSB’s Dial for Water scheme may not be the right solution for Chennaiites

August 3, 2019 VS Jayaraman

The new scheme launched by Metro Water promising faster delivery through tankers has many loopholes, writes a concerned citizen.

Chennai Buzz: Rain update | Dial for water | Smart card only for metro parking…and more

July 29, 2019 News Desk

What does Met data say about rainfall since June? How will Metro water’s new tanker-on-demand scheme work? What does the latest Madras High Court instruction regarding school bus safety say? Catch these and more in this weekly round up of Chennai news.

How smart are our Smart City projects?

July 25, 2019 V Sriram

Chennai needs effective, workable and lasting solutions to water management, property encroachment, traffic violation, public transport, local area planning, river cleanups and other issues that the city grapples with, but are the proposed Smart City projects really in sync with ground realities?

Jolted by water shortage, Chitlapakkam RWA takes up roadside rainwater harvesting

July 24, 2019 L Sundararaman

A resident of Chitlapakkam talks about the efforts undertaken by their RWA to save water through the installation of roadside rainwater harvesting pits.

Rivers remember, but why don’t we?

July 19, 2019 Himanshu Upadhyaya

‘Rivers Remember: #ChennaiRains and the Shocking Truth of a Manmade Flood’ by Krupa Ge is a stark pointer towards consequences of ignoring and abusing the rivers and wetlands in our cities, and also the breakdown of the administrative machinery in times of disaster.