Safe footpaths aren’t a luxury — they’re a fundamental right protected under Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. Yet, for decades, our cities have prioritised cars over people. If we continue to neglect pedestrian infrastructure, we’ll push more people into vehicles — worsening congestion and pollution.
K. Ashok Vardhan Shetty is a retired IAS officer of the Tamil Nadu Cadre of the 1983 batch. Starting out as Sub Collector, Hosur in 1985, Mr. Shetty held a number of key assignments including Registrar of the University of Madras; Deputy Commissioner (Commercial Taxes), Madras North; District Collector, Villupuram; Director of Rural Development; Managing Director, TASMAC; Secretary, Chief Minister’s Secretariat; Managing Director, SAGOSERVE, Salem; Principal Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department; Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Water Supply, among others.
In this series, we unpack climate change — the science, the impacts, and the challenges. This week, we begin with climate denial, a real barrier to climate action. When scientists publish studies, it is the responsibility of other experts to evaluate their validity. Yet among climate deniers, even well-established and rigorously validated facts are often twisted, dismissed, or attacked with conspiracy claims, spreading misinformation that downplays the science itself. Don’t be a climate denier, be a climate warrior.
Ms. Tara Murali was a long-term Trustee, Advisor, friend and mentor of CAG. For over 40 years, she was an Associate Architect in ‘Bharath and Associates’, a premier architect’s firm in Chennai. She was the Secretary of Indian Institute of Architects, Tamil Nadu Chapter and Vice President of the Palani Hills Conservation Council. She was a member of the Governing Council of INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage). She was also a non-official member of the Madras High Court-appointed monitoring committee of CMDA (Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority).
CAG has submitted its comments on the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025 to ensure that consumer rights, affordability, and equitable access remain central to power sector reforms. The submission emphasizes consumer choice, protection for vulnerable users, transparent tariff practices, and fair competition among electricity suppliers.
Highlights
Plus Publications/Regulations:
Seatbelts save lives - but too many among us don't use them. In India (2023), over 16,025 people died in crashes because they weren’t wearing seatbelts.
In Tamil Nadu, 536 lives were lost for the same reason. These are preventable deaths. Two seconds to buckle up could mean a lifetime saved. A family spared years of grief.
Whether you’re in the front seat or the back, driver or passenger, seatbelts aren’t optional. Buckle up!
Whose City Is This? Are Indian cities truly inclusive for everyone? Sathish Kumar, a wheelchair user, began using public buses after the introduction of low-floor buses in Chennai — completing an impressive 312 rides within a year of their launch. This milestone, made possible after decades of advocacy, marks more than personal freedom: it represents a vital step towards making our cities accessible and inclusive for all.
Our cities are growing and expanding every day, but true progress means putting people first when designing our cities. People-centred smart city is about:
Walkable, safe, and inclusive streets
Affordable housing and accessible services
Green public spaces that connect communities
Technology that empowers its citizens
Sustainable transport that keeps everyone moving
From local communities to global networks, partnerships drive progress. When governments, NGOs, businesses, and citizens work together, change becomes stronger and more lasting. Collaboration is key to achieving every SDG.
#SDG17 #PartnershipsForTheGoals
