CAG's Safe School Zones report released recently included road infrastructure audits and interviews with parents and students. Congestion during pick-up and drop-off hours, unsafe U-turns at school gates, absence of proper drop-off zones, and footpaths that were either encroached upon or completely missing, were the most frequently cited concerns by parents.
At the recent report launch of CAG's Safe School Zones report, Mr. Bandi Gangadhar, IPS, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic-South) announced that Chennai traffic police plan to revamp roads around 25 schools across 15 zones, including Kodambakkam, Adyar and T Nagar.
CAG recently launched a report studying school zone safety around three Chennai schools. Despite living within walkable distances from the school, a significant number of parents interviewed for the study said that walking or cycling to school was unsafe. Speaking at the report launch, Mr. Bandi Gangadhar, IPS, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic-South) acknowledged unsafe school journeys, saying, “I will not allow my kids to cycle to school in current conditions”.
An awareness meeting organised by CAG helped two apartment associations understand why their solar bills were higher than expected—restoring their confidence in renewable energy and the long-term savings it offers. As part of a two-year project, CAG conducts free awareness programmes for RWAs and works with stakeholders including TANGEDCO, banks, and vendors to promote the adoption of solar energy.
CAG’s Climate Action Month 2025 concluded with powerful calls for climate justice and legal reform. Ms. Supriya Sahu, I.A.S., Additional Chief Secretary to the Government (Environment, Climate Change & Forests) exhorted young people to stay clear of single use plastics, adding that 'Every time you refuse a plastic bag, you become a climate superhero'. (From 14 minutes 38 seconds).
Under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, the Union government offers a subsidy of ₹30,000 per kilowatt for rooftop solar systems up to 3 kW. At a recent multistakeholder meeting organised by CAG in collaboration with TNPDCL, the utility committed to disbursing the subsidy within 15 days, provided there is effective coordination between vendors and consumers.
At a recent multistakeholder meeting organised by CAG in collaboration with TNPDCL to discuss the uptake of rooftop solar (RTS), participants deliberated on the challenges hindering implementation. TNPDCL assured that efforts are underway to address these issues.
As part of Climate Action Month 2025, CAG conducted an awareness campaign on climate change at Gummidipondi through a puppet show, encouraging viewers to reduce plastics, segregate their waste, plant trees, and practice sustainable consumption.
Catch a glimpse of 'Kuppai Thiruvizha', a one-day sustainability carnival organised by CAG at S.I.E.T College, Chennai. S. Saroja, Executive Director of CAG, mentions the harmful impact of single-use plastics, especially on marine life. Vendors share their eco-journeys and how we can all drive change.
At ‘Kuppai Thiruvizha’, an annual event that is a part of Climate Action Month by CAG, eco-friendly innovations took center stage — from cloth scrap utility kits to palm leaf jewellery and farm-fresh produce. The Chennai exhibition highlighted creative reuse and sustainability in action.