Mention

Sumana, CAG, commenting on CMDA's notification to widen 422 roads in two of Chennai's Corporation limits, explains that widening roads might seem useful in the short term; but it's simply an invitation for more vehicles. Before long, the CMDA will likely be solving congestion problems again. The CMDA has invited the public to write in with their comments on the proposed changes, before 1st December. Why not write and ask for sustainable roads that prioritise pedestrians, cyclists and public transport over private motor vehicles?

S. Saroja, CAG, was one of the speakers at the recent FICCI CASCADE seminar. The seminar aimed to raise awareness about the thriving smuggling and counterfeit trade in the country. It highlighted the need for better policies, increased penalties and strict enforcement, to fight this menace.

Despite instructions from the government to stop the sale of seatbelt blocker clips, these are still easy to purchase across the country. (Seatbelt blocker clips stop the car's alarm system from going off when the seatbelt is not engaged.) Interestingly, even these clips are made to fit only the front seats, because rear passenger seats are not fitted with an alarm system at all. It is no surprise then that CAG's study on seatbelt use found zero compliance among rear seat passengers. 

Vishnu Rao, CAG, explains how there is a disconnect between customers who want to go solar, and those that provide these services. A fragmented supply chain where parts and services are offered by diverse companies is one of the reasons for this disconnect.

போக்குவரத்து கழகங்கள் தனியார்மயமாக்குதலை எதிர்த்தும், பேருந்துகளின் எண்ணிக்கை, தரம், பராமரிப்பு, ஊழியர் எண்ணிக்கையை அதிகரிக்கவும், பொது போக்குவரத்தின் முக்கியத்துவத்தை உணர்த்தும் விதமாக மக்கள் பார்வையில் பொதுப்போக்குவரத்து எனும் தலைப்பில் சுமணா நாராயணன், சிஏஜி, தமிழ்நாடு அரசு போக்குவரத்து ஊழியர் சம்மேளனம் நடத்திய கருத்தரங்கில் உரையாற்றினார்.

Saroja.S, CAG, has been appointed as a member of the Central Advisory Committee (CAC), FSSAI, where she will represent the interests of consumers. The CAC is a platform to allow for close cooperation between the FSSAI and other organisations that work in the area of food and food safety.

What will it take to transform Chennai's Public Transport scene? Amongst other targets, we need a commitment to re-imagine our woefully inadequate pedestrian spaces documented by CAG in this article in the Journal of Road Safety.

S. Saroja, CAG, speaking on the FSSAI moving ahead with the HSR (Health Star Rating), commented that it is not prudent that such an important regulatory decision be taken on the basis of a single study.

A study by CAG found that more than 90% of pillion bike riders (audited in locations around Chennai) do not wear a helmet. This is despite high-tech traffic violation systems set up in the city and automatic vehicle number plate recognition systems, says this news report.

'A petition by FMRAI before the Supreme Court demanding a marketing code for pharmaceutical companies cites a study by CAG that reveals a deep-corruption within the industry and unethical, profit-centered practices.'