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Quoting CAG's study on the impact of the free bus travel scheme for women, this article explains that the scheme has been a lifeline to the transport corporations  which were facing losses and fund shortages. Sowmya.K, researcher, CAG, says that even free schemes need to heed the voices of its beneficiaries. Crowding remains a significant concern for women using these buses; this would ease if the scheme was extended to all bus types similar to other concession schemes available. 

As the population of Chennai grows, it is crucial that we consider the city's mobility landscape, and the changes needed in it. Presently, our streets cater primarily to motor vehicles. To truly achieve sustainable and safe mobility accessible for all, we must prioritise walking, cycling, and public transport, says Sowmya K, researcher, CAG.

S. Saroja, executive director, CAG, commenting on a request by sections of the public to supply masoor dal via PDS says that this is certainly a produce that could be introduced on a pilot basis across select outlets. The demand to supply masoor dal is purportedly because this is the cheaper and more nutritious alternative to toor dal.

In a recent circular , TANGEDCO allows consumers to procure meters from empanelled vendors for effecting new connections. Consumer organisations are concerned this could be a long term arrangement that could potentially burden consumers. K. Vishnu Mohan Rao, senior researcher at CAG, also points out that under such an arrangement, meter testing facilities could need additional manpower to ensure that testing times do not lead to delays for the consumer.

Poor last mile connectivity, inadequate fleet strength, lack of safe pedestrian infrastructure and poor cyclists’ infrastructure are some of the reasons why Chennai ranks 15 among 40 cities in the Ease of Moving Index. Sumana Narayanan, senior researcher, CAG, comments that this will need various agencies and stakeholders working together to address these.

Speed breakers are one of several tools to reduce traffic speed. Speed breakers are not appropriate for all locations and when used, they must be built as per IRC Guidelines which specifies the height, width, etc of the speed breaker as well as markings and signages required to warn motorists in time.  Very few speed breakers in Chennai meet the criteria, making them ineffective as a road safety tool, says Sumana Narayanan, senior researcher, CAG.

'Clothes make a man', they say. But do we know what makes clothes these days? Madhuvanthi Rajkumar, researcher at CAG, explains the dangers of plastics in textiles and debunks the common misconception that all textile waste is biodegradable by nature.

Sumana Narayanan, senior researcher, CAG comments that standards for road laying need to be in the public domain, to keep authorities accountable. Currently, in an effort to cut costs and maximise profits, contractors relaying roads are tempted to skip the crucial step of milling, with disastrous consequences for neighbourhoods around. #RoadRelaying #SustainableCities
 

As the Greater Chennai Corporation plans gender studies to make public places and public transport women-friendly, Sumana Narayanan, senior researcher at CAG comments that in addition to looking at physical infrastructure (lighting, bus stop locations), it would be useful to improve passenger information systems so women don't wait for long periods at bus stops especially during non-peak hours. There is also a lack of communication regarding existing safety measures such as how the installed panic buttons work.

Vamsi Kapilavai, Senior Researcher at CAG, commenting on the large quantities of supposedly 'non-toxic' coolant packages and discarded close to the Pallikaranai marshland, asks how these can be treated as non-toxic materials. Even just the plastic packaging is well established as having toxic properties. They are known to leach several toxins into the soil, air and water when exposed to even ambient conditions.