As the Tambaram Corporation outsources waste management of waste generated by Bulk Waste Generators (BWG), Vamsi Shankar, Senior Researcher, CAG comments that the main consideration with any waste handling protocol is that it does not go on to harm the environment. Dry waste handling techniques that cause air pollution, he says, is a case in point.
Afroz, Researcher, Citizen consumer and civic Action Group, participated in the recent 'No Burn Chennai' event, and spoke about the ill-effects of incinerators. As incinerators are being increasingly promoted as a solution to plastic pollution, organisation at the event explained why burning plastic waste was a false, 'greenwashing' solution.
Construction debris dumping becomes a marked problem across the city, even though SWM by-laws state that construction and debris waste generators must plan disposal measures before commencing a project. Vamsi Shankar Kapilavai, senior researcher at CAG, talks about the need for better enforcement which in turn needs adequate budgetary allocation.
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.