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Mapping methane: Satellites seek out gas-spewing waste sites

Fri, 27/10/2023 - 17:53

A waste map that will show methane emissions from landfills around the world is to be launched at COP-28. Vamsi Shankar Kapilavai, CAG, describes Chennai's landfills as  'methane ticking bombs' but also adding that when presented with data on these, Municipality authorities are receptive to addressing these issues. The proposed AI map (which will make organic waste, visible through satellite imagery) will therefore give governments and CSOs much needed data to address methane emissions and its contribution to the climate crisis.

Cycling track from Neelankarai to Akkarai to be ready in a year

Wed, 18/10/2023 - 11:07

Sumana, CAG, explains that to be properly utilised, a cycle track must be continuous, with permanent separations between track and road, with speed limits in place for motorists. She adds that without this, the proposed cycle track between Neelankarai and Akkarai will go the way other city cycle tracks have gone before it - dysfunctional.

Doctors who scored zero can now study PG medical courses

Fri, 22/09/2023 - 10:06

With nearly 8000 post graduate medical specialisation seats going vacant, the National Medical Council has decided to bring down eligibility criteria, allowing even those students with zero and negative marks on their qualifying exams to pursue further studies. Saroja, CAG, asks what the point of qualifying exams is then, if it does not serve a gate-keeping function, allowing only deserving students to progress into specialisations.

எல்லோருக்கும் Full Refund கொடுக்கணும் - Senior Consumer Lawyer Saroja on AR Rahman Show Controversy

Wed, 13/09/2023 - 12:54

As fans of AR Rahman have been left angry and disappointed after the booking fiasco during his most recent Chennai concert, Saroja, CAG explains that mismanagement of the event will fall under 'deficiency of services' under consumer law. Ticket holders will therefore be well within their rights to approach the Consumer Fora and demand full refunds and compensation for mental agony caused by events over that evening.

Power bills shock consumers; go minimal, says TANGEDCO

Thu, 07/09/2023 - 14:52

As electricity bills soar after the tariff revision by TANGEDCO in 2022, Vishnu Rao, CAG, explains that commercial entities' and industries' high tariffs are currently subsidising domestic use. To keep costs bearable, the state government needs to look into revising the subsidy they offer domestic consumers. Meanwhile consumers must prioritise transitioning into cleaner energy sources such as rooftop solars.

Poor design and maintenance make many Chennai foot over bridges redundant

Tue, 05/09/2023 - 11:07

Foot over-bridges (FOBs) are a poor option to help pedestrians safely cross a road. Women feel unsafe using them; people with disabilities cannot use them at all; and even the average pedestrian finds the extra walk tedious. Sumana, CAG, explains that at-grade pedestrian crossings are needed every 200 metres as per IRC Guidelines, along with a fundamental shift in the attitude of motorists towards vulnerable road users.

 

Chennai’s single-use plastic ban falters despite campaigns like Meendum Manjappai

Thu, 31/08/2023 - 12:21

Despite noteworthy efforts by the government (such as through the Meendum Manjappai campaign)  to reduce the use of single-use plastics, they stubbornly remain in our lives. Sumana, CAG, explains that this is a problem that must be addressed at the source - with the production of plastic and plastic products itself.