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.
Sumana Narayanan, senior researcher at CAG, writes about how the free travel scheme for women on TN's buses ticks off several boxes: social inclusion of women, promoting sustainable transport, and better educational and health outcomes for families.
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
Madhuvanthi Rajkumar, CAG, participated in the Citizen's Clinic organised by Citizen Matters. The event brought together experts who guided households onward in their zero waste journeys.
Sumana Narayanan, CAG, commenting on the rise of the bike taxi, and the recent move by the TN government to ban these, emphasises that the role of bike taxis in improving sustainable mobility options must be looked at.
மழைக்காலம் தொடங்கிவிட்டது. குண்டும் குழியுமான, மழைநீர் தேங்கியுள்ள சாலைகளில் அதிவேகமாக செல்லும் வாகன ஓட்டிகள், விபத்துக்குளாகாமல் எவ்வாறு கவனத்துடன் பாதுகாப்பாக செயல்பட வேண்டுமென்று சி.ஏ.ஜி ஆராய்ச்சியாளர் மதுமதி விளக்குகிறார்.
A timely reminder for all motorists of the risks of driving in rainy conditions. Madhumati, CAG. writes about how flooded roads create new driving risks and hide existing ones such as potholes.
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.
Mala Balaji, CAG writes about why systemic transformation and individual changes need to come together, if we are to come out winning, in our battle against climate change. This article highlights commendable practices and looks at areas needing improvement in fostering sustainability.
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.