Chennai's pollution problems are intensifying, with aged MTC buses contributing to the city's rising NO2 levels. Divya Senthil, Senior Researcher, CAG, emphasizes the role of public transport in striking a balance between public demand and environmental protection. MTC's plan to contract 1100 electric buses, if realised, can help reduce emissions and alleviate traffic congestion.
A CAG study found that only 7% of Chennai commuters use the Chennai Bus app regularly, highlighting issues like inaccurate information and poor connectivity. To improve urban mobility, the app needs a redesign, accurate updates, and expanded functionalities to cater to a broader user base.
Vamsi Shankar Kapilavai, Senior Researcher at CAG, points out that less than a tenth of the Chennai city’s waste gets processed. This is a serious concern even as the rise in e-commerce leads to more plastic waste. Much of this ends up in landfills, highlighting the need for both industry and consumer responsibility in tackling these growing mountains of waste.
Child helmets are crucial for road safety, yet a CAG study in Chennai found that a staggering 77% of helmet shops lack appropriate sizes, leaving many young riders vulnerable. Enhanced awareness and better compliance measures are essential to protect children and reduce traffic fatalities.
This article explores reasons why both consumers and vendors struggle to move away from single use plastics, and quotes findings from CAG's survey of the efficacy of the Meendum Manjappai campaign.
Divya Senthil, consultant at CAG explains why underage driving is a serious concern, and one that can only be addressed by better education and strict enforcement. The article also mentions CAG's blog on 'Ensuring safe school journeys for all children'.
The majority of Chennai households continue to not segregate their solid waste, leaving this difficult and messy task to conservancy workers. Vamsi Shankar Kapilavai, Senior Researcher at CAG says that to make source segregation a reality, consistent communication campaigns are required, and that piecemeal approaches to this will only have limited success.
CAG's report on the TNPCB and its functions through a retrospective analysis throws up useful findings which, if implemented, could serve to strengthen the organisation's primary role as custodians for preventing and controlling all forms of pollution.
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.