The Hindu

The fifth edition of Climate Action Month 2026 was successfully inaugurated at DG Vaishnav College, marking the start of a month-long campaign of climate-focused events across Chennai. Organised by CAG, the inaugural event was held in the presence of Mr. Tushar Shrihari Shinde, I.F.S., Assistant Mission Director, Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission; Mr. Akella Chaitanya Madhavudu, I.F.S., Assistant Mission Director, Tamil Nadu Wetlands Mission; and Mr. J.P. Jaideep, Head of the Department of Economics, along with staff and students of the college.

India may be meeting record peak electricity demand on paper, but recurring local power cuts raise deeper questions about the resilience of our grid system. Vishnu Rao, Programme Lead, CAG, points out, “Local disruptions can be extensive yet remain outside the public domain,” revealing gaps between official data and lived reality.

The Tamil Nadu Urban Mobility Charter 2031, which was released by the Sustainable Mobility Network at a multi-stakeholder event organised by CAG with other partners and RWAs calls for urgent investment in public transport, clean urban mobility, pedestrian safety, and integrated transport governance.

Celebrating 40 years of civic and consumer advocacy, CAG was lauded for its unwavering public service and impact on citizen rights. “We were challenging the decisions of the government taking a stance on issues that affect citizens,” said founding member Mr. Sriram Panchu.

To support TANGEDCO’s plan to install 27,000 kW of rooftop solar capacity in TN district by 2027, CAG organised a stakeholder workshop in Madurai, bringing together consumers, utility officials, financial institutions, and solar developers. The initiative aimed to drive greater rooftop solar adoption among Madurai residents through collaboration and awareness.

Nina Subramani, Senior Researcher at CAG examines the 2023 MoRTH report with reference to Tamil Nadu. The State reported 67,213 road accidents in 2023, accounting for 14% of all such incidents in India — the highest among all states. The data indicates an urgent need for road safety reforms and policy action.

An awareness meeting organised by CAG helped two apartment associations understand why their solar bills were higher than expected—restoring their confidence in renewable energy and the long-term savings it offers. As part of a two-year project, CAG conducts free awareness programmes for RWAs and works with stakeholders including TANGEDCO, banks, and vendors to promote the adoption of solar energy.

At ‘Kuppai Thiruvizha’, an annual event that is a part of Climate Action Month by CAG, eco-friendly innovations took center stage — from cloth scrap utility kits to palm leaf jewellery and farm-fresh produce. The Chennai exhibition highlighted creative reuse and sustainability in action.

With over 18,000 road deaths in Tamil Nadu in 2023, CAG urges the state to adopt a comprehensive, updated Road Safety Action Plan. Gaps in enforcement, infrastructure, and coordination indicate the need for urgent, data-driven measures if we are to cut fatalities by 2030.

Saroja.S, Executive Director of CAG gives useful pointers on how to file an RTI, including drafting questions that are specific and concise. Filing and obtaining information via RTIs are core to building accountability into governance, but the process itself remains cumbersome, with plenty of room for improvement.