The Metro Rail construction, along the OMR, has significantly disrupted movement of traffic on this major artery. Sumana, CAG, emphasises the need for a more robust public transport network along the road to ease the congestion. Will a BRTS network go towards solving some of these issues? We need data and feasibility studies to inform this further.
To mark World Diabetes Day, this op-ed emphasises the need for simple, effective Front of Pack Labelling that warns consumers of high fat, sugar and salt. Curtailing India's diabetes epidemic will not be possible without strong regulations that stop manufacturers from hiding their unhealthy ingredients behind dubious labels.
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.
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.
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.
A piece by Shankar Prakash offering a critical review of the Chennai Climate Action Plan, examining its merits and those areas that need improving. An important read as we cross over from 'global warming' to 'global boiling'.
Climate Action Month has been envisioned as a space for multi-stakeholder engagements on the critical topic of climate change. With an array of events across Chennai, the event reached out to wide cross sections of Chennai-ites through popular mediums of comedy, music, and technical engagements.
The Smart Urban Roads project under the Chennai City Partnership Programme does not align with crucial mobility targets.It prioritises motorised transport, and for the most part, sidelines walking, cycling and public transit. Sumana, CAG, comments that if done right, this is an excellent opportunity for the city to meet the livelihood and mobility needs of its people.
Riding on the wrong side of the road can be a costly infraction. An article that explains that public behaviour, road design and enforcement changes are needed to fix this problem.
The National Conference on Air Pollution and Climate Change organised by CAG was a common space to discuss the air pollution / climate change nexus, sources of air pollution and sustainable solutions to break the chain.