Chennai is a city that reassures every person, says Alby John Varghese, Director of e-Governance and CEO of T.N. e-Governance Agency
Chennai is also a city which thrives on compassion. While serving in the Greater Chennai Corporation during the pandemic, I witnessed communities coming together in extraordinary ways supporting grassroot health initiatives and leading volunteer-driven vaccination drives. Later, as District Collector of Tiruvallur and as MD, Metropolitan Transport Corporation I was amazed by the entrepreneurial spirit of Chennaites, a force that steadily pushes the city's edges outward and thus reshaping the city itself.
However, I feel Chennai is essentially its people - warm enough to embrace, wise enough to give space. We have all heard the saying, 'Vantharai Vaazhavaikkum Chennai'. Those who come to Chennai will prosper - perhaps because the city teaches resilience while never letting go of kindness.
Heritage anchors Chennai as a city but modernity takes it forward. Along streets carrying centuries' worth of stories, you now see metro trains zooming overhead and electric buses gliding through the traffic. Even the city's landmark Marina Beach is preparing for a Blue Flag future.
(As told to Aloysius Xavier Lopez)
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The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Chennai is a city that reassures every person, says Alby John Varghese, Director of e-Governance and CEO of T.N. e-Governance Agency
Chennai is a city that reassures every person. You feel it the moment you step onto its streets - the quiet safety, an assurance that you belong here. I still remember my first day in the city and the way I felt welcomed even in the most routine interactions with people whom I was meeting for the first time. Chennai is also a city which thrives on compassion. While serving in the Greater Chennai Corporation during the pandemic, I witnessed communities coming together in extraordinary ways supporting grassroot health initiatives and leading volunteer-driven vaccination drives. Later, as District Collector of Tiruvallur and as MD, Metropolitan Transport Corporation I was amazed by the entrepreneurial spirit of Chennaites, a force that steadily pushes the city's edges outward and thus reshaping the city itself. However, I feel Chennai is essentially its people - warm enough to embrace, wise enough to give space. We have all heard the saying, 'Vantharai Vaazhavaikkum Chennai'. Those who come to Chennai will prosper - perhaps because the city teaches resilience while never letting go of kindness. Heritage anchors Chennai as a city but modernity takes it forward. Along streets carrying centuries' worth of stories, you now see metro trains zooming overhead and electric buses gliding through the traffic. Even the city's landmark Marina Beach is preparing for a Blue Flag future. (As told to Aloysius Xavier Lopez)
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Parking unregulated, city spirals into chaos
Chennai: Nearly a month after Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) stopped collecting parking fees, the city's streets have slipped into gridlock — vehicles are crammed into every inch of roadside space, shopkeepers illegally charge visitors, and prime zones such as Marina, Mylapore, Purasawalkam, and T Nagar are choking without regulation. The mess began after GCC's contract with TEXCO, which earlier managed parking fee collection across the city, ended on July 20. With no alternative system in place, parking has turned chaotic: shopkeepers at beaches and commercial hubs are demanding arbitrary fees, two-wheelers and cars are spilling into no-parking zones, and traffic police have largely stepped back from enforcement. "Earlier, when the civic body charged for two-wheeler parking, collectors often demanded more than the official rate. Now, there is no regulation at the beach, and the newly inaugurated proposed Blue Flag zone is overwhelmed with crowds. Even with traffic police at entry points, flow control is abysmal. On weekends, vehicles wait 15–20 minutes," said Sasinathan Ganesh of Chepauk. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai He added that shopkeepers often demand 10, 30 or even 50, especially on weekends, leading to arguments. "To avoid trouble, we pay. Many visitors say stall owners pocket the money under the pretext of 'looking after' vehicles, though there are no authorised attendants," he said. In Mylapore, locals allege showroom dealers block bus route roads with barricades to reserve parking for customers, forcing temple visitors to park on the road and adding to congestion. "Despite repeated complaints, including on social media, the issue is ignored," said B Neelakantan of Vivekanandapuram residents welfare association, Mylapore. In T Nagar, Rameshwaram Street resident Sooriya Basheer said two-wheelers now occupy every corner, including no-parking zones, without police action. "Earlier, when fees were collected, traffic police towed away vehicles in no-parking areas. Now, even stormwater drain slabs are used as parking spaces. The multi-level car parking has also remained defunct for the past few weeks," he said. Core areas such as T Nagar and MC Road will soon come under the Smart City project, with monitoring via the integrated command and control centre (ICCC). Cameras will be installed, and parking charges here will remain unchanged for now, said mayor R Priya. Deputy mayor M Mahesh Kumar said a region-wise study on parking models is underway, and tenders will be floated this month. "The traffic police should handle vehicles parked in unauthorised spots," he added. S Megalina Iden, deputy commissioner (east), said they will inspect and review the traffic congestion in Mylapore. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
Explore Chennai's shoreline on these wheelchairs
Equipped with wide and bulbous wheels that can navigate beach sands with ease, these wheelchairs in blue are the latest attraction at Marina Beach and Elliots Beach. Marina Beach has the lion's share of them — ten — while its petite cousin Elliots Beach has two. As far as Marina Beach, these specially-designed wheelchairs could be seen as an addition to its Blue Flag beach features which promote environmental sustainability and accessibility. An executive engineer with Greater Chennai Corporation pointed out that out of the 10 baloon wheelchairs (as they are called, given the shape and look of their wheels), eight are parked near the swimming pool and the two near the wooden ramp. 'Five dedicated people take turns to oversee the use of these wheelchairs which are meant for those with physical disabilities,' says the official. As of now, they are available from morning to evening. 'People are allowed to keep the wheelchair and enjoy the beach but when there is a demand we might ask them to return it within a time frame,' says the engineer. Jimmy Fitter, senior manager sales and marketing — south, Seedee Wheelchairs LLP, says Greater Chennai Corporation procured 10 beach buggy wheelchairs from the company and they have also trained the staff on how to use it. The beach buggy can take up to 128 kg and can move easily on loose, wet sand and on water. The manually-operated vehicle does not require any major adjustments or understanding. Jimmy says as and when the pressure goes below the required reading, the wheels need to be filled with air using an air pump. He says: 'If there is rusting of nut bolts due to sea air then wheel pressure has to be maintained as per specifications.'
