Latest news with #R.Priya
Time of India
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Chennai corporation to set up EV charging stations at 15 locations across city
With the number of Electric Vehicles (EVs) steadily rising in Chennai, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has launched a fresh initiative to boost EV charging infrastructure across the city. Recognising the growing need for accessible public charging stations, the civic body is set to install charging points at 15 prominent locations spanning all 15 zones of the Corporation. The Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation Limited had earlier requested the identification of suitable government-owned lands in high-traffic areas for this purpose. Responding to the proposal, the GCC has earmarked beaches, parks, playgrounds, gardens, lakesides, and other vacant government lands within its jurisdiction for the installation of EV charging stations. Key locations chosen for the project include the Chennai Egmore National Art Gallery, Magaral Park in the Ambattur zone, and Chetpet Eco Park and Bougainvilla Park in the Anna Nagar zone. In the Teynampet zone, charging points will be set up at Semmozhi Park, Nageswara Rao Park, and the Marina Beach parking area. In the Adyar zone, charging stations will be installed at the Shri Ashtalakshmi Temple parking lot, Thiruvanmiyur Beach parking, and Besant Nagar parking. Two additional locations have been identified in the Kodambakkam zone - Somasudharam Ground and the Chennai Corporation playground. The move comes amid a noticeable rise in EV adoption, especially among lower-middle-class and middle-class residents, many of whom are switching to e-bikes. Several councillors, during a recent Chennai Corporation Council meeting, expressed support for offering public EV charging services free of cost, citing the financial benefit it would provide to working-class commuters. However, Chennai Mayor R. Priya clarified that while the initiative to establish charging points is moving ahead, the Corporation has no plans to provide free charging services. "Fifteen locations have been finalised, and the work to install the infrastructure will begin soon. But charging will not be free," she said, addressing suggestions made during the council discussions. The upcoming EV charging network is expected to significantly improve convenience for electric vehicle users in the city, while supporting Tamil Nadu's broader push toward sustainable urban transport solutions.
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Chennai Corporation to levy 10% entertainment tax on commercial events at institutions
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) Council has passed a resolution that allows the civic body to levy 10% charge as entertainment tax on tickets for commercial events held within institutions like schools and colleges. The resolution was passed at the council meeting chaired by Mayor R. Priya on the Ripon Buildings premises on Wednesday (May 28, 2025). According to Chennai Corporation Deputy Commissioner (Revenue and Finance) M. Birathiviraj, existing provisions allowed the Corporation to impose this tax on entertainment events held at spaces like the Nehru Stadium and YMCA Ground. The GCC said that an amendment will be made to the 2017 Entertainment Tax Act, saying: 'The entertainment tax on any concert, drama, show, or any other event conducted on the premises of any institution or in any other places shall be calculated at the rate of ten per cent on each payment for admission.' The Act defined 'entertainment' to include horse races, cinematograph or television exhibitions, certain games such as bowling or snooker, and cricket tournaments conducted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or other sports tournaments for which 'persons are admitted on payment'.
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Greater Chennai Corporation to form town vending committees for each zone, hold elections
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) will hold elections to elect members of 15 Town Vending Committees (TVCs) — one for each zone — representing 35,588 registered vendors. A resolution regarding this was passed by the GCC Council, chaired by Mayor R. Priya with Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran, on Wednesday (May 28, 2025) at the Ripon Buildings in Chennai. Each committee will have 15 members. This comes close on the heels of the GCC designating 150 vending and 188 non-vending zones in April this year. Last year, the civic body constituted a singular vending committee for the whole of the city. The formation of zonal-level committees comes after many residents and vendors suggested that the GCC assign regional and sub-vending committees to address several issues flagged by them. The move, under the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, is based on Government Order 4(D) No. 23, dated May 16, 2025, the resolution stated. According to the GCC, each TVC will include the Regional Deputy Commissioner as Chairperson, and officials from the Corporation, police, and local bodies as members. Six members will be elected from among street vendors, with one seat each reserved for individuals belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Class (OBC), and minorities, besides persons with disabilities, women, and the general category. Two representatives from traders' associations, two from NGOs or community-based organisations, and one from a residents' welfare association will be a part of the TVCs. Elections will be held on June 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. across all zones. Nominations will be accepted from June 16 to 18, with the scrutiny to be held on June 19. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is June 20. Final lists of candidates will be published on the same day. The counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on June 27, as per the schedule in the resolution passed. Returning Officers will be appointed to oversee the polling process, the GCC added.
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Chennai Corporation's municipal bonds receive ‘overwhelming response' in National Stock Exchange
Chennai has joined the list of urban local bodies in the country that have listed their municipal bonds in the National Stock Exchange (NSE) to raise funds for their projects. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin attended the bell ceremony in Chennai on Monday (May 26, 2025) to mark the listing of the Greater Chennai Corporation's (GCC) municipal bonds in the NSE. Speaking on the occasion, NSE chief economist Tirthankar Patnaik said three other Municipal Corporations from Tamil Nadu — Coimbatore, Tiruppur and Tiruchi — were in the process of raising funds through municipal bonds. 'It is always a delight for us at NSE when urban local bodies make use of capital markets as an alternative means of financing.' The private placement of GCC's municipal bonds with a base issue size of ₹100 crore and green shoe of ₹100 crore received 'overwhelming response' with an overall subcription of 4.21 times, he said. 'We hope that today's successful listing will inspire many more urban local bodies to look at capital markets as a promising avenue to raise funds,' Mr. Patnaik said. The GCC is intending to utilise municipal bond proceeds to partly finance the ongoing works for the Integrated Storm Water Drainage Project (ISWDP) in Kosasthalaiyar basin that is to be implemented at an estimated cost of ₹3,059 crore. The project aims to construct a robust drainage network that channels excess stormwater into the Kosasthalaiyar basin. The GCC has undertaken the restoration, deepening and widening of 65 lakes and ponds in this basin. The ISWDP is to be implemented in three phases — Phase I (11 packages), Phase II (18 packages) and Phase III (17 packages). As of May 25, 28 packages have been completed and 18 more are under execution. Welcoming the gathering in Kalaivanar Arangam, Mayor R. Priya said that the GCC was the first in Tamil Nadu to issue municipal bonds in the NSC. GCC has raised funds to the tune of ₹200 crore by issuing bonds through the NSE for an interest rate of 7.97% for 10 years. India Ratings and Acuitte have rated the GCC municipal bonds as AA+, an official release from the Tamil Nadu government said. Under AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) 2.0, GCC would get an incentive of ₹26 crore for having issued bonds in the stock exchange to raise funds for urban infrastructure projects. Later in the day, GCC Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran told reporters that the GCC was planning to list municipal bonds for the multi-modal facility at Broadway bus stand which is a ₹822 crore project. While the GCC's commitment to the multi-modal facility in Broadway was estimated at ₹579 crore, the GCC was hoping to issue bonds to raise funds for ₹500 crore, he said. Ministers K.N. Nehru and P.K. Sekarbabu; Chennai Mayor R. Priya; Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam and senior officials were also present during the event.
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Mayor reviews underground sewage pipeline work
Mayor R. Priya inspected the ongoing underground sewage pipeline work at New Vazhaima Nagar in Ward 74 of Nagar Zone (VI) under the Vada Chennai Valarchi Thittam (North Chennai Development Scheme). According to a press release, inspection was conducted to review the progress of the works carried out by the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewage Board (CMWSSB) under the scheme. The Mayor instructed officials to ensure that the installed sewage pipelines are desilted.
