Latest news with #S.Ramesh
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
CUMTA begins trials for Anna Ride Booking common ticketing app, to be launched by the end of July
The Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) has begun trials for Anna Ride Booking, a common ticketing mobile app. It is set to be launched by the end of next month. The app provides routes and multiple transport options and their timings for commuting through the city with a single ticket. For instance, if someone were to travel from Valasaravakkam to the airport, then it would show routes featuring a combination of buses, Metro Rail, and autorickshaws. After choosing the current location and a destination, commuters will have to select the transport options and make a payment to generate a QR Code. Chennai Metro Rail, Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses, suburban and Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) trains, and Namma Yatri cabs and autorickshaw will be available as options in the app. According to CUMTA officials, trials of the app on MTC buses and Metro Rail have been going on for the past week. 'By the end of July, the app will have the option to select buses, autorickshaws, and Metro Rail. But suburban and MRTS train options will take time to be implemented. The railway gave an initial approval but a memorandum of understanding should be signed. We expect that to be done by August. They may be able to come on board as well,' an official said. CUMTA is currently working with the MTC to get accurate vehicle tracking and timings and incorporate them in the app. 'If people can plan their journey better knowing the timings of buses and trains, they will be able to commute by public transport on time and at half the price, instead of paying for a cab or an autorickshaw for the entire commute,' he added. S. Ramesh of Mogappair, who often travels to Pattabhiram and Chennai Central, said one of the main problems now is that people don't know the exact schedule of MTC buses. 'If this becomes a reality thanks to this app, it will benefit thousands of people. Those new to the city will find it very useful to commute. They probably won't be aware of train schedule or frequencies either. This will help them use public transport to navigate the city,' he added. Though the app should have been ready much earlier this year, it is now finally looking at a launch date.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
NCB, EAGLE organise cyclothon in Visakhapatnam
Officials from the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), along with EAGLE Visakhapatnam, organised a 'Cyclothon' as part of the ongoing 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Pakhwada' campaign, here in the city on Sunday. The event was held in alignment with the United Nations' (UN) resolution to observe June 26 as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. NCB Superintendent Rajan Kumar, Eagle Inpsectors S. Ramesh and Kalyani graced the event. The initiative witnessed enthusiastic participation from various stakeholders, including EAGLE Anti-Narcotics Task Force, Visakhapatnam, and State Bank of India (SBI) Siripuram branch. Over 100 cyclists took part in the event, raising awareness and spreading the message — 'Say Yes to Life, No to Drugs'. The participants pedalled through designated city routes, symbolising unity and collective stand against the menace of drug abuse. The event reinforced NCB' s and ANTF' S commitment to community engagement and drug prevention through public awareness and collaborative initiatives.
India Today
4 days ago
- General
- India Today
Changing the urban landscape School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada
SPA Vijayawada makes students ready for coming challenges. Partnering with governments and top institutes, its data-driven urban research, climate-resilient planning and studies in capacity development are shaping policy SCHOOL OF PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE, VIJAYAWADA (SPAV) No. 3 (2025) up from No. 9 (2020) Established in 2008, and inspired by the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, the School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada (SPAV) has grown as an institute of national importance, shaping architecture and planning professionals through world-class education, impactful research and ranked excellence. SPAV provides student-centric undergraduate, post-graduate and doctoral programmes supported by the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020, ensuring that every learner is mentored, engaged and future-ready. 'This has enabled SPAV to make significant contributions to the fields of built environment, design and sustainable development,' says its director, S. Ramesh. In its diverse range of academic programmes in architecture, planning, design and building engineering and management, SPAV emphasises on interdisciplinary learning and practical training, making it a destination of choice. A hallmark of SPAV academic profile is the AMRUT Centre for Urban Planning and Capacity Building (ACUPCB), established under the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA). It has positioned SPAV at the forefront of urban research, with an emphasis on climate-resilient planning, coastal vulnerability and capacity development. Through ACUPCB, SPAV conducts training programmes and supports municipal governance via planning tools and data infrastructure. It has hosted over nine capacity-building programmes on themes like coastal resilience, urban heat mitigation, natural resource management and environmental simulation. These programmes blend fieldwork, technical software training, stakeholder engagement and policy insights, empowering over 110 urban professionals across ministries, academia and municipalities. In addition to training, ACUPCB leads research projects across India. These address urban challenges such as low-emission zones, energy efficiency in bylaws, urban heat mitigation, flood resilience and transportation flows—providing data-backed solutions rooted in field realities. Projects are being carried out in Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Kakinada, Hyderabad, Machilipatnam, Tirupati and Vijayawada. SPAV has collaborated with institutions like IIT Roorkee, SPA New Delhi, NID Andhra Pradesh, National Remote Sensing Centre ISRO, Andhra Pradesh government departments and ASSOCHAM. These collaborations span areas like capacity-building, regional planning, green infrastructure, GIS (geographic information system)-based research and policy development. SPAV also does its bit for social advancement. Under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA), it has adopted five villages in Krishna district—Savarigudem, Jakkulanekkalam, Kesarapalle, Ajjampudi and Buddavaram, supporting development planning and awareness drives.
