TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: Known to be a strident anti-LTTE voice, former Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa on Saturday came out for the first time with a stinging attack on the Union government for collaborating with Colombo’s military offensive and accused Sri Lanka of training its guns on innocent Tamil civilians in the name of fighting the Tigers.
As the war rages in northern Sri Lanka, voices in support of the Tamils here are getting louder, and most political parties are calling for pressure from New Delhi on Colombo to halt its operations and go in for a political settlement.
Joining this chorus, Jayalalithaa said in a statement that the Manmohan Singh regime was “actively collaborating” with Colombo by providing arms, radars and advanced training to them. “India is not a passive or silent witness, but an active collaborator,” she said.
“We are not asking for an armed invasion of Sri Lanka. What we look for is that the Indian Prime Minister should call up his Sri Lankan counterpart and make his displeasure known in clear terms,” she said. Her statement came within days of her party staying away from a CPI-sponsored fast in support of Sri Lankan Tamils despite agreeing to send a representative.
While there was no official reason for the AIADMK’s failure to turn up, Jayalalithaa has extended support to a picketing agitation to be held by her ally, the MDMK, in front of central government offices on October 10 on the same issue.
While India has been treating the civil war as Sri Lanka’s internal affair since the IPKF debacle and Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, the present government was going all out to help the island’s armed forces, she charged.
Disapproving of any military aid to Sri Lanka, she said it was well-known that the country trained its entire military arsenal against Tamils. While it might claim that the army was only targeting the LTTE, the claims made about the death toll indicated that a substantial part of the hapless Tamil population was also being mowed down.
Jayalalithaa said that in essence Indian arms and ammunition were being used against the innocent Tamils of Sri Lanka. Not content with that, the Indian fishermen had been shot dead by the Lankan navy.
“All the time Indian government has been saying that this matter has been taken up with the Sri Lankan government. But no tangible action has been taken so far by the government,” she said, blaming both the centre and chief minister M Karunanidhi.
sources:TOI
ma opinion:
If the central government is using article 355 for communal violence against minorities in karnataka,gujarat and orissa.Why they are not bothered about the majority people (pandits in jammu kashmir are evacuated from their by communal vilolence)now tamilians are facing trouble in sri lanka,this is mainly for bank vote of minorites.As the majority never thought of this issue and most of them don't care about the remaining people.As media is covering all problems faced by minorities but have they ever covered kashmir issue.If the majority people did't wake up ,then a4 a certain period whole india will become like a kashmir.
Note:I'm not against minorites but want to eliminate this DIVIDE AND RULE policy used by our politicians.there should not be inequality between minorities and majorities in both benifits and also problems faced by them
:bash::bash:

all these subsidies are targeted at farmers and poor people. is that so bad?


That is the theory. The actual implementation is far from the premise. We have a "farmer" like former PM Gowda, who benefits from such schemes. The Diesel rebate is subsidizing everybody including the rich transporters, rich diesel car owners. NREGA is a pithole for corruption of the babus/politicians, Irrigation schemes that run into several thousand crores are crony money payoffs to politicians/contractors. I would rather have a scheme that targets poor based on income. This requires a National ID card for everyone, proper accounting schemes for uniform income/transactions reporting. Then we can have a handle on what constitutes "poor" and give the subsidy directly. Everyone agrees that current scheme is filled with holes like swiss cheese.

I would welcome a scheme that would transition the "farmers" to higher paying industrial workers, then we don't need to subsidize the "poor farmer" anymore.

‘Jaago Re! One Billion Votes Campaign’ Awakens young India ! (http://www.janaagraha.org/node/2215)

www.jaagore.com

Tata Tea and Janaagraha come together with a unique initiative to motivate and enable Indian Youth to vote

Mumbai, September 16, 2008: Tata Tea, India’s largest tea company by volume, today announced that it has joined hands with Janaagraha, a Bangalore based not-for-profit organisation that has been doing pioneering work in the areas of urban advocacy and governance. The objective of the partnership is to create a platform that will motivate the vast numbers of Indian youth to participate actively in the electoral process of the country. The initiative is named ‘Jaago Re! One Billion Votes’ and aims at awakening the youth of this country to the importance of exercising their right to vote as a means to bring about the change they seek.

The Jaago Re! campaign which was initiated last year now takes a new leap. From challenging the qualifications of a politician to run the country, the campaign now seeks to empower the youth to influence polity by exercising their right to vote.

Speaking at the launch Mr.T.S. Krishnamurthy, Ex Chief Election Commissioner of India said, “This is a momentous occasion as it signals a change whose time has come. The scale at which the initiative aims to impact the involvement of youth in the electoral process of the country will have a far reaching and lasting impact on the future of the country. I am glad that this initiative comes with the support of a Tata group company and that of an NGO such as Janaagraha, which guarantees that the initiative will result in sustainable solutions.”

Swati Ramanathan, Co-founder of Janaagraha, speaking at the launch said, “One of Janaagraha’s central tenets is that in the alphabet of democracy we cannot move from the letter “E” to “F”- elect and forget – we need to stay on the letter “E”- elect and engage. But many of us have not even worked our way up to “E”. She also explained the evolution of Janaagraha and the various efforts to improve the quality of urban life. She also explained how this campaign fits in with Janaagraha’s broader vision.

Ramesh Ramanathan, Co-founder of Janaagraha, speaking at the launch said, “In a democracy, our most powerful identity is the political identity of a voter. Yet most of us neglect this identity the most, either out of cynicism or out of fear of the hurdles involved in exercising our right to vote. Jaago Re! One Billion Votes is a clarion call, especially to the youth, to jettison the cynicism and take the first step towards citizenship - it unleashes the power of one billion voices in nation building.”

He also emphasized the fact that this is campaign for the youth was wholly conceptualized and executed by youth.

Speaking about Tata Tea’s commitment towards the initiative, Ms. Sangeeta Talwar, Executive Director- Marketing, Tata Tea, said, “We launched the Jaago Re campaign last year in line with our vision to transform tea from a medium of mere physical and mental rejuvenation to a medium of social awakening. The campaign which received both critical acclaim as well as very positive consumer feedback has set us on a journey to connect with the heart, mind and soul of young India’s emerging social consciousness. This year the focus of the Jaago Re! campaign is to awaken the youth to the power that lies in their hands - the power to influence, the power to choose, the power to vote! The Jaago Re site enables registration of voters thus helping to them to be a part of the electoral process and hence be key agents for positive change in our democracy.”

Janaagraha brings its comprehensive knowledge on electoral processes, and structured citizen participation as key elements of the Jaago Re! One Billion Votes campaign. Janaagraha’s main line of advocacy is to improve the systemic nature of problems related to management, maintenance and the use of voter rolls. On the other hand Tata Tea will facilitate the process and provide all the necessary support needed for the mammoth project. It is a perfect example of corporate-public partnership aimed at bringing about meaningful change in the society.

At the crux of the initiative is the website www.jaagore.com which will be the one stop site for all voters’ needs. Jasmine Shah, the campaign coordinator, took the press through the various aspects of the website. The site along with mobile service technology and IVR support will provide any user an end to end platform to facilitate voter registration, informing voters of which constituency they fall under and the of their polling booth, etc. For the first time in India, www.jaagore.com will host an online voter registration engine to allow citizens across the country to fill their voter registration forms in 5 mins and also get driving directions to submit this form in their city. Hence, the Jaago Re One! Billion Votes campaign is not only a call to action but a platform which provides any potential voter all the information and facilitation he or she needs to become part of the electoral process.

While this campaign caters to the entire nation, certain services of the website will initially be available for those residing in the top 35 Indian cities and towns (7 Metros and 28 Class 1 towns), which account for 30% of the urban population. Going forward these services will be made available across the country in a phased manner.

The campaign seeks to partner with other corporates, media groups, academic institutions and civil society organizations to make this India’s largest ever effort on voter registration. The initiative will be strongly supported by on ground activities in the form of institutional outreach, which will span more than 11 key cities and will serve to directly communicate with the target audience in college campuses as well as corporates. NGOs such as Lok Satta Aandolan and PRIA are partnering for outreach of this campaign.

Tata Tea brand advertising for the year will focus on creating awareness and inspiring the youth of this country to participate in the voting process thereby creating rapid and mass awareness for the campaign.

CHENNAI: The State government has proposed to set up six mobile blood banks across the State, said Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society’s project director Supriya Sahu.

At a continuing medical education programme organised by TANSACS and the Department of Transfusion Medicine of Government Stanley Medical College, she said 82 per cent of the blood procured by blood banks in the State was through voluntary donations.

The State stood second in voluntary blood donation, next only to West Bengal. To improve the quality of blood, component centres would be established in six government teaching medical institutions taking the total to 12 such centres across the State, she said.

Ms. Sahu urged hospital authorities to present a proposal to the State government to set up a pilot project for nucleic acid testing that would provide the results of test for infection in two days.

The mobile blood bank in Madras Medical College to which the Government General Hospital is attached would shortly roll out it’s mobile unit.

Stanley has been awarded for three consecutive years for its work in blood collection and testing. This year it was presented an award for its research work.

The blood collected at the hospital is only through voluntary donations, said N. Rajakumar, head of the department. At present, the collected blood is tested for malaria, HIV, Hepatitis B and C and Syphilis.

The CME programme was meant for postgraduates, house surgeons, students and doctors to sensitise them to the rational use of blood.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/06/stories/2008100659050400.htm

http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/06/images/2008100660261501.jpg
UNDERSTANDING INDIA: Air France flight personnel at a training session on the culture and needs of Indian passengers, at its office in Paris. The airline is hoping to become Indians’ preferred European carrier.

PARIS: It’s all about an India focus at Air France’s headquarters in Paris. The Indian welcome, “namaste,” newspapers, vegetarian food and films on board its flights make up the current agenda. More destinations in India and more services to Chennai are in the list of long-term objectives.

Looking at India as a fast developing strategic zone to get more passengers – either intending to stay here for a while or transiting through Charles de Gaulle Airport to countries further West – Air France looks to becoming the preferred European carrier for Indians, says the airline’s Senior Vice-President of International and The Netherlands Division, Jean-Louis Pinson.

At present, 80 per cent of Air France’s Indian passengers transit through Charles de Gaulle Airport, while the remaining 20 per cent stay on for tourism or other purposes.

“There is a great potential for more passenger traffic and we want to tap this,” he says.

For this, flight crew are being given an orientation on what food Indians prefer, the regional films they like to watch and even the gestures that should be used while guiding them. “So far, 250 flight attendants have volunteered to learn Indian culture through our programme,” says Mr. Pinson.

French crew will welcome Indian passengers now with a ‘namaste.’ “And, sometime later, we may have a few Indian crew who can speak Hindi and Tamil,” he says.

The passenger traffic from India has trebled in five years since the launch of the Bangalore service in 2005 and the Chennai service in 2006. But, there is a bit of a standstill this year and it may have been caused by inflation and competition. He, however, projects a 9 per cent to 10 per cent growth every year.

The Air France group, which includes the KLM airline, is looking at Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Pune as the next destinations.

“But, these are only options that are being explored now and nothing has been decided yet. We want to first firm up things in Hyderabad. And, when it is time to look for the next destination, it may be an Air France or a KLM service to Kolkata,” says Mr. Pinson.

Air France may consider operating five services a week from Chennai next winter and a daily service later. Tie-ups with domestic carriers for connecting flights may also be worked out.

“Again, none of these is finalised. These are all possibilities. And, there are no plans to buy stakes in any Indian airline or for franchise,” he says.

On increasing the number of flights from India, Mr. Pinson says Air France is yet to touch the permitted number of 35 a week. There are 29 flights now — Air France operates 24 and KLM five.

As for the introduction of A380 airbus service, he says: “At present, there are space constraints in New Delhi and Mumbai. But, we believe that in 2010 both the airports can handle A380 aircraft.”

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/06/stories/2008100660261500.htm

http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/06/images/2008100659090401.jpg
POSING HEALTH HAZARDS : Smoke from the garbage dumped and burnt in Perungudi.

CHENNAI: The public hearing on waste dumping at Pallikaranai marshland, organised by the expert committee on solid waste management at Pallikaranai, on Sunday saw a good response from residents and environmentalists.

Initiating the meeting, Sheela Rani Chunkath, convener of the expert committee, said the Corporation Commissioner had pointed out that it was hard to entirely stop dumping operation at the Perungudi yard because of the space constraint.

Thoraipakkam resident Dheena Rajan, who works for a software company located opposite the yard, said the Perungudi sewage treatment plant was overflowing with raw sewage and had affected her well water, which had turned red in colour.

Ms. Rajan recalled an incident when she complained to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and an official asked her: “Why did you buy a house near Perungudi dump yard?”

“My husband and I suffer from rashes and suffocation because of the burning of garbage and our health, which was much better before we shifted to Thoraipakkam, has deteriorated,” she added.

S. Kumararaja, convener, Save Pallikaranai Marsh Land Forum, thanked the State Government for declaring a portion of the marsh land a protected area under the Forest Act.

He wanted the entire marsh land, including the dump yard, to be brought under the Forest Act.

In response to the suggestion from Ms. Chunkath on source segregation of waste by individual households, Mr. Kumararaja said Neel Metal Fanalca (NMF), which takes care of the conservancy operation in four zones of the city, should undertake source segregation of waste.

Producing photocopies of the agreement signed between the Chennai Corporation and the NMF, he asked what stopped the civic agency from enforcing source segregation of waste by the private conservancy operator.

S. Kannan, a resident of Rajeev Nagar, Thoraipakkam, complained that the dumping of garbage and letting out of raw sewage water had completely destroyed the environment. Mr. Kannan said: “Residents are facing big health hazards because of the environmental degradation here.”

On an average he spends Rs. 2,000 a month on medical expenses for his family, with Rs. 200 being spent a day on purchase of water for drinking, cooking and washing.

Jaysree Vencatesan, joint director, Care Earth, an environmental organisation that has undertaken studies on the Pallikaranai marsh land, spoke in detail about the history of the marsh land, which was once spread over 5,000 hectares.

It has gradually been reduced to 500 hectares because of parcelling of the marsh land to government agencies, she pointed out. She said that with the marsh land being the rain water buffer zone for south Chennai, the reduction in the size of the marsh land was also the reason for flooding of residential localities.

Gopal Krishna, an environmentalist from New Delhi, said Chennai Corporation, which was exploring production of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) pellets from garbage at the Perungudi dump yard, should rescind such a move, as it was a failure in other States.

Mr. Krishna said the compacting of waste was another way of releasing toxic fumes and affected the public health and environment.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/06/stories/2008100659090400.htm

^^

CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation will stop burning garbage at the Perungudi dump yard in about a fortnight, according to Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni.

He was speaking at a public hearing organised by the expert committee on solid waste management at Pallikaranai, here on Sunday.

Responding to complaints from residents of the surrounding localities, including Thoraipakkam, Perungudi, Pallikaranai and Seevaram, of health hazards faced by them due to dumping and burning of garbage, Mr. Lakhoni said steps would be taken soon to ensure that the practice was stopped.

Mr. Lakhoni said the Corporation had appointed private security personnel to prevent dumping of garbage on roads. Four to five water tankers were parked in the dump yard more than 10 days ago to control any major fire.

Sheela Rani Chunkath, convenor, expert committee, requested residents to avoid using non-biodegradable products.

Advocate T.K. Ramkumar and R. Swaminathan, retired senior scientist, National Environment Engineering Research Institute took part.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/06/stories/2008100650150100.htm


Good response indeed.:banana:

I would welcome a scheme that would transition the "farmers" to higher paying industrial workers, then we don't need to subsidize the "poor farmer" anymore.

this is actually highly debatable. this theory is based on what happened in the last 100 years when cheap oil was available. remember that this farm productivity improvements is primarily because of application of fertilizers. and producing this fertilizer is an energy intensive process. so, essentially what the industrialized world has done is convert cheap oil that cannot be consumed by humans into calories that we can consume. productivity levels would fall many fold if fertilizers are not used. it has now been agreed by WHO that organic farming cannot feed this world with even the existing population.

I believe the energy debate should go into the energy thread. Oil is one part of the equation. There are other forms of energy sources which needs to be explored without increasing the carbon footprint. Electric cars are going to be the new wave IMO.

For better or for worse, India became a democracy before it set it sights on the road to industrialization. There is nothing romantic nor special about this fact. Everywhere, people in the world are living the urban dream. What this implies is that the crux of modern day living is to invest in producing urban things/industries. Those who believe otherwise are not being fair to the rest who aspire for such a life. Roughly half of the Chinese population is now urban while, in India, just over 22 per cent lives in the cities. Make no mistake. If India cannot industrialize, it will never be prosperous. Those who defend the status quo are condemning hundreds of millions of peasants to a life of back-breaking and unproductive toil. Romanticizing village life is something villagers cannot afford. The average Indian farmer lives a shorter and more brutish life than the most humble of nouveau rich urban Chinese.

The way forward is to invest in urban infrastructure. India should spend on infrastructure to make towns a bigger draw. Maybe create new satellite towns/cities. If farm migrants know that urban living offers water, electricity, decent housing and the chance of better health and education for themselves and their children, cities will become places where people want to live. Imagining idyllic village life forever is to doom fellow citizens.

Today, even industrial nations are moving away from pesticides and excessive application of fertilizer. The biggest super markets are offering organic choices and wholefood offers only organic grown food. They are using modern methods to farm the soil.

The Urban phenomenon is not new in the Indian context. Indus valley civilization, had such trappings, with public baths, wide streets and commerce of trinkets that the world desired, with ports/ships ferrying the goods worldwide.

Environmental activists say it is a violation of Coastal Regulation Zone rules

http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/07/images/2008100759530401.jpg
ROW: Residents and environmental activists oppose brick and cement structures being put up on the Elliot’s Beach.

CHENNAI: Environmental activists in Besant Nagar have opposed the brick-and-cement structures currently being put up on Elliot’s Beach. The structure stretches 750 metres from the northern end of the beach to the skating rink.

Activist Nityanand Jayaraman said it encroached upon the beach space and was a violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone rules as sandy beaches fall under the CRZ - I category and permanent structures are not allowed here.

Gallery coming up

Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni told The Hindu that a “gallery” was being constructed on the beach and this was intended to provide seating facilities for beach-users. Other Corporation sources confirmed that the construction was part of an “authorised beach beautification plan”.

M.H.Kalavathy, a resident of this area, who works as a consultant for the United Nations Development Programme, said any construction on the beach, whether big or small, must not be tolerated.

Enough seating space

She said Elliot’s Beach already had enough seating space in the form of raised cement slabs by the platform. “Beach lovers would anyhow only prefer to sit on the sand than sit in a gallery,” she said.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/07/stories/2008100759530400.htm

CHENNAI: Loyola College plans to raise Rs. 200 crore by the time its centenary rolls around in 2025. It has ambitious plans to create new infrastructure, fund more research and transform itself into a truly world-class institution.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/07/stories/2008100754880500.htm

Express News Service
First Published : 06 Oct 2008 02:41:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 06 Oct 2008 03:44:25 AM IST

CHENNAI: For the first time in the city, closed-circuit TV sets will be installed at shopping hubs like T Nagar, Puraswalkam, Mint and Parry’s Corner in the run up to Deepavali.

This will help the police in managing crowds and ensuring public safety, City Police Commissioner R Sekar said on Sunday.

To newspersons’ queries on security arrangements for the festival, Sekar said the movement of people would be monitored through the CCTVs, which would be linked to the police control rooms in the area. Police personnel on duty would be given directions through walkie talkie from the control rooms.

More towers would be erected in crowded areas to keep a watch on the movement of people. Besides, parking areas would be identified - in school and other grounds - by the police to help shoppers leave their vehicles behind. Traffic movement would be modified to ease vehicular congestion in shopping areas that drew huge crowds, Sekar said.

Earlier, he inaugurated a police booth near Thangasalai Signal at Washermenpet.

http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=CCTVs+at+shopping+hubs+in+the+City&artid=kMF2dZ6DSYw=&SectionID=lifojHIWDUU=&MainSectionID=wIcBMLGbUJI=&SectionName=rSY|6QYp3kQ=&SEO=

http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/07/stories/2008100757510100.htm

"Chennai: About 21,000 buildings in Chennai have been issued notices asking the owners to show cause why they had not obtained the ‘no objection certificate’ from the Tamil Nadu Fire & Rescue Services (TNFRS).

K.R. Shayamsundar, Director, TNFRS told The Hindu that the owners of the buildings had been asked to reply to the notice enclosing a copy of licence issued, the blue print of planning permission and the list of fire equipment available on their premises. TNFRS officers will inspect these buildings and if found wanting in terms of fire safety, the licensing authority concerned would be asked to cancel the licence and the TNFRS on its part would take action including prosecution.

Saravana Stores on Ranganathan Street, the building that was gutted last month, in reply to the show cause notice issued by the TNFRS has stated that since the building was constructed before February 1999, action with respect to violation of any building rules will not be applicable. February 1999 is the High Court directed cut off date for regularising building violations in Chennai."

This is indeed a very good move. This is a long pending and as usual it has taken a burnt shop with some injuries for atleast the minimum action to be taken.

The development in all the important cmmercial districts in Chennai, like T.nagar have been haphazard with not even least amount of effort spent on safety practices like setting up fire exits etc.

But in cases like these I see a minimum date line for enforcing the rule. When CMDA was trying to regularize the buildings, it fixed the date line as 1997. It was specified that only buildings built after 1997 will be regularized. Then there are series of cases, stay orders etc. and the date line is moved to 1999. Why do we even have such things. All buildings must be compliant regardless of when they were built. In fact, older they are, more dangerous will they be.

Kannal Achuthan

On TTK Road and Gowdia Mutt Road

— Photo: K.V. Srinivasan
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/4251/20081008583703016943115vf9.jpg

CLEAR STRETCH: A view of a stretch of Cathedral Road after the removal of the clutter of aerial cables.

Chennai: Overhead cables cluttering TTK Road and Gowdia Mutt Road will be ducted underground by the Chennai Cable Consortium.

This stretch is one of the 10 bus routes where the consortium wants to lay underground ducts for cables used by Internet and cable television service providers.

The tangled overhead cables, which often hang low from streetlight posts, pose a risk to road-users and clutter the cityscape.

A week ago, the cables overground were removed from a stretch of Radhakrishnan Salai as the ducting has been completed.

Ducting along TTK Road and Gowdia Mutt Road will be taken up only after the monsoon.

Radhakrishna Vittaldev, secretary of the consortium, said ducting had been completed on a continuous stretch spanning Nelson Manickam Road, Sterling Road, Nungambakkam High Road, Cathedral Road and Radhakrishna Salai. This stretch is about 10.5-km long. Ducting on Anna Nagar second and third avenues for a stretch of 5.2 km was one of the first projects completed.

The consortium has also requested the Chennai Metrowater to keep them informed of road cuts. Recently, cables were damaged on Radhakrishna Salai after road cuts.

The Cable Consortium was formed after the Corporation brought together Internet and cable TV service providers with the proposal of a common underground duct.

At present, 13 service providers, including Skylink, BSNL, VSNL, Tata, Reliance, Airtel, Aircel, Vodafone, Powergrid, Hathway and Sumangali Cable Vision, are members. Service providers in the consortium would have separate pipes for their companies’ cables.

A few extra pipes would be included in the duct, in case more players entered the field.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/08/stories/2008100858370300.htm

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Government is willing to set up a movie park in and around Chennai, similar to Ramoji Rao Film City in Hyderabad, if it comes up through public-private partnership, S. Ramasundaram, chairman and managing director of the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation, said on Tuesday.

Addressing the valedictory session of “India@75 TN Movie Park initiative,” organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, he said the erstwhile MGR Film City at Taramani, now housing Knowledge City, had failed to take off for lack of patronage from the film industry. “We welcome the idea and are ready to lend the film industry a helping hand, if there is returns. They should also identify the land.”

Infrastructure

K.S. Srinivasan, Director and CEO, Pyramid Saimira Production, said there were hardly any studios available in the city for shootings, and producers had to go to Bangalore or Hyderabad. He urged the government to create the infrastructure on 300-400 acres in and around the city.

C.K. Ranganathan, vice-chairman, CII Tamil Nadu, said the Indian film industry was on the threshold of a big transformation, driven by digitisation and the changing customer preferences. The industry faced challenges in protecting IP rights, nurturing a talent pool and globalisation of Indian content.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/08/stories/2008100860091200.htm

Chennai, Oct. 7 Container freight rate from India to Europe has dropped by nearly 30 per cent in the last one year.

The situation is even worse in countries such as Hong Kong and China, with freight rates to Europe dropping by nearly 70 per cent in the last one year. While this is good news for exporters, shipping lines are badly affected, according to industry sources.

TEU rate

The freight rate from Chennai to ports in the UK, and Antwerp and Hamburg is around $700 a twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) compared with around $1,000 and $1,100 a year ago. The situation is almost the same in other ports. On the other hand, a 20-ft container from Hong Kong to Hamburg could be shipped for around $350 (excluding various surcharges) compared with around $1,400/TEU a year ago. There is over-capacity in the Asia-Europe route, the source said.

Good for exporters

“We are better off than some of our competitors as there is overcapacity in other countries. For exporters, this is the best rate they can get from India. But for shipping lines, this is a bad situation with high bunker and fuel costs,” said a source.

Some of the major commodities from India to Europe include leather garments (mainly to Germany, France and Italy) and textiles (to the UK, France and Germany). Volume continues to be high, the source said.

Chennai traffic

From Chennai port, about 45 per cent of the container throughput is for Asia/South East Asia, 25 per cent is to Europe, 20 per cent is to the US and the rest is shared among other destinations, including Africa and Australia. Till August-end of the current fiscal, DP World, Chennai, handled 5.23 lakh TEUs.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/10/08/stories/2008100850210700.htm

One day in the life of the BMW plant (http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/10/08/stories/2008100850010100.htm)


He takes us around the 86,500-sq.ft plant spread over 22 acres. As he begins his tour, he tells us: “It was only two-and-a-half years ago that this land was barren; today we have over 150 people employed, and a fully functional assembly line that produces over 200 of BMW’s 3 and 5 series every month.” The pride in his voice is unmistakable, more so when he shows us a photograph of the BMW headquarters in Munich, and explains the relevance of the BMW logo. “It’s a depiction of propellers against a white-and-blue sky. Many don’t know that BMW started as a manufacturer of aeroplane engines back in 1916.”

We walk into the squeaky clean plant, clearly demarcated into two sections — logistics and assembly. “Everything in the world is logistics!” booms Franz Hartinger, head of logistics who now joins us. He’s ably supported in his little speech by Pattu Subramaniam, the customs specialist , who talks us through the week’s activities. “Every week, two shipments arrive with 30 to 40-foot-long containers carrying over 1,500 parts per car set. These make up the Completely Knocked Down Units (CKD), which are assembled into the final BMW automobile.”

^^Is full version of this article available online? I couldn't find it.

One day in the life of the BMW plant (http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/10/08/stories/2008100850010100.htm)

BMW ..Is it Fame or Shame..?

I am sure TN goverment would have given lot of sops, Incentives and Tax holidays to set up the shop in Chennai......May be in Crores...And the result of that BMW provided employment for 150 Persons...

Look our the great Saravana Bhavan Chennai ..Chain of Resturants, that employs near about 1000 persons with the decent salries.... I am really doubt what sort of sops given by TN to make them to grow like Mc Donald, Pizza hut, TG Friday etc...

BMW ..Is it Fame or Shame..?

I am sure TN goverment would have given lot of sops, Incentives and Tax holidays to set up the shop in Chennai......May be in Crores...And the result of that BMW provided employment for 150 Persons...

Look our the great Saravana Bhavan Chennai ..Chain of Resturants, that employs near about 1000 persons with the decent salries.... I am really doubt what sort of sops given by TN to make them to grow like Mc Donald, Pizza hut, TG Friday etc...


It adds to the brand image of Chennai / TN. Not much sops was provided to BMW. They evaluated various locations and picked Mahindra City due to infrastructure and logistics as their land requirement was very small. We need this MNC to market to the outside world.

BMW ..Is it Fame or Shame..?

Look our the great Saravana Bhavan Chennai ..Chain of Resturants, that employs near about 1000 persons with the decent salries.... I am really doubt what sort of sops given by TN to make them to grow like Mc Donald, Pizza hut, TG Friday etc...

for this we need to understand what spin off it would have on the economy. jobs created in manufacturing sector helps create such additional jobs in services sector such as restaurants. that is why manufacturing is called the secondary sector and such services tertiary.

Harnessing Rivers

Dr. Abdul Kalam’s plea for optimal conservation and utilization of water resources, as reported in Dinamalar of 2.10.08 warrants immediate consideration. The proposal for a water grid for Tamil Nadu is striking on account of it’s timeliness. What is argued persuasively is a grid of multi purpose capability. The principal features are, provision of irrigation water, generation of electricity and construction of waterways for navigation. The total estimated cost is Rs. 360 billion and the timeline is 10 years.

Tamil Nadu has 17 river basin groups and 117 sub-basins. A majority of the basins are water stressed. Water availability per capita of less than 1700cubic meters is water stressed. A quantum of less than 1000cubic meters is water scarce. TN has a per capita availability of 900 cubic meters. The height to be scaled to keep head above water is very challenging for TN. Hence, the need to conserve every source. To the extent practicable, augmentation of precipitation and checking of run- off through massive reforestation too need to be embarked on. Even a century is not too long for TN to have a good green cover.

Among the strategies for conservation, linking of rivers is of prime significance. Intra-state, inter-state in South India and ultimately a North- South link may be the time phasing. Dr. Abdul Kalam’s suggestion for implementation in 5 stages is very practical. The stages are: Mettur-Vaihai, Mettur – Paalaaru, Vaihai- Thamiraparani, Thamiraparani- Perunchani and connecting all four in the 5th stage. Part of the multipurpose plan is to: 1 Generate 2500 MW of electricity. 2 Provide additional water for irrigation. 3 Deliver 900 km of waterways, 10meters in depth, for navigation. Items 2 and 3 will recharge the aquifer.

Of what benefit is this recharge? At present TN has a net sown extent of 5.5 million hectares. Around 2.5 million hectares are irrigated. Well irrigation provides water for 45% of this irrigated extent. It accounts for more than proportionate productivity compared to canal irrigation. The suggestion of long canals of adequate width and sufficient depth is designed to hold a large volume of water for aquifer recharge. Well water will serve the principal needs of agriculture and domestic use. It will also help release canal water for industrial purposes without much prejudice to agriculture. It may be noted that in the development of ground water in river basins, TN stands second at 57% next to Indus basin at 77%. It is also significant that to realize India’s ultimate irrigation potential of 140 million hectares, 64 million hectares are demarcated for ground water.

Irrigation is basic to higher productivity in agriculture. Global statistics are very revealing. Dr. Norman Borlaug, Nobel Laureate and Father of the Green Revolution points out that cereal production of 692 million tons in 1950 increased by 174% to 1,900 tons in 1992. Acreage increase in the same period was only 1.76%, from 1.7 billion acres to 1.73billion acres. It may however be noted that between 1950 and 1995, global irrigated extent increased by 155% from 240 million acres to 612 million acres. Steep productivity increase would require the whole complement from genetically modified seeds, farm mechanization, inorganic fertilizers and agro chemicals. The above four inputs are inconceivable without adequate irrigation. Dr. Kalam’s plea for linking of rivers in TN needs to be viewed in this background. The relevance of the ultimate irrigation potential for India of 336 million acres- 50% of the current globally achieved irrigated extent- may be appreciated.

The duration of implementation is realistically placed at 10 years. The total cost is Rs.360 billion which is a mere Rs.36 billion per annum. Why mere? The unsolicited freebies and subsidies including Rs.11 billion on transport, exceed Rs.50 billion per annum. This colossal investible capital is thrust on the fecund, the most impecunious and the least productive segment of TN society. Lenin said, “He who does not work, neither shall he eat.” Only austere way of life, rigorous control over state finances and judicious investment can lead TN to a prosperous future. For more than half a century the linking of rivers has been a subject of listless discussion. The time is now for onward movement. May it be that Dr. Kalam has moved the unmovable.

BMW ..Is it Fame or Shame..?

I am sure TN goverment would have given lot of sops, Incentives and Tax holidays to set up the shop in Chennai......May be in Crores...And the result of that BMW provided employment for 150 Persons...

Look our the great Saravana Bhavan Chennai ..Chain of Resturants, that employs near about 1000 persons with the decent salries.... I am really doubt what sort of sops given by TN to make them to grow like Mc Donald, Pizza hut, TG Friday etc...

We have to be careful in evaluating the impact of BMW. The lands around Chennai became expensive due the presence of these "Brand" names. Before this, the land value was going nowhere. The impact of a Saravan Bhavan is not much, if you consider there were others in the same market place albeit with lousy products.

All the "crores" given are based on future value and the would be tax is also in the future. If they were not there, then the "crores" simply evaporate into nothing. A BMW car is worth several lakhs, and the operating costs are in the lakhs per year. I don't know about BMW but Hyundai for example exports cars from Chennai. Now that is real value add. BMW would realize that it is cost effective for them to make entire cars (instead of CKD) and export them Chennai, a matter of time.

It is best to understand the value proposition of brands. Why, because people request/buy brands, they vote with their money. Developing your own brand names takes a lot of effort, time and money, The shorter course is to co-build the established brands and hope that the expertize rubs of on the nation. New niches are created from the experience and a new desi brand could evolve.

On the water issue highlighted by Keeran, most states now recognize the value of interlinking rivers. Gujarat for example has embarked on the river interlinking program much earlier and the results are that today Gujarat has more arable acreage than previously.

Nationally, most irrigation projects were combating the drying up of water resources. The net effect was that when one irrigation project came on line there was drying up in another. For the last 50yrs or so, the net area under irrigation has not improved substantially. Water resources and managing them are going to be more important as the days go by, with global warming effects taking place. India is blessed with water surrounding it on three sides and the Himalaya Mountain Range which captures the air bourne moisture deposits. By many accounts, India has sufficient water resources but a majority ( 80%) is lost to sea due to mismanaged infra. There were many proposals to interlink rivers, one such being the Dastur Garland scheme. But they all fell by the wayside due to insufficient funds and a lack of political will.

If states provide a viable interlinked river system then the states can negotiate interlinks amongst themselves and pretty soon India will have a good interlinked system. Another area to concentrate upon is taming all the rivulets, streams and marginal water bodies. In California the Army Corp of Engineers has built a number of dams to contain these small streams into water hold out areas. For those states on the coast, a water harvesting scheme from the ocean must be looked into. This could be powered by Solar Heat Energy and can operate during the day times. I believe NIOT (National Ocean Tech Group) has some flash condensation type units already operating in Andamans/Nicobar Islands. A bunch of these along the coast should help in replenishing water supply.

Nearly 30 per cent completed; the rest to be over in 10 days

http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/10/images/2008101059620401.jpg
The desilting of Buckingham canal, near Ice House, is one of the works undertaken by the WRD for the monsoon.

CHENNAI: The Water Resources Department (WRD) has started desilting waterways in the city as a measure to prevent inundation during the ensuing monsoon.

An official of the department said nearly 70 works to dredge and desilt the waterways at the cost of Rs.4.05 crore had been taken up over the last 10 days. Nearly 30 per cent of the work has also been completed.

Besides the major waterways, which include north, south and central Buckingham Canal, the Cooum river, Captain Cotton Canal and Otteri Nullah, the surplus courses of other important waterbodies such as those in Velachery, Ayanampakkam, Keelkatalai and Porur would also be cleaned up to facilitate free flow of water.

Work to desilt surplus water course from the Ambattur lake that flows via the industrial estate to the Korattur lake is also under way, the official said.

Removal of silt deposited on a few stretches such as the one close to north Buckingham Canal near Basin Bridge and central Buckingham Canal between Kutcheri Road and Luz Church Road was a challenging task.

The sewage collected from Otteri Nullah and Captain Cotton Canal flows into the north Buckingham canal, he said.

About Rs.80 lakh has been allocated towards cleaning up the north Buckingham canal that carried sewage from various areas, including Anna Nagar and Vyasarpadi.

Several waterways serve as a dump yard for debris and other materials making desilting a difficult task, the official pointed out.

In a bid to facilitate effective and quick removal of silt and floating materials, the machinery mounted on a barge is involved in cleaning the 40-50 metre-wide north Buckingham canal at Basin Bridge and central Buckhingam canal.

Such an initiative of deploying machinery and barges was taken up three years ago to desilt the vulnerable portions of the canal.

The work is expected to be completed in about 10 days. The waterways would be monitored for obstructions that come in the way of a free flow of rainwater during monsoon and immediately desilted, the official added.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/10/stories/2008101059620400.htm

The Indian economy has crossed the threshold of $1 trillion, and the Indian logistics sector is expected to reach a market size of over $135 billion by 2010. Of this, the transportation sector alone constitutes 35 per cent, Mr Ennarasu Karunesan, Director and CEO, Chennai Container Terminal Pvt Ltd, said earlier this week addressing the BL Club Lecture Series organised by the Hallmark Business School.

The influence of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) has made the Indian economy competitive, he said delivering a talk on ‘Role of Logistics Management in Global Economy’.

The container volume which was 20 million TEUs in 1980 is expected to reach 500 million in 2010. Asia holds 50 per cent container trade and the size of ships have increased. In the future, mother vessels of 6,000 TEUs capacity will become the feeders, and hence, to meet the growing size of ships, the ports’ infrastructure must be upgraded immediately, he said.

He said that the Chennai Container Terminal has transformed Chennai into a mainline Hub Port with connectivity to 58 global ports. Eight mainline vessels call at Chennai. CCT has joined the ‘Million TEUs’ Club in 2007 — this speaks of its high performance standards, he said. Logistics India is connecting all the 140 ports, 7,000 km coastline, 63,000 km rail network, 14,000 km of inland navigable waterways and 65,000 km of national highways where the traders have to move the goods using these modes.

India has become source of global talent, and in order to attract talented Indians to manage worldclass ports in India, the National Maritime Board has earmarked Rs 1 lakh crores for the next 10 years, he said, urging young managers to join the ports and logistics sector, thus making it a more efficient contributor to the Indian economy.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/10/10/stories/2008101050931300.htm

for this we need to understand what spin off it would have on the economy. jobs created in manufacturing sector helps create such additional jobs in services sector such as restaurants. that is why manufacturing is called the secondary sector and such services tertiary.

BMW provides just 150 jobs....its not like any major IT gigs, or like BHEL etc..that provides in 10's of thousands of employment...to kick the complete supply/service chains..

I agree with all brand building exercises etc....only requesting to spend with rationalisation of the taxpayers money..

Mumbai: The Mumbai-headquartered Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) will set up two regional centres in Kolkata and Chennai to meet the increasing regulatory requirements of both nuclear power and non-power applications.
“One regional centre would come up at Rajarhat in Kolkata while the other would be near Safety Research Institute in Kalpakkam near Chennai,” AERB Chairman S K Sharma told PTI.
The centre at Kalpakkam would be located outside the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research for easy access to people working on medical and other non-power applications of atomic energy.
“AERB’s work on Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) is about to be completed and that on regulatory requirements of Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) is on,” he said.
With the signing of the 123 Agreement with the US, the workload for AERB would increase with a large number of Light Water Reactors (LWR) planned for the next 10-15 years.
“The AERB would also be recruiting 100 experts during the 11th Five Year Plan for the country’s expanding nuclear power programme with import of Light Water Reactors from Russia, France and the US,” he said.
Asked whether AERB has received any proposal from Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited for the imported reactors, Sharma said that so far no such proposal had come.
“We will review all the proposals and in the first stage there will be preliminary safety analysis report which includes siting clearance,” he added.

http://www.livemint.com/2008/10/10152948/AERB-regional-centres-to-come.html?h=B

Nearly 30 per cent completed; the rest to be over in 10 days

http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/10/images/2008101059620401.jpg
The desilting of Buckingham canal, near Ice House, is one of the works undertaken by the WRD for the monsoon.

CHENNAI: The Water Resources Department (WRD) has started desilting waterways in the city as a measure to prevent inundation during the ensuing monsoon.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/10/stories/2008101059620400.htm

They dredge and deposit on the banks. Everything goes back in during monsoon and they'll get another contract next year to do the same.

They should atleast place concrete blocks along both the edges like the ones they use in highways.

^^Perhaps, this is what is meant by recycling the waste. :lol:

Coming to the point, a long-term solution needs to be arrived at. This includes strengthening the banks, dredging and deepening the mouth of the river, checking/blocking all the inlets of the water course, landscaping of banks, and, of course, desilting periodically. Sadly, this is a project that I'm really sceptical about.:ohno:

BMW provides just 150 jobs....its not like any major IT gigs, or like BHEL etc..that provides in 10's of thousands of employment...to kick the complete supply/service chains..

I agree with all brand building exercises etc....only requesting to spend with rationalisation of the taxpayers money..

no, i wasn't referring to bmw at all. bmw is a small investment and there weren't any sops for them from tn govt. also, i don't think there was any such brand building exercise from tn govt. bmw chose chennai purely based on it's merits. also, you are not correct in stating just 150 jobs were created. there are possibly 5-6 times more indirects jobs that it would have created. i was referring to manufacturing vs services.

it is also well known that IT sector does not provide enough employment opportunities. IT contributes about 5% of gdp but employ only about 1 million (0.1% of population). and we are already hitting the limits. and the spin-offs from IT sector is also lesser.

They dredge and deposit on the banks. Everything goes back in during monsoon and they'll get another contract next year to do the same.

They should atleast place concrete blocks along both the edges like the ones they use in highways.

They are removing after some time..Sure!:)

Renovated park to be opened

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: The renovated Thiru.Vi.Ka.Park in Anna Nagar will be open for public by the end of October, according to Mayor M.Subramanian.

Mr.Subramanian visited the 8.8-acre park on Friday and inspected the Rs.1.52 crore renovation works in progress there.

The park has around 200 trees and beautiful lawns.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/11/stories/2008101158540200.htm

Renovated park to be opened

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: The renovated Thiru.Vi.Ka.Park in Anna Nagar will be open for public by the end of October, according to Mayor M.Subramanian.

Mr.Subramanian visited the 8.8-acre park on Friday and inspected the Rs.1.52 crore renovation works in progress there.

The park has around 200 trees and beautiful lawns.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/11/stories/2008101158540200.htm

Chennai: Mayor M Subramanian on Friday reviewed the ongoing upgradation works at the Thiru-vi-ka Park on Pulla Avenue in Anna Nagar. The park, where the upgradation project was taken up at a cost of Rs 1.52 crore, will be thrown open to the public by the month-end.

The 8.8-acre park will get a new lease of life. Seven exterior and interior walkways, sunken courts, fountains, water falls and a children’s play area have been planned.

With huge numbers of people thronging the park for meditation, a yoga platform that can accommodate 100 persons at any given time is coming up. That apart, as many as 400 lights, including 235 small decorative lamps, are being installed at a cost of Rs 32 lakh.

There will also be additional features — three shuttle courts, a labour statue, and granite seats in 24 places. The park deparment is also keen on providing lush green surroundings with a number of flower plants and lawns. An adequate number of public conveniences and parking lots will also be provided.

The local body has already spent Rs 30 crore for upgradation of roadside parks, traffic islands and 100 parks in various residential colonies in the city. About Rs 12 crore is being spent for developing another 80 parks, sources said.

Source: http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Daily/skins/TOI/navigator.asp?Daily=TOICH&login=default&AW=1223698657890

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOICH/2008/10/11/7/Img/Pc0071300.jpg
LONG DUE: Slum Clearance Board tenements in Nochi Nagar

Chennai: Come January, about 2,200 residents staying in the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board (TNSCB) tenements in Nochi Nagar and Nochi Kuppam along the Marina coast will be moved temporarily to the adjoining vacant site to pave way for construction of permanent blocks. The project is being taken up under the World Bank’s Emergency Tsunami Rehabilitation Project.

According to official sources, tender for the construction of temporary structures was given recently and work will begin soon after the World Bank gives clearance. A total of 2,200 galvanised iron roofing units of 100 sq ft, toilets, bathrooms, public taps and street lights will be built under the scheme.

“It took almost two years for the board to zero in on a contractor to take up the project. In the previous tender, contractors either quoted high rates or were conspicuously absent, which resulted in cancellation of tenders.

The board sought clearance for all the developments from World Bank and hence the delay, said a senior TNSCB official. The temporary shelter will be constructed in a phased manner.

Besides Nochi Kuppam and Nochi Nagar, the residents of Duming Kuppam, Mullama Nagar, Selvarajapuram, Srinivasapuram and Foreshore Estate will also be vacated from the existing tenements soon.

But the job is not so easy for the district revenue wing as officials are still groping in the dark to finalise the list of beneficiaries — a delay of 4 years since the killer tsunami struck the coast in December 2004.

“It is because there were several people, many of them outsiders, filing false applications,” said a revenue official. A previous assessment report by the revenue department in January 2007 disclosed that 9,445 families along the Marina were affected by tsunami. Of them, 5,344 families were settled in various rehabilitation programmes of the TNSCB, including Semmancheri and AIR ground in Tiruvottiyur.

But the authorities now possess a list of 18,000 vying for permanent units. Persistent threats by locals disrupted the revenue department from identifying the genuine beneficiaries forcing the TNSCB to take up enumeration with the ‘support’ of an NGO. “Many families hold ration cards with the same address. We have planned to ascertain the identity of beneficiaries through electoral rolls published in 2004,” officials said.

But that did not deter the TNSCB from floating tenders a fortnight ago for the construction of permanent settlements for three blocks having 300 units. As per the plan, 36 blocks will be built along the coast to benefit 3,600 families and the World Bank’s nod is awaited for the estimates for building 1,200 units. The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has already given plan permit for 1,500 units. The estimated cost of each unit is Rs four lakh.

Source: http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Daily/skins/TOI/navigator.asp?Daily=TOICH&login=default&AW=1223698657890

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Pune_5.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Pune_5.jpg
Today when i was browsing Pune Wikipedia, i was astronished to see this rendering already available in Chennai IT Thread.Caption over there says
An underconstruction IT park in Pune
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pune
According to my knowledge this IT park is being constructed in Ambattur.(Correct me if i am wrong).
Are they constructing same park over there in Pune?
Or
Did Pune guyz copy this with/without knowledge?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Pune_5.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Pune_5.jpg
Today when i was browsing Pune Wikipedia, i was astronished to see this rendering already available in Chennai IT Thread.Caption over there says
An underconstruction IT park in Pune
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pune
According to my knowledge this IT park is being constructed in Ambattur.(Correct me if i am wrong).
Are they constructing same park over there in Pune?
Or
Did Pune guyz copy this with/without knowledge?
No, its is the chennai one. Btw this kind of thing happens from time to time on wikipedia. that image will be deleted within a week.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Pune_5.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Pune_5.jpg
Today when i was browsing Pune Wikipedia, i was astronished to see this rendering already available in Chennai IT Thread.Caption over there says
An underconstruction IT park in Pune
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pune
According to my knowledge this IT park is being constructed in Ambattur.(Correct me if i am wrong).
Are they constructing same park over there in Pune?
Or
Did Pune guyz copy this with/without knowledge?

Yes! You're right. That's the IndiaLand Tech Park (formerly Chennai Tech Park) at Ambattur!

and just in case you missed the thread in the chaibar, tomorrows the ssc chennai meetup :)
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=693482&page=2

CHENNAI: Commissioner of Police R. Sekar on Saturday inaugurated a sophisticated police outpost on Usman Road. It is equipped to receive footage from 15 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras placed at various points in T. Nagar. The system is a part of the security arrangements for the upcoming festival season. The advanced CCTV facility will be installed at Evening Bazaar and Mylapore on Friday, Mr. Sekar said.

He said 800-900 personnel, accompanied by Home Guards, Friends of Police and members of voluntary organisations, had been deployed in and around the shopping area to ensure public safety. The outpost, situated at the Ranganathan Street-Usman Road junction, features a wireless system and a public announcement system, besides a 32-inch television displaying CCTV footage from the 15 monitored locations. The facility is one-of-its-kind: the footage can be simultaneously viewed at the offices of the Deputy and Assistant Commissioners of T. Nagar, police sources said.

Speaking to reporters after the inauguration, Mr. Sekar said the CCTV monitoring system was the biggest and most sophisticated, covering major areas. “The system has been installed to primarily provide extra protection to people coming here and to check on crime, law and order and vehicular movement in the area.”

The CCTV surveillance, he said, was a temporary arrangement, but there was the possibility of its being made a permanent feature in some key locations in T. Nagar.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/12/stories/2008101256100300.htm

CHENNAI: On its third anniversary on Saturday, members of non-governmental organisation Nizhal gathered here to celebrate their growing membership and ongoing effort to plant saplings and treasure trees in and around Chennai. “We started with five trustees and five advisors and now have over 100 members in almost every area in the city,” Shobha Menon of Nizhal said.

Planting projects that Nizhal works on include the roads along the MRTS stations from Kasturba Nagar to Thiruvanmiyur to regenerate biodiversity and the planting of 300 TDEF species along the Adyar river, to serve as an educational resource centre and a walking area. “We have driven birds and small mammals away, and we have to bring them back,” Ms. Menon said, outlining Nizhal’s efforts.

“There is no salvation for us except trees,” ecological farmer and adviser of Nizhal S. Natesan told the gathering, explaining that trees could clean and cool the air.

“We need to plant more saplings and reduce the consumption of wood and timber,” he said. He also emphasised the importance of ecological products that have been grown without the use of pesticide.

Another major activity of Nizhal is the removal of advertisement boards that are nailed to trees, with support of the Chennai Corporation, which follows up with offending advertisers.

“Many people do not know that the nails are poisonous for the trees,” Ms. Menon said.

Other projects include tree walks in both protected areas and residential neighbourhoods, the removal of ads nailed to trees, workshops and educational programmes. For the future, Nizhal aims to create nurseries for young trees and a database of parks and playgrounds in the city, Nizhal trustee Sudha Chakravarthy said.

“We don’t think in terms of targets, we just do whatever is possible,” he added.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/12/stories/2008101260500600.htm

Chennai: The Banyan, a non-governmental organisation working with mentally ill and destitute women, as an extension of its outpatient services opened a day care centre at the State Resource cum Training Centre, K.K. Nagar, on Friday.

Through the centre, the NGO is confident of providing free medication to more people.

“A regular hospital cannot provide treatment and care on a day-to-day basis, that’s where the day care centre comes of help. It will mainly focus on the rehabilitation, thus making the people employable in the long run,” said K.Raman, Psychiatrist, The Banyan.

Opening the centre, Meenakshi RajaGopal, State Commissioner for the Disabled, called upon NGOs and like-minded groups to represent to the Commissionerate for the Disabled the need for extending benefits, offered to persons with mental retardation to those with mental illness too.

According to Dr.Raman, many persons with mental illness have been making this plea to the authorities for sometime now.

“Our plea to the government is that irrespective of the level of disability, both persons with mental illness and retardation be offered similar benefits and grants.”

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/12/stories/2008101252100400.htm

Check this out

http://chennai.cityconnect.in

North Chennai lacks reliable public transport facilities: forum

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Human chain planned on Monday to press for the demand

“North Chennai being left out of all development projects”
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CHENNAI: Members of North Chennai People’s Rights Forum, a voluntary organisation, have demanded that the corridor of the Metro Rail project in Chennai begin from Thiruvottriyur instead of Washermenpet.

Addressing press persons here on Saturday, convener of the forum S. Jayachandran said that in 2004, there were plans to bring the Metro Rail to Thiruvottriyur. But, the idea was dropped later. He said that a human chain would be formed from Ennore to Mint Bridge on Monday to press for this demand.

North Chennai does not have reliable public transport facilities and dependence on share autorickshaws had grown over the years, he said. “We need the Metro Rail project very badly.”

Other forum members expressed dismay over north Chennai being left out of all development projects.

“Some years ago, a major bus stand was shifted from Broadway to Koyambedu. Now, new bus services are being introduced only in the IT corridor. North Chennai has a huge demand for better transport facilities, but is being ignored,” said A.V.S. Marimuthu, another member.

The forum members said they had sent representations to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and the chairman of Chennai Metro Rail Limited, the special purpose vehicle implementing the project. They are yet to receive a favourable response.

CMRL officials told The Hindu that when the company was formed, the first Metro Rail corridor finalised was from Washermenpet to the airport. They said that there had been several representations from various citizen groups to alter the plan but the decision was left to the State and Central Cabinet.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/12/stories/2008101260410600.htm

They fear that this may reduce the sand area and disturb the ecology

http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/12/images/2008101259940401.jpg
NEW DEVELOPMENT: Temporary shelters to house workers have sprang up on the Thiruvanmiyur beach, as part of the beach beautification plan of the Chennai Corporation.

CHENNAI: Residents and morning walkers at Thiruvanmiyur fear that the Chennai Corporation’s beach beautification plan may reduce the sand area and disturb the ecology.

The civic agency’s plan is now being implemented on the Thiruvanmiyur beach.

A contractor on the site said granite walkways, a gallery and a children’s play area would be developed, starting from the police booth near the Ashtalakshmi temple.

Temporary shelters

These developments on the beach have raised concern among residents, morning walkers and turtle conservationists.

Already, temporary shelters have been erected on the beach sands for accommodating contract workers. On Friday morning, labourers could be seen digging a leach pit near the shore for providing toilet facility at the shelter.

The work might go on for a year, the contractor said.

Lesser traffic

Shanti Ramanan, a regular morning walker, said she preferred walking here, as there were fewer buildings and lesser traffic, and it was usually quiet.

On the plan to construct galleries for seating, she said the cement elevation was sufficient for seating.

“Furthermore, most people prefer to walk along the sandy stretches.”

V. Arun of the Students Sea Turtle Conservation Network said the new developments on the beach could interfere with the nesting of Olive Ridley turtles that begins in November. “

We do not want bright lights here, as this will turn the hatchlings away from the sea and towards these lights. Also, putting up structures here is likely to reduce their nesting area.”

He said Olive Ridley turtles were an endangered species included in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

No additional lights

Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni said no additional lights would be put up along this stretch of the beach.

“We are only repairing an existing footpath and building a small gallery for seating. We are not disturbing the sands.”

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/12/stories/2008101259940400.htm

Local bodies in southern suburbs are faced with several roadblocks

http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/13/images/2008101358780401.jpg
Adhoc arrangement: Vacant plots in southern suburbs of Chennai serve as makeshift dump yards in the absence of effective and sound solid waste management practices by most urban and rural local bodies. A scene at Medavakkam.

TAMBARAM: The inability to implement source segregation, shortage of landfill sites and poor support from the State government are the most important factors that come in the way of rural and urban local bodies in the southern suburbs of Chennai to put in place sound solid waste management practices.

The southern suburbs of Chennai have a population of over 30 lakh in six municipalities, 13 town panchayats and 25 village panchayats. In addition to this, the floating population in the suburbs contributes a fairly large quantity of solid waste. But for a few locations in some of the local bodies where kitchen waste is converted into manure, garbage is dumped on waterbodies and along waterways and vacant spots in other areas.

If the magnitude of the problem in Pallikaranai marshland is huge owing to the dumping of a few thousand tonnes of garbage in one designated location, in this region of Chennai it is spread over different pockets.

Kannadapalayam, for instance, has been the dumping yard for garbage generated from all 39 wards of Tambaram Municipality. The problems of pollution in residential areas around it are immense. For years, children of a municipal school opposite the yard have been putting up with dust and smoke while in class and during lunch hour.

“Local bodies and the State government are unable to come up with effective alternatives to conventional methods,” said M. Sadasivam, a resident of Kannadapalayam. He pointed out to a small rural local body like Mudichur, where residents have been segregating garbage at source and kitchen waste is converted into manure through composting. And in Sholinganallur Town Panchayat, the manure from the compost yard is used to raise a kitchen garden.

At present, garbage collection and disposal in the municipalities are being taken care of by the staff of the Sanitary Department, who are ill-equipped to tackle problems of huge proportions. In town panchayats, staff on general duty look after the task while in St. Thomas Mount Panchayat Union, the staff of the Total Sanitation Campaign monitor handling of garbage in the village panchayats. The acute fund crunch in village panchayats had made it impossible for these rural local bodies for composting of kitchen waste.

Further, shortage of suitable landfill sites due to encroachment of government property and ‘poromboke’ land, forces authorities and elected representatives to dump garbage amidst residential areas, inside burial grounds and public places. Unlike Pammal Municipality or Kunrathur Town Panchayat or Mudichur Village Panchayat where corporates and voluntary organisations have joined hands with the respective local body administration, most others have to look after this task on their own.

And under such circumstances, dumping yards are under severe strain with the quantity of garbage disposed of there is on the rise as a result of changing lifestyles of people which include an increased consumption of plastic and other forms of use-and-throw goods. Integrated compost yards, like the one under construction at Venkatamangalam near Vandalur for Tambaram, Alandur and Pallavaram Municipalities and similar ones proposed, alone could prevent problems at present witnessed in Pallikaranai, Mr. Sadasivam said.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/13/stories/2008101358780400.htm

Plans to be a complete entertainment channel.

Chennai, Oct. 12 Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, part of Essel Group, expanded its TV channel Network by launching its new regional channel in Tamil – Zee Tamizh.

This is Zee Network’s 33d channel and third in the South, after Telugu and Kannada.

According to Mr Punit Goenka, CEO, Zee Entertainment, the company has invested around Rs 100 crore in this venture, and most of which has gone into content procurement.

Tamil Nadu is one of the biggest markets for the medium and it accounts for 8 per cent (around Rs 690 crore) of the national advertising market.

There are over 25 TV channels in Tamil, and the channels operated by Sun Network together garner a chunk (more than 45 per cent) of this ad revenue, say industry sources.

Zee Tamizh, with a target to break even in three years, has lined up mega serials, game and reality shows, music programmes and cultural shows.

“And with three news bulletins a day, it will be a complete entertainment channel,” says Mr V. Chandrasekaar, Senior Vice-President and Business Head, Zee Tamizh.

Zee Tamizh will be a pay channel. It is currently available on Dish DTH. The company is in talks with other dish and multi-system operators for distribution.

The company has spent around Rs 5 crore for initial promotion and is planning to spend more for further reach.

Second coming

Though Zee launched a Tamil channel earlier, it withdrew from the scene for reasons hitherto untold. This is the company’s second coming.

“As we see a better level-playing field, this time we are here to stay,” said Mr Chandrasekaar.

On whether the company would launch a separate news channel in Tamil, he said, “As we go forward, we may consider that.”

On whether a Malayalam channel be their next initiative in the South, he said, “May be.”

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/10/13/stories/2008101350280200.htm

and just in case you missed the thread in the chaibar, tomorrows the ssc chennai meetup :)
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=693482&page=2

Any interesting news/discussion/pictures from the meetup :). Did you guys drive around like last meet. I remember Sreedhar uploaded some pictures after that meet.

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/8103/fe1410ph101cni1b868dzh5.jpg

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/7333/fe1410mn03ph011ff7c6kx8.jpg

City's Drainage system is a BIG ?. Waiting to get more rains, don't how chennaits going take it.

Courtesy : Dailythanthi 14.10.2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Looking ahead
A clear policy could bring in investments of over Rs 30,000 cr annually
Facilitate capacity additions of about 5,000 MW a year up to 2012
Current capacity addition stands at aaprox. 1,700-2,000 MW
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chennai, Oct. 13 A clear policy to support wind energy would facilitate investments of over Rs 30,000 crore a year over the next five years, according to Mr Ramesh Kymal, Managing Director, Vestas Wind Technology India Pvt Ltd.

Addressing a press conference on an international conference on wind energy to be held in Chennai next month, Mr Kymal, who is the Chairman of the organising committee, said that 2007 has seen a spurt in investments in the renewable energy sector as concerns of climate change, controlling carbon emissions and clean technologies came to the fore.

Policy issues

The conference itself would address the policy issues needed to better exploit the potential in wind energy.

Mr G.M. Pillai, Founder Director-General, World Institute of Sustainable Energy, Pune, which is organising the conference, said that over the next year and half leading at least 10 wind energy equipment manufacturers were looking at setting up manufacturing facilities in the country.

Industry estimates target that investments in wind energy generation would go to add about 5,000 MW a year up to 2012 representing investments of over Rs 30,000 crore a year.

Now the capacity addition is about 1,700-2,000 MW a year.

Initiatives

The policy initiatives that are needed include generation-based incentives, enactment of a renewable energy law, fiscal concessions like reduction in duties and push for indigenisation, he said.

2-day exhibition

The two-day conference and exhibition, Wind India 2008, to be held in Chennai on November 25 and 26 will see over 500 delegates discussing issues to frame a road map for the development of a policy and inputs to the renewable energy law, Mr Kymal said.

Leading global wind power industry representatives including 15 Danish and European companies and consultants, 60 exhibition stalls spread over 2,250 sq. m, product launches and presentations by 40 experts are among the features of Wind India.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/10/14/stories/2008101451842100.htm

Chennai, Oct. 13 A three-day seminar on aluminium die-casting and the second international exhibition on aluminium die-casting technology, equipment and supplies will be held here at the Chennai Trade Centre from October 17.

Aluminium die-castings are mainly used in transport and automobile sector with Indian consumption being 1.10 lakh tonnes against the global offtake of 7.4 million tonnes.

According to the Aluminium Association of India, the potential to increase the consumption of aluminium die-casting in the country is good with the offtake likely to double by 2010.

“Indian die-casting industry growth is on fast track as it is catering to global and domestic market. Its growth could be 25-30 per cent a year,” said Prof K.S.S. Murthy, Secretary-General of the association.

The seminar and exhibition is likely to benefit primary and secondary producers in the sector besides casting and forging industries, R&D institutions, die-casting machine and accessories developers and manufacturers besides furnace and equipment manufacturers.

Experts from across the industry will attend the seminar to discuss pertinent issues of the sector.

More details are available on www.alu-india.com and www.aluminium-india.org.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/10/14/stories/2008101450141300.htm

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/7333/fe1410mn03ph011ff7c6kx8.jpg

City's Drainage system is a BIG ?. Waiting to get more rains, don't how chennaits going take it.

Courtesy : Dailythanthi 14.10.2008

They are trying to remove the water from the tracks using brooms !!!! When will they finish such a job ??? It is high time they mechanized such things.

CHENNAI: You can pop the champagne bottle. Chennai's nightlife, which was on a slow burner, is beginning to sizzle. In what is being termed a wake-u
p call for the city's work-stressed entertainment buffs, it is coming from theatre group Y. For the first time in the 60-year history of English theatre in the city, a show will start at 10 pm. "RealitY" will be on at Alliance Francaise on College Road on October 17, 18 and 19.

Although there are four shows on all the three days, the late night show is generating plenty of buzz and enquiries.

Yog Jappe, director of the play and the moving spirit behind Y, says he is pioneering the late night show because the time is just right and the city ready. "Until now a big segment of the theatre-going audience had not been given the choice to see a late night play, at their convenience. So we thought, why not a play at an hour when you are really ready to chill?" says Jappe.

"The timing is perfect for working people," says Tarulatha, a mother of two who is employed with Singapore Airlines. "Today it is not the IT people alone who work late into the evening. Everyone tends to hang around in the office looking into a hundred things," adds the Chennaiite. "The 7 pm slot for a play is not convenient for all since we have to battle the traffic twice in an evening. With a late night show we can finish office work, get home in time to supervise the kids and then head out," says the theatre buff. "since a theatre is far more interactive, I feel a late-night play is the way to go," says Nandhini, a banker.

Vijayawada-bred Gopi Krishna, a post-graduate research scholar in biology, has been in Chennai for the last four years. "The city has a lot of cultural avenues for immigrants - poetry-reading sessions, book launches and plays. But the timings were never convenient. Since the city gets into the sleeping bag by 9 pm, one had to miss a lot of quality entertainment," says the 28-year old.

Y will be staging "RealitY," that has five monologues, and is adapted from Manjula Padmanabhan's "Hidden Fires."

The city's English theatre has been a vibrant one, with Madras Players, one of the earliest to cater to the global Chennaiite. In recent years, others such as Evam, ASAP productions, Still Water Productions, Broadwalkers, Masquerade, Theatre Nisha and Stagefright Productions have produced popular works. "When an English play is staged at the Sivagami Pethatchi auditorium, the whole city seems to be here," says a resident of Mylapore.
Chennai may not be the city that never sleeps, but it is not a city that goes to bed by 8 either. Not anymore.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Chennai/For_the_first_time_a_play_that_will_start_at_10_pm/articleshow/3587943.cms

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/8103/fe1410ph101cni1b868dzh5.jpg

City's Drainage system is a BIG ?. Waiting to get more rains, don't how chennaits going take it.

Courtesy : Dailythanthi 14.10.2008

How about constructing huge sumps in the SR-HQ,Central and GH premises to quickly dump water into them. They construct huge storm water drains and yet they put a small half feet wide pipes as inlets separated far apart. They should have atleast one or two feet rectangular inlets.

Do you guys think otherwise :)

Chennai Oct. 13: It will no longer be a breeze to get a driving licence in Tamil Nadu if the road transport department goes ahead with its plans. The tests would be more stringent and conducted in a ‘scientific manner’. The transport department, under an agreement with the Institute of Road Transport (IRT), has planned to revamp the licensing system. The department will set up offices on the IRT campus for testing and issuing licenses to people of south Chennai. Under the new system, the department expects to issue licences to more than 500 people everyday.

A senior official at the transport department told Deccan Chronicle, “The plans are in their preliminary stage and once the procedures are complete it would help remove many of the administrative and practical problems faced by both the people and the law enforcing officials.” At present many of the driving tests were not conducted properly because there were no testing tracks. There were few tracks in Chennai and other parts of the state where the licensing could be done in a scientific manner. “Most of the tests conducted by the RTO are not sufficient as they are done either on roads or small grounds,” he said. Talks were on with IRT to allot land on the campus for setting up the office and using the tracks.
Another senior official said four RTOs would be moved to the new location and the project was expected to start functioning by the end of this month.

Problems like delay in issuing licences, corruption and other administrative issues could be sorted out and proper driving tests could be conducted. “If the project succeeds we have plans to take similar steps at Gummidipoondi and Coimbatore,” he said. A private polytechnic institute in Coimbatore, where testing tracks were available, had been approached. More than six lakh licences were issued annually in the state, but with these measures the issue of licences through illegal means would come down.

SOurce: http://www.deccan.com/chennaichronicle/City/CityNews.asp#Licence%20tests%20to%20turn%20tough

I hope such moves reduce the number of accidents and help better commuting experience for everyone....

Chennai Oct. 13: It will no longer be a breeze to get a driving licence in Tamil Nadu if the road transport department goes ahead with its plans. The tests would be more stringent and conducted in a ‘scientific manner’.

Thank god. i even went over a speed breaker in third gear and the inspector bashed his head on the roof :lol: i though i was goners, but i was passed in the test

Any interesting news/discussion/pictures from the meetup :). Did you guys drive around like last meet. I remember Sreedhar uploaded some pictures after that meet.

It was good fun. Couldnt take pictures as we were busy getting wet in the thundershower right in the middle of the beach. Meet topped off with murugan idly kadai courtesy kannan :cheers:

It was good fun. Couldnt take pictures as we were busy getting wet in the thundershower right in the middle of the beach. Meet topped off with murugan idly kadai courtesy kannan :cheers:

ya...... three cheers to kannan:cheers::cheers::cheers:!!!!!

Know your neighbours....!!! Where is chennai......:(


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India_Business/Mumbai_Delhi_most_competitive_cities_for_biz_Report/articleshow/3595143.cms


NEW DELHI: Mumbai and Delhi top the list of top 10 cities for doing business in India, according to a competitiveness index report prepared by the re
al estate-focused publication Realty Plus.

The report - 2008 City Microeconomic Competitive Index - highlights the business opportunities offered by various cities, and the challenges investors can expect.

The report maps the competitiveness of the 10 leading cities on a highly evolved framework of multiple dimensions encompassing 225 indicators.

Mumbai tops list, followed by Delhi and Hyderabad. Other cities on the list are Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, Chandigarh and Gurgaon.

.....

U.S. Consulate in Chennai stands first in issuing visa for temporary workers

Special Correspondent

It is ranked third worldwide in processing of visa applications, says envoy

INTERACTIon: Andrew T. Simkin, U.S. Consul General in South India, with Umesh M. Pujara, chairman, Consultative Committee of the City Chambers of Commerce at a meeting in Chennai on Tuesday. Aileen Crowe Nandi, Principal Commercial Officer of the Consulate, is in the picture.

CHENNAI: The office of the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai ranks number one in the country in terms of issue of visas for temporary workers, Consul-General in South India Andrew T. Simkin said on Tuesday.

Addressing members of the Consultative Committee of City Chambers of Commerce, he said the Chennai office ranked third worldwide in processing of visa applications. Last year, the Consulate-General issued 3 lakh visas. The issue of visa for temporary workers indicated that there was a huge demand for them in the U.S.
New buildings

Sensing the growth potential, the office of the U.S. Consulate General has decided to construct new office buildings for Chennai and Mumbai. The new office building in Mumbai would become operational by the end of 2009, while the Chennai office will be ready in the next five years.

Mr. Simkin, who is on a three-year assignment, said he would continue the good work done by his predecessor David T. Hopper.

The office of the U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad would become operational by the year-end. This showed the importance the U.S. attached to India in general and south India in particular.

“It was decided to have a U.S. Consulate in Hyderabad rather than in Bangalore, as it generated more traffic. Out of the total 3 lakh applications processed last year, the Hyderabad region alone accounted for 30-40 per cent of it, as against 15-20 per cent from the Bangalore region. The office of Consulate General is being opened after 20 years,” he said.
Trade grows

U.S. Consulate Principal Commercial Officer Aileen Crowe Nandi said the bilateral trade between India and the U.S. had grown by nearly three times in the past six years, from $15.6 billion to $ 41.6 billion.
Trade mission

India, she said, was a major trading partner of the U.S. A large trade mission on SME would visit Hyderabad next month to explore business opportunities.

Later, she would organise the visit of a trade delegation to the U.S. on the solar and automotive sectors, Ms. Nandi said.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/15/stories/2008101555890500.htm

Comprehensive stormwater drain network planned

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Complaints from the public will be recorded; engineers will follow up”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chennai: The Chennai Corporation is yet to complete desilting of stormwater drains and small waterways in the city although the monsoon is to set in soon.

Mayor M. Subramanian on Tuesday said that the desilting of minor waterways including the Captain Cotton Canal was under way. The Public Works Department is taking up the desilting of five major waterways including the Cooum and Adyar rivers.

The city has stormwater drains of about 950 km, about 100 km of which have been constructed in the last two years. The remaining 850 km are older drains that need to be regularly desilted. The civic body has completed desilting about 500 km, the Mayor said.

The Mayor stated that the stormwater drains constructed in the last two years served inundation-prone areas such as Virugambakkam, Kolathur and Velachery. The drains were built at the cost of Rs.51 crore. Construction of nine km of drains at the cost of Rs. 10 crore was in progress, he said. In Velachery, the stormwater drain network was almost completed except for a few links such as those in TANSI Nagar.

The roads would be repaired after the work was completed.

The Corporation has about 80 motor pumps to drain stagnant water in low-level areas and 15 heavy duty motors to pump out water from subways.

Early to work

The Mayor and the Corporation Commissioner also conducted a meeting with officials and engineers to discuss emergency response measures in the case of floods. Junior engineers, assistant engineers and assistant executive engineers in the 10 zones have been directed to be on duty from 6 a.m. for the next two months and not take leave.

Complaints and appeals from the public would be recorded and the engineers would be asked to follow up with remedial action, the Mayor said.

The Mayor said the Corporation had drawn up a proposal for a comprehensive stormwater drain network to tackle inundation in the city. The proposal for the project, costing about Rs.1,500 crore, would be implemented with funds from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission if the Central government approved it, he said.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/15/stories/2008101558840300.htm

CHENNAI: The percentage of people using public transport in the city has to be doubled from the existing 34 per cent to effectively tackle challenges pertaining to transportation, Chief Urban Planner of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority S. Santhanam said on Monday.

Speaking at the inaugural function of the Department of Science and Technology-sponsored advanced training programme on application of geomatics in urban transportation planning and management, he stressed the importance of subsidising bus fare, optimal modal split and decentralisation of traffic intensive activities in transportation management of Chennai. The training programme was organised at St. Peter’s University, Avadi.

Second Master Plan

“Geographical Information System (GIS) tools have been used effectively in the Second Master Plan. The GIS tools will help CMDA overcome the problems in storage and retrieval of data,” he said.

“The total investment proposed over 20 years is Rs.47,811 crore for medium term transportation projects in the city. An investment of Rs.33,998 crore has been proposed for long term projects,” he added.

He said that the initiatives of CMDA would ensure better integration of traffic planning with land use planning. “Efficient transport network is one of the aims of the spatial strategies proposed in the Second Master Plan,” Mr.Santhanam said.

Two-week programme

The two-week programme would discuss the advances in geographical information system; the requirements, applications and benefits of GIS applications in urban transportation and management in developing countries; new theories and methods of predicting transportation demands and use of technology in monitoring dynamic route planning and accident-prone zones, said P. Partheeban, Professor and Head, Department of Civil Engineering, St. Peter’s University.

Experts from various parts of the country are participating in the programme. Principal of St. Peter’s Institute of Higher Education and Research S. Selvan, Dean Research and Development D.S. Ramachandramurthy and co-ordinator of the programme K. Karthik spoke at the inaugural function.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/15/stories/2008101558440200.htm

It really sickens me to see that these women have to clean up floating crap.
I would hate to be in there place.
Nobody should be in there place, not even them!

Island Grounds to turn entertainment hub

T.S. Shankar

Laser shows, musical fountain, aquarium, snow world are planned

“Island Grounds has several advantages including availability of ample car parking space, location in heart of the city”

— Photo: S.S. Kumar
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/2483/20081016583203017480490dy5.jpg
SET FOR MORE BRILLIANCE: Island Grounds where Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation is planning to introduce a host of entertainment-oriented features.

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) has drawn up detailed plans to convert the sprawling Island Grounds into an “entertainment hub” by holding a series of recreational shows catering for the different sections of the society.

As part of its efforts, it proposes a series of speciality entertainment activities such as laser shows, musical fountain, aquarium, and a snow world besides promoting adventure tourism in a big way.

Speaking about the proposals, which are at different stages of implementation, State Tourism and Culture Department Secretary V. Irai Anbu and Commissioner of Tourism and TTDC Managing Director M. Rajaram said Island Grounds offered several advantages.

They include availability of ample car parking space, adequate area for setting up different facilities and conducting exhibitions, and its location in the heart of the city.

Mr. Rajaram explained that following the TTDC Board’s approval, the Rs.1.50-crore hybrid musical dancing fountain and a multi-media laser show on a water screen would come up on an area of 30,000 sq ft on a revenue sharing basis formula for 10 years.

The contract would be awarded through an open tender process. An entry fee of Rs.15 per adult and Rs.10 for children have been proposed.

On the demand to conduct a permanent exhibition at the Island Grounds, Mr. Rajaram said that the TTDC was for holding exhibitions and organising other forms of entertainment that not only elicited positive response from the public, but also proved a good source of revenue for the Corporation.

He said a Government Order had been issued for conducting the 2008-09 Tourist and Trade Fair by the second week of December instead of the Pongal festival to capitalise on the Christmas holidays.

While expositions and carnivals are conducted on a major portion of the Grounds, another portion of the Island Grounds is let out to political parties for their meetings with entry to the area from beyond the Munroe Statue point.

These planned new tourism initiatives implemented under the public-private-partnership mode were reviewed recently by Tourism Minister N. Suresh Rajan along with Mr.Irai Anbu and Mr. Rajaram.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/16/stories/2008101658320300.htm

Indi Shopee’s one-stop value store

CHENNAI: The Chennai-based Indi Shopee Pvt. Ltd. has announced the launch of the largest one-stop value store in Chennai (Nelson Manickam Road). Spread over more than one lakh sq.ft. and six levels of business for different segments earmarked, Indi will provide a multi-level shopping comfort with ample car parking, a food court, coffee shop and an ice cream parlour. The store will be operational from October 18, according to Sarath Kakumanu, Promoter of the company.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/16/stories/2008101653901800.htm

CHENNAI: Over two centuries after sailor Yang Dazhao landed in Calcutta and became the first recognised Chinese settler in India, Chinese migrants in Chennai have made their mark with a variety of professional skills.

More...

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/16/stories/2008101658880500.htm

Chennai, Oct. 15 To make up for likely fall in occupancy levels owing to the global economic slowdown, most hotels in Chennai are looking to other sources of revenue than just from rooms.

Though on surface it seems that Chennai is yet to feel the pinch of the current recession, hotels have started reporting lesser occupancy rates even during weekdays. Industry sources say “worse days are ahead”.

Demand for Restaurants

However, there is a good demand for restaurants in big hotels in the city. A major reason why people flock to big hotels for food is lack of sufficient, quality stand-alone restaurants in the city. Even the existing few are not allowed to serve liquor, “which is a key impediment,” say industry sources.

To cater to this segment and to cash in on changing lifestyle aspirations, hotels here are now focusing on revenue sources such as food and beverage and spa. Most hotels in the city are planning to increase the F&B revenue share to at least 50 per cent of their total turnover.

Facelifts

Taj Coromandel, for example, is expanding its restaurant capacities by close to 25 per cent, said Mr Arindam Kunar, General Manager of the hotel. “We are, in fact, in the process of reinventing our F&B division with new-look ambience and themes,” he said.

The hotel is renovating its Chinese restaurant – Golden Dragon. It has renovated its coffee shop (Match Point) and renamed it Anise, an all-day dining restaurant with increased capacity. It has also converted another restaurant, the Patio, into an upscale Italian restaurant called Prego. Including Southern Spice, it currently has four restaurants and one bar. “We are also planning a spa here,” said Mr Kunar.

According to him, F&B contributes close to 40 per cent to the total turnover of the hotel now. “We are hoping to take it to 50 per cent in the months to come,” he said.

Mr Sharad Puri, General Manager of the Oberoi group’s Trident, Chennai, said the F&B contribution to the hotel is 30 to 40 per cent, “and we certainly want to increase that”.

Spa for cash flow

It recently launched a new coastal cuisine restaurant – Samudra – the menu card of which flaunts dishes from most Indian coastal regions. Apart from Samudra, it has another all-day dining restaurant called Cinnamon and a bar called Arcot. “We also see our new spa as another key source of revenue,” said Mr Puri.

Last month, Trident launched a spa and fitness centre. According to Mr Puri, Trident has hired therapists from Indonesia for the two-suite spa.

Last year, the 214-room The Park earned a revenue of Rs 80 crore and 40 per cent (Rs 32 crore) of that came from F&B, “and we have been registering a 20 to 24 per cent growth rate year-on-year”, said Mr V.V. Giri, Associate Vice-President and General Manager, The Park, Chennai.

He said the Thai restaurant (Lotus) alone, “with just 45 covers, makes at least Rs 18 lakh a month”.

The hotel, apart from Lotus, has two restaurants – 601 (all-time dining) and Aqua (world cuisine) – and two bars — the Leather Bar and Pasha.

Food festivals

Besides, hotels also announce food festivals to increase footfall in their restaurants. These festivals are often based on specialty cuisine as diverse as Rajasthani and Chettinad to Mexican and Chinese.

At times, they are also based on specialty foods such as seafood and ice creams.

Hotel Accord Metropolitan recently celebrated Gujarati Khaana Utsav.

“Through such festivals, we target mainly at retaining our regulars by breaking the monotony. Because, today’s young and dynamic affluent population is always on the look out for newer services, products and ambience. To cater to this segment, hotels have to constantly do up its restaurants, offer specialty food and beverages,” said Mr Rupesh K. Pandey, Manager (F&B), Accord Metropolitan.

The 160-room hotel recently launched a new rooftop restaurant – Pergola – and night club OPM. Besides, it has a coffee shop – Season – and a lounge bar – Zodiac.

For Accord, rooms and F&B revenue is in the ratio of 60:40. “Our aim is to take it to 50:50,” says Mr Pandey. According to him, 75 per cent of the F&B revenue comes from non-guests.

Three-star hotels too have been seeing more footfalls at their restaurants. Mr Vinoj P. Selvam, Executive Director, Hotel Checkers, said in his hotel the F&B contribution is almost half of the total revenue. “At times, it even exceeds that.”

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/10/16/stories/2008101650922300.htm

Chennai, Oct. 15 The US Consulate in Chennai – for long, a famous landmark on the city’s arterial Anna Salai – is likely to be relocated.

Chennai will have a new, bigger office building elsewhere and the relocation is aimed at making “visa processing more efficient and courteous,” according to Mr Andrew T. Simkin, the new US Consul General in Chennai.

Mr Simkin said it had not yet been decided where the new office would be located, and added that it would take another five years to complete.

“We are currently working on that,” he told Business Line on the sidelines of a meeting organised by the Consultative Committee of City Chambers of Commerce.

Work on a new office in Mumbai was underway and would be opened shortly, he said.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/10/16/stories/2008101650822300.htm

^^ Thank god. its about time they along with their battalion of police moved out from anna flyover. i was taken to teynampet police station once because i was carrying my camera in hand at 9pm :|

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/9670/dn161008e1020120cniqz0.jpg

Lights being installed in RG IT corridor road to Taramani

Source: Dinakaran 16.10.2008

^^This road is the one towards Ascendas, right?

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/9670/dn161008e1020120cniqz0.jpg

Lights being installed in RG IT corridor road to Taramani

Source: Dinakaran 16.10.2008

Lights at half-mast... Does not look good.. I wonder why the median is sort of like a Snake instead of being straight???:dunno::dunno:

I remember taking this road some years back to avoid the chaos at SRP Tools...
Looks a lot wider now.

ya this road was pathetic two years back ....it looks a lot better.

Even Now the road is full of encroachments..Just after the start of this project it got some sort of basic reprieve.

Till ascendas road is ok though some major space near ascendas park on the left is taken over by 2 wheeler parking and major space on the right is taken over by Moving food stalls

Beyond that dont even attempt to enter.. you will confuse and will never touch taramani road. Road is very narrow(Only one bus can go at a time) and full of encroachments on both sides throughout the area. VOTE BANK POLITICS will never allow any brave person to even think of attempting to widen the road

A. Srivathsan

— Photo: S. Thanthoni
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/7135/20081017611601013020486sm1.jpg
The CMDA proposes transfer of development rights in the master plan

CHENNAI: In order to reduce the amount spent on land acquisitions for infrastructure projects and facilitate early agreement between the government authorities and property owners, the CMDA has proposed the concept of transfer of development rights (TDR) in the master plan.

At an expert committee meeting, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority on Tuesday discussed the modalities of implementing it. Along with this, the fee needed to be paid for availing oneself of the premium FSI was discussed. Property owners affected by land acquisition will receive a TDR certificate, instead of cash compensation. This certificate will allow them to build more than what is normally permissible. For example, if a plot owner loses a property which has 1.5 floor space index (FSI), he/she can get 2.25 FSI as compensation and use it elsewhere in the city. This certificate could also be sold to developers who may want to utilise it in their projects. Institutions such as the Chennai Metro rail are agreeable to the proposal, as it would reduce their land acquisition costs significantly.

According to an official source, the CMDA has proposed that the guideline value of the land should be taken as the basis for calculating the charges for availing premium FSI.

However, some committee members opposing this suggested that the market value of land be taken, so that the government does not lose revenue necessary to provide infrastructure this additional built-up area will call for. The premium FSI is the additional built-up area a property owner can build over and above what is permitted. Sundaram, chairman, Builders Association of India, Southern Centre, said the premium FSI would be more useful only in the suburbs where there are large properties.

Tara Murali, an expert committee member, said the premium FSI was not recommended by the expert committee of the CMDA, but introduced by the government.

“If it has to be implemented, it must be linked to generating affordable housing.”

http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/17/stories/2008101761160100.htm

Semi-automatic strapping machine at Head Post Office

CHENNAI: Customers have been spared the difficulty to pack their parcels for delivery across the country and abroad with the Department of Posts launching the packaging services at T. Nagar head post office on Thursday.

On the new services provided in the head post office, senior superintendent of post offices, Chennai City Central Division, R.Venkataraman, said T. Nagar was a commercial hub promising a huge potential for packaging services. Customers may bring their parcels and get them packed by postal staff and even have the address of delivery written on payment of nominal charges. The packaging materials would be provided by the post office and the charges range between Rs.20 to Rs.165 according to the items used.

A semi-automatic strapping machine worth Rs.25,000 has also been installed to quicken the process of packing the materials. The packaging service availed in the post office is tamper proof as it carries the Department of Posts’ logo, he said.

A shredder machine is also used for packaging wherein the waste paper is shredded within seconds and used for stuffing the parcel carrying fragile items. The advantages in using the service include packaging solutions at cheaper rate, Mr.Venkataraman added. The officials expect to receive packaging orders of at least 50 parcels per day in T.Nagar head post office.

Senior superintendent of post offices, Chennai City South Division, A.Thomas Lourduraj, said the service is available in three post offices in the Chennai city region, namely Tambaram, Anna Nagar and Mylapore head post offices and has proven successful. About 80 per cent of the parcels booked in these post offices were for foreign delivery.

On an average, the head post office at Mylapore receives 10 packaging orders daily. Each of the post offices get packaging orders worth about Rs.30,000-Rs.40,000 per month, the postal officials said. There is a proposal to extend the service to post offices in Ashok Nagar and Adyar, they added.

Director of Postal Services, Chennai City Region, C.S.P.Kumar, said similar services were also offered at Anna Road head post office and General Postal Office in George Town.

Launching the service, Chief Manager of Bank of Maharashtra (Chennai regional office) Ajit Kishore commended the efforts of the Department of Post for their customer-friendly approach and concepts. Manager (Business Development), Chennai City Region, V.Govindasamy participated.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/17/stories/2008101759380400.htm

Chennai, Oct. 17 Traffic through Indian ports increased by 7.20 per cent in the first half of the current fiscal ended September 30, 2008, according to data released by the Indian Ports Association.

However, the ports missed the cargo handling target fixed by the Shipping Ministry by 7.32 per cent.

Cargo handling


The country’s 12 major ports handled 262 million tonnes (mt) of cargo between April and September 2008 compared with 244 mt in the corresponding period last year. Only three ports – Visakhapatnam, Ennore and Kandla – surpassed the cargo handling target fixed by the ministry for the first half.
Topping the list in cargo handling was Kandla port with 38 mt, a 23 per cent growth over the corresponding period last year. Visakhapatnam was second with 33 mt, an eight per cent growth, and Jawaharlal Nehru port was third with 30 mt, a 17 per cent increase.

Container handling at Jawaharlal Nehru port in the first half was 2.13 million TEUs (twenty foot equivalent units) compared with 1.94 million TEUs in the first half of last year – a 10 per cent growth. Chennai, the country’s second-largest container port, had a 14 per cent growth to 6.29 lakh TEUs (5.52 lakh TEUs).

Iron ore handling increased by 1.54 per cent to 40 mt (39.48 mt), according to IPA data.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/10/17/stories/2008101751270700.htm

New police building works to begin soon
10-Storey Commissionerate At Vepery To Be Ready Within 18 Months, To Cost Rs 20 Crore
A Selvaraj | TNN

Chennai: Work on the construction of the new building of the city police commissionerate at Vepery will begin soon. The Tamil Nadu Police Housing Corporation, which is the monitoring agency, has floated the tender for finalising the builder for the modern, 10-storey structure that will have many advanced features. Construction work is expected to be completed within 18 months of the date of commencement of work.
The estimated project cost for the new commissionerate is Rs 20 crore.
The model of the new commissionerate building was put on display at the commissioner’s office in Egmore on Thursday.
On January 4, 2007, Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi laid the foundation stone for the proposed new building. He was inaugurating the 150th year celebrations of the Chennai City Police.
The proposed building, that will come up on five acres of land on Poonamallee High Road, is located opposite the second entry of the Egmore Railway Station. It was earlier the site of a building that housed the traffic commissioner’s office.
The then joint commissioner of police (traffic) and the three deputy commissioners of police and their camp offices functioned from there. Then, after the state government declared that a new building would come up at the site, the traffic commissioner’s office was shifted to Kilpauk.
Initially, Chennai city police department had drawn several sketches for the new commissioner’s office and applied to the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) for approval after finalising the draft. “We have draughtsmen in the Tamil Nadu Police Housing Corporation (TNPHC) who have sketched the model of the new commissionerate. The government has assigned the TNPHC that task of monitoring the whole construction process. Tenders have been floated for finalising the builder. This is expected to be done by the end of this month and the construction work will start immediately,” the additional director general of police, Vibhakar Sharma, told The Times Of India.
The 10-storey building will have all advanced features, including miniature cameras at all important places. Glass cladding for protecting the outside of the building will be put up on all the sides.
“The new commissionerate will have a spacious conference hall with a grievance hall for the public. Apart from the commissioner’s room, all the joint commissioners of police and deputy commissioners of police, motor transport, armed reserve, head quarters, central crime branch and other important officials will be accommodated in separate offices,” a police officer said.
MODERN FACILITY
Total project cost:
Rs 20 crore
Total Area: Five acres
No. of floors: 10
The new commissionerate will be constructed with four entry and exit points in the sides and the front
Glass cladding
will be provided for the outer part of the building
CCTV and miniature cameras will be fixed inside the building

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/3563/pcmdsxj4.jpg

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOI&BaseHref=TOICH/2008/10/17&PageLabel=6&EntityId=Ar00600&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T

The October 21 human chain in support of Sri Lankan Tamils cause by the DMK is expected to be one of the longest ever in Tamil Nadu stretching from Royapuram in North Chennai to Vandalur in the suburbs. The human chain starts from Royapuram flyover and extends via E.V.R. Periyar Salai at Governemnt general hospital, Anna Salai, GST Road and will end at Vandalur.

Chief minister M. Karunanidhi and others would participate between Kamarajar statue and DMK headquarters. Cine actors who would line up from Teynampet to Nandanam.

http://www.deccan.com/chennaichronicle/City/CityNews.asp#Longest%20human%20chain%20in%20Chennai

crocodile tears and hired crowds

^^Good One.

crocodile tears and hired crowds

Polticians, Actors, Students, Teachers and so many tamilians have come under one umbrella for lankan issue, i am not pro-poltician but i will appreciate their efforts, atleast they are doing something for our brothers and sisters in srilanka, but we are just chit chatting on this issue, So please avoid commenting on this sensitive issue if you are true tamilian.

Polticians, Actors, Students, Teachers and so many tamilians have come under one umbrella for lankan issue, i am not pro-poltician but i will appreciate their efforts, atleast they are doing something for our brothers and sisters in srilanka, but we are just chit chatting on this issue, So please avoid commenting on this sensitive issue if you are true tamilian.

First of all in Tamilnadu, let every one live like Tamil.

Let every one (Hindus, Muslims,Christians) celebrate Pongal, Tamil festival

The so called "Tamil Marriage" (Siirthiruththa kalyanam) be conducted by every one (not in temple, mosques & churches)

The so called tamil names be adopted by every one. No point in just changing "soorya narayana sastry to parithi mal kalaignar".

Can abdullas, ibrahims,stephens & James" adopt tamil names?

Polticians, Actors, Students, Teachers and so many tamilians have come under one umbrella for lankan issue, i am not pro-poltician but i will appreciate their efforts, atleast they are doing something for our brothers and sisters in srilanka, but we are just chit chatting on this issue, So please avoid commenting on this sensitive issue if you are true tamilian.
A true Tamilian V.Prabhakaran is using innocent tamils as human shield to protect himself.This selfish dictator gets support from the TN politicians.Why ?
Are there no gutsy Tamilians to point out that the real culprit is LTTE and its chief.

A true Tamilian V.Prabhakaran is using innocent tamils as human shield to protect himself.This selfish dictator gets support from the TN politicians.Why ?
Are there no gutsy Tamilians to point out that the real culprit is LTTE and its chief.

Tamil Nadu's solidarity is in line with Parathithasan's declaration about Tamils, "One in mind, though several in form". May I note that the pulse of 80 million Tamils is beating in tune. Why? They are conversant with the ideology of the Tamilian struggle in Sri Lanka. One would add that the study of recent history reaching up to at least eight decades is necessary to understand the Sri Lankan Tamilian psyche. How wisely Valluvar said in Kural 403, "Even the uninitiated are great, if they will remain reticent before the well informed".

CHENNAI: Emerging trends in ‘green buildings’ and the impact of globalisation in the specialised area of building construction focussing on saving energy will form the focal points of discussion at a three-day congregation of architects, representing the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries, to be held here in March.

To formalise the mega convention, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Syed Zakir Ahmed, Managing Director of Zak Trade Fairs and Exhibitions, and Ryan Sequeira, president of the National Association of Students of Architecture (NASA), India, in the presence of Karan Grover, convention advisor to NASA.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/19/stories/2008101959310900.htm

Thozhan Prabhakaran is a Kozhai Prabhakaran - hides in his cellar while using children and women suicide bombers. When his defeat is in sight, he pays off TN politicians to help him out. India should support Tamils AFTER ltte's mauling. The average tamilian in TN cares two hoots about SL tamils. He has umpteen problems of his own.

http://in.youtube.com/results?search_query=tamils+need+for+independent+eelam+speech+by+seeman

Watch all these speeches given by Director Seeman, If you and Ranga still not getting a clear idea of freedom struggle by Tamilians, then its my mistake for arguing with you all.

Ok let we stop this discussion, this is not the right place for discussing this topic, atleast we get united by chennai city, lets start our routine work.

Keeran, Easwaran Thanks for your support, i admired this video very much and i want you to feel for the same.

Ok let we stop this discussion, this is not the right place for discussing this topic,

Good call.

To support India’s rapid growth in mobile subscribers, Nokia Siemens Networks has inaugurated a new facility for the manufacture and distribution of mobile communications infrastructure at Oragadam near Chennai. Over the next three years the company plans to invest Rs3bn (about US$70mn), in the facility and will generate 400 new jobs.

Simon Beresford Wylie, chief executive officer of Nokia Siemens Networks, hosted the inauguration which was conducted by Dr. K M Karunanidhi, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and Thiru. A Raja, Minister of Telecom, Government of India..

“Our operations in India are a prime example of where we feel we can build on our existing leadership with prudent, customer focused investment,” said Beresford-Wylie. “With its proximity to the local market improving our responsiveness and reducing the carbon footprint of new network deployments, this additional facility epitomizes our global strategy to build a responsible, customer focused business.”

The new Oragadam facility will manufacture Nokia Siemens Networks mobile Base Station Controllers, Nokia Siemens Networks Flexi EDGE BTS, Microwave Radio and Access line-card products, as well as other telecom equipment. The first deliveries of Radio Access products manufactured and distributed from the site to customers in India are planned for later this month.

Source (http://www.indiainfoline.com/news/innernews.asp?storyId=82140&lmn=1&cat=5)

Nissan Motor India Private Limited (NMIPL) announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ennore Port Ltd (EPL). to export its vehicles through Ennore Port in Tamil Nadu. NMIPL, the Indian affiliate of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., will be the first automaker to utilize this eastern gateway port of India as an export base.

“Ennore Port meets all of Nissan’s requirements to export vehicles,” said Shouhei Kimura, managing director of NMIPL. “We are looking forward to a cooperative and successful working relationship with EPL to achieve the highest level of on-time delivery at competitive costs.”

EPL will complete development of a berth with space of 140,000m2 for vehicles by the end of June 2010 and give NMIPL priority to use the newly developed marine facilities. NMIPL will begin exporting vehicles, primarily to Europe, commencing the second half of 2010. Exports are expected to be approximately 110,000 units in fiscal year 2011 and grow to 180,000 units in the future. Exports will include models, such as the next generation of Micra, which will be built on Nissan’s new A-platform.

The development of a competitive A-platform is one of several business breakthroughs announced as part of Nissan GT 2012, the company’s new five-year business plan. India is one of the five leading competitive countries (LCCs) to produce and export the new A-platform models in Nissan’s global manufacturing network. Models will be available in the local market as well.

Source (http://www.indiainfoline.com/news/innernews.asp?storyId=82131&lmn=1&cat=5)

^^Hi Ajith! Please post these in "Sriperumbudur and Oragadam" / "Chennai Projects Updates" threads. :)

Valedictory of third international conference of schizophrenia held

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allopathic medicine came to India with the Portuguese in the 1500s

Chennai also pioneered eye donation with the establishment of the first eye bank
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHENNAI: Chennai was the birthplace of hospitals providing allopathic system of medical care in the country.

This was highlighted by chronicler of the city S.Muthiah at the valedictory of the third international conference of schizophrenia here on Sunday.

Tracing the history of medical care for the audience, which included psychiatrists and doctors from across the world, he said the roots of Chennai as the hub of healthcare were laid several centuries ago.

According to Mr.Muthiah, allopathic medicine came to India with the Portuguese in the 1500s.

The first non-religious book printed in the country was on herbal medicine.

It was in 1664 that Chennai got its first hospital, run exclusively for the British. In 1772, the hospital was shifted from Fort St.George to a new building opposite the Central Railway Station, which over the period of time became the Government General Hospital.

The Madras Medical College, to which the Government General Hospital is attached, still preserves two heritage structures built in the 1800s, he said.

In 1842, Indians began to be admitted as patients to the British hospital and in 1899, the hospital was declared a civil hospital.

First autopsy

The first autopsy resulted in the conviction of a British doctor and his assistant who were charged with negligence while treating a British native.

Detailing the origin of private medical care in the city, he said that the first private healthcare facility was set up in Royapuram in 1856. Though over half a dozen other ventures came up in the next several decades, the Apollo Hospital marked the arrival of corporate hospitals in the country, he said.

The Institute of Mental Health was set up in 1794.

Chennai also pioneered eye donation with the establishment of the first eye bank in the Government Eye Hospital in Egmore in 1948.

Prathap Tharyan, Associate Director, CMC Vellore, presented the valedictory report of the international conference. Awards were presented to young researchers in the field of schizophrenia who presented papers at the conference.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/20/stories/2008102057900200.htm

^^I sometimes wondered why they call Chennai "the Medical Capital of India." It's true that it dates back to 1500s. :cheers:

Putting Chennai on the world ‘map’

The adage ‘the world is getting smaller every day’ has taken on a new meaning with the advent of technologies like Open Street Map and Google’s Mapmaker. What started as a simple pastime for a few hobbyists has now turned into a social revolution akin to Wikipedia. Involving people from all over the world armed with GPS devices, these amateur cartographers have now taken to digital map-making with an almost professional fervour. Calling it armchair cartography would be a gross understatement — these folks are out to ensure that you literally never lose your way again, whether you’re searching for a courier service in the middle of the night or your long lost friend’s ancestral home.

In fact, even Chennai has its own share of mapmakers, one of whom intends to map the entire city and present it as a gift to the city corporation. Speaking about his tryst with mapping, Arun Ganesh, a cartography enthusiast who recently participated at the Barcamp 08 at IIT Madras says, “When I started off with Open Street Map sometime back, Chennai was nowhere to be seen. Within the first half hour, I had charted out two street maps and I haven’t stopped since then. Having come from abroad, I had a problem understanding the signboards on the buses. As part of my map-making exercise, I travelled extensively across the city on several bus routes and discovered the shortest routes between any two given points. You’d be surprised, but you can travel comfortably across Chennai in a bus for less than Rs 30 per week, if you know the right routes. It could even be a solution to our traffic woes.”

Arun’s goal is to accurately map the entire city of Chennai on OpenStreetMaps, a project that allows its members to edit and modify the map as accurately as possible. Once completed, he aims to make his map available at public utility areas like bus stops and terminals. He says, “I have approached the Chennai Corporation for the same and they have been very co-operative. India is one of the toughest countries to map, because of the numerous by-lanes and alleyways among other things. Even in Chennai, every other day, you see a new building or even a new flyover getting constructed and such rapid changes need to be updated on the maps. In fact, no agency – either private or public has mapped the entire country. Only 60 percent of the country is mapped, as per the information, which is accessible to the public.”

Another mapper from the city Anirudh Ramesh, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Singapore, is currently working on his start-up-project, which utilises data from GPS systems and maps. He says, “The Open Street Project succeeds on several levels as you get localised information posted by the people who live in that vicinity which gets updated on the fly. During the recent typhoon Nargis, which hit Myanmar, Open Street Maps, helped the rescue workers from the UN and UNDP conduct evacuation services.

Speaking about the developmental impact of map-making on the occasion of the Google Developer Day, Dr Lalitesh Katragadda, a software engineer and the creator of Google Map Maker told this newspaper, “We have been approached by the UN and several NGOs for our maps. The reason is the localised information we provide and its accuracy. Most of our lives – personal, political and social revolves around a 10-mile radius. In fact, even at the developer day conference, the most oversubscribed session was the one about map-making. Many participants met me and conveyed their interest in making maps, which could benefit the community. Undoubtedly, it has evolved from being just a product to a social phenomenon.”

http://www.deccan.com/chennaichronicle/Chennai%20Chronicle/Chennai%20ChronicleDescription.asp#top
:)

:banana:Arun's getting famous!!!!

both rainy and sunny day in SP road!!

http://dkn.dinakaran.co.in/20102008/20102008_DKN_CHN_01-02.jpg

Shopping street of Chennai.... Usman road in Tnagar

http://dkn.dinakaran.co.in/20102008/DN_20-10-08_E1_03-01%20CNI.jpg

^^WOW!!! Awesome. That's people power. Looks more like a mass rally. Am sure this shopping craze is something special only to Chennai

Such type of crowd you can see in other TN cities also during diwali/pongal.

In Coimbatore- oppankara street, NH road, Town hall and X-cut road

This is Coimbatore

http://dkn.dinakaran.co.in/20102008/Big%20bazar%20street-2.jpg

Madurai - All mada vethi's around temple

Trichy - Main guard gate

Salem - Ist Agraharam, Big bazaar street, Arnachala street.

This is Salem

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/7374/dn131008e61503slmrv0.jpg

^^Shows our people still need more organized behaviour... :ohno:

^^Shows our people still need more organized behaviour... :ohno:

Considering the security scenario in our country, these crowds are very scary. I hope this Diwali and the subsequent rush periods pass without any incident.

Considering the security scenario in our country, these crowds are very scary. I hope this Diwali and the subsequent rush periods pass without any incident.

Very True. I really hope that nothing untoward happens this season or any other time. However, one positive i see is that, in Western countries, especially US, people are paranoid about such crowds and security issues and they are spending a huge amount of money towards security. Such security measures certainly affects the normal behavior of people and people in general are becoming suspicious about everything and everyone. People there no more behave like "Normal" people and always move around with fear on their mind. Comparing to that, though our people lack much security awareness, they get around freely and go to crowded areas without any fear or inhibition on their minds.

^^
Because people are brain washed for centuries that " Vidhi is supreme"...

Very True. I really hope that nothing untoward happens this season or any other time. However, one positive i see is that, in Western countries, especially US, people are paranoid about such crowds and security issues and they are spending a huge amount of money towards security. Such security measures certainly affects the normal behavior of people and people in general are becoming suspicious about everything and everyone. People there no more behave like "Normal" people and always move around with fear on their mind. Comparing to that, though our people lack much security awareness, they get around freely and go to crowded areas without any fear or inhibition on their minds.

Chennai is much safer when compared to the other three metros of the country. This might be a reason for the above perception.

Chennai is much safer when compared to the other three metros of the country. This might be a reason for the above perception.

Let us keep our fingers crossed. It is not difficult for antisocials to hit any of our cities as population is huge and security is minimal. The relative safety of Chennai so far is not definitely because of our police or our government.

There is more communal amity in TN between religious groups compared to other states and the society may be a bit more cohesive. Let us atleast maintain the status quo even if we cannot improve the situation.

^^Hats off people of Tamil Nadu... :)

MADURAI: The State Government is considering to upgrade the anaesthesiology departments in Madras Medical College and Madurai Medical College to Institutes of Anaesthesiology.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/21/stories/2008102155040600.htm

CHENNAI: Chennai Metrowater will intensify its drive to ensure construction of diaphragm chambers as part of sewer system in commercial buildings. Those identified without such chambers would be given a notice period of 15 days for the construction failing which it would disconnect the sewer connection.

Addressing presspersons here on Monday, Metrowater managing director Sunil Paliwal said the move was to prevent dumping of solid waste into the sewer system. It also comes in the wake of a recent Madras High Court direction to the Metrowater to mechanise its sewer cleaning work and bar entry of workers into the sewerage system.

He said it would take six months to completely implement the court order on account of difficulties in the existing sewer system. Sometimes broken manholes that fell into the sewer system have to be removed. The machines used now do not have the capacity to remove such heavy materials.

Citing the cases on LB Road in Adyar and Pulianthope, he said the silt formed in the sewer system often got cemented, which had to be chiselled to remove blockage. At present this was not possible with the machines. Pamphlets on prevention of dumping solid and biomedical waste into the sewer system would also be distributed.

Of the 753 field workers with Metrowater, 250 were contract labourers. After full mechanisation, they would be operating the machines. Some of them would be involved in resolving problems in the water pipelines, Mr.Paliwal said.

Detailing the features of some of the sewage cleaning machines, he said three ‘Desilting Mans’ — hydraulically operated to desilt manholes — were available.

Nine more such equipment would be purchased in three months at the cost of Rs.5.6 lakh each. Of the nearly 77,000 manholes, about 9,000 were in low level areas that needed more maintenance.

To a query about sewage getting mixed with drinking water, he said samples of water during the initial supply hours would be checked for sufficient chlorine content. Co-ordination meetings with the Chennai Corporation were being organised to address monsoon related problems.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/21/stories/2008102157960200.htm

New Delhi, Oct. 20 Dubai-based Emirates airlines is to expand its operations here by adding five more flights each to Bangalore and Chennai apart from operating three-more-flights-a-week to Hyderabad.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, the airline’s Vice-President (India and Nepal), Mr Orhan Abbas, said that the launch of these flights is part of Emirates’ plans to operate 31 additional weekly flights to India.

“All the flights will be in place by February next year and will see Emirates operate 163 weekly flights from here. This is the second round of expansion in India. We are bullish on India; it is a powerhouse for us,” Mr Abbas said.

Mumbai route

The expansion will also see Emirates operate seven additional flights to Mumbai, thereby offering passengers five flights a day to Dubai, while passengers from Kochi will soon be able to fly twice-a-day to Dubai as the airline plans to operate 14 flights a week between the two cities.

Similarly, passengers from Delhi will soon have the option of choosing from three daily flights when they travel to Dubai.

The decision to increase flights to India comes soon after the Governments of India and the United Arab Emirates approved a new air services agreement which enhanced the number of flights that airlines can operate between India and Dubai.

Cargo capacity

The airline will also offer more cargo capacity, Mr Abbas said.

“Emirates will be able to carry 10,588 tonnes of cargo a month from February next year, up from 8,448 tonnes that was being carried in July this year,” Mr Abbas added.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/10/21/stories/2008102150030700.htm

CHENNAI: The first phase of a national project to put together a database that will help cities evolve detailed master plans for development has been completed, Director of Geo-Spatial Data Centre of the Survey of India (SOI) M. Dharmaraj said on Tuesday.

Inaugurating a workshop on ‘Remote Sensing and GIS applications in Urban and Regional Planning,’ organised by the Institute of Remote Sensing (IRS), Anna University, Mr. Dharmaraj said the plan was to put together a comprehensive urban database of temporal and geo-spatial features. Another important SOI project was to help evolve a comprehensive and three-dimensional flood risk assessment mapping and strategy formulation across major cities, including Chennai, Mr. Dharmaraj told officials from Central and State departments and academic institutions attending the six-week training programme hosted by the IRS.

The Flood Risk Mapping and Assessment programme was also being done in cities such as Mumbai and Kolkata to speculate on “what-if scenarios.”

Mr. Dharmaraj said GIS applications in flood management spanned a range of critical functions such as suspending rail traffic along a flood-prone sector, emergency services, public amenities or traffic gridlocks. While planners confronted with flooding usually looked at a swollen river, breached lake bund or a causeway, anthropologic causes too required to be examined. For instance, Chennai’s topographical map-especially its water bodies-now looked radically different and depleted from what it was 60 years ago as a result of illegal encroachments. Anna University Vice-Chancellor P. Mannar Jawahar said high resolution satellite imagery was critical for planning urban development. M. Ramalingam, IRS director, underscored the importance of university-industry tie-ups for evolving solutions to infrastructure issues.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/22/stories/2008102261681100.htm

PHOTO: SHIBA PRASAD SAHU
Greeshma Gopal Giri
First Published : 21 Oct 2008 02:33:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 22 Oct 2008 08:03:02 AM IST

CHENNAI: The suburban rail system in Chennai division has been hit by acute shortage of coaches, forcing passengers to scramble for space in the already packed trains. Passenger associations have accused Southern Railway of not drawing the Railway Board’s attention to the problem.

In Chennai division, the suburban railway is short of at least 34 rakes.

The associations maintain that they raised the demand for additional rakes before Southern Railway, but in vain.

The problem has now been brought to the attention of Rakesh Chopra, General Manager, Southern Railway, and the former General Manager, Thomas Varghese, said S Mohanram of Rail Passengers Association, Pattabiram.

“Considering the increase in the number of passengers opting for suburban trains, the railway should take up the issue with the Railway Board,” he said.

According to statistics released by Southern Railway, the number of people using suburban trains touched 324.937 million in 2007-08, indicating a 12 per cent increase as compared to the previous year. During 2006-07, 290.925 million people travelled by suburban trains.

“During peak hours, it is almost impossible to get into the trains. They do not stop for more than five minutes at the stations. On adding more coaches the issue can be resolved,” said Krishnan, a commuter from Arakonam.

Senior rail officials confirmed the shortage of coaches in the suburban section.

“The matter is before the Railway Board,” a senior official told to this website's newspaper.

It has been pointed out that the Integrated Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai delivers coaches with facilities like Global Positioning System (GPS) to other zones. But Southern Railway, which has close association with the ICF, has failed to make use of it to solve the problem.

http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Acute+shortage+of+coaches&artid=ker39LpKv4g=&SectionID=lifojHIWDUU=&MainSectionID=wIcBMLGbUJI=&SectionName=rSY|6QYp3kQ=&SEO=

Anybody have the figure of TN contribution of Total Forign Investment in India ?

Guju's are well forward than us !!!:ohno:


Gujarat’s consistent record in attracting investment

http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/22/stories/2008102256141700.htm

Speaking at a business meet organised by the Industries Department of the Government of Gujarat, in association with CII, Saurabh Patel, Minister of State for Industry, Mines, Minerals, Planning, Finance, Energy & Petrochemicals, Gujarat, said the state was ranked number one with an investment of $176.8 billion in 86 projects for 23 per cent of total investment in India.

Chennai-based mobile chain retailer UniverCell is planning to enter the overseas market by opening its retail stores — UniverCell — in countries like Sri Lanka, Maldives and Africa. The company would enter these markets by 2010. This apart, it is also planning to invest around Rs 500 crore in domestic markets.

Speaking to Business Standard, Satish Babu, managing director, UniverCell, said initially the stores would be rolled out through the franchisee model and later the company would go for its own outlets. It is looking at the overseas market to contribute around 15 per cent to the total business over the next 2 to 3 year.

Last year, the company registered a business of Rs 350 crore and has set a target of Rs 700 crore for the current year.

He said the company will look at low only low-cost countries where the investment would be less and margins more — around 10 per cent. The company has signed an agreement with Hyderabad-based Peepul Capital LLC, which is investing Rs 100 crore. It will raise the remaining amount from internal accruals.

On the domestic expansion front, Babu said UniverCell was planning to open 1,000 standalone stores by 2010 across the country. Each store, on an average, would require around Rs 50 lakh, which works out to around Rs 500 crore. The company has 167 stores across Tamil Nadu, Karanataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.

Of the Rs 13,30,000 crore retail market, the organised mobile retail chain in the country is estimated to be around Rs 27,200 crore (including mobiles and accessories). It is expected to increase by 20 per cent over the next two years.

http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=337975

Anybody have the figure of TN contribution of Total Forign Investment in India ?

Guju's are well forward than us !!!:ohno:


Gujarat’s consistent record in attracting investment

http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/22/stories/2008102256141700.htm

Speaking at a business meet organised by the Industries Department of the Government of Gujarat, in association with CII, Saurabh Patel, Minister of State for Industry, Mines, Minerals, Planning, Finance, Energy & Petrochemicals, Gujarat, said the state was ranked number one with an investment of $176.8 billion in 86 projects for 23 per cent of total investment in India.

We don't have electricity for 5-6 hrs even for domestic purpose itself ,no proper execution of any project ,in addition to this we have a person like mamta bannerji as opposition.:bash:

Anybody have the figure of TN contribution of Total Forign Investment in India ?

Guju's are well forward than us !!!:ohno:


Gujarat’s consistent record in attracting investment

http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/22/stories/2008102256141700.htm

Speaking at a business meet organised by the Industries Department of the Government of Gujarat, in association with CII, Saurabh Patel, Minister of State for Industry, Mines, Minerals, Planning, Finance, Energy & Petrochemicals, Gujarat, said the state was ranked number one with an investment of $176.8 billion in 86 projects for 23 per cent of total investment in India.

This is the latest value I've found... (Of course, now it's umpteen times higher. I'm searching for the latest data.)

Tamilnadu ranks 3rd next to Maharashtra and Delhi (NCR) with a share of 9.12% of the country's total FDI (Aug 2004). Cumulative value (Aug 1991-Aug 2004) amounts to Rs. 225,826.4 million (approx. $5 billion).

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2005/04/22/stories/2005042211030100.htm (April 22, 2005)

Another more recent article (dated Oct 28, 2007) is but a bit ambiguous... http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/28/stories/2007102851360300.htm

^^Even Wikipedia has the same old data...

Anybody have the figure of TN contribution of Total Forign Investment in India ?

Guju's are well forward than us !!!:ohno:


Gujarat’s consistent record in attracting investment

http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/22/stories/2008102256141700.htm

Speaking at a business meet organised by the Industries Department of the Government of Gujarat, in association with CII, Saurabh Patel, Minister of State for Industry, Mines, Minerals, Planning, Finance, Energy & Petrochemicals, Gujarat, said the state was ranked number one with an investment of $176.8 billion in 86 projects for 23 per cent of total investment in India.

Please note that total investment is different from total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). In terms of FDI, TN ranks third (after Maharashtra and Delhi); but in terms of total investment, it ranks sixth falling behind Gujarat which accounts for 23% of total investments in India (as per this Hindu article).

What’s Beyond? — HR’s Next Agenda. That is the theme for the 12th national conference of the National HRD Network (NHRDN) that will be held here on November 28 and 29. The conference returns to Chennai after a gap of 18 years.

The NHRDN is a premier association of HR professionals committed to promoting the HRD movement in the country. The association has over 30 chapters and more than 7,000 members.

The conference is expected to draw over 1,000 participants comprising a mix of HR personnel and officials from other functions as well, said officials of the organising committee at a press briefing here.

Among the speakers expected at the conference are Mr O.P. Bhatt, Chairman, State Bank of India; Lord Meghnad Desai, Professor Emeritus, London School of Economics; Mr Subroto Bagchi, Managing Director, MindTree; Dr J.J. Irani, Director, Tata Sons, and Mr B. Santhanam, President – Float Glass (S. Asia) and MD, Saint-Gobain Glass India.

Mr S. Ramadorai, CEO and Managing Director, Tata Consultancy Services, will be the Chairman of the conference.

According to an official statement, the conference aims to provide the HR professional a vision of the future and equip him/her with the ideas needed to successfully navigate it.

The conference is designed around a series of ‘Sub-themes’ and ‘Next Practices’.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/10/23/stories/2008102351262300.htm

Monsoony Chennai....

Arterial Mount road traffic jam

http://dkn.dinakaran.co.in/23102008/DN_23-10-08_E1_06-02%20CNI.jpg

Chennai-Bangalore highway

http://dkn.dinakaran.co.in/23102008/DN_23-10-08_E1_06-09%20CNI.jpg

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In all, airline will operate 18 flights in the Chennai-Dubai sector

It will offer a special return economy class airfare to Dubai
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CHENNAI: Emirates Airlines will introduce four additional flights a week in the Chennai-Dubai sector from Sunday.

Talking to reporters here on Wednesday, Sudhir Sukumaran, Sales Manager, Tamil Nadu, said that the airline now operated 14 flights a week from Chennai to Dubai, and the number would go up to 18. In the next phase of expansion, the airline would add one more flight on the same route from February 1 next. With the launching of new flights, Emirates is the largest international carrier operating out of Chennai.

To celebrate the expansion, the airline will offer a special return economy class airfare of Rs.14,995 to Dubai. It is valid from October 26 to December 15.

The airline is operating flights to Dubai from 10 destinations in India. With the expansion of its weekly flights, the airline would offer an enhanced belly-hold cargo capacity.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/23/stories/2008102354570500.htm

CHENNAI: Residents of Thiruvanmiyur and Besant Nagar have demanded that the Chennai Corporation and the Public Works Department remove new constructions on the beach front in these areas and restore its original sandy condition within a month.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Nityanand Jayaraman, a resident of Besant Nagar, said the structures spoilt the natural beauty of the beaches. The Corporation, he said, was proposing tennis courts and viewing galleries between 40 metres and 70 metres from the waterline. This was in violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 1991.

Shanti Krishnan, a resident of Kalakshetra Colony, said that when the fishing hamlets lacked even amenities, there was no need for a beach beautification project.

Adit Swaminathan of the Student Sea Turtle Conservation Network said Olive Ridley turtles would do the nesting between November and March every year, and this could be affected by the bright lights and the constructions on the beach.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/23/stories/2008102358450200.htm

Another pic from times

It is Kathipara interchange

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOICH/2008/10/23/2/Img/Pc0021000.jpg

Purchasing power of Chennai even in heavy down pour!!

T.Nagar

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOICH/2008/10/23/3/Img/Pc0031000.jpg

Industrial estates inundated
http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/23/images/2008102360110401.jpg
Under water: The Third Main Road in Ambattur Industrial Estate on Wednesday
http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/23/stories/2008102360110400.htm



Bus termini bear the brunt
http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/23/images/2008102360170401.jpg
Filling up: The MTC terminus in Iyappanthangal on Wednesday.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/23/stories/2008102360170400.htm

The largest international carrier operating in Chennai; Airline offers special Diwali treat for travellers.

In view of the increase in travel from Chennai, the award winning carrier, Emirates will introduce five additional flights to the city, bringing its total frequency between Dubai and Chennai to 19 flights a week. The award-winning carrier will launch four additional flights per week to Dubai effective 26th October 2008 and in the next phase of expansion add one more flight to the route from 1st February 2009. This makes Emirates Airline the largest international carrier operating in the Chennai market.

Chennai – one of India's largest metropolitan cities and also home to a large proportion of cargo exports such as Textiles and Garments, Electrical and Electronic Goods, Machinery and Spares, Leather and Leather products, Pharmaceuticals, Perishables, Valuables and Mobile phones – is also set to offer an enhanced belly-hold cargo capacity of 309 tonnes per week per direction effective 1st February 2009.

To celebrate the expansion of services, Emirates is offering Chennai travellers special return Economy class airfares of Rs14, 995 to Dubai, valid from 26th October 2008 to 15th December 2008.

Emirates Holidays, the airline's tour operating division, has also unleashed an entire gamut of special packages for the upcoming festival of Diwali. Starting from Rs 31,398 onwards, Emirates Holidays offers packages to Dubai for three nights inclusive of return Economy class airfare. The packages include accommodation at leading hotels (mentioned below in the table) with buffet breakfast, meet and assist on arrival at Dubai International Airport, transfers between airport and hotel in a private car, room tax and service charges. The packages are valid until the end of November 2008.

Additionally First Class passengers flying to onward destinations via Dubai, can now enjoy a two-night complimentary stay at Atlantis, The Palm. Emirates Business Class passengers can avail a one-night complimentary stay at Atlantis, The Palm. The offer is valid until 24th December 2008.

That is not all. Travellers seeking quick stopovers on their journeys beyond Dubai also have exciting offers from the airline starting at US$64.00 per person per night sharing basis. These exceptional value-for-money packages are valid from 1st November 2008 until 31st October 2009. Accommodation is available from a range of 53 three and five star properties.

Sudhir Sukumaran, Emirates' Sales Manager, Tamil Nadu said, "Over the recent years, it has been observed that Chennai travellers have been showing a great interest in international travel for business and leisure purposes. To boost international connectivity, we will be introducing five additional services in a phased manner. Furthermore, we are confident that this Diwali the city's corporate and leisure travellers will welcome the launch of our holiday packages, first and business class offers as well as our Dubai stopover value deals."

Tailor-made arrangements are the hallmark of Emirates Holidays, allowing travel agents to satisfy their clients with the most interesting combinations on the market. Emirates Holidays is renowned for the fine quality of hotels it associates with and as a part of these packages travellers can experience the hospitality of world-class hotels.

Orhan Abbas, Emirates' Vice President, India and Nepal said, "Keeping in view the increase in travel trends across India, we are delighted to introduce additional weekly flights and strengthen our operations in Chennai to provide greater convenience and choice to our valued customers. Additionally our special packages and offers will be a bonanza for the upcoming holiday season."

Mr. Abbas added, "Increased flights from Chennai will boost connectivity to our robust international network and at the same time add to the city's inbound arrivals."

In addition to self-planned packages, Emirates Holidays also offers Self-drive options, Special programmes for honeymooners and Safari seekers, and Cruises. For further details please visit: www.emirates-holidays.com

At present Emirates operates a daily service on Dubai-Chennai route with 14 weekly flights. Currently Emirates has 132 flights a week to ten Indian destinations from Dubai.

http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=338078

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: The Chennai Corporation has suspended the scheme to beautify Elliots Beach and the one at Thiruvanmiyur after environmentalists and residents dubbed it “illegal and in violation of the coastal regulation rules”.
“We have applied for clearance from the district coastal zone management committee under the CRZ notification for the developmental works on the beach sands. However, the scheme will take off as usual in the remaining areas not coming under CRZ,” Rajesh Lakhoni, commissioner, Chennai Corporation told TOI. The local body took the extreme step of suspending the work only after the environment department intervened, sources said.
The residents oppose the developmental work saying it would pose a threat to the Olive Ridley turtles, which have been nesting on this beach for years. The Rs 3-crore plan was to cover a 850-metre-long stretch,replacing existing tiles with non-slippery granite tiles and an elevated sand area for walkers. There was also a plan to provide lawns and erect fountains on the northern side of the beach.
In Thiruvanmiyur, the beautification drive was planned from Ashtalakshmi Temple to the city’s boundary on East Coast Road. The project,covering a four-km stretch, costs Rs 4.8 crore. The blueprint envisages a yoga centre, play area for children, parking lots, pathways, gateways and public conveniences. There would also be a pergola, a multi-purpose play court, an amphitheatre and a police booth.
However, a few environmentalists together with residents of Valmiki Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur and Besant Nagar and Tamil Nadu Fisher People Struggle Committee have decided to intensify their protest till the local body abandons the project.
“If they do not respect our sentiments, we will protest in front of the Mylapore zonal office next month,” Nithyanand Jayaraman, an environmentalist, said.
The activists also opposed the “renovation” of the governor’s rest house near Elliots Beach.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOI&BaseHref=TOICH/2008/10/23&PageLabel=4&EntityId=Ar00404&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi: In an unusual recommendation, the Parliament’s Standing Committee on Law and Justice has said that there should be differential fees for commercial and corporate cases and no fees for poor people.
The committee has also said that the strength of Supreme Court judges should be increased from 25 to 30 to reduce pending cases and four Benches of the apex court be opened, to begin with one in Chennai.
As for differential court fee, the standing committee said, corporate commercial bodies have huge financial resources at their disposal and invariably their disputes are worth crores of rupees. “Accordingly, it would be reasonable if they are required to pay the court fees as per the value of their dispute on advalorem basis which should extend from 1% to 5% of the total value of the dispute,” the committee said.
The committee pointed out various Acts, Customs Act, Central Excise and Salt Act, MRTP Act, TRAI Act, SEBI Act, that enable the companies to go directly to the Supreme Court.
“The committee feels that a maximum fees of Rs 2,000 in terms of the 1996 SC rules is grossly inadequate and should, therefore, be revised accordingly,” the committee said. The differential fee, it said, would result in higher income for the SC which earned a little over Rs 1 crore from court fees.
The Standing Committee, in its report on ‘The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2008’, has recommended that the government should take up “every conceivable” measure to reduce pending cases in the apex court and other courts. Its report said the reason for bringing in the Bill was the pendency of cases in SC.
According to official figures, there were 48,838 cases pending in the apex court till August 31, 2008.
On the issue of retirement age of high court judges, the committee has recommended that the “issue be given consideration and the age...be increased to 65 years. The committee feels that it will also facilitate the availability of experienced judges for elevation to the Supreme Court.”
On the issue of more SC Benches, committee chairman EMS Natchiappan reiterated the panel’s earlier recommendation.
“The committee’s recommendation rests on the premise that it is not possible for the people living in far-flung areas to come to the national Capital for seeking justice,” he said.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOI&BaseHref=TOICH/2008/10/23&PageLabel=10&EntityId=Ar01001&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T

The largest international carrier operating in Chennai; Airline offers special Diwali treat for travellers.

In view of the increase in travel from Chennai, the award winning carrier, Emirates will introduce five additional flights to the city, bringing its total frequency between Dubai and Chennai to 19 flights a week. The award-winning carrier will launch four additional flights per week to Dubai effective 26th October 2008 and in the next phase of expansion add one more flight to the route from 1st February 2009. This makes Emirates Airline the largest international carrier operating in the Chennai market.

Chennai – one of India's largest metropolitan cities and also home to a large proportion of cargo exports such as Textiles and Garments, Electrical and Electronic Goods, Machinery and Spares, Leather and Leather products, Pharmaceuticals, Perishables, Valuables and Mobile phones – is also set to offer an enhanced belly-hold cargo capacity of 309 tonnes per week per direction effective 1st February 2009.


http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=338078


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Did anybody noticed that AI operates very least international routes from chennai and specially from south India ...What a stupid partiality on comparing with the North india cities...

On the example , London to Delhi/Mumbai have the frequency of 2 flights daily and even Ahemedabad also have the daily flights.....

All these flights contains more than 25% of Southies who have to wait for long hours in Mumbai and Delhi to catch the connecting flights to Chennai or etc...

But chennai / Bgl / Hyd does not have even the single direct weekly flight from London ...its a gross mismanagement by AI.....Very hard to digest...

Chennai is one of the econimically best routes and hence where BA and Lufthansa operates for more than 10 years on the same route...

I hope the same example follows for US and other major destinations also...

^^Maybe some insider could give an explanation...

...Outsourcing Engine India Second Only to China. Led by Mumbai, the number one city in a critical dimension related to financial markets, eight Indian cities appeared in the Index, more than any country other than China. Scoring well in measures related to security and risk and connectivity, this showing reflects the leadership of cities like Chennai, a global center for automotive and film production....




2008 MasterCard Worldwide Emerging Market Index Ranking

Rank City Country

1 Shanghai China
2 Beijing China
3 Budapest Hungary
4 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
5 Santiago Chile
6 Guangzhou China
7 Mexico City Mexico
8 Warsaw Poland
9 Bangkok Thailand
10 Shenzhen China
11 Johannesburg South Africa
12 Sao Paulo Brazil
13 Buenos Aires Argentina
14 Moscow Russia
15 Istanbul Turkey
16 Xiamen China
17 Chengdu China
18 Dalian China
19 Mumbai India
20 Tianjin China
20 Nanjing China
22 Hangzhou China
23 Wuhan China
24 Chongqing China
25 Qingdao China
26 Xian China
27 Harbin China
28 New Delhi India
28 Monterrey Mexico
30 Sofia Bulgaria
31 Montevideo Uruguay
32 Bucharest Romania
33 Cape Town South Africa
34 Lima Peru
35 Bogota Colombia
36 Rio de Janeiro Brazil
37 Durban South Africa
38 Bangalore India
39 Chennai India
40 Tunis Tunisia
41 St. Petersburg Russia
42 Brasilia Brazil
42 Jakarta Indonesia
44 Cairo Egypt
45 Manila Philippines
46 Hyderabad India
47 Recife Brazil
48 Kolkata India
49 Curitiba Brazil
50 Ankara Turkey
51 Santo Domingo Dominican Republic
52 Pune India
53 Casablanca Morocco
54 Coimbatore India
55 Quito Ecuador
56 Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam
57 Kiev Ukraine
58 Medellin Colombia
59 Yekaterinburg Russia
60 Beirut Lebanon
61 Caracas Venezuela
62 Novosibirsk Russia
63 Nairobi Kenya
64 Karachi Pakistan
65 Dakar Senegal





http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/081022/ny40605.html?.v=1

T.Nagar - Ranganathan street

http://tm.dinakaran.com/23102008/TM_23-10-08_E1_01-01%20CNI.jpg

^^The most disorganized street ever...

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Did anybody noticed that AI operates very least international routes from chennai and specially from south India ...What a stupid partiality on comparing with the North india cities...

On the example , London to Delhi/Mumbai have the frequency of 2 flights daily and even Ahemedabad also have the daily flights.....

All these flights contains more than 25% of Southies who have to wait for long hours in Mumbai and Delhi to catch the connecting flights to Chennai or etc...

But chennai / Bgl / Hyd does not have even the single direct weekly flight from London ...its a gross mismanagement by AI.....Very hard to digest...

Chennai is one of the econimically best routes and hence where BA and Lufthansa operates for more than 10 years on the same route...

I hope the same example follows for US and other major destinations also...

Delhi has always been following Delhi (North) centric policies including in the civil aviation sector.

At one time, there were connections to the Gulf only from Bombay/Delhi and the Keralites who were the majority travellers to the gulf cried against it and fought to have connections from Kerala itself. That gave birth to several international airports in Kerala. Imagine thousands of Malayalee gulf workers having to pay for TRV/Cochin to Bombay and Bombay to Gulf countries and the extra time and pain involved.

Indian government is not concerned about some sections of people and doesn't respond to people's needs and their requests. I have to agree, though, lately things have changed a bit with, unfortunately, the weakening of the central government since many regional parties share power in the centre.

Another silly thing is that even if the flight starts at Chennai/Bangalore/Hyd they would not consider using the local languages for any announcement however important it is for the safety of the passengers. Whereas, international airlines like Sigapore Airlines or Air France would not mind using the local languages. It is time the government of India started treating all citizens respectfully instead of selecting 'chosen people' for special treatment and treating everybody else as second grade citizens.

Air-India is a lousy airline with bad service. They can continue to operate only because the tax payer is footing its huge losses. Food is good though. British, Air France etc are also not good on service - food, lost luggage etc. but they have great on-time performance. SIA and Emirates have huge number of flights to Chennai which makes up for bad service by other airlines

Air-India is a lousy airline with bad service. They can continue to operate only because the tax payer is footing its huge losses. Food is good though. British, Air France etc are also not good on service - food, lost luggage etc. but they have great on-time performance. SIA and Emirates have huge number of flights to Chennai which makes up for bad service by other airlines

No, AI flight from New Delhi to London is the best flight I ever had! Far better than AA, BA and Lufthansa flights. The leg space in economy class is the best in its class. The inflight entertainment, food and cabin crew services were also the best.

OK OK .After the next Loksabha election, let us take the Civil Aviation Ministry.

No, AI flight from New Delhi to London is the best flight I ever had! Far better than AA, BA and Lufthansa flights. The leg space in economy class is the best in its class. The inflight entertainment, food and cabin crew services were also the best.

You are so lucky chap !!! I travelled on the same route where I faced with third rated service...(Ldn to Delhi)
1) AI have the inflight entertainment - Yes they have the 32 inch projector in middle of flight.....for all the passengers..which full of grains..1990's model of Solidare TV....
2) They asked us restrain using toilets....as its got filled and flush not works..
3)Food..Such a crap....AI itself accepted that the sandwich is two days old...which is loaded on Delhi....

But I agree that even other Airlines also issues...BA cancels / delays flights regularly saying that Doors are not sealed properly......and such as stupid Take off and landing...

At last good comedy on the AI on the Route planners...

One other time when I was travelling from Mumbai to chennai...the co passenger (Andra guy) all of sudden got shocked while the flight over Thirupathi .....

He is the guy from Thirupathi and travelled for around 18 hrs and seeing his hometown again.. He boarded the flight from mumbai to reach Dubai....He don't know that AI is like townbus.....Stops in Chennai, Kozhikode and then finally Dubai.......

He don't know that AI is like townbus.....Stops in Chennai, Kozhikode and then finally Dubai.......

The correct technical term is "milk run" and AI is the master of these nonsensical BOM-MAA-SIN-KUL routes :)

The correct technical term is "milk run" and AI is the master of these nonsensical BOM-MAA-SIN-KUL routes :)

Air India's service is extremely poor - I have travelled only twice between Canada and Chennai, in 1985 and 1993.

The milk run within India was there. I addition, in 1993, they would not allow my baggage to be checked in from Canadian point all the way to Chennai, because they had a stupid policy of not taking secured baggage from another airline (Air Canada). So I had to retrieve my baggage at Frankfurt and check them again.

Service on the ground stinks. Inside the aircraft, it is mixed, ranging from great stewardesses to the medicore robot-like women. The best experience I had was in the Bombay to Madras flight in 1985. The worst experience I had was from Delhi to Frankfurt in 1993. The robot-like women were rotten - lousy service, not even a smile etc. etc.

I have stopped using Air India and Indian Airlines, no matter how much people tell me they have improved. They will NEVER EVER improve. There is NO concept of customer service in India.

Ved Vedamanikam
Austin, TX

^^ I recently travelled Indian Airlines ( Leh-Delhi ). Although the service was only average I didnt have any serious issues with it.

My previous Indian Airlines experiences, Colombo- Chennai, again the service was somewhat rude but nothing completely wrong went so far for me with IA. But then some poeple claim I am just one of the lucky few.

Paramount Airways on Wednesday launched its daily direct flight from Chennai to Goa. The flight, which is the only one that flies directly between the cities, will start daily at 12.45 p.m. and reach Goa an hour later. It will leave Goa at 2.20 p.m. and reach Chennai at 3.30 p.m.

Announcing the launch here, the company's Managing Director, Mr M. Thiagarajan, said there is a good demand for daily connectivity in this sector. Currently, only Indian Airlines operates twice-a-week direct flight on this sector. According to Mr Thiagarajan, Paramount will now connect the entire South with Goa better.

Paramount flies the 40-seater Brazilian Embraer jets. With this Chennai-Goa flight, Paramount, with five aircraft, operates 49 flights a day to various destinations in the South and West. "Our next move will probably be a daily flight to Pune," said Mr Thiagarajan.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/10/24/stories/2008102451871001.htm

Chennai, Oct. 23 Indians who want to go to Los Angeles and San Francisco will now have one more airline to choose from. Emirates plans to connect Dubai to Los Angeles from Sunday and to San Francisco from December 15.

From Chennai, a round ticket to the US west coast via Dubai will cost Rs 54,995 (economy), which excludes only taxes.

Emirates is already flying to New York and a few other destinations on the east coast, but is flying to destinations in the west coast for the first time. Emirates has also increased the number of flights out of Chennai from 14 to 19 (from Sunday).

Flight details


Emirates flies the Airbus 330 and Boeing 777 between Chennai and Dubai.

The airline has increased the frequency of the giant A-380 between Dubai and New York from thrice a week to daily. Emirates has posed the opportunity to fly by the A-380 as another attraction for Indian travellers to the US. An economy round ticket to New York costs Rs 49,495 plus taxes.

Dubai packages


Meanwhile, Emirates has also dropped fares on its Chennai-Dubai flights to Rs 14,995, taxes excluded. The earlier fare was Rs 18,500. This “invitation fare” is however open only until December 15, according to Mr Sudhir Sukumaran, Sales Manager, Tamil Nadu.

At a press conference here, Mr Sukumaran said Emirates offered three-night tour packages for Dubai at Rs 31,300 a person. The charges include hotel accommodation but not sight seeing.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/10/24/stories/2008102450150700.htm

HYDERABAD: Qatar Airways on Thursday announced one-stop flights to New York from nine destinations in India, including Hyderabad, from October 26.....

.........The daily service to JFK International airport via Doha, beginning October 26, would be available from New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad, Kozhikode and Nagpur.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/24/stories/2008102460340400.htm

^^Wow! What a series of good news! I call it the airlines week... :)

Railway Board has approved the implementation of Integrated Security System at important railway station under BOOT (Build, Own, Operate and Transfer) model as well as outright purchase model with annual maintenance contract consisting of following broad areas:-

CCTV system

Electronic access control

Personal and baggage screening system

Explosive detection and disposal system

Integrated Security System will be installed under BOOT model at important stations and all suburban stations in the metro cities of Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai.

For other stations, identified as vulnerable and sensitive, outright purchase model with annual maintenance contract has been approved in two phases. BOOT model and phase-I stations, proposals are to be implemented in 2008-09 and phase-II stations, proposals are to be implemented in 2009-10.

Railways have identified 185 stations in 45 Divisions including 17 stations of Kolkata Metro Railway, as sensitive/vulnerable.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways, Dr. R. Velu in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=44143

After installing surveillance cameras at important points of the city, the Chennai Police today launched a similar facility at Flower Bazaar, an important shopping hub in North Chennai.

A round-the-clock control room to monitor the activities was inaugurated by Additional Commissioner T P Sundaramoorthy.
.

About 16 cameras have been installed across the area, including important places like NSC Bose Road, Broadway Bus Stand and Malaya Perumal Street.

All the16 cameras have been attached to the control room, where trained police personnel would be present on a shift basis.

http://newstodaynet.com/newsindex.php?id=11679%20&%20section=7

http://www.dailythanthi.com/article.asp?NewsID=446190&disdate=10/24/2008&advt=2

Riding on buoyant paper prices, Chennai-based Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Ltd has posted a 21 per cent jump in its net profit for the quarter ended September 30.

Net profit for the quarter stood at Rs 40.27 crore as against Rs 33.24 crore during the same quarter last year, the company informed Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

Turnover for the quarter was Rs 288.82 crore, up over 20 per cent compared to the corresponding quarter. Paper production during the quarter was 66,845 tonnes, up about 5 per cent from the same quarter in the previous year.

At 1045 hrs, the company’s share price at BSE was trading at Rs 62.45, up marginally from the previous close.

http://business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=48439&tp=on

http://bitterscotch.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/chennai-city-division-map.png?w=217&h=299 (http://bitterscotch.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/chennai-city-division-map1.png)
Since the chennai corporation cant be bothered to make one for the public, i have made one using data mined from the cmda masterplan documents. Even the corporation doesnt have such a map, sigh :ohno:

Planemad, keep making these nice maps. Even though most of the city has between kneedeep and ankle deep water and mosquitoes on the rampage, the mayor and Stalin keep claiming that there is no problem. Their idea of flood relief and prevention is to provide "lemon rice" packets!!!

Planemad, keep making these nice maps. Even though most of the city has between kneedeep and ankle deep water and mosquitoes on the rampage, the mayor and Stalin keep claiming that there is no problem. Their idea of flood relief and prevention is to provide "lemon rice" packets!!!

Exactly... the streets and the roads were like a river when it was raining.. they say tat they've storm water drains!! but nothing is working...

Stalin said, "the water dint stay for more than 2 hours anywhere.. so there's no problem" !?!?.. so stupid of him to claim such a thing... the storm water drains are supposed to drain the water then n there... not for draining the remaining droplets after all the rain water get drained by flowing like a river over the roads!!

CMWSSB is utter waste! The department does nothing properly.. all the drainages are open or silted especially the buckingham canal.... Y should govt. spend crores of rupees in desilting the drainage if its maintained properly!! Since its public money, they're not bothered about it!

its not enough if u juzz build storm water drains, should know how to maitain it! (I can see n number of tenders for building storm water drains in TN govt. website posted today, yesterday and so on.. )

All govt workers should be taught "maintenance" (the word first and then wat it means!) Especially the directors, chairmans and all top officials (compulsory for CMWSSB, Chennai corportation commissioner). They've not done their KGs before being head of such departments.. so annoying it is!:runaway:

Quality of living is sick to the core in chennai!:bash::bash: Someone should save chennai!!

Planemad, keep making these nice maps. Even though most of the city has between kneedeep and ankle deep water and mosquitoes on the rampage, the mayor and Stalin keep claiming that there is no problem. Their idea of flood relief and prevention is to provide "lemon rice" packets!!!


I agree!
Our makkal must ask these guys (CM and other ministers) who come for a nagar valam during rain to see how inundated it is to get down from the car and wade through dirty water for hours. Only then these guys will know how people suffer. This must be done for each and every problem that people face daily. Like cutting power to the ministers house every day for 5-6 hours, cutting water supply, making them travel in crowded MTC buses,stand in line in ration shops, make them eat the lemon rice pottalam that they give for poor people .etc. Believe me or not this is going to happen sooner or later.

^^The Govt. claims that it's successful in implementing rainwater harvesting. Does this cover all the roads too? I can see so much of rainwater getting wasted after every downpour.:ohno:

COIMBATORE: The Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) is moving to start a medical college here, on the premises of its 500-bed hospital, at a cost of Rs. 300 crore. . . . This is part of an ESIC project to start medical colleges around 23 of its hospitals in the country using surplus funds of Rs. 7,000 crore.

.
.
.

The ESI Hospital at Ayanavaram in Chennai would become a superspecialty hospital under this project.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/25/stories/2008102557880100.htm

The intensity of rain in Chennai/India is so heavy at times, it is impossible to build drains to handle such heavy flow. During such times the canals too flow full preventing drainage from man made channels. Then we have built the City in some places like GN Road/Bazullah RD,Velachery,Virukambakkam,Madipakkam, etc over low lying lakes. What else do you expect?

Then, we have fantastic Citizens who will dump anything on the street assuming it is for the Street cleaners to sweep the roads every one hour.There will be no need for cleaning rain water drains every year if we are a responsible society.

Roads will be dry as you dream if there are no buildings on either side like Highways in normal circumstances. There too Bihar like situation where 16 Districts were under three feet of water can arise during intense downpours.

Young guys you should take up some Leadership roles to understand how far one can be efficient in India. We are like a herd. Indiscipline, directionless ,hapazard way of doing things, disobedience to law and simply speaking animal instincts dominate us. I had been an office bearer in Residential association, Exnora,Lions club etc. Convincing two guys and getting something done orderly will be herculean task.

In nutshell Public Administration is not bed of roses. If you have genuine idea/suggestions, please pass it on to the concerned officials. They may look into it. I keep doing it every other day and found them responding favourably.

Please stop the agenda of criticism and do try to contribute to society in whatever way you can. I admire people like 'Planemad'.

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Chennai/Clean_beach_awareness_campaign_today/articleshow/3641692.cms)

CHENNAI: About a month ago, 24-year-old Vinod Sidarthan and his friends got together one Sunday at Besant Nagar beach to paint the Schmidt’s
Memorial. There were a handful of people to help them that morning. This Sunday, the group is meeting again, only the numbers have grown and the vision expanded. From 7 am, students, entrepreneurs, professionals and environmental activists will stage an awareness campaign on Elliot’s Beach, focussing on several issues such as cleaning up the beach and desecrating the Schmidt’s Memorial.

“My friends and I used to come to the beach everyday and I realised that I was actually sitting on these ruins and drinking beer. I later found out it was the Schmidt’s Memorial, built in honour of Karl Schmidt, a Dutch sailor who lived in Chennai in the 1800s and saved a boy from drowning, losing his life in the process. People were keeping the place so untidy and using it as a restroom, quite literally. I called my friends and the next day we started painting the memorial. We had just six people helping at that time. But those numbers have grown. Everyone wanted to do something. Even children who live near the beach came and helped us clean and paint,”says Vinod, who works with Sanmina-SCI, a manufacturing company.

Now, the core team consists of Saravana Priyan, Vinod, and several students — Feroz Ahmed, Arun Ganesh, Mohammed Waseem, Dhivya Lakshmi, Reneav, Sarah Iyte, and Ashish Menon. Says Arun Ganesh: “The first time around we bought the paints ourselves. This time I roped in a person who owns a paint company and he is willing to give special paint.”

If you want to help, get to Elliots Beach as soon as you can. The campaign is on till 5 pm.

X-posting from Chaibar...

I agree with Leo - as conscientious citizens of Chennai I think we must first contribute individually towards maintenance of basic services - and its not too difficult - if each one of us starts putting garbage into proper bins - make it a habit to follow road discipline - stop honking - things will improve....there cannot be a magic wand which can wish away the civic problems of a country of more than 1.2 billion - and a city with the size and population of chennai.

must compliment such groups of young people who volunteered to clean up the Olcott Memorial - this is the way forward and such volunteer groups also help to hopefully educate the people who see them that a beach is a public place and must be kept clean - the day we educated folks make an attempt to stop using the pavement as a public toilet - things will change - i do agree its a painfully slow process - but certainly chennai wasn't built in a day....

no point just blaming politicians - firstly WE elected them and if you as an individual did not vote - try to cast your vote the next time around....JAI HIND

By 2025, Mumbai will become second biggest city in the world
Chennai Will Join Rank of Mega Cities With Population Of Over 10mn
Rema Nagarajan | TIMES INSIGHT GROUP

New Delhi: In less than two decades, Mumbai will be the second most populated city in the world behind Tokyo and just ahead of Delhi and Dhaka. Thus, by 2025, the four biggest cities in the world will all be in Asia. Today, only one Asian city, Tokyo, is in the top four.
That is an estimate by UN Habitat in its latest report, State of the World’s cities 2008/09. The three south Asian cities leapfrogging into the top four will replace Mexico City, New York and Sao Paulo in Brazil.
Kolkata, currently the 8th biggest city, will retain the same rank though its population will have risen by 40%. Chennai will also join the ranks of mega cities, i.e. those with a population of over 10 million. By 2025, that list will have 26 cities, up from 19 at the moment. Five of the new entrants are from Asia and two from Africa.
Interestingly, the anticipated rapid growth of Indian metros is happening despite the fact that Asian cities also account for the bulk of what the report describes as shrinking cities — those whose populations are in decline. Globally, 143 cities experienced the loss of 13 million people from 1990 to 2000. More than half of this population loss (6.8 mn people) occurred in Chinese cities, while roughly 16% (2.1 mn people) was in other Asian countries. Asia, the report noted, accounts for 60% of all shrinking cities in the developing world.
While the world’s two most populous countries, India and China, are both witnessing this phenomenon of shrinking cities, the patterns are not quite the same. In China, most of the cities projected to shrink are intermediate and big cities. In India, which accounts for 20% of the shrinking cities, it is the smaller urban centres that are shrinking as people migrate to bigger cities or to other newer cities that become more attractive as destinations for migration. Cities all over world face migration problem
New Delhi: The UN Habitat report predicts Mumbai to be the second largest city in the world less than two decades. People moving to cities is a phenomenon world over. In India it is a migration from smaller urban centres to bigger cities.
For instance, local authorities, along with the political and economic elite, are transforming their cities into dynamic economic areas as in the case of Salem, Pimpri, Chinchawad and Pune, which are all growing at an annual rate of 3% or more by adopting pro-growth strategies through marketing, promotion and focusing on high-potential economic sectors, the report says.
Despite shrinking cities, the urban population keeps growing as a proportion to the total in the developing world, as rural towns and centres grow to become new cities and further migration happens between these cities.
Migration has been the primary reason for growth of cities in countries with low levels of urbanisation as is the case in Asia and Africa.
The UN Habitat in its latest report has said that said that Mumbai will become the second most populated city in the world. Cities all over the world face the problem of migration.
.........

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOI&BaseHref=TOICH/2008/10/26&PageLabel=1&EntityId=Ar00101&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T

^^ Absolutely.....it isnt difficult to throw garbage into bins ....that small action can make the city cleaner

Deepa H Ramakrishnan

Cost of the facility is estimated at Rs.2.50 crore

Delhi, Mumbai and Indore have similar facilities

CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation has revived the proposal for the escalator-fitted foot overbridge (FOB) at Little Mount (Taluk Office Road) in the city.

The proposal to establish bridges with escalators in 10 busy locations had not seen progress for some time.

The civic body had intended to identify private developers who would invest in the facilities to be constructed on a design-build-operate-transfer basis.

The Corporation would give them advertising rights on the bridge’s panels and they could then recover the costs.

In view of the Supreme Court direction on regulation of hoardings, the Corporation has now decided to develop the facilities on turnkey basis, which means ‘ready to operate.’
By March 2009

Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni said, “As there have been 4-5 fatal accidents at this location, the police had asked us to construct such a facility. We are not looking to make any revenue out of it. We expect the bridge to be completed by March 2009.”

The cost of the facility is estimated at Rs.2.50 crore.

As far as Chennai is concerned, this would be a pilot project. Cities including Delhi, Mumbai and Indore have similar facilities.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/26/stories/2008102650930200.htm

Chennai-Mumbai-Newyork Air India flight AI643/AI141 from to-day.

Source: Maalaisudar dt. 25.10.2008

^^

do we have to change flights in mumbai???? or are the destinations MAA(Chennai) and EWR(Newark) with mumbai being just a stopover??

Happy diwali

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOICH/2008/10/27/6/Img/Pc0061100.jpg

By 2025, Mumbai will become second biggest city in the world
Chennai Will Join Rank of Mega Cities With Population Of Over 10mn
Rema Nagarajan | TIMES INSIGHT GROUP

.........

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOI&BaseHref=TOICH/2008/10/26&PageLabel=1&EntityId=Ar00101&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T

^^

Mumbai, Delhi will be most populated cities after Tokyo by 2025: UN-HABITAT

CHENNAI: Indian cities are undergoing an inequality trend as a result of economic liberalisation and globalisation, says the State of the World’s Cities Report 2008/9: Harmonious Cities. In 2002, the income gain of the richest 10 per cent of the population in India was about four times higher than that of the poorest 10 per cent, adds the report, released on Thursday by UN-HABITAT. This, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, is the U.N. agency for human settlements.

The study finds that the most egalitarian cities in the world are in Western Europe. Apart from economic performance, the regulatory and distributive capacity of the European welfare states are cited as reasons for this.

In comparison, cities in the United Sates do not fare well. Race continues to be an important factor in determining levels of inequality. Sub-Saharan Africa has 62 per cent of its population living in slums in urban areas, the highest level in the world. In the developing world, one out of three people living in cities is in a slum. Dhaka emerges as the fastest growing mega-city, with an annual growth rate of 4.4 per cent. Mumbai, followed by Delhi, will become the most populated cities after Tokyo in 2025. Chennai will be the 26th largest city in the world by that point. In the last two decades, an average of three million people a week has been added to the urban population of the developing world. By 2050, the study estimates, 70 per cent of the population in the developing world and 55 per cent of that in India will be urban.

The report puts the current ecological footprint of humanity as 2.2 hectares per person, while the earth’s biocapacity remains at 1.8 ha. China and India have ecological footprints that are twice their biocapacity. In other words, what the population consumes in a year, their area of earth will take two years to produce. Other challenges facing cities are mobility, waste management and environment. The report says a number of cities in Asia have a high rate of car ownership. In this context, it cites the World Health Organisation’s estimates that more than a billion people in Asia are exposed to air pollution levels that exceed its guidelines.

This is considered to be a reason for the premature death of half a million people annually. Cities in the U.S., Australia and New Zealand lead the world in the number of passenger cars per 1,000 persons.

In western European cities, non-motorised modes of transport account for 50 per cent of all urban trips. The report urges cities to minimise wastage, reduce fossil fuel use and maximise reuse of energy, water and materials.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/27/stories/2008102760632200.htm

By the way Chennai is currently the 34th most populated urban area

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_urban_areas_by_population

and the 35th largest Urban agglomeration in the world

source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World%27s_largest_urban_agglomerations

and the three Indian cities of Mumbai, New Delhi and Kolkata making it to the top 10 and Mumbai even breaking into the top 5. This is just FYI.

Chennai is all set to host Commonwealth Karate competition next year. The professional karate players hope the event will help make the game popular in a cricket-frenzied country. The two officials from the All India Karate Do Federation or AIKF arrived at Chennai to inspect ground condition of the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium. Billy Brennan also expressed his satisfaction with the facilities provided at Chennai stadium.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/AudioVideo/AudioVideoPage.aspx?ID=b5eb6fa8-d726-4662-b953-925b35a5a65c

^^

do we have to change flights in mumbai???? or are the destinations MAA(Chennai) and EWR(Newark) with mumbai being just a stopover??

Here the source, kindly check it

http://www.dinamani.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=DNM20081026104328&Title=Chennai+Page&lTitle=%F9Nu%FB%5D&Topic=0&ndate=10/28/2008&dName=No+Title&Dist=

Here the source, kindly check it

http://www.dinamani.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=DNM20081026104328&Title=Chennai+Page&lTitle=%F9Nu%FB%5D&Topic=0&ndate=10/28/2008&dName=No+Title&Dist=

i am sorry but i am not able to understand what is written in there..... can you please explain it????:)

i am sorry but i am not able to understand what is written in there..... can you please explain it????:)



Air India launched its direct flight from Chennai to Newyork with mumbai as mediator.The flight will start from chennai daily at 8.40 p.m. and reach Mumbai at 10.25 p.m. From Mumbai, Another flight will be used to reach Newyork. Immigration checking, Visa clearance etc will get completed in chennai itself, which makes this flight some what faster than usual one. In this flight 8 first class seats, 35 business seats and 195 economy seats were available.

but i thought that this service was there for quiet a long time.....even earlier there was flight from Chennai to mumbai and then a different aircraft has to be used from BOM to EWR. i have used this service twice. so i don't understand why this is in the news now?????? only if you need not change the a/c in BOM can it be called a flight from MAA to EWR right? otherwise it is just a direct flight from BOM to EWR. and MAS to BOM looks like a different sector altogether.:angel1: i do not mean to start an argument, but please take me in the right sense. i am just trying to clarify.:angel1:

but i thought that this service was there for quiet a long time.....even earlier there was flight from Chennai to mumbai and then a different aircraft has to be used from BOM to EWR. i have used this service twice. so i don't understand why this is in the news now?????? only if you need not change the a/c in BOM can it be called a flight from MAA to EWR right? otherwise it is just a direct flight from BOM to EWR. and MAS to BOM looks like a different sector altogether.:angel1: i do not mean to start an argument, but please take me in the right sense. i am just trying to clarify.:angel1:

i haven't traveled in air before, i just translated the page for you, So i am not eligible to answer you !! :ohno:

but i thought that this service was there for quiet a long time.....even earlier there was flight from Chennai to mumbai and then a different aircraft has to be used from BOM to EWR. i have used this service twice. so i don't understand why this is in the news now?????? only if you need not change the a/c in BOM can it be called a flight from MAA to EWR right? otherwise it is just a direct flight from BOM to EWR. and MAS to BOM looks like a different sector altogether.:angel1: i do not mean to start an argument, but please take me in the right sense. i am just trying to clarify.:angel1:

It's probably news because it is a new (additional) service.

By the way Chennai is currently the 34th most populated urban area

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_urban_areas_by_population

and the 35th largest Urban agglomeration in the world

source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World%27s_largest_urban_agglomerations

and the three Indian cities of Mumbai, New Delhi and Kolkata making it to the top 10 and Mumbai even breaking into the top 5. This is just FYI.

There are some issues with the census. While urban agglomerations of other cities were taken into consideration, for Delhi only the UT area was included in the census and not NCR area. If NCR was also included, it would be the most populous indian city. Also all these are based on 2001 census.
Bangalore has seen a tremendous growth since 2001. Some believe Bangalore is the 4th most populous city after NCR, Kokata and Mumbai.

It's probably news because it is a new (additional) service.

They are just trying to "promote" it that way I believe. It's good that you don't need to do customs check in Mumbai. Still, you have to change flights I believe.

Residents complained of burning sensation in eyes and throat

http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/29/images/2008102959470401.jpg
Smoky affair: Deepavali celebrations in Triplicane, which was the noisiest and most polluted spot in Chennai on Monday.

CHENNAI: It was a relatively quiet Deepavali this year with the residents opting for more sparkle than sound with while bursting firecrackers. With a chilly mist cover trapping the smoke close to the ground, many residents, however, complained of burning sensation in their eyes and sore throat.

The mist, which continued till Tuesday, was due to a low-level inversion that indicates an increase in temperature in the atmospheric layer within one km from the ground level, according to Meteorological department officials.

Such a misty cover would usually be reported in January and their occurrence this time of the year is rare, the officials said. With the pace of dispersion of the smoke from the firecrackers slow, the air pollution levels were higher than last year.

“Dispersion of smoke was not possible because of the mist. Vehicular emissions compounded the problem,” said an official of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. The Board had established air and noise monitoring facilities at five locations in the city for Deepavali.

The level of sulphur dioxide at the locations - between 14 and 26 microgram/cubic metre - and that of nitrogen oxides - between 20 and 42 microgram/cubic metre – was higher than last year.

Last year, the average level of sulphur dioxide was 10 microgram/cubic metre, while it was 21 microgram/cubic metre this year.

The average level of nitrogen oxides was 37 microgram/cubic metre as against 16 microgram/cubic metre last year. The permissible limits for SO2 and NOx are 80 microgram/cubic metre.

The noise level, at 81.9 decibels, in Triplicane was the highest. The amount of respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) in the locality was 437 microgram/cubic metre and total suspended particulate matter (TSPM) was 707 microgram/cubic metre, which were the highest across the city.

The RSPM level in T.Nagar was 419 microgram/cubic metre and TSPM 633 microgram/cubic metre. Nungambakkam recorded RSPM of 419 and TSPM of 491. Sowcarpet recorded RSPM of 370 microgram/cubic metre and TSPM of 534 microgram/cubic metre.

Ayanavaram recorded RSPM of 370 microgram/cubic metre and TSPM of 534 microgram/cubic metre.

The noise level in the city ranged between 69.4 dB and 81.9 dB with the overall average being 74.4 dB.

According to data provided by TNPCB, Ayanavaram followed Triplicane recording 77.2 dB.

It was followed by Nungambakkam with 74.3 dB, Sowcarpet with 70 dB and T.Nagar with 69.4 dB.

A total of 15 teams of TNPCB personnel worked in three 8-hour shifts at the five locations.

The Board started recording the noise levels and monitoring the ambient air quality during Deepavali following a Supreme Court directive.

Apart from irritation in the eyes and throat, the smog affected patients suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma, said R.P.Ilangho, Senior Consultant Respiratory Physician and Head of the Breathe Easy Clinic, Apollo Hospitals Group.

Asthmatics would have had wheezing and spasms due to air pollution. Persons suffering from COPD would have had coughing and difficulty in breathing, he said.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/29/stories/2008102959470400.htm

http://bitterscotch.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/chennai-city-division-map.png?w=217&h=299 (http://bitterscotch.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/chennai-city-division-map1.png)
Since the chennai corporation cant be bothered to make one for the public, i have made one using data mined from the cmda masterplan documents. Even the corporation doesnt have such a map, sigh :ohno:

Your work is impressive planemad.

CMDA has two day discussion for Chennai Metroplitan 2026 Plan II

http://dkn.dinakaran.co.in/31102008/1245724_1.jpg

Dinakaran

CMDA has two day discussion for Chennai Metroplitan 2026 Plan II

http://dkn.dinakaran.co.in/31102008/1245724_1.jpg

Dinakaran

In two days they're planning the future of chennai??!?!:nuts: Lets see how it goes.

In two days they're planning the future of chennai??!?!:nuts: Lets see how it goes.
They probably just invite all sorts of experts - bureaucrats, industrialists, town planners, doctors, public health experts, education experts, economists, etc., and "brainstorm". Nothing will be decided I believe, they will just talk and take notes, and then have further discussions to decide anything.

European kitchen manufacturer, Ewe Kitchens, part of the euro 13.3 billion Nobia Group, has joined hands with Chennai-based Orchid Designs to enter the Indian market.


Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, K Chandrasekaran, chief executive officer, Orchid Designs, said the company was planning to open showrooms in Chennai, Bangalore, New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata over the next nine months to market Ewe Kitchens products. The showrooms in Chennai and Bangalore will be opened in a month.

The company is targeting to capture a 25 per cent market share in the imported kitchens segment, which is estimated to be around Rs 500 crore in the country and is growing at 50 per cent annually.

Chandrasekaran said Orchid was also in talks with Ewe to obtain distribution and marketing rights for Ewe Kitchens as the company was planning to enter Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and UAE markets in the near future.

http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=338743

Even decades after it came up, the Ambattur Industrial Estate lacks proper basic amenities right from roads, power supply, sewers, and parking space. The northeast monsoon rain that lashed Chennai last week inundated almost all the areas of the estate, forcing people to wade through waist high water mixed with sewage in certain areas. “Even a short spell of rain lasting up to half an hour is enough to flood the bus stand, and people are forced to walk through smelly filth. I cannot believe that even after 47 years since it came up, the estate lacks a proper drainage system,” Babu Kalyan, a BPO employee said.

“More and more IT companies are coming up here, but the situation here would surely slow down their development,” he said. According to R. Sreedharan, vice-president of the Ambattur Industrial Estate Manufacturers’ Association (AIEMA), this year the association cooperated with the PWD in desilting the drainage lines and the canal adjacent to the railway line up to Korattur lake, which helped in getting rainwater drained. “Previously even the main roads got flooded. Work on drainage lines for the inner roads is going on. Once completed and connected with the sewage treatment plant here, the estate would not have to worry about inundation,” he said.

However, this year not less than 100 units got flooded. “This prevents trucks bringing goods from entering godowns. My workers then have to walk through contaminated water, which causes skin allergies. TNEB cuts power to prevent electrocution, which stops production leading to heavy loss,” said G. Chelladurai, owner of a leather factory. “One-third of the work force here are women and we all have to suffer a lot. Most inner roads lack streetlights,” said R. Vasanthi, chief sales executive of K Lite industries. S. Muralidharan, manager of a private bank, said the elevated corridor project, which would tremendously solve the traffic problem, got stalled from time to time. The work was supposed to be over last December.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chennaichronicle/City/CityNews.asp#Asia%E2%80%99s%20largest%20estate%20lacks%20amenities

Chennai: A strong educational system has been one of Tamil Nadu’s traditional strengths. There are, according to Velmurugan, 333 engineering colleges, 230 polytechnics and over 1,200 industrial training institutes churning out close to 300,000 technically qualified students every year. “Tamil Nadu produces 25 per cent of the country’s engineering graduates.

-Ford, which recently announced a $500-million (Rs 2,150 crore) programme to double its capacity and set up an engine manufacturing facility, was one of the first global automobile majors to zero in on Chennai…


http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/template.MAXIMIZE/news/more/?javax.portlet.tpst=0b2c9a4dd5f89b80977dd367cc87b42f_ws_MX&javax.portlet.prp_0b2c9a4dd5f89b80977dd367cc87b42f_viewID=news_view&javax.portlet.prp_0b2c9a4dd5f89b80977dd367cc87b42f_newsLang=en&javax.portlet.prp_0b2c9a4dd5f89b80977dd367cc87b42f_ndmHsc=v2*A1224932400000*B1225469825000*C1225537200000*DgroupByDate*J2*L1*N1000837*Ohide*Zchennai&javax.portlet.prp_0b2c9a4dd5f89b80977dd367cc87b42f_newsId=20081029006007&beanID=202776713&viewID=news_view&javax.portlet.begCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken&javax.portlet.endCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken

deserted Ranganathan street

http://tm.dinakaran.com/31102008/TM_31-10-08_E1_01-02%20CNI.jpg

before diwali....

http://tm.dinakaran.com/23102008/TM_23-10-08_E1_01-01%20CNI.jpg

Discussions regarding chennai Master plan II


http://www.dailythanthi.com/article.asp?NewsID=447651&disdate=11/1/2008&advt=2

http://district.dinamalar.com/districtnews_main.asp?ncat=Chennai&ncat_ta=%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%A9%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A9%E0%AF%88#96866

http://news.oneindia.in/2008/10/31/premium-fsi-in-new-buildings-soon-cmda.html

Tamil Nadu Information Minister and Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) Chairman Parithi Ilamvazhuthi today said Chennai city has one of the highest population densities in the world.

Inaugurating a seminar on ''Second Master Plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area 2026 -- Avenues and Opportunities'' here, he said the population density of the city was 247 people per hectare.

''This is expected to increase to 333 people per hectare in 2026'', he said, adding, that given the growing trend, the Chennai Metropolitan area would become a Mega city by 2011.

Observing that the Second Master plan unveiled last month seeks to allocate spaces for various uses and to accommodate the needs of the future population through land use zoning, Mr Ilamvazuthi said the spatial strategy proposed in the Master Plan has recommended continuation of the dispersal of the population and decongestion measures proposed in the first plan.

He said under the Second Master plan, the transport corridors would get intensified developments and the zoning has been proposed in such a way to promote developments.

With a view to optimum utilisation of the land, the Minister said the Master Plan encourages development of high rise and multi-storeyed buildings in the entire metropolis.

''Since Chennai city had become a hub for manufacturing sector by attracting several IT and Automobile industries, the Master Plan has focussed on improving infrastructure facilities and to promote industrial development'', he added.

He said the Master Plan has recommended a slew of investments for small scale industries which had considerable avenues for employment.

Creation of a Unified Metropolitan transport authority, inter-modal transfer facilities, good transportation network, adequate parking facilities and strengthening of the public transport system to cope with future travel demand were the highlights of the Second Master plan, which has come out with special rules for the shelter sector, besides recommending setting up of monitoring and review committes for its implementation, the Minister said.

http://www.chennaivision.com/enews/2008/Oct/31/Population-density-highest-in-Chennai-247-people-per-hectare.asp

Residential areas that have seen high price increases over the past two years include Panvel in Mumbai (up 87 per cent), north Hyderabad (75 per cent), GST Road in Chennai (125 per cent), Pimpri and Chinchwad in Pune (87 per cent) and Manesar in the National Capital Region (92 per cent)..

http://businesstoday.digitaltoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8323&issueid=34

CMDA will take action based on main recommendations of seminar, says Parithi Illamvazhuthi

“Measures proposed inadequate to protect heritage buildings in Chennai”

“Parking norms of development regulations inadequate”

CHENNAI: The CMDA will take appropriate action on the main recommendations of the seminar on the second master plan with the approval of the Chief Minister, said Information Minister and CMDA Chairperson Parithi Illamvazhuthi.

Speaking at the valedictory session of the seminar on ‘Second master plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area 2026 - avenues and opportunities’ on Saturday, he said, “The second master plan will be implemented in the city taking into consideration the recommendations of the two-day seminar.”

However, earlier in the day, Susan Mathew, vice-chairman, CMDA, had said that the second master plan will not be modified further as the plan was already studied and scrutinised by experts and government.

The recommendations included the priority for making of the Zonal Development Plans or Detailed Development Plans for city areas and rapidly growing corridors and immediate notification and protection of government buildings already identified as heritage buildings.

Decentralised water treatment plants, execution of a canal to discharge water from Pallikaranai marsh to the Bay of Bengal during flood, conversion of the existing landfill sites at Perungudi and Kodungaiyur to pollution-free sites, preparation of a macro drainage network by the PWD and the CMDA and modern biotech systems of garbage digestion were also recommended.

Considering the importance of the Red Hills catchment area in the supply of water to the city, the need for prohibition of further development in the catchment area was advocated. In addition, a benchmark indicating affordability of housing and a detailed study on the shelter problems of platform dwellers were also advocated.

Earlier in the technical sessions of the seminar, Sunil Kumar, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), said that the parking norms of development regulations in the second mater plan were inadequate. He recommended that parking norms be regulated.

An independent regulatory authority to regulate land price and help get land at an affordable price to facilitate housing for the weaker sections was suggested by T.N. Ramanathan, Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Housing Board.

Addressing a question on Metro Rail project, T.V. Somanathan, Managing Director, Chennai Metro Rail ,clarified that though Tiruvottiyur was not part of the current Metro Rail corridor, it would be considered in the next phase of the project.

P.T. Krishnan of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, Tamil Nadu chapter, analysing the second mater plan, found that the measures proposed in the plan is not adequate to protect heritage buildings in Chennai and urged the CMDA to extend the conservation proposals to include natural features and sensitive ecosystems.

M.G. Devasahayam, Managing Trustee of Sustain, pointed out the need for a change in the sub-optimal utilisation of public land towards making affordable housing a reality and asked if there existed any policy on survey and inventory of public land for use in pursuing the goals of inclusive housing.

Chennai Mayor M. Subramanian suggested that a flying squad be formed in collaboration with the CMDA to check deviations in new constructions in the city.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/02/stories/2008110259250300.htm

CHENNAI: A Rs.800-crore National Cancer Institute will be set up in or around Chennai, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Anbumani Ramadoss announced on Saturday.
50 acres sought

The State government has been asked to provide 50 acres, he said at a function here. Research, education and treatment would be the thrust areas of the institute.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/02/stories/2008110250290100.htm

Cross Posting...

An initiative of Clinton Foundation, Centre, private firms

TAMBARAM: There was a shortage of 15 lakh nurses in the public health sector in India, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Anbumani Ramadoss said on Saturday.

At a function organised here to lay the foundation for the Indian Institute of Advanced Nursing, a joint initiative of Clinton Foundation, the Central government and private sector companies, he said the Centre was also committed to improving the public health infrastructure.

During the 11th Plan, the Centre had allotted Rs. 3,900 crore to the nursing sector alone for building human resources, expanding infrastructure and creating four centres of excellence in Chennai, New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkatta and six such regional centres in the north Indian States. He pointed out that in Bihar, which had a population of 9 crore, there was not even a nursing college. The launch of the institute, he said, was a unique model. More such initiatives were needed. Of the health infrastructure in the country, 75 per cent was with the private sector and the rest was in the public health sector, and the government was trying to bridge this gap.

Through the National Rural Health Mission, health infrastructure in rural areas was improved. Under the Mission, Tamil Nadu had received Rs. 1,850 crore. “The Mission has been acknowledged as an ideal model the world over, worthy of being implemented in many developing countries. The Tamil Nadu government could acknowledge this at least occasionally,” Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss said.

Talking to reporters after the function, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss said his Ministry had written to the Civil Aviation Ministry about the removal of liquor advertisements from airports. “We want to protect the youth in the country from tobacco, alcohol and junk food.” He pointed out that though liquor advertisements were banned in the electronic and print media, they continued in surrogate forms. Further, such advertisements were rampant in the ongoing India-Australia cricket series.

On the response from the State governments to the ban on smoking in public places, he said that except a couple of States, all others had responded positively. “It is more of a voluntary response from the people, and it is encouraging.” From December 1, all tobacco products should compulsorily set aside 40-50 per cent of their packaging space to statutory warnings.

Primary Health Centres

Health Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam said 116 Primary Health Centres would be started soon, and the Central government had accorded sanction. He appealed to nurses to treat patients with care and ensure that the service in government hospitals was as good as in private hospitals.

Sujatha Rao, Special Secretary and Director General, National AIDS Control Organisation, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said the main thrust of the institute would be on training nurses in the public health sector. Of the project cost of Rs. 28 crore, the Centre would bear Rs. 5 crore. Yale University would provide technical assistance. Health Secretary V.K. Subburaj said the State government had granted permission to the private sector for starting 50 nursing schools and colleges.

Ira Magaziner, chairman, William J. Clinton Foundation, said that world over, it was mostly the nurses who were the lone medical professionals taking care of those affected by HIV/AIDS.

Deepak Verma, IIAN Adviser, Clinton Foundation, said the venture had the support of corporates, including Apollo Hospitals, Marg Group and Cognisant Technology Solutions.

Others who took part in the function included Supriya Sahu, Project Director, Tamil Nadu AIDS Control Society; and C. Chandrasekar, Superintendent, Government Hospital of Thoracic Medicine.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/02/stories/2008110254540500.htm

Express News Service
First Published : 02 Nov 2008 03:11:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 02 Nov 2008 09:31:49 AM IST

CHENNNAI: The Chennai Corporation proposes to plant 10,000 saplings across the city as part of a special gesture to compensate for the trees felled during any road expansion or other civic work, Mayor M Subramanian disclosed here on Saturday.

He was speaking at a seminar to initiate a massive HIV/AIDS awareness campaign among the ward councillors of the Corporation on the occasion of Ullatchi Din a Vizha.

Every year hundreds of trees are felled as the Corporation does maintenance works. The roots of these trees get severed thereby cutting the base and in the rains and flooding it falls.

The Mayor said beginning from Sunday, about 1,000 saplings will be planted in each zone in Chennai. “The Chennai Corporation came under criticism when it had to fell trees for road expansion work at various places in the city. This is an effort to rectify the situation,” the Mayor added.

http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Chennai+Corporation+to+plant+10,000+saplings&artid=nZBCowhucAg=&SectionID=lifojHIWDUU=&MainSectionID=lifojHIWDUU=&SEO=&SectionName=rSY|6QYp3kQ=

Following a boom , the realty sector is now hit by lower repayment capacity and higher borrowing costs, which have affected house buying. Developers across the country are facing lower demand, slower sales and reduced and expensive funding.

How has the Chennai residential market fared?

Chennai City has seen an average correction in apartment prices of around 10 per cent over the past six months, according to realty market participants. The correction is driven by what buyers are willing to pay now rather than actual rate cuts by developers.

This being said, the main city areas and the central business districts have remained relatively unaffected, given the advantage of location and lack of developable space. It is the suburbs and the peripheral areas such as Ambattur, an industrial suburb to the west of the city; along the OMR towards Siruseri, Kelambakkam – about 25 km south of Chennai; and the GST Road (NH45) that have borne the brunt of correction. Developers predict that prices may remain stagnant or may even fall further in the short term.

A steady rise in interest rates, excess supply and weak market conditions prevailing across the residential belts of Chennai appear to be the prime cause for the correction in real-estate prices. Lack of infrastructure development at the expected pace in the suburbs is also a factor limiting demand for higher-priced properties in these areas.

While apartment prices have witnessed a correction, developers feel that the capital value of land has remained stagnant in the past few months, with room to strengthen in the long term. The volume of transactions seen in purchase or sale of land itself has got reduced. Sale of land is partly need-based and developers are restraining themselves from further acquisition.
Demand drivers

According to leading developers, the price correction may not have a uniform impact on demand; this may depend on the location of the property. Within and just off the central business areas, a price correction will, in all likelihood, boost demand for property, given the limited supply. On the other hand, in peripheral and suburban areas, a price correction may not be the only trigger needed to improve demand.

Though inflation and rising interest rates have led to a correction of sorts, consultants continue to view Chennai as a promising market for developers over the long term. Global real-estate consultant Cushman Wakefield lists an increasing migrant population due to the upcoming manufacturing, IT and IT-enabled services (ITES) sectors in Chennai as the demand drivers for real-estate in prime locations with good amenities, citing areas such as GST Road.
Second sales up

In an interesting trend, the slowdown in new home sales has sparked off some beneficial trends for existing home owners. Second sales of homes have increased as a result of reduced new home buying. With the city attracting a fairly large floating population, demand for rental property is also on the rise. In the central business districts, quality residential properties rank high, while towards south of Chennai, minimal supply of quality completed projects has pushed up rental values.
Sales strategies

On new homes, developers are devising innovative sales strategies to promote purchases.According to Mr Subba Reddy, MD, Ceebros, upfront payment of the entire value of an apartment could allow room for a discount of up to 12 to 25 per cent on the overall sale value.

While price cuts are necessary to induce buyers, amenities such as swimming pool, gym and adequate parking play a vital role in inducing buyers to purchase apartments, say the builders. Other factors include quality of construction, location, and value add-ons such as 100 per cent power back-up.
Better infrastructure

Affordable housing, in the bracket of Rs 10-20 lakh for a two-bedroom apartment in city outskirts, is said to be the biggest segment of the market. On this count, Chennai ranks better than most cities on account of the improvements expected in its infrastructure three to five years from now, even with the slow pace of current development, as well as a more stable demand, according to Mr Pratish Devadoss, MD, VGN Enterprises. Demand in Chennai originates not just from one or two segments of buyers, but from a wide cross-section — sectors such as IT, auto, healthcare and manufacturing, professionals such as doctors and architects. In the light of these factors, developers see the current downturn as a cyclical one, and believe the situation may take anywhere from a year or more to stabilise.

http://www.blonnet.com/iw/2008/11/02/stories/2008110250941900.htm

A Belgian Embassy statement said that the State visit by the King and the Queen of Belgium will reinforce and deepen the long standing and excellent relations between India and Belgium.

During his visit, the King will also attend a seminar of Climate Change and Eco Technologies at The Energy Research Institute (TERI) and meet R K Pachauri and J P Van Ypersele, chairman and vice-chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

He will also visit Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai during his stay in India.


http://www.dailyindia.com/show/279971.php

The Second Master Plan (SMP) for Chennai Metropolitan Area that was developed after 33 years has been notified.

So it’s time to act and implement it, CMDA vice-chairperson Susan Mathew has said.
.
She said this while speaking at the concluding session of the two-day conference on SMP. The conference advocated that the Master Plan should be followed up with zonal development plans and decentralised local area planning with local people’s participatory approach.

Member-secretary of CMDA Vikram Kapoor said a transparent and speedy process was required for proper implementation of the Master Plan. The participants at the seminar also advocated production of proof of off- street parking space on registering cars by households. The need for increasing speed on roads was also highlighted.

Pointing out the disparity in water supply between different areas which ranges from 25 lpcd (litres per capita daily) in slum areas to 190 lcpd in some areas, the conference called for filling the demand- supply gap and achieve a target of 150 lpcd. Densification of existing areas as planned for in SMP requires augmentation of water supply and sewer infrastructure.

To provide affordable housing to lower income groups, the conference called for public private partnership and also recommended concession on various levies to private builders to enable affordable housing.

Noting that the e-waste would increase to 1.32 lakh tonnes in Chennai city by 2013 against the present 30,000 tones, initiatives to tackle the same was stressed upon.

Chennai Mayor M Subramaniam, addressing the conference, appealed to the people not to stop development projects by taking the issue to the courts. He also cited that various initiatives in building bridges and subways helped Chennai be relatively traffic- free when compared to other major cities in the country.

State Information Minister Parithi Ellamvazhuthi said the recommendations of the conference would be taken into consideration.

On the inaugural day of the seminar, Tamilnadu Minister for Information Parithi Ilamvazhuthi said important strategies and policies proposed under the Second Master Plan would make Chennai an economically vibrant, socially sound and ecologically sustainable city.

The Minister said the plan would promote industries and provide adequate employment opportunities.
‘All activities being taken for accomplishing the tasks will be made through zones’, the Minister, who is also CMDA chairman, said.

He further said the strategies planned included dispersal of the population over the metropolitan area, diversification to optimum level by allowing flat development along wider roads and allowing multi-storeyed buildings.

‘It is also proposed to allow higher floor space index (FSI) along the MRTS-route areas for residential developments with smaller sized dwelling units, he said, adding that this was done to encourage social housing provisions by private developers of special building, group development, multi-storeyed development over large land through development regulations.

Divulging that transportation problems had been addressed in the plan, the Minister said major schemes included 45-km- long metro rail, elevated expressways along city waterways, network of freight corridors and bus priority corridors, flyovers and series of pedestrian facilities would help a lot.

The Minister also said various committees would be set up for the monitoring and implementation of the Second Master Plan.

Addressing the seminar, CMDA vice- chairperson Susan Mathew said that two new concepts had been introduced in the Second Master Plan viz premium floor space index and transfer of developmental rights.

‘The award of premium floor space index is to facilitate more housing, office and commercial space alongside with contribution by the beneficiary to the infrastructure development in the locality’, she added.

On the transfer of developmental rights, Susan Mathew said it would facilitate the government’s acquisition of land for public purpose. Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, M Ramachandran also spoke on the occasion.

http://newstodaynet.com/newsindex.php?id=11951%20&%20section=6

About 600 horses have arrived here for the 42-day Madras racing season which commences here on Nov. 7, 2008. The last meeting will be on March 26, 2009. One hundred and twenty two-year-olds will be racing during the season.

Briefing the press Amanullah Khan, Secretary, Madras Race Club, said that the total stakes money offered was Rs. 9,72,33,000 including the value of cups. Two hundred and fifty eight races have been framed for the season. Eighty seven of them are cup races.

Outstation horses are eligible to take part only in the following races: The South India 1000 Guineas (Gr. II), South India 2000 Guineas (Gr. II), Poonawalla Stud Farm South India Oaks (Gr. I), South India Corporation South India Derby Stakes (Gr. I), South India St. Leger (Gr. II), Capricorn Stud Farm Christmas Cup (Gr. III), Northern India Breeders Madras Gold Vase (Gr. III), and the Guindy Grand Prix (Gr.III). To become eligible for the incentives and to participate in any race, horses 5-year-olds and below should arrive here before Wednesday, Nov. 5. Class I cup races have been framed this year in the names of P. M. Antony, S. S. Mothilal, V. S. Dhanasekar, OM, SP. L. AL. Alagappa Chettiar.

A new Class III Cup in the name of the Zamindar of Chikkavaram, a former race horse owner and Committee Member will also be run. A Class II Cup, in memory of former Secretary, Dharmasenan Ebenezer has also been framed.

The racing dates: Nov. 7, 8, 12, 16, 19, 21, 24 and 26. Dec. 3, 4, 10 (South India 1000 Guineas), 11, 15, 17 (South India 2000 Guineas), 22, 24, 29 and 31. January 2009: 2 (Poonawalla Stud Farm South India Oaks), 7, 13, 14 (South India Corporation South India Derby Stakes), 19, 21, 28 and 29. Feb. 11, 12, 16, 18 (South India St. Leger), 24 and 25. March: 4, 5, 8, 11, 15, 18, 19, 22, 25 and 26.

Nov. 15 races postponed to Nov. 16: The Stewards of the Madras Race Club have decided to postpone the races scheduled to be held here on Saturday, Nov.15 to Sunday, Nov.16 due to administrative reasons, according to a press release.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/04/stories/2008110456641800.htm

“The municipality has failed to evolve good solid waste management models”

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/04/images/2008110450570301.jpg
Eyesore: An uncleared mound of garbage on 100 Feet Road near Camp Road Junction at Selaiyur.

TAMBARAM: The collection and disposal of garbage generated in Tambaram has hit an all-time low with mounds of uncleared garbage in several places posing health hazard to the people living nearby, complained residents and councillors of Tambaram Municipality.

Unlike the two other big municipalities in the region, Alandur and Pallavaram, the daily generation of garbage in Tambaram is much higher, due to the presence of important markets catering for dozens of villages in the neighbourhood and the huge floating population that passes through rail and road.

With privatisation of waste management a couple of years ago, there had been a slight improvement initially, but the magnitude of the problem in terms of the volume generated assumed such proportions that the local body administration, particularly the Sanitary Section was unable to come up with initiatives to tackle it, councillors said.

During the routine meeting of the municipal council on Friday, councillors, cutting across party affiliations, came together and charged the local body administration with being slack and callous on this issue.

Nagoor Kani, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam councillor from Ward No. 7, said garbage clearing operations had come to a standstill during the festival season as employees of the private contractor went on leave for Deepavali.

Noting that he was not against granting leave for workers for the festival, he sought to know what alternative plans the Sanitary Section had taken during that period.

During the three or four days before and after Deepavali, garbage from the West Tambaram vegetable, fish, meat and poultry markets was not cleared.

The sight was repulsive to people even passing by that stretch, Mr. Nagoor Kani said. He also pointed out that the municipality had purchased three sophisticated compactor trucks at the cost of Rs.1.3 crore four months ago but they were lying idle inside the local body’s office premises. Councillors of other parties also joined in support, arguing that collection and disposal of garbage in Tambaram was never so poor as in the past few months.

Residents of East Tambaram and Selaiyur complained they experienced severe hardships during the recent heavy rains as water washed along with it piles of uncleared garbage that deposited outside their houses. Residents of Rajeswari Nagar said they removed plastic waste outside their houses with great difficulty.

Those living on Camp Road pointed out to the vast open space on 100 Feet Road that was used as a transit point for transporting garbage. A swarm of flies hovering above it, cattle feeding on the waste and garbage blowing into their houses along with the wind all combined to pose severe problems, a resident of Jayalakshmi Street said.

Officials in the Department of Municipal Administration and Water Supply said the problems would be solved permanently once the integrated, modern and scientific compost yard was completed in Venkatamangalam near Vandalur.

Members of civic groups said smaller urban and rural local bodies with lower levels of revenue were implementing source segregation and composting of waste, but Tambaram Municipality had miserably failed to come up with good solid waste management models.

The recently dedicated compost yard should be extended at least to those places where problems were severe.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/04/stories/2008110450570300.htm

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/04/stories/2008110456641800.htm

Do we still have Horse Racing at Guindy? I thought it was abolished long back and the ' Horse Statue' near Gemini Fly over is to commemorate that occassion!!!

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: To help port users know in advance the area available for licence within the custom bound area, the Chennai Port Trust on Monday introduced GIS based Land Management System.

“The new Land Management System developed by National Informatics Centre along with Electronic Data Processing division of Chennai Port Trust would cover 270 hectares of custom bound area. It took nearly four months to develop the software,” Chennai Port Trust Chairman K. Suresh told The Hindu.

Since the new system covers the layout of the Port area with land and buildings, the user can find out details of a particular plot, whether it is vacant, occupied, to whom it is allotted, the details of the cargo, the duration and the payment status just by a click of the mouse.

Chennai Port Trust Chief Vigilance Officer B.S. Raghunathan said the allotment details could be seen firm-wise and area-wise.

“We can view the details on real-time basis from anywhere. To get a clearer picture, one has to zoom in on a particular area or product. Only the relevant portion will be made visible to the Port users and common man. This will help the traffic department to a great deal and would avoid overstaying of parcel.”

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/05/stories/2008110560790800.htm

Park to come up off Wall Tax Road

It will provide breathing space in Edapalayam near Central

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/8127/2008110560370401yi0.jpg
Chennai: A new park, set to come up off Wall Tax Road, will provide breathing space in the congested business locality of Edapalayam near Chennai Central station.

The Corporation will develop the park at the cost of Rs.19.7 lakh on four grounds (one ground is equal to 2,400 sq. ft.) of land.

The plot earlier housed a dilapidated school building, Corporation officials said. The school had not functioned for several years.

The new park will have a children’s play area equipped with seesaw, slides and merry-go-round rides.

A 10-foot-tall water fountain will be set up in the middle of the park.

Two walkways will be laid inside the park for those who want some brisk exercise. Seating, landscaping and lighting arrangements are also part of the plan.

The park would benefit residents of Mint, Sowcarpet, NSC Bose Road, Wall Tax Road and surrounding localities.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/05/stories/2008110560370400.htm

eZone launched

Staff Reporter

Chennai: The Future Group has launched eZone, an electronics and consumer durables speciality store in the city.

The store will have dedicated displays by numerous brands instead of multi-brand category-wise displays, a press release said. The 30,000 sq. ft. store is located at Gandhi Square, 46, Rajiv Gandhi Salai (formerly Old Mahabalipuram Road).

Equipped with LCD panelled walls, eight home theatre rooms and a kitchen section, the store is an outlet for both Indian and international consumer durable brands.

Computers, cameras, mobile phones, TVs, stereo systems, refrigerators, washing machines, microwave ovens, gaming consoles and play stations are available here. The store also has a customer service centre.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/05/stories/2008110558940200.htm

Slump effect: SEZ to turn hospital
Jayaraj Sivan | TNN

Chennai: The slowdown in the West is not just affecting tech firms here. It is also taking a toll on infrastructure creators for IT firms. In sync with the changing times, the ETA Star Property Developers, promoters of an integrated township — ETA Startech City — at Sriperumbudur, a project which included the setting up of an IT SEZ, has deferred the creation of the dedicated technology space. Instead, it would set up a hospital, ostensibly due to lack of appetite for IT space.
ETA had plans to set up an IT zone as part of the 17.5 million sq ft integrated township project worth Rs 3,750 crore. Ahmed Shakir, director of ETA Starcity, told TOI, “Since the market is highly volatile and the demand for IT space has fallen, we have decided to postpone the SEZ project. It will be taken up only when the market is conducive. Instead, we will construct a 200-bed hospital at the SEZ site. There is no change as regards the earlier plans to construct residential and commercial complexes. On account of the tightening in the financial market, we might slow down the pace. But there is no turning back from the project. More than 300 acres have been acquired so far with our own money.”
In ETA Startech City, ETA holds a 59.9% stake and the state’s investment arm, TIDCO, holds 0.1%. The rest was to be raised through foreign investments. The project was announced in May when the deal was signed in the presence of Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi. The SEZ, once operational in three years, was expected to employ 50,000 people. Among other things, the township was to have apartments, schools, hotels and serviced apartments.
ETA Star Property Developers is part of the Dubai-based $4-billion ETA Ascon Group. The shelving of the IT SEZ comes at a time when offtake of real estate space is decreasing as companies combat recession in the West.
Prices of second-hand apartments fall in city
If you thought buying an apartment in the city was a pipe dream, there’s some good news. The prices of second-hand apartments have fallen by 20% to 30% in many parts of the city. The primary reason for the fall in prices is the wait-and-watch policy being adopted by potential buyers. Over the last three years, no fresh housing has been created for the middle class even though there was a rash of construction activity in the city. P 2 Promoters of IT parks hit hard
Chennai: The promoters of IT parks in the city have been hit hard even after reducing the rental to Rs 15 per sq ft per month. The slowdown in the West has affected the construction industry badly.
A leading builder, who has promoted close to a dozen skyscrapers in the city, is in the process of laying off 100 employees. Apparently, he had invested heavily on land and is left with little liquidity to complete a 1,000-apartment project, which he had started recently.
Many builders, who had defaulted on repayment of loans, are also under pressure from financial institutions and banks. To keep afloat, they will have to evolve strategies to generate funds from the prospective buyers.
Builders in Chennai, as in many other cities, are also stuck with huge IT space that is lying idle. Chennai has roughly four million square feet readyto-use space in IT parks, which is lying vacant for more than six months. More than 50% of it is on the Old Mahabalipuram Road.
Another two million square feet of IT space is getting ready in the next six months.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOI&BaseHref=TOICH/2008/11/05&PageLabel=1&EntityId=Ar00101&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T

CHENNAI: Having established more than 35 per cent of the 5,440 Common Service Centres proposed in various parts of the State through private-public-partnership, the Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency plans to replicate the model in and around Chennai. As the first step, the agency has joined hands with the Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructural Financial Services Ltd (TNUIFSL) and the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department and has engaged ICRA to conduct a feasibility study. While the agency is in-charge of implementation, the TNUIFSL is the consultant and procurement agency.

Talking to The Hindu here, TNUIFSL Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer K. Phanindra Reddy said ICRA had submitted a draft report. The final report would be ready within a week.

“We just had a meeting to find out what type of services could be offered by the selected party and the requirements of the local bodies, as it will cover town panchayats, Municipal Corporation and City Corporation. Based on the final report, we will prepare the bid document,” he said. Mr. Reddy said officials of the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department agreed to accept the payment to the local bodies through common service centres and were ready to share their database through an operational web server.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/05/stories/2008110560931000.htm

Patch work will be taken up in a week, says official

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/05/images/2008110560360401.jpg
DUSTY RIDE: Driving on the Manali Ponneri High Road in Chennai has become unsafe and challenging in the face of flying dust.

CHENNAI: The craters on roads in the northern suburbs are becoming bigger by the day. The condition of important roads in the area, including Manali Express Highway, Tiruvottiyur High Road and Manali Ponneri High Road, has become worse after the recent rain.

With a pall of thick dust in the air, visibility on the Manali Ponneri High Road that leads from the MFL Kootu Road junction is poor even in daytime. According to National Highways Authority of India sources, a temporary contract has been awarded to maintain and strengthen the 9-km-long road. This is to make the road motorable until the proposed four-laning begins.

The condition of the 100 Feet Road connecting to the Inner Ring Road from MFL Kootu Road junction is also pathetic. V.Gopalakrishnan, an employee of a petro chemical major in the area, said with the Ennore port becoming operational, more containers and trucks were using the road.

“The road width is too narrow in places and parking is also haphazard. In case of an industrial accident, access would be very difficult,” he added.

A resident of Manali, M.Mahalingam said the state of the road from Andarkuppam to Ennore port was also very poor.

Though work on laying pipelines for the proposed desalination project had been completed, the road was still bumpy.

A resident of Theradi in Tiruvottiyur, V.Rajkumar, said “Some attempt at patching up has been made as far as the T.H.Road is concerned but instead of using tar, a mix of mud and big boulders has been used. This has put motorists to more hardship. The mud, which is dry now, flies as dust. The government has not taken steps to relay roads that are being used by heavy vehicles.”

A Highways Department official said that patch work using tar topping would be taken up in a week’s time. The road is being widened by the department.

The tar topping on interior roads in Kathivakkam, Tiruvottiyur and Manali too have been washed off after the rain. At Kathivakkam, the Municipality has sought Rs.50 lakh funds to lay roads in areas like Sivan Padai Kuppam, Kamaraj Nagar and Thalankuppam. The Tiruvottiyur Municipality has called for tenders totalling Rs.2.5 crore to lay roads.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/05/stories/2008110560360400.htm

CHENNAI: An Arthroscopy and Sports Injury Clinic at Government Royapettah Hospital (GRH) in the city was inaugurated on Monday. It is the third such government facility in the country and first in south India.

The Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi and King Edward Memorial Hospital in Mumbai are the other institutions having such a facility.

Inaugurating the clinic, to treat those with sports injuries, and a five-day awareness programme on sports injury and treatment, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, V.K.Subburaj, said physiotherapy equipment to facilitate quicker rehabilitation of the patients would be available at the clinic. The sports injury clinic would be in addition to the hospital’s orthopaedic clinic, where such patients were being treated now.

Sports surgery equipment ‘Shaver’ that would suck the shreds of the torn ligament and provide a clear view of the injury was also inaugurated by Mr.Subburaj. Noting that the clinic would offer cost-effective treatment, he said treatment of orthopaedic injuries cost a minimum of Rs.1 lakh in private institutions.

Pointing out that GRH treated cancer and diabetes patients and of late cases of acid poisoning he said there was a proposal to turn the hospital into a centre for non communicable diseases. About Rs.11 crore has been sanctioned recently towards the project.

G. Leonard Ponraj, medical officer in-charge of the Sports Injury Clinic said 150 patients have been treated over the past five years for sports injuries through arthroscopy. The minimally invasive surgery would have hamstring (tendon behind the knee) used to replace the torn ligament.

He appealed to the government to introduce a short-term training programme for physiotherapists in treating sports injuries at the YMCA College of Physical Education, Nandanam.

GRH superintendent K. Rajendran said specialists in sports medicine, sports physiotherapy and sports psychology would address the awareness programme being held in collaboration with the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu.

Principal Secretary, Sports and Youth Welfare R.Christodas Gandhi and Director of Medical Education S.Vinayagam participated.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/05/stories/2008110552860200.htm

Do we still have Horse Racing at Guindy? I thought it was abolished long back and the ' Horse Statue' near Gemini Fly over is to commemorate that occassion!!!

most definitely not :)

Railways plans 2 dedicated corridors for freight
BL cited Mr KC Jena chairman of the Railway Board as saying that Indian Railways is planning to develop two dedicated corridors for freight movement one between Mumbai and New Delhi and the other between Ludhiana and Kolkata and Japanese aid is likely for these projects.

Mr Jena on a 2day visit to Visakhapatnam addressed the media on Saturday after inspecting the facilities at the railway station here. He said that the Japanese aid for the two corridors may amount to USD 450 billion and the issue also figured in the discussions the Dr Manmohan Singh PM of India held with the Japanese leaders during his recent visit to that country.

He said that the Railways would take up many projects in future in the public private partnership mode presently a coach factory and loco shed were being planned. The Railways had a surplus of INR 25,000 crore last year and it could go up to INR 32,000 crore this fiscal.

He added that the Railways was on a sound footing and would continue to play a vital role in the development of the country. He further added that rail projects in Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam in particular would be taken up on a priority basis.

eZone launched

Staff Reporter

Chennai: The Future Group has launched eZone, an electronics and consumer durables speciality store in the city.

The store will have dedicated displays by numerous brands instead of multi-brand category-wise displays, a press release said. The 30,000 sq. ft. store is located at Gandhi Square, 46, Rajiv Gandhi Salai (formerly Old Mahabalipuram Road).

Equipped with LCD panelled walls, eight home theatre rooms and a kitchen section, the store is an outlet for both Indian and international consumer durable brands.

Computers, cameras, mobile phones, TVs, stereo systems, refrigerators, washing machines, microwave ovens, gaming consoles and play stations are available here. The store also has a customer service centre.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/05/stories/2008110558940200.htm

eZone, the electronics and consumer durables specialty store from the Future Group, has launched the new 'Mega eZone', which will feature dedicated displays by numerous brands, instead of the conventional multi-brand, category wise displays in electronic retail stores.

Major national, as well as international brands have come together to be a part of this over 30,000 sq feet store. This novel store, located at Gandhi Square no. 46, Old Mahabalipuram Road is amongst the largest consumer durables and electronics retailing stores in the country.

The new Mega eZone store displays a phenomenal range, including over 6000 products and 250 brands of leading Indian and international consumer durables & electronics manufacturers, all under one roof. The store enables consumers to experience electronics and consumer durables, through four dedicated zones - Liberation Zone, Experience Zone, Home Zone & Future Zone. The store has 8 home theaters rooms for the consumers to enable them to have the best movie watching experience.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Manoj Kumar, CEO - eZone and Electronics Bazaar said, "eZone is not only about showcasing electronics, consumer durables and gadgets of best of the brands, but about enabling the consumer to truly experience products, through touch & feel. This new 'Mega eZone' store takes that experience to the next level, for manufacturers as well as the customers."

Mr. Manoj also exuded confidence about the reception for the store in Chennai."We are confident that consumers in Chennai may not have experienced anything like this before."

http://www.chennaionline.com/cityfeature/Chennai/Nov08/11article87.aspx

biggest showcase event

CHENNAI: ‘AutoServe 2008,’ the automotive service sector’s second biggest showcase event, will begin at the Chennai Trade Centre on November 7.

The third edition of the Confederation of Indian Industry’s biennial event, that brings together stakeholders in the “after market service” sector of the automotive industry, will feature 75 exhibitors and is expected to attract 30,000 visitors, a 30 per cent increase in scale over the previous edition.

Seminars will run concurrently during the three-day event.

Business leaders from the U.K., Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will lend an international flavour to the show, R. Dinesh, chairman, ‘AutoServe 2008’ and Joint Managing Director, T. V. Sundaram Iyengar and Sons Ltd, told The Hindu.

‘Profitability through safety and maintenance’ is the theme of a seminar that will have participants from automotive care, maintenance, service, spare parts and garage equipment. Experts will highlight preventive maintenance, as opposed to repair, as a ‘profit concept.’

Organisers of ‘AutoServe,’ which is second in terms of scale only to the ‘Auto Expo’ in Delhi, plan to reach for the moon by scaling up the biennial event to the class of ‘Auto Mechanica’ in Germany when the fourth edition comes along in 2010.

Chennai, they point out, is a deserving host, as it is tagged as a regional hub of the automotive industry.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/06/stories/2008110650230200.htm

Police verification report to be sent through e-mail

EASY, QUICK PASSPORTS: S. R. Jangid, Chennai Suburban Police Commissioner, and Sumathi Ravichandran, Regional Passport Officer, explain the new system of verification of passport applicants on Wednesday.

CHENNAI: The Regional Passport Office and the Chennai Suburban Police Commissionerate have simplified the process of verification of people who have applied for passports, thereby reducing the time taken to despatch the travel document to the applicants.

Briefing reporters on Wednesday, Sumathi Ravichandran, Regional Passport Officer, and S. R. Jangid, Chennai Suburban Commissioner, said that from now on, the details of police verification would be sent through e-mail between the respective offices. At present, soon after the application forms are received, they are processed at the Regional Passport Office and sent to the Commissionerate in St. Thomas Mount. From there, the details and forms are given to Constables and Head Constables of the respective police stations.

These constables do the legwork, go to the address given by the applicant for verification and return the forms during the weekly meeting at the Commissionerate. Under the new system, the details would be forwarded online through e-mail in a software specially designed for the project.

“With the new system in place, we hope to reduce the time taken for issuing passports by about two weeks to a month,” Mr. Sumathi Ravichandran said. At present, the average time taken for despatching passports to the applicants was about two months and the verification process alone took a lot of time, she added.

Under the new system, people also had the option of converting their application into the Tatkal category once the verification is completed through e-mail, she said.

Mr. Jangid said the new system was put in place after it was tried for over two weeks and constables of Intelligence Section too were trained.

When the application forms arrive at the Commissionerate, the applicants’ photos are scanned and sent to the constables’ e-mail id along with the other details. Until the time all the police stations received broadband internet connections, the constables would visit browsing centres daily in the evening and send the details to the Commissionerate about the application forms they had processed, Mr. Jangid said.

...

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/06/stories/2008110658370500.htm

Domestic launch slated for January next; emphasis on vehicle weight reduction

Will launch a new model by 2011

Diesel version of i10 next year

CHENNAI: Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL) has rolled out from its Irrungattukottai plant the first batch of all new i20 cars, premiered at the Paris Motor Show last month. The maiden consignment, comprising 2,820 cars, has just been flagged off from the Chennai port for Europe.

i20 is considered a highly significant addition to the new generation of Hyundai vehicles identified by the ‘i’ prefix. It is designed at the company’s European design centre at Russelsheim, Germany, and is designed and engineered to meet the European tastes and needs. It is exclusively manufactured at the company’s Chennai facility.

HMIL makes i20 in three variants — 1.2 litre, 1.4 litre and 1.6 litre — in both petrol and diesel versions. The first export consignment comprises a good mixture of these.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, H. S. Leem, Managing Director, said HMIL could launch i20 in the domestic market in January next. He said HMIL initially was targeting to export 6,000 units of i20s by October. The global financial meltdown in its wake had seen some distributors cancel their orders and still others postpone their buys. This had forced HMIL to make lower initial shipment, he pointed out. Shipments would pick-up in the coming days in the wake of Christmas-eve orders, he said.

The company had fixed an export target of 1.20 lakh i20s next year.

He admitted that the global meltdown would hit 25 per cent of the company’s export sales. Mr. Leem also indicated that HMIL would launch a new model by 2011 that would be smaller than its Santro.
Diesel version

He indicated that HMIL could launch the diesel version of i10 next year. HMIL was giving more importance to cost saving and weight shedding.

In this context, he said a team of R&D people had come here to work on various aspects of controlling costs. The company had also introduced a novel reward programme (Rs. 100 per every one gram weight loss) for employees who came out with innovative solutions to reduce the weight of the vehicle.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/06/stories/2008110659831800.htm

Malar Hospitals, a leading city-based super speciality hospital, today achieved a unique feat when renowned Orthopaedic and Joint Replacement Specialist Surgeon, Dr Nandkumar Sundaram, performed a unique total hip replacement in dwarfism.

''The surgery is pathbreaking and offers hope to thousands of patients in the city and suburbs, who had to visit hospitals in other cities to get the rare surgery (done),'' Malar Hospitals Zonal Director Krish Ramesh said at a press conference here.

The surgery was done on a 31-year-old man, who had complaints of severe pain in both the hips.

He had difficulties in walking and was unable to sit erect in a chair or even cross-legged on the floor. He was just four feet tall, Dr Sundaram said, giving details of the surgery.

He said total hip replacement in dwarfs was very difficult as bones were very small in size, peculiar and deformed.In such patients, even regular implants could not be used.

Thanks to the surgery, the man could now walk and sit in a chair and squat comfortably without any complaint or pain, he added.

http://www.chennaivision.com/enews/2008/Nov/5/Unique-total-hip-replacement-in-Chennai-hospital.asp

Major sectors in the state such as real estate, automobile, power and telecom would generate direct and indirect employment opportunities
for over one lakh skilled and unskilled workers in three to five years from now, industry body, Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), said on Wednesday.

ASSOCHAM President Sajjan Jindal told reporters after a meeting of the Managing Committee of the body that companies had already promised to invest Rs 49,078 crore in Tamil Nadu over the next few years.

While real estate topped the investments with Rs 17,131 crore from major developers such as Rakindo and Mahindra World City, automotive investments touched Rs 3,510 crore, he said pointing out at Ford's plans for a small car production facility and an enegine manufacturing unit in Maraimalai Nagar near Chennai by three years and others.

The power sector saw private companies announcing investments to the tune of Rs.2,200 crore, he said.

On the current global meltdown, Jindal said ASSOCHAM was confident the country would be able to clock eight per cent growth rate since services and agriculture sectors contributed "greatly to the project growth rate".

Jindal expressed confidence that the Reserve Bank of India would further relax its monetary policy to ease the liquidity problem and expressed hope that rising inflation will come down in the next few months.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Jobs/1_lakh_skilled_jobs_to_be_generated_in_5_years/articleshow/3679053.cms

French auto major Renault today said it has shelved plans to enter Indian multi-utility vehicle segment in partnership with Mahindra & Mahindra, even as the two partners expect to finalise a marketing and distribution pact for the former's products in the country.

"We had a made a marketing study for a seven-seater vehicle. Unfortunately the response was not good, so we have shelved the project," Renault India Managing Director Sylvain Bilaine told reporters here.

Renault and M&M had planned to bring the seven-seater MPV through their JV under which the French company's mid- sized sedan 'Logan' is manufactured and sold in India.

The MPV was displayed at the Auto Expo held earlier this year here.

Bilaine said Renault has decided to go slow on bringing in light commercial vehicles to India.

"We are a prominent market player in Europe with our three products in LCV portfolio -- Kangoo, Trafic and Master. But these products are very different from Indian conditions," he said.

The company's plan was to look for "potential partner", but now the plans are at "ground level", he added.

At present Renault is working on finalising the marketing and distribution agreement with M&M for all vehicles of the French manufacturers in India.

"We are trying to finalise the distribution agreement with M&M in the coming months. This will be for every passenger car coming into India, both produced from Chennai facility and imported," Bilaine said.

He said the current network of 104 dealers, which sell 'Scorpio' and 'Logan', would be expanded to distribute Renault cars rolling out of Chennai plant from 2010.

http://business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=49048&tp=on

Just to understand, Is Chennai still the fourth largest metro in India in terms of population? I am asking this because Hyderabad including Greater Hyderabad is estimated to have a population of 8.6 Million where as Chennai including metro says it is only 7.5 Million.

^^

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_populous_metropolitan_areas_in_India

taramani link road ( a very important road linking velachery Hindu and SRP Tools) is being six laned and rebuilt at a cost of 20 crores. This road is currently an eyesore even though it is very important. Tender is available in TN gov website and also in today's hindu. Only problem is it is going to take 1.5 years for 3 KM!

the TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT really has to take advantage on the INTERNET..i still think its a new word to them..lolz..ex. THE CHENNAI AIRPORT, KOYAMBEDU BUS TERMINUS, AND SO MANY MORE.. for a go the Koyambedu Bus terminus which is the LARGEST IN ASIA can be used as an online hub to book tickets to various destinations that it provides buses to just like the railways.Is that really hard for the Goverment to think abt and what abt the Chennai Airport..they dnt even have a website nor even a BRANDING. if they want to promote anything they need to brand it. I think I've talked abt it b4 bt I need its an immediate thing to by the Government.

K. Manikandan

Senior MTC official said that the corporation was waiting for formal inauguration

READY FOR USE: The Ullagaram - Puzhuthivakkam Municipality bus terminus awaits users.

TAMBARAM: Elected representatives of the Ullagaram Puzhuthivakkam Municipality have appealed to the State government and the Metropolitan Transport Corporation to ensure that MTC buses use the terminus in the local body limits.

Improvement works at the Ullagaram Puzhuthivakkam Municipality’s terminus were carried out at a cost of Rs.30 lakh utilising the local body’s general funds.

Councillors said that it was not just improvement works, but creation of almost new facilities such as compound wall, parking bays, shelters for commuters and shops. The road was laid with proper bitumen-topped surface.

The objective was to improve comfort levels of passengers and the crew of the MTC buses at the site, which has for long been used as a terminus without amenities.

J.K. Manikandan, vice-chairman of the municipality, said that the work was completed about six months ago. At every stage of construction, it was inspected and the progress reviewed by senior officials of the Department of Municipal Administration and Water Supply.

Following complaints that the facility was not inaugurated even after completion of the work, local body officials and elected representatives were asked by the department to dedicate the facility and it was opened in August by municipal chairman P.A. Jayachandran.

But, MTC buses were still not using the facility. Instead, they stop about a km away near the construction site of the Southern Sector of the Mass Rapid Transit System.

“Buses from Puzhuthivakkam to T. Nagar (Route No. M 51P) are parked in the Alandur municipal limits. This is not only unfair but also poses hardship to commuters and residents of Ullagaram and Puzhuthivakkam,” Mr. Manikandan said.

Earlier, buses originated from here to Parry’s Corner, T. Nagar and Saidapet, in addition to some services passing through the town on their way to Kolathur and Tambaram. At a recent meeting of the municipal council, councillors adopted a resolution unanimously urging the government agencies, particularly the MTC, to ensure that the buses made use of the facility.

When contacted, a senior official at the MTC headquarters said that the corporation was waiting for the formal inauguration of the terminus for the buses to use it.

Mr. Manikandan said that if they did not receive a positive response from government agencies, they would be left with no other option than mobilising public support to stage a protest in support of the demand.

Residents of the municipality said that they were forced to wait for the buses in the open.

The MTC crew, who claimed that they had specific instruction against using the facility till its formal inauguration, admitted that they, too, wanted to use the terminus as it would be convenient for them as well as the public.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/07/stories/2008110760210500.htm

CHENNAI: Chennai Metrowater will organise open house meetings at its area offices and urbanised area office between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday.

A press release said that consumers may voice their grievances about water supply and sewage removal to the officials concerned at the meetings. They can also clarify their doubts regarding water, sewerage tax and water charges.

The area offices are Kodungaiyur and Tondiarpet - I, Royapuram and Washermenpet - II, Perambur and Vyasarpadi - III, Kilpauk and Ayanavaram - IV, Anna Nagar and Mogappair - V, Chepauk and Triplicane - VI, Chetpet and Nungambakkam - VII, T. Nagar and Kodambakkam - VIII, Saidapet and Kotturpuram - IX, Alwarpet and Mylapore - XA and Adyar, Thiruvanmiyur, Velachery-XB.

The adjacent urbanised area office is on T.S.Krishna Nagar Main Road, Mogappair. The superintending engineers would visit the area offices in their jurisdiction during the meetings.

At the meetings held last month, 109 complaints pertaining to sewage disposal and water supply were received. Of this, 90 have been rectified and works are on to solve the remaining 19, an official release said.


http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/07/stories/2008110760120400.htm

Owing to regular power cuts, constables are on their toes at key intersections

Free for all: With no power supply for the traffic signals and in the absence of a traffic policeman, motorists find it difficult to negotiate important junctions.

CHENNAI: It is back to manual signal at important traffic junctions as scheduled power cuts have become the order of the day.

A traffic constable on Kamarajar Salai said during rush hour it was really difficult to manually control the traffic. “With traffic signals around, a lot of constables have got used to monitoring the traffic by standing in one corner of the road. Now that’s not possible,” he said. He added that with the increase in the number of vehicles, managing the traffic was a big challenge.

Major traffic intersections such as those on E.V.R.Salai, Sardar Patel Road, Poonamallee High Road and Saidapet are facing regular power cuts which are keeping the traffic constables on their toes.

But it is not the case everywhere as at the G.N.Chetty Road junction, near the Anna Flyover, on Thursday afternoon neither the traffic signal worked nor a constable was available to oversee the junction. The situation caused considerable confusion among motorists. K.Sharath who was trying to take a right turn at the junction to go to Nungambakkam said with people turning as they pleased, the traffic coming straight down had a lot of problem.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Sunil Kumar told The Hindu “the new traffic signals being installed in the city would come with an inverter and have sufficient power back-up,” he said.
Cable fault

However, at the Music Academy signal it is not power cut but a cable fault that has kept the signal from working for over four months. Now, two traffic constables are engaged to handle the situation here. A traffic police officer attached to the Royapettah police station said when road widening work was taken up by the Corporation, the cables were removed. He added that the problem would be set right in a week.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/07/stories/2008110758740200.htm

Cypress Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE:CY) and Anna University Chennai, India today announced an agreement to set up a joint PSoC® programmable system-on-chip laboratory in the Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering, College of Engineering Guindy Campus. The PSoC lab will be a platform for providing technical training, development of intellectual property and embedded systems in the vibrant and growing embedded system design community at Anna University Chennai.

As part of the agreement, Cypress will provide hands-on training to the faculty and students of Anna University Chennai, in addition to free hardware kits and software tools valued at over $200,000 USD. Anna University Chennai will provide the facilities for the laboratory.

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/template.NDM/news/more/?javax.portlet.tpst=0b2c9a4dd5f89b80977dd367cc87b42f_ws_MX&javax.portlet.prp_0b2c9a4dd5f89b80977dd367cc87b42f_viewID=news_view_popup&javax.portlet.prp_0b2c9a4dd5f89b80977dd367cc87b42f_newsLang=en&javax.portlet.prp_0b2c9a4dd5f89b80977dd367cc87b42f_ndmHsc=v2*A1223463600000*B1226062991000*DgroupByDate*J2*L1*N1000837*Zchennai&javax.portlet.prp_0b2c9a4dd5f89b80977dd367cc87b42f_newsId=20081106006245&beanID=202776713&viewID=news_view_popup&javax.portlet.begCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken&javax.portlet.endCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken

^^

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_populous_metropolitan_areas_in_India

My doubt came after looking at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyderabad_(India)

Wikipedia has different mumbers in different pages, just would like to know which one is the closest

:In order to create awareness amongst physicians about the advancements in the pharmacological and implantable device therapies in cardiology, a programme,titled Chennai Heart Rhythm Summit,would be held on 8th - 7th Nov 2008 at Taj connemara.The prime objective and focus of the programme will be on three major heart conditions-Sick Sinus Syndrome,sudden cardiac Arrest and Heart Failure.More than 200 physicians from Tamil Nadu have been invited to attend this Summit.

http://www.chennaivision.com/enews/2008/Nov/6/Chennai-Heart-Rhythm-Summit.asp

^^

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_populous_metropolitan_areas_in_India

This article, I think has some missings. For example Salem, the fifth largest city in TN does not find a place.

After making its mark in Kerala and Coimbatore, the Laser Skin Care Home, offering state-of-the-art treatment, opened its first centre in this metropolis.

The centre was opened at a function here last evening. It offers various types of treatment, including body contouring, skin rejuvenation, hair removal, tattoo removal and birth mark removal using US-FDA approved laser machines. 'For the first time,' the Centre was introducing "Pulsed dye laser" (USA-Candela) for the treatment of red birth marks, vascular lesions, acne scars, rejuvenation, Keloids, stretch marks, post traumatic scars, "Q switched ND-Yag Laser" (USA) for treatment of black birth marks, pigmentation and tattoo removal, "Diode laser (US) and ND-Yag (long pulsed)" (Italy) laser combo-for unwanted hair removal, "Thermage (USA)", the latest radiofrequency body contouring and skin tightening treatment. The clinic, headed by Dr C P Thajudheen, a dermatologist and expert in laser treatment, would also perform surgical procedures for hair grafting (for baldness) and pimples scar removal. He said all procedures would be undertaken by qualified physicians after proper counselling. ''Our aim is to provide world class treatment at affordable cost in a good ambience,'' he added.

http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20081107/1098178.html

Owing to regular power cuts, constables are on their toes at key intersections

Free for all: With no power supply for the traffic signals and in the absence of a traffic policeman, motorists find it difficult to negotiate important junctions.

CHENNAI: It is back to manual signal at important traffic junctions as scheduled power cuts have become the order of the day.

A traffic constable on Kamarajar Salai said during rush hour it was really difficult to manually control the traffic. “With traffic signals around, a lot of constables have got used to monitoring the traffic by standing in one corner of the road. Now that’s not possible,” he said. He added that with the increase in the number of vehicles, managing the traffic was a big challenge.

Major traffic intersections such as those on E.V.R.Salai, Sardar Patel Road, Poonamallee High Road and Saidapet are facing regular power cuts which are keeping the traffic constables on their toes.

But it is not the case everywhere as at the G.N.Chetty Road junction, near the Anna Flyover, on Thursday afternoon neither the traffic signal worked nor a constable was available to oversee the junction. The situation caused considerable confusion among motorists. K.Sharath who was trying to take a right turn at the junction to go to Nungambakkam said with people turning as they pleased, the traffic coming straight down had a lot of problem.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Sunil Kumar told The Hindu “the new traffic signals being installed in the city would come with an inverter and have sufficient power back-up,” he said.
Cable fault

However, at the Music Academy signal it is not power cut but a cable fault that has kept the signal from working for over four months. Now, two traffic constables are engaged to handle the situation here. A traffic police officer attached to the Royapettah police station said when road widening work was taken up by the Corporation, the cables were removed. He added that the problem would be set right in a week.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/07/stories/2008110758740200.htm
No sooner the news Paper "THE HINDU" highlights the problem the officials come up with ready answers.Whether the problem is sorted out is not known.Why not the responsible depts fix up the problems much before it is carried out in a news paper?The positive replies given by the concerned officials is only to please the readers.Nothing actually happens at the ground level.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/08/images/2008110852360101.jpg

CHENNAI: Taking its proposal to identify additional sources of water for the city and its suburbs forward, Chennai Metrowater will set in motion the process of commissioning a detailed project report by this month-end.

The terms and regulations for preparation of the DPR, at a cost of Rs.2 crore, were approved recently by the Metrowater Management Committee. Necessitating the need for additional sources is the projected three-fold increase in the demand for water in Chennai in the next 15 years.

The consultancy firm to be selected through a competitive bidding process would be required to identify a reliable and sustainable water source that would yield at least 15 thousand million cubic feet (tmc) in a year. Besides identifying the location and the cost of bringing the water to the city, the consultancy would have to identify the route to be taken by the pipeline.

Metrowater proposes to move the water through pipeline by gravity and not resort to pumping.

A techno-economic feasibility study, forming part of the DPR, would have to survey the possibility and the means of conveying water to the city from distant sources in three phases, the official said.

At least 5 tmc of water would have to be transmitted during the initial years of the project implementation.

On selection, the consultancy should submit the DPR in 15 months.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/08/stories/2008110852360100.htm

For the convenience of Sholinganallur and Semmanchery residents, a direct bus service to Semmanchery will be operated from Guindy every 20 minutes from Saturday onwards, a release said. This would help commuters avoid a change over at S.R.P. Tools and Adyar.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/08/stories/2008110859520300.htm

Rs.542 crore will be allocated for cleaning, dredging: Baalu :banana:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dredging up to a depth of two metres to be taken up

It will facilitate transportation of firewood, salt in barges
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CHENNAI: The Buckingham Canal will be declared a national waterway shortly, according to T.R. Baalu, Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways.

Speaking to reporters here on Saturday after inaugurating various facilities, including a conference hall, medical records unit, physiotherapy centre and canteen at the Chennai Port Diabetic Speciality Centre, Mr. Baalu said his Ministry would allocate Rs.542 crore for taking cleaning and dredging the 1079-km canal. Dredging up to a depth of two metres would be taken up to facilitate transportation of firewood and salt in barges. This would help in reducing congestion on roads.

In the past three years, the Chennai Port Trust has recorded an impressive growth on various fronts. It registered export growth of 35.1 per cent and import growth of 37.7 per cent. The port handled 532 million tonnes of goods during 2007-08 as against 385 million tonnes in 2003-04. Trade traffic touched 1019 million tonnes in 2007-08 compared to 345 million tonnes in 2003-04. Container traffic also recorded a growth, Mr. Baalu said.

A conference hall to accommodate 15,000 people would be constructed at the National Maritime Academy coming up at Chemmanchery.

K. Anbazhagan, Finance Minister; Rajeev Gupta, Joint Secretary (Shipping); C. Kuppusami and A. Krishnaswamy, Members of Parliament; and L. Balaraman, Trustee, Chennai Port Trust, were among those who participated.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/09/stories/2008110954930400.htm

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/09/stories/2008110959100300.htm

Steps will be taken to plug 4,110 points in the city from where raw sewage was being let into the stormwater drain network, said Sunil Paliwal, Managing Director of the Chennai Metrowater.

Speaking at a citizens’ consultation on Chennai City Development Plan (CDP) here on Saturday, he said that joint teams of the Metrowater and the Chennai Corporation identified these points recently.

A proposal at an estimated cost of Rs.22 crore had been chalked out to augment sewage pipeline capacity in places where the Board was connecting sewage into the stormwater drain network. Such connections, he said, were being resorted to in locations where manholes had collapsed or in view of a repair work.

Mr. Paliwal said that under an agreement with the SIPCOT, it had been decided to recycle and reuse 120 million litres per day of sewage from Koyambedu and Nesapakkam. This water would be supplied to industrial units in Sriperumbudur. The project would be taken up in phases.

He said that 1,881 water-intensive buildings, including hotels, hospitals, marriage halls and slaughter houses, had been identified and directed to build diaphragm chambers. Of these, only 400 had constructed such chambers. Mr. Paliwal cited the case of a popular marriage hall in the heart of the city, which refused to construct a chamber despite the disconnection of sewer line.

Mr. Paliwal said that the Metrowater was undertaking improvement works on both sewer and water networks. He said that 90 km of faulty PVC waterlines would soon be replaced.

Addressing concerns over brine solution from the Minjur desalination plant to be discharged into the sea, he said experts had been consulted and there would be no harm to marine life.

Citizens groups at the consultation held discussions on topics, including improvement to road and rail systems, rehabilitation of waterways and water bodies, environment protection, solid waste management, sewerage infrastructure, coastal area development and urban basic services in north Chennai.

Balakrishnan Elangovan, Consultant – India, Cities Development Initiative for Asia (CDIA) programme, said that the Chennai Corporation had requested a consultation on the CDP. Similar consultations would be held in central and south Chennai.

The CDIA is supported by the GTZ (German Technical Cooperation), a funding agency and the Asian Development Bank. It was established to assist Asian cities bridge the planning-infrastructure investment gap.

Speaking about the issues in the area, North Chennai People Rights Federation’s A.T.B. Bose said that residents of north Chennai received only 16 litres water per capita a day as against the requirement of 150 litres . The area lacked proper sanitation facilities, parks and playgrounds. The Buckingham Canal was polluted with industrial waste and there was a need to desilt it, he said.

Another representative of the Federation Ernest Paul said that a good transportation system with more buses and the Metro Rail was a long-felt need of north Chennai.

He said that removal of encroachments on several roads, including Ilaya Thirumal Road, would help to decongest the area.

Chennai Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni and SUSTAIN Managing Trustee G. Devasahayam, director Anand R. Doss and trustee G. Dattatri participated in the programme.

Chennai Corporation is to be divided into three for better administration..

Will it work for better...

News Releases - Sun News....Tamilmurasu dt 09.11.2008

Driving licences and vehicle registration
certificates will soon become a thing of the past. The transport department has prepared two
smart cards — one for driving licence and another for vehicle registration.

The Rs 10.5 crore-scheme that will come into operation initially at three regional transport offices (RTOs) — Thiruvanmiyur (Chennai), Cuddalore and Sivaganga — will be inaugurated by chief minister M Karunanidhi in his chambers at the secretariat on Monday.

The new driving licence will have a microchip embedded to store electronic data which can be read with the help of a scanner.

The microchip can be updated with details of the licencee, including change of address, renewal, suspension and action taken against the vehicle-user for traffic violations. Similarly, the registration certificate (RC) will contain details of ownership and payment of road tax. It can be updated with details of transfer of ownership if any.

“The preparation of the smart cards, awarded to a private agency last month, is complete,” said a senior transport department official.

All new licences and vehicle registration certificates will soon be in the form of smart cards at the three RTOs. Those with licences and RCs issued earlier will, however, not be asked to get them converted into smart cards, the official said. If they are willing, they can do so.

“Our idea now is to bring all the documents connected with driving licence and vehicle in two small cards. The microchip will have 16kb memory and can store a number of documents. As of now, we get very little information from a driving licence or a registration certificate. In case of any doubts, we are to contact the RTO office concerned,” said another official.

“The smart card system will enhance the efficiency of traffic regulatory activities of both transport and police departments. It will be equally useful for vehicle users also as they need not carry all the documents with them while driving.”

The department awaits to know the operational difficulties and response from the people for the new initiative to expand it to other regional transport offices in the state.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Chennai/Smart_cards_to_replace_driving_licences/articleshow/3693473.cms

The state government has set up a modern control room at the state traffic planning cell (STPC) office on Kamarajar Salai to monitor the
122 GPS-enabled police patrol vehicles deployed along the national highways across the state.

“The new system will help the police patrol vehicles to reach the accident spot within two minutes of the incident. The movement of patrol vehicles will be monitored round the clock from the STPC office. Our main aim is to reduce the deaths due to road accidents,” state transport minister KN Nehru told The Times Of India. He was talking to mediapersons after attending a review meeting to gauge the effectiveness of its initiatives to reduce the number of accidents in the state.

He said the road safety policy of the government had laid out broad principles along with programmes for traffic improvement. A state level monitoring committee will be formed to implement the policy. To instill greater seriousness, deterrent penal action has been introduced for traffic-related offences. First offence results in suspension of driving licence and any subsequent offence would result in cancellation of licence, minister said.

“We have introduced a new system called MARS (monitoring and response system), which will work through a GPS-GIS system fitted on the highway police patrol vehicles. Incidents of robbery and road accidents can be monitored through the central monitoring unit and immediately send the patrol cars for help.STPC can be contacted at 2844 4444. MARS will also study the accident prone areas in the state and take necessary steps to reduce road accidents,” KN Nehru said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Chennai/Control_room_set_up_to_monitor_GPS-enabled_patrol_vehicles/articleshow/3690808.cms

Nice Pics...

Chennai: Two arterial roads in the city — Anna Salai and Periyar EVR Salai — will be handed over to private parties by the Tamil Nadu Road Infrastructure Development Corporation (TNRIDC) for beautification and maintenance.
The TNRIDC, a government enterprise, has invited bids from private institutions, including information technology (IT) companies, for beautification and maintenance of the two roads by way of repairs and renovation under one package on an “as is where is basis.”
An official of the TNRIDC said that the company which would eventually be selected for the job, “will be allowed to display own logo panels in areas to be specified by the TNRIDC in bridges, centre medians, foot paths, subways, on the external and internal walls at approved locations along these stretches.”
The stretches along Anna Salai that will be beautified include Muthusamy Bridge to Pallavan Salai, Thousand Lights to Safire, Anna Flyover to Anna Arivalayam, CIT Nagar Junction to Marmalong Bridge, Marmalong Bridge to Halda Junction, and Halda Junction to Guindy Bridge, the official said.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOI&BaseHref=TOICH/2008/11/10&PageLabel=3&EntityId=Ar00302&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T

CHENNAI: The third edition of Auto Serve 2008, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), ended on a high note, generating business enquiries worth Rs. 89 crore.

More than 75 companies took part in the India’s biennial exhibition on automotive care, maintenance, service, components, spare parts and garage equipment.

In the past three days, the fair attracted more than 11,000 business and trade visitors and saw the launch of 48 products.

In a statement, R. Dinesh, event chairman, Auto Serve 2008, and Managing Director, TVS Logistics Services, said: “The exhibition has generated much interest among the industry players, and most of them have used the opportunity to launch new products and meet potential customers.”

Many exhibitors said they were confident of improving their business through newly identified partners.

Delegations of the State Transport Corporations, the Truck Operators’ Associations and the Lorry Owners’ Associations visited the fair to learn about the new trends in the automotive aftermarket and servicing and to source genuine components, spare parts and accessories.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/10/stories/2008111060190500.htm

1.24 lakh new vehicles in six months add to road congestion
Jeeva | TNN

Chennai: If you thought Chennai’s roads are becoming more congested, here are the figures to prove it: In just six months — from April to September this year — 1.24 lakh new vehicles were registered in RTOs across the city, taking the total vehicle population in the city to 27.72 lakh.
A total of 1.13 lakh new non-transport vehicles and 11,000 transport vehicles were registered in the regional transport offices (RTOs) at Ayanavaram, Vyasarpadi, Puliyanthope, Tondiarpet, K K Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Valasaravakkam, Anna Nagar and Alandur in the city during the first half of this financial year.
Two-wheelers top the list in the number of new vehicle registrations. According to official records, 90,000 of the new vehicles registered between April and September this year are twowheelers, while 23,000 are cars.
The records reveal that an average of 15,000 new two-wheelers and 4,000 cars drive onto the city’s roads every month — which works out to an average of 700 new vehicles (500 two-wheelers and 130 cars) every day.
While July 2008 saw the registration of 23,000 new vehicles, the highest during the six-month period, August had the lowest registration of 17,000 new vehicles.
As of October 1 this year, the city has 26.13 lakh non-transport vehicles, of which two-wheelers account for 21.2 lakh and cars 4.5 lakh. There are 1.60 lakh transport vehicles in the city, including 52,000 autorickshaws, 30,000 lorries, 3,300 MTC buses, 2,000 school buses and 1,150 ambulances.
“The numbers show that we will see more new vehicles on the roads this year as compared to 2007-08. Last year, there were 1.87 lakh non-transport vehicles and 22,000 transport vehicles registered in the city, excluding the Alandur RTO office,” said a regional transport officer. “Usually, vehicle registration is lower during the Tamil months of Margazhi and Aadi, as most people believe it is inauspicious to buy new things during these months,” he said.
At present, the total vehicle population of Tamil Nadu is 1.06 crore, including 87 lakh two-wheelers and nine lakh cars. The state saw 5.25 lakh new vehicles added to its roads from April to September 2008, including 51,000 transport vehicles, 4.1 lakh two-wheelers and 52,000 cars.
While TN ranks second for overall vehicle population in the country, it has the highest number of two-wheelers among all states. Chennai city alone accounts for one-fourth of the total number of vehicles in the state.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOI&BaseHref=TOICH/2008/11/11&PageLabel=3&EntityId=Ar00301&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T

New street lights in Ekkaduthangal
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: City Mayor M Subramanian on Monday inaugurated 72 street lights, put up at a cost of Rs 23.29 lakh, in Ekkaduthangal. As many as 30 lights illuminated Gandhi Nagar Main Road while 42 lights were installed on Kathipara Salai. In all, 1,912 lights were inaugurated in Saidapet during last year and 967 lights in the current fiscal.
According to Mayor M Subramanian, the DMK-led council had executed works worth Rs 16.32 crore in the electricity wing. As many as 11,862 new lamp posts were installed, 7,503 rusted lamp posts and 629 km of cables replaced, 1,346 automatic switches were fixed, 26 high mast lamps installed, solar- powered lamps introduced in slums. About 20,100 new lights were inaugurated during M K Stalin’s tenure in the Ripon Buildings and 52,000 lights tube lights in the city were replaced by high power sodium vapour lamps during his period, Subramanian said.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOI&BaseHref=TOICH/2008/11/11&PageLabel=3&EntityId=Ar00307&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T

Work on Assembly complex puts Rajaji Hall in danger
Experts Concerned Over Fate Of The 200-Year-Old Building
Ajitha Karthikeyan | TNN

Chennai: The sprawling Omandurar government estate in Chepauk, where the new Rs 425-crore Assembly complex is coming up, is buzzing with activity.
But as huge piles are being driven into the ground up to a depth of 20 metres, they are not only generating vibrations under the earth but also sending shock waves to conservationists who are concerned about the safety of the more than two-century-old Rajaji Hall, called banqueting hall in colonial times, located in the vicinity.
With the state government awarding the contract to East Coast Constructions & Industries (ECCI) last month to construct the ultra-modern Assembly complex, the laying of pile foundation has commenced in full swing.
When PWD officials pulled down the Admiralty House, another heritage building located on the campus, to give way for the Assembly complex, it drew strident criticism and condemnation from various quarters and also raised doubts over the fate of Rajaji Hall.
Quick to assuage the feelings of heritage lovers, the government then clarified that the stately structure would remain untouched. However, experts fear that the ongoing work of driven pile foundation, as close as 20 feet to the 19th century structure at some points, might have an adverse impact on it.
Rajaji Hall boasts of a rich history as it was raised by the colonial rulers who wanted to have a separate banquet hall for their ceremonies and entertainment. A Danish engineer, John Goldingham, built the hall in 1802 at the initiative of Edward Clive, the son of Robert Clive.
Official sources said they would create a seven-foot-deep trench between the project site and Rajaji Hall to prevent the vibrations reaching the heritage building, but experts fear it is not enough.
V K Stalin of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering department, Anna University, said driven pile was ideal only in remote areas where there were no structures nearby. “When a single pile of 1m diameter is driven in, it creates an impact for a distance of about three times of the diameter provided the soil is medium dense nature. If the foundations have groups of piles, the impact will be much higher,” he said.
Taking into consideration the adjacent structures, one should ideally go for bored piles, but driven piles are preferred as they are not only time-saving but also have higher load-bearing capacity, Stalin added.
P T Krishnan, a conservationist, said Rajaji Hall was an important heritage building and the government should take abundant precautions to preserve the structure. Cautioning that the vibrations might spread even below the seven-foot trench, he expressed apprehensions that the damage caused to the heritage structure might not show now, but might surface later.
“Laying of driven piles is not a good thing and it is sensible to go for bored piling as it is less harmful to the adjacent structures,” he added.
The Madras high court had also issued guidelines with regard to resorting to driven piles within the city limits, Krishnan pointed out.
Prakash Challa, president, TN chapter of Confederation of Real Estate Development Association of India, said there was no cause for worry as the current technology was good enough to protect the adjacent structures. By creating a buffer to absorb the vibrations, any impact on other buildings could be prevented, he added.
“At the same time, the situation is little dicey as piles are being driven in very close to Rajai Hall. It is a time-tested building and nobody knows how it will react,” he said.
STEPS TAKEN TO SAVE HERITAGE
Under fire for the reported negligence of heritage buildings, the state government appointed an inter-disciplinary committee headed by state planning commission vice-chairman M Naganathan. It is working on a draft bill to preserve all heritage buildings in the state
The committee has taken inputs from other states and foreign countries on how to preserve heritage buildings
The committee is drawing up a list of 100-year-old heritage buildings with historical, social and cultural significance
There are more than 200 such heritage structures in Chennai, of which, 70% are in government control
The CMDA is planning to categorise heritage buildings into structures of historical and national importance, of regional importance but having historical and cultural values and buildings of architectural interest

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOI&BaseHref=TOICH/2008/11/11&PageLabel=5&EntityId=Ar00500&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T

Chennai In World's Best 10 commutes :)

http://www.financialpost.com/news/story.html?id=947533

Sri Ramachandra University (SRU) on Monday signed an MoU with Kyushu Dental College, Japan for providing collaboration on research and
exchange of scholars and faculty.

The agreement was signed by Prof. S Rangaswami, Vice Chancellor, SRU and Prof. Ryuji Hosokawa, Head of Department of Prosthodonties of Kyushu Dental College, according to a SRU release here.

Prof Hosokawa said currently his department was conducting research in Oral Hygiene and Index Profile, Bone Biology and computed Guided Surgery, among others, in which the students and research scholars from SRU can participate.

Prof. P Thyagarajan, Director Chief Advisor Research, SRU said the MoU would help in launching joint research projects in vital areas.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Chennai/Chennai_varsity_signs_MoU_with_Japanese_Dental_College/articleshow/3696604.cms

City-based online education company Everonn Systems India Ltd is planning a franchisee model for accelerated growth of its retail segment, a top official said.

'We are in favour of going light on assets. Franchising out is a model which would enable the business to grow faster,' Everonn managing director P. Kishore told IANS.

The major clients of the Rs.928-million Everonn are schools, colleges and retail stores. The company supplies necessary hardware to schools and colleges and also offers various courses - curriculum and non curriculum-based - for students.

Everonn has also set up retail centres where it offers different software courses and certificate courses like the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Kishore said evaluations were already on to find the pros and cons of the franchisee model.

According to him, out the 29 retail centres of the company, only two are franchisee-owned.

'We hope to have 25 franchisees next fiscal and increase the numbers thereafter,' he added.

With over 4,400 state government schools under its fold, Everonn is a major player in this segment.

'There are around 800,000 government schools and 300,000 private schools in India and less than 15 percent of them have the necessary computer infrastructure. It will take a long time to equip all the schools with computers,' Kishore said.

Nearly 35 percent of the company's turnover comes from state government schools. 'When it comes to margins, private schools, colleges and retail centres are better,' he said.

He added that Everonn will start targeting polytechnic colleges to expand its reach in the country's educational institution segment.

http://www.indiaenews.com/business/20081111/157204.htm

CHENNAI: The first phase of the IIT Research Park is almost complete and the park, based on other successful research parks such as Stanford and MIT, will be inaugurated this year, said M S Ananth, the director of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras.

He was delivering the RCIS Annual Lecture on “Innovation in the era of Globalisation” organised by the Ranganathan Centre for Information Studies and MOP Vaishnav College for Women on Monday.

He said that the primary aim for establishing the research park was to encourage companies with a research focus to set up a base and collaborate with Indian Institute of Technology, Madras thus initiating a symbiotic relationship between industry and the academia.

“The park to be built on 12- acre land just outside the IIT campus provided by the State Government will give incubatory stimulus to various companies to come up with worldclass solutions to vexatious issues,” he added.

Elaborating on the two types of innovations - ‘Magic Garden’ and ‘Idea Factory’, Ananth said that while the former dealt with bringing able minds together and providing a conducive atmosphere for them to come up with bright solutions, the latter involved bringing together unlike minds and providing opportunities for constructive interaction.

With India soon to become the third largest economy in the world, Ananth noted that innovation and entrepreneurship were central to economic growth. “National programs for entrepreneurships are aplenty in the country but they have not been publicised well to evince interest among the public.” Dr M Anandakrishnan, Chairman, IIT, Kanpur was also present.

http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=IIT+Research+Park+this+year+nearing+completion&artid=6gDa5rwstms=&SectionID=lifojHIWDUU=&MainSectionID=lifojHIWDUU=&SEO=IIT,+Research,+Park,+Stanford+,+MIT,Ranganathan,+C&SectionName=rSY|6QYp3kQ=

Concrete ripped apart as a result of bursting crackers on the railings of the pedestrian pathway above Egmore down-bridge

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/381/11novbridgeua7.jpg

Some of the foot and rail over bridges across the city are in a dilapidated condition and pose a serious threat to pedestrians and motorists using them.

The foot overbridge at Fort Station, near the Chennai Central station and Broadway serves as an exit and entry point to the station and the different platforms from the busy Muthuswamy Road. The concrete structure here is eroded, exposing the iron reinforcements.

“The overbridges link the platforms to the main road. Pieces of concrete are already falling off on the road. Chances are that the concrete slabs would fall on some vehicle or pedestrian,” said Shyam Sundar, an advocate with the Madras High Court.

The foot overbridge at Beach Station is yet another proof of railway lethargy. Here, the staircase is shabby and worn out. “An estimated 50,000 people use the over bridge during peak hours,” he said.

The rail overbridges too are in a rundown condition. In Vyasarpadi, the steel structure holding the track is rusted and the concrete on the walls have started to come off.

The railing of the pedestrian pathway adjacent to the track above the subway in Egmore came apart as a result of bursting crackers on it.

“People residing here tore apart the concrete as part of Deepavali celebrations,” said Kiran, a local boy.

Shrubs and trees are growing over the structure. “This could eventually create cracks on the concrete wall. This itself is an indication of the poor maintenance of the infrastructure,” said Malika Sriram, a civil engineer.

A single goods train weighs about 3,600 tonnes and has 42-48 rakes and an express train with 22 compartments weighs 2,200 to 2,600 tonnes.

“The track has to sustain the frequent movement of several such trains. Therefore, frequent monitoring of the structures are of utmost importance,” he said.

He had filed an application under the Right to Information Act with Southern Railway seeking information on the stability of the structure.

The application was filed on August 28. While other queries on laying of new lines were answered on September 9, the railways ignored the core question relating to stability and safety.

In his application, Shyam Sundar asked about the stability and safety of the subway near Reserve Bank and the subway in Egmore, on Nelson Manikkam Road, Madley Road, T Nagar Duraiswamy Road, Aranganathan in Saidapet, Perambur and Vysarpadi.

When contacted for more information, Southern Railway officials told to this website's newspaper that the officials concerned were out of station and, hence, the details could only be provided later.

http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Crumbling+Overbridges+a+threat&artid=|KNtlk6c79E=&SectionID=lifojHIWDUU=&MainSectionID=wIcBMLGbUJI=&SectionName=rSY|6QYp3kQ=&SEO=

About 1500 delegates from across the world are expected to take part in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), 2009 to be held in Chennai from January 7-9, 2009. The 7th Indian Diaspora convention is being organised by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in partnership with the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the PBD Convention on 8th January, 2009. The President Mrs. Prathibha Devisingh Patil will deliver the valedictory address on 9th January. She would also confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards for 2009. Several Central Ministers and Chief Ministers are scheduled to address the delegates. The theme of PBD-2009 is ‘Engaging the Diaspora – The way forward’

The preparations for PBD 2009 were reviewed at the first meeting of the Organising committee of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in New Delhi. Mr. K. Mohandas, Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, informed that the President of Singapore is likely to be the Chief Guest at the event. Two Vice Presidents and several Ministers from various countries are scheduled to participate. Mr. Mohandas pointed out that the PBD-2009 has assumed greater significance in view of the global economic crisis that created a need for increased interaction between India and the ‘persons of Indian origin’ abroad. Secretary, MOIA said, PBD-2009 is likely to create more interest in view of the fact that Indian economy is doing better compared to the situation across the world. He expected substantial business to take place during the convention and several joint plans of action to emerge.

19 States and Union Territories have confirmed that they would take part in the mega event. A plenary session with Chief Ministers and separate sessions with State Governments have been planned. The focus topics for discussion include “Indian Diaspora : Preservation of Language and Culture”, “Role of Diaspora Youth in the 21st Century India” and “India as an Emerging Power : The Diaspora Factor”. So far, Malaysia has confirmed the highest number of participation in the convention followed by Singapore.

A special Trade and Industry Exhibition with participation from Corporate, Financial Institutions, State Governments, NGOs and others will form part of the event. The Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC) will set up a Market Place at the venue to facilitate business and investment. Arrangements have been made to take delegates on tour to Tirupati, Puducherry, Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) and other places.

PBD Conventions provide a platform for exchange of views and networking to the Persons of Indian Origin on matters of common interest. These Conventions enable the Government of India to better understand the expectations of the Overseas Indians from the land of their ancestors and to acknowledge their role in India’s all-round development.

Decisions taken by the Government of India as a result of wider consultations held at such Conventions include formulation of the Overseas Citizenship of India Scheme, establishment of Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre, conceptualisation of a PIO University, formation of Prime Minister’s Global Advisory Council of People of Indian Origin, and setting up of an India Development Foundation. Programmes e.g. Know India Programme and Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children are designed specifically for Diaspora youth.

PBD Chennai is expected to carry forward the constructive engagement with the Diaspora with renewed vigour. Further details about the convention and the mode of registration are provided on the website www.pbdindia.org.

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=44727

This news not directly related to chennai, but indirectly great relief for chennai


JAKARTA - Indonesia launched a high-tech tsunami warning system Tuesday in a bid to prevent a repeat of tragedies like the 2004 Asian tsunami that killed around 170,000 people in the archipelago nation.

The 1.4 trillion rupiah (130.2 million dollar) system will be able to detect an earthquake at sea and predict within five minutes whether it could cause a tsunami, the head of Indonesia's geophysics agency Sri Woro Harijono said.

"The warning system can also predict the height and arrival time of the waves," Harijono said. The system uses a series of four buoys linked to monitoring stations across the country.

The system, built with German technology and funding from a number of foreign nations, will eventually include 23 to 24 buoys, she said.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said at the launch that Indonesia needed the warning system, given the frequency of devastating earthquakes and tsunamis across its 17,000 seismically active islands.

"We are living on the edge. Three tectonic plates -- the Eurasian, Indo-Australian and Pacific -- meet here," Yudhoyono said. "This kind of disaster can strike at any time."

The series of buoys that are the backbone of the warning system are linked by cables to detectors that sit on the ocean floor and pick up on the deep-sea earthquakes that cause tsunamis.

The signals are then relayed to stations that send out an automated warning that a tsunami is coming.

Foreign donor countries will supervise the operation of the tsunami warning system for the first two years as it gets up and running, said Jan Sopaheluwakan from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences.

"After 2010, Indonesia will take full responsibility for running the system," Sopaheluwakan said.

Indonesia was the country worst hit by the earthquake-triggered 2004 Asian tsunami, which killed 168,000 in the country's Aceh province.


http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/389119/1/.html

Chennai: The Murthuzaviya Educational and Cultural Foundation of South India will soon open a well-equipped hospital in Kodungaiyur to serve the poor.

The Foundation has run an out-patient facility in Kodungaiyur for several years. Secretary of the Foundation G.S.M.P. Khadri said a new building has been constructed to replace the out-patient facility with a modern hospital. The cost of the new hospital is about Rs.3 crore. It would be inaugurated after the equipment are purchased, Mr. Khadri said.

Founder president of the Foundation S.K. Khadri said that the organisation offered free education for underprivileged children and youth.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/11/stories/2008111158600200.htm

PILOT PROJECT: A view of the footpath alongside Dr. Muthulakshmi Salai, Adyar, that is to be upgraded.

Chennai: The Chennai Corporation has tied up with Chennai City Connect (CCC), a non-profit organisation, to develop standards for the improvement of footpaths and facilities for pedestrians.

As a first step, a stretch of Dr. Muthulakshmi Salai (Lattice Bridge Road) from the Shastri Nagar junction to the Mahatma Gandhi Road junction is set to be developed as a ‘model pedestrian-friendly corridor’.

Mayor M. Subramanian and CCC coordinator Raj Cherubal signed an agreement at Ripon Building on Tuesday. CCC will offer technical assistance to the civic body on footpath design, specifications of the quality of construction material and signage required for pedestrian safety.

It will offer the service on an honorary basis.

The Mayor said the upgraded footpaths would have the following improvements: The boundary separating the road and footpath would be easily visible; pedestrian crossings would be clearly painted, proper signage would be provided, no-parking areas demarcated and garbage bins placed correctly.

The Corporation would appoint a nodal officer to coordinate with other government agencies for the removal of phone and electricity junction boxes, encroachments and other structures obstructing pedestrian movement on footpaths.

A team of experts, with experience in urban planning and construction, would compile standards and processes for the construction, upgradation and maintenance of footpaths and pedestrian facilities. The US Department of Transportation’s guide on ‘Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access’ will be used as a seed document.

After successfully implementing the plan on the Dr. Muthulakshmi Salai stretch, the model would be replicated in other parts of the city, the Mayor said. A monitoring committee with representatives from the civic body and CCC would oversee the project implementation.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/12/stories/2008111258800100.htm

Chennai: A drive along the scenic east coast road to Puducherry meant just catching glimpses of the blue sea. But, if an ambitious state government plan for ferry services between Chennai and Kanniyakumari rolls out, then a sea ride to the former French town and beyond will become a reality.
Replying to a question in the Assembly on Monday on whether the government had any plans to use the existing waterways in the state to reduce traffic congestion, the minister said the development of minor ports like Cuddalore and Vedaranyam could help the state realise the dream of chief minister M Karunanidhi to connect Chennai and Kanniyakumari through ferry services, said transport minister K N Nehru.
The proposal for a ferry service along the entire east coast in the state was drawn up in 1996 during Karunanidhi’s fourth term as chief minister and when Ponmudy was the transport minister, Nehru said. The project was, however, shelved as the estimate was quite high. Officials say the rough sea along the east coast was one of the other prime reasons for not introducing ferry service between Chennai and Puducherry which has a huge tourist potential.
As the minor ports were being developed in Cuddalore and Vedaranyam, the government would explore the possibility of introducing ferry services connecting every 100 km along the coast, said the minister, sounding optimistic.
On ferrying in Buckingham Canal for a 247 km stretch from Andhra Pradesh to Marakkanam, the union surface transport ministry has prepared a detailed project report and land acquisition was on for 100 metres on the sides of the canal, including the 170 km stretch in the state. “The Centre is considering the project,’’ the minister said.
On the need to ban illegal parking in the city, the transport minister said each country had its own rules, with Singapore show-cased as the model.
Andhra Pradesh has ordered that new vehicles would be registered only when the owners show proof of parking space. The state government is well aware of the situation, he said promising to consult the chief minister on the parking issue and take a decision soon.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOI&BaseHref=TOICH/2008/11/12&PageLabel=9&EntityId=Ar00902&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T

India Post, along with HDFC Bank has introduced foreign exchange services in Annasalai head post office.

http://tamil.webdunia.com/newsworld/news/tnnews/0811/12/1081112005_1.htm

India's auto industry captains are bullish on tapping the fast growing aftermarket business with almost all the global majors having entered India and production of vehicles zooming from 2 million in 1991 to 100 million in 2007 and growing at 12 percent a year.
Related

* India emerges as a growing aftermarket influence

Speaking at a CEO session at Autoserve 08, organized by Confederation of Industry (CII) in Chennai, they said aftermarket will become more organized and branded and emerge as a separate revenue stream for vehicle manufacturers and OEMs with tremendous opportunities in maintenance, services and selling genuine parts.

Industry leaders said customer expectations are very high and product quality and delivery are taken for granted. Quality of service will be the key differentiator for companies to retain customers. This will call for ensuring service and spare parts at their convenience and at reduced cost.

TVS Motor chairman and managing director and CII vice president Venu Srinivasan, who inaugurated the three day Autoserve 08 exhibition at Chennai Trade Centre, said the contribution of auto industry to GDP is set to grow from 5 percent currently to 10 percent by 2016. All the top seven global players are setting up plants in India and Chennai has attracted almost all the top players.

More sophisticated vehicles and manufacturing equipments have entered India. It is the largest consumer of chips, plastics, sheet metals besides in extensive computer application. There is tremendous spin-off effect in terms of employment in the growth of Tier II and Tier III suppliers and aftermarket service.

“While there is downturn now and recovery is expected after 18 months, I expect the auto industry to be the true growth engine and lead our growth like in rest of the world. The industry also enjoys the support of all Indian states,” he said.

http://aftermarketbusiness.search-autoparts.com/aftermarketbusiness/Distribution/Indiarsquos-auto-leaders-expect-big-growth-in-the-/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/565249?ref=25

Chennai: Solid waste management experts, from various parts of the country, presented innovative and feasible models of handling municipal garbage at a meeting here on Tuesday.

At an interaction organised by Kalakshetra Colony and Besant Nagar residents, the experts discussed case studies on managing waste. Jyoti Mhapsekar of Stree Mukti Sanghatana, an organisation based in Thane, Maharashtra, spoke of the initiative to organise rag-pickers into cooperatives, which not only collect source-segregated garbage but also run biogas plants.

Its success encouraged the Maharashtra government to introduce a progressive piece of legislation that legitimises the role of rag-pickers in waste management.

Sharad Kale, Professor of Soil Sciences in Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, said that biogas reactors functioned with segregated waste. The biogas can be used as a fuel for heating or to generate electricity.

He has designed the ‘Nisargruna’ biogas plant, which is used in several large institutions in the country.

Shibu K. Nair from Thiruvananthapuram showcased zero waste strategies implemented in the tourism hotspot Kovalam in Kerala. Mr. Nair, who works with the non-governmental organisation Thanal, said the initiative had helped unemployed women find jobs in the use of waste as an important resource. The Kerala government now advocates such decentralised methods in its policy on solid waste management.

The experts interacted with members of the High Court appointed expert committee on solid waste. Committee member T.K. Ramkumar told The Hindu that the committee’s interim report has recommended composting and biomethanisation as waste management techniques.

He said the refuse-derived fuel plant proposed by the Chennai Corporation was unsound and not permissible in a marshland like Pallikaranai.

Environmentalist Nityanand Jayaraman said the Corporation’s proposal to treat mixed waste was flawed as it would mean that toxins could enter the composted manure and poison the soil where it is used.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/12/stories/2008111260220300.htm

Chennai: Mayor M. Subramanian inaugurated 72 new streetlights in Ekkaduthangal on Monday.

The Mayor said that about 5,000 new streetlights have been installed across the city over the past two years, with about 2,000 in Saidapet zone alone. The lights were installed in places that did not have sufficient lighting at regular intervals, he said. About 2,200 old, rusted lamp posts have been replaced with new ones.

Work is under way to install 6,900 new streetlights and replace 5,320 old lamp posts this year. Automatic timer based switches and solar energy streetlights would also be introduced in several localities.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/12/stories/2008111259270300.htm

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/13/stories/2008111360100300.htm

CHENNAI: The State government has appointed a consultant for the design, development and supervision of a world class botanical garden and a horticulture research centre on about 20 acres on Cathedral Road near Anna Fly over in the city.

The consultant has been asked to prepare the design for the botanical garden with a clear instruction that it should not in anyway replicate the landscape or contain features of the Adyar Poonga, Marina Beautification Project, and Miniature Tamilagam coming up on the East Coast Road.

The garden and the research centre will be developed on both sides of the Cathedral Road with an underground connectivity so that visitors could visit both the sides without crossing the busy road. The Drive-in Woodlands hotel was located on a portion of the land on which the project is proposed.

The project will have features such as shade house, bamboo garden, orchid house, Moghul garden, glass house, herbal garden, bonsai garden, and children play area, besides a green house for developing rare species medicinal and non-medicinal plants and flowers. The garden will serve as a lung space for the city and developed on the lines of Lalbagh in Bangalore, according to official sources.

Earlier the State government appointed Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services to select the consultant.

A four-member technical expert committee was formed which selected Rajendra Associates, based in Chennai, for designing, developing and supervising the project.

Though a case is pending in the Supreme Court with regard to takeover of the land by the State government from the Agri Horti Society, the State had been permitted by the court to undertake preliminary works for setting up the botanical garden, including finalisation of design, floating of tender and selection of consultant.

It is not allowed to carry out any physical work for the project until disposal of the case.