Articles by Raghukumar Choodamani

Raghukumar Choodamani is a resident of Chennai and likes to write about his observations in Chennai.

Getting up early in the morning and picking up the Aavin milk packets delivered to our doorsteps or queuing up at milk booths are vignettes from everyday life that most long-time residents of Chennai have grown up with. But of late, the exercise of getting a regular supply of milk from the State-owned milk co-operative is riddled with obstacles. Many residents have been facing problems in renewing their monthly milk card subscriptions online.  People who are well-versed in using smartphones and other digital devices may not have any major issues in renewing their cards online. But it is not the…

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Obstructing pedestrians and commuters is an offence under Section 201 of the Motor Vehicles Act. Though the laws are spelt out, neither the local administration nor enforcement agencies have taken measures to implement the laws against illegal parking on roads and wrongful occupation of footpaths, in the interest of the public in Chennai.   Footpaths are usurped by restaurants, commercial establishments and street vendors to serve vested interests. Illegal parking on footpaths is rampant across our city and beyond. The local officials themselves seem to be ignorant of the rule of law, and claim that the footpath is owned by…

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We have been witnessing the impact of climate change over the last few years. Flooding, inundation and subsequent power cuts have become routine during every monsoon. The poor road infrastructure makes matters worse for residents already grappling with the problems brought on by floods. Over a decade ago, the State government made milling a mandatory requirement for every road that is being resurfaced in Chennai.  However, none of the contractors or local officials adhere to the specifications laid down by the Indian Road Congress. Proper gradient and camber are not being maintained while resurfacing the roads and the height of…

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Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) from Chennai and its suburban areas made some pertinent observations and suggestions regarding public transport and commuting in the city during the consultative meeting arranged by the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) late last month to discuss the Comprehensive Mobility Plan. These included — smooth access to railway stations and bus stops through walkways and skywalks; ample parking areas that are accessible to all including persons with disabilities; electronic display boards on buses; last-mile connectivity; EV charging points for commuters and much more.         In my capacity as Secretary of the Alliance of Residents Welfare Associations…

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Every year, November and December have been the most devastating months for Chennai when it comes to natural calamities. Our city has long been known for its susceptibility to a long list of natural disasters: cyclones, storm surges, coastal flooding, torrential rainfall, earthquakes and tsunamis. After the 2015 deluge in Chennai, the then administration had acknowledged the fact that the incomplete Storm Water Drainage (SWD) network was one of the main reasons for the disaster, which claimed over 470 lives.Most of the problems faced by the residents in Chennai have existed for decades. Inadequate and poorly managed basic infrastructure has…

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Every time motorists or pedestrians pass by Sembudoss street and Armenian street in George Town, they feel like they are part of a hurdle race that never seems to end. Apart from the fact that many of the roads in the locality are riddled with potholes, manhole covers which are protruding out on the road add to the misery of citizens. These unscientifically built structures that are quite a few inches above ground, pose a threat to commuters.  Apart from George Town, these utility hole chambers that are used for covering the underground drainage pipes, can be seen in several…

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தற்போதைய நிர்வாகம் கடந்த சில ஆண்டுகளாக சென்னை முழுவதும் பல உள்கட்டமைப்பு மேம்பாட்டு நடவடிக்கைகளை மேற்கொண்டுள்ளது. இந்த நேரத்தில் சாலைகள் புதுப்பிக்கப்பட்டு மழைநீர் வடிகால் (SWDs) கட்டப்பட்டுள்ளன. பெரம்பூர் சுற்றுப்புற மேம்பாட்டு மன்றத்தின் உறுப்பினர்கள், உள்ளாட்சி அதிகாரிகள் மற்றும் ஒப்பந்ததாரர்களுடன் நெருக்கமாக ஈடுபட்டு, சென்னையில் மேற்கொள்ளப்படும் குடிமராமத்து பணிகளின் தரத்தை கண்காணித்து, அவை நிர்ணயிக்கப்பட்ட தரத்தில் உள்ளதா என்பதை உறுதி செய்து வருகின்றனர். வீதிகள் அமைப்பது உட்பட பல வேலைகளை மேற்கொள்ளும் போது, ​​குடிமைப் பிரிவினரும், ஒப்பந்ததாரர்களும் உரிய நடைமுறைகளைக் கடைப்பிடிக்கத் தவறிவிட்டனர் என்பதே இந்த நேரத்தில் எங்களின் அவதானிப்பு. எங்களால் மேற்கொள்ளப்படும் கண்காணிப்பின் பல நிகழ்வுகளில் தரமற்ற பொருட்கள் மற்றும் தரமற்ற வேலைப்பாடு ஆகியவற்றில் சிக்கல்கள் உள்ளன. Read more: North Chennai roads turn into an obstacle course for commuters சென்னையில் உள்கட்டமைப்பு மேம்பாட்டு பணிகள் தணிக்கையின் போது மோசமான சாலை தரம் காணப்பட்டது தமிழக தலைமைச் செயலாளர், தமிழக முதல்வர்…

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Our river beds are mined and mountains are being destroyed continuously to build new roads and restore the existing ones all over the country. Indiscriminate & excessive mining can lead to deforestation, soil erosion and water pollution. This can result in the destruction of habitats for wildlife, which can have serious ecological consequences in the long term. However, sustainability is an aspect that is not often considered when carrying out civic work in Chennai and across the country. While infrastructure development is crucial to achieving economic growth, what we are getting to see is temporary cosmetic makeovers. There is no…

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The current administration has undertaken several infrastructure development activities across Chennai over the last few years. Roads have been resurfaced and stormwater drains (SWDs) have been constructed during this time. The members of the Perambur Neighborhood Development Forum have been engaging closely with the local authorities and contractors to monitor the quality of the civic work carried out in Chennai and ensure that they are up to prescribed standards. Our observations in this time have been that the civic body and the contractors have failed to properly adhere to processes when it comes to several works including the laying of roads.…

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In a previous story, I highlighted how various streets of North Chennai have turned into an obstacle course for motorists due to road works. But bad roads are not the only issue that one faces in these parts. Blatant encroachment of footpaths has been a problem that continues to remain unaddressed. Pedestrians are treated as second-class citizens across the city. More so in areas where there are mixed-used zones where there are many commercial establishments. Many such streets are present where these shops and eateries have taken over footpaths, leaving pedestrians to jostle for space on the already poorly laid…

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