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Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
CMDA's 70cr bus termini revamp delayed in five areas
Chennai: For nearly two years, commuters in north Chennai have been forced to wait for buses under open skies, exposed to the harsh sun and sudden downpours, as key termini remain without basic amenities. Bus termini at Tondiarpet, Kaviyarasu Kannadasan Nagar, Kolathur Periyar Nagar, Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, and Mullai Nagar — serving thousands of workers, students, and senior citizens — have no shelters, restrooms, or seating. In 2023, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) launched a 70-crore project under the 'Vadachennai Valarchi Thittam' to modernize these depots, promising facilities such as toilets, CCTV surveillance, parking bays, and better platforms by March 2025. But with no signs of completion and no temporary arrangements in place, the promise is seen by many as broken. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai "We need shelters now, not later," said M Altaf, a resident of Vyasarpadi. "During the rainy season, we have to stand on flooded roads, and in summer, there's no shade. Students miss classes, and senior citizens have no place to sit." The delay is not only affecting passengers but also the city traffic. With no depot space available, Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses are parked along arterial stretches such as Thiruvottiyur High Road, worsening congestion, particularly near the delayed Ezhil Nagar road-over bridge. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Blindly Following Stock Tips? Here's A Better Way Teji Mandi Buy Now Undo "We don't park on the roads by choice," said an MTC official. "We are waiting to take over the new depots, but CMDA must first finish the work first. " Despite repeated requests, CMDA has not provided a clear timeline, only stating that "work is ongoing". Several of the old depots would flood during the monsoons, with water levels rising up to three feet. Commuters say the new depots should include proper drainage to avoid similar issues. T K Shanmugam, president of the North Chennai Residents Welfare Association, said, "We welcome new infrastructure, but people here also want more direct routes to places such as T Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, and Navalur. Even a small library would help students waiting for buses."
Time of India
21-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
North Chennai residents to pitch greener alternatives to WtE plant
Chennai: With growing resistance to the proposed waste-to-energy (WtE) plant at Kodungaiyur, the Federation of North Chennai Residents Welfare Associations (FNCRWA) is preparing to submit a detailed proposal advocating environmentally sustainable waste management practices. At the heart of their campaign is the call to abandon the incinerator-based model in favour of decentralized, non-polluting systems. Drawing from working models in Kerala and other states, the federation has proposed biogas generation at the household and community level, city-wide decentralized composting, plastic recycling centres, and Resource Recovery Centres (RRCs) to sort and manage waste before it reaches landfills. Last week, the federation and allied environmentalists submitted a petition to mayor Priya, requesting that the WtE plant be scrapped. The mayor, while acknowledging public opposition, asked them to provide an actionable plan outlining viable alternatives, particularly for handling non-recyclable plastics. Since then, FNCRWA worked on a strategy paper that will be formally submitted to Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) next month. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Hamburg: GEERS sucht 700 Testhörer für Hörgeräte ohne Zuzahlung GEERS Undo "Kerala's success with household-level biogas units shows that we don't have to burn waste to manage it," said FNCRWA president T K Shanmugam. "Instead of one massive plant, Chennai can invest in 1,000 smaller composting units and recycling hubs spread across the city." The federation says that incineration not only generates toxic emissions but also leaves behind large volumes of ash that need further disposal. Environmentalist Geo Damien from Poovulagin Nanbargal said that at least 10% of Chennai's plastic waste cannot be recycled or incinerated efficiently. "That fraction alone would produce 300 tonnes of toxic ash. Instead of burning it, the city can either isolate it in secure landfills or send it to cement factories where it can be co-processed with minimal residue. " FNCRWA says the shift to sustainable methods is not only technically feasible but essential for the health and future of North Chennai residents, who have long borne the burden of the city's waste.
