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Vol. XXXIII No. 15, November 16-30, 2023
Archives: Vol. XXXIII No. 15, November 16-30, 2023
When illegal hoardings alone pose a risk
-- by Sriram V.
The rainy season is here and with that the Government is gearing itself up for cyclones. As part of a slew of advisories, it has also addressed the issue of large outdoor advertisement hoardings and billboards. It has advised that all illegal hoardings be removed – which is good. But in the same notification it has merely asked all Government agencies to ensure the hoardings on their buildings have obtained necessary licences. Which makes us wonder if only illegal hoardings are likely to be blown down by cyclonic winds and cause damage? And why should there be illegal hoardings? Is the Civic Body not supposed to take action of such stones?
Over the decades, the Corporation was a mute bystander in allowing rampant violations in the erection of hoardings. More than 90 per cent of the city’s outdoor advertisements were supposedly illegal structures. And even among the few that were permitted by the civic body, rent payment was tardy at best. The Corporation proved ineffective in its collection drives. Litigation has been endemic to the industry and even when the Corporation tried to take recourse to law, it was stymied by delays and stays.
The public were the biggest victims of illegal outdoor hoardings. These were erected with no consideration for safety and very often were either distracting
Post-Deepavali AQI better than last year
-- by Varsha V.
As is usually the norm, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was scrutinized a day after the Deepavali festivities. Chennai’s AQI – a metric that is an average of 24-hour data – dipped to the ‘poor to very poor category’ in local stations such as Alandur, Arumbakkam, Kodungaiyur, Manali, Royapuram and Velachery. Guidelines derived from national index measures rate an AQI between 0 to 50
Heritage Watch: Two views spanning two Centuries
The vast bas-relief that is the Descent of the Ganga/Arjuna’s Penance at Mamallapuram is something to delight in. Its visibility has actually improved over the years and it being just by the side of the road makes its accessible to one and all. That it is kept spanking clean always is commendable and it must be acknowledged that the visiting public desists from throwing plastic and other wastes into the patch of sand that separates the bas-relief from the road. Our NEW was taken by your Deputy Editor a month or so ago.
Lost Landmarks of Chennai
-- by Sriram V
The Forgotten Corporation Stadium
It is still a looming presence behind Ripon Buildings en-route Periamet. But who goes to the Jawaharlal Nehru aka Corporation Stadium and what are the events that are held there? There is a Nehru Indoor Stadium constructed in more recent times on the same premises which sees better usage, but the older and larger, open-air venue is hardly ever used. And yet it has quite a history. It has
In love with Lovedale – a life dedicated to children
-- by Anita Khuller
Anglo-Indians, both men and women, gave so much of themselves to the railways and education sectors in India. While the railways were mostly staffed by men in the early 20th century, most Anglo-Indian girls took up teaching or secretarial work, and if more adventurous, became air-hostesses. Some women went on to excel in the teaching arena and even to hold prestigious posts as headmistresses or on the Boards of various Trusts. This story is about a lady
