The fate of Chennai's Waterways

After yesterday's post about the Adyar estuary project, I decided to follow up on an article that had caught my attention a couple of weeks ago - the Cooum restoration project. A team of officials from the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) had made a presentation to the government on the three phase implementation of the project, with the final master plan to be in place by February 2012.

While it sounded positive, I looked around for other opinions, and came across this article. While the focus of the article is on the displacement of the slum dwellers along the Cooum, I was also horrified by the fact that the elevated traffic 'corridors' are being planned along its banks. I had briefly read about the Chennai 'High Speed Circular Transportation Corridor' while looking for information on the East Coast Expressway, but hadn't grasped the fact that they were being planned along Chennai's waterways - the Adyar and the Cooum.

How is it even logical that they can, on one hand, try to restore the ecology of a river and on the other, build an expressway along its banks? And what saddened me more is that it is the very same Adyar Poonga Trust (now renamed 'Chennai Rivers Restoration Trust') that is implementing the elevated corridor project along the waterways. It makes me question their reason for restoring the rivers and the creek. No longer does it seem like an idea born out of desire to protect nature, but rather a desire to achieve a certain 'image' and enhanced real estate value.

And even so, I think they have got it wrong. Have they even imagined how a three tier, 6 lane expressway will look next to a river? I shudder to imagine it. And even from a traffic planning perspective, is it the right thing to do? I wonder. Will it really solve any issues, or is it just a grandiose gesture?

I've been blogging about Chennai for a month now, and though I've learnt a lot, I still feel extremely ignorant. Sometimes more knowledge only makes me feel more helpless and dispirited. Where is Chennai headed? Is there a long term goal, or are they only looking at quick fix solutions? Each step seem to be towards a polluted, car dominated city rather than a well connected pedestrian friendly one. Why can't we learn from the mistakes the west has made, rather than follow in their footsteps? What do you think? Leave a comment or email me at childofchennai@gmail.com

Auroville and the Adyar Poonga

I must admit I knew very little about the Adyar Poonga project, apart from seeing the beautifully painted murals on Greenways road. I noticed that these were similar to the ones at the ECR tollgate, and on further inquiry found that they were done by Auroville based artists. But what were they doing at such a busy junction? I asked around and was informed that they were part of the Adyar poonga project (and which planet had I been on?)

It is an ecological park being set up in a joint venture between the Tamil Nadu Road Development Corporation (TNRDC) and the Tamil Nadu Government - planned and executed by Auroville's Pitchandikulam Forest Consultants. There didn't seem to be much real information online, until I stumbled across this article on Auroville Today. Please take a few minutes to read it, as it is an interesting chronicle of the long journey from conception of the idea in the mid 1990's to actual work beginning on site in early 2008.

And although it is still a work in progress, the change is already very much apparent. Residents in the neighbouring apartments now open their windows to greenery, fresh air and the sound of birds - rather than keep them shut to keep out the stench, as they used to do just a few years ago. A reminder that positive change is possible - even here in Chennai.

Post Office Panache

I must admit that until last year, Chennai's Post Offices were buildings that didn't even register in my consciousness. They were all housed in unremarkable buildings and I hardly ever noticed them. However, the vast majority of people in this country do use their neighbourhood post office on a daily basis. Not just for post, but for a variety of other services as well.

So, while driving around in T Nagar some months ago, I was pleasantly surprised to see a lovely, gleaming white building with red accents on North Usman Road. And I was even more surprised when I realized that it was the local post office. I was bowled over by the simplicity of what they had done. It was the same old building that had always been there - they had simply painted it white and highlighted the edges of the sunshades in red. It looked neat and modern and very atttractive.

While I was impressed with one, I was completely blown away when I came across two more such 'metamorphosed' buildings. One in Adyar, the other in Alwarpet (picture above). Is it really possible that the postal department understands concepts like 'image' and 'branding' and 'presentation' ? Is it possible that they even care about such things? Well, it looks like they do! And it makes me more happy than I can say :)

I checked out their website as well, and though there's a lot of work to be done, it looks like they're genuinely trying to raise their standards. Kudos to them. Do you know of any other post offices that have received a makeover? I would love to hear about it - drop me a line at childofchennai@gmail.com or leave a comment on this post.

Traffic on Tuesdays - Send a Signal

I think it's about time someone explained to drivers in Chennai what their indicator lights are meant for. That there's absolutely no use in switching them on after you've turned. That the point is to indicate that you're going to turn. To give the vehicles behind you an idea of your intentions, so that they have the time to react accordingly.

I've lost count of the number of times a stationary car, parked on the side of the road has pulled out a few feet in front of me -without any warning. The concept of MSM (mirror, signal, maneuver) is completely unknown. To them it is just ... M (maneuver). Sometimes I wonder if ignorance is any excuse for lack of common sense. I mean, even if you had never heard of MSM, would you pull out into moving traffic without looking to see what was coming? While walking down the street, would you turn and cross it without stopping to look both ways? For some reason the people of Chennai seem to do exactly that!

It is basic common sense. Whether you're a motorist or a pedestrian, you need to be aware of the traffic around you, and ensure that they're aware of you and what you're going to do. In other words, you need to check your mirrors and signal - before you start moving, before you change lanes, before you make a turn, before you pull over to the side of the road - before you do anything at all.

Your mirrors, all 3 of them, are meant for you to see what's behind you. They're not meant to be kept closed or be used to style your hair. And last but not least, your hazard lights are meant to indicate that there is a problem - not that you're going straight at a junction.

I guess this advice doesn't really apply to most of you who read this post (at least I hope it doesn't ;) ). But I wish there was a way to get this message across to people who would benefit from it. I would love to print it out and hand it out to all the staff in my office, but unfortunately there is a language barrier, and I don't know enough Tamil to translate it. (oh alright - so I don't know any Tamil :p ). So, if any of you feel inspired enough to translate it for me, I would be very, very grateful. You could email it to me at childofchennai@gmail.com. And I'm hoping you'll spread the word. Forward it to your friends and coworkers, pin it up on your notice boards. Who knows, maybe it will get through to somebody.

World Population Day - July 11th 2010

Yesterday was World Population Day, and the UNPFA's theme for this year is 'Everybody Counts'. Their focus is on collecting reliable data and analyzing it in a way that drives good decision making.

Which reminds me - the last day for collection of data for the 2011 census in Tamil Nadu is the 15th of July, and the enumerators haven't yet paid me a visit. The word is that they're having a tough time because most people are unaware of the census being conducted, and refuse to let them into their houses. Moreover, I believe that many of them don't speak Tamil, and are having a tough time communicating with the residents. You would think they would send Tamil speaking enumerators to conduct a survey in Tamil Nadu!

Anyhow, it all makes me a bit skeptical about how accurate the results will be. Do you remember the day the country celebrated the birth of it's billionth baby? To me it felt like a day of mourning. It is true that the average number of children per woman dropped from 6 in the 1960's to 2.5 in 2005, but unless it drops further, the population will continue to grow. And we simply do not have the resources to keep up with that growth.

Imagine for a moment that everyone restricted themselves (voluntarily) to having one child. It would mean that the population of the country would halve in one generation. Having two children would maintain the status quo. Having three or more, in my opinion, is absolutely unforgivable. I know it is a pretty harsh thing to say, but I firmly believe that almost every problem in our country stems from overpopulation.

So, on this World Population Day, I'm asking you to consider having just one child. Consider adopting another. Consider the future of the planet. Make your own decisions in the end, but please consider the options.

As I said, this is just my opinion. Maybe you have a different one. Maybe you disagree strongly with my views. Maybe you already have two (or more) children. I would love to hear your views on the subject. Please leave your comments or email me at childofchennai@gmail.com. If you liked this post, maybe you could share it with people you think might be interested. It would be nice to have a variety of opinions.

Smart cards

This has been on my mind for a while, so I was impressed to see that the State is planning to introduce driving licenses and registration certificates (RC's) in a smart card format by next year. I think it is an important first step in enforcing traffic rules, as violations can be recorded immediately with an easy swipe of the card.

A computerized system with a proper database will ensure that offenders can be easily tracked, once their vehicle registration is matched to their home address. This takes the pressure off the police to chase down offenders immediately. Cameras can be used to capture the license plate numbers of people who jump red lights, violate rules or drive rashly. People with more than two serious violations should have their licenses suspended and be asked to re-take their driving test.

In fact, I wonder if everyone should be asked to re-take their driving test before they're issued the new smart card license. Of course, I'm sure the test needs some overhauling as well. :)

While all this sounds good in theory, there's a little nagging voice of despair in the back of my head that wonders if people will start to misuse the system. Will the cops get trigger happy with their cameras and book even innocent people in order to collect fines? Will people refuse to pay fines that are sent to their houses? Will people's attitudes once again get in the way of progress? What do you think? Please leave your comments or email me at childofchennai@gmail.com

Jaime Lerner

Today, I've found myself a new hero. Jaime Lerner - architect, urban planner, three times mayor of Curitiba, and governor of Paraná state, Brazil.

As Mayor, he came up with a number of creative solutions to Curitiba's problems, saving the city millions of dollars. He cleaned up the slums by offering bags of groceries in exchange for bags of trash. He cleaned up the nearby bay by offering fishermen payment for every pound of garbage they collected, thus giving them a source of income even in the non-fishing season. He hired 'municipal sheep' to keep the grass in the parks trimmed, instead of buying expensive mowing machines. And the wool from the sheep was used to fund children's programs.

His biggest achievement in Curitiba was probably the BRT or Bus Rapid Transit system. Using a hierarchy of 6 bus sizes that feed one another, (the largest Bi-articulated buses carry nearly 300 people), he achieved what a complete subway system would have done, at almost one hundredth the cost. The city also built attractive transit tubes, with handicapped access and ticket purchasing facilities to improve the speed of transit.

While for most cities the pace of change is measured in years, for Jaime Lerner it is measured in hours. He is known for transforming a gridlocked commercial artery in Curitiba into a spacious pedestrian mall over one long weekend! Apart from his time as mayor and governor, he has used his creativity and expertise to improve cities worldwide, and is a champion for the cause of sustainability.

So that puts him firmly on top of my list of heroes. He says that any city in the world can be transformed in 3 years. I wish we could invite him to Chennai. Don't miss his speech on TED talks, with the little sustainability song at the end :) (it might be worth having the English subtitles on as well).

I like....countdown signals

True, there's probably no traffic light in Chennai that looks as good as the one in this picture. They're usually a sorry, weather beaten bunch, whose lights don't always work. But that's a story for another time. On Wednesdays, I'm trying to remain positive.

So - on the days that they do work, I find I'm rather fond of these countdown signals. Except for those inevitable few who try to zoom past in the last few seconds, I think it does create some calm and order among most people. Motorists are no longer revving their engines and blaring their horns while waiting for the lights to turn green.

But my most favourite bit about them is the fact that some of them tell you to "RELAX" when the lights turn red. With all the maddening traffic around me, it somehow always makes me smile :) There's some typical Chennai wisdom for you.

Mobile phones and driving

This is a fact - Driving while using a mobile phone is both dangerous and illegal. Yet, this is something that happens all over the world and of course, is much, much worse in India. So why do so many people persist in doing it? Do they think it's cool? Do they like to appear busy? Are they so bored that they have to talk to someone right then and there? Do they think that they are so important that the world will stop turning if they don't take that call?

I'll tell you what - there's a good chance that the world will stop turning if they do take that call. If not for them, then for some innocent bystander that they knock over, and for their bereaved family. I cannot understand what could possibly be so important that someone would have to take a call right away. It wasn't so long ago that mobile phones didn't even exist. What did people do then?

And it isn't like there's no alternative. Technology has provided the solution with a variety of hands free devices. So why not use them? Too uncomfortable? Maybe it's more comfortable to ride a bike with a phone lodged between your ear and shoulder. Maybe it's more comfortable to be stuck in the wreckage of a smashed car. Honestly - if you think it's so important, just pull over to the side of the road and talk in peace.

This is something that seems so clear to me, and yet I can't seem to convince even the people closest to me that it's wrong. They get annoyed when someone else drives rashly while on the phone, but when they use one themselves, they seem to think they are 'in control'. What's the solution? Should the police enforce bigger penalties? Or can we all just stop to consider our actions and and realize that we don't have to let this device rule (ruin) our lives?

Do you know someone who insists on holding a phone to their ear while driving? Or are you that person? Either way I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Please leave your comments or drop me a line at childofchennai@gmail.com

P.S. I have also created a facebook group, where I will post links to this blog. So if you think it's easier to follow me on facebook, here's the link.

Free Advertising

So, what happened to advertising after the government banned hoardings in the city? People just got more innovative, finding new and varied places to display their signs. Does your gate look something like this, by any chance?

All over the city, companies have started placing their ads on 'No Parking' signs - and fixing them to your gates, whether you want them or not. While it seems philanthropic on the surface - to them, it is really nothing more than advertising space. And when there are six boards jostling for attention on one gate, with loud colours and many different kinds of lettering, it becomes nothing more than an eyesore. And to me, seeing them everywhere just makes me want to scream!

I sometimes wonder if we are just so resigned to living in a messy city, that we don't even notice them anymore. We don't need these 'No Parking' signs. It should be understood that one should not park in front of a gate. And if you really have a problem with people parking in front of your gate, then get your own sign made and remove all the other junk. Or hire a watchman to shoo them away :)

I often feel like collecting all these ads and returning them to their respective companies, with a note saying that we don't want them on our gates. Or on our trees. Or on our compound walls. What do you think? Does it bother you as much? Leave a comment or drop me a line at childofchennai@gmail.com

Temples cleared for road widening

Over the years we have seen so many tiny shrines, maybe no more than a stone at the base of a tree, develop into full fledged temples - taking over the pavements, and quite often, a good part of the road as well. These temples keep growing, along with the number of worshipers and begin to hinder all the traffic in the area. Festival days make it impossible to even go near the place - with loud speakers blaring devotional songs and hundreds of people literally sitting on the street.

Usually no one wants to object to this for fear of offending people's sentiments. So, I was pleased when I found this article in the paper yesterday, and was very impressed that the Corporation braved the ire of the locals and devotees, and went ahead with the demolition of two temples in Velachery. Good for them!

I wonder whether some of the temples in my locality are in that list of 36. Are you affected by any in your neighbourhood? What do you think of this drive to demolish temples that encroach into the roads and pavements? Leave a comment or email me at childofchennai@gmail.com .

The movers and shakers

In my post about roads and pavements a few days ago, I had mentioned that someone had begun work on model pavements along L.B. Road, Adyar. I decided to pry a little further and was pleased to discover City Connect. It is an organisation with a vision to transform Chennai into a world class city, that provides great quality of service and infrastructure to all its citizens.

Frustrated with the lack of a 'big picture' and being shut out of the actual decision making process, CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) Tamil Nadu, decided to launch this platform to provide a single voice for all the city's stakeholders -and to help them collaborate with and support the government, in the development of urban infrastructure and services. Spearheaded by big names like TVS, CTS, NAPC and MARG, it seems like there's finally some real hope for change.

Besides the L.B road project, they are also in the process of conducting a study on the improvement of the MTC bus system, and working on a solution for parking and other services at the Chennai Airport. And while looking at these issues, they are also keeping their eyes on the bigger picture. To envision the future and develop Chennai and its surrounding towns and villages in a holistic manner.

I, for one, certainly hope that they are successful. Take a minute, if you can, to visit their website and get an idea of the kind of work they are involved in.