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.