Welcome to The Chennai Emailer — 💌 Bringing you original and curated stories of residents, entrepreneurs & businesses who inspire, connect, and uplift Chennai. By Mohammed Rayaan😊

1 Big Thing

Residents Associations threaten protest over North Chennai pollution

Why it matters: 

Burning garbage to produce electricity, thus eliminating waste, is smouldering again as an issue. The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) issued a letter of acceptance for a Waste-to-Energy proposal for Kodungaiyur, says the New Indian Express. Residents have threatened a protest on May 25.

Meanwhile, DT Next says the National Green Tribunal has criticised the Tamil Nadu Government and GCC for letting another such plant operate in Manali. Given the growing calls for public action, including litigation, the problem is expected to intensify in the run-up to the State Assembly election 2026. 

Chennai Central, autorickshaws and extortion

Why it matters: 

Chennai and autorickshaws never seem to hit upon a winning formula that works for everyone. There’s a fresh outpouring of frustration among travellers and even an instance of some autorickshaw drivers robbing migrant workers, as per The Hindu and the Times of India reports. Chennai Central is ground zero in this crisis. 

ACs are cool again

Why it matters:

Air Conditioners are more in demand in April, as the Times of India says, with even used ACs turning attractive. If you wanted to sell your old window AC, the time is now. The cheapest online prices start around ₹32,000 for a new split AC with middling energy efficiency.

Big boxes and tall buildings

What: 

Retailing giant Walmart is paying top dollar for a 4.6 lakh sq ft warehouse space in Chennai, says Business Standard. The rent will keep escalating by 4% a year until it reaches ₹3.8 crore a month in 2029. There’s nothing cheap about Walmart.

Bengaluru-based real estate company Brigade is all set to put up Chennai’s tallest building, at a dizzy 49 storeys in Perambur, says The Hindu Businessline. Other skyscrapers will rise in different city corners, including Anna Road at TVS and Velachery. You could get an eagle’s eye view from the rooftop of the tallest tower and gaze at the 27-storey plaza that will be built at Central. This BusinessLine story has more.  

Not so fun fact:

It is only recently that escalators started appearing in public utilities, including railway stations. Mitsubishi says an escalator of the kind we see in malls and stations has a 20-30-year life span with proper maintenance. But a DT Next report says five public Chennai escalators opened in 2014 now need replacement. So the cost to the taxpayer is effectively doubled by poor maintenance. Keep watch over your neighbourhood facilities.

Consumers be aware

Air passengers were stranded on a scheduled flight that sat on the ground for five hours in the city with little help, according to TimesNowNews. What are your rights if an airline fails to serve as promised? This is the Civil Aviation Ministry passenger charter. 

Storming in 

April and rain are not exactly seen together, but this year, they were. The Hindu’s report of the unusual romance makes it true blue. But those who have to take city buses from MTC termini at Thiruvanmiyur, Vadapalani and so on or exit suburban rail stations, are not smiling because they have to wade in filthy rainwater each time. 

Health check 

Nearly a quarter of Chennai residents are unaware of their diabetes status, says a survey by Kauvery hospital reported by DT Next. Besides ultraprocessed foods like biscuits, white bread and maida, it is alarming that air pollution adds to the risk of diabetes, as this India-based study highlighted by the Guardian points out. Solutions: Eat a lot of veggies, says GCC and other civic bodies, for usable footpaths to walk on, monitor air quality closely and cut calories.

Substitution

Chennai Super Kings signed Dewald Brevis as a replacement for the injured Gurjapneet Singh at just ₹2.2 crore, says IPL.

Diary entries

1. Oyilattam workshop at IDAM, Kodambakkam on April 20 - ₹999

2. Puppet Show at Chetpet Eco Park for 3+ years on April 20 at 7 p.m. - ₹149 and up.

Also Read

Times of India

The Hindu

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