ChennaiPlus

A numbers of trees are getting chopped down across the city roads, especially for widening the roads. It is disheartening to see trees been chopped down at a time when everyone is doing their best and taking care of the environment. Once upon a time, the city roads were dotted with trees providing shade to road users in summer days. A green scene at St.Marys Road, Mandaveli.

The Chennai Corporation has planned to light up Napier Bridge, one of the city’s oldest bridges. The arches of the bridge and the road surface will be lit up. The Corporation sources said that the area beneath the bridge would also be lit up to create a floating effect. Both old and new bridges would be lit up using attractive lights that will give a glowing look. The Napier Bridge is also known as the Iron Bridge . The bridge was constructed to honor Lord Napier who became the Governor of Fort St. George , Madras Presidency.

This is one of the earliest structures to use RCC (re-enforced concrete). The bridge connects the beach with Fort St George This bridge was built in 1869 across Coovum river by Governor Napier who held this office from 1866 to 1877. It was thrown open for general traffic by Arthur Hope in July 1943. This Bridge bears ample testimony to the engineering skills of the Britishers.
The new Napier Bridge, a replica of the old Napier Bridge, was constructed in 1998 and has six lanes.

A burning issue concerning the world today is Climate Change, the most critical component of which is Global Warming which is causing polar ice-cap meltdowns, ocean-level rise and changes in seasons which is leading to disruption in the ecology of the planet.

The Adyar Poonga organized a rally to highlight and remind the public about this disastrous man made phenomenon which, if unchecked, can adversely change life on earth.

About 300 children from St. Raphael’s School, San Thom, Arignar Anna Govt. Higher School, and Avvai Home School, Adyar, participated in the rally which was flagged off by Mr. A.K. Lal, Zonal President, Lions Club of Chennai Net Workers, from the Alphonse grounds, near the Adyar Poonga.

The Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin inaugurated the renovated and beautified Panagal Park at T Nagar on 21 February 2010. The Chennai Mayor M Subramanian said that Panagal Park at T Nagar was beautified at a cost of Rs 1.3 crore. As part of the renovation work, a lotus pond, an open-air theatre with a seating capacity of 100 persons and a children’s play area have been created at the park.

Mr.S.Panerselvam, IPS, is the Deputy Commissioner of Police, (Traffic) South, Chennai city. In an exclusive interview to this newspaper Mr. S.Panerselvam said that safe driving and following traffic rules is the need of the hour. Every year around 500 to 600 people are killed due to road accidents. Moreover, it is very pitiful for a road accident victim to live without hands or legs.

This creates a sad and painful situation for the family members also. Mr. S.Panerselvam says that the road users should keep in mind that the road is meant for other vehicles and always practice safe driving. This would make the city roads a much safer place to drive on. He said that the vehicle population in Chennai city is 35 Lakhs out of which more than 60% are two wheelers. The vehicle population about 20 years back was only just, 1 lakh.

The Three Divisions of the Chennai City Traffic Police consisting of 2000 Traffic Police Constables, 500 Traffic Police Officers are maintaining a strict vigil over the motorists to ensure that the traffic violators are not let off easily. According to Mr. S.Panerselvam, the present road type needs to be changed. He said that if an elevated overpass is constructed along Beach Road, Mount Road and Poonamallee High Road, traffic congestion in city road can be eased.

He further stated that the punishment for traffic rule violators and penalty should be made more stringent. He also highlighted about strengthen of the Motor Vehicle Act to make it relevant today which is an important aspect. This will discourage rash and negligent driving and ensure better relief for the road accident victims. Mr. S.Panerselvam said that during the Month of January 2010, about 73 people had died in road accidents. Mr. S.Panerselvam stated that every day 400 vehicle owners are fined for parking in No Parking Zones. The office of Mr. S.Panerselvam, IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police, (Traffic), South is located at Thousand lights Police Station, Greams Road, Chennai-6.

The city areas of Mylapore, T.Nagar and Adyar come under his jurisdiction. Last but not least the city motorists must release that thrills of speed and not following road safety rules involves great risks. The vehicle riders of Chennai city must display better road sense while commuting along the roads by following all road rules and traffic norms.

The photograph taken shows the last phase of the flyover construction going on over the railway tracks at Perambur. The traffic congestion in Perambur will be eased as the construction of the flyover is almost completed. A new four lane road connecting Tank Bund Road with North Perambur High Road would be developed says the Chennai City Traffic Police. The Tamilnadu Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin said the construction of the Perambur flyover would be completed by February or early March 2010. Mr Stalin said the Perambur flyover would have parks on either side of it and that Chief Minister
M Karunanidhi would inaugurate it.

The 120 year old Victoria Hall, near Central Railway station will be getting a refreshing look as the Chennai Corporation is renovating it. A new compound wall and gate has been erected around the hall premises. The Chennai Corporation; had passed a resolution during the Council meeting to renovate the century old Victoria Public Hall which is a historic building. The Victoria Public Hall, is one of the finest examples of British architectures in Chennai.
The Victoria Public Hall was designed by Robert Fellowes Chisholm (1840-1915) and built by Namberumal Chetty between 1888 and 1890. The first film ever screened in the city was at the Victoria Public Hall. The ticket counter and the structure of the hall are proof of its historical value. The hall has played host to a number of eminent personalities including Vivekananda, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Subramania Bharati and Sardar Patel who have addressed large public meetings there.
The Chennai Corporation had decided to restore the glory of the historic building, which is in a dilapidated condition for a long time.

The Chennai city residents no longer need to go to New Delhi to see the India Gate. A replica of the National monument and prominent landmark is found at the Chennai Corporation K.K.Nagar Sivan Park. The wall of the park has nature and wildlife paintings. The park is open on all days from 5am to 9am in the mornings and from 4pm in the evenings.

The photograph snapped on 6th February 2010 shows the excellent design and layout of the ultra modern Poonamallee bus terminus at the bus stand premises. The design board was installed by the Poonamallee Municipality.
The Deputy Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, inauguration the Poonamallee Bus Terminus and unveiled the foundation stone.

Every year on 26th January a grand parade is held in Chennai city. The photo taken on 26th January 2010, shows the people looking at the float of the Indian Air Force Station, Tambaram displaying the Chetak Helicopter at the Marina Beach. The float which was a part of the Republic Day Parade.
An impressive march-past by the Army, Air Force, Navy and Tamil Nadu Police forces, in all their official splendor and the giving away of the ‘Anna Medals for Gallantry’ marked the Republic Day celebrations in Chennai city.
The grand spectacle along the Marina Beach in the morning highlighted some of the finest pieces of the armed forces weaponry, a blend of cultural performers emphasizing national integration and communal harmony.
The celebrations started with the Governor Surjit Singh Barnala unfurling the National flag in the presence of the Chief Minister M Karunanidhi . A large number of people gathered at the Marina Beach to watch the grand parade.
The Chief Minster M.Karunanidhi presented the ‘Anna Medals for Gallantry’ to citizens from various parts of the State for their acts of bravery. He also present the ‘Uthamar Gandhi Police Medal’ to police personnel for their outstanding work