Latest news with #RiponBuildings
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Greater Chennai Corporation mulls appointing volunteers to oversee operations at ABC centres
CHENNAI: The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has temporarily halted Animal Birth Control (ABC) surgeries for community dogs across all five of its centres over the past 15 days, said official sources. Going forward, the civic body is considering the appointment of animal welfare volunteers at the ABC centres to ensure better care. According to a series of discussions held since June 3, the GCC plans to recruit two trained volunteers in each ABC pound who will be tasked with monitoring the entire process here. Their responsibilities might include ensuring dogs are caught humanely using nets, documenting their place of capture to prevent relocation, and overseeing the availability and proper use of medical supplies such as blood testing solutions and medications, sources said. Volunteers will also verify if necessary pre-operative tests are conducted, monitor post-operative recovery, including proper medications for wound healing, ear-notching, and feeding of cooked food, and ensure that dogs are released back to their original locations once fully recovered. The suspension of ABC surgeries comes in the wake of a protest held on May 26 in front of the Ripon Buildings, where city-based animal activists had alleged that many dogs either died due to botched surgeries, succumbed to complications after being released back onto the streets, or went missing altogether, adding that some dogs that underwent ABC procedures in GCC pounds have unhealed surgical wounds and open sutures. In response, GCC Mayor R Priya assured immediate action.
New Indian Express
12-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Chennai corporation launches dedicated AC lounge for gig workers in Anna Nagar
CHENNAI: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) opened the first of its dedicated lounges for gig workers at Anna Nagar on Wednesday. The facility was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin from the Ripon Buildings, alongside several other civic projects. GCC commissioner J Kumaragurubaran stated that similar, but larger, lounges are also being planned in Thiruvanmiyur and Villivakkam for construction workers, and another one for gig workers will be opened soon at GN Chetty road in T Nagar. The Scandinavian-style AC lounge for gig workers at Anna Nagar 3rd avenue will operate 24/7, providing amenities including seating, mobile charging points, drinking water, and toilet facilities. Taking to X, Chief Minister M K Stalin said, 'The lounge along with the parking facility launched in Anna Nagar is a place where a large number of women work.' Kumaragurubaran stated that the initiative was in response to a request from the Gig Workers Welfare Association. The corporation plans to rope in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to support the expansion of the project. Balaji K (53), a food delivery person from Poonamallee, said, 'I start my day at 5:30am and travel across the city delivering food until night. I can't return home for a short break due to the distance, often taking shelter in parks, bus stops, or roadside. This lounge offers us a clean, safe place.' M Ganesan (50), a bike taxi rider, said,'We constantly use our phones for navigation and battery drain is a major issue. Previously, I had to return home just to charge my phone. Now I can do that here and also take a short break.' Delivery executives said that such facilities can be installed in other parts of the city too.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Food courts to come up on plots that have gone cold
Chennai: In the next year, the city will turn unused corners into places people flock to for food. The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is working on a plan to convert vacant land and underused municipal buildings in busy parts of the city into food courts. These spaces, until now ignored, will soon see crowds, kitchens, and the smell of fresh food in the air. In the first phase, GCC picked three sites: the land next to the Ripon Buildings on Sydenhams Road, a plot on Indira Nagar 3rd Avenue, and a stretch near the Alandur metro parking lot. All three spots lie unused today. GCC plans to turn them into clean, affordable food courts with a range of popular cuisines. "We are doing this based on the model CMRL adopted near Ashok Nagar metro station," said M Birathiviraj, deputy commissioner (revenue and finance). "We'll build the shell structures with essential facilities such as parking and basic amenities, and then lease them out to vendors or food chains." To get things moving, GCC has floated a tender to hire a consultant who will prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR). The consultant's scope will include topographical and geotechnical surveys, architectural and structural designs, 3D visualisations, and preparation of tender and construction-ready documents. The DPR is expected to be ready in the next few months. Once it is done, GCC will float tenders for construction. Officials plan to expand the model in phases and are scouting more empty land and unused shopping complexes across the city. "These are not just food courts," a senior GCC official said. "We are creating well-planned, lively public spaces while monetizing municipal assets." Gandharv Dhingra, CEO of Roll Baby Roll and chapter head of NRAI Chennai, said, "When brands come together in high-footfall zones, it benefits the entire community — bringing hygienic, affordable food options , steady revenue for the exchequer, and catalysing real estate development. It's not just about food; it's about developing the area holistically." Satish Galley, a civic activist, said, "A well-planned food court in the neighbourhood with proper sanitation, waste management, and crowd control is needed. Many public spaces are now converted to dumpyards or a hangout space for troublemakers. We hope the voices of local residents will be considered in the planning process."
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Sanitation workers protest salary delays
Chennai: Several hundred sanitation workers, under the Chennai Corporation Red Flag Union , protested at Ripon Buildings on Wednesday, demanding regularisation of contract workers, overdue salaries and benefits such as Dearness Allowance (DA). They also opposed privatisation of solid waste management and implementation of the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) waste collection scheme. "The salary for National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) contractors was always paid on the first of each month but delayed by 2-3 weeks for sanitary workers. They received their Feb salary only two days ago. Instead of paying through NULM, the workers suggested the corporation pays them directly," said T Srinivasan, general secretary. The workers also want a stop to converting public transport services into privatised LCV schemes and want skilled operators hired directly rather than through contractors.
