Civic Archives - Citizen Matters

The right to leisure: Do Chennai parks provide respite from soaring temperatures?

Archita Raghu — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 07:16:18 +0000

Locked gates at noon and ₹75 entry fees limit access to Chennai's parks for the people who need them most during extreme heat.

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Chennai has 835 parks, but overall green spaces have shrunk

Archita Raghu — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 06:25:14 +0000

Chennai's green spaces are shrinking with North Chennai having unequal access. Experts call for native planting, rainwater sponges and citizen action.

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Beyond rains: Why Mumbai trees are falling and what needs to change

Shruti Gokarn — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 07:04:40 +0000

As tree collapses claim lives across Mumbai, experts point to BMC’s unscientific pruning, concretisation and lack of accountability.

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How poor planning turned Chennai’s Harrington Road from quiet neighbourhood to chaotic thoroughfare

Sabina Narayan — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 04:08:44 +0000

Increased traffic, parked cars, and bottlenecks demand stricter government intervention and enforcement to resolve gridlock on Harrington Road.

The post How poor planning turned Chennai’s Harrington Road from quiet neighbourhood to chaotic thoroughfare appeared first on Citizen Matters.

Music, play, and community action help residents protect and celebrate Mumbai’s parks

Shruti Gokarn — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 06:56:09 +0000

Citizens are reclaiming their parks with LYPMumbai, an initiative that encourages the better use of open spaces through art and music.

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Uthandi’s ₹91-crore ‘flood drain’: Is Chennai solving one problem by creating another?

Radha Madhavan — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 06:53:18 +0000

The WRD's flood fix puts Uthandi at risk. Residents flag pollution, CRZ violations, aquifer damage, and threats to nearby fishing livelihoods.

The post Uthandi’s ₹91-crore ‘flood drain’: Is Chennai solving one problem by creating another? appeared first on Citizen Matters.

CPCB norms ignored: Community voices rise against STP near Chennai’s Madambakkam Lake

Subasree — Tue, 19 May 2026 06:51:14 +0000

Madambakkam residents say the plant threatens shallow groundwater, ecological safety and public health, and urge relocation.

The post CPCB norms ignored: Community voices rise against STP near Chennai’s Madambakkam Lake appeared first on Citizen Matters.

Cold rooms, heavy hearts: What winters mean for migrant students in Kashmir

Munazah Shakeel — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 04:47:29 +0000

Academic life continues in Srinagar through the coldest months of the year. A glimpse into the life of students away from home during the freezing winters.

The post Cold rooms, heavy hearts: What winters mean for migrant students in Kashmir appeared first on Citizen Matters.

TN elections 2026: Detailed info for Chennai voters

News Desk — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 03:56:30 +0000

Here is a quick guide to all that you might want to know as you prepare to cast your vote. Before you vote 1. Find your Assembly constituency: Click here 👉 2. Find your polling booth: Click here 👉 3. Check the list of candidates: Full list here 👉 Info for voters – by constituency […]

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Shaping Bengaluru: “Citizens can add real capacity through local knowledge, feedback”

Gangadharan B — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 04:37:05 +0000

We spoke to authors of the Janaagraha report, ‘Shaping Urban India’ to understand its recommendations in the context of Bengaluru.

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