Registered with the Reg. No. TN/CH(C)/374/12-14 Registrar of Newspapers Licenced to post without prepayment for India under R.N.I. 53640/91 Licence No. TN/PMG(CCR)/WPP-506/12-14 Publication: 15th & 28th of every month Rs. 5 per copy (Annual Subscription: Rs. 100/-) WE CARE FOR MADRAS THAT IS CHENNAI INSIDE • Short ‘N’ Snappy • Endangered heritage trees • The judge & the prisoner • Smile-a-while with Ranjitha • A sage at Chepauk Vol. XXIII No. 4 MUSINGS June 1-15, 2013 Metro rail continues bulldozing heritage (By The Editor) he Metro Rail project is on Ironically, the structure that ings that form a group – which Ta fast track and has right- has been demolished is one that is usually large; with special ar- fully earned plaudits for the was in a good condition and chitectural character or fea- speedy execution that is under- which had been recently re- tures; and of a certain position way. Unfortunately, in doing so, stored after a fashion by the in history which assigns them it is exacting a heavy price on PWD. The Padmanabhan that importance.” By its very the city’s heritage. In the past Committee had also considered ranking, it is clear that the we have had occasion to high- this campus to be of Grade 1 Teachers’ College campus was light the potential for damage to importance which meant it is a considered as a whole and historic structures as drilling stretch, complex or area of Metro Rail had no business to and other work continues in State or National importance... He has two cellphones and is looking to buy a few of the Xpensive Jeans. their proximity. Now, for the “They are characterised by their Should we notify the CBI? first time, Metro Rail has com- size, length or number of build- (Continued on page 6) pletely demolished a heritage building in full – one of the structures in the Government Teachers’ Training College campus, Saidapet. Departmental unity necessary for The two-storeyed structure, to an unusual semi-circular plan, with arched windows right people’s comfort along its periphery, was reminis- cent of the Ice House in several ways. It was part of the more he cries of adulation with in our traffic situation in the was better late than never and port) of the CMDA as its Mem- than 150-year-old campus and Twhich the Corporation of near future. it was hoped that, unlike its ber Secretary. Others on board was easily its most visible build- Chennai’s budget were received In such a scenario, what is rather unwieldy name, it would were the Chief Secretary and ing as it was closest to the road. have hardly died down when urgently needed is an overall live up to what was expected of the Vice Chairman, CMDA Chennai Metro Rail has conflict of authority among authority that can be an um- it. Since then, however, not (both ranking as Vice-Chair- claimed that this is not a heri- various departments and brella body over all stakehold- much has been heard of persons), the Secretaries of the tage structure as it is not listed ministries in the State have ers. It can take into account di- CUMTA or its activities. Departments of Finance, Tran- specifically in the Justice begun to put paid to several verse points of view and then Chief among CUMTA’s re- sport, Home, Housing & Urban Padmanabhan Committee re- plans. Among the casualties is come to a decision which, when sponsibilities was the preparing Development, and the General port. It therefore asserts that the proposal to create cycle announced, will be binding on of a comprehensive and inte- Manager of the Southern Rail- the demolition did not need tracks and pedestrian pathways, all parties, irrespective of what grated public transport plan for way. permission of the Heritage Con- both of which were the their original views were. And the city, which included all Given such a heavyweight servation Committee (HCC) more creative elements of the Chennai already has such a modes – train, bus and the composition, CUMTA could which was formed by the Gov- budget. ideally take on the sorting out of ernment and undertook to pro- It will be recalled that the the present conflict between the tect the buildings listed by the Mayor in his budget proposal G By A Special Correspondent Corporation and the police. It Padmanabhan Committee. had envisaged a cycle track all also ought to realise that That this is not a correct in- along the beach, beginning body in the form of the Chennai Metro. It was to also look into motorised or rail transport need terpretation of the High Court’s from Beach Station and termi- Unified Metropolitan Trans- the setting up of a common not be the sole solutions to ruling will be made clear to any- nating at Foreshore Estate. This port Authority, CUMTA. Why ticket and fare structure to fa- Chennai’s transport problems. It one who reads the Padma- was to be extended later to the not assign pedestrian and non- cilitate seamless commuting, would be best if one of CUM- nabhan Committee report. southern limits of the city, motorised transport issues also something that is in existence TA’s objectives were the im- Listed in page 653, the notings based on the success of the pro- to it? in most world-class cities today. provement of pedestrian safety cover the entire campus. The totype. It is now learned that The Tamil Nadu Assembly Like the CMDA, the CUMTA and comfort. Studies have report has it that the buildings the Police has objected to this had in November 2011 ap- was to, chiefly, have a planning shown that a large chunk of road (note the plural) are of the Brit- idea, stating that it is not fea- proved the setting up of a function and oversee the work traffic could be eliminated if ish period and “located within a sible given the current traffic Chennai Unified Metropolitan of several agencies involved in short journeys could be accom- campus. Few buildings are situation. Transport Authority (CUM- the running of the transport plished on foot. If so, why not maintained fairly, while one is It is reliably learnt that the TA). It was a development that systems. It would also periodi- look into this aspect seriously in serious deterioration.” The pedestrian zones too are also was rather late in the day and cally revise and upgrade its and see if some solution to last named is a building with a likely to be vetoed. If such con- which ought to have perhaps plans. To be headed by the accommodate pedestrian and spire and now houses the flicts are left to go unresolved been set up in the 1980s when Transport Minister, it had the cyclists’ interests can be arrived Mother Teresa University. there may be no improvement the MRTS was planned. Still, it Chief Urban Planner (Trans- at? CMYK 2 MADRAS MUSINGS June 1-16, 2013 City’s heritage trees in Asking for more he Man from Madras rather supercilious air, for tion area. In the middle of a T Musings is certain that those around were making do library! Talk shows became you have all heard of the six- with ordinary railway fare frequent affairs and it was need of help faced, spear-wielding Hindu while was feasting on a take- most disconcerting to read, God of War. In recent years, away breakfast from one of say, a Wodehouse while a as you also doubtless know, He Chennai’s best-known eating- voice in the background in- olunteers of Nizhal, a the Public Properties Preven- as lent his name to a chain of houses. toned about the economic cri- V Chennai-based Trust that tion of Destruction Act (and eateries that became famous The packet when opened sis. The last straw was when works for tree conservation, get who cares about public prop- for serving what is known as revealed a bulging plastic bag of the old staff was replaced with many distress calls from across erty?), while trees on private fast food – of the South Indian sambar. There was an equally new ones who had no idea variety. Coffee was the bever- large one filled with chutney. about library etiquette. There the State. They recently heard property are ‘privately owned’ anyway!” age for which the outlets were All very gratifying. It was just are now phones installed that a venerable old institution best known and it was said that that the pongal was nowhere to within the reading area and was planning to bring down a Unlike Tamil Nadu, where most patrons stepped in for be seen. MMM poked around the staff has to frequently an- 100-year-old tree to raise a we live on promises, several coffee and stayed on for more. with the thoughtfully provided swer calls and talk into them modern facility – and the tree States have Tree Protection MMM was one of the faithful. plastic spoon and discovered for long periods of time. That was not even shown in the plan Acts. Comprehensive and well- There were certain draw- two measly blobs of pongal, puts paid to silence of any sent for approval! All this from backs, of course. Most of the hidden under the sambar kind. And, as a consequence, drafted acts that sensitively branches had standing room packet. A magnifying glass members now think they can an institution regularly visited look at protection of trees by the elite of the city – a well- only.