So Chennai is gearing up for harsh summers already! To beat the rising summer temperatures day-by-day, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has revealed a series of public welfare measures aimed at easing the heat burden on city residents. Mayor R. Priya announced the installation of additional shade pavilions and the setup of drinking water and buttermilk distribution stations at key public locations. The initiative is expected to offer much-needed relief to commuters, vendors, and pedestrians during the peak summer months.
The announcement follows appeals from several city councillors, who highlighted the urgent need to provide heat mitigation solutions in Chennai’s public spaces. “This is a practical step to support people during extreme weather,” said Mayor Priya. “Our focus is to ensure comfort and health for everyone, especially those spending long hours outdoors.”
In addition to heat relief efforts, the Mayor detailed progress on several civic development projects. A key initiative includes the construction of an Animal Birth Control (ABC) center in Ward 184, with a budget allocation of ₹1.61 crore from the corporation’s capital funds. Alongside this, a new cattle shed is also being constructed at an estimated cost of ₹2.5 crore, aimed at enhancing animal welfare infrastructure in the city.
Environmental rejuvenation is another area receiving attention, with the restoration of Kilinjal Lake underway under the Singara Chennai 2.0 initiative. The project, valued at ₹40 lakh, is designed to revive the lake ecosystem and provide improved green spaces for public use.
The Mayor also visited the Sholinganallur zone, where she inaugurated the construction of a multipurpose building within the Ward 195 office premises. This structure, funded through her development grant of ₹50 lakh, will serve as a community hub. Additionally, she inspected ongoing work at a new community welfare center along Rajiv Gandhi Road, which is being developed at a cost of ₹5.81 crore under the same urban renewal mission.
GCC Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran, who accompanied the Mayor during her field visits, emphasized that the corporation is adopting a holistic approach to urban development. “From health and fitness to environmental and animal welfare, our focus is on making Chennai a city that caters to all its citizens’ needs,” he said.
As the city braces for a harsh summer, the combination of heat relief measures and infrastructure upgrades reflects Chennai’s commitment to enhancing urban livability and resilience.
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