Continuous ambient air quality monitoring systems are to be installed at two locations in the city in the first week of next month. Officials of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) said the equipment, each costing around Rs.70 lakh, would be installed at IIT-Madras, near the Velachery gate of the campus, and Metropolitan Transport Corporation depot in Alandur. The systems would be installed by the Central Pollution Control Board.

Officials of the Air Intelligence Unit of the Customs at the Anna international terminal seized 235 live star tortoises from a 26 year-old Sri Lankan national bound for Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. C. Rajan, Commissioner of Customs (Airport), said the passenger, Mohamed Mohideen Mohamed Murshit, informed the authorities that a stranger gave the baggage containing the star tortoises, which he accepted for a monetary consideration. The seized tortoises were handed over to the Wildlife officials. Further investigation is on.

THE Madras High Court on Wednesday issued notices to the State Government on a public interest writ petition that sought to put the administration on the mat for releasing untreated sewage water directly or indirectly into the city's waterways. Petitioner V Ravichandran, founder-chairman of an NGO, Cit izens Guardians, alleged that the government was not implementing the Chennai City River Conservation Project in its letter and spirit. A vacation bench comprising justices G Rajasuria and M Sathyanarayanan ordered notice to the authorities concerned, returnable in four weeks.

NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE: Pollution, congested development and lack of a railway system such as the MRTS are depriving residents of north Chennai of quality life. A picture of contrast between Tondiarpet and Saidapet. The lines dividing north and south Chennai are not only drawn across access to quality healthcare, education or the standard of living but also physically drawn by the Railways.

THE JOB profile said bird scarer, but what 28 men did not bargain for while taking up employment was the even scarier work conditions. Contracted more than a decade ago by a private agency to keep birds off Chennai Airport limits, more specifically the runways, these men feel exploited. The duty involves standing long hours and bursting crackers to ensure absolute absence of birds from the runway area. The hot sun and rain are accepted as professional hazards. But the lack of minimum support rankles.

Many are not convinced about the certification or the manner in which it is promoted, writes K.S.Subramanian At home with nature:Essentially the concept is to be in harmony with nature with good use of cross ventilation, light and water. Chennai has the reputation of holding nearly 68 per cent of Green building space in the country. But not all are totally convinced in the manner green building concepts are promoted, verified and certified

A section of conversancy workers of Tambaram Municipality, along with their families, have appealed to the local body to improve sanitation facilities in their locality in Gandhi Nagar. On Tuesday, men, women and children gathered at the local body office and submitted petitions to municipal chairman E. Mani and commissioner L.S. Girija. They said that they have been living in Gandhi Nagar, coming under Ward No. 38 for several years.

The price of haphazard development is paid by residents of BHEL Nagar and Amman Nagar, who have endured a persistent water stagnation problem for over 10 years now. Well into the summer, buffaloes find a cool haven in the water and sewage stagnant inside the colony. "The water dries for a few months from June or July. Since the layout of over three acres area was occupied from 1992, residents have had to deal with stagnant water two or three feet deep for six to eight months a year,' said Adhi Narayanan, Secretary, BHEL Nagar and Amman Nagar Association.

Domestic water supply in the city has been increased by three million litres daily (mld) for a week now to meet the rising demand in the summer months. According to a Chennai Metrowater official, the water supplied to domestic consumers through pipeline and tankers has been increased to 586 mld to match the rising demand. The total volume of water supplied to the city, including industrial and bulk purposes, has been increased from 645 mld to 650 mld.