Pradeepkumar Sundarraj’s Post

Did you know that prominent Indian cities such as Kolkata, Chennai, Surat, Bangalore, and Hyderabad have experienced recurring flooding in recent decades? Recently, the National Disaster Management Authority, sanctioned a grant of INR 150 crore for a crucial urban flood mitigation project in Chennai. 🌧️💧 In his insightful research publication, "Urban Flooding: Status of Sediment Management Strategies in Tropical Regions," Maritime Research Center’s Research Fellow Romit Kaware explores the impact of urban flooding and highlights a need for an integrated approach to tackle this issue effectively. Key strategies include: 1️⃣ Early warning systems 2️⃣ Data collection and sharing 3️⃣ Stakeholder consultations 4️⃣ Spatial planning 5️⃣ Creating awareness These strategies are essential for building resilience against urban flooding and ensuring the safety and sustainability of our cities. 🔗Read more: https://bit.ly/3LTUkoO Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Arnab Das, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of India . #UrbanFlooding #floodmitigation #sustainablecities #ClimateAdaptation #ResearchInsights #urbanplanning

Coastal cities like Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata are sinking! Rising sea levels are a looming threat to India's coastlines, jeopardizing millions of lives and billions of dollars in infrastructure. Saltwater intrusion is contaminating freshwater sources and eroding beaches. We need to act now! Demand stricter emission regulations and support initiatives promoting coastal protection. Together, we can save India's coastlines from rising seas! #RisingSeas #ActOnClimate #ninefoundation #climatechange #empoweringyouth #sustainability #futureisgreen

Chennai's future faces a critical challenge, with 7% of its land projected to be submerged by 2040 due to rising sea levels, as reported by CSTEP. This is a wake-up call for all of us—choose your land wisely, plan sustainably, and take action today to safeguard our city's future. #Chennai2030 #ClimateChange #Sustainability #SaveOurCities #EnvironmentalImpact #FutureOfChennai

In today's Times of India, https://lnkd.in/gDJsqSmS I argue that the solutions for Smart City goals need not be reinvented with fresh surveys and reports. They only need the political will to be implemented based on civic prior art. Chennai's urban environment has regressed into heavily built concrete masses, traffic congestion, excessive motorisation, diminished pedestrian space and local air/noise pollution peaks. New flyovers promise more induced demand for vehicular travel, contravening the stated Non-Motorised Transport policy of the government. The city is imposing vehicle dependence due to disappearing inner-city bus services. Extraordinary funds are being spent on showcase projects, while pan-city basics like last mile bus service through residential neighbourhoods, flood control in suburban housing developments, walkability and e-governance are neglected. Do we need largescale spending to beautify lakes and parks, rather than be smart about rejuvenating them at low cost? Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) Chennai Smart City Chennai Metro Rail UITP ITF - International Transport Forum International Federation of Pedestrians GIZ India Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) World Resources Institute The World Bank Bharat Dahiya, PhD #smartcities #urbanisation #Chennai #pedestrianisation #buses #mobility #metrorail #pollution #climate

🚗 Issues facing Bengaluru such as traffic congestion, strained infrastructure, and air pollution are indicative of infrastructure deficiencies and significant gaps in urban planning and management frameworks. Despite significant investments in sustainable transport, private vehicle usage is increasing. The public bus service provided by BMTC is insufficient for the dense population relying on it. The BMRCL Metro line projects aim to connect the city, but inadequate last-mile connectivity and high ticket fares discourage its use. 🏙️ The 15-minute neighborhoods concept offers a solution by creating greener, accessible, and sustainable neighborhoods. It addresses last-mile connectivity, reduces private vehicle dependency, and improves residents' quality of life. Image Credit : Map of existing social and transport infrastructure in Bengaluru, Jana Urban Space, 15 Minute Neighborhood Inception Report Data Credit : Bangalore Political Action Committee (B.PAC) + Uber, Sustainable Mobility for Bengaluru, March 2020 Sanika Athavale, Bengaluru's air quality sees 40% deterioration in 1 year, Dec 4, 2022, The Times Of India #trafficcongestion #strainedinfrastructure #airpollution #mobilityinbengaluru #urbanstreets #bengaluru #janaurbanspace #jusp

Got some liquid insights, as I was reading, "My Life in Full" , Indra Nooyi's book, where she discusses about various facets of her life. When she mentioned Chennai, she highlighted the severe water scarcity, where people had to stand in long queues to collect water. That was Chennai then. Even I have experienced it. When we used to tell anyone we are from Chennai, they would immediately inquire about the water scarcity. What struck me as I read the book today is that we aren't facing water scarcity to that extent anymore. While I don’t deny that some areas continue to face water issues, the sight of water tankers plying the roads was common then, which is not the case today. It’s clear that while some progress has been made, there’s still much work to be done. Today, as I was watching the news, they mentioned water scarcity in Delhi, and last month it was Bengaluru that made the news for water scarcity. PG rents were increased owing to water scarcity, and I had my share to pay for that. I did see many water tankers plying in the garden city. All that said and done, it's time to focus on deurbanization and manage the resources we have effectively. By adopting innovative solutions and learning from each other, we can safeguard our resources for the future. Let us put to use the technological advancements we have, to ensure we continue to promote sustainable practices. #LiquidInsights #WaterManagement #Sustainability #UrbanPlanning #ClimateAction

📜The Real Test of Progress: India’s Urban Infrastructure Failures🌇 As the monsoons roll in, once again, large swathes of our urban landscape descend into chaos. Cities like Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai – the very pillars of India’s growth story – become unlivable as waterlogging, crumbling infrastructure, and poor waste management take center stage. It's 2024, yet we find ourselves grappling with challenges that should have been long resolved. The sight of rainwater mixing with sewage, garbage dumps emitting unbearable stench, and pothole-ridden streets become all too familiar. Is this the face of an “aspiring superpower?” While we chase lofty goals of economic growth, technological advancement, and military strength, we are failing at something far more fundamental—providing a decent quality of life to our citizens. How can we boast about being the fifth-largest economy in the world when our urban infrastructure crumbles at the mere onset of rain? Shouldn't the very markers of development include the ability to manage the basic civic needs of clean streets, effective drainage, and waste disposal? A country that cannot guarantee its citizens a basic standard of living—where people can step out of their homes without wading through ankle-deep water or holding their noses to escape the stench of rotting garbage—has misplaced priorities. India deserves better! #india #mumbai #development #delhi #government #kolkata #monsoon #waterlogging

🌧️ Cyclone in Chennai: A Moment for Resilience and Care 🌪️ Today, Chennai faces the challenge of a cyclone. As we navigate through this, let’s remind ourselves of the strength and unity that defines us as a community. 💪 🏠 For homeowners, it’s a time to reflect on the importance of preparedness: ✅ Secure loose items around your property. ✅ Check for any potential waterlogging areas and clear them. ✅ Stay indoors and ensure family safety. 🌟 As real estate professionals, events like this highlight our responsibility to create homes and communities that prioritize safety, sustainability, and resilience. 💡 Let’s use this time to: ✔️ Look out for our neighbors. ✔️ Share resources and updates with those who might need it. ✔️ Stay informed and positive. Chennai has weathered many storms, and together, we’ll get through this one too. Stay safe, everyone! 🙏 #ChennaiCyclone #StaySafe #Resilience #CommunitySupport #RealEstateWithCare

💦 Little Rain, Bangalore Roads Clogged Again! 💦 Bangalore, known as India's Silicon Valley, faces a recurring issue of waterlogged roads even after light rain 💦 . This problem is due to poor drainage systems, rapid urbanization, and ineffective water management. Bangalore's outdated and poorly maintained drainage systems are ill-equipped to handle rainwater, leading to clogged roads. Rapid urbanization has compounded this issue, with infrastructure failing to keep pace with the city's growing population and traffic. Additionally, the city's shrinking lakes and green spaces, which once absorbed rainwater 💦 , no longer fulfill this critical function. These are the rains Bangaloreans have been waiting for, but once they are here, we need to take the most benefit out of it and save this water to fight the water crisis in Bangalore. Rainwater that could recharge water bodies and be harvested for future use is wasted, flooding roads instead. Addressing these issues requires upgrading drainage infrastructure and incorporating sustainable urban planning. Rainwater harvesting and restoring water bodies can significantly mitigate flooding and ensure better water management. By implementing these solutions, Bangalore can prevent rainwater from clogging roads and instead use it to recharge water bodies, creating a more sustainable and flood-resistant city. #bangalorerain #bangalorefloods #bangaloreroads #bangalore #rain #rainharvesting #lakes #waterbodies #trees #urbanization #bengaluru #sustainable

#Bengaluru's water crisis: Once known for its lakes and gardens, Bengaluru now faces water scarcity. The growth of the IT sector and arbitrary policies have led to rapid, unplanned urbanization, depleting greenery and groundwater. Data reveals alarming trends, including a surge in paved surfaces, decline in vegetation, and drop in water bodies. Lakes critical for water supply are vanishing, and groundwater levels have dipped dramatically, deepening the city's water crisis. Unplanned infrastructure growth and a lack of water connections in transformed villages worsen the situation, causing both scarcity and flooding. Ethical planning and social and environmental assessments are imperative for sustainable development of mega cities like Bengaluru. #Bengaluruwatercrisis #watermanagement #urbanplanning #sustainabledevelopment #megacities #impactinnutshell #environment #sustainability #urbanization