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Chennai
ACCOMMODATION IN
CHENNAI
Executives
have a wide choice. Most of the popular locations are within a
radius of 10 km from the business areas of the cities, which means
commuting is not a problem like in many other cities.
For
instance , Gopalpuram, Ashoknagar, Anna Nagar, T.Nagar, Besant
nagar. As an illustration, a 2 bedroom flat of approx 950 sq ft
in the latter three areas would range from Rs 5,500 to 18,000
per month. Usually deposits are asked for 6 to 10 months in advance.
Furnished flats are also available, as are furniture items too.While
brokers are useful, the classifieds of papers like The Hindu make
things easier. Chennai residents measure real estate in " grounds"
i.e. units of 2,400 sq ft. Packing and moving services are getting
popular and are fairly efficient.
INFRASTRUCTURE,
SERVICES, COST OF LIVING
Electricity:
Chennai rarely experiences power cuts. The power supply is better
than most Indian metros.
Cooking
Gas: Unless you are transferring your existing connection
from elsewhere forget about the major state owned gas companies.
New connections from public sector gas companies take 2 years
from application. Refill delivery time ranges between 3 days to
a week Private gas vendors supply on demand and are efficient,
for instance SPIC who charge a deposit of Rs 2500 plus Rs 250
per refill for the 12 kg cylinder. (and around Rs 400 for 17 kg
cylinder).
Water:
The municipality supplies piped water but the supply is insufficient.
Hence the water is released only for 4 hours in the morning and
1 hr ain the evening. In some years there has been a shortage
of water in summer. Residents of flats generally get water from
water suppliers.
Sanitation:
Chennai municipal authorities have outsourced the collection and
disposal of garbage to a Singapore firm. The city seems to be
cleaner than before say long time residents.
Domestic
help: Domestic help is available without difficulty: cost
around 350 to 600 a month. This includes cleaning the house, washing
the dishes and clothes.
Creches:
Creches are available and they cost around 400 to 500. There are
several special facilities for handicapped persons, aged people
and so on and are usually listed in telephone directories.
Telephones:
Realistically speaking new connections are difficult to obtain
immediately (takes at least a month) from the govt telephone.
Cell telephones are easily available.
Internet: Internet is available in Chennai and the service
is said to be good. Apart from VSNL, the private services are
Satyam, Dishnet, Cyberwave (cable modem) and several others. Rates
are going down with competition. Cybercafes are seen all over
the city.
Banks:
All over the city, ATMs are common. Very efficient service, you
can't see much difference between nationalised banks and private
banks it is said.
Media:
Chennai has many newspapers including the The Hindu, Indian Express,
Daily Thanthi, Dinamalar. Many magazines and journals too are
published from here.
Cinema
and TV: Chennai is the capital of the south Indian film industry...what
south Indian..many Hindi films too are made here. Several studios
are based in Chennai. The influence of films is all pervasive.
More than fifty years ago politicians in these parts realised
the cinema could be a powerful tool for mass awareness. They planned
to systematically make use of the film industry to further their
goals. They were successful, unfortunately too successful and
it is now a case of films dominating politics. Sometimes it is
hard to tell in Chennai where the real world ends and the film
world begins. In recent times directors have been concentrating
on technical excellence and the results are showing.
TV
is also very popular but has not yet shaken off the cinema influence.
The success of cable TV and demand for locally oriented TV is
likely to increase the penetration of TV in Chennai. Already service
providers have started offering internet through cable TV.
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