Friday, March 19, 2010

Chennai is 3rd best city to live


The verdict is out — despite its blazing hot summers and freezing winters, its brash people and the high cost of living, Delhi has been crowned the ‘most liveable city’ in India. The capital ranks first among the 37 other Indian cities evaluated by the CII institute of competitiveness. Namma Chennai was found to be the third best city to live in, after Mumbai.
The Confederation of Indian Industries’ ‘Liveability’ index study mapped the different pillars that determine the quality of living conditions — housing options, crime and safety, educational and medical facilities, economic and natural environment, and the social, cultural and political situation in these cities for 10 years.
While Delhi came out tops, as the safest city, with the best education facilities and the most favourable economic environment, Kerala’s trio — Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi — were ranked best for health and medical standards. Shockingly, Chennai — considered the Mecca of healthcare and hub of medical tourism — is among the 11 disgraced cities where ‘healthcare is an issue of gravest concern’, according to the index.
State health secretary V.K. Subburaj, however, begs to differ. “I have not seen the study, but Chennai is definitely not lagging behind in healthcare. Both government and private hospitals here are among the best in the country and are doing very good work.”
Chennai has not fared too well, compared to the other metros — even Bengaluru and Bhopal have overtaken the Tamil capital that ranks fifth where safety and the crime rate is concerned. Urban household crowding is another embarrassment to Chennai that came in 25th.
Chennai does not seem to have a very tolerant population, as it only manages a fifth rank in social, cultural and political environment. As regards economic progress, it has again notched a weak rank five.
Surprisingly, the city has been declared eco-friendly, with a second rank in environment after Mumbai.

- Indian Journalist.

No comments:

Post a Comment