The 1,380 residential quarters/flats built under the Tamil Nadu Government Servants Rental Housing Scheme and the TNHB Board Rental Flats were meant to be rebuilt to restore services, following the demolition of the dilapidated buildings after a long-drawn legal battle. CMDA's decision is set to change the land use of the site where the flats once stood forever.

The land, part of the 25.55-acre site identified for the project at Foreshore Estate, will be handed over to the Public Works Department (PWD) after the change in classification. "After the TNHB gave the NOC, we are working on reclassification. Once it is done, we are also taking steps to secure Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance," said a senior official from the authority.

The site comprises 21.76 acres under the possession of the Tamil Nadu Housing Board, 0.93 acres belonging to the Greater Chennai Corporation, 1.73 acres of Revenue Department land and 1.13 acres of Tamil Nadu Housing Board land under the possession of the State government.

The respective agencies and the district administration have already given their NOC for the project. Meanwhile, the proposal has drawn opposition from fishermen in Pattinapakkam, who claim the land was originally intended for the rehabilitation of fishing families. Concerns regarding their access to the area and livelihood, the implications for the coastal ecosystem, and the traffic bottleneck it could create have also been raised.

The consultation, titled, A Decade of Implementation and the Way Forward’, was conducted with Justice G Jayachandran, chairman of the Juvenile Justice and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (Pocso) Committee. Justices GR Swaminathan and S Srimathy, members of the committee, also participated in the deliberations.

The programme brought together representatives from the judiciary, senior government departments, police leadership, Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs), District Child Protection Units (DCPUs), child care institutions and organisations working in the field of child rights. Participants reviewed progress in implementing the JJ Act and discussed measures required to make child protection mechanisms more effective, accessible and accountable. Reflections on the Act’s functioning during the last ten years were also shared during the consultation, along with recommendations for the next decade.

Participating in the discussion, child rights activist Andrew Jesuraj said, “A major focus was placed on preventing children from entering vulnerable situations through early identification and timely intervention. Strengthening the functioning of CWCs, JJBs and child care institutions was identified as another key priority.”

The discussions also highlighted the need to support families and reduce avoidable institutionalisation by expanding adoption, foster care and other family-based care options. Greater attention was sought for children with disabilities and special needs.

With children increasingly exposed to risks online, participants stressed the importance of strengthening safeguards against digital exploitation and emerging forms of abuse. Better coordination among child protection agencies, police, healthcare, education and social welfare departments was also emphasised.

The consultation further underlined the importance of involving children in decisions that affect them and strengthening professional social work services.

Two stolen AC outdoor units were recovered and an autorickshaw allegedly used in the crime was seized.

The case came to light after Koyilraj Jaisingh (62), a resident of First Main Road in Maduravoyal, lodged a complaint with the Maduravoyal police station.

He had reportedly travelled to Coimbatore on August 25 to visit his daughter and returned home on the night of September 6.

When he attempted to switch on his air-conditioner the following morning, he found that it was not functioning.

On checking outside his house, he discovered that the AC's outdoor unit had been stolen.

Following a complaint, police registered a case and launched an investigation. A special team led by the Crime

Branch Inspector of the Maduravoyal police station investigated the case and arrested Mukesh (28) of T.P. Chatram, Shenoy Nagar, and Venkatesh (28) of Pudupet, on September 10.

Police said the two allegedly travelled in an autorickshaw, identified houses after conducting reconnaissance and stole AC outdoor units installed outside the premises.

Besides the complainant's house, they allegedly targeted another house in the Maduravoyal area.

Two AC outdoor units were recovered from the accused, while the autorickshaw allegedly used to commit the thefts was seized.

The two men were produced before a court on September 10 and remanded in judicial custody.

The case dates back to 2009, when Kannan, an LIC manager at Anna Salai, lodged a complaint with the Chennai City Police Commissioner’s Office. According to the complaint, a maturity cheque for Rs 3,22,500 belonging to LIC policyholder V Vijayakumar had been sent to his address in Sowcarpet.

However, unidentified persons allegedly obtained the cheque, created forged documents in Vijayakumar's name and impersonated him to encash the amount through a bank.

A case was registered by the Central Crime Branch's Video Piracy Cell and Conventional Crime Investigation Wing (VPC & CCIW), and an investigation was launched.

Following renewed efforts by a special police team, Prathap (41), a native of Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district, was arrested on August 31. His alleged associate, Arjunan (50) of MG Nagar in Taramani, Chennai, was arrested on September 10.

Police said documents connected to the case were seized from the accused. Both men were produced before a court and remanded in judicial custody.

The deceased was identified as Munagala Nikhil Reddy, son of businessman Munagala Subba Reddy from Kadapa district in Andhra Pradesh.

Nikhil was pursuing the final year of his MS postgraduate course at a private medical college in Kelambakkam and was staying in a rented apartment near the institution.

Police said the examination results were announced on Thursday night, and Nikhil was reportedly distressed after learning that he had failed in two subjects.

His friends had allegedly tried to console him, telling him that eight students had failed in the examinations and urging him not to lose hope.

The incident occurred around 7 am on Friday. Security personnel and others alerted the Kelambakkam police after Nikhil was found dead.

Police recovered the body and sent it to Chengalpattu Government Hospital for post-mortem examination.

His parents have been informed, and further investigation is under way.

Discussing suicides can be triggering for some. However, suicides are preventable. In case you feel distressed by the content or know someone in distress, call --- Sneha, Chennai: 91-44-2464 0050, 91-44-2464 0060; Maithri, Cochin: +91 239 6272; Sumaitri, New Delhi: 2338 9090; Aasra, Mumbai: 9820466726; Fortis MentalHealth: 8376804102.

Vinayagar Chaturthi, one of the major Hindu festivals, will be celebrated across the country on Monday, September 14.

With Saturday, Sunday and Monday forming a long weekend, many people began their journeys on Friday to spend the holidays in their native places.

The festive rush has also led to a sharp increase in domestic airfares, with ticket prices on several routes from Chennai rising three to four times their normal levels.

Passengers travelling to destinations including Thoothukudi, Madurai, Tiruchy, Coimbatore, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata have been hit by the steep hike.

The Chennai-Madurai fare, normally around Rs 5,393, rose to Rs 19,761, while tickets to Bengaluru increased from Rs 3,801 to Rs 17,993. The Chennai-Delhi fare jumped from Rs 8,943 to Rs 31,047.

Similarly, fares to Thoothukudi rose from Rs 6,991 to Rs 17,153, Tiruchy from Rs 4,646 to Rs 14,673, Coimbatore from Rs 4,966 to Rs 16,496, Hyderabad from Rs 4,467 to Rs 18,207, Mumbai from Rs 6,516 to Rs 24,592 and Kolkata from Rs 6,250 to Rs 20,716.

Despite the steep increase in fares, passengers are continuing to book flights to make the most of the extended holiday and celebrate the festival with their families.

Residents and parents had been anxious as the cables remained unattended on the street for over three months, right outside the two centres and the adjacent Sri Venkatesa Perumal Temple.

With around 88 children visiting the centres every day, the residents had raised safety fears.

Ongoing repair works on the road and footpath added to the woes of pedestrians, including toddlers, parents and temple devotees, who had no other go but to navigate the exposed power cables.

Taking quick note of the DT Next report, TNPDCL officials arrived at the spot and laid the cables underground.

Residents and parents welcomed the prompt action, expressing relief over the resolution of the safety threat.

The move comes amid a surge in fever cases in August and September, during which the city received sporadic rains, which created a conducive environment for mosquito breeding.

A senior GCC official told DT Next that Chennai has recorded more than 6,400 fever cases since August. In just the last two days, around 1,900 fever cases were recorded across the city, with 600 testing positive for dengue.

The corporation has decided to mobilse adequate manpower to combat the outbreak, the official said. “Over 3,700 workers will be involved in this exercise, with 2,076 dedicated specifically to door-to-door house inspections, fogging, and chemical spraying activities," the official said, stressing that public cooperation was critical to curbing transmission.

Commissioner Sameeran has also issued strict operational directives for field teams. Domestic Breeding Checkers (DBC) must report for duty by 7 am daily and attend mandatory gate meetings before heading to assigned beats. Armed with larvicides and inspection tools, these personnel will check home interiors and exteriors including overhead tanks, sumps, wells, cement tubs, refrigerator drip trays, and air conditioner units for larvae.

They are also tasked with inspecting public parks, commercial hubs, schools, hostels, and construction sites while logging active fever cases during home visits.

Simultaneously, health inspectors (HI) have been instructed to conduct morning gate briefings, allocate field beats, and cross-verify DBC logs. These officials must visit the residences of patients diagnosed with fever at government hospitals, GCC clinics, and private facilities to identify local breeding sources. Furthermore, they will oversee chemical fogging operations, conduct student awareness sessions, organize special medical camps in fever hotspots, and track post-discharge patients.

With intermittent rains heightening the risk of stagnant water, Sameeran appealed directly to residents to eliminate breeding sites. Citizens were urged to clear discarded tires, coconut shells, and unused containers, keep water storage units tightly covered, and clean refrigerator drip trays and indoor plant containers weekly.

The study, conducted by the Forum for Indian Women Intellect in August, stressed that building toilets alone is not enough and that continuous maintenance must be prioritised.

The survey covered 49 toilets, including 43 under government control and six under private management. Of these, 42 were within Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) limits and seven in rural Dharmapuri district.

By facility type, the study inspected 42 women's toilets, six men's toilets, and one unisex facility.

Findings revealed that only nine government-controlled toilets (22.5%) were reasonably clean and equipped with basic amenities.

Among privately managed facilities, six were classified as reasonably clean, though the report noted that even these fell short of benchmark standards.

Key deficiencies included a lack of basic equipment and disinfectants, absence of sanitation workers, and erratic water supply. Inadequate water was recorded in six facilities, six lacked cleaning staff, and seven lacked cleaning materials.

Broken flooring, damaged doors and latches, poor ventilation, cobwebs, and areas vulnerable to snakes and insects were also reported.

The situation was particularly concerning in several colleges, where poorly maintained toilets surrounded by overgrown vegetation created safety risks for students and staff.

Waterlogging, missing doors, and the presence of venomous insects posed additional hazards, especially for women.

"NAAC guidelines expect one toilet per 25 female students. However, government women's arts colleges themselves neglect or fail to open such infrastructure. Is it fair for NAAC to strictly mandate that private colleges implement these stringent norms when government colleges fail to do so?" asked a private college principal.

In Kodungaiyur, a GCC school reportedly had just one sanitation worker, with toilets cleaned only once daily.

At a nearby GCC Anganwadi, workers faced water shortages and inadequate supplies, often purchasing cleaning materials out of their own wages. Protective gear such as masks was also found lacking.

Facilities across rural and urban TN routinely lacked necessities like water, lighting, ventilation, door locks, dustbins, ramps, and staff. At several locations, residents avoided using the facilities altogether.

"Inadequate sanitation disproportionately affects women, girls, transgender persons, the elderly, and the differently abled. Poor access to safe and clean toilets restricts women's mobility and participation in workplaces and public life, besides contributing to health problems," said P Sivakami, founder and president of the forum.

To fix these gaps, the study proposed 13 measures to modernise toilets, including replacing tiled surfaces with grout-free materials, installing sensor-based taps, flushes, and soap dispensers, adopting doorless Z-shaped entrances, improving ventilation, and creating rear service corridors for upkeep.

It also proposed real-time digital monitoring to track ammonia levels, odour intensity, sensor performance, and consumable availability.

Other recommendations included improved disability access, dedicated maintenance budgets, school sanitation education, awareness campaigns for rural and elderly users, clearer signage, and caretakers where needed.

Emphasising that sanitation must be treated as an ongoing public service rather than a headcount of constructed structures, the report called for dedicated financial allocation and round-the-clock monitoring to keep public toilets functional.

LOCATIONS SURVEYED

• Govt offices/ hubs: Shastri Bhawan, Income Tax Office, ICF office, King Institute (office & nearby Anganwadi), Egmore Rajarathinam Stadium site, Marina Beach, Connemara Public Library, Kilpauk Cemetery, petrol pumps

• Transit/ parks: Trains, railway stations, Harur Bus Stand, Natesan Park, Jeeva Nagar Park gym

• Malls/ IT: VR, Nexus, Phoenix, Express Avenue, private IT offices

• Healthcare: Kodungaiyur Primary Health Centre

• Rural (Dharmapuri): Harur block (Sellampatti, Reppampatti, Theerthamalai, Ethiyampatti) & Pappireddipatti Block (Bethur, Kolagampatti)

Through their research-design collective Loksutr, based in Madhya Pradesh, the duo then works with artists to turn these narratives into visual forms. Their latest exhibition, 'Myth, Memory, Form,' brings together three such stories, tracing the origins of the Narmada, the Pardhaan Gond community and painting itself.

“The three stories are very different, but they all look at origins and how knowledge is carried forward. We wanted to bring these narratives together through the visual language of the artists and the communities we work with,” says Achyut.

The first of these is the origin story of River Narmada, presented through 24 paintings arranged sequentially. Titled 'The Whispers of Immortality', the work also extends into a monumental canvas, with multiple Pardhaan Gond artists coming together to interpret the story. “The Narmada story is something that has been carried through generations.

When you see the paintings together, they read almost like a continuous story. The sequence was important because we wanted the narrative to remain intact,” shares Apoorva.

The second work, 'The Pardhaan Continuum', looks at the origin story of the Pardhaan Gond community.

Traditionally regarded as custodians of oral traditions within the Gond community, the Pardhaan have played an important role in carrying stories from one generation to another. Loksutr has presented this narrative as a 7.5-metre-long accordion book. “We were interested in the story of the community itself and the role they have played in carrying knowledge. The accordion format gave us the space to present that story as something that unfolds gradually,” says Achyut.

The third body of work, Smriti Sutradhaara, turns the focus towards painting itself. Developed in collaboration with four Odisha Pattachitra artists, it draws from Chitra Lakshana and Chitra Sutra, two early texts that deal with painting and image-making. The story is presented through 21 paintings.

“Here, we were looking at painting as a practice and asking where some of these ideas around image-making came from. We worked with Pattachitra artists to interpret the texts through their own visual language,” says Apoorva

A total of 10 artists have contributed to the exhibition, six from the Pardhaan Gond tradition and four from Odisha Pattachitra. For Loksutr, the collaboration is as important as the final work.

“We are not just documenting knowledge and putting it into an archive. We work with the communities to visualise that knowledge. The artists are part of that process and the work develops through the collaboration,” says Achyut.

The exhibition also brings together two living art traditions. Both Gond art and Odisha Pattachitra continue to evolve through the artists who practise them and Loksutr wanted to bring that continuing process into the conversation. “There is constant adaptation, improvement and innovation within these art forms. What we are bringing to Chennai is the backstory, how it all began and the culture behind these traditions,” says Achyut.

For the duo, the exhibition is also an opportunity to look at what lies behind a familiar visual language. The paintings are not simply illustrations of myths, but ways of presenting knowledge that has existed within communities for generations. “People see a painting or an art form without knowing the stories and history behind it. We want the exhibition to give them a deeper sense of these living traditions and the communities that sustain them,” Apoorva tells us.

Developed over three years, Myth, Memory, Form brings together these different narratives in a single space, showing how oral knowledge can move into paintings and other visual forms while remaining connected to the communities from which it comes. Myth, Memory, Form is on view from September 12 to December 6 at Varija Art Gallery, DakshinaChitra Museum.

Developed with AI4Bharat, the models cover four capabilities—speech recognition (Indic-Transcribe), text-to-speech (Indic-Speak), machine translation (Indic-Translate) and optical character recognition (Indic-OCR).

The initiative will enable developers, startups, universities, researchers, technology companies and government agencies to deploy, adapt and fine-tune the models for Indian-language applications, including those involving regional dialects and accents. Bodhan AI and AI4Bharat are using NVIDIA’s NeMo framework to train models for automatic speech recognition, machine translation and optical character recognition.

NVIDIA Nemotron 3.5 ASR has also been post-trained for Indian languages, while NVIDIA TensorRT-LLM and vLLM inference microservices are being used to serve them. “Bodhan AI and AI4Bharat aim to give India’s developers and model builders the best open models they can deploy, adapt and fine-tune,” said Prof Mitesh Khapra, principal investigator at Bodhan AI and AI4Bharat.

NVIDIA senior distinguished engineer Niket Agarwal said, “Open models are essential for developers building technology for the languages and communities they serve. The models will be offered as open-weight releases and through hosted APIs.”

Bodhan AI said that its educational applications would remain free for learners, educators and partner state governments. Its API infrastructure is also intended to operate within India’s digital ecosystem, enabling large-scale deployment and customisation for Indian languages and contexts.

Public health doctor and researcher Dr Sylvia Karpagam’s book ‘The Meat of The Matter: How the Politics of Food Shapes Our Health’ deals with many such questions, myths and food habits that often governments, cultures and corporations enforce upon the public. She looks beyond the plate at what and who determines who eats what.

Answering the original question, she says, “Giving soya and millet to children is, firstly, difficult to digest, which means that they won’t feel hungry for a longer time. So, they need to be given digestive food that is nutrient-dense.”

An egg contains 6-8 gms of protein, while a much larger quantity of soya has to be consumed to meet that nutrient requirement. The book, thus, was born out of this necessity to bust myths and misconceptions around food and nutrition, says the doctor. While doing research as a community health doctor, Dr Sylvia and her team visited many parts of the urban and rural areas, including schools, and places where kids eat. In schools, they found that while the mid-day meal programme was not being implemented in many places, there were also structural issues

“For example, handing over the programme to an organisation like Akshaya Patra (owned by ISKCON). We found that it’s an ideological institution that’s openly casteist,” she recalled. “Their menu is devoid of all the items that communities normally eat; they also criminalise food items, saying it causes lust and violence. They also talk to teachers and students about it. A lot of indoctrination happens, which is enabled by the extreme right-wing governments.”

On a light-hearted note, referring to Tamil Nadu’s recent proposal to add chicken biriyani to the mid-day meal menu, she jokes, “So even if it’s chicken biryani served to children, let it be more chicken and less biryani.”

Dr Sylvia explains that communities, over the years, have figured out what nutrition means, what to eat with what they have and maximise even plant-based diets. Humans are biologically built to consume meat on a regular basis. “As humans evolved, so did our digestive tract, and it is not that we have always lived with these systems. Though we cannot consume everything, our grandmothers figured out long back on what works best and how it should be eaten to be had for the best possible outcome,” she opines. “For example, rather than highly processed soya as it is consumed now, the right way to consume it is by fermenting it.”

However, she laments that ideological bias is undeniable when researchers study the communities and their food habits. “There are questionnaires where there is no mention of meat, or food items, other than what the researchers consider a good source of nutrition. So, when the community denies consuming plant-based food, they are declared nutrition deficient. Also, when there’s no question about meat, the community is declared ignorant and their food habits are erased,” she points out.

Often, governments want to fix a deficiency by distributing tablets, but nutrient deficiencies need a holistic approach and they should begin with food.

Dr Sylvia also adds that casteism plays a huge role while creating and implementing policy. “When a Dalit student is stunted or tired all the time, it’s labelled as a result of caste and not because of the lack of nutrition in the children,” she says.

Often, governments want to fix a deficiency by distributing tablets, but nutrient deficiencies need a holistic approach and they should begin with food. “This book is mainly for communities that have been traditionally marginalised and whose foods have been criminalised, to have a reference. So they can say this is the traditional food we’ve been eating, and this is their nutritional value,” she adds.

When asked if there was anything as bad as eating too much meat as human beings, Sylvia says that one can consume the right amount of meat even every day. “There are six food groups, and each group should contribute to your meal, at least four a day,” she explains. “Cereals and millets, like ragi and rice, form one group. Second is pulses and legumes (soya, dals, karamani, peas, rajma, chana). Third is milk and dairy, fourth is fruits and vegetables, fifth is meat, poultry, fish, etc, and the last is fats and oils. One has to consume things from 4 of these categories to have a balanced meal.”

Coming to the vegetarianism question, she says that it’s a misconception that milk and dairy are all plant-based foods; however, they are animal-based. She adds that the flag-bearers of vegetarianism are pushing it on the poor.

“While people glorify the model of vegetarianism, what is being pushed on the poor is a cheap vegetarianism that is nutrient-deficient. Our children deserve better,” she states.

Through her book, she presents research on how some plant-based alternatives are expensive, inaccessible and also do not provide the nutritional value that an animal-sourced food can provide. “Meat-based iron is haem iron that is more easily absorbed by our body than iron from plant-based sources,” she explains. “See, there are no plant-based alternatives for nutrients like B12; you have to look for an animal source. And these sources are cheaper. There is nothing like soya milk; it is merely an extract.”

“Vegans can thus never meet their nutritional requirements,” she writes in her book.

Stating that the burden of climate change cannot be put on the poor, she says: “My question is, why do we want to compromise on children’s health without making these options accessible for the marginalised? A cow slaughter ban also affects those whose livelihood is through livestock, so what is their choice?”

It was this gap that three friends, Shravya Sukumar, Susritha Bakkamanthala and Prathibaa Ravichandar, noticed when they started Social Scape, an events and community platform.

The idea came up during a dinner table conversation. “We thought the city could use more fun things to do and new ways to meet people,” says Susritha. That simple idea has now grown into Social Scape, bringing together people who are looking to meet someone new, try something different or simply find a space to belong.

Shravya says the idea came from something the three friends had noticed in their own lives. “We are professionals in our 20s. Once college ends, you might find a dip in the kind of genuine connection you have. In the workplace, there are fewer real connections and friendships that you are able to organically build. That is what we wanted to do through Social Scape. It is not just an events platform. It is a kind of space where people want to come back, meet new people and find their sense of community.”

The team has experimented with different kinds of events since then. They have organised sunrise hikes at St. Thomas Mount, treasure hunts around Anna Nagar, murder mystery game nights, short film screenings and more. The founders also want Social Scape to extend beyond socialising. They have organised activities around causes such as breast cancer awareness and want to continue finding ways to give back to the community.

Prathibaa says the group has also seen a change in who attends their events. “We love seeing a mix of familiar faces who keep coming back, along with new people joining the crowd.” Much of that growth has happened through word of mouth. People who attend the events share details on WhatsApp and often bring their friends along. The team usually has a minimum of around 30 people at an event.

For Susritha, choosing the right venue is also an important part of event planning. “We pick a venue based on the activity we are doing. We have also expanded, with A Nikith Kumar, Rakshan M and T Venavin Sai joining as part of the extended team,” she adds.

Police teams led by inspectors began intensive checks and search operations on the night of September 10 and continued the operation across various parts of the city.

During the drive, police secured 185 persons with criminal backgrounds and history sheets maintained at various Greater Chennai Police stations. Officials are conducting further inquiries into their current activities and possible involvement in criminal offences.

The Commissioner of Police has warned that stringent legal action will be taken against anyone involved in criminal activities or acts that threaten law and order in the city.

Police said the complainant, Kannan (53), a resident of Chromepet, had previously worked as a general manager at a private company in Valasaravakkam and was currently looking for employment.

According to the police, Kannan became acquainted with the woman, identified as Kanchan Latha Singh, through an online app. On her invitation, the two checked into a lodge in the St Thomas Mount area on August 26.

Later that night, Kannan allegedly found that his gold chain weighing around 2.5 sovereigns and Rs 4,000 in cash were missing. He also discovered that the woman had left the lodge.

Based on his complaint, the St Thomas Mount police registered a case and launched an investigation. A police team examined CCTV footage and tracked the suspect using her mobile phone number, eventually locating her in Bengaluru.

Police travelled to Bengaluru and arrested Kanchan Latha Singh at a lodge on September 9.

Investigators recovered Rs 1.5 lakh, said to be the remaining proceeds after she allegedly sold the stolen gold chain and spent part of the money. Two mobile phones and five SIM cards were also seized.

The woman was produced before a court in Devanahalli and subsequently brought to Chennai.

After further investigation, she was produced before the Alandur court on September 10 and remanded in judicial custody.

What traders say

Traders said lemon cultivation is carried out on a larger scale in the eastern districts compared with Udumalai.

With local supply affected, traders are procuring lemons from markets in Puliyangudi, Tirumalai, Ottanchathram and Palani before selling them in bulk. The shortage in supply has pushed prices up to Rs 300 per kg.

In Kumaralingam, lemons are reportedly being sold for up to Rs 220 per kg.

Ideal conditions for lemon cultivation

In Udumalai in Tiruppur district, farmers cultivate short-, medium- and long-duration crops depending on climatic conditions and the availability and flow of water.

Crops such as coconut, banana, sugarcane, lemon and guava are cultivated in the region.

Lemon, locally known as ‘Rajagani’, is said to have its peak yield between July and December.

Benefits and demand for lemons

Lemons are a source of nutrients such as vitamin C and potassium. They are commonly consumed as part of daily meals and are also used to prepare beverages, particularly during summer.

Lemon juice-based drinks can contribute to fluid and electrolyte intake when consumed with water and an appropriate amount of salt.

The steady demand for lemons for household consumption and food preparation has encouraged many farmers to take up lemon cultivation.

The yellow metal is now priced at Rs 1,12,0120 per sovereign and Rs 14,015 per gram, after a decrease of Rs 240 per gram.

Earlier, on September 10, the yellow metal was priced at Rs 1,14,040 per sovereign and Rs 14,255 per gram.

Silver price remain unchanged

Meanwhile, silver prices also decresaed by Rs 10 to sell for Rs 245 per gram (Rs 2,45,000 per kg) on September 11.

On September 10, silver was priced at Rs 255 per gram.

Gold rate today vs gold rate on this day, last year

Gold remains significantly higher compared to last year. Prices have increased from Rs 81,200 per sovereign (Rs 10,150 per gram) on September 11, 2025, to Rs 1,12,120 per sovereign (Rs 14,015 per gram) on September 11, 2026, marking an increase of Rs 30,920 per sovereign or about 38.07% per cent.

Gold price (22-carat) over the last five days:

September 10, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,14,040 | 1 gram - Rs 14,255

September 9, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,13,160 | 1 gram - Rs 14,145

September 8, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,14,160 | 1 gram - Rs 14,270

September 7, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,13,040 | 1 gram - Rs 14,130

September 5, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,13,520 | 1 gram - Rs 14,190

Silver price over the last five days:

September 10, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

September 9, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

September 8, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

September 7, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

September 5, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

According to reports, one litre of petrol is being sold at Rs 107.77, while diesel costs Rs 99.55 per litre in Chennai on Friday.

On May 25, petrol was raised by Rs 2.61 a litre and diesel by Rs 2.71. The increase took cumulative hikes since May 15 to nearly Rs 7.5 per litre.

Until May, fuel prices had largely remained unchanged since April 2022, except for a Rs 2 per litre reduction announced in March 2024 ahead of the national elections.

Why have fuel prices been increased?

Global crude oil prices had surged more than 50 per cent since late February following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route.

State-run retailers had delayed passing on higher input costs for weeks, a move the government said was intended to shield consumers from inflation. Opposition parties, however, accused the administration of holding back price increases until after key state elections.

The May 15 increase came after the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expanded its electoral footprint by winning three of five state and UT elections, including West Bengal.

Retail fuel prices were first raised by Rs 3 per litre on May 15, followed by a 90-paise increase on May 19 and another hike on May 23, when petrol prices rose by 87 paise and diesel by 91 paise per litre.

On May 25, petrol was raised by Rs 2.61 a litre and diesel by Rs 2.71. The cumulative increase since May 15 stands at nearly Rs 7.5 per litre.

The increase varies across cities due to differences in local taxes.

Petrol rates (per litre) in Chennai across last 5 days:

September 10- Rs 107.77

September 9- Rs 107.77

September 8- Rs 107.77

September 7- Rs 107.77

September 6- Rs 107.77

Diesel rates (per litre) in Chennai across last 5 days:

September 10 - Rs 99.55

September 9 - Rs 99.55

September 8 - Rs 99.55

September 7 - Rs 99.55

September 6 - Rs 99.55

The arrested policeman was identified as Ravivarman (43) of Kancheepuram district. He was attached to the computer section in the police headquarters.

Police sources said that the head constable visited a plastic trading company in RK Nagar and claimed that he had come to search for contraband based on a tip-off. After searching the premises, the policeman found 10 boxes of gutkha, herbal medication and Rs 3.3 lakh cash.

When the constable demanded money from the establishment owner, Praveen Kumar (44), the latter sought identity proof, which led to an argument. Police reached the scene after a neighbouring shopkeeper alerted them and both Ravivarman and Praveen Kumar were taken to Korukkupet police station for further inquiry.

Probe revealed that Ravivarman acted on the instructions of another businessman who tipped off the cop about the presence of cash at Praveen Kumar's cash chest.

The other businessman, Keemaram, owed Praveen Kumar Rs 6 lakh, and Keemaram had sent Rs 3 lakh to Praveen through an emissary, Mangilal.

After handing over the cash to Praveen Kumar, Mangilal and Keemaram conspired with the policeman to snatch the cash by threatening to slap a case.

Korukkupet police arrested Mangilal and the head constable, Ravivarman.

The deceased was identified as Madin (19) of Tondiarpet, a first-year BBA student at a private college in Koyambedu. Madin, along with two others, Charanraj (17) and Krishnan (17), were travelling on the same bike from the Rohini Theatre towards VR Mall when the accident happened.

Police said the bike collided with a water tanker travelling from Koyambedu towards Tirumangalam. The three students were not wearing helmets.

Truck driver, Muhammad Iqbal (43) of Nannilam in Tiruvarur district, was arrested by the Koyambedu Traffic Investigation Wing.

The woman, also a GST inspector, filed a complaint with the Tirumangalam all women police station (AWPS), after which a case was registered and investigations were held.

After the inquiry, the police arrested the GST inspector, identified as Sourav, a native of West Bengal. The complainant, a 32-year-old woman from Andhra Pradesh, stated that Sourav has been harassing her for the past few days, and made innuendos and obscene remarks at her.

The arrested official was produced before a magistrate and remanded in judicial custody.

In another incident, the Arumbakkam all women police arrested a physical education teacher for allegedly sending obscene messages to a Class 11 student of the same school on Instagram.

The accused was identified as Moorthy (34). The student's mother filed a police complaint after she learnt of the teacher's behaviour. Probe confirmed Moorthy's behaviour after which he was arrested, said officials.

The grievance redressal meeting will be presided over by the respective superintending engineer, said the utility, requesting the public to participate in the meeting.

Residents can raise issues related to drinking water supply, sewerage services, water and sewer tax, and pending new water and sewer connections, and submit petitions directly to officials.

Information on rainwater harvesting and its maintenance will also be provided during the meeting, it said.

After the pipeline that runs through the Grand Northern Trunk (GNT) Road burst on Monday (September 7), the authorities immediately suspended water pumping through the line.

Barricades were set up at the site to prevent inconvenience to the public and motorists, said officials.

As an alternative arrangement, water was supplied through tankers to residents in Manali, Madhavaram, Tondiarpet, and Thiru Vi Ka Nagar zones, which normally receive piped water.

Repair crews worked on a war footing to replace the damaged section with a new 24-foot-long, 1200 mm diameter mild steel (MS) pipe, said the Metro Water.

To minimise disruption, additional tankers were deployed alongside those already operating in the affected areas.

Following completion of the repair works, regular water supply has resumed, with an increased volume to ensure smooth supply, it added.

Meanwhile, tanker-based water supply to street taps, water tanks, unconnected areas, and low-pressure zones continued uninterrupted, as usual, CMWSSB officials said.

A day before his brutal murder, the victim had accused the Tiruvottiyur inspector of threatening him, while the police maintained that the official had only warned him.

D Pradeep Raj of Tiruvottiyur, a DMK youth wing cadre, was intercepted and hacked to death by a gang when he was riding his two-wheeler along West Mada Street around 8.30 pm on Wednesday.

According to the police, Pradeep was involved in a quarrel with Naveen, another DMK youth wing functionary, for not repaying the Rs 9.5 lakh that he had borrowed from the latter’s mother.

The dispute worsened last month after Pradeep and gang allegedly manhandled the woman when she asked for the money and he was arrested for assault.

Enraged over this, Naveen planned to attack Pradeep, said the police. His anger grew after Pradeep came out on bail recently and made a plan to install a Vinayagar idol near Naveen's eatery.

Learning of this, the Tiruvottiyur police summoned both groups to the station and warned them against escalating the issue.

When Pradeep threatened the other group inside the station, the inspector warned him, claimed senior officers.

Despite the warning, Naveen and his associates murdered Pradeep on Wednesday, said the police, adding that they have arrested Naveen, his brother in-law and a C-category history sheeter Lokesh, Hari Krishnan, and Jabbar.

Only a week ago, a TVK functionary was chased and hacked to death by a gang in a similar manner near Besant Nagar.

For the past six months, this crucial stretch, which caters to hundreds of vehicles daily heading toward the arterial Rajiv Gandhi Salai, has been in a severe state of disrepair.

According to locals, recent rains have worsened the situation, causing minor potholes to expand.

As the top layer of the road has completely eroded, the loose gravel and exposed stones on the surface pose a significant risk to motorists.

P Sajeevan, a resident of Perungudi, urged the Greater Chennai Corporation to intervene immediately. Emphasising the need for a permanent solution rather than the usual temporary fixes, he added, “The civic body must ensure proper, durable relaying of the road instead of carrying out frequent, substandard patchworks that wash away during the monsoons.”

The poor road condition is also affecting local businesses. Eatery owners along the stretch allege that dust kicked up by vehicles moving over the broken surface is severely impacting their daily operations and food hygiene.

Furthermore, A Subramaniyan, a senior citizen, complained about the complete absence of proper footpaths.

“The limited walking space is encroached upon by eatery extensions, roadside vendors, and unregulated vehicle parking, forcing helpless pedestrians to walk on the dangerous, busy carriageway. I strongly urge GCC officials to take immediate and comprehensive action,” he said.

An official from the Greater Chennai Corporation stated, “The Metro Water Office made a few road cuts and has rectified them. Patchwork will be carried out in the identified stretches across the ward, and the repairs will be attended to soon.”

The deceased was identified as B Gurumoorthy, who was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau and remanded in Puzhal prison on August 20.

According to prison authorities, Gurumoorthy had several pre-existing health complications, including hypertension, epileptic seizures and a cerebral haemorrhage, which had resulted in partial paralysis of his left arm and leg.

His condition deteriorated on Tuesday (September 8), and he suffered seizures and breathlessness, after which he was shifted to the Government Stanley Hospital.

Police sources said that despite treatment, he succumbed and he was declared dead on Wednesday evening.

A case has been registered, and further investigations are on.

The decision to take out the march from near the old Chitra Theatre in Egmore to Fort at 3 pm was taken at a meeting of the All Auto Trade Unions Federation, comprising of CITU, AITUC, HMS and AIUTUC, on Tuesday evening after the transport minister said during the Assembly debate on the Department's demands that the government would soon announce the revised fare and details of new meters.

Raising the issue in the Assembly, CPM member T Latha had said around five lakh auto drivers across Tamil Nadu were affected, as meter fares had not been revised for several years, and urged the government to increase the fares immediately.

Responding to the demand, Transport Minister A Vijay Tamilan Parthiban said the government had already initiated the process for revising the fares, and recalled the various efforts that the department had taken since July.

A tripartite meeting involving senior officials, auto union representatives, and consumer welfare organisations was held on July 9 under his leadership. This was followed by a meeting of representatives of all auto unions on July 24 under the transport and road safety commissioner.

Also, a committee headed by the transport commissioner was constituted on August 5 to finalise the revised fare, and another meeting involving leaders of all auto unions was held on August 27, the minister said. He added that an announcement on the revised meter fare and installation of new meters would be made soon.

The assurance, however, has left auto drivers disappointed and angry, the federation said. S Balasubramanian, coordinator of the federation, said drivers had expected the government to announce the revised fare during the Assembly proceedings on Tuesday.

The federation said governments had changed over the years but there had been no change in the official approach towards the livelihood concerns of auto drivers.

The 75-year-old Babu was admitted to MGM Healthcare in Aminjikarai on Wednesday (September 9) and is receiving treatment in the intensive care unit, sources said. Doctors are closely monitoring his condition.

A health bulletin issued by MGM Healthcare at 5.15 pm on Thursday said that Babu, who was admitted to MGM Healthcare, Chennai, on 9th September 2026 with a respiratory ailment, is receiving appropriate medical management.

His condition remains stable, and he is continuing to recover with supportive care," the hospital said, adding that he continues to remain under close monitoring and medical supervision.

Babu had recently participated in the Assembly's Budget session before developing breathing difficulty. He was subsequently taken to the hospital for further treatment.

The hospitalisation comes exactly a week after the Madras High Court dismissed a petition filed by Stalin challenging Babu's election from Kolathur. The court held that the challenge could not be entertained by way of a writ petition and that an election dispute had to be pursued through the statutory mechanism under election law.

Stalin had sought, among other reliefs, 100 per cent counting of VVPAT slips and verification of all 286 electronic voting machines deployed in the constituency.

Babu polled 82,997 votes against Stalin's 74,202, defeating him by 8,795 votes. The result ended Stalin's winning run in Kolathur, which he had represented since 2011, and was among the most closely watched results of the 2026 Assembly election.

The GCC commissioner GS Sameeran, announced that d a review meeting held at the Secretariat on Thursday. CM issued instructions regarding precautionary measures for the upcoming monsoon. 

To bolster disaster response efforts, he ordered the launch of a registration process to allow the general public, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), associations, and other groups to seamlessly collaborate with the government and the GCC.

According to Commissioner, the initiative is designed to coordinate volunteer services during disasters and deploy volunteers based on their specific areas of interest. The public and organizations willing to partner with the government for emergency relief are requested  to register immediately.

Interested individuals and groups can register via the GCC website https://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/gcc/ or the upgraded 'Namma Chennai' app.

Registration process 

1. User Registration

Download the 'Namma Chennai' app through the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Open the app and log in or register using your registered mobile number and a One-Time Password (OTP).

New users must create an account by entering their name, mobile number, email address, physical address, and pincode.

2. Filling the Volunteer Registration Form

Select the 'Volunteer Registration' option on the home page of the application or website.

Choose the appropriate category from Individual, Corporate, or NGO or Associations.

Users must upload emergency contact details, ID proof, and any previous disaster management experience.

Select your Area of Expertise and Preferred Zone for volunteering. If you are willing to work in any part of the GCC, you may choose the any area in Chennai option.

After entering all the details, complete the OTP verification and submit the form.

The yellow metal is now priced at Rs 1,14,040 per sovereign and Rs 14,255 per gram, after a decrease of Rs 110 per gram.

Earlier, on September 9, the yellow metal was priced at Rs 1,13,160 per sovereign and Rs 14,145 per gram.

Silver price remain unchanged

Meanwhile, silver prices remained unchanged at Rs 255 per gram (Rs 2,55,000 per kg) on September 10.

On September 9, silver was priced at Rs 255 per gram.

Gold rate today vs gold rate on this day, last year

Gold remains significantly higher compared to last year. Prices have increased from Rs 81,200 per sovereign (Rs 10,150 per gram) on September 10, 2025, to Rs 1,14,040 per sovereign (Rs 14,255 per gram) on September 10, 2026, marking an increase of Rs 32,840 per sovereign or about 40.44% per cent.

Gold price (22-carat) over the last five days:

September 9, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,13,160 | 1 gram - Rs 14,145

September 8, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,14,160 | 1 gram - Rs 14,270

September 7, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,13,040 | 1 gram - Rs 14,130

September 5, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,13,520 | 1 gram - Rs 14,190

September 4, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,14,880 | 1 gram - Rs 14,360

Silver price over the last five days:

September 9, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

September 8, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

September 7, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

September 5, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

September 4, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

The second phase of expansion at Chennai Airport, carried out at an estimated cost of Rs 1,207 crore, is facing further delays as only 45 per cent of the construction work has been completed so far. The second phase was initially expected to be completed by the end of 2025 and made operational by March 2026. However, the project has reportedly fallen behind schedule.

A team under AAI Chairman Vipin Kumar arrived from Delhi for the inspection on Wednesday. The officials directed the authorities to expedite the work and avoid further delays. Once completed, the expanded Chennai Airport is expected to handle over 35 million passengers annually, with four terminals.

Officials pointed out that expansion work inside an already operational international airport is more complicated as it has to be carried out without disrupting flight operations or passengers, requiring additional safety and operational precautions.

The AAI team said efforts are under way to bring the new integrated terminal into operation by the beginning of 2027 and indicated that the fifth terminal works will begin after the current expansion is completed.

The incident occurred around 11.20 pm near Everwin School in Paruthipattu. The Torrent Gas vehicle damaged the underground cable while pipe-laying work was being carried out in the area.

Based on a complaint lodged by Manokaran, Assistant Engineer, CEDC West Chennai, the Avadi police registered Crime No. 361/2026 under Section 289 of the BNS, Section 139 of the Electricity Act and Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act.

The complaint was filed following the direction of Energy and Law Minister R. Nirmal Kumar on Wednesday, who had instructed officials to lodge police complaints and initiate appropriate action against contractors responsible for damaging underground power cables while carrying out road excavation and other development works.

At the pre-monsoon prepardness review meeting, Minister expressed concern over frequent power interruptions caused by damage to underground cables.He directed officials to take precautionary measures to ensure uninterrupted and quality power supply.

The Minister reviewed the State's current power position, including power generation, demand and procurement, and assessed the availability of electrical equipment and materials, stock position and the disaster management plan for the monsoon.

He also reviewed the rooftop solar power generation tool, various aspects concerning the Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation and the status of orders related to government announcements concerning the Energy Department.

Energy Department Principal Secretary Anil Meshtram, TANGEDCO chairman V. Arun Roy, TANGEDCO managing director M. Govind Rao, Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation managing director P.N. Sridhar, joint managing director (Finance) I. Mercy Ramya and senior officials of the related corporations attended the meeting and briefed the Minister on the status of various works.

Responding to a DT Next article published on September 7 on the demands raised by the Tirunindravur Railway Passengers Welfare Association, Chennai Division of Southern Railway said the subway was sanctioned to prevent pedestrian trespassing at the Arakkonam end and a detailed estimate is currently being prepared.

It also said the station already has platform shelters in excess of the Minimum Essential Amenities norms, though a plan for additional shelters would be prepared based on feasibility and passenger requirements. With regard to frequent lift failures, it acknowledged occasional technical failures, but said they were promptly rectified.

Restoring the Chennai Central–Tirunindravur turn-back service, it said, would delay five morning peak-hour services from Arakkonam and Tiruvallur to Chennai Central by 15 to 20 minutes. A direct Tirunindravur–Tambaram service was discontinued along with suburban services between the Chennai Central–Arakkonam and Chennai Beach–Chengalpattu sections to protect punctuality, while the different car sheds at Avadi and Tambaram also pose maintenance constraints. 

The administration pointed out that Train 66034 from Tiruvannamalai to Tambaram already stops at Tirunindravur at 8.50 am and reaches Tambaram at 11.10 am. The proposed extension of the Salem–Arakkonam MEMU to Avadi, with stops at Tiruvallur and Tirunindravur, was also ruled out as operationally unfeasible due to severe track-capacity constraints at Avadi 

The association had sought additional CCTV cameras at several points around the station. The Railways said 32 cameras and that the existing coverage is adequate.

According to reports, one litre of petrol is being sold at Rs 107.77, while diesel costs Rs 99.55 per litre in Chennai on Thursday.

On May 25, petrol was raised by Rs 2.61 a litre and diesel by Rs 2.71. The increase took cumulative hikes since May 15 to nearly Rs 7.5 per litre.

Until May, fuel prices had largely remained unchanged since April 2022, except for a Rs 2 per litre reduction announced in March 2024 ahead of the national elections.

Why have fuel prices been increased?

Global crude oil prices had surged more than 50 per cent since late February following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route.

State-run retailers had delayed passing on higher input costs for weeks, a move the government said was intended to shield consumers from inflation. Opposition parties, however, accused the administration of holding back price increases until after key state elections.

The May 15 increase came after the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expanded its electoral footprint by winning three of five state and UT elections, including West Bengal.

Retail fuel prices were first raised by Rs 3 per litre on May 15, followed by a 90-paise increase on May 19 and another hike on May 23, when petrol prices rose by 87 paise and diesel by 91 paise per litre.

On May 25, petrol was raised by Rs 2.61 a litre and diesel by Rs 2.71. The cumulative increase since May 15 stands at nearly Rs 7.5 per litre.

The increase varies across cities due to differences in local taxes.

Petrol rates (per litre) in Chennai across last 5 days:

September 9- Rs 107.77

September 8- Rs 107.77

September 7- Rs 107.77

September 6- Rs 107.77

September 5- Rs 107.77

Diesel rates (per litre) in Chennai across last 5 days:

September 9 - Rs 99.55

September 8 - Rs 99.55

September 7 - Rs 99.55

September 6 - Rs 99.55

September 5 - Rs 99.55

The deceased, Jamuna (23) from Kumbakonam, had recently come to Chennai after completing her nursing course. She was staying in a rented room in Chromepet with her friend Sreeja (24), who works at a private firm in the locality.

Around 10 pm on Tuesday, Sreeja and Jamuna went on a bike to withdraw money from an ATM. Officials said Sreeja was riding the two-wheeler while Jamuna rode pillion. As they were passing the Chromepet flyover, a speeding lorry came from behind and hit their vehicle.

Officials said the heavy vehicle dragged the bike and the two women for nearly 50 feet before coming to a halt. Jamuna suffered severe injuries to her head and died on the spot, while Sreeja sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the Tambaram Government Hospital.

On information, the personnel from the Chromepet Traffic Investigation Wing reached the spot, seized the lorry, and arrested its driver, Satish (27) of Kadaperi in Tambaram for driving at high speed and negligently, causing the accident that claimed the life of the young woman. Further investigation is on, said officials.

Additional Commissioners KS Narendran Nayar (South), Kapil C Saratkar (North) and B Shamoondeswari (Traffic) and other senior officers participated in the meeting.

In a thirteen-point charter, police stressed on several points such as obtaining permission from landowners, local bodies, and relevant departments before installing idols.

The organisers must also secure no-objection certificates (NOCs) from the Fire and Electricity departments, and the applications should be submitted at local police stations along with an undertaking to comply with the rules.

Authorities have set a height limit of 10 feet for idols and barred their placement near places of worship, hospitals, or schools.

Slogans that could incite communal disharmony are prohibited, and political or religious banners will not be permitted. Organisers must appoint two volunteers at each pandal for security.

On immersions, police stated that idols can be taken only along approved routes, on authorised vehicles, and only on permitted days. The use of crackers in pandals, processions, or immersion points is banned.

The police also advised the representatives to not install banners supporting political parties and religious leaders.

Officials reiterated that immersions must be conducted peacefully in accordance with court and government orders.

Representatives from BJP, VHP, Hindu Munnani, Hindu Makkal Katchi, Shiv Sena, Hindu Hanuman Sena, and Bharath Hindu Munnani took part in the meeting.

The demands are part of a Citizen’s Charter for the Pallikaranai Watershed compiled by the Chennai Wetlands Action Collective (CWAC) and Oorvani Foundation.

The Pallikaranai Collective report, released on Wednesday, sought coordinated action by government departments.

The 306 sq km watershed has a cascade of 65 major lakes and hundreds of ponds. A study cited in the charter identified 452 water bodies, of which 165 have been lost.

K Raju of CWAC said that the absence of an updated state water policy for more than 30 years was a key reason for recurring floods.

“Tamil Nadu’s last official water policy was in 1993. Despite the Union government updating the policy in 2002 and 2012, Tamil Nadu has not updated it for over 30 years. This remains a primary root cause of recurring flood disasters,” he opined.

The charter seeks enactment of a Flood Plain Zoning Act, public release of the Thiruppugazh Committee’s flood mitigation report and special development regulations for the Chennai Metropolitan Area.

It also calls for an urban policy integrating water management, biodiversity and climate resilience.

The groups have demanded protection of the Pallikaranai Marsh, which they said has shrunk from 6,000 hectares to 600 hectares.

About 250 sq km of south Chennai drains through the marsh, which supports more than 200 bird species and 18 species of international conservation significance.

The charter seeks enactment of a Flood Plain Zoning Act, public release of the Thiruppugazh Committee’s flood mitigation report and special development regulations for the Chennai Metropolitan Area

They want encroachments and infrastructure inside the Ramsar site, its buffer zone and floodplains removed, and have opposed restoration works involving concretisation or construction that alters natural water flows.

Poor coordination between government agencies came in for particular criticism.

Harsha Koda, co-founder of the Federation of OMR Residents Associations (FOMRRA), alleged that Thangal Lake was restored for Rs 5.5 crore under CSR funding, in collaboration with an NGO and the Greater Chennai Corporation.

“Five days after its inauguration, Chennai Metro Rail Limited demolished the restored bunds for construction work. This clearly shows the lack of coordination with departmental works,” Koda said.

Udhay Raj of Oorvani Foundation said lake boundaries should be fixed based on survey records rather than reduced water-spread areas.

“There should be standard operating procedures for NGO-led restoration projects, including mandatory measures to address sewage inflows and connectivity,” he pointed out.

The charter calls for all 24,684 wetlands identified by ISRO in Tamil Nadu to be ground-truthed, mapped and protected, with at least 50-metre buffer zones.

It also seeks scientific, catchment-based planning of stormwater drains and regular desilting of natural canals.

The groups have opposed further use of cut-and-cover canals wherever possible, citing difficulties in desilting and concerns over their flood-carrying capacity.

The charter notes that Chennai generates more than 850 MLD of sewage against treatment capacity of about 745-750 MLD across 22 CMWSSB plants.

It seeks decentralised sewage treatment, strict action against untreated sewage discharge and GPS monitoring of sewage tankers.

For Buckingham Canal, the Collective has demanded desilting of the full 13-km stretch within the watershed and removal of encroachments from adjoining floodplains.

It has also called for scrapping the proposed Uthandi escape channel, citing its location in a primary aquifer recharge zone and the Coastal Regulation Zone.

The Collective has proposed an independent interdepartmental committee comprising experts and people’s representatives to examine the gaps and prepare a time-bound implementation plan fixing responsibilities for each department.

After the police submitted that investigation was under way and sought time to file response to the anticipatory bail petition filed by one of the accused, Justice V Lakshminarayanan adjourned the hearing to September 10.

According to the prosecution, the main accused, BT Arasakumar, had allegedly been scamming private schools for the past two years through an unregistered outfit, Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association, promising to secure permanent recognition, school upgradation, DTCP/CMDA approvals, and other statutory clearances by using his political and bureaucratic connections.

However, he allegedly failed to secure the promised approvals or refund the amounts collected from the schools and had allegedly swindled over Rs 100 crore.

Based on a complaint filed by DC Elangovan, secretary of the Federation of Associations of Private Schools in Tamil Nadu, the Central Crime Branch of the Greater Chennai Police registered a case and arrested Arasakumar. He was later detained under the Goondas Act.

Meanwhile, Muthukumar, treasurer of the Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association and a former DMK MLA, approached the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail.

At Craftepreneur 2026, the Crafts Council of India brings together 20 craft-led brands from across the country, each exploring how traditional skills can find a place in contemporary life.

Among them are Vama, Pinjjai by H and Healing Pottery, whose founders approach handmade work through heritage, empowerment and personal experience.

Anupama Dwivedi, founder of Vama, works with Bagh-printed textiles that draw from traditional motifs, including some inspired by the murals of the Bagh Caves, with a visual history dating back around 1,500 years.

But she is not interested in simply reproducing the past. “Bagh prints, like all the other textile crafts of India, have an intrinsic and lasting appeal and integrate well with modern design sensibilities,” she says.

Vama works with traditional blocks, natural colours and established processes, while experimenting with newer combinations and applications.

Anupama is also moving towards hand-woven and hand-printed fabrics, arguing that the human touch is central to the craft.

She says the durability of handmade textiles is also part of their sustainability. “I still have my Bagh print dupattas from 30 years ago. They're as bright and beautiful as they used to be.”

For Anupama, preserving craft is ultimately about changing how it is valued. “Craftspeople need fair wages and recognition for their work. Every Vama product carries a card naming the creators and explaining the process,” she says.

At Pinjjai by H, craft is equally about the people behind every stitch. Founder Harman Seera began with two women artisans, spending nearly six months training them and developing her designs before her first collection of 10 pieces took shape.

An exhibition with Dastkar subsequently convinced her that contemporary products rooted in traditional crochet could create opportunities for more women artisans.

Today, Pinjjai works with rural women artisans, for whom crochet has become more than a traditional skill practised at home.

“It has given them financial independence, confidence, and a new respect for the craft they have known for years,” Harman says.

Some can now save, contribute to their families, and support their children’s education.

Harman also challenges the perception of crochet as merely a woollen, home-based craft. Pinjjai experiments with metallic threads, satin cords, raffia, ribbons and speciality yarns, while keeping the process slow and entirely dependent on the artisan’s hands. For her, innovation is simply asking of a traditional technique: “What else can this become?”

At Healing Pottery, founder Portarasan Subban’s relationship with clay is more personal. His Chennai-based creative space creates modern ceramic sculptures and functional objects, with the idea that healing begins with the process of making itself.

His connection to clay emerged during a difficult period in his life, when he felt unable to find a way forward. “It was clay that helped me come out of that phase and find myself again,” he says.

After nearly 25 years in the field, he has also witnessed how artworks can become part of people’s everyday lives, carrying an emotional connection beyond their function.

He hopes that when people take a Healing Pottery piece home, they take with them “a feeling and an experience”, along with happiness, peace and meaning. Craftepreneur 2026 exhibition will be held from September 10 to 12 at The Folly, Amethyst.

The court was hearing a petition filed by K Padmanabhan, who sought directions to the CBI to remove all the red flags and look-out circulars (LOCs) maintained against him, which prevented him from travelling abroad, by issuing appropriate directions to the Bureau of Immigration.

When the case came up for hearing before Justice V Lakshminarayanan, the petitioner's counsel argued that he was not aware of the number of LOCs or red flags issued against him.

In their response, the CBI and the Bureau of Immigration informed the court that LOCs were confidential documents.

Not satisfied with this, the judge observed that, a person affected by any such proceeding should be made aware of it, as he can either choose to abide by the proceedings or take appropriate action against them.

The Constitution guarantees an accused certain rights, including the right to know why he is facing adverse proceedings, he said, adding: "This country does not follow a Kafkaesque trial but operates strictly in accordance with the Constitution, particularly Articles 21 and 22."

Kafkaesque, based on the literary works by Czech writer Franz Kafka, is an expression used to describe an action or situation that is intentionally complex and inherently oppressive.

The court then directed the CBI and the Bureau of Immigration to file an affidavit explaining why the LOCs were being treated as confidential, and how a person should obtain permission to travel abroad before the final report is filed and taken cognisance of by the court.

The case was posted for further hearing on September 16.