The deceased was identified as H Yogamaya, daughter of Hari Prakash, an auto driver, and Sumithra.

The police said Hari Prakash had left for work when the incident occurred. Sumithra was cooking in the kitchen when the child wandered into the bathroom and fell headfirst into a water-filled bucket.

Realising the child was missing, Sumithra searched the house and found Yogamaya unconscious in the bucket. She rushed her to a nearby private hospital, where doctors declared the child brought dead.

Speaking at the sixth edition of the Bharat Soka Gakkai (BSG) Women’s Symposium in Chennai, she said that questioning injustice and speaking up for one’s dignity and rights was essential.

The symposium titled, ‘The Century of Women Starts with Me: From Awareness to Action’, focused on the role of women in driving social and economic progress and highlighted how individual action can bring about change in families, workplaces, communities and society. Addressing the gathering, she added: “Even if such ideas are met with resistance at first, they are the ones that ultimately drive meaningful social progress.”

Jaya Rao of BSG highlighted that the symposium was being held at a time when women across the country were forming self-help groups and taking up entrepreneurial ventures, challenging traditional ideas that confined them to secondary roles.

“The century of women will not be shaped by awareness alone, but by the courage to translate conviction into action. When one woman takes a determined step forward, she can inspire change in her family, community, and society,” she stated.

The symposium also featured women leaders who shared experiences and perspectives on women’s contribution to creating a more equitable, compassionate and progressive society.

The discussions were held against the backdrop of India’s ambition to become a developed nation by 2047.

Kalpana Sankar, MD-CEO of Varashakti Housing Finance and co-founder of Hand in Hand India, highlighted the importance of women’s economic empowerment.

Organised by the Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI (WSAI) and the Centre for Outreach and Digital Education (CODE), the workshop is titled ‘Metabolic Modelling-From Pathways to Predictions’.

The in-person programme will combine classroom lectures with practical sessions using tools such as COBRApy to analyse and interpret metabolic models of individual organisms and microbial communities.

It will provide participants with practical exposure to systems biology and metabolic engineering.

The workshop is open to final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students, researchers, faculty members and industry professionals with a background in, or interest in, biology and metabolic modelling.

Applicants will be shortlisted based on their statement of purpose, educational background and relevance to the workshop’s focus.

The workshop is convened by Karthik Raman of WSAI and Meiyappan Lakshmanan, Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras.

Faculty, postdoctoral researchers and PhD scholars from the Centre for Integrative Biology and Systems Medicine (IBSE) and WSAI will conduct the sessions.

Last date to apply is September 4. More details are available through the workshop announcement. Queries may be sent to events@dsai.iitm.ac.in

The branch was inaugurated in the presence of actress Nandita Swetha and actors Mahat Raghavendra and Darshan, who joined the Kosmoderma team and guests to mark the occasion.

Dr Chytra Anand, Founder and President of Kosmoderma, said, “Every individual deserves care that understands their unique skin and aesthetic needs. Anna Nagar marks an exciting new chapter for us in Chennai, taking our expertise closer to a larger community, where science, innovation and compassion come together to inspire confidence.”

The branch offers clinical dermatology, aesthetic medicine, skin rejuvenation, pigmentation management, acne care, anti-ageing treatments, laser procedures, hair restoration and body aesthetics, with each treatment plan tailored to the patient’s specific goals.

“Beauty and confidence are personal to every individual. I’m delighted to celebrate this milestone with Dr Chytra and the Kosmoderma team, and to see a brand that brings together expertise and technology continue to grow here,” Nandita Swetha said.

Actor Mahat Raghavendra said, “Kosmoderma has built a strong reputation for expert-led, personalised aesthetic care. It’s exciting to see the brand continue to grow in Chennai. I wish Dr Chytra and her team the very best for this new chapter.” 

A division bench comprising Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan said that it would pass orders after hearing both sides.

Stalin had approached the court seeking directions to the Election Commission of India to conduct 100% counting of VVPAT slips and verify all 286 EVMs used in the constituency during the Assembly elections.

Of the 14 EVMs taken up for verification, two stopped working immediately, which, he argued, required technical diagnosis.

Stalin had also pointed out lapses in the chain of custody of another EVM, including blank address tags on the carrying cases of the Ballot Units and Control Units, and seals being affixed on the reverse side.

Despite these lapses, the District Election Officer declared that the verification process had been completed successfully and in accordance with the prescribed procedure. He therefore sought to set aside the District Election Officer’s order, order a recount and declare Babu’s victory void.

During the hearing, senior counsel Kapil Sibal, appearing for Stalin, argued that the ECI conducted the EVM verification only after 45 days had elapsed from the declaration of the election results, thereby preventing Stalin from filing an election petition.

He submitted that the petitioner could not be left without a remedy merely because the prescribed time limit had expired.

Appearing for the ECI, senior counsel Dama Sheshadri Naidu opposed the plea, arguing that Stalin should have raised his doubts over the EVMs at the outset and could not approach the court after delaying the exercise of his rights.

He submitted that the Supreme Court had already ruled against 100% recount and that allowing the plea would open a Pandora’s box, leading to similar petitions being filed by others.

When the court asked why Sibal had not approached the ECI earlier, he submitted that a letter was sent to the ECI within seven days of the results being declared, as directed by the Supreme Court.

He said it was then for the ECI to verify the machines, but the verification was conducted only after 45 days, preventing Stalin from filing an election petition.

After hearing the matter, the court said it would consider the maintainability of the issue and pass orders.

Meanwhile, Stalin withdrew his writ petition challenging certain provisions of the ECI’s standard operating procedure (SOP) for verifying 5% of EVMs after the High Court pointed out that he had challenged the older procedure that was in force in 2024 instead of the 2025 SOP.

The bench granted Stalin liberty to file a fresh petition challenging the latest SOP.

The yellow metal is now priced at Rs 1,14,960 per sovereign and Rs 14,370 per gram, after a decrease of Rs 135 per gram.

Earlier on August 29 morning, the price of 22-carat gold stood at Rs 1,16,040 per sovereign and Rs 14,505 per gram.

Silver price unchanged

Meanwhile, silver prices remained unchanged at Rs 260 per gram (Rs 2,60,000 per kg) on August 31.

On August 29, silver was priced at Rs 260 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 75,760 per sovereign (Rs 9,470 per gram) on August 29, 2025, to Rs 1,16,040 per sovereign (Rs 14,505 per gram) on August 28, 2026, marking an increase of Rs 40,280 per sovereign or about 53.16 per cent .

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

August 29, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,16,040 | 1 gram - Rs 14,505

August 28, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,17,200 | 1 gram - Rs 14,650

August 27, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,17,800 | 1 gram - Rs 14,725

August 26, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,20,080 | 1 gram - Rs 15,010

August 25, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,20,080 | 1 gram - Rs 15,010

Silver price over the last five days:

August 29, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 260

August 28, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 265

August 27, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 265

August 26, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 265

August 25, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 265

The project was launched in 2005 by Cent­ral Gov­ern­ment Employ­ees’ Wel­fare Hous­ing Organ­isa­tion (CGEWHO) under the Min­istry of Hous­ing and Urban Affairs, with 1,304 units ori­gin­ally planned. However, CGEWHO com­pleted only 572 units in 2012.

The lay­out was sub­sequently mod­i­fied in Decem­ber 2014 to facil­it­ate con­struc­tion of 1,220 addi­tional flats under Phase III, com­pris­ing stilt plus 10 floors. Con­struc­tion of Phase III began in 2017 and con­tin­ued until June 2025. Res­id­ents said the con­tinu­ous move­ment of heavy vehicles car­ry­ing con­struc­tion mater­i­als dur­ing the eight-year period severely dam­aged the com­mon approach road and internal roads.

“The relent­less move­ment of heavy vehicles caused severe dust pol­lu­tion and turned our internal roads unmo­tor­able with deep potholes,” lamen­ted res­id­ent VN Sainath. “Acci­dents involving two-wheel­ers occur fre­quently, and the road poses a grave threat to chil­dren com­mut­ing on school buses.”

Though the Chen­nai Met­ro­pol­itan Devel­op­ment Author­ity (CMDA) issued a com­ple­tion cer­ti­fic­ate in June 2025, res­id­ents said that internal road work was incom­plete. AOWA rep­res­ent­at­ives alleged that the neces­sary clear­ances were issued without an inspec­tion of the actual site con­di­tions.

Res­id­ents said that repeated com­plaints to the local CGEWHO project office and its head office in New Delhi had failed to eli­cit a response. They have now appealed to Chief Min­is­ter C Joseph Vijay to inter­vene and ensure that the roads are laid imme­di­ately, before a ser­i­ous or fatal acci­dent occurs.

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 Monday.

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:

August 30 - Rs 107.77

August 29 - Rs 107.77

August 28 - Rs 107.77

August 27 - Rs 107.77

August 26 - Rs 107.77

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

August 30 - Rs 99.55

August 29 - Rs 99.55

August 28 - Rs 99.55

August 27 - Rs 99.55

August 26 - Rs 99.55

The continuous parking along the two roads has occupied space meant for pedestrians, forcing them to walk on the carriageway.

Vehicles parked on both sides have also reduced the space available for moving traffic, particularly near turns, making it difficult for motorists to negotiate the stretches safely. Some vehicles have reportedly remained parked in the area for several months.

There are three GCC’s parking facilities for battery-operated vehicles (BOV) operating on Anna Main Road for the past 4 years. After these facilities were introduced, residents’ vehicles that were previously parked along the roadside are now being parked on the carriageway.

A senior Corporation official said, “The GCC had provided a BOV parking facility on around 10 feet of public space along Anna Main Road for the purpose of accommodating BOV vehicles.”

A local shopkeeper, Anand, said that residents had been parking vehicles along the road for several years as some houses lacked parking facilities. “Earlier, vehicles were also parked on the footpath. Bollards have now been installed, but vehicles are still being parked on the road, obstructing the pedestrian space,” he added.

Another resident, Monisha, said that some vehicles remain parked in the area for months. “At night, men consume alcohol and urinate near parked vehicles. We’re unable to walk along the pedestrian space. The parking should be regulated and the space meant for pedestrians should not be used for parking,” she said.

The GCC official added that repeated letters and reminders had been sent to the traffic police seeking action against the roadside parking. Bollards were installed at some locations around four months ago to prevent vehicles from being parked on footpaths.

“However, vehicles continued to be parked along the roadside, particularly near turns close to a Tasmac outlet, posing a risk to motorists,” he pointed out. “Another reminder will be sent to the traffic police to take appropriate action for a permanent solution.”

A senior traffic cop said that vehicles parked in violation of rules were being removed regularly and fines imposed. “But, motorists continued to park at the same locations even after being fined. Measures will be taken to install barricades in the area to prevent vehicles from being parked there,” he averred.

A fire broke out at the site once again on Sunday around 11.30 am, leaving nearby residents severely affected by heavy smoke pollution and breathing difficulties. Firefighters eventually brought the blaze under control. 

According to the FNRCWA, frequent fires at the Kodungaiyur dump yard, followed by firefighters dousing the flames and the GCC issuing explanations, have become a recurring ordeal. TK Shanmugam, president, FNRCWA, said, “This is the third incident in a one month; yet, officials have failed to provide concrete explanations. The civic body must clarify the true underlying cause of these fire accidents to the public.”

He added that besides hastening the completion of the bio-mining process to clear legacy waste from the site, the administration must protect residents by making the dump yard entirely waste-free. “Until bio-mining operations are fully completed, continuous monitoring, robust fire safety measures, and smoke pollution prevention mechanisms must be put in place,” he opined. “The lives and health of Kodungaiyur residents should not be compromised.” 

Attempts by this reporter to reach GCC officials for clarification on this matter were unsuccessful.

The Indian Army Headquarters Dakshin Bharat Area had organised a specially curated show at the memorial on August 29. Following an encouraging response to the inaugural public presentation, it was decided that the show will now be held for the public on every Saturday, said the Defence Department.

The audiovisual presentation, featuring Tamil subtitles, narrates significant chapters of India's military history, highlighting the valour, sacrifice, and service of the armed forces, and also their continuing role in safeguarding the country's sovereignty, unity, and integrity.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening the connect between the armed forces and citizens, particularly children and youth, while fostering patriotism, gratitude, and national pride, the department said in a statement on Sunday.

School students, NCC cadets, soldiers' families, tourists, and members of the public participated in the inaugural presentation and appreciated the Tamil subtitles.

Located near Fort St George, the Victory War Memorial is being developed as a centre for remembrance, military heritage, and public education. Visitors can also view military artefacts, including a decommissioned T-55 main battle tank, and replicas of Indian naval vessels INS Anjadip and INS Vikrant there at the memorial.

The department said the initiative would promote greater awareness of the country's military heritage, honour fallen heroes, and inspire younger generations to uphold the values of service and nation-building.

Duraipandian (26) of Madurai, an HR manager at a private firm in Sipcot, and his colleague, Yuvaraj (23) of Panruti, went to a theatre in Oragadam to watch a movie and were returning to their residence in Vallam along the service road of the Chengalpattu–Sriperumbudur highway when the accident happened.

Police investigations revealed that while moving near a private hospital, another bike coming in the opposite direction at high speed collided head-on with their bike. The motorists on the other bike were identified as Monish of Erode and his friend Darshan.

All four sustained injuries and were shifted to the Sriperumbudur Government Hospital, where Duraipandian and Yuvaraj died without responding to treatment.

Monish and Darshan, who were in critical condition, were referred to Chengalpattu Government Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Darshan died on the way to the hospital, said the police, adding that Monish is undergoing treatment.

The Oragadam police have registered a case, recovered the bodies, and sent them for post-mortem examination. Further investigation is under way.

One of the racers rode dangerously close to another two-wheeler, and the family riding the other bike had a narrow escape from a fall. Alarmed by this, other motorists alerted the police.

The Koyambedu traffic personnel rushed to the spot and, with the help of other motorists, intercepted several riders. While some managed to flee, the police caught 10 people and later handed them over to the Anna Nagar Traffic Investigation Wing.

The detained youth were identified as Adithya (23), Rahul (27), Kumar (28), and Senthamizh Selvan (20). Six minors were also secured.

Officials said the youth had formed a WhatsApp group to organise bike races and had assembled at Vadapalani. Further investigations are under way.

Sai Modish, a government school student, lived with his mother Sugirtha Lakshmi in NGO Nagar near the Collectorate. According to the police, the incident occurred on Wednesday when he was out to play cricket. Several groups were playing cricket at the time, and a stray ball hit Sai Modish on his head.

He collapsed on the spot and was rushed to the Kanchipuram Government Hospital and later shifted to the Chengalpattu Government Medical College Hospital. However, he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday while undergoing treatment. The Kanchi Taluk Police have registered a case and are investigating further.

Daily, thousands of motorists struggle through the damaged stretch, which serves as a vital entry and exit route for the residential complex. An intersection for vehicles moving from Navalur side towards Thoraipakkam in OMR takes a left turn to reach Semmencheri, the Perumbakkam resettlement site, and other residential complexes.

Lack of proper street lighting along the service road has compounded the danger for night commuters. Recently, a car’s back wheel got stuck in a deep pothole, forcing residents to issue an urgent appeal to the Highways Department before major accidents occur. 

“For over a year, we’ve had to think twice before stepping out,” said Maha Renuprakash, an OMR resident. “The temporary patch-up works done by the officials don’t even last a single day. With the monsoon setting in, a car recently got stuck on the service road and had to be pulled out. Will authorities step in and fix this permanently?”

Meanwhile, workers at a nearby site claimed that apartment complexes occasionally discharge accumulated rainwater directly onto the street, worsening stagnation. Addressing the issue, an official stated, “Storm water drain and sewage pipeline installations are under way at Nookampalayam Link Road to connect with Rajiv Gandhi Salai. Once these underground works are completed, relaying of the road works will begin immediately.”

According to the provisional road accident analysis for June 2026, Chennai recorded 1,996 accidents and 257 deaths up to June this year, against 2,051 accidents and 237 deaths during the same period in 2025. The rise in Chennai's road deaths appears to be linked more to the severity of crashes than their frequency.

The Chennai figures stand in contrast to the overall state trend. Tamil Nadu recorded 37,292 road accidents till June 2026, up from 35,226 in the corresponding period of 2025. This represents a 5.86% increase, or 2,066 additional crashes. Yet fatalities declined marginally from 9,498 to 9,461, a fall of 0.39%.

The numbers also put Chennai at the top of the list of major cities for both crashes and fatalities. Tambaram followed with 1,027 accidents and 256 deaths, while Avadi recorded 729 accidents and 118 deaths. Salem reported 561 accidents and 138 deaths.

At the district level, Coimbatore had the highest accident count at 2,078, followed by Chennai at 1,996, Cuddalore at 1,907 and Chengalpattu at 1,902. Coimbatore also topped the fatality chart with 494 deaths, followed by Chengalpattu with 472 and Madurai with 469.

Two-wheeler riders continued to be the biggest contributor to road fatalities. They accounted for 16,702 accidents, or 44.79% of all crashes, and 4,180 deaths, accounting for 44.18% of fatalities till June.

Reluctance to helmet use remains a major concern. Of the 4,180 people killed in two-wheeler crashes, 1,136 deaths were linked to non-wearing of helmets. The figure was 803 during the corresponding period last year.

Chengalpattu recorded the highest number of such deaths at 82, followed by Krishnagiri and Coimbatore with 68 each and Madurai with 64. Chennai recorded 25 deaths attributed to non-wearing of helmets, as against 21 in 2025. The analysis also points to driver behaviour as the overwhelming contributor to road crashes.

Of the 37,292 accidents recorded till June, 34,587, or 92.75%, were attributed to driver fault. Driver error was also linked to 8,746 deaths, or 92.44% of all fatalities.

State highways emerged as the biggest accident hotspots, accounting for 12,164 crashes and 3,068 deaths. National highways under NHAI accounted for another 9,998 crashes and 2,985 deaths. Together, state and national highways accounted for nearly 64% of accidents and fatalities. Village roads also saw a sharp deterioration, with accidents rising 17.07% to 4,692 and deaths increasing 8.13% to 1,250.

Enforcement data presents another contrasting trend. Driving licences suspended for the six traffic violations, identified by the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety, fell from 48,358 till June 2025 to 41,402 till June 2026, a decline of 14.4%.

Of the suspensions in 2026, mobile-phone use while driving accounted for 10,524 cases, followed by red-light jumping at 9,155 and over-speeding at 8,623. Together, the three accounted for nearly 70% of all suspensions. Suspensions for red-light jumping recorded the biggest fall, dropping by 3,469 cases from 12,624 to 9,155.

Action against over-speeding declined by 1,959 cases, while suspensions for carrying persons in goods carriages fell by 1,698. Drunk driving was the exception, with licence suspensions rising from 6,120 to 8,223, a 34.4% increase.

The Senate meeting, which is required to be held twice a year, has not been convened for nearly a year due to a court case. After the restrictions were lifted, the university announced that the meeting would be held on July 30. However, it was postponed without any reason being given.

Members were subsequently informed that the meeting would be held on August 28. It has now been postponed for the third time this year, again without a new date being announced.

The Senate's approval is required for the university's budget and administrative expenses. Only after approval can funds be allocated to more than 80 departments to carry out academic and other activities.

With the fund allocation yet to be approved, departments with laboratories, including Physics, Chemistry, Botany and Zoology, have been unable to purchase essential materials.

With postgraduate classes already underway, some science departments have reportedly been unable to procure laboratory materials needed for practical sessions. In some departments, professors are buying materials out of pocket to help students carry out laboratory work.

However, professors in certain departments are unable to cover expenses out of pocket, affecting the academic activities of science students.

Speaking to DT Next, university professors said they were unaware of the reason for the latest postponement and urged that the Senate meeting be convened immediately to ensure the university's functioning is not hampered.

Higher Education Department officials, however, said the Senate meeting was likely to be held within a week and denied any shortage of laboratory equipment in the departments.

This newspaper had earlier carried a write-up, even while the previous government was in power, urging the release of the Thiruppugazh Committee report on flood management in Chennai. But nothing has happened. Why are governments hesitant to make expert committee reports public? They are not meant to gather dust in the Secretariat or to be sent to government archives for future research. Such indifference sends a wrong message, as experts in future will be reluctant to head such panels, feeling it is a waste of time. On the contrary, if reports are made public (unless state secrets are involved), it triggers a healthy discussion, and the government benefits from a wider perspective. We have a right to know the contents of matters involving direct public interest. Otherwise, courts may one day ask the government to file status reports on flood control actions taken based on the report.

Changing probe agency requires loss of faith, political interference or powerful accused

I seek your personal view on an issue concerning the Ankit Tiwari case. More than two years after the alleged bribery case came to light, the Supreme Court is still considering whether to transfer the investigation to a central agency. Given the wider scrutiny the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has faced over its raids and allegations of political selectivity in some actions, what could be holding up a clear decision in this matter? Are there constitutional or legal complications involved in transferring the probe to another agency, particularly when the objective is to ensure an independent, fair and transparent investigation?

Residents have raised concerns over the missing facility, which plays a critical role in providing early childhood education and healthcare in both rural and urban areas.

According to residents, former Chief Minister MK Stalin officially inaugurated the reconstructed housing project built for Rs 307.24 crore on March 2. Before that, around 1,476 families lived in the settlement, which had 10 anganwadis and one vaccination centre.

With 1,800 families moving into the newly constructed complex, the beneficiary population, including young children, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls, is expected to rise significantly

D Reshma, a resident of the complex, said, “Earlier, we had many anganwadis here. After being allotted the new tenements, we found there are no anganwadis. Many women work as domestic help; so sending their children to an anganwadi for basic learning would be a huge help. Due to a lack of space, six centres have been merged and are operating out of just 3 units in a nearby housing complex.”

Echoing her concerns, a senior citizen piped in: “I used to send my granddaughter to the anganwadi near the tenement opposite Muthumariamman Temple. When I asked the staff about the overcrowded classroom, they said they had requested more rooms, but none have been allotted yet.”

Ward 170 Councillor KR Kadhir Murugan told DT Next that children, mothers, and pregnant women face severe hardship regarding basic healthcare, nutrition, and vaccination services. “No space has been allotted for an anganwadi centre. When questioned, TNUHDB officials claimed they had handed over the land to the Greater Chennai Corporation. Although a request was submitted through the ICDS a year ago, TNUHDB has not taken responsibility for allocating space.”

A November 2025 letter from the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) of Project 11, Mylapore, to the Councillor noted that 10 anganwadi centres previously managed by the TNUHDB were demolished during reconstruction. Seven of those centres, formerly located in H and R blocks, were torn down. Out of the original 10, space has been allocated for only 3 centres, leaving 7 requiring new space allocations.

With 1,800 families moving into the newly constructed complex, the beneficiary population, including young children, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls, is expected to rise significantly. Restoring the remaining 7 centres will directly benefit hundreds of families relying on early childhood education and maternal healthcare.

Murugan added: “On August 28, at the council meeting, I raised this issue during the Zero hour. Commissioner GS Sameeran said that the issue was taken into consideration and will be addressed after discussing with the TNUHDB officials.”

A senior official in the TNUHDB stated that if provisions were allotted for the ICDS centres at the tenement, “it will be opened and brought to public use. I will check with the officials and take necessary actions in this regard”.

The deceased was identified as Nagarajan (32), a resident of Kodambakkam. Nagarajan was employed in a private firm in Taramani. On Saturday morning, he went to his office as usual, and was riding to another location along Rajiv Gandhi Salai (OMR) towards Madhya Kailash when the accident happened.

According to the police, a rashly driven van that was trailing Nagarajan's two-wheeler rammed into the bike from behind. In the impact, he was thrown to the ground and sustained grievous injuries. Other motorists intercepted the van and secured the van driver and handed him over to the police.

Nagarajan was rushed to a hospital where he was declared as brought dead. The police said the van driver, Prabhu (30), was subjected to medical tests, which confirmed that he was driving under the influence of alcohol.

The Mylapore Traffic Investigation Wing (TIW) registered a case against Prabhu. He was produced before a magistrate and remanded in judicial custody.

According to Customs, an AirAsia flight from Thailand via Kuala Lumpur landed at Chennai airport in the early hours of Sunday. Officials were monitoring passengers and stopping those found suspicious for questioning.

The 48-year-old passenger arrived in a wheelchair, cleared immigration, collected his baggage from the conveyor belt, and attempted to exit through the Green Channel claiming he had no goods to declare.

However, the Customs officers deployed there found him to be suspicious and stopped him. During questioning, they found that the man had no medical condition requiring a wheelchair, which gave rise to the suspicion that he was using the wheelchair as a ruse to avoid scrutiny.

He was taken to the Customs office for a detailed examination. On checking his baggage, officers found six parcels containing three kilograms of hydroponic ganja. The value of the seizure is estimated to be Rs 3 crore. The passenger was arrested and the narcotic substance was seized.

During interrogation, officials learned that he was acting as a mule for an international drug trafficking network and had booked wheelchair assistance with fake medical documents to bypass Customs check.

The officials are now investigating whom the consignment was meant for and whether more persons are involved in the smuggling network.

The organisation received photographs and details of 245 locations from 157 volunteers as part of a six-week public survey launched on June 29. The findings were compiled into a report released on Saturday and submitted as a complaint to the state government and Chennai Corporation authorities, said its coordinator Jayaram Venkatesan.

The failure to mill or remove existing road surfaces before laying new ones was a major reason for the problem, it said, noting how road levels rise with each resurfacing, while houses and other infrastructure remain at their original elevation.

In Alisoor village in Uthiramerur taluk of Kancheepuram district, the existing cement road was allegedly not removed before wet-mix material and paver blocks were laid last month. Due to this, some houses that were already below road level were pushed nearly another foot lower.

In Mugalivakkam, several houses were found to be more than two feet below the road, according to the report. Residents face the risk of rainwater and sewage entering their homes during the monsoon, it said.

The elevated roads have also affected access to houses. Residents who earlier climbed steps to enter their homes now have to descend from road level, posing difficulties for elderly people and wheelchair users, the organisation said.

Arappor Iyakkam also flagged the safety risk posed by recessed manholes. When only the road surface is raised, manhole covers can remain below the new level, creating depressions in the middle of roads and increasing the risk of two-wheeler accidents.

Residents are also being forced to spend large sums to raise the floors of their houses to prevent flooding, said the organisation, claiming that some households had spent up to Rs 40 lakh on such works.

The group alleged that the problem was also leading to avoidable expenditure by government agencies, which subsequently have to raise footpaths, sewer manholes and electrical boxes to match the new road levels.

A resident from Tiruvallur district told the organisation that residents' objections to road works were often ignored, and alleged that instead of taking action against contractors, some officials had even advised some affected homeowners to demolish their houses and rebuild them.

Citing several such cases, Arappor has sought mandatory milling of old roads before resurfacing and said tender documents should specify the required excavation depth. It also demanded that the elevation of roads should be measured before and after works with reference to mean sea level and the details be published online.

The organisation proposed making photographic and video evidence of old-road removal and elevation measurements mandatory before contractors are paid. It also sought compensation of up to Rs 40 lakh for homeowners whose properties are pushed below road level due to irregular road works.

It called for an expert committee to examine existing problem areas and work out a long-term plan to address houses already left below road level, including reducing the elevation of major roads wherever required.

The report has been sent to the Chief Minister, and the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, the Highways ministers, senior officials of the Municipal Administration and Water Supply, Highways and Rural Development departments, and also the Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner.

The accused, Manik Uddin Laskar and his wife Bhagabati Majhi, were brought from Guwahati to Chennai by an IndiGo passenger flight at around 9 p.m. after the Tambaram City Police obtained transit warrants from the respective courts where they were produced.

The victim, a 38 year old woman, Hayatun Nisha, was staying with the suspects in Guduvanchery.

The couple were taken from Chennai airport to the Tambaram City Police Commissionerate under tight security for further interrogation.

The woman's dismembered body parts, with the head missing, were found packed in a red suitcase in a rear coach of the Tamil Nadu Express at Agra railway station on August 5.

During the investigation, the Tambaram City Police traced the suspects to Assam and Manipur. The police found that Laskar and Majhi, who had been staying in Guduvanchery near Chennai, were allegedly involved in the murder.

The flight, which departed from Chennai airport in the morning, reportedly encountered strong winds and adverse weather conditions as it approached the Andaman Islands.

Unable to land, the aircraft remained airborne for a considerable period, circling over the area, before the crew decided to return to Chennai.

The flight eventually landed at Chennai airport in the afternoon. As the weather conditions did not improve, the airline subsequently cancelled the service for the day and informed passengers that they would be flown to the Andamans on Monday morning at 9.10 am.

Not happy over the way in which their day panned out, passengers objected and demanded accommodation and food for the night. Following discussions with airport officials, arrangements were made to accommodate them at hotels in Chennai.

Of the 176 passengers, 31 chose to return to their homes and said they would report at the airport on Monday morning. The remaining 145 passengers were taken by vehicles from the airport to various hotels in the city.

The murder came to the police’s knowledge on Sunday after members of the public alerted officials about the body of a man with severe injuries near a crematorium in Kelambakkam.

The deceased was identified as Shahul Hameed (24) of Kelambakkam, an A-Category rowdy with over a dozen criminal cases against him including a murder case in 2020. The officials shifted his body to a government hospital for a post-mortem examination.

During their investigations, the police found that Shahul had come out on bail only on Thursday (August 27). Around 9.15 pm on Saturday night, he borrowed cash from a relative, reportedly to buy liquor.

On Sunday, the police arrested V Arun (31) and M Srikanth (35) of Thaiyur, A Surya (32) of Egattur, and Abdul Rahman (25) of Kelambakkam.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that there was previous enmity between Shahul and the accused over turf-war, claimed the police.

The arrested persons were produced before a magistrate and remanded in judicial custody. Meanwhile, the police are hunting for other suspects involved in the murder.

The issue has reportedly worsened with food delivery agents, whose online shopping office functions from Isana Tower near the bus stop, park their motorcycles along the roadside. The parking facility at the tower is said to be inadequate to accommodate the vehicles of all employees.

A resident, Vikram, said, “Two-wheelers are being parked in rows around the bus stop, leaving little space for us to use the footpath. We’re forced to walk on the road, which is risky, particularly when traffic is heavy.”

The encroachment has also affected bus operations too. The space available for buses to pick-up or drop-off passengers has reduced, with buses sometimes having to stop without sufficient space along the roadside. This has caused inconvenience to passengers boarding and alighting from buses.

The manager of Isana Tower said that the two-wheelers parked outside the building belonged to Zepto. “The company had initially sought parking space for 80 two-wheelers, but it increased to around 130, resulting in a shortage of parking space,” he stated.

Separate parking spaces were allotted to other offices functioning in the building. “As the parking issue involving Zepto continued, the company has been advised to shift its office to another location. Zepto has informed the building management that it plans to move to another location within three months,” he added.

Traffic police officials told DT Next that two-wheelers parked illegally in the area had earlier been removed and fines imposed on those responsible. “Appropriate action will be taken against those continuing to park their vehicles illegally in the area,” an official said.

In Shastri Nagar, particularly on 5th, 10th and 15th Streets, and 15th Street in New Thiru Vi Ka Street, electrical wires are exposed along the pathways used by residents every day.

People lamented facing difficulties while passing through the area, as the wires remain exposed without proper protection.

Since the area has a large number of residential houses, open power lines have caused concern among the public. With monsoon on the way and intermittent showers in the city, residents are anxious over safety. They said rainwater and moisture could lead to electrical leakage, posing a risk of electrocution to pedestrians. The risk could increase further when rainwater accumulates in the area.

A resident, Sugandhi, 15th Street in New Thiru Vi Ka Street, said, “The wires have been exposed here for more than a year. Despite several complaints, no action has been taken yet. Hundreds of families live with children and senior citizens. These wires should be properly secured.”

Concurring with her was another resident, Perumal, who added: “The wires were removed when stormwater drain work was carried out. Later, they were not properly restored even though it was on a public pathway.”

A senior TNPDCL official told DT Next, “The wires were placed externally during the stormwater drain works. Locations where such issues have been reported will be inspected and necessary action will be taken. Once the works are completed, the exposed wires will be properly arranged and secured in a safe manner.”

Which vegetable prices increased today?

Shallot – Rs 80 per kg, up by Rs 10 (compared to August 25)

Which vegetable prices decreased today?

Drumstick – Rs 30 per kg, down by Rs 20 (compared to August 25)

What are the prices of essential vegetables?

Onion: Rs 58 per kg

Tomato: Rs 20 per kg

Potato: Rs 35 per kg

Ginger: Rs 180 per kg

Coconut: Rs 60 per piece

Shallot: Rs 80 per kg

What are the prices of other vegetables?

Green chillies: Rs 60 per kg

Beetroot: Rs 60 per kg

Snake gourd: Rs 30 per kg

Spinach: Rs 5 per bunch

Drumstick: Rs 30 per kg

How much do herbs cost today?

Coriander: Rs 7 per bunch

Mint: Rs 6 per bunch

Curry leaves: Rs 25 per kg

The deceased has been identified as T Srinivasan (54), a resident of Thousand Lights Cochin House police quarters.

He was the SSI at Triplicane Traffic Enforcement police station. He is survived by his wife Renukadevi and son Surya, police said. 

On August 15, Srinivasan was deployed for traffic regulation duty near the Kannagi statue on Marina Beach.

Around that time, an over-speeding car rammed into him while he was standing on the roadside, grievously injuring him.

He was rescued and admitted to the Government Omandurar Medical College Hospital for treatment. He had been under intensive care for the last two weeks but died on Saturday. 

The Anna Square Traffic Investigation Wing police have registered a case and are investigating. Police said they are tracing the car and its driver who allegedly fled after the accident.

The meetings will be held in the Mylapore, Ambattur, Tondiarpet and KK Nagar divisions, where consumers can submit complaints related to power supply and other electricity services and seek redressal.

In Mylapore, the meeting will be held at the Executive Engineer (Operation and Maintenance) office at the 110 kV Valluvar Kottam substation on MGR Road (Kodambakkam High Road), near the Metro Water station.

The Ambattur meeting will be held at the Executive Engineer (Operation and Maintenance) office on Third Main Road, at the substation premises in Ambattur Industrial Estate.

In Tondiarpet, consumers can attend the meeting at the Executive Engineer (O&M) office at 805, TH Road, opposite the clock tower.

The KK Nagar meeting will be conducted at the Executive Engineer (O&M) division office on the second floor of the 110 kV KK Nagar substation premises on Anna Main Road.

Superintending Engineers of the Chennai Central, West, South and North distribution circles have urged consumers to attend the meetings and submit their grievances for necessary action.

Launched in Delhi, the initiative aims to identify 100 high-potential ideas and create a structured pipeline to take them from ideation and validation to prototypes, pilots, investment, market entry and global scale.

Union Minister of State (Independent charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary, in a message read out at the event, said India's next chapter would be written not only by those who find jobs but also by those who create them.

"The energy to build new enterprises is not limited to our metros, it is alive in every district, every small town, every college campus," he said, adding that the mission would seek to give young people in smaller cities the same opportunity to build world-class products as their counterparts elsewhere.

IIT Madras director V Kamakoti said India's ambition of becoming a technology superpower required encouraging ideas emerging from every part of the country. Bharat Ascend, he said, would democratise opportunities to turn such ideas into products with socio-economic value.

IIT Madras Dean (Global Engagement) Preeti Aghalayam said the initiative would bridge local ingenuity and global opportunity by connecting innovators with the institute's research, industry and international networks.

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 Sunday.

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:

August 29 - Rs 107.77

August 28 - Rs 107.77

August 27 - Rs 107.77

August 26 - Rs 107.77

August 25 - Rs 107.77

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

August 29 - Rs 99.55

August 28 - Rs 99.55

August 27 - Rs 99.55

August 26 - Rs 99.55

August 25 - Rs 99.55

While one of the suspects, Manik Uddin Laskar was arrested by a special team of the Tambaram police from Manipur, the second suspect, Manik’s wife Bhagavathi Maji, was arrested by another special team from Assam.

Both accused were brought to Chennai by train and are currently being questioned at the Guduvanchery police station. The head of the deceased woman has yet to be recovered.

The case came to light on August 5, when the Tamil Nadu Express, which had left Chennai Central for New Delhi, stopped at the Agra railway station. The Railway police opened an unattended suitcase inside a coach and found the dismembered body parts of a woman, with the head missing.

The Agra Railway Police registered a case. Special teams comprising personnel from the Agra Railway Police, Chennai City Police and Tambaram Police were formed to trace the perpetrators behind the crime.

Tracking the trail of polythene bags used to pack the body parts, the police zeroed in on the two suspects from CCTV footage from various stations. The bags belonged to a popular textile store in Chennai.

The probe led the police to a house near Masjid Street in Guduvanchery, where the murder is suspected to have taken place. The victim has been identified as a woman from Odisha, and she had been staying at the house along with the suspects.

As the murder was suspected to have occurred within the Tambaram Police Commissionerate limits, the Agra Railway Police requested the Guduvanchery police to register a murder case.

As the murder was suspected to have occurred within the Tambaram Police Commissionerate limits, the Agra Railway Police requested the Guduvanchery police to register a murder case.

Today, Kase's cheeses have earned international recognition, including a Bronze for Lavender Fields at the 2022 World Cheese Awards and a Silver for an Alpine-style washed-rind cheese in 2023. But for Namrata, the significance lay less in the medals and more in what they made possible. “Instead of asking, ‘Can we make cheese in India?’, we could ask, ‘What kind of cheese can we make because we are in India?’”

Cheese, Chennai-style

Unlike European regions where cheesemaking developed alongside local climates, milk and microbial environments over generations, Chennai's heat and humidity present a different set of challenges. Temperature and humidity can affect fermentation, moisture loss, rind development and ageing. But rather than attempting to recreate a European cheese exactly, Namrata says, “You cannot simply reproduce a European recipe and expect the same result. You have to understand the principle behind the style and adapt it to your milk, climate and conditions.”

For Chef Goku, who has worked with Kase across collaborations and pop-ups, that distinction matters. “The idea should be to understand the technique and then see what happens when that technique meets Indian milk, Indian climate and Indian terroir.”

And that experimentation can result in cheeses that look beyond the conventional cheese board.

The taste of time

What happens after the milk enters the cheesemaking room is perhaps the part consumers see least. Depending on the style, the curd is worked, drained or pressed, salted and then moved into an ageing environment. There, the cheese is turned, washed, brushed and monitored as microorganisms and enzymes change its flavour and texture.

Namrata says ageing can range from three days to three years, depending on the cheese. A Parmesan-style cheese, for instance, may require years to develop its final character. And perfection isn't necessarily achieved in one attempt.

“Some cheeses have gone through dozens of iterations, and even then I wouldn't say there is a final version. Cheese can teach you something every season.”

When kanji meets cheese

One of the cheeses that stayed with Chef Goku is Rice Fields, a washed-rind cheese whose rind is washed using rice kanji water. He once paired it at a Kochi pop-up with a salad of vallarai, forest ferns, siru kilangu and coconut, dressed with kadaranga lime. The combination worked because the cheese didn't have to stand apart from the food.

“Indian cuisine already has so much fermentation, acidity, spice, bitterness, sweetness and texture. Cheese can become another layer within that language rather than something that sits separately on a cheese board,” says Goku.

He also points to Mor Milagai and Banon with lotus leaves as examples of cheeses where local ingredients become part of the cheese's identity.

Cheese lovers assemble

For Chennai's cheese enthusiasts, the difference is increasingly apparent. Suneethi Raj, founder of LocalXO, says, “Processed cheese is generic,” noting that it has its place in nostalgic dishes such as chilli cheese toast and Indian-style sandwiches. But for pasta, pizza or eating cheese plain, she finds that artisanal varieties offer a completely different texture, flavour profile and mouthfeel.

Her advice to newcomers? “The ingredient list — look for varieties free from emulsifiers and preservatives.” She says education, access and price remain barriers to artisanal food, though Chennai's audience for such products has grown through food markets, supper clubs and pop-ups.

Shreeya Jayaraman, who discovered a wider world of cheese while studying in Wisconsin, puts the appeal more poetically: “A cheese holds memories of what it’s been through and tells its story on your palate.”

Having eaten Käse for nearly a decade, her favourite is its pickled feta. She also points to its idli podi cheddar and kimchi-infused cheese, describing Käse as a home-grown brand that is “bringing the world to Chennai and Chennai to the world.”

Chef Goku sees the shift from the perspective of someone working with these cheeses in a kitchen. He says Kase has helped introduce customers to the idea that cheese doesn't have to mean only familiar imported varieties. “I’ve seen people who started as customers become interested enough to eventually explore cheesemaking themselves. The next step is not just convincing people that Indian cheese is as good as European cheese. It’s getting people to say, ‘I want this because it is Indian cheese,’” says Chef Goku.

But can everyone afford it?

Artisanal cheese remains a premium product. Namrata says processed industrial cheeses can cost around Rs 350–600 per kg, while Kase's natural cheeses range from approximately Rs 2,300 to Rs 6,000 per kg, depending on the variety and ageing.

Price is a factor, she says, but not the only one. Awareness and familiarity also determine whether consumers seek out artisanal cheese.

Kase primarily sells through its online store and select partner outlets, while tasting opportunities are available through events and open houses. The brand also supplies the hospitality industry, including hotels, as part of its B2B business.

The road connects West Tambaram and Sriperumbudur via Darkas, Naduveerapattu and Somangalam. It also sees heavy traffic as many use it to avoid the toll on the bypass road. It is also known as Kishkinta Road, as the popular amusement park is located along the road.

With residential areas, educational institutions, and factories along the road, which sees heavy footfall, commuters claim the road is full of potholes, with several portions of the carriageway damaged. The road margins are also filled with mud, slush and uneven patches, making it difficult for two-wheeler riders.

The situation worsened after roads were dug along both sides of the road a few months ago for stormwater drain works, and several portions have not been properly restored.

Residents said accidents have become frequent on the stretch due to the narrow carriageway and poor road condition. A few days ago, a Tambaram Corporation employee returning home on a two-wheeler after completing his night shift died in an accident after colliding with another vehicle.

With traffic increasing, residents said the existing road is inadequate to handle the volume of vehicles. They have urged the authorities to widen the road into a proper two-way carriageway and relay the damaged portions without further delay.

Ramamoorthy, a Tambaram resident, said they have been submitting petitions to all the departments and officials concerned, but there has been no proper response. The officers should act swiftly and make sure the road is repaired soon, he said.

Officials from the Highways department said the Tambaram-Somangalam road comes under the Rural Highways department.

They said widening the road requires Forest department clearance, which makes immediate expansion difficult.

However, steps are being taken to repair the damaged portions of the road.

NHAI has already issued a work order for the Tiruneermalai entry and exit, which is aimed at providing seamless connectivity to the Madras Export Processing Zone (MEPZ), airport and southern parts of the city.

An additional entry and exit at Kallikuppam, near Menambedu, is planned to improve connectivity from Ambattur to areas north of the Chennai-Tiruvallur railway line. The Kallikuppam access is expected to come as a relief to residents along the Ambattur-Puzhal Road.

The service road along the Chennai bypass currently ends at Kallikuppam because of a railway track, forcing local motorists to take longer routes. Residents have been demanding either a road overbridge (ROB) on the service road to provide continuous connectivity to Ambattur or direct entry and exit points on the bypass.

The revamp will also bring changes to the tolling system. The existing Vanagaram toll plaza will be shifted to Tiruneermalai, while the Surapattu toll plaza will be replaced with a staggered tolling arrangement at Athipattu, near Decathlon, and Menambedu, according to an NHAI tender document. The two new tolling locations will use a barrier-free Multi Lane Free Flow (MLFF) system, allowing vehicles to pass through without stopping at toll booths.

FASTag-equipped vehicles will be identified as they pass through the tolling zone, while cameras will capture registration numbers and facilitate electronic toll collection. For vehicles without FASTag, or where the tag is invalid or cannot be read, automatic number plate recognition will be used to identify the vehicle. E-notices will be generated when toll collection cannot be completed electronically.

The system is expected to reduce queues and improve traffic movement on the bypass. Camera-based monitoring will also help verify transactions and identify vehicles in cases where electronic toll collection fails.

NHAI had floated bids last year for shifting the Vanagaram toll plaza to Tiruneermalai along with several road safety measures. These included a six-lane vehicular underpass (VUP) at Vanagaram Junction, allowing local vehicles to cross using the service roads on either side without entering the main carriageway. This is expected to reduce disruption to through traffic and improve road safety.

A new causeway across the Cooum river between Ambattur and Maduravoyal was also planned to improve local connectivity, complementing the existing structure on the opposite side of the bypass.

NHAI is rolling out barrier-free MLFF technology at 16 toll plazas across the country, including three in Tamil Nadu: Nemili and Chennasamudram on NH-48 and Paranur on NH-45. Trial runs are under way at the three existing Tamil Nadu locations and they are expected to become operational shortly, an NHAI official said.

The proposed tolling points on the Chennai bypass have an indicative annual electronic toll collection of Rs 111.49 crore at Tiruneermalai and Rs 90.35 crore at Athipattu-Menambedu, based on 2025-26 figures cited in the tender document.

A large portion of the Vyasarpadi canal along Shastri Nagar First Street is covered by water hyacinth. The growth is so dense that the surface of the canal appears almost completely green, reducing the space available for water to flow.

As a result, water remains stagnant in the canal for long periods. Further, bridge construction work is currently under way on Anna Salai in Shastri Nagar, with parts of the water path blocked at a bridge near the location. This has led to increased water stagnation along Shastri Nagar First Street.

Residents fear that if heavy rain continues, stagnant water from the canal could enter nearby residential areas. Prolonged water stagnation could also increase the breeding of mosquitoes and other insects.

A resident, Sridhar, said, “Water hyacinth has been growing here for the past five months. Some people also dump garbage near the canal at night. This further obstructs the flow of water. Foul odour and mosquito menace is an everyday nuisance.”

Concurring with him was another resident, Murugan, who piped in: “Due to the bridge construction work nearby, the path of water flow is blocked in some places. So, rainwater is stagnating in residential areas. The bridge construction work should be completed at the earliest.”

A senior Corporation official told DT Next that one side of the construction work on Anna Salai in Shastri Nagar has been completed, while work on the other side is currently under way. “A request has been made to bring a robotic excavator to remove the water hyacinth. Once the equipment arrives, the water hyacinth removal work will be carried out using the robotic excavator,” the official added.

At a three-and-a-half-hour review meeting held at Ripon Building on Saturday, additional chief secretary, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, Gagandeep Singh Bedi, directed officers and civic agencies to ensure 100% completion of works in canals, waterbodies, SWDs and silt catch pits by the end of September or the first week of October.

Following the directions of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, ministers and monitoring officers have been assigned to each zone to oversee flood mitigation measures and emergency rescue operations.

An MAWS official said that the monitoring officers would carry out zone-wise inspections of desilting and other flood-prevention works. “The first phase of desilting will be completed before the monsoon; second phase will be taken up closer to the monsoon,” the official said.

Bedi also instructed officials to coordinate with ward councillors, MLAs, residents’ welfare associations (RWAs) and the public while executing the works. “Monitoring officials have been told to give due respect and regard to public representatives, RWAs and the common public,” the official said.

The GCC and Water Resources Department (WRD) were asked to ensure quality in canal desilting works. The Highways department was directed to expedite cut-and-cover canal works in southern parts of Chennai. Tangedco officials were told to rectify exposed cables and bury them underground wherever necessary.

The government has sanctioned Rs 100 crore for monsoon preparedness. The works include desilting 1,671 km of SWDs and 1,10,082 silt catch pits, repairing damaged roads, deploying high-capacity motor pumps and recruiting 1,000 workers, five for each of the city’s 200 wards. The GCC has identified 207 vulnerable locations and is implementing site-specific engineering measures, including modular storage tanks and dedicated discharge pumps, in areas considered prone to flooding.

For emergency rescue operations, 311 boats have been kept on standby. Of these, 36 belong to the GCC and 275 are fishing boats. Trained crews will be deployed along with the boats.

The civic body is also preparing 215 flood relief centres and 111 community kitchens to ensure they can be made operational immediately during emergencies. The Integrated Command and Control Centre, 1913 helpline and GCC’s social media channels will function continuously to receive and address public complaints during the monsoon.

The GCC will also launch a dedicated Volunteers Registration App in the first week of September to enrol volunteers directly for relief and rescue operations. More than 1,000 volunteers and 721 RWA members are being on-boarded.

Four fishermen from Rameswaram were arrested by the Sri Lankan Coast Guard in July 2024 for crossing the maritime boundary and fishing in Sri Lankan waters. A month later, a Sri Lankan court released three of them.

However, one of them had been arrested for crossing the maritime boundary and fishing for the second time. He was sentenced to two years in prison, and was released on August 17 and handed over to officials of the Indian embassy in Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, six fishermen from Kanniyakumari were fishing in the sea off the Mandapam area of Rameswaram on May 10 when the Sri Lankan Coast Guard arrested them for crossing the maritime boundary. They were lodged in prison.

Following directions from the Indian government, officials of the Indian embassy held discussions with Sri Lankan authorities regarding the release of the fishermen. Then, all were released on August 22 and handed over to Indian officials. Officials then arranged for all seven fishermen to travel to Chennai.

They were received by officials from the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department at Chennai airport and were sent to their hometowns in government-arranged vehicles.

Police said that the action was taken based on a video evidence submitted by an activist to the city police’s ITPU (Immoral Trafficking Prevention Unit), which showed an elderly man sexually exploiting a young girl.

Police sources said that a pen-drive with the video was sent to the ITPU in October 2025 and a case was registered, but action was delayed for several months. Police identified the man in the video as prominent industrialist, R Veeramani and began probe.

Investigations revealed that he had rented a house in Teynampet where he sexually exploited several minor girls and women while video evidence is available for one act of sexual abuse. Police found that Veeramani had entrusted the management of the rented property to his associates, Mahendra Simhan (64) and his wife, Shanthi (60).

The case was registered by the Central Crime Branch’s Anti-Vice Squad on October 7, 2025, based on a complaint filed by a social activist. Police said that the investigation later established the identity of the man seen in the recording and the case was subsequently revived and transferred to the ITPU, which arrested the trio.

City police are also probing if the minor was sexually abused by more than one person. The top brass has further ordered an inquiry to ascertain why action was delayed on the complaint since October 2025. The arrested persons were produced before a magistrate and remanded to judicial custody.