The X user, named Kumar, had earlier posted a video showing right-turning vehicles blocking lanes meant for straight-moving traffic at the junction. Following the intervention by the traffic police, the user recorded the junction again and posted a video showing smoother traffic movement.

The user said most vehicles were now keeping the straight-moving lanes clear, with the improvement particularly noticeable among MTC buses.

The traffic police officer on duty reportedly thanked the Kumar and said the intervention had helped reduce congestion, according to the post. The officer was also surprised to see most MTC buses following the designated lane.

Kumar also said an MTC official had earlier contacted them to appreciate the video. The official said the video had been used to help drivers understand the issue and advised them to follow the designated lane.

The passenger arrived in Chennai from Kuala Lumpur on a private airline flight the day before yesterday morning. He was travelling to Chennai on a medical visa and, after declaring that he was not carrying any dutiable goods, attempted to leave through the green channel.

However, customs officials, who found his movements suspicious, intercepted him and searched his baggage. During the inspection of his suitcase, officials found four packets concealed inside. On opening them, they discovered 3.5 kg of high-grade hydroponic cannabis.

The passenger was subsequently arrested and the contraband seized.

During interrogation, officials reportedly found that the Malaysian national had allegedly acted as a courier for an international drug trafficking network. Customs officials are continuing their investigation to identify the intended recipient of the consignment and trace other members of the smuggling network.

Alexander was staying at a hotel. When an acquaintance came with a young woman, Alexander allegedly made lewd comments and attempted to touch her inappropriately after which her friend, another woman who was nearby, came to the hotel and questioned him.

Police said that Alexander abused and threatened her too after which the women left the scene and alerted the authorities. Police personnel reached the scene and conducted an enquiry after which Alexander was arrested. He was produced before a magistrate and remanded to judicial custody.

Identified as R Rohith (26), a native of Maharashtra, he was a daily wage labourer at a new building being constructed on St Mary’s Road, Mandaveli, and had been staying at the site for the past 3 months.

According to police, Rohith was sleeping on the outer edge of the second floor of the building on Monday night. Around midnight, he reportedly rolled over in his sleep and fell down from the second floor.

Other workers at the site rushed him to the Royapettah GH. However, doctors who examined him declared that he was already dead on arrival. Abhiramapuram police have registered a case and are investigating.

Police said the incident occurred on August 25 when Madhavi was lighting a lamp in the pooja room of her house. Her saree accidentally caught fire from the lamp. The fire spread rapidly before she could notice it, and within seconds engulfed her completely.

Hearing her screams, her family members rushed to the spot, doused the fire and rescued her. She was immediately taken to the Kilpauk Government Medical College Hospital for treatment.

Madhavi, who had suffered extensive burns, died at the hospital on Tuesday. Pattinapakkam police have registered a case and are investigating.

The CMDA Administrative Officer formally communicated the appointment in a letter dated August 31.

The statutory body’s composition includes the Housing and Urban Development Minister as Chairman, the department’s Principal Secretary as the Vice-Chairman, senior officials from the Housing, Finance, Industries and Transport departments, Corporation Commissioner and heads of various urban development agencies. It also provides for two Members of the State Legislative Assembly.

Reacting to the appointment, the MLA thanked Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay for the trust and responsibility placed on him. He said he would work with “utmost commitment and dedication”.

Which vegetable prices increased today ?

Raw magoes – Rs 150 per kg, up by Rs 30 (compared to August 30)

Drumstick – Rs 50 per kg, up by Rs 20

Green chillies – Rs 70 per kg, up by Rs 10

Garlic – Rs 260 per kg, up by Rs 20

Which vegetable prices decreased today ?

Lemon – Rs 220 per kg, down by Rs 10

beans – Rs 60 per kg, down by Rs 10

What are the prices of essential vegetables ?

Onion: Rs 58 per kg

Small onion: Rs 80 per kg

Potato: Rs 35 per kg

Tomato: Rs 20 per kg

What are the prices of other vegetables ?

Yam: Rs 40 per kg

Ooty carrot: Rs 70 per kg

Beetroot: Rs 60 per kg

Ginger: Rs 180 per kg

Bitter gourd: Rs 50 per kg

Capsicum: Rs 50 per kg

How much do herbs cost today ?

Coriander: Rs 7 per bunch

Mint: Rs 6 per bunch

Curry leaves: Rs 25 per bunch

The yellow metal is now priced at Rs 1,11,600 per sovereign and Rs 13,950 per gram, after a decrease of Rs 225 per gram.

Earlier, on September 1, the yellow metal was priced at Rs 1,15,080 per sovereign and Rs 14,385 per gram.

Silver price decreased

Meanwhile, silver prices decreased by Rs 5, selling for Rs 250 per gram (Rs 2,50,000 per kg) on September 2.

On September 1, 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 77,800 per sovereign (Rs 9,725 per gram) on September 2, 2025, to Rs 1,11,600 per sovereign (Rs 13,950 per gram) on September 1, 2026, marking an increase of Rs 33,800 per sovereign or about or about 43.44%.

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

September 1, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,15,080 | 1 gram - Rs 14,385

August 31, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,14,960 | 1 gram - Rs 14,370

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

Silver price over the last five days:

September 1, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 255

August 31, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 260

August 29, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 260

August 28, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 265

August 27, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 265

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 Wednesday.

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 1- Rs 107.77

August 31- Rs 107.77

August 30 - Rs 107.77

August 29 - Rs 107.77

August 28 - Rs 107.77

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

September 1 - Rs 99.55

August 31 - Rs 99.55

August 30 - Rs 99.55

August 29 - Rs 99.55

August 28 - Rs 99.55

Chaired by DMK Mayor Vasanthakumari, 344 resolutions were passed at the Corporation office.

Councillors said that despite funds being allocated for vaccination and sterilisation of stray dogs, the measures had failed to control their numbers. They demanded effective implementation of sterilisation and vaccination programmes.

They also said that many SWD had been damaged, silted up or encroached upon, and warned that residential areas could face waterlogging during the monsoon season if immediate restoration works were not taken up.

Councillors lamented facing irregular or non-existent piped water supply despite residents being charged water tax. They alleged that residential areas along Major Mukund Varadarajan Road in Selaiyur had not received piped drinking water for nearly 5 years.

They also complained about the government primary health centre in Ward 51, where medicines were often unavailable and doctors were not present during several working hours, leaving nurses to attend to patients. They also claimed that basic diagnostic facilities were not being provided properly.

The Opposition leader raised questions over the delay in extending the underground sewerage to areas that had been left out of the existing network and newly added areas. He pointed out that the previous government had announced an allocation of Rs 750 crore for the expansion and sought to know why the works had not commenced and what had happened to the funds.

Corporation officials said that efforts were underway to obtain a loan from the World Bank. Opposition councillors questioned why external funding was being sought when the government had already allocated funding. Later, AIADMK councillors staged a walkout.

The QR-based system was launched at a TASMAC outlet in Egmore in June, using a reverse vending machine (RVM). The pilot has since been extended to two more locations.

According to Recykal’s data, return instances increased from 6,964 on July 9 to 46,992 on August 24. Refunds rose from Rs 6.30 lakh to Rs 25.26 lakh during the same period.

Successful QR-bottle authentications increased from 63,444 to 2,56,580.

Glass bottles sold at the store increased from 1,22,921 to 4,64,474, while the number of unique consumers using the return system rose from 659 to 1,096.

The returned bottles are collected by authorised scrap vendors for further processing. The pilot is being used to assess the deposit-return mechanism before any wider expansion.

As part of the ongoing CMRL phase-2 works, rectification works of the 900 mm diameter sewer pipeline will be carried out on the incoming carriageway of Rajiv Gandhi Salai, in front of the Elnet Office, police said.

To facilitate the works safely, GCTP has announced traffic changes from Tuesday (September 1) to Saturday (September 5) between 11 pm and 5 am.

Accordingly, the stretch of Rajiv Gandhi Salai from Tidel Park Junction to Indira Nagar Signal in the incoming direction will be closed for general traffic during the above-mentioned night hours. Entry will be permitted only for Tidel Park- and Elnet-bound pick-up/drop-off vehicles.

At Tidel Park Junction, incoming vehicles will be diverted onto the outgoing carriageway of Rajiv Gandhi Salai and will proceed up to Indira Nagar Signal, where they will rejoin the incoming carriageway.

Vehicles bound for Ramanujam IT City may access the area via the U-turn at Indira Nagar Signal. The new flyover on Sardar Patel Road near Madhya Kailash will remain closed to traffic during the work period.

Heavy vehicles, including MTC buses, coming from Guindy will not be permitted to take a right turn at Madhya Kailash Junction towards Rajiv Gandhi Salai. They will be diverted via Adyar Junction – LB Road – Shastri Nagar 1st Avenue – 11th Cross Street – 10th Cross Street – MG Road, and thereafter rejoin LB Road towards ECR/OMR.

Light vehicles coming from Guindy will be permitted to take a right turn towards Rajiv Gandhi Salai. At Indira Nagar Signal, they will be diverted via Indira Nagar 2nd Avenue - 3rd Avenue – Kalakshetra Junction, and thereafter join LB Road towards ECR/OMR.

The resto-bar in Chennai’s Nungambakkam, where Pint of View Chennai organised its third lecture of the month, turned strangers who awkwardly yet curiously entered into people leaving with brains full of new knowledge and hearts full of friends and conversations. Pint of View Chennai, inspired by its namesake in Bengaluru and founded by friends Sumyuktha Anand and Barkavi Magheshkumaar, organises lectures throughout the month on varied topics covering science, business, art, economics and everything else under the sky. Sumyuktha is a neuroscientist, science communicator and educator with experience spanning research, scientific publishing and public engagement, while Barkavi is an entrepreneur and Executive Director at V Group of Companies. Pint of View has 14 chapters across the globe.

“We thought that there was a missing third space in Chennai where people could simply come and hang out and form a community,” they say as they begin to explain how the club came to be. Their first lecture was in November 2025, and since then, there has been no looking back. The crowd on August 27 was filled with people taking notes, people young and old, people with friends and those who were there to make some. “Most of our audience is either between the 25 to 30 age range or older people. And around 70 per cent of our people come alone,” says Barkavi.

The concept of their shows is simple. One grabs a drink or a coffee and goes through a lecture by an industry expert on the topic. While the other chapters across the country are primarily bar-based, the duo had to tweak their club a bit by adding cafés too for the Chennai crowd. “We started in a bar, but we noticed that people ended up ordering coffees and juices. And we all learned that some people wanted to attend but were intimidated by the idea of how a bar looked,” says Barkavi. “There have also been requests from our guests to have it at non-alcoholic places, so we decided to do a mix of both,” adds Sumyuktha.

The event follows a lecture, followed by interactive sessions where what is learned could also be applied to one’s own life. In Namrata’s lecture, the audience asked itself questions around what is a classic and the notions of art as one knows it. “In Chennai, we always like an activity, an interactive session. It is more of a conversation than mere passive listening. Sometimes we do digress, but we eventually come back to the topic at hand,” says Sumyuktha.

The duo go around looking for perfect venues for each lecture they want to host. “We have a roster of venues too, and we keep going around looking for new spaces,” says Barkavi. The duo plan, organise and manage everything on their own, from social media marketing to creating the rosters and finding the venue, while managing their daytime jobs.

They choose a guest, work out the logistics with them, and sit in on a demo so that the lecture is not too jargon-heavy. “Our guests are all experts in their fields. We want to make sure that someone who is not related to the industry at all understands what is being spoken about. That is why we have these demos; we work with them. We also have the activity planned,” explains Sumyuktha. The club’s primary aim is to bring together strangers who are on the lookout for similarly minded people through their lectures. They believe this is an extension of education. “In a way, continuing education, but you’re not in college anymore,” they conclude.

The next lectures hosted by Pint of View will be on September 6, 20 and 27.

Police arrested Latha (47) of Chitlapakkam on Monday (August 31).

According to the police, in 2008, Latha, who was running a firm named Jiffy Exports in Nungambakkam had approached Samiullah Khan (40) of Triplicane and promised 4% monthly profit for investments in her company.

Based on his complaint that she had cheated him of Rs 35 lakh, CCB’s Document Fraud Investigation Wing registered a case in 2009, filed a charge sheet, and the case was pending trial.

As Latha failed to appear, the court issued a non-bailable warrant against her in 2016.

Similarly, in another 2009 CCB case, she cheated Iqbal Raja of Anna Salai of Rs 43.5 lakh using the same modus operandi. A warrant was issued in that case also in 2016.

Recently, while reviewing the pending NBWs, top brass of the city police had directed CCB teams to find her, after which a team traced and arrested Latha on Monday (August 31). She was produced before a magistrate and remanded to judicial custody.

Chaired by DMK Mayor Vasanthakumari, 344 resolutions were passed at the Tambaram Corporation office.

Councillors said that despite funds being allocated for vaccination and sterilisation of stray dogs, the measures had failed to control their numbers. They demanded effective implementation of sterilisation and vaccination programmes.

They also said that many SWD had been damaged, silted up or encroached upon, and warned that residential areas could face waterlogging during the monsoon season if immediate restoration works were not taken up.

Councillors lamented facing irregular or non-existent piped water supply despite residents being charged water tax. They alleged that residential areas along Major Mukund Varadarajan Road in Selaiyur had not received piped drinking water for nearly five years, while charges continued to be collected.

They also complained about the government primary health centre in Ward 51, where medicines were often unavailable and doctors were not present during several working hours, leaving nurses to attend to patients. They also claimed that basic diagnostic facilities, including blood tests, were not being provided properly.

The Opposition leader raised questions over the delay in extending the underground sewerage project to areas that had been left out of the existing network and newly added areas. He pointed out that the previous government had announced an allocation of Rs 750 crore for the expansion and sought to know why the works had not commenced and what had happened to the funds.

Corporation officials said that efforts were underway to obtain a loan from the World Bank. Opposition councillors questioned why external funding was being sought when the government had already announced an allocation for the project. Later, the AIADMK councillors staged a walkout from the council meeting.

The complainant, J Sivaselvan, had applied for an additional single-phase electricity connection on July 9 and paid the prescribed fee.

However, his application was rejected by TNEB Assistant Engineer Chandran on August 6.

Sivaselvan subsequently applied for an upgraded connection and completed the required wiring work.

According to the DVAC, Chandran initially demanded Rs 10,000 to process the connection, later reducing the demand to Rs 7,000.

Unwilling to pay the bribe, Sivaselvan approached the Chennai unit of the DVAC, which registered a case and organised a trap on Tuesday (September 1).

During the trap, Chandran allegedly accepted Rs 7,000 from Sivaselvan and was caught by the vigilance officials.

They also seized Rs 12,540 in unaccounted cash from him. Chandran was arrested and remanded in judicial custody.

However, the initiative has drawn criticism from local fishermen, who demanded to be allowed to continue operating along the roadside.

Speaking to DT Next, K Bharathi, president, South Indian Fishermen Welfare Association, said, “The long-time demand of vendors is to be allowed to run their businesses directly on the beachside along the coastal road. Traditionally, fishermen land their catch and work on one side of the road, while women handle the retail sales on the other side.”

Vendors were forced to occupy the newly built market in past. They faced severe financial losses because customers did not visit inside, prompting them to move back to their old roadside spots. They alleged the market lacks basic amenities and has design flaws. The metal roofing increases the heat in the market, and ruins the freshness of the catch. During heavy rains, water splashes directly onto the vendors’ faces.

“Before the elections, P Venkataramanan, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Protection, met the vendors from Nochikuppam to Pattinapakkam and promised they could remain on the Loop Road. But, after assuming office, the administration shifted toward enforcing the Corporation’s plans, with ministers even using cops to pressure vendors to force them from the beachside,” added Bharathi.

Furthermore, vendors alleged corruption. Some individuals paid bribes to the counsellor to secure a front-row shop, creating resistance to relocation. This undermines transparency in allotment. To transform the beachfront into a Blue Flag beach initiative, officials are pushing to clear the road, affecting fishermen’s livelihoods.

S Ethiraj, a fish vendor, said, “The physical alteration work began after the minister’s order. Demolition works started, and then, the GCC paused the process to hold another meeting with the vendors to attempt to reach a mutual consensus before moving forward.”

The modernised fish market has 362 stalls; The stall is 6 feet long and 5 feet wide. Following the suggestion, the GCC has conducted a willingness survey with the vendors to return to the market. Now it plans to expand the size of the stall to 10 feet long and 5 feet wide.

A senior GCC official said that alterations were made in a few shops for testing. “Five shops were resized to three. The modification worked, so we have called for tenders on September 7. Work should begin September 10. Shops on the western and southern sides will be altered now, and later, the northern part will be modified,” he explained. “As of now, we’ve not received any suggestions from the 115 vendors who have given their willingness to shift. Modification will be made based on their suggestions.”

The gathering was organised to remember Anitha and highlight the federation’s opposition to the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for medical admissions. Participants, including Anitha's brother S Manirathinam, reiterated their demand for the abolition of NEET and called for greater autonomy for states in deciding admission policies for professional courses.

The federation also demanded that education be brought back under the State List, arguing that states should have greater control over education-related policies.

Anitha, a student from Ariyalur district, had secured high marks in the Class 12 board examinations but was unable to obtain a medical seat through NEET. Her suicide became a major flashpoint in TN’s opposition to the entrance examination.

The Ambattur Rail Commuters Welfare Association has now taken up the issue with TR Baalu, Sriperumbudur MP, seeking his intervention with the Railways for the construction of the platform, more train halts and an upgrade of the station from its present SG3 category to Non-Suburban Group (NSG).

“Seven fast locals arriving in the morning do not stop at Ambattur. After Tirunindravur, they run non-stop to Villivakkam. The situation is different in the evening. Of the 9 fast locals, 8 stop at Ambattur on the return journey. The one exception is a MEMU whose next stop is Perambur because of congestion at Chennai Central,” said L Saravanan, association president.

Commuters opined that additional platforms were crucial for those travelling towards Chennai. Those from the outskirts towards Ambattur Industrial Estate, including IT employees, were affected by the lack of morning halts.

The association has sought stoppages at Ambattur for the Arakkonam–Chennai–Arakkonam Fast Local, Garudadri Express, Tirupati Express, Chennai–Ashokapuram Express and Chennai–Mumbai Express. It has also sought increasing the 66021 Fast Local MEMU from eight to 12 coaches and providing it an evening halt at Ambattur.

The other major demand is an upgrade of Ambattur from SG3 to NSG. “Ambattur recorded more than 10 million passengers in 2022-23, handling around 50,000 passengers daily. Under the SG3 category, the shelter provision is limited to 50 sq m, while an NSG classification would provide for a larger allocation. Seating, a waiting hall and a canteen would also become part of the additional facilities,” Saravanan added.

With Amrit Bharat Station works under way at Varadharajapuram, commuters also demanded a new entrance with ticketing and ATVM facilities at Venkatapuram, along with bulk booking and reservation facilities at Varadharajapuram.

As a pilot initiative, MoUs were signed today (September 1) at Ripon Building in the presence of GCC Commissioner GS Sameeran, Police Commissioner A Amalraj, and private corporate contributors.

These shelters will be funded under CSR to enhance commuter comfort and safety.

Speaking about the initiative, Commissioner Sameeran said that these pilot shelters were part of municipal infrastructure development projects, as per the directive from Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.

“With the help of the GCP, high-footfall bus shelters are identified. These facilities aim to provide good waiting facilities for the public who wait at the bus stops,” he added.

Seven firms will construct and maintain 11 bus shelters under CSR funds at different locations across the city.

AC waiting rooms with heat-insulating ‘puff panel’ roofing, toughened and laminated safety glass, CCTV surveillance and enhanced lighting facilities, free Wi-Fi access and USB mobile charging ports, integrated bus route information displays and accessible ramps built into the footpaths for easy wheelchair access.

The bus shelters in the following places will get a makeover: Apollo Hospital in DMS, Anna Salai and Mylapore Bus Stop, Kauvery Hospital at Jawaharlal Nehru Road in Vadapalani, Guru Nanak College at Vijayanagar Bus Terminal in Velachery, SIMS Hospital at Vadapalani stopping, incoming and outgoing access routes, Roche Products India at Little Mount, Guindy and Alandur Metro and Future Station Limited at Egmore North and Egmore South.

A senior GCC official told DT Next that following the success of the first-phase initiative, additional AC shelters will be rolled out across high-footfall locations through CSR partnerships in future. “The firms are allowed to display their company advertisements alone. The firm has to maintain the bus shelters for 3 years. Based on their maintenance, it could be extended. License fee has to be paid and renewed every year.”

Sameeran stated that repair and maintenance work at the bus stop will be undertaken by the firm, along with provision of security personnel.

“Similarly, GCC is working on constructing an AC shelter at Anna Square. Foot-over-bridges in the busy area will be taken up in a public-private partnership model with lifts and escalators,” he added.

The bus shelter has a seating capacity of 45 and measures 9 metres long and 5 metres wide, featuring a 6.24-metre waiting area and 1-metre advertisement panels on both sides, a front area ramp and steps with a width of 2.5 metres, said the official.

It may be noted that three AC bus shelters constructed by CMDA are located at Retteri Junction, Kalmandapam Road in Royapuram and Wall Tax Road.

According to police, a patrol team was conducting rounds near the Rutherfordpuram railway bridge in Mylapore when they noticed the suspects loitering in a suspicious manner.

Upon questioning, the group gave contradictory answers after which the group was detained for further questioning.

During the search, police seized 500 painkiller tablets that were concealed by the group and arrested – S Raguram (18) and J Fayaz (21) of Ice House, V Kishore (20) of Lloyds Road, Royapettah, M Sanjay (20) of Mylapore, and a 17-year-old boy.

Police registered a case and arrested all five.

During interrogation, it was revealed that the gang had been procuring the tablets from another state and selling them in Marina Beach and Mylapore areas.

Police also found that four suspects were working as horse ride operators for tourists at Marina Beach. They reportedly targeted youngsters and visitors in the beach area to sell the tablets.

Police said they were investigating the source of the tablets and whether more persons were involved in the network. Further investigation is underway to trace the interstate suppliers and the distribution chain.

Under the collaboration, UNESCO MGIEP will bring its expertise in SEL, while IIT-Madras will contribute its capabilities in artificial intelligence, Extended Reality (XR), game design, and immersive technologies, the institutions said in a joint statement.

The initiative would focus on developing open-source digital learning tools that could make education more interactive, personalised and learner-centric, and be adapted to diverse educational systems.

The cooperation agreement was signed in the presence of UNESCO MGIEP Director Obijiofor Aginam, IIT-Madras Dean (Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research) Manu Santhanam, and Experiential Technology Innovation Centre (XTIC) head M Manivannan.

Aginam said UNESCO MGIEP would provide expertise in SEL and help align the initiative with UNESCO’s recommendations on AI ethics and learner-centred education. He said the proposed open-source AI tool was expected to help move SEL from policy aspiration to everyday classroom practice.

The tool was also expected to ease teachers’ workload by helping them incorporate SEL into lesson plans, classroom activities, and assessments, Aginam said, adding that teachers would be able to adapt the content to suit local contexts and that low-cost models designed for low-bandwidth environments could help bridge the digital divide.

Manivannan said a major outcome of the partnership would be AI-powered tools capable of transforming conventional curricula by integrating SEL concepts with gamified and immersive learning experiences.

According to the partners, the proposed AI tool will analyse existing curricula and generate personalised learning pathways incorporating SEL.

The immersive components are intended to promote experiential learning and participation, while providing real-time emotional feedback and developing skills such as self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, relationship-building, and social awareness.

The collaboration will also cover joint research in educational technology, pedagogy, AI and learning sciences, besides faculty and researcher exchanges, workshops, and conferences and seminars.

The initiative is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 4.7 on education for peaceful, inclusive and sustainable societies, the institutions added.

The commercial cylinder is now priced at Rs 2,916.50 in Chennai. The price of a 14.2-kg domestic LPG cylinder remains unchanged at Rs 957.50, according to a Daily Thanthi report.

Prices of domestic LPG were last raised by Rs 29 per 14.2-kg cylinder on June 7.

Rates had gone up by Rs 60 in March after the West Asia crisis led to supply disruptions and a surge in international energy prices.

Public sector oil companies Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum and Indian Oil distribute 14.2-kg cylinders for domestic use and 19-kg cylinders for commercial use across the country.

Delhi sees Rs 9.50 hike in commercial LPG price

In Delhi, the price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder has increased by Rs 9.50, from Rs 2,738 to Rs 2,747.50.

The price of the 5-kg market-priced cooking gas LPG cylinder, known as 5-kg FTL, has also increased by Rs 2, from Rs 762 to Rs 764.

The latest hike follows two consecutive monthly reductions — a Rs 192 cut per 19-kg cylinder on August 1 and a Rs 183.50 cut on July 1.

The reductions in commercial LPG prices on July 1 and August 1 followed the West Asia crisis, which pushed rates to record highs in June.

After the outbreak of the conflict in late February, commercial LPG rates had risen by Rs 1,373 per 19-kg cylinder, from Rs 1,740.50 in February to Rs 3,113.50 in June.

ATF prices rise by 5.46 per cent

The price of Jet fuel, or Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), has been raised by Rs 6.28 per litre, or 5.46 per cent, to Rs 121.28 per litre for domestic airlines, according to state-owned oil firms.

The increase comes after a Rs 5 per litre rise in rates on August 1.

The two consecutive increases will add to the financial burden of airlines, for which ATF accounts for up to 40 per cent of operating costs.

ATF and LPG prices are revised on the first of every month based on benchmark international prices and foreign exchange rates. Rates vary from state to state depending on local taxes such as VAT.

Petrol and diesel prices, which were hiked by about Rs 7.50 a litre each in May, remained unchanged.

(With PTI inputs)

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

Hayathunnisha had married Jagur Khan, a Chennai native, in Odisha around 20 years ago. The couple later moved to Chennai and had a son, Yusuf Khan, 19. Following marital discord, the couple separated and Hayathunnisha lived with her son.

When Hayathunnisha later expressed her intention to marry Manikuddin Laskar, alias Rahul (22), Yusuf reportedly left home in anger and rented a separate house in Perungalathur. Hayathunnisha subsequently stayed at the house of Mohammed Rafi near the Guduvanchery mosque.

The investigation subsequently led police to Laskar from Assam, and his wife Bhagavathi Majhi, who were arrested in Manipur on August 30 and brought to Chennai for questioning.

Marriage demand allegedly triggered the conflict

Police said Hayathunnisha had been in a relationship with Laskar, who was married to Majhi. Majhi allegedly came to know about the relationship, leading to conflicts between the couple.

According to police, Majhi also allegedly obtained money and jewellery from Hayathunnisha on several occasions. Hayathunnisha later became pregnant and insisted that Laskar marry her. He allegedly refused, citing the age difference between them.

Police said Laskar and Majhi subsequently visited Hayathunnisha's house near the Guduvanchery mosque under the pretext of holding reconciliation talks. The couple allegedly stayed there for around two weeks before carrying out the murder.

Couple allegedly dismembered body

According to the police, they had purchased knives generally used for slaughtering goats. Hayathunnisha was allegedly attacked while she was asleep at night. Police said an anaesthetic was sprayed on her face before her throat was slit.

The accused allegedly collected her blood in a large vessel used for cooking biryani before suspending the body from a ceiling fan, skinning it and dismembering it, police said. They also shaved her head and gouged out the eyes.

The remains were allegedly packed into bags and placed inside a trolley suitcase. The couple then transported the suitcase by electric train from Guduvanchery to Chennai Central, from where it was placed on the Tamil Nadu Express bound for Agra, police said.

After leaving the suitcase, the couple reportedly stayed at a relative's house in Chennai before fleeing to Manipur.

Police are now planning to take the accused to the alleged crime scene, Guduvanchery railway station and Chennai Central railway station as part of the investigation.

According to CMRL, a total of 1,04,04,098 passengers travelled on Metro trains in August. The highest single-day passenger footfall during the month was recorded on August 14, when 4,01,607 passengers travelled on the Metro network.

The National Common Mobility Card (NCMC)/Singara Chennai Card emerged as the most-used ticketing option, accounting for 52.84 lakh passenger journeys during the month. Single-journey paper QR tickets were used by 20.20 lakh passengers, while ONDC-based ticketing recorded 12.47 lakh journeys.

Other digital ticketing platforms also saw significant usage. WhatsApp ticketing accounted for 4.69 lakh passengers, followed by Chennai One App with 3.10 lakh, Paytm with 3.09 lakh, PhonePe with 2.73 lakh, and static QR tickets at stations with 2.28 lakh passengers. Online ticketing recorded 1.56 lakh passengers, while the CMRL Mobile App recorded 1.04 lakh journeys.

The Metro operator also offers a 20 percent discount on services including the NCMC Singara Chennai Card and digital QR ticketing through WhatsApp, Paytm and PhonePe, as well as the digital Store Value Pass available through the CMRL Mobile App. The discount does not apply to single-journey paper QR tickets purchased at ticket counters.

The yellow metal is now priced at Rs 1,15,080 per sovereign and Rs 14,385 per gram, after an increase of Rs 15 per gram.

Earlier, on August 31, the yellow metal was priced at Rs 1,14,960 per sovereign and Rs 14,370 per gram.

Silver price decreased

Meanwhile, silver prices decreased by Rs 5, to sell at Rs 255 per gram at (Rs 2,55,000 per kg) on September 1.

On August 31, 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 77,640 per sovereign (Rs 9,705 per gram) on September 1, 2025, to Rs 1,15,080 per sovereign (Rs 14,385 per gram) on September 1, 2026, marking an increase of Rs 37,440 per sovereign or about 48.22 per cent.

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

August 31, 2026: 1 Sovereign - Rs 1,14,960 | 1 gram - Rs 14,370

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

Silver price over the last five days:

August 31, 2026: 1 gram - Rs 260

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

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 Tuesday.

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 31- Rs 107.77

August 30 - Rs 107.77

August 29 - Rs 107.77

August 28 - Rs 107.77

August 27 - Rs 107.77

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

August 31 - Rs 99.55

August 30 - Rs 99.55

August 29 - Rs 99.55

August 28 - Rs 99.55

August 27 - Rs 99.55

The deceased was identified as Murugaiya of Koyambedu. Police said that had brushed against another car that had been parked by the roadside near Thirunagar signal in Choolaimedu on Friday.

Occupants of the parked car confronted him, and assaulted him. Murugaiya lost his balance and fell to the ground unconscious.

Police reached the scene and took him to KMC, where he died.

Police arrested John Benedict Das of Kodungaiyur and Perumal of Red Hills, and booked them for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

They were produced before a magistrate court and remanded in judicial custody.

School Education Minister Rajmohan confirmed this development in the Assembly on Monday. During Zero Hour, CPI member T Ramachandran raised the demands of cleanliness workers who are staging a protest. Replying to him, Rajmohan, who held two rounds of talks with the protesting workers, said the government would set up toilets with dressing rooms for workers at 107 locations by September 15. Such facilities are already available at 93 locations, he said.

"The government will provide masks and hand gloves to the workers in Zones 4, 7 and 8 of the Corporation. Considering the workers' wishes, the government is considering providing a food allowance instead of morning breakfast," Rajmohan said.

Explaining the salary package for the workers, the minister said the Chennai district Collector had fixed the daily wage for sanitation workers at Rs 832. The government was also considering their demand for a salary hike, he added. "Considering the demands of the workers, biometric attendance will be abolished, and an attendance register will be maintained," Rajmohan said, adding that the workers' demand to meet Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, who holds the Municipal Administration and Water Supply portfolio, would also be considered.

The accused was identified as Natarajan. He lived with his wife Ezhila, their children, and his 68-year-old father, Rajendran.

According to the police, Ezhila had returned home after attending the Annai Velankanni church festival and found that Rajendran, who was unable to walk to the bathroom, had soiled the bed. She reportedly chided her husband for failing to take care of his father.

A few moments later, Ezhila, who was sitting outside the house, heard screams and rushed inside to find Natarajan had stabbed his father with a sharp object.

Hearing the cries, neighbours rushed to their aid and shifted the elderly man to a nearby hospital, where he was declared brought dead. Police secured the body and moved it to a government hospital for post-mortem. The Thiru Vi Ka Nagar police arrested Natarajan on murder charges.

Varun had visited Mylapore to attend a wedding and parked his car on the roadside. After the event, he returned to the vehicle and found that it had been opened with a duplicate key.

A gold chain, a laptop and an expensive wristwatch, together worth several lakhs of rupees, were missing, according to a complaint with the Mylapore police. Police perused CCTV footage from the area and zeroed in on Jalaluddin (49) of Washermanpet, arrested him and recovered some of the stolen valuables.

Probe revealed that Jalaluddin was a serial offender and had targeted several such cars using duplicate keys. He was produced before a magistrate and remanded to judicial custody.

Residents said that the stagnant water had also increased mosquito nuisance, particularly during the evening and night.

The water has begun emitting a foul smell, affecting commuters, traders and customers. Shopkeepers said customers were finding it difficult to enter and leave their premises due to the accumulated water.

Shopkeeper Ajith Kumar said, “We informed Corporation officials that water was unable to flow through the SWD in this area. No action has been taken so far. The stagnant water is turning green and emanating a stench. Customers visiting the fruit shops, juice shops and tea stalls here are facing difficulties.”

Shanmugam, a resident, said that people had to walk over the stones placed in the stagnant water to cross the area. “At times, there is a risk of people losing their balance and falling, which could lead to accidents,” he said.

A Corporation official said the old SWD had limited capacity and that desilting work was carried out whenever blockages occurred. “As Metro Water works are under way in the area, it’s not possible to construct a new SWD at present. Desilting work will be carried out in the existing drain to remove blockage,” the official said.

Residents who have lived there for decades say the issue has worsened since the Ponneri Highway was widened into a 100 ft road, with trucks “owning” the service roads.

According to the Manali Phase-I and Phase-II Residents Welfare Association, which represents a neighbourhood of more than 15,000 families, it has been reaching out to authorities seeking removal of unauthorised container parking yards. But their repeated complaints have not changed anything on the ground.

The problem isn’t confined to one stretch. Vacant land and buildings in the Phase-I and Phase-II area continue to be used as container godowns, heavy-vehicle parking yards and repair garages, pushing larger vehicles onto surrounding residential roads. Containers and heavy vehicles are parked on the 40 feet, 60 feet, 80 feet, and other residential roads.

Association secretary Kannan, who has lived in the area for around 40 years, said container activity has changed the neighbourhood’s character over the years. “There are many unauthorised container yards, and 76 transport companies here,” he said.

Residents cite a Madras High Court order (WP No 19503 of 2017 and WMP No 21053 of 2017) that bars residential plots from being used for commercial activity. However, Kannan added, that has not stopped people owning one or two grounds of land from renting out their plots for parking.

“We live amidst garages now,” fumed Nandhagopal, another resident. A walk through the lanes reveals at least 10 garages operating in a single stretch. Residents lamented the constant battle with dust and round-the-clock traffic, and the absence of safe roads to travel on.

This is affecting public transport as well. An MTC bus conductor said that container and empty lorries are routinely left along the service road by drivers who return home for a week or 10 days at a stretch. “A trip from Minjur to Broadway that should take 1.40 hours now takes over two hours,” he said. “By the fourth trip of the day, services run roughly 1.20 hours behind schedule.”

That is, a bus due to start its final Broadway-bound trip of the day by 7 pm is often still at Minjur. “Even though there are plenty of buses now, the public cannot use them because of this traffic,” he said.

Many residents say they have to start their journey 15-30 minutes earlier than necessary but still reach the destination late.

The association alleged that the officials and government have not taken any action. “They have not understood our plight. It’s their negligence. How can they allow commercial activities in residential areas?” Kannan asked.

Residents now demand a joint field inspection by the CMDA, Greater Chennai Corporation, Revenue Department, Urban Development Department, Transport Department and police, along with a written Action-Taken Report and permanent monitoring to keep the neighbourhood residential.

Attempts by this reporter to reach GCC officials proved futile.

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.