Luxury room tariffs may fall as Chennai gets 3 new star hotels

CHENNAI: Staying in a luxury hotel in Chennai might not be as expensive now as it was last year. With three new five-star hotels bringing in an additional 1,300 rooms to the city's existing 2,000-room inventory, tariffs are expected to fall by at least 10%, or the cash discounts may rise.

ITC recently launched its 600-room ITC Grand Chola. Hotel Leela with 320 rooms and Park Hyatt with 201 rooms are set to be inaugurated in October, creating a glut in the industry. Among other luxury properties to be opened soon are JW Marriot and Westin.

"Tariff realisation is lower than usual and is between Rs 5,500 and Rs 7,000 now," said T Nataraajan, honorary secretary, South India Hotels and Restaurants Association (SIHRA), and CEO, GRT Hotels and Resorts. "With the global economic slowdown, corporate executives are cutting down on travel, and so are leisure travellers, and this impacts the hotel industry," he said.

"Prices have fallen by about Rs 700 per room compared to last year," said an official from Le Royal Meridien. "But one can't say if they would fall further because the new hotels are high capital investments and can't drastically drop prices for competition," he said.

Chennai is not isolated in this glut. A research report by Crisil said that occupancy levels in luxury hotels would hit a decadal low. As the increased room inventory intensifies competition, average rentals will dip by about 10% in the next two years. The revenue per available room will dip by around 12% in 2013-14 and will be about Rs 3,900, the lowest since 2005-06, the report said.

Occupancy rates, too, are falling, with most hotels having about half their rooms unoccupied. "Most hotels are struggling to achieve even 60% occupancy," Nataraajan said. None of the luxury hotels was available to comment on rates, but others said they had started to offer huge discounts over cover price.

The industry is, hence, looking at the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) segment, expecting the three new hotels and relatively new premium hotels, Hilton Chennai and Hyatt Regency, to drive up travel into the city over the next few months.

Meetings and seminars are also drying up due to the slowdown. "Today, we can conduct a seminar in Chennai in a luxury hotel for Rs 800 a pax," a spokesperson of an industry body said. He also said that room rentals, which were at historic highs two years ago, have crashed and a luxury room today costs nothing more than Rs 5,000 a night with free airport pick-up and drop. 

 

 Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Luxury-room-tariffs-may-fall-as-Chennai-gets-3-new-star-hotels/articleshow/16563695.cms

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325 agitators booked for anti-US protests

Ten police personnel including a woman constable, who suffered grievous injuries in the anti-US protest by Muslim groups on Tuesday evening near Spencer Plaza, are undergoing treatment at government hospitals here. Police have booked 325 persons in connection with the protest and clash that followed.

The clash broke out between police personnel and protesters of more than 20 Muslim groups who had gathered near Tarapore Towers on Anna Salai around 4 p.m. in order to express their protest against the controversial US movie Innocence of Muslims. 

According to police sources, nineteen police personnel, including two women Armed Reserve Constables, were injured in the clash. 

Seventeen men who suffered injuries as a result of stone-pelting were admitted to the Government Kilpauk Medical College hospital for treatment. Seven were discharged while ten policemen have been admitted for further treatment.

The injured women constables were admitted to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital. AR Constable Mekala (24) who was posted near Tarapore Towers suffered severe injuries in the head and neck. Her condition was critical till Tuesday night. However, she responded to treatment and her condition improved, sources added.

Chintadripet police have registered cases against 200 persons for rioting, damaging property and attacking police personnel during the protest near Spencer Plaza while 125 persons have been booked for the agitation near Tarapore Towers. However, no arrests were made till Wednesday evening.

Keywords: anti-US protest protests, violence, Muslims rally

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3915663.ece

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Deadline for water tax is Sept. 30

The last date for payment of water and sewerage tax and charges is September 30. Consumers may make payments at the head office of Metrowater, areas offices or any depot collection centres. 

The cash counters will function on Sundays, too, between 9.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. 

Residents of merged areas can pay the dues at the rates fixed by the erstwhile municipalities and town panchayats at the Metrowater cash counters, a press release said. 

Keywords: water tax, Chennai Corporation

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Oil leak at Tondiarpet scares residents

A leak in an underground oil pipeline in the densely-populated north Chennai locality of Tondiarpet on Saturday evening, sparked tensions and set off panic, as oil companies took time to react and clear the fuel spill on Kummalamman Street. 

Residents said the leak had first been noticed in the afternoon, but many thought it was sewage. The police was notified by 4 p.m. and later, the area was cordoned off. The police threw mud on the oil that had spread due to vehicles driving over it. 

“Several two-wheelers skidded on the oil patch. I have been running a shop here for over six years now, but I didn’t know there was an underground pipeline here. If someone threw a lit cigarette or beedi, the oil might have caught fire. Who is to be held responsible in such cases?” said J. Dominic, a shopkeeper in the area. 

C. Ramesh, who runs a lathe, said this was the first time such a leak had occurred on the street. “As soon as the leak was noticed, a fire tender should have been rushed here. But until 7 p.m., nothing happened. It has left residents worried,” he said.

The police asked several shops including the lathe and a grille-making firm to stop work, as sparks from these establishments could lead to a fire. At the grille-making shop, Vasanthakumar said until the oil was removed and the leak plugged, they would not be able to work as it would be dangerous.

Residents said officials of Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL), whose product was being moved through the pipeline that belonged to Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), arrived in the area by 6.30 p.m.

A portion of the leaked oil was scooped up from the spot later. A company official said that fuel oil (furnace oil) was being pumped through the pipeline.

“The oil was being pumped from the CPCL refinery in Manali to the IOC FST in Royapuram. It was being pumped at a 5 kg pressure. But around 3.45 p.m., we noticed a drop in the pressure. It could have been due to a reduction in temperature. A small leak seems to have sprung up,” the source said.

CPCL director (operations), S. Venkatramana, said IOC had recently carried out a pressure test on this line. He said a maintenance team from IOC was rushed to the spot and took steps to remove the oil. The work to plug the leak would be completed overnight, he added.

Meanwhile, fishermen belonging to various associations staged a protest at the spot. They wanted to know how safe such oil pipelines were. CPCL has proposed replacing the existing crude oil pipeline from Chennai Port to its refinery in Manali.

M.D. Dayalan, president, India Meenavar Sangam said the company had claimed that stringent safety measures would be put in place to prevent leaks. 

“They had said the response would be quick. But that did not happen here,” he alleged.

Company officials however, disputed the residents’ charge that it took long for the team to respond. 

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3901745.ece

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3 suffer burns in LPG leak fire

In yet another tragedy involving gas leak in Chennai, three persons including a 60-year-old woman suffered serious burn injuries at Porur Friday morning.

The incident happened in a ground floor apartment on Arunachala Main Road in Ambal Nagar in Porur where software professional couple Jaganathan and Jeeva lived with Jagannathan’s mother Siveneswari and brothers-in-law Gopi, 18, an engineering student, and Aravind Kumar, 20, who works in a private firm in the city.

The gas had leaked from the additional cylinder kept in the hall of the two bedroom flat on Thursday night. “The gas had filled the hall and the bedroom where Siveneswari, Gopi and Aravind Kumar were sleeping.
At 5.30 am, the place caught fire possibly caused by a spark when some electric equipment was switched on,” the police said. Siveneswari, Gopi and Aravind Kumar suffered burn injuries and were rushed to hospital in Porur.

Jaganathan, Jeeva and their three-year-old child escaped ass they were sleeping in the other bedroom.
“As the ambulance failed to arrive quickly, Jagannthan fetched an autorickshaw and took the injured to hospital,” said one of the neighbours. Hospital sources said Sivaneswari suffered 80 per cent burns, while other two suffered 40 per cent burns.
The furniture in the hall and bedroom, the television set and computer were damaged in the fire.
Meanwhile, the toll in the gas leak fire in Thirumangalam on Wednesday evening rose to four on Friday with the death of Ravi.
Three others, including his sister and college-going nephew, had died on Wednesday night itself.
Need to educate users on safety
The recent mishaps in the city caused by LPG cylinder leaks has emphasised the need to educate consumers about safe handling of gas cylinders, with distributors pointing out that 95 per cent of accidents involving gas cylinders could be prevented.
Gas distributors attributed the recent accidents to carelessness of consumers and say that every consumer should be aware of the safety guidelines. Consumers, who are supposed to insist on safety inspection, are not present in most cases during installation, claimed distributors.
“The problem is that the majority of users do not check for the safety cap on the cylinder. It is specifically designed to prevent gas leaks. If consumers have a spare cylinder they should ensure that it is sealed with a safety cap. They can also opt for the preferred time delivery service,” said A. Ramachandran, a distributor.
“When people smell the gas leak, they should open the windows immediately. Homemakers who wake up early in the morning should first open the kitchen windows before turning on an electric switch,” said a fire safety officer. Homemakers were quick to voice support for the preferred time delivery scheme.
“If the delivery is on time, we will definitely avoid housing a spare cylinder. Our main concern is timely delivery and it will be good if all the companies issue safety measure pamphlets on every delivery,” said A. Geetha Vani, a homemaker.

Consumers make 60 calls per day
LPG complaint cells are flooded with calls, according to one cell run by a public sector company that says nearly 60 calls of gas leaks are received every day.

"On a average we receive up to 60 calls a day. During peak delivery time, we receive up to 80 calls," one person manning one such compliant cell told Deccan Chronicle on Friday.

Some customers allege that they always receive a busy tone when they call these toll-free numbers. Consumers also lament that the website where they can register their complaints online does not seem to work.

"If there is a gas leak in our house, we expect an immediate response. However, we are often forced to personally go to a gas agency and get a person home to take care of the situation," a housewife from Perambur said.

The complaint cell of a gas agency claimed that they would ask technicians to attend to calls as quickly as possible.

Source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/3-suffer-burns-lpg-leak-fire-007

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Tamil Nadu buses to have GPS-based e-ticketing

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government has invited bids from IT firms to implement a GPS-based e-ticketing system with hand-held devices in all state transport corporation buses.

"The objective of the project is to modernise existing passenger ticketing system with the help of information technology to provide maximum benefits to the travelling public and the transport corporations," a senior official in the transport department said.

He said the government would purchase 43,987 GPS-enabled electronic ticketing machines (ETMs) and set up support infrastructure at 285 depots and eight divisions. A central control room will monitor the system from Chennai.

The system will help conductors issue tickets using ETMs equipped with thermal printers.

An automatically generated management information system will help the STU managements keep a tab on sales and evolve policies accordingly, said the official.

Such data would be available for traffic, technical, administration and accounts managers in the STUs. Besides, the system will help the control room spot the exact location of the bus during its journey.

Eight transport undertakings across the state have a fleet of over 21,000 buses. They carry about two crore passengers daily. Average daily collection is 18.09 crore, while yearly collection is more than 6,500 crore. 

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Tamil-Nadu-buses-to-have-GPS-based-e-ticketing/articleshow/16390570.cms

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Traffic diversion tomorrow

The city traffic police have announced traffic diversions in view of the proposed underground metro station construction work on Raja Muthiah Salai between PLC point (EVR Salai and Raja Muthaiah Salai junction) and Vepery High Road. The modifications will be implemented for three days on a trial basis, with effect from September 15 at 6 a.m. 

The stretch of Raja Muthaiah Salai from PLC Point to Vepery High Road will be made a one-way with entry from EVR Salai and Raja Muthaiah Salai junction. Entry from Raja Muthaiah Salai and Vepery High Road junction towards EVR Salai will not be allowed.

Commercial vehicles and MTC buses from Vepery High Road going towards Chennai Central will take a route via Vepery High Road – Choolai Roundabout – Demellows point – Elephant Gate Bridge – Walltax Road – EVR Salai to reach their destinations. 

Light vehicles and two-wheelers from Vepery High Road and Choolai may use Alli Kulam Road to reach Central. Vehicles including MTC buses from Choolai going towards Egmore will take a route via Vepery High Road – EVK Sampath Salai – EVR Salai to reach their destinations. 

Vehicles from Choolai going towards Chennai Central will take a route via Choolai Roundabout – Demellows point - Elephant Gate Bridge – Walltax Road – EVR Salai to reach their destinations.

Vehicle movement, in both directions, on EVR Salai will remain as usual.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3893726.ece
 

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Building owners get last chance

The state government has decided to give a final ‘opportunity’ for owners of over 20,000 unauthorised buildings, including 17,000 residential buildings in the Chennai metropolitan area, for regularisation.

After a lull, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has started despatching ‘opportunity’ letters to the owners who had applied for regularising their buildings during 1999-2002. The letter sought the owners to submit proof that the construction was completed before the cut-off date, 1999, or else it would have to face the sledgehammer.

“This is to provide an opportunity to the owners to save their buildings. They have to clarify their status, based on which further action would be taken,” sources in CMDA told DC.

A senior official said 20,000 applications were received during 1999-2002 when the government had decided to provide respite to unauthorised constructions in CMA. “As many as 6,000 applications had been received from building owners in 1999 when the scheme was introduced and had escalated to 20,000 in the year 2000, and gone past 25,000 in 2002.”

Of this, 20,000 buildings would be taken up for action and CMDA plans to send letters to 3,500 commercial complexes initially and 17,000 residential buildings soon after. “If they provide evidence that it was built before the cut-off date, they can avoid action failing which they would face demolition.

Documents, including electricity bills, property tax, CMDA action taken reports, metro water bills can be presented as evidence,” the official said.

The Madras high court had earlier directed the authorities to regularise only buildings that were constructed before 28.2.1999 provided the owners had applied for regularisation before 30.6.2002, the date till when the government had extended

More teeth to enforcement wing of monitoring committee
The high court appointed monitoring committee constituted to take decisions on unauthorised constructions in Chennai and suburbs has decided to restructure its enforcement wing to make it more efficient. Besides, it has also resolved to initiate action against unauthorised buildings during construction itself.

A monitoring committee member, after a hour-long meeting, told DC that it had been decided to take action in a combined manner involving officials of CMDA, corporation and local bodies.

He added that officials would be held accountable for any unauthorised constructions in their jurisdiction and cannot simply pass the buck on others.

“Earlier, authorities used to take action or issue warning notices only after the completion of buildings. But, the monitoring committee has decided to direct officials to take action immediately if any violation was found.

Source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/building-owners-get-last-chance-618

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Power Cut Schedules in Chennai Areas - Check your Area !

Power Cut Schedules in Chennai Areas - Check your Area !

Sepetember 1st 2012 Power cut Schedule Chennai Areas:

Existing Time	Revised Time
8 A.M. to 9 A.M.	9 A.M. to 10 A.M.
9 A.M. to 10 A.M.	10 A.M. to 11 A.M.
10 A.M. to 11 A.M.	11 A.M. to 12 Noon
11 A.M. to 12 Noon	12 Noon to 1 P.M.
12 Noon to 1 P.M.	1 P.M. to 2 P.M.
1 P.M. to 2 P.M.	2 P.M. to 3 P.M.
2 P.M. to 3 P.M.	3 P.M. to 4 P.M.
3 P.M. to 4 P.M.	4 P.M. to 5 P.M.
4 P.M. to 5 P.M.	5 P.M. to 6 P.M.
5 P.M. to 6 P.M.	8 A.M. to 9 A.M.
Timing with effect from	1st Sep 2012

New Power cut timings announced for Chennai & Chennai Sub-Urban w.e.f Sepetember 1st 2012:

8am-9am :
Beach Road, Housing Board, Lotus Colony, Tower Block, Cenotaph Road, Chamiers Road, Sadullah Street, part of T. Nagar, CIT Nagar, Mothilal Street, Rameswaram Road, Natesan Road, Sevenwells area, Mannadi, Spurtank Road, Monteith Road, Casamajor Road, part of Ponnamallee High Road, A.C. Road, Red Cross Society, Fountain Plaza, LNT Koil Street, Gangu Reddy Koil Street, T.V. Naidu Street, Tondiarpet, Mathur, Tondiarpet, R.K .Nagar, Kovoor, Kundrathur, Mangadu, Periya Panichery, Girugambakkam, Perungudi IE, Perungudi, Pudhuthangal, St Thomas Mount, Adambakkam (part), Meenambakkam, Thoraipakkam, Avadi (part), Tank Factory, Avadi IE, Ambattur, Pattaravakkam, Ambattur IE, Thirumullaivoyal, part of Mogappair, TI Cycle.

9am-10am :
Chintadripet, part of Anna Salai, Pudupet, Simpson, part of Egmore, Purasaiwalkam High Road, Secretariat Colony, Doveton (part), Ormes Road, Flowers Road, Balfour Road, Tower Block, part of Ponnamallee High Road, Nehru Stadium, Periamet, Dr. Besant Road, Mirsahibpet, Shaik Dawood Street, Begum Sahib Street, Ameer Mahal, Perumal Mudali Street, Bharathi Salai, Kaladipet, Maduvankarai, Adambakkam, Alandur, KK. Nagar, Alagirisalai, Govindan Salai, part of Guindy, Ponambalam Salai, Ramasamy Salai, MGR Nagar, Bharathidasan Colony, part of West Mambalam, Ashok Nagar (part), Ponnamalee (part), Nazarathpettai, Anna Nagar, Shenoy Nagar, R.V. Nagar, T.P.Chatram, SAF Games Village, Chinmaya Nagar, Jagannathan Nagar, 100 Feet Road (part), Koyambedu

10am-11am :
 Entire North Usman Road, Perambur (part), Kolathur (part), Stanley, Barracks Road, Old Jail Road, part of Royapuram, Gopalsamy Naicken Street, Chrompet (part), Pallavaram, Kadapeti (part), Mepz (part), Tambaram (part), Virugambakkam (part), Dhasarathapuram (part), Vadapalani, part of Arcot Road, Sathya Garden, Ayyapakkam, Anna Nagar West, Anna Nagar East extension, entire Thirumangalam.

11am-12pm :
NSC Bose Road, Thambu Chetty Street (part), , Poonamallee High Road, part of Esplanade, Tolgate, Cherry Road, Mint, Kondithope, Jatkhapuram, Chinapuram, ETL, Siruseri, I E Area, Mogappair, part of Thirumangalam, Nolambur

12pm-1pm :
Egmore, Ponnamallee High Road (part), part of Purasawalkam Spurtank Road, MMDA, Jafarkhanpet, part of KK. Nagar, Post Colony (West Mambalam), Saidapet West Area, VSM Garden, Perumal Koil Street, Ayanavaram, Villivakkam and ICF, Anna Salai (part), S M Nagar, K B Dasan Nagar, Part of T Nagar, Eldams Road, Kodungaiyur, Sembium, Madavaram, Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar, part of Vysarpadi, Perambur (part), Road (part), Valasaravakkam, Enjambakkamm, Selaiyur, Choolaimedu, Kodambakkam, part of North Usman Road, Vadapalani, Ashok Nagar, Trust Puram, Madipakkam, Perungalathur area, Bharathi Salai, Valluvar Salai, Mugalivakkam, Manapakkam, Poonamallee High Road, Ramavaram, Kalashetra Colony, Seaward Road, Valmiki Nagar, Avvai Nagar, Ganapathy Nagar, Thiruvalluvar Nagar, Vasudevan Nagar, Palavakkam, Ambattur IE and Padi IE

1pm-2pm :
Purusawalakam (part), Doveton, Flower bazaar, Parrys, Broadway, Part of Esplanade, R K Salai, TTK Road, CIT colony, Part of Gopalpuram, PS Sivasamy, Central Road, MRC Nagar, Karpagam Avenue, Greenways lane, Ranimeyammai Tower, K V B Garden, Srinivasa Avenue, Nungambakkam High Road, Part of Cathedral Road, K N K Road, G N Chetty Road, Kodambakkam High Road, Avvai Shanmugham Salai, Moorthingal Lane, Kamaraj Salai, Anna poonga, Manali, Vyasarpadi IE, part of GST road, Nehru Nagar, Kadaperi, Mepz area, Porur, Part of Arcot Road, Tharamani IE area, Nanganallur(part) Adambakkam(part), NNM Road, Arumbakkam, MMDA colny, part of Ponnamallee high road, part of Choolaimedu, Mahalingapuram (part), Kamdhar Nagar, Puzhal, part of Red Hills.

2pm-3pm :
T Nagar, Pondy Bazaar, South Usman Road, Mylapore(part), Moolakadai, Muthamizh Nagar, Kolathur, Lakshmi Puram, Sembium (part), GKM Colony, SRP Colony, Guindy IE, Ekkatuthangal, Kalaimagai Nagar, ECR road, MGR Salai, VGP, Seaward Road, Sholinganallur, Loyambedu Market, Chinmaya Nagar, Natesan Nagar, Pandesaram area, Sothuperumbedu, part of 100 feet road, Padi, Korattur.

3pm-4pm :
RA Puram, part of Teynampet, part of Luz, part of Indira Nagar, Part of Mylapore, part of Anna salai, G P Road, Demellows road, B&C Mill area, Pulianthope area, entire Royapettah road, Llyods road, Balaji nagar, Peters road, Thousand Lights, Whites Road, Mahalingapuram, Kamdar Nagar, part of Nungambakkam, Thirumalaipillai road, Dr Naiyar road, part of T Nagar, West Mambalam, Madley road, Jubilee road, Brindavan strret, part of Ashok Nagar, part of KKNagar, Thiruvotttiyur, Chrompet, Kadaperi, Pammal, Ramawamy Salai, Park View Road, Perumbakkam, Vijaya Nagaram, Velachery High Road, Dhandeeswaram, Vanagaram, Maduravoyal, Pattabiram, part of Thirunindravoor, Thiruvallur high road, part of Anna Nagar, part of Teyanampet, part of Anna Salai, part of Cathedral road.

4pm-5pm :
Government estate Bharathi Salai, Triplicane, Thayar Sahib Strret, Big Strret, Wallajah Road, part of Mylapore, part of Luz, pary od Anna Salai, part of Greams road, Whites road, Rukmani Lakshmipathy Salai, Ethiraj Salai, Raheja Complex, Saidapet, CIT nagar, Vadaperumbakkam, Manali, Napalayam, part of TH Road, GA Road, KA Koil, Thandavarayan Street, Old Washermanpet, Besant Nagar, JR Nagar, Malviya colony, Kottupuram, Turbulls road, Kasthuribai Nagar, Madamabakkam, Nangallur, Chrompet, Pallavaram, Porur, SRMC, Iyapathangal, Kattupakkam, Chetiyar Agaram, Thirumudivakkam area, Kikattalai, Kovilambakkam, Nanmangalam, part of Anna Nagar, KG Road, Raju Naicken Street, New Avadi Road, Medavakkam, Tank Road, Mogappair East, entire Redhills, Thiruverkadu.

5pm-6pm :
Bells Road, Chepauk, K.H. Road, Strahans Road, College Road, Greams Road, Pattinapakkam, Kamarajar Salai, part of Mandaveli, R.A. Puram (part), High Court, NSC Bose Road (part), Kuralagam, Armenien Street, 2nd Lane Beach, Thambu Chetty Street, Erabalu Chetty Street, Spencer, part of Anna Salai, Ennore, Sidco (Villivakkam), Guindy IE, Kumananchavadi, Karaiyanchavadi, Gorimedu, Poonamallee Town, Noombal, Kaduvetti, Pudhuthangal area, Raj Bhavan, Spastic Society, TTTI, RMZ, Chetpet, Sterling Road, part of Nungambakkam High Road, part of Ponnamallee High Road, Kamaraj Nagar, Avadi (part), 4th Avenue, 2nd Avenue, 7th Avenue, TAS complex, 5th Avenue, Anna Nagar (part), Ambattur Estate

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Fruit, veggie prices drop at Koyambedu

Prices of fruits and vegetables have come down at the premium wholesale market complex in Koyambedu, thanks to the commencement of the crop season in different parts of the country.

While the vegetable rates have dropped by approximately 20 per cent this week, prices of fruits like apple, banana and mosambi were reduced as less as about 50 per cent, traders claimed.

According to S Chandran, president of the Koyambedu Periyar Wholesale Vegetable Market Merchants, the market received 550 trucks, each carrying 10 tonnes of vegetables, on Monday.

“The arrival of vegetables  increased following the beginning of the crop season in the neighbouring states. For instance, if a trader from Oddanchatram in Dindigul district was sending 100 gunny bags of vegetables to Karnataka till last month, he would have reduced it by half as the yield in Karnataka would meet the local demand,” he said. Henceforth, the remaining 50 bags are diverted to the wholesale market in Chennai, contributing to the drop in vegetable prices, he added.

Currently, brinjal is sold anywhere between Rs 5 and Rs 8 per kilogram, while it was priced at Rs 10 10 days ago. Likewise, radish is now sold at a price range between Rs 6 and Rs 8, yam at Rs 18, carrot at Rs 15 and drumstick fir Rs 13. But onions and double beans continue to be sold at a static price of Rs 10 and Rs 40, respectively, Chandran said.

There is a marked difference in the rates of certain fruit varieties when compared with last month’s prices. Srinivasan, president of the Chennai Fruit Commission Agents Association, said that a kilogram of apple from Shimla was sold anywhere between Rs 80 and Rs120, which was a considerable dip.

“Shimla apples were sold at around Rs 225 per kilogram, about a month ago. The increase in the number of apples at the Koyambedu because of the good yield in Himachal Pradesh, the prices have dropped significantly,” he said. On an average, 300 tonnes of apple reach the Koyambedu market for sale by truck, he added.

The juicy mosambi and fibre-rich bananas cost less due to their abundant arrival from Andhra Pradesh and central Tamil Nadu, respectively. “The cyclone-hit Cuddalore district is back to business and is producing bananas to send it to the city market,” Srinivasan said.

Source: http://newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article605017.ece

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Man kills self, blames woman doctor in note

CHENNAI: A 31-year-old man hanged himself at his house in Thiruporur, 42km from Chennai, on Tuesday.

T V Ramesh, who was running an internet browsing centre near his house, left behind a two-page suicide note addressed to his wife Bhuvana and their two daughters. In the note, he said a woman doctor with whom he had an affair was responsible for his death.

Police said Ramesh's family was away when he took the extreme step. His brother-in-law Kannan had brought dinner for him on Monday night. He found the door locked from inside. He peeped through the window and saw Ramesh hanging from a ceiling fan. Thiruporur police went to Ramesh's house and sent his body to the government hospital in Chengalpet for postmortem.

According to police, Ramesh's suicide note says that he had borrowed money from a woman doctor who runs a clinic in Chennai. He later developed an affair with her. But when he failed to return the money, the doctor engaged some hooligans in Thiruporur and threatened him.

"I am not able to bear the torture meted out by them," read the suicide note. "The doctor administered me sedatives and drugs excessively. The doctor sexually exploited me after medication. I am not able to fight her. So I am taking this step. Bhuvana, please forgive me. Don't beat our children and take care of them well. The doctor betrayed me." Ramesh is survived by his wife Bhuvana, daughter Varshini and son Mukilan. Based on Bhuvana's complaint, police have registered a case under Section 174 (unnatural death ) of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr PC). 

Source: www.timesofindia.com

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Deepavali bus bookings on fast track

With Deepavali fast approaching, people are rushing to book tickets on state transport buses as they head to their hometowns or villages to spend the festival with their families.

Many have taken advantage of the facility offered by the state transport corporation (STC) to book tickets 60 days in advance as against 30 days in the past.

While 10,000 tickets a day have been booked at various reservation counters over the last few days as against 8,000 bookings a day previously, around 3,400 tickets are being booked per day now through e-ticketing too as compared to 2,200 tickets before the extension of the advance booking period, says a transport official.

Monday saw people thronging reservation counters all across the city as they tried to make sure they got their bus ride home well before November 13.

Most are readying for a long weekend, leaving for home on Saturday, November 9, and taking a day off on Monday, the only working day, to be able to spend more time with their families during the festival.

“As many as 90 bookings were made during the first shift, till noon at the T. Nagar counter on Monday. Of these, 62 tickets were booked for November 9. Only a 100 tickets were booked during two whole shifts before the booking period was advanced,” said a transport officer, adding that the corporation expects to see the heaviest rush on November 8 and 9.

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Taxi Drivers Clash at Chennai City Airport

Tension prevailed at Chennai airport on Sunday night after two groups of taxi drivers came to blows following allegations that call taxi drivers were “hijacking” customers meant for pre-paid taxi drivers.

Senior police officials had to rush to the spot to avoid the scuffle turning into a major chaos at the airport.
Pre-paid taxi drivers on Monday said that they were registered to operate in the airport unlike call taxi and tourist taxi vehicles.

They also said that their income completely depended on passengers arriving from different destinations.
“However, other drivers who arrive there to drop passengers take away our passengers by offering fares that are 20 per cent lower than ours,” said Mr Rajesh a cab driver.

If the prepaid taxi token states Rs 500 for traveling from the airport to Egmore, other drivers ask for Rs 400, the police noted.

However, call taxi and tourist taxi drivers said that it was up to the passengers to decide which service they would avail.

They offered their service for less so the passengers would use their vehicles, the police said quoting call taxi and tourist taxi drivers.

Police and Airport Authority of India officials pacified the drivers and promised to solve the issue amicably in the coming days.

Source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com

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Spurned man kills woman, stabs himself

CHENNAI: A woman software employee was stabbed to death by her lover in full public view at Broadway bus terminus on Tuesday morning. He later stabbed himself and is battling for life at the Government General Hospital.

Police said S Karthika (20) of Okkiyam Thoraipakkam had come to Parrys to see her friend when Raja (27) of Thiruvottiyur came to meet her at 9.45am. Karthika was in love with Raja, an employee of a private firm, and their wedding was fixed in August with the consent of their parents. The wedding, however, was called off by the girl's parents who didn't find the man suitable.

An apparently enraged Raja tried to convince Karthika, but she would not listen to him.

Raja went to the bus terminus where Karthika was waiting, and confronted her. In a heated argument that ensued, he took out the knife hidden in his pocket and stabbed her. Before a crowd caught hold of him, he stabbed himself.

A police patrol vehicle took the two to the GH where the girl was declared brought dead. The man is in ICU. Esplanade police are investigating.

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CMDA plots at reasonable prices soon

Three and a half decades after creating a satellite township at northern part of Chennai, Manali, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) is planning another township in the locality, and has proposed to form new residential layouts on the land owned by it there.

Over 300 residential type plots will be soon created and sold to the public at reasonable cost. At a time when real estate prices are hitting the roof, this move will certainly be a boon for aspiring homebuyers.

Sources in the urban development department told DC that the project named as ‘Manali Township phase-2’ would be created on a piece of land measuring 20 acres close to the existing township.

Suurce: http://www.deccanchronicle.com

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A.V.M. Murugan passes away

A.V.M.Murugan the eldest son of A.V.Meyyappa Chettiar passed away today due to heart attack. His body will be brought to AVM studios by 1 pm for the public and industry bigwigs to come and pay their condolences.

He is 77 and is survived by his wife Ranjani, his son Karthik and daughters Angayarkanni and Latha. The final rites would be performed today evening or tomorrow morning.

Behindwoods prays for his soul to rest in peace and also offers its heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased.

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At cremation ground, it’s trash that burns

The dumping of garbage in a burial ground-cum-cremation shed has been causing untold problems to residents, especially senior citizens and several hundred students of the Government Higher Secondary School in Kovilambakkam.  

About 7 tonnes of garbage is, on an average, generated daily in Kovilambakkam Village Panchayat. All of it is dumped at the burial ground-cum-cremation shed next to the office of the panchayat. A couple of years ago, the elected council mooted a proposal to dump the garbage at an isolated spot in the far end of the panchayat and even initiated the process there. 

However, this was soon stopped. Elected representatives of St. Thomas Mount Panchayat Union (comprising Medavakkam and Nanmangalam) told The Hindu that the proposal was put on hold as land sharks had managed to encroach a portion of the land which was allocated for the dumping

Thus, the dumping of garbage at the burial ground was resumed 

Residents of Kovilambakkam have been enduring a great deal of hardship due to dumping of garbage in the burial ground. “We have to walk through piles of garbage on both the link roads connecting our locality with the main road. The smell is revolting. We cannot even bury the dead or cremate them peacefully” said K. Ganesan, a resident, summing up the problem. 

Among the worst affected are students who pass through the stretch to reach the Government Higher Secondary School.

The smoke from the garbage also results in soot settling down in households and added to this is the menace of houseflies. 

Kovilambakkam, like most village panchayats of the Panchayat Union, lacks an effective garbage collection, handling and disposal system, say sources.

Source segregation and composting organic waste for creating manure is unknown in these village panchayats, with the exception of probably Mudichur, said an elected representative of the Panchayat Union. 

Source: thehindu.com

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Heritage building on Mount Road lies neglected

‘The roof is an example of Madras terrace, while the adjoining verandahs are tiled. The ground floor is designed more like a podium with a series of semi-circular arches punctuating its solid surface,’ says the Justice E. Padmanabhan Committee report about the building that housed the Government Madrasa-I-Azam School on Mount Road. Today, it would be a challenge to locate even a speck of the richly-described architectural features of this grade-I heritage building.

The school stopped functioning from the building after portions of it began to collapse in 2005, due to rain and aging. Ever since, the building has seen no intervention, says Syed M.M. Ameen, assistant secretary of the parent teacher association at the school.

The main building, he says, was designed to look like a scorpion from above as the zodiac sign of the princess who once resided there was believed to be Scorpio.

“A few years ago, officials from the Public Works Department drew up an estimate to preserve it. An assessment was also made by students of the MEASI Academy of Architecture and both said it could be restored. However, little has happened since,” he says. The cost of restoration was estimated around Rs. 2 crore, he says.

Talking about the challenge of a heritage building doubling up as a school, Mr. Ameen says, when parents come to enrol their children, they look for facilities, and that has been a challenge after the main building was vacated. Though new classrooms and a block were added with funds granted under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and donations, they have not been enough, he says.

“If it is turned into a management-run school, we are willing to bear the cost of restoration by collecting funds and donations from our members and alumni. The building can be restored based on the plan approved by the heritage conservation committee,” he says.

According to the Justice E. Padmanabhan Committee report, the property on Mount Road was called Umda Bagh, and changed hands several times before it was acquired by the Government to be used as a school. It was established as a premier Islamic institution in 1849 and moved into this building in 1894. 

Source : thehindu.com

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Anna Arches to go missing for a while, to make way for flyover

Thanks to last week’s rain, one of the city’s oldest landmarks – the twin ornamental arches in Anna Nagar – was given a reprieve of a few more days. 

But this weekend, the arches will make way for two flyovers that are coming up at the junction at a cost of Rs. 117 crore. 

Residents who are used to using the structures as guideposts on their regular route home, are bound to miss their bus stops if they aren’t careful. When the arch is pulled down by the Highways Department, many bus passengers will only find a void there. 

“When the work began and they cut down the huge tress at the junction, we missed them. Now it is the turn of the arch to go,” said K. Vanya, who changes buses at the Arch bus stop. 

Using diamond cutters and two cranes, the contractor will start from the top and remove portions of the arch. “We had planned to demolish the structure last week, but the rains delayed us. The police have now permitted us to carry out the work on Saturday and Sunday nights. This is the first time we are attempting something like this,” said an source in the department. 

The arch was constructed by the Madras Corporation at a cost of Rs. 12 lakh to commemorate the platinum jubilee of former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai. It was inaugurated on January 1, 1986, by the then Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran. 

It is 57-feet high and was checked for structural stability in order to withstand cyclones. The arches were designed by Ganapathy Sthapathi and completed in a span of just 105 days. 

The Highways Department has taken steps to make an exact replica of the arches and will install them on 3 Avenue near the bridge over the Cooum River. “The arch is made of cement and is called sudhai. We have taken photographs from every possible angle and have even asked the Corporation for design drawings. We have also spoken to the contractor who constructed it. The new arches will be designed in such a way that they withstand earthquakes too, as Chennai is in seismic zone 3 now,” said an official. 

Courtesy: www.thehindu.com

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Chennai: Thousands throng Vailankanni shrine

Chennai: As the hoisting of the flag marked the beginning of the 10-day annual fest at the Annai Vailankanni Shrine in Besant Nagar, thousands of devotees thronged the church to offer prayers on Wednesday. Sister Beed, who was holding guard of the Mother Mary shrine where devotees left their prayer letters, says that it was the universality of the festival that drew people from across religions.

The grilled wall around the shrine is quite a sight with thousands of devotees putting up their requests to god. Small cradles with baby dolls, yellow threads, prayer rosarys, locks and prayers written on rolled paper dotted the wall. Sister Johana says, “Mostly, people who want to be blessed with a child, girls waiting to get married, those with illnesses and people who want to do well in business or studies come here.” Pointing at the locks, she goes on, “These locks are left by those who are hoping to own a house.”

Explaining the significance behind the 75-foot flag mast erected to celebrate the 40th year of the festival, Father Francis Michael, Rector and Parish Priest, says that when one looks up at the flag, he is looking towards the sky and heaven. The flag is also a sign of the presence of people, he adds.

Explaining why people from across religions flock to the church, he says, “The Roman Catholic faith has assimilated local cultural practices which has made it more open for people of all faiths to be a part of it. We don’t try to convert people, but we welcome them to come and find their peace.”

Schedule
August 30– Religious Day: 7.30 am- Mass in English, 5.15 pm- Rosary, Novena, Mass in Tamil and car procession
August 31 - Day of Pius Association: 4pm - Procession on Elliots Beach Road
Sept 1 – Day of Sick:
7.30 am – Mass in English
10.30 am – Mass in Tamil
12 noon- Mass in Tamil
Sept 2 – Source of Faith
Blood donation camp
Sept 3 – Workers Day
7.30 am – Mass in English
Sept 4 – Day of Youth
Sept 5 – Day of Teachers
Sept 6 – Day of family
Sept 7 – Day of Annai Vailankanni: 5.15 pm - Pontifical High Mass and grand car procession
Sept 8 – Birthday of Blessed Virgin Mary

Courtesy: www.http://ibnlive.in.com

 

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