Chennai News
View News by News Source
Gang posing as cops abducts real estate firm staffer in Chennai, flees with Rs 40 lakh
CHENNAI: A 55-year-old employee of a Tiruchy-based real estate firm was allegedly abducted and robbed of Rs 40 lakh by a four-member gang posing as anti-drug police personnel near Vandalur on Friday. The gang later dumped him near Potheri and fled with the cash. According to the police, the victim, Saravanakumar, was sent to Chennai to collect Rs 40 lakh from a contact in Mannadi. After receiving the money on Anna Salai, he boarded a TNSTC government bus bound for Tiruchy to return with the cash. When the bus reached Vandalur, two men attempted to snatch his bag. As he raised an alarm, the bus conductor intervened. The duo then claimed that they were police officers and accused him of transporting ganja. Under the pretext of an inquiry, they forced him to alight the bus and get into a car, where two more men were waiting, sources said. Inside the car, the gang threatened him at knifepoint, took the money and abandoned him near Potheri, sources added. Following Saravanakumars complaint, police teams have begun examining CCTV footage of the areas to identify the suspects and trace the stolen cash. Further investigation is under way.
Date of death unavailable, deceased voters in Chennai marked permanently shifted
CHENNAI: With one-day special electors help desks conducted on Saturday at 947 polling booths and high-rise buildings across 16 Assembly constituencies in the city, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) said that they continue to face difficulties in processing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) forms related to shifted residents, as well as deceased voters. Speaking to TNIE, BLOs said that though relatives reported the deaths, many are unaware of the exact date of death and did not possess any supporting documents such as death certificates. As a result, BLOs said they have been compelled to classify such individuals whose deaths are confirmed, but dates remain unknown as permanently shifted during the enumeration phase of the roll revision as the mobile app they use did not allow them to mark a voter as deceased without mentioning the date. A BLO in the Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni Assembly constituency said, In my booth alone, 120 voters were identified as deceased, but relatives of only about 10 of them could recall the exact date of death. Without this information, we cannot update the BLO app to mark the voter as deceased. Keeping these unprocessed forms also leads to confusion, so we have begun classifying such cases as permanently shifted. The BLO further said that the booth includes several residents who were relocated to Kannagi Nagar, Semmencherry, and Perumbakkam Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB) tenements. Many of these residents collected the forms but have not returned them, amounting to more than 250 pending forms. Another 100150 forms remain undistributed because Im unable to trace those shifted residents, she added. Another BLO said that in her booth, 50 voters were identified as deceased, but relatives of only six could recall the date of death, leaving the remaining 44 cases to be classified as permanently shifted. The BLOs also expressed concerns over mounting workload, noting that many forms still need to be distributed or collected. In another booth, nearly 100 forms remain undistributed. Despite the special help desk being set up on Saturday, about 97 voters are yet to collect their forms, the official said.
In a first, Chennai metro hits rare dual tunnelling milestone at Kolathur station
CHENNAI: Chennai Metro Rail has hit a key milestone in its ambitious phase 2 expansion, completing a complex tunnelling breakthrough in Kolathur, while launching another tunnel boring machine from the same underground station a first for Indias metro sector. On Saturday, Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Mullai broke through at Kolathur stations north shaft after driving 246 metres from the Kolathur ramp since May 23. Engineers navigated an unusually shallow overburden of just 1.8 metres, a steep -3.8% gradient and the need for continuous ground protection in one of north Chennais busiest traffic corridors. Despite the risks, CMRL said the breakthrough was achieved without disrupting traffic or nearby residents. Simultaneously, CMRL launched TBM Kurinji from the stations south shaft. The machine will tunnel 1.06 km toward Srinivasa Nagar through Grade-4 and Grade-5 rock, negotiating a tight 230-metre curve one of the trickier stretches in Corridor 5. The twin operations mark a rare feat: one TBM breaking through while another is launched from the same underground station. Corridor 5 spans 47 km, including a 5.8 km underground section where four TBMs Kurinji, Mullai, Marutham and Neithal are deployed. Senior officials from CMRL, Tata Projects and the projects general consultants oversaw the breakthrough and launch.
One admitted to hospital as sanitary workers hunger strike enters Day 13
CHENNAI: One of the four sanitary workers, who were staging an indefinite hunger strike at their associations office in Ambattur for the 13th consecutive day, was admitted to the Kilpauk Government Medical College Hospital on Saturday morning after she experienced giddiness, high blood pressure and severe stomach pain. The four workers Jenova, Bharathi, Vasanthi and Geetha went on the hunger strike demanding reinstatement of their jobs directly under the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC). While Jenova (52) remains under medical observation, the other three workers continued their fast, refusing to take any food. Seeking the direct intervention of Chief Minister MK Stalin in the matter, the workers expressed shock that despite one of the protestors falling ill while demanding the job she had held for years, neither GCC officials nor ruling political representatives visited them. Over 30 sanitary workers also staged a protest outside the Kilpauk Government Hospital, condemning the inaction of government officials. Speaking to TNIE, Jenova said, I am suffering from severe stomach pain. The others are still on hunger strike. We are only requesting that officials meet us and address our demands, as our livelihoods have been completely affected.
Drunk youth hurls petrol bomb at Guindy apartment, arrested
CHENNAI: A 25-year-old man was arrested on Thursday for allegedly hurling a crude petrol bomb into an apartment complex in Guindy during the early hours of the day. The accused was identified as R Vijaya Prabhakaran of Guindy, who installs false ceilings for a living. According to police, Vijaya Prabhakaran entered the apartment premises allegedly under the influence of alcohol, carrying a liquor bottle filled with petrol and hurled it before fleeing. The bottle landed on a car belonging to Ram Nithish, an engineer from Madurai employed in the city. The Molotov cocktail exploded near the right rear-view mirror, sending flames across the sides of the vehicle. The right wheel was completely gutted in the fire, which was soon put out by security staff and residents. Following a complaint from Nithish, Guindy police examined CCTV footage and traced the suspect. Police said Vijaya Prabhakaran, who lives alone, is addicted to alcohol and drugs and had also thrown stones into the same apartment complex last Saturday. However, no complaint was lodged at that time. He was arrested, produced before a magistrate, and remanded in judicial custody.
Cyclone Ditwah nears Tamil Nadu coast, 54 flights cancelled at Chennai airport: 10 points
Cyclone Ditwah is influencing east coast weather, prompting a yellow alert for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, including Chennai. As many as 54 flights have been cancelled at the Chennai Airport with Air India issuing an advisory for passengers. The IMD has warned of heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry.
With 27 leaf-litter bins, this neighbourhood in Chennai was ready for Cyclone Ditwah
After Ditwah retreats and the gust ceases, the fallen leaves on five streets in Kotturpuram will not leave those streets, but be deposited in 27 leaf litter bins and allowed to turn into compost. A gardener would water the leaf litter periodically to aid the composting process. When the compost is ready, it will be distributed to residents, who will use it for their plants thereby closing the loop
The analysis is based on the annual average Air Quality Index (AQI) data of 11 cities, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Pune, Varanasi, and Vishakhapatnam. Read here to know details
Cyclone Ditwah Likely To Make Landfall Today; TN, Puducherry & Andhra On Red Alert As Storm Nears
Cyclone Ditwah Updates: The Chennai airport cancelled 54 flights on Saturday and has announced 47 cancellations for Sunday including 36 domestic and 11 international.
Cyclone Ditwah: IMD issues red alert for north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry; top 10 developments
Cyclone Ditwah intensifies, prompting a red alert for northern Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and south Andhra Pradesh. Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is anticipated in several districts. Authorities urge residents to stay indoors and fishermen to avoid the sea. Air India warns of flight disruptions. Sri Lanka has already reported significant destruction and casualties.
Chennai weather: Chennai and other districts of Tamil Nadu are expected to receive extremely heavy rainfall as cyclone Ditwah heads towards Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast. Schools in various districts of Tamil Nadu were shut on Saturday but there is no official confirmation on the same. Several flights have been cancelled at the Chennai airport as a precautionary measure.
Cyclone Ditwah LIVE updates: After delta, south coastal districts, Ditwah to batter north T.N.
14 NDRF teams deployed in Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, and Mayiladuthurai; additional teams allocated for Puducherry and Chennai
Residents flag rising congestion on KNK Road, illegal pavement parking persists
The Chennai Corporation had proposed a multilevel car parking on KNK Road in May 2024
Sekarbabu reviews progress of projects in north Chennai
The work is being carried out at a cost of 46.50 crore by CMDA under the North Chennai Development Programme.
BT.N.s education system is poor, says Anbumani
In a statement, he said that large number of candidates who appeared in last years competitive exams for Graduate Teachers and Secondary Grade Teachers had also failed the Tamil language paper.
NHAI leaves Surapet toll plaza a mess with broken roofs, vandalized toilets
City doctors save twins who shared single placenta
Realtors want govt to stop enforcement of grid of roads plan
Two youths killed in road accident on Chennai-Bengaluru Highway
Cyclone Ditwah: Storm may weaken, but city will still get heavy rain
Cyclonic storm Ditwah is bringing rain to south Tamil Nadu, with intense showers expected for the north, including Chennai, this weekend. While the storm is forecast to weaken, it may still cause widespread heavy rainfall.
Chandrayaan-4 to take off in 2028, says ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan
Self-financing medical colleges in TN to get more PG seats for 2025
City health systems brace for hike in fever cases
Turtle nesting begins on grim note; 10 found dead this week
Stalkers death penalty gets commuted to 20 years in jail
Foreigners in Puzhal prison operated inter-State drug cartel with local contacts
Probe by Tiruvallur Police found that while incarcerated, the foreigners cultivated relationships with local prisonersand deployed them as operatives; crackdown was launched following tip-offs on use of methamphetamine and cocaine by working professionals and college students
2 held for stealing aluminium, brass
Trade unions in Tamil Nadu oppose draft law allowing women in hazardous industries
Over 900 students participate in entrepreneurship summit
Man held for hurling petrol bomb at apartment
City hospital opens robotic surgery institute
Man gets 3 yrs jail for sexually harassing cop
Cop abuses victim, clip goes viral
Indian airlines complete software upgrade for over 90 per cent of 338 affected A320 family planes
NEW DELHI: IndiGo, Air India and Air India Express on Saturday started carrying out software upgrade of A320 family planes to address a potential flight control issue, and requisite modifications have been done for over 90 per cent of the affected 338 aircraft, an exercise that also resulted in delays and some flight cancellations. According to the latest data from the aviation regulator DGCA, IndiGo and Air India did not cancel any flights, while Air India Express cancelled four flights due to the system modification process. Flight delays have been 60-90 minutes at various airports, sources said. On Friday, Airbus said intense solar radiation might corrupt data critical to flight controls in a significant number of A320 family aircraft and that the software changes required to fix the issue would lead to operational disruptions. As many as 338 A320 family aircraft operated by Indian airlines require the software upgrade to address a potential issue related to flight controls, and modifications have been carried out in over 80 per cent of the affected fleet, according to DGCA data. The software upgrades have been completed for 270 A320 family planes out of the total 338 aircraft, as per the data available with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) till 5.30 pm on November 29. A total of 200 IndiGo planes have been affected, and software upgrades have been completed for 184 of them, while in the case of Air India, 113 aircraft have been impacted and upgrades have been done for 69 of them, DGCA data showed. In the case of Air India Express, 25 planes have been impacted, and software upgrades have been completed for 17 aircraft as of 5.30 pm, according to data. The sources said that so far over 90 per cent of the affected planes have undergone upgradation. Meanwhile, IndiGo said all 200 A320 fleet aircraft have now been fully updated and compliant as required. With the completion of this technical requirement, every aircraft now operates with the latest approved configuration, and we continue to monitor performance closely as part of our routine safety procedures, the airline said in a post on X at 11.02 pm. Travel Update We are pleased to share a completion update on the mandatory Airbus system enhancement across our A320-family fleet. All 200 aircraft have now been fully updated and compliant as required. This programme involved a carefully coordinated sequence of work, with our IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) November 29, 2025 The airline said that there was zero cancellation of flights due to the updation. In a post on X at 10.17 pm, Air India said it has successfully completed the reset on over 90 per cent of its operating A320 family aircraft that were impacted by EASA and Airbus' requirement for a software realignment. An official said Air India Express has completed the upgradation for 22 out of the 25 impacted aircraft. The software upgrades are being undertaken at the airlines' bases in Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata. Software upgrades on all affected planes are to be completed by 5.29 am on November 30. #UPDATE Air India has successfully completed the reset on over 90% of its operating A320 family aircraft that were impacted by EASA and Airbus requirement for a software realignment. We expect to cover the entire fleet within the timeline prescribed by EASA, with safety Air India (@airindia) November 29, 2025 The DGCA on Saturday issued an Airworthiness Directive to airlines asking Indian operators to carry out the requisite software upgrades immediately. This followed Airbus issuing an alert to operators globally and the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) coming out with an Emergency Airworthiness Directive regarding the potential issue. On Friday, EASA said Airbus asked airline operators to install a serviceable Elevator Aileron Computer (ELAC) in the impacted aircraft. ELAC is for flight controls. IndiGo, which operates over 2,300 flights daily, said that no flights have been cancelled as a result of the checks carried out on A320 family planes, but a few flights may experience minimal delays. There have been no cancellations due to the task, and there is no major impact on schedule integrity across its network. However, some flights may be slightly delayed or rescheduled, Air India said in the morning. Most of the nearly 6,000 affected aircraft worldwide need software upgrades, while some might require hardware realignment. There are over 8,100 A320 family planes in service worldwide. These include A319s, A320 ceos and neos, and A321 ceos and neos, data from aviation analytics company Cirium showed. Former pilot Ehsan Khalid told PTI Videos that ELACs are the brain and nervous system of the aircraft, and the software problem with one of the ELACs is significant. When the pilot moves the control forward, it will cause the aircraft to pitch down and when it is moved backward, then the plane pitches down. This particular movement is done by pilot control and if that happens on its own, then there is a problem, he said. On October 30, he said a JetBlue aircraft experienced an uncommanded pitch down for seven seconds, which caused the aircraft to lose 100 feet and injured more than 15 people. At 35,000 feet, neither a loss of 100 feet nor seven seconds is critical. But if you remember the Ahmedabad crash, it happened during take-off, and seven seconds would have been enough to cause a catastrophic end. So humanity has been lucky this time. The aircraft manufacturer has openly acknowledged a software problem and has said it will fix it, Khalid said. IndiGo, in a statement, said software upgrades have been completed for 160 of the 200 impacted A320 family planes. We are pleased to confirm that the required actions have already been completed on 160 aircraft by 12:00 IST, and inspections on the remaining aircraft are progressing well and will be completed within the timeline, the airline said. We have already completed the reset on over 40 per cent of our aircraft that are impacted by this, and are confident of covering the entire fleet within the timeline prescribed by EASA, Air India said in a post on X in the morning. On Friday, Airbus said an analysis of a recent event involving an A320 family aircraft has revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls. Airbus has consequently identified a significant number of A320 Family aircraft currently in service which may be impacted, it had said in a release. Airbus acknowledged that these recommendations will lead to operational disruptions for passengers and customers.
Man beats woman to death as she refused to give money
Construction worker held for throwing petrol bomb inside an apartment complex
Bizman arrested at airport for cheating
Director of financial firm interrogated in fraud case
City hospital launches screening for pancreatic cancer
Cyclone Ditwah brings heavy rain; Tamil Nadu readies 6,000 relief camps
Chennai: Rain triggered by Cyclone Ditwah lashed coastal areas and Cauvery delta districts in the state on Saturday, with Ramanathapuram and Nagapattinam districts bearing the brunt. As normal life in Rameswaram and Nagapattinam was affected by continuous rain accompanied by gusty winds, State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister K K S S R Ramachandran said Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Ditwah disrupts flights to & from SL
IndiGo cancels ATR flights from Chennai on Saturday
Doctors save 93-year-old womans leg
TBM Kurinji starts tunnelling at Kolathur for Chennai Metro
Gang kidnaps, robs man of 40 lakh
Velachery flyover on hold as CMRL seeks two-month pause
Three die in separate accidents
No vacancies for docs in health dept
Aarudhra gold investment scam: ED seizes cash, papers
Stalin puts state on cyclone alert; districts told to track impact zones
Two more held in inter-state drug cartel
Cyclone Ditwah: Chennai airport cancels 47 flights, IMD forecasts heavy rainfall in these states
Cyclone Ditwah, which is expected to make landfall in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Sunday evening, has killed 123 people in Sri Lanka, with another 130 reported missing. The extreme weather system has destroyed nearly 15,000 homes across the country.
MTC rolls out 1,000 & 2,000 monthly e-pass
High-speed train trial tested to Kovai
Newlywed held for attacking wife
Burglars attack constable; police shoot them in legs
EPS lauds Rajinikanth on IFFI award
.jpg){kind=logo}
India Crushes Chile 7-0 in Opening Match of Mens FIH Hockey Junior World Cup 2025
AMN/ WEB DESK In Hockey, India registered a commanding 7-0 win over Chile in their first Pool B match of Mens FIH Hockey Junior World Cup 2025 yesterday at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai. India, along with defending champions Germany, Argentina and Belgium, all opened their campaigns with victories. The Under-21 tournament is conducted []
Ditwah revives memories of past systems with similar paths along the States coast
North-coastal districts of T.N. are on alert as strong surface winds of 60-70 kmph, gusting up to 80 kmph, may prevail today; while Tiruvallur and Ranipet are expected to get extremely heavy rainfall, nine districts, including Chennai and Krishnagiri, may receive heavy to very heavy showers
Want to lose weight before New Year? This Chennai-based health coach has four tips for you
Health coach Vivek Thiruvengadam offers four sustainable tips to lose weight before the New Year. He advises cutting down on dietary fat, reducing liquid calories, taking a ten-minute walk after each meal, and maintaining a consistent, high-protein, high-fiber breakfast to manage cravings and calorie intake.
Faf du Plessis pulls out of 2026 auction after 14 seasons, switches from IPL to PSL
Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis will not participate in the 2026 IPL auction after a 14-season stint, opting for a new challenge in the Pakistan Super League. Du Plessis, who won two IPL titles with Chennai Super Kings, expressed gratitude for his time in India and looks forward to experiencing Pakistani hospitality and a new league.
After delta, south coastal districts, Ditwah to batter north T.N.
Rain triggered by cyclone damages crops, inundates residential areas and salt pans; north Tamil Nadu to get heavy rain and situation is likely to ease from Monday, says Met office
Air India, IndiGo Issue Advisories As Cyclone Ditwah Batters Southern Routes
Cyclone Ditwah disrupts flights in Chennai, Madurai, Trichy, Puducherry, and Sri Lanka. Air India and IndiGo issue advisories as IMD warns of heavy rain.
Du Plessis withdraws from IPL 2026 auction to play PSL
Du Plessis has 154 IPL appearances and has won two titles with Chennai Super Kings
Three killed in separate road accidents in city
Police sources said one of the victims Deepika was a resident of Arumuga Mudali Street in Perambur
Faf Du Plessis Opts Out Of IPL 2026, Set To Play PSL
Former South African: Former South African skipper Faf du Plessis has chosen not to participate in the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has decided not to put his name in the auction pool, with the event set to take place next month. Du Plessis, who has represented the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) throughout his IPL career, played for the Delhi Capitals in the tournaments previous edition and was also named Axar Patels deputy. However, he was among the seven players released by the franchise ahead of the auction. The former RCB captain has now opted out of the 19th edition of the cash-rich event, announcing that hell take on a new challenge and play the forthcoming edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). After 14 seasons in the IPL, Ive decided not to put my name into the auction this year, Faf said in a statement shared on his Instagram. Its a big decision, and one that comes with a lot of gratitude when I look back. This league has been a massive part of my journey. Ive been lucky to play with world-class teammates, for amazing franchises, and in front of fans whose passion is like nothing else. India has given me friendships, lessons, and memories that have shaped me as a cricketer and as a person. To every coach, teammate, support staff member, and every fan who has backed me over the years thank you. Your support has meant the world. Fourteen years is a long time, and Im proud of what this chapter has meant to me. India has a special place in my heart, and this certainly isnt goodbye youll see me again. Its a big decision, and one that comes with a lot of gratitude when I look back. This league has been a massive part of my journey. Ive been lucky to play with world-class teammates, for amazing franchises, and in front of fans whose passion is like nothing else. India has given me friendships, lessons, and memories that have shaped me as a cricketer and as a person. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The IPL 2026 mini auction will take place on December 16 in Abu Dhabi. Article Source: IANS
IndiGo announces new direct routes, increased flight frequencies from Navi Mumbai Airport
The airline will operate daily flights between NMIA and Coimbatore, as well as between NMIA and Chennai, starting December 29, 2025
Looking back at Bawaria dacoity along Tamil Nadu highways
Twenty years ago, dacoits struck at a bungalow off a highway near Chennai, and killed one of its occupants, sitting MLA Sudarsanam. They attacked other members of the house brutally and fled with the loot they stole from the house. Investigators later realised that they had committed a rash of robberies in a vast area of operation in Tamil Nadu, stretching the borders of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Two decades later, last week, a court in Chennai convicted three members of the Bawaria gang that was responsible for the daring robberies sentenced them to several life terms in prison
The audience was treated to soul-stirring light music, engaging drama performances, and a Bharatanatyam showcase that paid homage to Mrs YGPs lifelong commitment to the arts and education.
History-sheeter robs, murders man; nabbed 2 days later
OPS explores poll alliance with DMK if unification fails
IndiGo adds two daily, fivetimesweekly services from Navi Mumbai Airport
New Delhi: Indian carrier IndiGo announced new direct routes and frequency additions from Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), strengthening connectivity from the newly inaugurated gateway to key domestic destinations such as Coimbatore, Chennai, Vadodara and North Goa. The carrier will operate daily flights between NMIA and Coimbatore and between NMIA and Chennai, both effective December Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Tariffs batter India's exports to US; GTRI suggests rolling out Export Promotion Mission
IndiGo has announced new direct routes and added frequencies from the newly opened Navi Mumbai International Airport. Daily flights to Coimbatore and Chennai will start on December 29. Five weekly services to Vadodara will begin on December 30, and flights to North Goa will increase to five times a week from December 26.
IndiGo announces new flights from Navi Mumbai International Airport. Check full schedule
IndiGo has announced new routes and added frequencies from the recently opened Navi Mumbai International Airport, widening domestic links from the citys second aviation hub. The airline will launch daily flights to Coimbatore and Chennai from 29 December 2025, start five weekly flights to Vadodara from 30 December, and raise services to North Goa to five times a week from 26 December.
Lancor Holdings to work on three redevelopment projects in Chennai
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadus leading property developer Lancor Holdings Limited said that it is redeveloping three major projects within the Chennai city limits, which are Lancor Ananya on Warren Road, Mylapore, Lancor Residences in Alwarpet, and third at Kalakshetra Colony in Besant Nagar and also coming up with affordable housing in Sriperumbudur in Kancheepuram district. The project on Warren Road has been approved by the authorities, Alwarpet project is in an advanced with documents been submitted to the authorities concerned and the Kalakshetra Colony project is proposed stage. Speaking to TNIE, JM Chandrasekar, CEO of Lancor, during the launch of senior citizen apartments Lancor Harmonia Pavilion at Sriperumbudur, said, There are many more redevelopment projects we are taking up. But they are all at discussion state, so we dont want to disclose it any details about. Moreover, we are also building an affordable housing complex in Sriperumbudur. Speaking about upcoming projects, Chandrasekar said the company plans to expand into affordable housing once its current project is completed. We have a lot of land parcels available in Sriperumbudur. After finishing the ongoing project, we will start work on affordable housing there, he said. According to him, the government is extending support for such projects, with the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) offering a subsidy of 90 per sq m outside city limits. We dont have to pay any premium if a project does not exceed normal FSI limits, he added. Lancor recently secured a major relief in a 15-year legal dispute with the Menon family over Menon Eternity, a prime commercial property in RA Puram that houses several leading IT companies. The dispute centred on the joint development agreement, under which Lancor was to receive 50% of the built-up area. In October, the Supreme Court, invoking Article 142, ruled in Lancors favour. Internal assessments peg the propertys current value at around Rs 190 crore. The company, which reported a net loss of Rs 2.52 crore in Q2 FY26, expects the Supreme Court ruling to significantly improve its financial position. We will be getting about Rs 1012 crore per annum after the judgment. We also have a few other projects to be rolled out over the next year. By the first quarter of FY27, we will report profits, said RV Shekar, Chairman and Managing Director of Lancor. He added that the company is set to pay Rs 10 crore to the opposite party within the next week. With this, our borrowing cost will come down to 810% from the earlier 2022%. For redevelopment projects, we have project-specific investments ranging from Rs 10 crore to Rs 50 crore, he said. Lancor also plans to retain a portion of apartment units in its redevelopment projects, which will be sold directly to customers.
Software updates completed for over half of affected A320 family planes in India: DGCA data
NEW DELHI: As many as 338 A320 family aircraft operated by Indian airlines require the software upgrade to address a potential issue related to flight controls, and modifications have been carried out in more than half of the affected fleet, according to DGCA data. Sources told PTI that there are no flight cancellations, but there are delays in the range of 60-90 minutes for some flights as the software updates are being carried out for the affected planes. On Friday, Airbus said intense solar radiation might corrupt data critical to flight controls in a significant number of A320 family aircraft and that the software changes required to fix the issue would lead to operational disruptions. The software upgrades have been completed for 189 A320 family planes out of the total 338 aircraft, as per the data available with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) till 10 am on November 29. The software upgrades on all the affected planes are to be completed by 5:29 am on November 30. DGCA on Saturday issued an Airworthiness Directive to airlines asking Indian operators to immediately carry out the requisite software upgrades. This followed Airbus issuing an alert to operators globally and European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) coming out with an Emergency Airworthiness Directive regarding the potential issue. IndiGo, Air India and Air India Express operate A320 family planes, which include A320 ceos and neos, A321 ceos and neos. The affected aircraft need software upgrades or hardware realignment. A total of 200 IndiGo planes have been affected, and software upgrades have been completed for 143 of them, while in the case of Air India, 113 aircraft have been impacted and upgrades have been done for 42 of them, the DGCA data showed. In the case of Air India Express, 25 planes have been impacted, and the software upgrades have been completed for 4 of the aircraft, as per the data till 10 am. The software upgrades are being undertaken at the bases of the airlines in Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Kolkata. In a post on X at 10.13 am, Air India said that following EASA and Airbus directives for a mandatory software and hardware realignment on A320 family aircraft, our engineers have been working round-the-clock to complete the task at the earliest. We have already completed the reset on over 40 per cent of our aircraft that are impacted by this, and are confident of covering the entire fleet within the timeline prescribed by EASA, the airline said. Air India also said there have been no cancellations due to this task, and there is no major impact on schedule integrity across its network. However, some of our flights may be slightly delayed or rescheduled, it added. On Friday, EASA said Airbus asked airline operators to install a serviceable Elevator Aileron Computer (ELAC) in the impacted aircraft. Generally, ELAC is for flight controls. Airbus, on Friday, said an analysis of a recent event involving an A320 family aircraft has revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls. Airbus has consequently identified a significant number of A320 Family aircraft currently in-service which may be impacted, it had said in a release. Airbus had said it acknowledges these recommendations will lead to operational disruptions to passengers and customers.
December diary: Striking a lighter note in a sabha-dotted Chennai
As another Season dawns, exploring the many ways to keep rasikas amused amidst a predictable feast of Kalyanis and Keeravadais.
Arun Mn, founded the company in 2004, growing it from a small startup into a major developer in cities like Chennai, Coimbatore, and Bangalore. Read here to know more about him.
Cyclone Ditwah brings torrential rains to south coastal districts
Red alert issued for five districts
A student-designed 2026 calendar celebrates creativity and inclusion
Thirteen neurodivergent young adults from Mirra Charitable Trust in Velachery are behind this student-designed calendar for 2026
Panel to clear obstacles near city airport runway
CHENNAI: Chennai airports plan to relay the surface of its main runway is facing trouble, as dozens of obstacles have crept into the approach funnel of the secondary runway which needs to be in usable condition for the work to be taken up in the main runway. Airport officials have urged the state to take steps to swiftly remove the obstacles of the secondary runway. At the Airport Advisory Committee meeting on Friday, chaired by Sriperumbudur MP TR Baalu, it was decided that a joint committee comprising state revenue officials and AAI representatives will engage stakeholders, including the state government, to fast-track clearance of obstacles. M Raja Kishore, Chennai Airport director, said aircraft movements have risen from 425 to 475 a day, while daily passenger footfall, across the three terminals, has climbed to nearly 70,000. The surge comes just as the airport prepares to shut its primary runway for recarpeting, essential to address surface deterioration and maintain safe operations for larger Code E aircraft. The real choke point, he said, lies beyond the airport perimeter. An Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) survey conducted in August last year flagged 176 obstacles - from unauthorised buildings and telecom towers to tall trees - encroaching into the approach funnel. Many slipped through because local bodies failed to enforce colour-coded zoning maps or verify above-mean-sea-level clearances properly. With the approach compromised, the airport has had to virtually cut 780 metres off its 3,661-metre secondary runway, limiting it to handling only smaller Code C aircraft. If these obstacles are removed, the secondary runway could immediately be used for Code E aircraft and complete recarpeting round-the-clock, Kishore said. Right now, we get only a five-to-six-hour window, and reopening the runway soon risks rapid surface damage. A six-hour shutdown of the main runway could reduce aircraft movements from 475 to about 415, prompting diversions that should not be construed as Chennai losing traffic, he said. The bigger danger is airlines shifting wide-body operations to competing metros if Chennai cannot assure reliable infrastructure. Even partial removal of obstacles in airports runway, Kishore said, could restore 3,000 metres of usable runway length and ease pressure on Code E operations. We need swift action if Chennai is to keep pace with its own growth, he added. Kishore added the tender for the recarpeting works, estimated at `40-50 crore, is ready. But for the project to begin safely, the obstacles must go.
GCC braces for Ditwah: 1 lakh grocery packages, 2,200 pumps ready, NDRF, SDRF on standby
CHENNAI: With Cyclone Ditwah expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has intensified its preparedness with 215 relief centres and 111 kitchens ready to help people in distress in case of flooding. In a statement on Friday, the civic body said it has kept over 2,200 pumps ready in various places to drain water in case of inundation. These include 170 pumps of 100 HP capacity in places identified as inundation-prone, 550 tractor-mounted pumps, 1,496 pumps of various capacities in different places, 145 pumps in 22 subways that are equipped automated tracking devices to monitor levels, the release said. It also highlighted that 11,770 stormwater drains running to a total length of 3,040 km have been constructed and being maintained in a manner that will prevent inundation during monsoon. The corporation said 36 boats bought by the GCC and another 36 have been arranged in collaboration with the fisheries department to help in the evacuation of people. Five teams of the National Disaster Response Force are kept ready. In Sholinganallur, Perungudi and Tondiarpet zones, SDRF teams of 25 members each are kept on standby. It further said 1 lakh packages, each comprising Aavin milk powder, 5 kg of rice, 1 kg of dal, and 1 litre of palm oil, have been kept ready for distribution to vulnerable people. Residents have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel, especially to beaches, and refrain from standing under trees during strong winds, the release said. The civic body warned against taking selfies in unsafe areas. Meanwhile, the Greater Chennai Police has set up a central control room and 49 special help centres, along with 12 control rooms in all its police districts. Twelve rescue teams, with 120 personnel, have been placed on standby, each equipped with vehicles, boats, life jackets and other rescue gear. The public has been advised to reach emergency services through 044-23452437, 100/112, 1913, or 101.
Sanitary staff hold stir, want GCC jobs back
CHENNAI: Sanitary workers from Royapuram and Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar zones held a rally on Friday demanding reinstatement under the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) as of July 31, instead of through private contractor Ramky Group. The march, backed by Samuga Seyarpatalargal Kuttu Iyakkam, came as four workers indefinite hunger strike entered its 12th day. With three requiring IV fluids, they urged Chief Minister M K Stalin or Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin to intervene and secure their jobs.
Coming soon: Bedrolls for hire on sleeper trains to Chennai
KOCHI: Are you planning a train journey in sleeper class in the next few months? If so, you can cross off packing that bedsheet and pillow to make your trip comfortable. Taking note of problems faced by passengers, the Chennai division of Southern Railway has announced that from January 1, 2026, the transporter will provide sanitized, ready-to-use bedrolls on an on-demand, on-payment basis. Travellers from Kerala too would be able to avail the facility since two trains from the state have been included in the list of services in which this facility will be introduced.The train services from Kerala are the 22651/22652 Chennai-Palakkad Express, the 12695/12696 Chennai CentralThiruvananthapuram Express, and, the 22639/22640 Chennai-Alappuzha Express, a railway official said. Announcing the initiative, the Chennai division, in a communique, said that till now sleeper class passengers did not have access to an organised provision of bedrolls. To address this, the Chennai division implemented a pilot project under the New Innovative Non-Fare Revenue Ideas Scheme during 2023-24. The pilot project received an overwhelmingly positive response from passengers, prompting the Railways to introduce this service as a regular non-fare revenue initiative. Under the scheme, a bedsheet, pillow, and pillow cover can be obtained on payment of Rs 50; and a pillow and pillow cover for Rs 30. Passengers can get hold of a single bedsheet for Rs 20. The passengers associations have welcomed the move. This initiative will help passengers travelling to Chennai or Mangaluru. Nearly all passengers on Chennai Mail and other trains make do with their bags as pillows while sleeping on bare berths. Now, that wont be necessary. Another thing that makes this initiative good is that it is not compulsory, as in AC, where the fee for bedsheets, pillows, and blankets is included in the fare, said P Krishnakumar, general secretary of Thrissur Railway Passengers Association.
Chennai photographer's Chandrayaan-3 launch photographs on display at BIC exhibition
BENGALURU: Dheeraj Khandelwal, a Chennai-based photographer, was one of the lucky few to be at Satish Dhawan Space Centre when ISRO launched Chandrayaan-3 on July 14, 2023. The breathtaking images of Chandrayaan-3 launch, which he had captured, are on display at Bangalore International Centre (BIC). The exhibition will end on Sunday. Though Khandelwal wanted to become an astronaut, life had other plans for him -- a career in photography. But his passion for astronomy did not veer away. He realised it through this project. The exhibition aims at inspiring and attracting people, especially children, towards astronomy. Ive had children visit my exhibition in Chennai and ask me questions about the subject; that is incredibly rewarding to me, said Khandelwal. The photographs, arranged chronologically, were taken in a short span of about 50 seconds from lift-off to the point where only the thrusters of the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3), which carried Chandrayaan-3, could be visible. The viewing gallery was set 3 km away, which had a good view. There was an immense release of energy, which shook us and underlined the gravitas of the moment, Khandelwal said. Chennai-based photographer Dheeraj Khandelwals exhibition is on at Bangalore International Centre till Sunday. An avid geek, he has designed the exhibition with photos being backlit, which according to him, symbolises the quiet persistence that ISROs scientists must have harboured within, only which could have made them go back to the drawing board after Chandrayaan-2s failure, and deliver Chandrayaan-3 when the whole worlds focus was on India. Visitors can see photographs of upward propulsion of the rocket, traversing incredible heights in a few seconds. The clouds can be seen to reflect light from the rocket propulsion (beneath the rocket) to clouds still beyond the rockets reach, showing how like the rocket, ISROs work guided its own path, Khandelwal said.
Cyclonic storm Ditwah, moving slowly, brought rain to south Tamil Nadu and is expected to cause intense showers in northern areas, including Chennai, this weekend. The storm, which caused over 80 deaths in Sri Lanka, is moving parallel to the TN coast, with red and orange alerts issued for heavy rainfall in several districts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Centenary tribute to educational trailblazer
On Wednesday, the grand hall of Music Academy on TTK Road was packed with students in crisp uniforms, teachers, and parents waiting in anticipation, and alumni spanning decades representing the close-knit community of the PSBB Group of Schools. The gathering marked the centenary celebrations of Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy, or Mrs YGP, organised by the Bala Bhavan Educational Trust and Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Group of Schools, in honour of the visionarys 100th birth anniversary. What unfolded was an evening of tribute and remembrance, reflecting on the profound impact of an educator. The evening echoed with a specially composed song that reflected Mrs YGPs lifelong dedication to education. This was followed by Journey of Inspiration, a shadow play that creatively traced key chapters of her life. Student leaders anchored the evening, introducing the chief guest, S Krishnan, secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and the guest of honour, Padma Shri recipent Sridhar Vembu, founder and chief scientist, Zoho Corporation. Sridhar acknowledged that Mrs YGPs vision for education, saying, Self-confidence, curiosity, and the discipline to achieve these must be developed in school, he advised the students. Krishnan, returned to the stage not only as a distinguished bureaucrat but also as a proud alumnus. Recalling his interactions with Mrs YGP, he spoke of the values she instilled in her students. She was proud of her legacy and heritage, as we all should be. She built that pride in all of us to honour our own heritage while respecting the right of others to cherish theirs, he said. A sculpted commemorative portrait of Mrs YGP was unveiled, followed by the felicitation of distinguished alumni who showcased the schools legacy through their achievements, including officers of the Indian Armed Forces, historian and educationist. The event also honoured Lakshmi Devanath, author of A Class Apart, the authorised biography of Mrs YGP. Addressing the gathering, Sheela Rajendra, dean & director and correspondent of the PSBB Group of Schools, reflected on the institutions journey and its continued mission. Today we gather not only to celebrate an event, but to celebrate a vision...one that urges us to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to a future shaped by the ideals of the individual. She also added that the centenary year will unfold with initiatives planned by the alumni, for the alumni, including a music festival, a treasure hunt and many more.
Former headmaster sent to jail for demanding 1,500 as bribe
Chennai weather: Heavy rain expected, high humidity; AQI improves
Chennai is bracing for a day of heavy rainfall on Friday, November 29, 2025, with temperatures ranging from 23.6C to 25.9C. Yesterday's 'poor' air quality, with an AQI of 117, might see slight improvement due to the persistent downpour. Residents should prepare for high humidity and brisk winds, carrying rain gear.
Cinema meets symphonic grandeur
Long before social media feeds and streaming platforms made the new generation feel in touch with Bollywood, people in Tamil Nadu and elsewhere in south India were humming melodies of Raj Kapoor. His hit songs rode the waves of radio, and listeners were left hungry for more. And when All India Radio (AIR) curtailed film-music broadcasts in the early 1950s, the void was filled by Radio Ceylon, which launched a Hindi-film-song service and struck gold. In a sense, Radio Ceylon did for the 1950s and 60s what social media does for young fans today: it kept people connected to the film industry, let new hits spread far beyond regional boundaries, and made Bollywood and icons like Raj Kapoor a part of everyday life. And while today we hear those hit songs through remixes and modern renditions, the South Asian Symphony Orchestra (SASO) is bringing to Chennai, those very songs but in an hour-long orchestral performance; restoring their sweep, romance, and grandeur in a way that has been neither heard nor seen before. But it doesnt end there. The concert goes beyond revival as SASO is also weaving select Mozart pieces into the programme, creating a musical symphony where European classical structures meet the sweeping emotion of Hindi cinema. SASOs conductor and music director, Alvin Arumugam, says that the idea came to him quite differently. At first, I thought we would perform one of Mozarts symphonies because they are only 20 to 30 minutes long. But then, I decided against it and thought of bringing together some of Mozarts most popular pieces. That is how we arrived at his Symphony No. 40, Molto allegro (first movement) his most famous aria called La ci darem la mano , and also the Lacrimosa . All of this, of course, along with the best hits of Raj Kapoor to celebrate his centenary. Nirupama Rao Alvin believes that the audiences may appreciate Mozart more when he shares the stage with Raj Kapoor because the cultural connection may help. Once listeners arrive for the music they already love, they become more receptive to the music they havent yet discovered, and Mozarts brilliance may then land with greater immediacy and meaning, he hopes. For Nirupama Rao, the founder of the South Asian Symphony Foundation and the creator of SASO, this amalgamation is simply a way to let universality breathe through local soil. Harmony begins with listening. Their differences dont create discord; they create counterpoint independent lines woven together with trust and curiosity, she says. But the real challenge for the orchestra wasnt rehearsing Mozart. His scores exist in immaculate black-and-white, where every note is mapped. The true mountain, he says, was writing an orchestral arrangement for Raj Kapoors songs. While there are extensive symphonic arrangements for Chinese music or folk music in the US, orchestral scores for South Asian and Indian music remain surprisingly scarce. As part of SASOs mission, we have been trying to bridge that gap. and this is our newest work, Alvin says, adding that an arranger, who studied orchestra at Berkeley and works with AR Rahman, wrote the arrangement for this upcoming concert over a months time. The conjoining of Raj Kapoors hits and the global symphonic tradition doesnt mean loosening Indias musical roots, Nirupama says. Instead, it expands the space in which those roots can grow. She points to the way China embraced orchestral music and emerged with artistes who became global ambassadors like Lang Lang. Look at the artistes who have emerged from this global tradition: Yo-Yo Ma, Danielle de Niese and of course our own Zubin Mehta. They step onto any stage and are understood immediately. We need young Indians who can carry our story into the global symphonic world with confidence and originality, she adds. Just the way India transformed cricket into its own art form, she believes the country can make the symphony orchestra a part of its cultural vocabulary. As for the upcoming concert in the city, with 60 performers on stage 30 in the chorus and 30 in the orchestra conductor Alvin likens the show to a four-course meal. In just one hour, he says, it cant be everyones favourite dish from start to finish. Like a fine meal, different sections are meant to satisfy in different ways: some will comfort, some will surprise, and a few may linger long after the last note. His hope is that, by the end, he feels that quiet fullness and that the audience tastes it too. What Nirupama looks forward to most isnt a grand solo or a spotlight moment. Its the way the orchestra will breathe as one entity. A melody goes straight to the emotional core. It dissolves distance, she notes. That is the heart of her mission as well, of using sound to stitch together a region often divided by politics and history. SASOs concert is scheduled to begin at 7 pm on November 30 at the MS Subbulakshmi Auditorium, at the Asian College of Journalism. (Inputs from Sruthi Hemachandran)
