Northern Parts of TN Receive Rain as Cyclone Murasu Heads to Andhra
Many parts of Chennai, Chengalpattu and Tiruvallur districts have been receiving torrential rains since Sunday night
Cyclone Murasu: List of flights cancelled to and from Chennai
Cyclone Murasu comes just days after Cyclone Arnab made landfall in Andhra Pradesh on October 27,2026.
Schools and Colleges in Chennai and Tiruvallur Closed Due to Cyclone Murasu Threat
Schools and colleges in Chennai and Tiruvallur will remain closed as Cyclone Murasu approaches, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds. Schools and Colleges in Chennai and Tiruvallur Closed Due to Cyclone Murasu Threat
Ashok Leyland reports 23% growth in October sales to 21,888 units
Commercial vehicle major Ashok Leyland on Monday reported a 23 per cent year-on-year growth in its total sales during October. The Chennai-based automaker's total sales, including exports, stood at 21,888 units, up from 17,820 units a year ago, according to an exchange filing. Sales in the Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicle (M&HCV) segment grew 28 per cent to 13,927 units from 10,865 units, while the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segment registered a 14 per cent rise to 7,961 units. Total domestic sales rose 24 per cent to 20,224 units from 16,314 units a year ago, with 32 per cent growth in the M&HCV segment to 12,646 units. Domestic LCV sales increased 13 per cent to 7,578 units.
Having come closest to Chennai coast at about 200 km over the seas, Murasu appeared to have skirted the city and was now heading towards its likely landfall zone along the South Andhra coast.
Eleven flights cancelled at Chennai airport
Airports Authority of India (AAI) said, flights to and from destinations including Vijayawada, Kadapa, Rajahmundry and Tiruchi will be cancelled
Director, actor Abishan Jeevinth, wife Akkila blessed with baby girl
Digital Desk | Chennai, Nov 2 (IANS) Young director and actor Abishan Jeevinth, who shot to fame with his superhit Tamil film 'Tourist Family', on Monday announced that his wife Akila and he had now been blessed with a baby girl. Taking to his Instagram timeline to share a picture of him holding the new born baby, the actor and director wrote, Officially A Girl Dad :). Interestingly, the director turned actor had only a couple of days ago penned a touching wedding anniversary post to his wife. He wrote, You stayed with me, youre staying with me, and you stay with me. Happy 1st Anniversary @akkila_abishanjeevinth :) For the unaware, the director and actor had, in October last year, wed his longtime girlfriend Akkila at a grand ceremony that was attended by the families and friends of the couple. The wedding had taken place at Hanu Reddy's Poes Garden in the city and was attended by the parents, relatives and friends of the couple. 2D Entertainment chief co-producer Rajasekar Pandian was among those who attended the wedding and congratulated the couple. A wedding reception was also held at the Green Park hotel which was attended by a number of film celebrities including actors Sasikumar, Sivakarthikeyan, MS Bhaskar, Ramesh Thilak and actresses Simran and Anaswara Vijayan. Producers Soundarya Rajinikanth, Mahesh Raj Basilian, Arun Vishwa and Shineesh too graced the wedding reception of the couple as did directors 'Poo' Sasi, Ranjith Jayakody, Shanmugapriyan, Prabhu Ram Vyas and Madan. Other celebrities who attended the wedding reception of the director included music director Sean Roldan, lyricist Mohanraj, distributor Virdosh, editor Bharath Ram and Think Music Santosh. On the work front, Abishan Jeevinth will next be seen playing the lead along with Kannada superstar Shiva Rajkumar in director Gowtham Sivaraman's upcoming film that has been titled Picasso. The film will have Abishan playing a character called Sugan in it. Apart from Shiva Rajkumar and Abishan Jeevinth, the film will also feature actresses Shivani Nagaram and Yogalakshmi in pivotal roles.
Aavin proposes Rs 5 per litre milk price hike, awaits govt approval
Digital Desk | Chennai, Nov 2 (IANS) Tamil Nadus cooperative milk supplier Aavin has recommended increasing its retail milk prices by Rs 5 per litre, citing financial pressure on its operations and difficulties faced by milk outlet operators. The proposed revision will take effect only if the State government approves it. According to Aavin sources, Rs 4 from the proposed increase would go to the cooperative, while the remaining Re 1 would benefit outlet operators. The recommendation seeks to improve their financial viability amid rising operating expenses. Aavin procures around 35 lakh litres of milk daily, while sales in Chennai alone account for approximately 15 lakh litres. Its relatively affordable prices make it an important supplier to households and commercial establishments. Currently, a 500 ml orange milk packet costs Rs 30, while green and purple packets of the same quantity are priced at Rs 24. The blue packet sells for Rs 20. Outlet operators receive a commission of just 75 paise per packet, which they say is inadequate to meet electricity charges, shop rents and other expenses. Many struggle to sustain their businesses despite steady demand for Aavin milk. Sources said the financial difficulties have resulted in newly opened outlets shutting down within months, a pattern reported across several districts. The proposed increase includes a component intended to support these retailers and help them continue operating. The price difference between Aavin and private brands has also increased demand from commercial buyers. Private companies sell milk at more than Rs 75 per litre, according to the sources. Hotels, tea shops and sweet shops consequently purchase substantial quantities of Aavin milk, sometimes leaving retail outlets without sufficient supplies for household consumers. Explaining the recommendation, Aavin sources said low selling prices had placed pressure on farmers, the cooperative and outlet operators. The governments recent increase in milk procurement prices had provided relief to farmers, they said. However, the financial concerns of the cooperative and its retail network still needed to be addressed. The proposed retail price revision was therefore submitted for government consideration. The sources also cited Karnatakas recent milk price increases of up to Rs 8 per litre, saying the revision recommended for Tamil Nadu was lower. For now, the Rs 5 increase remains a proposal, with implementation dependent on the governments decision. Existing retail prices continue to apply pending approval.
Kadapa- Renigunta Highway To Cut Tirupati Travel Time To 2 Hours
The KadapaRenigunta section of the KadapaChennai highway (NH-716) is being upgraded from two lanes to four as a greenfield highway.
HDFC Capital, DivyaSree set up 1,500 cr fund to build housing projects
HDFC Capital has partnered with realty firm DivyaSree Developers to set up a Rs 1,500 crore platform for building residential projects. In a statement on Monday, Bengaluru-based DivyaSree Developers said it has partnered with HDFC Capital Advisors Ltd to establish an Rs 1,500 crore residential platform in India. The partnership will provide DivyaSree growth capital to support the acquisition and development of residential projects over the next three to four years with the potential revenue of Rs 6,750 crore. The projects would be developed in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai. Vipul Roongta, Managing Director and CEO, HDFC Capital, said, India's residential real estate sector continues to offer strong opportunities for institutionally backed development, supported by sustained demand for high-quality housing across urban markets. DivyaSree Developers has a strong track record in real estate development, deep market understanding and a commitment to quality execution, he ...
Heavy rain disrupts Chennai as severe cyclone Murasu nears Andhra coast
Digital Desk | Chennai, Nov 2 (IANS) Heavy rain disrupted daily life across Chennai on Monday morning, leaving roads waterlogged and keeping civic teams on alert as severe cyclonic storm Murasu moved over the Bay of Bengal towards the Andhra Pradesh coast. Northern neighbourhoods recorded some of the heaviest rainfall, with Parrys receiving 149.2 mm in the 24 hours ending at 6 a.m. on Monday. New Manali Town registered 141.6 mm, followed by Manali with 136.2 mm, according to the Greater Chennai Corporations Integrated Command and Control Centre. The corporations rainfall report showed very heavy rain at five monitoring locations and heavy rain at another 28. The latter included locations in Madhavaram, Puzhal, Manali, Ennore, Basin Bridge and parts of Tondiarpet, highlighting the widespread impact of the continuing wet spell across northern Chennai. Moderate rainfall was recorded at 25 locations, including Korattur, Ayapakkam, Valasaravakkam, Alandur, Pallikaranai and Sholinganallur. The distribution showed that southern and western neighbourhoods also received rain, although the highest totals were concentrated in the northern parts of the city. Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner G.S. Sameeran inspected water stagnation on Besant Road in Triplicane and reviewed the civic response. He also visited the Integrated Command and Control Centre at the Ripon Building to assess relief measures and monitoring operations. Senior corporation officials and field teams remained on alert to drain waterlogged roads and maintain essential services in affected neighbourhoods. The control centre continued monitoring conditions as civic personnel attended to rain-related problems across the city. Meanwhile, rough waves lashed Chennais beaches on Monday morning as the cyclonic system intensified, adding to the unsettled weather along the coast. According to the India Meteorological Departments bulletin issued at 5 a.m., Murasu had strengthened into a severe cyclonic storm. At 2.30 a.m., its centre lay approximately 260 km east-northeast of Chennai and 290 km east-southeast of Nellore. The weather department said the storm was expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, between midnight on November 2 and the early hours of November 3. The system was packing sustained winds of 100110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph, according to the bulletin. With the storm approaching the Andhra coast, Chennais civic response remained focussed on clearing accumulated rainwater, monitoring affected areas and sustaining essential services as the city continued to experience the wet spell. Meanwhile, anticipating the possibility of large-scale damage to electricity infrastructure, particularly uprooting of electric poles in areas likely to be affected by the cyclone, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday spoke to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay and Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar requesting them to send necessary personnel and machinery to Andhra Pradesh to undertake electricity infrastructure restoration works. According to an official release late on Sunday night, both Chief Ministers responded positively and assured of extending all possible assistance to Andhra Pradesh. Chandrababu Naidu informed them that Andhra Pradesh officials would coordinate with their counterparts in the two states to facilitate the required support. Personnel from Telangana are already engaged in field-level operations to restore the electricity infrastructure damaged by Cyclone Arnab. As a precautionary measure, the Andhra Pradesh Government has also kept electricity department personnel, who have completed restoration works in Cyclone Arnab-affected areas, ready for deployment in regions likely to be affected by Cyclone Murasu.
IMD update: Murasu skirts Chennai, heads to south AP as ports stay warned
Having come closest to Chennai coast at about 200 km over the seas, Murasu appeared to have skirted the city and was now heading towards its likely landfall zone along the South Andhra coast.
The News Mill
RRB NTPC UG CBT 2 Cut Off 2026 Out - Check Zone-Wise and Category-Wise Cutoff Marks
RRB NTPC UG CBT 2 Cut Off 2026 has been released from 30 October for CEN 07/2025. Check post-wise, category-wise and zone-wise cutoff marks for Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Bengaluru, Bilaspur, Chennai, Gorakhpur, Patna, Ranchi and Siliguri. Download the cutoff PDFs and check CBT 2 results and scorecards online. The CBTST is tentatively scheduled for 27 November 2026.
Chennai, Tiruvallur schools closed today as Cyclone Murasu brings heavy rain alert
Cyclone Murasu: Northeast monsoon rainfall in Chennai and neighbouring areas
Of the monitoring stations, 28 of them recorded heavy rainfall and five recorded very heavy rainfall with no location reported extremely heavy rainfall
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says a bullet train could link Bengaluru and Chennai in just 73 minutes. Today, the fastest train takes 4 hours 25 minutes, and others take up to 6 hours. A flight takes about an hour in the air. No date has been announced yet.
Bengaluru, November 2, 2026 (Udaipur Kiran): Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that the proposed South Bullet Train Corridor will connect Bengaluru with Hyderabad, Amaravati and Chennai. He South Bullet Train Corridor to Connect Bengaluru with Hyderabad, Amaravati and Chennai: Railway Minister Announces Plans
Gold and silver prices rebounded in international markets on November 2 after a sharp decline in the previous session. Comex gold gained 0.24% to $3,908.30 per ounce, while silver rose 1.05% to $49.795.
Tamil Nadu plans weekly ethnic wear day for govt employees
Cyclone Murasu: Heavy Rains Lash Chennai; Check IMD's Forecast For Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh
Heavy rain, strong winds, and rough seas are expected as the system nears the coast. Coastal residents and fishermen are strongly advised to avoid venturing into the sea for safety.
Chennai May Get Heavy Rains as Murasu Poised for Andhra Landfall
Moving west-northwestwards, it is likely to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur by Tuesday morning
Cyclone Murasu: Holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai and Tiruvallur
Chennai and Tiruvallur District Collectors have announced that schools and colleges in the districts will be closed on November 2 because of heavy rain
The Regional Meteorological Centre has issued an orange alert for Chennai and Tiruvallur on Monday, warning of very heavy rainfall of 12-20 cm in 24 hours.
Murasu strengthens into Severe Cyclonic Storm
The system may continue to move northwestwards and cross south Andhra Pradesh coast
Festive Oct drives EV sales to a record 3.5 lakh
Wind-solar hybrid projects can lower costs
AI-designed gold to bigger TVs: What drives Diwali shopping
Luxury cars shift into top gear
I was offered 5 crore to make someone Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram president: Rajmohan
According to him, for the first time in Tamil Nadu, every Minister in the Cabinet hates bribery and corruption
The cyclonic storm lay centred about 350 km east of Chennai, 400 km east-southeast of Nellore, 430 km southeast of Machilipatnam, 420 km east-southeast of Kavali, 450 km southeast of Ongole, and 520 km south of Visakhapatnam, according to IMD.
25 Cattle rescued while being transported to Keralam for slaughter
Road cave-in near Phoenix Mall brings Velachery traffic to a halt
Sea turtle season to start with awareness drives
GCC makes GPS-tagged photos, videos of road milling mandatory
Chennai may get moderate rain from Monday as Cyclone Murasu moves towards AP coast
Madras Christian College plans to restore wildlife corridors inside campus to protect spotted deer
Police seek cancellation of passport of Gem Veeramanis aide in connection with Pocso case probes
Tamil Nadu prisons transfers officials after Theni jailbreak
TN to set up 26 special courts for Pocso cases, four for drug trafficking
EPS demands reopening of Amma Clinics
Study says Solar-BESS plan can save TN 31,000 crore over new Tuticorin coal plant'
Chennai Corporation removes unauthorised hoardings, advertisements at 50 locations
TASMAC shops shut across several TN districts as workers protest bottle return workload
Digital Desk | Chennai, Nov 1 (IANS) TASMAC liquor outlets in Chennai and several other Tamil Nadu districts remained closed on Sunday as employees protested against the empty-bottle buy-back scheme, demanding additional manpower, adequate storage space and better working conditions before its implementation. More than 50 employees representing Chennai district TASMAC workers unions gathered outside the corporations depot in Ambattur. Shop closures were also reported in Tiruvallur, Madurai, Erode, Karur, Vellore, Kanyakumari and Krishnagiri, as workers opposed the additional responsibilities associated with collecting and processing returned bottles. The protest coincided with the introduction of revised liquor prices on November 1. Under the revised arrangement, outlets will no longer collect Rs 10 separately towards the bottle-return scheme when liquor is purchased. Consumers will, however, continue to receive Rs 10 for each eligible empty bottle returned, subject to verification. Customers can hand over empty bottles at any TASMAC outlet, irrespective of where they purchased the liquor. Employees said the scheme had been introduced without adequately addressing practical difficulties at retail outlets. They cited limited space for storing bottles and the workload involved in scanning and handling them. One protesting employee said TASMAC should either engage workers through an external agency or install automated bottle-collection machines at every outlet. Existing staff could not be expected to shoulder the additional burden without sufficient support, the employee added. According to the latest directive, staff deployed at individual outlets will collect empty bottles and hand them over to approved vendors. This arrangement will continue until a reverse vendor is selected through a tender process. To support the additional work during the interim period, outlets within Greater Chennai Corporation limits will receive up to Rs 2,000 a day. Shops in other municipal corporations will receive Rs 1,800 daily, while those in municipalities and town panchayats will get Rs 1,600. Village panchayat outlets will receive Rs 1,500. Workers, however, said financial reimbursements would not resolve their concerns. They demanded practical arrangements for bottle collection and storage, alongside measures to address longstanding deficiencies in workplace facilities. Employees particularly highlighted the absence of toilets at several shops, saying basic needs had remained neglected despite years of service. The protesters maintained that the administration must address staffing shortages, infrastructure constraints and working conditions instead of relying on existing employees to manage the bottle-return system alongside their regular sales duties.
Balagurusamy urges CM to reconsider five-year age relaxation for govt jobs
25 cattle transported for slaughter without proper documents rescued near Maraimalai Nagar
Over a thousand e-waste items collected in GCC drive
Dark streets will cost contractors as GCC sets 24-hour repair deadline
How Tamil Nadus language policy is worsening a class divide
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Southern Bullet Train Corridor which will connect Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Amaravati, and Chennai. This high-speed rail project aims to reduce travel time significantly between these economic hubs. The Bengaluru-Chennai journey will take just 73 minutes, while Bengaluru-Hyderabad will take about two hours and 10 minutes.
Gem Veeramani case: Greater Chennai Police seek cancellation of Prakash Kanniahs passport
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to probe the POCSO Act cases involving the businessman and others conducted an Identification Parade at the Puzhal central prison for one of the victims to identify the accused persons.
Digi Yatra International Trials Begin At 7 Airports
The trials are being conducted at Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, Mumbai, Chennai and Amritsar airports.
MRF Indian National Racing Challenge: Chiranth edges Sarthak, bags a double
Coimbatores Senthil Kumar (Rockers Racing) and Anandhu from Chennai (Veedol C2 Racing) also completed a double apiece in the Super Stock 301-400cc Open and Super Stock 165cc Intermediate classes, respectively
WTT Feeder Chennai: Manav wins maiden international crown; Sutirtha finishes runner-up
EPS urges Tamil Nadu govt to revive Amma pharmacies, ensure affordable medicines
Digital Desk | Chennai, Nov 1 (IANS) AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Sunday accused the Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay of neglecting affordable healthcare and demanded the restoration of Amma pharmacies to provide medicines at subsidised prices. In a statement, Palaniswami alleged that the governments failure to address rising medicine prices was placing an increasing burden on poor and middle-class families, particularly those dependent on lifesaving drugs. He recalled that former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa launched Amma pharmacies through the cooperative sector in 2014 to make essential medicines available at affordable prices. The initiative, he said, followed concerns over pharmaceutical companies charging excessively for their products. Palaniswami said the AIADMK government under his leadership subsequently expanded the pharmacy network across Tamil Nadu, helping patients reduce their medical expenditure and improving access to treatment. He alleged that the DMK government, which assumed office in 2021, undermined the initiative, discontinued Amma pharmacy operations and promoted an alternative under the Chief Ministers Pharmacy banner with private participation. The present government, he claimed, had also failed to give the outlets adequate attention. Citing the All India Drug Action Network, Palaniswami said concerns persisted over pharmaceutical companies selling certain lifesaving medicines at prices involving profit margins exceeding 30 per cent. He also referred to proceedings in the Supreme Court on October 27 concerning medicine pricing, saying the court had sought explanations from the Centre and states about prices charged at hospitals. Palaniswami contrasted the governments approach to medicine affordability with its projected additional annual revenue of Rs 1,200 crore to Rs 1,600 crore through increased taxation on liquor sold through TASMAC outlets. He urged the government to make Amma pharmacies fully operational and ensure affordable medicines reach vulnerable households, asking whether it would prioritise the healthcare needs of ordinary people and act to ease their financial burden.
Storm Murasu to bring very heavy rains over north Tamil Nadu
Isolated places over Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet and Nilgiris districts are likely to get heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning on Monday, November 2
Tamil Nadu to set up 26 new POCSO courts, four courts for drug cases
Digital Desk | Chennai, Nov 1 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu government has ordered the establishment of 26 additional special courts exclusively to try cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, strengthening the judicial infrastructure to speed up trials and ensure timely justice for victims. The courts, approved following directions from Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, will be established at a cost of Rs 46.59 crore. The government has also sanctioned four new special courts to handle cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. According to an official statement, the decision to expand the POCSO court network followed a review chaired by the Chief Minister on cases pending across the state. During the meeting, Vijay examined the status of cases and assessed the requirement for additional courts dedicated to trying child sexual abuse offences. He directed officials to take immediate steps to establish POCSO courts across all districts, accelerate investigations and ensure that those found guilty receive punishment in accordance with the law. Tamil Nadu currently has 22 functioning special POCSO courts, while four more are set to become operational. The latest sanction covers 12 new special courts and 14 additional special courts, taking the planned statewide strength to 52. These courts will serve the states 47 police districts and exclusively hear cases registered under the POCSO Act. The government said the expansion would help address the backlog, facilitate faster trials and strengthen efforts to prevent such offences. The statement said the administration had been pursuing various initiatives to combat crimes against women and children, ensure prompt legal action against offenders and provide victims with justice within a reasonable timeframe. Separately, the government approved four additional NDPS courts as part of its Drug-Free Tamil Nadu campaign, which seeks to curb drug trafficking and consumption. One special court each will be established in Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, and Vellore, while Chennai will receive an additional special court. The state currently has 11 special courts dealing with NDPS cases. The government said the fresh sanction reflected the need to accelerate the trial and disposal of pending drug cases. The additional courts are intended to strengthen judicial proceedings and support the states wider anti-drug efforts. Together, the two decisions will expand the capacity of the justice system to handle child sexual abuse and narcotics cases, the statement said.
Civil Supplies officials seize 71 tonnes PDS rice near Katpadi
Investigations found that the consignment was proceeding to Chennai Port from a private rice mill on the outskirts of Bengaluru where the PDS rice was loaded for shipment
Digital Desk | Bengaluru, Nov 1 (IANS) Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday announced that the proposed South Bullet Train corridor would connect Bengaluru with Hyderabad, Amaravati, and Chennai, while a Vande Bharat train service between Bengaluru and Mangaluru would be introduced in the coming weeks after the completion of electrification and testing work. In his remarks on the occasion of the flagging off of the Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Bengaluru and Mumbai on the occasion of Karnataka Rajyotsava, Vaishnaw said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had approved the South Bullet Train corridor, which would integrate major technology and economic centres in the region and create a multiplier effect for southern states. He said the proposed corridor would significantly reduce travel time, with the journey between Bengaluru and Chennai expected to take just 73 minutes and Bengaluru and Hyderabad around two hours and 10 minutes. These two cities, Bengaluru and Chennai, will become one city, he said, adding that the connectivity would strengthen economic integration among major cities in southern India. Vaishnaw said that as India moved towards the goal of Viksit Bharat, the Prime Minister had approved 4,000 km of bullet train corridors, and another 3,000 km would be announced in the coming days. He expressed confidence that the proposed Bengaluru-Pune bullet train corridor, which would cover the northern parts of Karnataka, would also become a reality. Referring to the demand for better railway connectivity along the Karnataka coast, the Union Minister said Mangaluru was an important city, and that electrification and testing work on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru route would be completed in the next few weeks. We will have a Mangaluru-Bengaluru Vande Bharat train. That will connect the entire region with very good, high-class connectivity, he said. Vaishnaw also announced plans for another Vande Bharat Sleeper service in Karnataka, which would connect Bengaluru with northern Karnataka, travel towards Hubballi, and proceed to Pune and Mumbai. On the route of the newly introduced Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Bengaluru and Mumbai, he said the train would travel from Bengaluru through Guntakal in Andhra Pradesh before re-entering Karnataka through Raichur, Yadgir, and Kalaburagi and proceeding to Maharashtra. He said the route would cover a significant portion of North Karnataka, which had not received adequate railway connectivity earlier. The route was finalised after consultations with Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi, H.D. Kumaraswamy, and V. Somanna. Recalling the commitment behind the introduction of the Vande Bharat Sleeper service, Vaishnaw said November 1, Karnataka Rajyotsava, was an auspicious occasion to launch the service. He said the Prime Minister had guided the Railways to keep the common man and middle-class families in mind while introducing modern railway services, ensuring that the poorest of the poor, youth and women also benefited. Keeping this in mind, three different types of trains Namo Bharat, Amrit Bharat, and Vande Bharat have been introduced, and their services are being made available to people, he said. Vaishnaw said the new sleeper service would connect Bengaluru, the country's technology and start-up capital, with Mumbai, the financial capital. During his address, Union Minister Joshi stood up to congratulate Vaishnaw following his announcement on the proposed bullet train corridor. Subsequently, the leaders joined hands and raised slogans of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat. Vaishnaw attributed the expansion of railway infrastructure and improved connectivity to the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, saying the initiatives were contributing to building a new image for India.
Tamil Nadu Day: Vijay government celebrates November 1; DMK says July 18 is the right date
Let us pledge to protect the art and culture of Tamils and make Mother Tamil proud, said Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay
Digital Desk | Chennai, Nov 1 (IANS) In what turned out to be the race of the weekend, Chiranth Vishwanath, the 19-year-old from Bengaluru, held off his archrival and TVS Racing teammate, Sarthak Chavan of Pune, to complete a superb double in the premier Super Sport 301-400cc Open class as the third round of the Indian National Racing Challenge 2W 2026 concluded at the Madras International Circuit here on Sunday. The six-lap race, delayed by about 30 minutes following sharp showers in the afternoon, provided high drama and thrills as the countrys top riders battled it out. For a second day in succession, Chiranth held off Chavan to claim a memorable victory. Chiranth, winner of Race-1 on Saturday with a record lap time, Sarthak, and their younger teammate Rakshith Dave took turns to lead the pack. In fact, Rakshith looked set for a win when he led comfortably before almost slipping when negotiating a puddle of water, which cost him three spots, and he eventually finished fourth behind Thiruvallurs Mohamed Mikail (MadRabbit Racing). Up ahead, leader Sarthak and Chiranth were locked in a titanic fight. The decisive moment came in the closing stages when Chiranth roared past Sarthak, who had a 'moment' and lost position. The Bengaluru rider went on to register his second win of the weekend while Sarthak again had to be content with a P2 finish. Earlier, Bengalurus 19-year-old Savion Sabu delivered another strong performance as he led a maiden podium sweep for the MadRabbit Racing team besides achieving a double this weekend in the Pro-Stock 200cc Open class. Savion managed to stave off close attention from teammates Mohamed Mikail (Thiruvallur) and AS James (Bengaluru). Coimbatores Senthil Kumar (Rockers Racing) and Anandhu KK from Chennai (Veedol C2 Racing) completed a double apiece in the Super Stock 301-400cc Open and Super Stock 165cc Intermediate classes, respectively. Local challenger Venugopalan S. (Motul Sparks Racing) scored his first win in the extremely competitive Stock 301-400cc Novice class. The podium spots were up for grabs until the last lap when Venugopalan surged ahead, with Trichys Kavicholaiarasan (Speed Up Racing) and Shyam Sundar (M3 Torque Motorsports) finishing behind him in that order. Pothu Vignesh from Mancherial, Telangana, notched his third win in six starts to finish second and maintained his top position in the points tally in the Experts category. Bengalurus Dev Agastya Reddy finished second, ahead of Godwin Clarence from Coimbatore. The Indian National Racing Challenge 2W 2026 will take a two-month break and resume in January 2027. The results (Provisional all 6 laps unless mentioned): Super Sport 301-400cc Open (Race-2): 1. Chiranth Vishwanath (Bengaluru, Petronas TVS Racing) (11min, 09.613sec); 2. Sarthak Chavan (Pune, Petronas TVS Racing) (11:09.870); 3. Mohamed Mikail (Thiruvallur, MadRabbit Racing) (11:11.383). Pro-Stock 200cc Open (Race-2): 1. Savion Sabu (Bengaluru, MadRabbit Racing) (11:51.669); 2. Mohamed Mikail (Thiruvallur, MadRabbit Racing) (11:52.361); 3. AS James (Bengaluru, MadRabbit Racing) (11:54.026). Super Stock 301-400cc Open (Race-2): 1. Senthil Kumar (Coimbatore, Team RACR Castrol Power1) (11:28.204); 2. Abdul Basim RS (Chennai, Chandra LGE Racing) (11:28.544); 3. P Sri Harsha (Hyderabad, Motul Gusto Racing) (11:36.386). Super Stock 165cc Intermediate (Race-2): 1. Anandhu KK (Chennai, Veedol C2 Racing) (12:42.998); 2. Ann Jennifer AS (Chennai, Motul Sparks Racing) (12:43.277); 3. Anand Kumar S (Chennai, Ipone Yakuza Racing) (12:51.912). Stock 301-400 Novice (Race-2): 1. Venugopalan S (Chennai, Motul Sparks Racing) (12:20.189); 2. Kavicholaiarasan (Trichy, Speed Up Racing) (12:23.133); 3. Shyam Sundar K (Chennai, M3 Torque Motorsports) (12:25.506). Stock 165cc Novice (Race-2) 3 laps: 1. Hari Haran R (Coimbatore, RACR Castrol Power 1) (06:36.460); 2. Akarsh Jangam (Vijayawada, MAI Racing) (06:36.616); 3. Faruk Ali Sohtun (East Khasi, Motul Sparks Racing) (06:37.309). Petronas TVS One-Make Championship: Expert (Apache RR 310) Race-2: 1. Rajender Beedani (Hyderabad) (11:32.870); 2. Hari Haran R (Coimbatore) (11:33.963); 3. AS James (Bengaluru) (11:39.270). Rookie (Apache RTR 200) Race-2: 1. Pothu Vignesh (Mancherial) (13:13.874); 2. Dev Agastya (Bengaluru) (13:14.006); 3. Godwin Clarence C (Coimbatore) (13:14.518).
POCSO Accused Arrested in Chennai After Going Missing From Hospital
The man was accused of sexually harassing an eight-year-old girl while she was travelling in his auto-rickshaw to school on October 30
Cramped truck, no food or water: 25 cattle being taken to Keralam for slaughter rescued
Auto Driver Arrested In POCSO Case
A 61-year-old auto-rickshaw driver in Chennai was arrested for sexually harassing an eight-year-old girl. He was apprehended after fleeing a government hospital where he was admitted following an assault by the girl's family.
Chennai city to get 36 new parks and 11 playgrounds
GCC plans 36 new parks and 11 playgrounds in nine zones, targeting expanded access to parks and recreation as part of a 1.5 lakh crore Tamil Nadu urban development push
MS Dhoni Will Become Batting Coach And Mentor: Ex CSK Star's Prediction Unnerves Fans
Former CSK batter Badrinath suggests MS Dhoni may retire as a player ahead of the IPL 2027 season and become mentor and batting coach for Chennai Super Kings.
With India set to lose its place on the WTA main Tour calendar, Vaishnavi Adkar, Sahaja Yamalapalli and Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi will have one final opportunity to make their mark on home soil when the third and last edition of the Chennai Open begins Monday.
Jensi Kanabar: The Teen Tennis Sensation And Her Father's Dream
14-year-old Jensi Kanabar, a wildcard entry, made a significant impact at the WTA 250 Chennai Open, pushing a higher-ranked opponent to three sets. Her inspiring journey is largely due to the unwavering dedication of her father, Dipakbhai Kanabar, who sacrificed his career to support her tennis dreams, building a network of support and even arranging practice facilities. Her achievements have been recognised in her hometown, with a tennis court named in her honour.
Chennais Kasimedu Fish Market Sees Revival After Months of Drought
After months of decline, Chennais Kasimedu Fish Market is bustling again with rising fish prices and eager customers. Chennais Kasimedu Fish Market Sees Revival After Months of Drought
As everyone is looking forward to a grand celebration, Anirudh Ravichander and Kavya Maran have reportedly shared their wedding date, in the picturesque landscapes of Greece. A lavish reception will be held in Chennai on November 21, with esteemed political figures being invited to join in the festivities. Read on!
'Fire Them By Friday': Chennai IT Manager's Anonymous Account Hits A Nerve
On Reddit, the account became the backdrop to a familiar Indian employment debate: how much is job security worth?
Making Diwali One of a Kind(ness)
Deepavali countdown: the packer is now the shopping services provider too
As Deepavali approaches,shops that traditionallypacked and shipped sweets, dresses and other festive items brought to themby customers, to addresses within India and abroad, might now be shopping for those items before having them packed. These are customers who would be strapped for time and expect the packing and shipping services provider to take care of the shopping component as well for an additional fee. K.M. Gani of Mylapore-based Queens Abroad Packers weighs in on this trend
TN govt makes GPS mandatory for mineral trucks, halts permits from today
Digital Desk | Chennai, Nov 1 (IANS) Trucks transporting minerals in Tamil Nadu will no longer receive transport permits or transit passes without AIS 140-compliant GPS devices, with the state government enforcing the requirement from Sunday after the final extended deadline expired on October 31. The geology and mining department announced the decision on Saturday, making installation of the prescribed tracking devices and their integration with its online portal mandatory for vehicles engaged in mineral transportation across the state. The department also warned of enforcement action against violations. Vehicles found carrying minerals without GPS devices and valid permits would be inspected and seized, while criminal proceedings would be initiated against their owners, according to its release. The requirement forms part of the governments efforts to prevent illegal quarrying and unauthorised movement of minerals. By linking mineral-carrying vehicles to its digital system, the department seeks to strengthen oversight of transportation and curb movement outside the permit framework. Under the directions, operators must install GPS devices that comply with the AIS 140 standard and connect them to the Mineral Management System, known as MIMAS. Fitting a device alone does not fulfil the requirement; integration with the departments portal is also necessary. The latest deadline followed a series of extensions granted for compliance. The original deadline for installing the devices was March 31, 2026. The government subsequently planned to stop issuing transit passes to vehicles without the required equipment from September 1. However, the compliance deadline was extended to September 30 and then again to October 31, allowing vehicle owners additional time to install the devices and complete the portal-linking process. That period has now ended, bringing the permit restrictions into effect. The November 1 measure directly links access to transport documentation with compliance with the GPS requirement. Owners seeking permits or transit passes for mineral-carrying trucks must therefore ensure that their vehicles meet both the installation and online integration conditions. The announcement combines restrictions at the permit-issuing stage with action against vehicles found transporting minerals in violation of the requirements. The departments warning makes clear that owners could face criminal proceedings in addition to seizure of their vehicles. With the extended deadline over, the department has placed responsibility on vehicle owners to complete the prescribed GPS installation and MIMAS integration before seeking the documents required to transport minerals legally.
Another cyclone threat over Bay of Bengal; heavy rain forecast in TN
Digital Desk | Chennai, Nov 1 (IANS) A low-pressure system over the southeast Bay of Bengal and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands region is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm within 24 hours, the Meteorological Department said, forecasting rain across several parts of Tamil Nadu over the next three days. The forecast indicates moderate rainfall across the northern coastal belt, the Western Ghats districts and several interior districts on Sunday. Heavy rain is expected in isolated areas of Nilgiris, Tiruvallur, Cuddalore and Villupuram over the following two days, while other parts of the state could receive lighter showers. According to the department, Tamil Nadus northern coastal districts and districts along the Western Ghats are likely to receive moderate rain on Sunday. Similar conditions are forecast for Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Namakkal, Salem, Erode and Karur. Elsewhere in the state, light rain is likely at one or two places. The forecast points to variations in rainfall across Tamil Nadu, with moderate showers expected in the specified coastal, hill and interior areas and more limited rainfall in the remaining regions. For Monday (November 2), the department has forecast heavy rainfall in Nilgiris and Tiruvallur districts. Some places elsewhere in Tamil Nadu are likely to experience light to moderate showers during the day. Cuddalore and Villupuram are expected to receive heavy rain on both Monday and Tuesday, November 2 and 3. These two districts, therefore, feature in the heavy-rain forecast for two consecutive days as the weather system over the Bay of Bengal develops. Moderate rainfall is also likely at one or two places in the Western Ghats districts and northern Tamil Nadu during the forecast period. Other parts of the state may receive light to moderate rainfall, according to the department. In Chennai, skies are expected to remain partly cloudy on Sunday. Light to moderate rain, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, is likely in some parts of the city. The forecast indicates localised showers rather than rainfall across the entire city. The district-wise outlook places the immediate focus on moderate rain on Sunday, followed by heavier spells in selected districts from Monday. Nilgiris and Tiruvallur are covered by Mondays heavy rain prediction, while Cuddalore and Villupuram could experience heavy showers through Tuesday. The anticipated intensification of the Bay of Bengal system forms the backdrop to the departments latest rainfall outlook for Tamil Nadu.
Gold, silver prices today, 1 November: Check retail price of 18K, 22K and 24K gold and 999 Fine silver on Sunday in your cities Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai.
CRS extends authorisation for Chennai Metro Rails phase II stretch
According to officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) the train services will continue as usual and there will not be any impact
Devotees worried over conduct of Kandasashti festival at Kandakottam temple
SRIHER hosts national conference on qualitative nursing research
Police search for POCSO accused who went missing from hospital
Ayur AI Integrative Diabetes Centre launched in Chennai
DMK MLA quizzed for over two hours over remarks against CM
Youth dies after car hits motorcycle in Kotturpuram
Madhan succumbed to his injuries at the Government Royapettah Hospital
SRM Prime hospital lights up in pink for breast cancer awareness month
Cab driver arrested for abusing elderly woman and throwing her luggage on road
Tamil Nadu government orders withdrawal of 65 cases against NEET protesters
Inauguration of Bharat Sangeet Utsav held
GCC is also exploring the establishment of dedicated paediatric dialysis facilities for children in the 1018 years age group at Valluvarkottam
