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Monday, October 12, 2026

NEWS TODAY 12.10.2026

Panic buying in Maduraias rice prices cross 90/kg

12.10.2026

Ram.Sundaram @timesofindia.com

Madurai: Panic buying gripped Madurai over the weekend as fine-rice prices crossed 90/kg, with reports of further increases triggering queues outside shops. Newspaper reports warning of price increases up to 500 per 25-kg bag, amplified by WhatsApp messages, prompted households to purchase additional stocks.

Tamil Nadu Rice Mill Owners Association held a press conference on Sunday, urging consumers against panic buying and clarifying that the state faced no overall rice shortage. Association president M R Dinesh Singh told TOI that poor rainfall had affected paddy production, particularly fine varieties such as Ponni, RNR and Sona Masoori. Tamil Nadu depends heavily on Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana for these varieties, while reduced production in the Cauvery delta has tightened supplies.

“Yes, there is some panic buying. It is contributing to a gradual increase in prices,” Singh said, adding prices could remain elevated until Jan, when the next harvest begins arriving, provided the northeast monsoon supports cultivation. Tamil Nadu govt said it had over nine lakh tonnes of rice in reserve, enough to sustain PDS supplies for three month

Chennai-bound flight diverted after passenger’s device catches fire

12.10.2026

New Delhi: An IndiGo flight operating from Delhi to Chennai on Sunday had to be diverted to Hyderabad after battery of a passenger’s personal electronic device (PED) caught fire. The crew put the device in water and then the aircraft safely diverted to Hyderabad.

“6E 6115 was diverted to Hyderabad after smoke was detected from a customer’s PED. The cabin crew responded promptly and the situation was brought under control. In line with established protocols, the pilots diverted the flight and landed safely at Hyderabad,” an IndiGo spokesperson said.

The power bank with the lithium ion battery that caught fire was kept in the overhead baggage bin. Many countries, including India, mandate that the same be kept in front of passengers so that they can quickly spot when, and if, they start emitting smoke and/or catch fire. The idea is to avoid any delay. The biggest scare remains airlines taking cabin bags from passengers at the boarding gate to be kept in baggage hold of aircraft.

These bags may have PEDs and power banks, and if a fire breaks out in them in the belly baggage hold, the same won’t get detected easily. “An alternate aircraft has been arranged to continue the journey to Chennai. We regret the inconvenience and are making all efforts to minimise it including offering refreshments and sharing timely updates,” the spokesperson said.

Tambaram railway station to get 9 more lifts, 10 escalators by Dec

Christopher.M@timesofindia.com 12.10.2026

Chennai: Moving between platforms at Tambaram railway station, especially during peak hours, is an herculean task for many. But the commute could soon become easier as Southern Railway is expediting the installation of nine additional lifts and 10 escalators, with the facilities to be commissioned in phases from Nov.

The facility will essentially help senior citizens and people with disabilities. Of the nine lifts being installed to connect platforms to the new 8m-wide foot over bridge and station entrances, seven are complete. Two lifts at the western entry have received the necessary licence, while approach pathway work is under way.

Five others — one each at platforms 1-2, 3-4 and 9-10, and two at the eastern entry — are awaiting statutory inspection and licensing. These are expected to open for passengers by this month. Commuters often depend on staircases to reach platforms and foot over bridges, making movement difficult for elderly passengers, people with disabilities, and those carrying luggage.

R Saravanan, a senior citizen and regular commuter, said, “The bigger question is how well they will be maintained. At several stations, these facilities stop working within days, forcing passengers to use stairs again. The railway should carry out regular maintenance and ensure that repairs are done quickly.”

Meanwhile, installation of 10 escalators connected to the new foot over bridge is also progressing. These include two at the western entry, two connecting Platforms 3-4 and one connecting Platforms 9-10. They are expected to open by mid-Nov. The remaining five escalators, including those connecting Platforms 1-2, 5-6 and 7-8 and the eastern entry are targeted for commissioning by end of Dec.

Railway officials said the additional facilities would improve connectivity between platforms, foot over bridges, and station entrances, reduce dependence on staircases, and help manage passenger movement during peak hours. A senior railway official said, “The installation works are being checked regularly. Teams are working on a priority basis to complete pending works, inspections and licensing procedures. Action will be taken to finish the work at the earliest.”