Kilambakkam bus terminus to open partially before elections

Kilambakkam bus terminus to open partially before elections

The portion which caters to MTC buses will be opened now, and the file has been sent to the government.

Published: 23rd February 2021 04:51 AM 

Work for a mega bus terminus in progress at Kilambakkam on the outskrirts of the city despite stumbling blocks | SUNISH P SURENDRAN

By C Shivakumar

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The new mofussil bus terminus at Kilambakkam, for which the foundation was laid last year, will open partially before the model code of conduct comes into force for the Assembly elections.Official source told Express that the bus terminus could open by the end of this month through video-conferencing.

The portion which caters to MTC buses will be opened now, and the file has been sent to the government. The bus terminus is being built to cater to south-bound buses, and there is also a plan to link it with the Metro linking the airport stretch. It is learnt that the first phase extension from Chennai Airport to Kilambakkam where the new terminus is proposed is likely to be 16-km stretch along the GST Road. The feasibility study has been completed and the stretch will be an elevated one, said sources.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the entire terminus would take at least five to six months more to get completed. Sources said there were design issues and a committee was formed to look into it. It is learnt that CMDA is mulling on going in for a new technology which will not only complete the work but also cut down cost and also ensure the earlier design doesn’t undergo change.

Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority is planning to change the construction methodology so that the elevation structures are being casted as pre-engineered structure, using structural steel members. The project, which was expected to be completed before March 2021, was delayed due to non-availability of migrant workforce following the pandemic. The new terminus once completed is expected to cater to about 1.5 lakh passengers with a parking space for 250 buses, 270 cars and 3,500 two-wheelers.

President to be chief guest at CUG convocation today

President to be chief guest at CUG convocation today

23.02.2021 

President Ram Nath Kovind will be the chief guest at the third convocation of Gandhinagar-based Central University of Gujarat (CUG) on Tuesday evening. The event will be held at Mahatma Mandir. Union education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal will also attend the convocation where 244 degrees including 73 PhDs will be awarded.

GNLU holds workshop on digital literacy

GNLU’s Centre for Women and Child Rights organized a workshop on Digital Literacy and Online Safety. Janice Varghese, a speaker at the event, said that application permissions are often overlooked by users. “One must also understand concepts of digital footprints, cybercrime and ways of redress,” she said. TNN

24-year-old physio hangs self

24-year-old physio hangs self

Was Unhappy About Man Her Parents Had Chosen For Her

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:23.02.2021 

A 24-year-old woman from the Kubernagar area of city on Sunday morning was found dead from a hotel room in the Vastrapur area of city. Police officers inquiring into the case said that she had committed suicide by hanging herself with a ceiling fan as she was not happy with her parents choosing a man as her groom whom she did not like.

The deceased was identified as Kajal Sachdev, a resident of Shivsagar Bungalows in Kubernagar. According to Vastrapur police, Sachdev had checked in in room number 207 on the second floor of the the hotel off Gurukul Road at around 3pm on Saturday.

“As she did not respond on Sunday, a hotel staffer informed the assistant manager about the guest’s suspicious behavious,” said a police officer.

“An assistant manager of the hotel called a technician to open the door. The technician opened the room door with a master key and found Sachdev hanging,” added the police officer.

The hotel staff called an ambulance and police for the further medicolegal procedure. “Paramedics of the 108 ambulance service declared her dead and police filed a complaint of accidental death and began an investigation after sending her body for a postmortem,” said the police officer.

The officer said that Sachdev was a physiotherapist who did not join any institute and working individually.

“She used to attend people in person to get rid them of their physical pain. However, she could not express her mental agony to anyone else,” said a police officer of Vastrapur.

He said that they have questioned a few friends and family members about the reason behind her suicide. “They told us that she was aggrieved with her arranged marriage. She did not want to marry that man. This could be the reason behind her suicide,” said the officer.

Court dismisses petition against intercaste marriage

Court dismisses petition against intercaste marriage

Anand.Bodh @timesgroup.com

Shimla:23.02.2021 

A girl is not cattle or a non-living thing but a living, independent soul having rights to exercise her discretion according to her wishes on attaining the age of discretion, said Himachal Pradesh high court as it disposed of a petition related to the marriage of an upper caste woman with a Scheduled Caste man.

The high court said that unlike ancient Western belief wherein a female was supposed to be created by God from the rib of a man for the enjoyment of man, in India, a female has always been considered not only equal but at a higher pedestal than the male since the Vedic era, except for evils of the medieval period, which must be eradicated in the present era.

Justice Vivek Singh Thakur said the woman was at liberty to go and reside wherever she wants and the opposition to marriage between a couple from different castes is the result of spiritual as well as religious ignorance leading to behaviour in violation of constitutional mandate.

The Constitution, said the judge, is an embodiment of ancient values of ‘Bhartiya society’. Independence of thought of an individual is a fundamental feature of the Indian culture. “We are living in a state governed by the Constitution and discrimination on the basis of caste by denying of right to choose a spouse is in violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India,” he added.

Suppressing or oppressing freedom of an individual, which is contrary not only to his/her spiritual and religious rights but also constitutional rights, is to be deprecated. Balance is to be maintained between individual, family, and societal interests, and that should be in consonance with the constitutional mandate, according to the judgment.

Blaming the evils of the medieval period for wrong perceptions that have clouded the rich values and principles of Indian culture and civilization, the judgment said that right to marry, or not to marry, as well as the right to choose a spouse is a well-recognized right in Indian society since ancient era. Inter-caste marriages were also permissible in ancient Indian society.

‘No one is to be discriminated on account of sex, caste, creed, race, colour, or financial status,’ the Himachal Pradesh high court judge said

I-T raids yield over ₹785cr black money

I-T raids yield over ₹785cr black money

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:23.02.2021 

Searches by the income tax department on two business groups in Bhopal and Pune over the last week have unearthed black money (unaccounted income) of more than Rs 785 crore.

In the first case, tax officials searched 22 premises of a soya products manufacturer in Satna, Mumbai, Solapur and Kolkata on Thursday and seized unaccounted cash of Rs 8 crore and Rs 44 lakh in foreign currency. The search team also found nine bank lockers which have been sealed for further investigation.

“Digital evidence has revealed undisclosed income of over Rs 450 crore,” the I-T department said. The search team has seized laptops, hard drives and pen drives from the accused.

In the Pune case, I-T officials found details of undisclosed income of Rs 335 crore of a business group based in Sangamner. Searches were conducted at 34 locations across Maharashtra on Wednesday.

Male nurse arrested for filming his co-workers, docs in changing room

Male nurse arrested for filming his co-workers, docs in changing room

Accused Is A Contract Worker

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:23.02.2021 

Tilaknagar police on Sunday arrested a male nurse on charges of secretly recording videos of women doctors and nurses by placing his mobile phone in recording mode inside a changing room near the operation theatre at a government hospital.

The accused is Maruthesh, 31, a resident of Jayanagar and from Chitradurga. Maruthesh was appointed as a nurse on contract basis at the government-run Institute of Trauma and Orthopaedics in souther n Bengaluru.

According to police, the incident came to light around 9.30am on Friday, when a 28-year-old doctor entered the room to change her dress. She found a mobile phone in the room and learnt that some miscreant had placed it secretly in video-recording mode. The young doctor checked the phone’s gallery. She found a few videos of nurses and other women employees changing clothes. She found that the miscreant had deleted many such videos.

“The doctor restored several deleted videos from the recycle bin. We learnt that the mobile phone belonged to Maruthesh, a staff nurse appointed on contract basis. He had recorded the videos,” the institute director alleged in his complaint filed on Saturday.

Never shared videos: Miscreant

Tilaknagar police registered a case under IPC section 354C (voyeurism) and 201 (destroying evidence) against Marutesh, who confessed to his crime. He allegedly recorded the videos for personal viewing. “Marutesh claimed that he never shared the videos with any one. We have seized his mobile phone for forensic investigation, which may reveal how many videos he recorded, whether he shared them with anyone before he deleted them and other information,” said police.

Police produced Maruthesh before court, which remanded him in judicial custody.

A young doctor entered the changing room and found a mobile phone inside. She checked the phone’s gallery and found videos of nurses and other women employees changing clothes. Maruthesh had also deleted many of them

Just because he wants to look after child, man can’t stop maintenance to wife: HC

Just because he wants to look after child, man can’t stop maintenance to wife: HC

Vasantha.Kumar@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:23.02.2021 

Merely because a father is ready to take care of his child, he is not permitted to discontinue the maintenance he is required to pay his wife who has proved she is unable to maintain herself, the high court observed, while rejecting the review petition filed by a Bengalurean.

Nagesh (name changed), a resident of Bengaluru, had challenged a November 12, 2013 order of the family court directing him to pay Rs 10,000 per month as maintenance to his wife and minor daughter.

According to Nagesh, his wife Shanthi (name changed) had a diploma in commercial practice and was capable of earning a livelihood. He further claimed she had resigned from her job just to compel him to pay maintenance. He also stated that he wanted to look after his daughter.

On the other hand, his wife claimed she had quit the job to look after their daughter, who had a vision-related problem. She said Nagesh was employed in a private firm, earned a good salary and also had a house and agricultural property.

Considering the rival claims, Justice HB Prabhakara Sastry noted the child being a minor is unable to maintain herself. “A mere statement in the revision petition by the father that he desires to take care of his daughter would not exonerate him from giving maintenance to the child in compliance of the family court order,” the judge observed.

The man had challenged a family court order directing him to pay monthly maintenance of Rs 10,000 to his wife and minor daughter

Docs say cold, cough on the rise, warn of second wave

Docs say cold, cough on the rise, warn of second wave

Sunitha.Rao@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:  23.02.2021 

Cases of flu, common cold and cough are on the rise in Bengaluru and while doctors attribute it to sudden showers and a dip in temperature, they do not rule out the possibility of Covid-19 infection.

Flu clinics in private hospitals, that were empty for the past couple of months, are seeing a spike in patients with typical Covid symptoms. Doctors say if the fever persists for more than three days and is accompanied by body pain, people must get a Covid test done. They say it is important to consult a doctor rather than resort to self-medication.

Dr Ramana Rao, a physician, said there has been a 10% rise in fever cases. “This is over the past week. These are not Covid cases, but it’s a warning to be additionally careful. Two out of 30 fever cases I saw tested positive for Covid,” Dr Rao said.

Some doctors say it could be a sign of a second Covid-19 wave. Dr Rao said the scenario was similar in February 2020. “Since most healthcare workers have been vaccinated, hospitals should be able to manage a second wave better,” he said.

Vikram Hospital has reopened its flu clinic which was shut for the past month. “We see 10-12 cases of fever, cold and cough daily,” said Dr Pramod V Satya, consultant, internal medicine, Vikram Hospital. “A change in weather can lead to allergies presenting with cough, cold, but fever suggests an infection. These are typical influenzalike-illnesses (ILI), but the time of taking the Covid test also matters.”

Dr Satya said Covid presents on the 5th or 6th day of infection. “We have seen 10 cases with fever but were Covid negative. In many cases, RT-PCR test is repeated after 48 hours. It was a similar trend last year and this could be the beginning of a second wave.”

He said the severity of Covid-19 infections may have decreased. “Those with symptoms must self-quarantine to prevent spread of the virus,” Dr Satya said.

Dr Ravindra Mehta, chief of pulmonology, Apollo hospitals, concurred. “They look like viral infections, but we’ve never done tests for all viral infections so it’s impossible to say,” he said.

Dr Carolin Elizabeth George, head, community health and research division, Bangalore Baptist hospital said there is a significant rise in both allergic and influenza cases, but not Covid. “However, we should be vigilant,” said Dr George.

The trend is apparent at Bowring and Lady Curzon hospital too. Dr CN Reddy, associate professor, paediatrics, Bowring hospital, said: “There is an increase in patients with cold and cough over the past week. All such cases have been referred to Victoria hospital for Covid-19 testing as well.”

RAMPING IT UP: Healthcare workers collect swab samples from people arriving on interstate buses in Bengaluru on Monday

Napkin-vending machines at metro stns

Napkin-vending machines at metro stns

23.02.2021 

Chennai metro rail will on Tuesday inaugurate sanitary napkin-vending machines at 39 stations and the CMRL administration building at Koyambedu. Industries minister M C Sampath and Pradeep Yadav, MD of CMRL, will attend the event. TNN

No more govt ads in newspapers, TV: TN to HC

No more govt ads in newspapers, TV: TN to HC

Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai:23.02.2021 

The Tamil Nadu government will not issue advertisements in newspapers and televisions any more, as all such advertisements had been stopped since February 18, the government informed the Madras high court on Monday.

The submission was made by advocate-general Vijay Narayan, in response to a plea by the opposition DMK taking exception to the AIADMK government spending crores of rupees of public funds ‘to lure voters’ through advertisements in almost all television channels and newspapers.

“The advertisements were issued only to showcase the performance of the state government for the past four years. All such activities will be stopped once the Election Commission Of India (ECI) notifies election for the state,” advocate-general Vijay Narayan said. Actually, the matter has become infructuous since the government has stopped issuing such advertisements from Thursday, he added.

Earlier, representing DMK, senior advocate P Wilson said, free and fair elections and purity in elections are basic features of the constitution. The chief minister of the state is indulging in advertising in all TV channels, newspapers and all websites commercial internet sites pampering and projecting him for the past two months.

On October 7, 2016 ECI issued directions to all political parties to resist from indulging in such acts and clarified that it would attract freezing of election symbols. DMK has made representation citing violation of the direction in January and February 2021 but so far, the ECI has not taken any action, Wilson said. To this, the first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy said these are the advantages of being a ruling party and DMK would also get the advantage once it comes to power.

Senior advocate G Rajagopal, appearing for the ECI, submitted that the commission had called for remarks from AIADMK and was awaiting reply. He further sought time for filing a status report. Granting time till March 2, the bench adjourned the hearing.

Flyover is covered with posters 1 week after inauguration

Flyover is covered with posters 1 week after inauguration

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:23.02.2021 

Within a week of inauguration of Keelkattalai flyover along Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam Radial Road, pillars and parts of the one arm of the flyover open for traffic have been defaced with posters, including that of the ruling party.

The AIADMK workers pasted posters wishing former CM J Jayalalithaa ahead of her 73rd birth anniversary on Wednesday. The pillars are wrapped in political, wedding and advertising posters.

“What irks us the most is miscreants were able to do this despite the presence of traffic police personnel most of the times at the Echangadu intersection,” said K Swaminathan, of Kilkattalai. With the election nearing, the menace is only going to increase. “It won’t be a surprise if parties take over all flyovers and use them for poster campaigning,” said R Nirmal, another resident.

A highways department engineer said they have not received a complaint and would clean up the flyover.

The courts have time and again come down heavily on the political parties for defacing streets and walls. In 2015, while hearing a PIL on the issue, the Madras high court had said, “The government must collect the cost of cleanup from those who deface public places.”

EYESORE: Posters of political parties on Keelkattalai flyover

Metro rail users struggle as in-train route maps don’t mention new stns

Metro rail users struggle as in-train route maps don’t mention new stns

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:23.02.2021 

It has been a week since metro rail commenced services in north Chennai, but electronic route maps in the coaches are yet to be updated to include the new stations on the 9km metro line from Washermenpet to Wimco Nagar. This has left commuters in the trains peering through glass panes to see which stop’s next.

Though recorded announcement about the approaching station is played, commuters say it is not audible enough, especially during crowded peak hours.

While the 42 trains run on the 45km phase-1 have both static and dynamic route maps installed above the train doors, they are not updated to include the new stations on the north Chennai route. Static maps are plain maps with only the route and the stations, while dynamic maps are electronic displays where a red light blinks next to the approaching station’s name.

The 10 new trains procured for the north Chennai line have static maps with the new stations, but commuters say it is not helpful as it does not indicate which station the train is approaching. “We are forced to look through the glass to see where the train is every time it nears a station,” said S Kumaran, of Tiruvottiyur.

CMRL has a fleet of 52 trains and operates 42 four-car trains during peak hours and 35 during non-peak hours. The new line in North Chennai has been recording an average 9,000 passengers daily with the maximum on February 21 with 16,058 passengers. This has boosted the total ridership to a daily average of 73,634 passengers.

A CMRL official said they have floated tenders to both upgrade the static and dynamic route maps as well as install LED display screens in all the 52 trains soon. The LED screens will have information on approaching stations, availability of last mile connectivity and the landmarks around a station. “Once we confirm the contract, all trains will be upgraded in six months,” an official said.

NOT CLEAR: The stations on the new 9km line from Washermenpet to Wimco Nagar are yet to be included in the route maps inside trains, making it hard for commuters to know about approaching stations

Bangladeshi gets passport using forged docus, caught

Bangladeshi gets passport using forged docus, caught

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:23.02.2021 

A man from Bangladesh was detained by the immigration officials at Chennai airport after he tried to fly out to Dubai using a passport obtained using fake documents.

A CISF personnel who had served in the north eastern border states, while verifying the man’s documents, noticed that he had a heavy Bangla accent but held an Indian passport with address based in Tirupur and began questioning him. A few minutes into the interrogation, the man confessed to have obtained the passport by submitting forged documents.

The passport identified him as Solaiman Hossain, 29, a Tirupur resident, while inquiries revealed his original name was Miyak, from Bangladesh. The CISF officials cancelled his flight ticket and handed him over to the airport police.

Tamil Nadu ‘Q’ branch sleuths and intelligence officials also interrogated him to ascertain if he had links to any terror organisation.

After questioning him for hours and recording his statement on how and when he entered India and for how long he had been staying in the state, Miyak was handed over to the passport wing of central crime branch sleuths of the city police. Further investigation is on.

CISF personnel intercepted him after he spoke with a heavy Bangla accent, but his passport showed him to be a Tirupur resident

Three women killed by their husbands

Three women killed by their husbands

One Set Afire, Throats Of Two Slit; TN Saw 20,000 Domestic Abuse Cases Reported In 2020

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:23.02.2021 

Three housewives were murdered by their husbands in separate incidents, two in Kancheepuram and one at Kunrathur, on Sunday night.

A 40-year-old woman, Jeeva, was burnt alive by her husband Parthiban, 43, at their home near Achirapakkam because he suspected she was having an affair with an employee of his. The man and the couple’s 19-year-old daughter Pavithra are also in hospital in a critical condition as the fire engulfed them too.

Police said initial reports suggest that Parthiban of Mettu Colony who runs an iron scrap shop believed some acquaintances who told him that his wife fed him sleeping pills at night and was having an affair with an employee of his. On Sunday night he locked the house and set her on fire. The fire spread to Parthiban and his daughter. Neighbours broke open the door and took the trio to hospital where Jeeva died.

A 28-year-old driver Ezhumalai also murdered his wife Sasikala, 26, suspecting she was having an affair. Police said Ezhumalai was addicted to alcohol and used to assault his wife accusing her of having an affair. On Sunday night, he came home drunk and picked a fight with his wife and slit her throat and fled. Neighbours drawn by the cries of the couple’s three children took Sasikala to the Kancheepuram Government Hospital where she was declared on arrival. Later that night Ezhumalai surrendered at the Kancheepuram police station.

The third murder took place at Kunrathur where the woman, Keerthana, died on Sunday after battling injuries for nearly a week. Keerthana had married Panneerselvam, a rice trader, four years ago and the couple lived in Poonamallee. They did not have children and often quarrelled, police quoted relatives as saying. In the first week of February, Keerthana left her husband and returned to her parents’ house in Kundrathur.

On February 15, Panneerselvam reached his in-law’s house on the pretext of reconciling with Keerthana and took her to the terrace for a chat. However, a quarrel broke out between them and Panneerselvam who had a knife hidden in his clothes slit Keerthana’s neck and fled the spot. Keerthana’s family rushed her to a private hospital, but she died without responding to treatment on Sunday. Kundrathur police who had earlier registered a case of assault have altered it into murder and have launched a hunt for Panneerselvam.

The state in 2020 witnessed nearly 20,000 domestic abuse cases. “We used to counsel not less than 10 cases of domestic abuse everyday. In many cases women may be unable to air grievances as their communication is monitored,” said a senior officer attached to Poonamallee all-woman police station.

We used to counsel not less than 10 cases of domestic abuse everyday. In many cases women may be unable to air grievances as their communication is monitored

SENIOR POLICE OFFICER

Poonamallee all-woman station

Vandalur zoo to start night safari

Vandalur zoo to start night safari

Oppili.P@timesgroup.com

Chennai:23.02.2021 

Vandalur zoo is planningtostart a nightsafari on a portion of the reserve forest near the rescue and rehabilitation centre on Vandalur-Kelambakkam Road. A proposal sent to the government has been accepted and the zoo management is all set to scout for funds.

A senior wildlife official said when chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami visited the zoo in August 2019, a meeting was held to start the night safari. Last January, the chief minister, in his reply to the governor’s address in the assembly, had announced that infrastructure at the zoo would be upgraded. In September 2020, another meeting was held where it was decided that the safari will be developed as a public private partnership. Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Fund Management Corporation Limited (TNIFMC) will lay down norms to get funds, the official said. An in-house team will be formed under TNIFMC to oversee the project.

Principal chief conservator of forests and head of the forest department S Yuvaraj told TOI that the department had prepared a concept note on the night safari and had sent it to the government.

“The government has accepted it and will take steps to establish the new facility,” he said.

A senior wildlife official said a night safari was mooted 14 years ago. In 2009, the government had sanctioned ₹156 crore for a safari zone and another ₹36 crore for an entertainment zone, which would have included an amphitheatre, recreation centre and an interpretation centre.

With the funds released in 2010, work on the night safari began. The zoo authorities laid a circular road, which was designed by the structural engineering division of Anna University’s civil engineering department. They completed construction of enclosures for tigers, elephants, Indian gaur, spotted deer, sloth bear and sambar. However, the project could not take off as the next government shelved it. Another proposal for the night safari was submitted after reducing the cost to ₹82 crore in August 2011. But itwas rejected, a retiredzooofficial said.

IN THE DARK: The zoo, now shut at 5pm, will soon be open at night

To speed up work on Tambaram line, S Rly to run fewer locals

To speed up work on Tambaram line, S Rly to run fewer locals

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:23.02.2021

Suburban commuters on Tambaram-Beach-Chengalpet-Kancheepuram-Arakkonam route may have to start earlier than usual to reach their workplaces on time as railways has cut down on the number of trains on the route for 18 days from February 24 to March 13. The railways will carry out work to lay the third line between Tambaram and Chengalpet during the window.

Around 80 trains will be operated daily on the Beach-Tambaram route with a peak-hour frequency of 15 minutes as against 10 minutes. There will be around 30 trains from Chengalpet to Kancheepuram or Thirumalpur. There will be fewer trains during the afternoon and late in the evening, said an official.

More than 100 trains are run on the route a day.

From Beach, the first train to Chengalpet will be at 3.50am, to Thirumalpur at 5.10am, to Arakkonam at 9.10am. The last train to Tambaram will be at 11.59pm, to Chengalpet at 10.30pm and to Thirumalpur at 7.55pm. The first train from Chengalpet to Arakkonam will start at 8.20am. The first train from Tambaram to Beach will be at 3.55am, from Chengalpet to Beach at 4.20am and from Arakkonam to Beach via Thirumalpur and Kancheepuram at 4.45am.

An official said laying of the third line at Tambaram yard which will lead to “restrictions and cross movement”. Most of the work for the line from Tambaram to Chengalpet has been completed and the final stage work to link it to the yard is going to be taken up in the coming days. The deadline to complete the line is next month, the official said. Southern Railway received ₹60.54 crore for the work in the 2021-22 budget.

Railways will run 80 suburban trains with a peak-hour frequency of one local every 15 minutes

Reduction of percentage of Non-MBBS faculty members in medical colleges: Delhi HC partial relief to existing teachers

Reduction of percentage of Non-MBBS faculty members in medical colleges: Delhi HC partial relief to existing teachers: Delhi: In the matter of reduction of the quota of non-MBBS faculty in medical colleges, a recent hearing took place at Delhi High court. The court while refusing to give a stay on the National...

Death row convict Shabnam asks son to focus on studies

SON MEETS HER IN JAIL

Death row convict Shabnam asks son to focus on studies

Maria Khan TNN

Bareilly:22.02.2021

The 12-year old son of Shabnam Ali, a death row convict who could become the first woman to be hanged in independent India, visited Rampur district jail to meet his mother on Sunday afternoon. The boy, who was accompanied by his guardian, met his mother for 45 minutes in Rampur jail, where she has been lodged for the past two years. Talking to media persons after the meeting, he said that his mother asked him to focus on studies.

He again appealed that her mother be forgiven and not be given capital punishment. “I am requesting President uncle again to forgive her,” he said. Earlier, a video had gone viral in which the boy held a placard that said, “President uncle, please forgive my mother Shabnam.” Rampur jail superintendent PD Salonia said, “After the news arrived that preparations had begun to hang Shabnam at Mathura jail, the mother-son duo desperately wanted to meet each other. The boy, who otherwise visits his mother in Rampur jail every three months, came to visit her here on Sunday afternoon. The meeting continued for around 45 minutes following which he left.” Shabnam, now 38, had been convicted of killing seven of her family members — her mother, father, two brothers, sister-inlaw, cousin and 10-month-old nephew — after they opposed her relationship with Saleem, also a resident of the Amroha village in UP that she is from.

Now, board an SETC bus to Coimbatore from Velachery

Now, board an SETC bus to Coimbatore from Velachery

Ram.Sundaram@ @timesgroup.com

Chennai:22.02.2021

Passengers travelling to Coimbatore and Madurai can now board government deluxe and A/C buses from T Nagar, Velachery, Saidapet and Broadway.

From Monday, those residing in Chennai need not travel to Tambaram or Koyambedu, which were the only two authorised points to board State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) buses, till now. Three ultra-deluxe category buses, which will transport passengers to Tuticorin, Thanjavur and Kumbakonam, will depart from T Nagar between 7pm to 10pm every day. On their way, these buses will pick up passengers in Saidapet, Alandur and Chromepet.

Six buses going to Coimbatore and Madurai will leave from Broadway and reach the city’s suburbs via Adyar, Velachery and the IT corridor.

With operations at the new bus terminus in Kilambakkam expected to begin in six months, SETC is hoping to add more pickup or drop-off points within city limits to attract more passengers.

The proposed terminus is on the Chennai-Trichy highway, 30km from Koyambedu, and its nearest suburban railway station from Kilambakkam is 2km away. “Reaching the city will be a costly affair if passengers choose a cab or an autorickshaw,” said a senior SETC official. “Why make passengers get down at Kilambakkam and choose another MTC bus when the same SETC bus can take them into the city?”

This is expected to reduce fuel usage, the official said. “To transport 60 people, we need one bus which would consume 20 litres of diesel. Otherwise, we need 15 cars, which need 100 litres of diesel, or four vans, which will require 50 litres of diesel or 30 two-wheelers which burn 40 litres of fuel,” the official said.

For travelling to Bengaluru and Kerala, SETC is planning to set up similar pickup points in the city on Poonamallee and Tambaram, the official said.

Doctor slits wife's throat, runs over her with car in Tamil Nadu

Doctor slits wife's throat, runs over her with car in Tamil Nadu

Police said that he assaulted his father-in-law as well and later met with an accident when he tried to escape.

Published: 20th February 2021 06:28 PM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: A 35-year-old doctor allegedly murdered his wife by slitting her throat and running his car over her in Kancheepuram district on Friday.

Police said that Dr Gokul Kumar assaulted his father-in-law as well and later met with an accident when he tried to escape.

According to the police, the deceased was identified as Keerthana, 28, who worked as a HR in a private hospital in Kancheepuram, Gokul was a practising doctor in a private hospital near Potheri. Police said that Gokul had stopped going to work after the lockdown.

Keerthana's elder sister was married to Gokul's elder brother. The duo fell in love and were married three years ago, said the police.

After the marriage the couple moved to Anand Nagar near Maturantakam along with Keerthana’s parents.

Quoting the neighbours the police said that the couple used to quarrel often, which became a daily routine during the lockdown since Gokul had left his job.

"Six months ago, both applied for divorce but continued staying in the same house with Gokul leaving town half of the month," said a police officer.

An argument erupted on Friday around 4.30 pm between the couple. Gokul took a knife from the kitchen and slit Keerthana’s throat.

Police said Keerthana’s father Murahari tried to rescue her and was attacked with a sharp tool in the melee. Police said after slitting Keethana’s throat, Gokul dragged her out of the house by her hair.

Meanwhile the neighbours had come out of the house to witness the incident.

"Gokul then ran his car over her. After that he sped away in the same vehicle even as the neighbours tried to stop him and alert the police control room," said a police officer.

The neighbours rushed Keerthana and her father to the hospital. While Keerthana was brought dead on arrival, Murahari has been admitted in the Kancheepuram Government Hospital and is in critical condition, said a police officer

Meanwhile all the police stations on the National Highway limits were also put on alert.

However, Gokul, speeding on Chennai-Trichy National Highway, soon lost control of the vehicle and it turned turtle near Arthur toll booth. The Acharapakkam police team rescued Gokul from the accident site and admitted him to a hospital. Later, Madurantakam police arrested him and further investigation is on.

Unreserved rail coaches to be back from June?

Unreserved rail coaches to be back from June?

Bookings unavailable for second-sitting coaches, which used to be for ‘general’ pax

Published: 21st February 2021 05:11 AM |

By B Anbuselvan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Even as the Railways has dropped no hints on when regular train services will be resumed, online reservation of tickets from June 1 has been blocked on the IRCTC portal for converted second-sitting (2S) coaches.

General-class coaches on regular trains were converted to second-sitting coaches when train services were resumed after the Covid-19 outbreak, on June 1 last year to contain the spread of the pandemic. IRCTC officials in New Delhi said they were unaware why bookings were blocked, but added that it could be because the Southern Railway was changing the composition of trains. “If second-sitting coaches are removed by the zonal railway from June 1, the seats will not be available,” they said.

Officials of the Southern Railway, meanwhile, could not be reached for comment. On Saturday, people were unable to book seats in second-sitting coaches (erstwhile general class coaches) on the Chennai-Tiruchy Rockfort Special, Chennai-Coimbatore Special, Chennai-Mettupalayam Special, Chennai-Madurai Pandiyan Special, Chennai-Mangaluru Special, and several other trains.

When train services were resumed after the lockdown, ‘regular’ trains were renamed as ‘specials’, and didn’t have ‘unreserved’ coaches. So far, more than 60 per cent of the Southern Railway’s regular trains have resumed operations. Passengers have raised concerns on why full-fledged train services haven’t resumed yet, despite a request from the Tamil Nadu government, and general-class coaches are not available.

“Besides the ticket fares, it is inconvenient to book tickets for travel to and fro every day. Thousands of daily commuters will benefit if general-class coaches are attached,” said K Rajan Krishnan, an office-goer from Vellore. Previously, each ‘express’ and ‘mail’ train had at least three or four unreserved coaches.

An official spokesperson of the IRCTC said, “We have not suspended bookings of converted second-sitting coaches in several northern States. No policy decision has been taken to this effect. The coaches may not be available if the zonal railway plans to remove them from June 1.”

‘Why aren’t services back in full swing?’

Passengers have raised concerns on why full-fledged train services haven’t resumed yet, despite a request from the State government, and general-class coaches are not available. Previously, each ‘express’ and ‘mail’ train had at least three or four unreserved coaches.

பத்மஸ்ரீ' விருதுக்கு தேர்வானவர் மருத்துவ சிகிச்சைக்கு பணமின்றி தவிப்பு

பத்மஸ்ரீ' விருதுக்கு தேர்வானவர் மருத்துவ சிகிச்சைக்கு பணமின்றி தவிப்பு

Added : பிப் 21, 2021 00:38

அயோத்தியா:உ.பி.,யில், ஜனாதிபதியின் 'பத்மஸ்ரீ' விருதுக்கு தேர்வானவர், மருத்துவ சிகிச்சைக்கு பணமின்றி படுக்கையில் கிடக்கும் அவல நிலை, காண்போர் கண்களை குளமாக்குவதாக உள்ளது.

உத்தர பிரதேசத்தில், முதல்வர், யோகி ஆதித்யநாத் தலைமையில், பா.ஜ., ஆட்சி நடக்கிறது. இங்கு, பைசாபாத் நகரைச் சேர்ந்த, முகமது ஷெரீப், 83, கடந்த, 25 ஆண்டுகளாக, 25 ஆயிரத்திற்கும் மேற்பட்ட அனாதை பிணங்களின் இறுதிச் சடங்குகளை செய்துள்ளார். இவரின் சேவையை பாராட்டும் வகையில், 2020, ஜனவரியில், இவருக்கு, ஜனாதிபதியின் 'பத்மஸ்ரீ' விருது அறிவிக்கப்பட்டது.

இந்நிலையில், சில மாதங்களாக முகமது ஷெரீப், நோய்வாய்ப்பட்டு, படுத்த படுக்கையில் உள்ளார். அவரின் மருத்துவ சிகிச்சைக்கு செலவு செய்யக் கூட, பணமில்லாத நிலையில் குடும்பத்தார் உள்ளனர். இது குறித்து, வாடகை வாகன ஓட்டுனரான, முகமது ஷெரீப் மகன் ஷகீர் கூறியதாவது:தந்தையின் மருத்துவ சிகிச்சைக்கு, மாதம், 4,000 ரூபாய் செலவாகிறது. நான், 7,000 ரூபாய் சம்பாதிக்கிறேன்.

பத்மஸ்ரீ விருது கிடைத்தால், மாதந்தோறும் கவுரவத் தொகை வழங்கப்படும் என்றார்கள். ஆனால், விருதும் வழங்கப்படவில்லை. பணமும் கிடைக்கவில்லை. இது குறித்து, விருதுக்கு சிபாரிசு செய்த, எம்.பி., லாலு சிங்கிடம் கேட்டதற்கு, 'இன்னுமா வழங்கவில்லை?' என ஆச்சரியத்துடன் கேட்டு, ஆவன செய்வதாக கூறியுள்ளார்.

உள்ளூர் டாக்டர் ஒருவர், தந்தைக்கு மருத்துவ சிகிச்சை அளித்து வந்தார். தற்போது, அவருக்கு கூட, பணம் தர முடியாத நிலையில் குடும்பம் உள்ளது. இவ்வாறு, அவர் கூறினார்.ஜனாதிபதி விருதுக்கு தேர்வான ஒருவர், பணம் இல்லாமல், இறப்பை எதிர்நோக்கி இருப்பது, அவர் குடும்பத்தினரை பெரும் சோகத்தில் ஆழ்த்தியுள்ளது.

FASTags drive toll collections to 1-day record of ₹102 crore

FASTags drive toll collections to 1-day record of ₹102 crore

Dipak.Dash@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:21.02.2021 

The toll fee collections through FASTag across the National Highway network have jumped by 23% in the past four days and the amount touched ₹102 crore on Friday, the highest ever toll collection in NHAI’s history.

Sources said the total toll collection through FASTag was around ₹85 crore before NHAI designated all toll lanes as FASTag lanes. Officials said while cash transactions have fallen below 10% during this week, another reason for good revenue is plugging of leakages.

“It takes a couple of days to collate all details of cash transactions. We are hopeful of record collection of user fee as now there is no avenue for anyone to under report the actual toll collection,” said an official. Sources said the government has also stepped up monitoring of toll plazas to see that commuters are not caught in queue even after having FASTags.

The notification issued by the road transport ministry on May 7, 2018 specifies, “If a vehicle user with a valid, functional FASTag or any such device with sufficient balance in the linked account crossing a fee plaza installed with electronic toll collection infrastructure, is not able to pay user fee through FASTag or any such device owing to malfunctioning of electronic toll collection infrastructure, the vehicle user shall be permitted to pass the fee plaza without payment of any user fee. An appropriate zero transaction receipt shall be issued mandatorily for all such transactions.”

A NEW RECORD

Close shave as AI Express plane hits lamp post

Close shave as AI Express plane hits lamp post

Vijayawada:21.02.2021 

Passengers of an Air India Express flight from Doha (Qatar) had a providential escape after the aircraft’s right wing hit a high mast lamp post adjacent to the runway of Vijayawada international airport on Saturday. The incident happened around 5pm, reports Venu Lanka.

The Doha-Tiruchirapalli flight (IX-1676) via Vijayawada was taxiing towards the arrival area after landing when its right wing hit the lamp post. There were 64 passengers onboard. No one was injured. Officials said19 of the 64 passengers alighted in Vijayawada, while the remaining passengers were bound for Tiruchirapalli.

The pilot responded quickly and switched off the engine after the wing hit the lamp post. Airport authorities, including emergency and technical teams, rushed to the spot immediately. Vijayawada airport director Madhusudan Rao told TOI the mishap was a “very minor one” and all passengers were safe.

Pregnant woman kills husband for insisting on sex

Pregnant woman kills husband for insisting on sex

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Erode:21.02.2021 

A 21-year-old pregnant woman surrendered before Andhiyur village administrative officer (VAO) here on Friday evening saying that she had killed her husband by giving food laced with insecticides. The VAO Muruganandham later handed her over to the police. Police said A Mythily of Periyamolapalayam village, had married N Nandha Kumar, 33, of Kaliannan Thottam near Andhiyur eight months ago. “Mythily became pregnant five months ago. However, Nandha Kumar allegedly compelled her to have sex with him and tortured her. So Mythily decided to kill him and gave him insecticide-laced food on January 28,” S Ravi, inspector attached with the Andhiyur police station, said after questioning Mythily.

Nandha Kumar developed some health complications and was admitted to a private hospital in Andhiyur on January 31. “He died without responding to treatment at the hospital on February 15,” the inspector added. After the death, the hospital management alerted the police, who registered a case and initiated an inquiry.

Meanwhile, Mythily surrendered to the VAO and confessed to her crime. Based on her statements, the police arrested Mythily and lodged her at the district prison in Gobichettipalayam under judicial custody for 15 days.

Cases in Chennai, Chengalpet, Coimbatore plateau over 2 wks

SHOT OF HOPE

Cases in Chennai, Chengalpet, Coimbatore plateau over 2 wks

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:21.02.2021 

The surge in cases in the districts of Chennai, Coimbatore and Chengalpet has almost plateaued over the past two weeks although several districts across the state are reporting fewer cases.

On Saturday, Tamil Nadu added 438 cases and six deaths to the state Covid-19 registry. After 459 discharges, there were 4,120 people still under treatment for the viral infection.

In 2021, the state has added 29,809 fresh cases including 9,483 in the last 20 days. Since January, Chennai has added 8684 cases, Coimbatore 3079 and Chengalpet 2377. All other districts have reported below 1,500 cases in the last eight  weeks. “We have fewer cases and deaths from across the state. But isolated clusters reported from birthday parties, luncheons, weddings and funerals in cities like Chennai and Coimbatore are not helping us push the curve further down. Some districts like Chengalpet have similar issues,” said health secretary J Radhakrishnan.

Between February 14 and February 20, Chennai reported 992 new cases, Coimbatore reported 305 and Chengalpet added 281. “During contact tracing, we found many people are ignoring masks and social distancing. Even people who have taken the vaccine cannot avoid these,” he said.

On Saturday, with 139 new cases Chennai continued to top the case table followed by 47 in Coimbatore and 41 in Chengalpet. While Tiruvallur reported 31 cases, all other districts reported less than 25 cases. While Karur, Perambalur and Villupuram reported no new cases, 24 districts reported a single digit increase.

Besides cases, the number of deaths has marginally increased in Chennai. In the week between February 14 and February 20, Chennai reported double the number of deaths

(16) compared to 8 deaths between February 7 and 13. On Saturday, Chennai reported three deaths, while Chengalpet,Thanjavur andVillupuram reported one each. The sevenday average in daily cases has dropped from 499 in the first week of February to 453 this week, but during the same period the average number of deaths reported every day has increased from four to six. While 98% of people have been cured, the death rate is stable at 1.5% since September 2020.

However, epidemiologists say overall, the state has been faring well. The test positivity rate in the state is stable at 0.9 for the past four weeks. In the last one week, the positivity rate in Chennai (1.3), Coimbatore (1.5_ and Chengalpet (1.4) have been higher than the state average, along with Erode(1.1), Salem (1.2) and Tiruvallur (1.3). The doubling period for cases – time it takes for the cases to double- in the state has now increased to 1294 compared to 530 days on January 1.With 25 new cases since January, Perambalur reported the lowest number of cases followed by Ariyalur, which added 88 new cases to its registry this year. Tamil Nadu vaccinated 20563 people including 5414 people who came for the second dose of the vaccine at 677 vaccination centres across the state. With this the recipient tally in the state reached 3,70,612. With this, 2,96,155 healthcare providers, 43,876 frontline workers and 30,581 policemen have taken the vaccine in the state.

Second wave unlikely in TN: Health min

Health minister Dr C Vijayabaskar said the chances of a second wave of Covid-19 in Tamil Nadu were very remote. He was speaking to reporters at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital after taking his second shot of Covaxin here on Saturday. “. The doctors and nurses have become experts in handling Covid-19 patients, be they aged or with comorbid conditions. We have brought down the death rate drastically. Initially, it was challenging and we panicked, but we are relaxed now because of the steps taken by the chief minister,” the minister said. TNN

Over 8K vaccinated in Pondy so far

In all, 777 healthcare workers and 20 frontline workers were vaccinated on Saturday in Puducherry. So far, 8,051 healthcare workers and 407 frontline workers have got the vaccine.The Union territory reported 29 fresh cases even as 18 patients recovered taking the total number of active cases to 188 on Saturday. Of the 188 cases, 93 are under home isolation and treatment. Puducherry headquarters has the maximum active cases 124 followed by Mahe with 44 and Karaikal with 20. Yanam is infection-free. The territory did not report any Covid-19 death and the death toll stood at 662. TNN

Man held for duping woman of ₹10L

Man held for duping woman of ₹10L

Chennai:21.02.2021 

Police arrested a 45-year-old man from Andhra Pradesh for cheating a 40-year-old divorcee in the city of ₹10 lakh on the promise of marriage. The woman, who lived in Saidapet, met the accused, Manoharan, on a popular matrimonial site. The two got along well and she accepted his marriage proposal, even gifting him a mobile phone and other valuables.

A few days later, he told the woman that he had met with an accident and urgently required ₹10 lakh. The victim transferred the money following which he was unreachable. The woman approached police, who traced him to Chittoor. Investigations revealed that Manoharan had cheated several single women in a similar fashion. A court sent him to jail on Saturday. TNN

AU likely to start MTech admission next week

AU likely to start MTech admission next week

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:21.02.2021 

Anna University is likely to start the admission process for two MTech courses next week following a Madras high court order directing the university to conduct admission for the current academic year in line with the Centre’s 49.5% reservation policy.

“After getting the official order from the court, we will inform the department of biotechnology (DBT) and proceed with the admissions,” university sources said. The university also needs permission from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for the delayed admissions.

Anna University suspended admissions to MTech in Biotechnology and MTech in Computational Biology following the confusion over the reservation policy. While the Centre insisted on the 49.5% quota, the state wanted the university to follow its 69% reservation. One of the GAT-B (Graduate Aptitude Test-Biotechnology) toppers moved the court against the varsity’s decision to scrap admission.

Weathermen forecast more rain for 2 days

Weathermen forecast more rain for 2 days

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:21.02.2021 

The city and its uburbs may receive more rain over Sunday and Monday after the surprise late night showers on Friday. While IMD has forecast light to moderate rain in some places in the state, weatherbloggers said chances of rainfall will reduce by Monday and will be followed by a dry spell till the end of the month.

IMD has forecast light to moderate rain over some areas with a generally cloudy sky for Sunday. The intensity of rain is likely to reduce in the subsequent 24 hours with the agency forecasting light rain over some areas. For the next two days, maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 30°C and 23°C.

Light to moderate rain or thunderstorm with lightning is also likely at isolated places over Tamil Nadu on Sunday followed by light rain likely on Monday; according to the IMD.

On Friday, Nungambakkam recorded 2mm of rain and Meenambakkam received 1mm. February is the driest month of the year in the city with an average rainfall of 3.4mm. Some areas like Nungambakkam, Choolaimedu and Aminjikarai received rainfall on late Saturday evening.

IMD said the showers were caused by circulation in the westerlies in the upper level and in the lower level easterlies. While bloggers said shifting of the westerly trough — which usually affects north India — to the south has brought some weather disturbances resulting in rain, private forecasters said another trough is now extending from southwest Bay of Bengal to north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coast.

“Chennai has a good chance of some rain on Sunday. Rainfall will decrease by Monday,” said blogger Pradeep John.

Doctor slits wife’s throat, runs her over

Doctor slits wife’s throat, runs her over

While Fleeing, Car Overturns; Cops Get To Know Of Murder At Rescue

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:21.02.2021 

A doctor on Friday stabbed his wife and then ran her over with his car in Madurantakam.

Police said Dr Gokulkumar also attacked his in-laws before trying to flee. His vehicle, however, overturned near Achiruppakkam toll plaza, trapping him. A police team got to know of the murder only after rescuing him and admitting him to a GH. He was arrested and a court sent him to jail.

About three years ago, Gokulkumar, a native of Coimbatore and an employee at a corporate hospital in Potheri, married M Keerthana, 35, who worked in the human resource department at a college in Melmaruvathur. Gokulkumar suspected his wife’s fidelity and often quarreled with her till finally, in a fit of anger, she left him and went to her parents’ house in Madurantakam.

On Friday, Gokulkumar went to his in-laws’ home hoping to negotiate with his wife. However, while talking to her, he suddenly pulled out a knife and slit her throat. Hearing her cries, her parents Murahari and Kumari rushed to her side. They tried to nab Gokulkumar, but he overpowered them and attacked them too.

Seizing an opportunity to escape, Keerthana ran out to the street. Gokulkumar quickly followed her in his car and ran her over. Her parents and neighbours took Keerthana to the government hospital in Chengalpet, where doctors declared her dead.

While fleeing, Gokulkumar’s car hit the median near Achirapakkam toll plaza, causing the vehicle to overturn, trapping him inside. Passersby alerted police and an Achirapakkam police team led by inspector Saravanan rescued him. Gokulkumar was sent to Chengalpet GH for treatment. During inquiries, police found out that he met with the accident when escaping after murdering his wife. The team informed the Madurantakam police.

Inspector Rukmangathan of the Madurantakam police registered a murder case and arrested Gokulkumar.

Gokulkumar slit his wife Keerthana’s throat at his in-laws’ residence and ran her over when she tried to escape. When nearing Achiruppakkam toll plaza, he hit a median