Madurai corpn taps ad agencies to light up city roads
Under the new arrangement, agencies allowed to erect hoardings on stretches like Anna Nagar, K K Nagar, Kamarajar Salai, TPK Road, and Sellur must also install LED streetlights on the same poles. They will cover both installation and maintenance, as well as electricity costs — a move the corporation says benefits both public safety and its coffers.
"Since these agencies seek permission for hoarding poles, we've asked them to mount lights on the same structures and ensure proper upkeep," corporation commissioner Chitra Vijayan told TOI.
"Their electricity consumption will also be at their own expense, reducing the civic body's recurring costs."
Officials noted that with limited staff and overlapping responsibilities in road and construction work, monitoring streetlights has been inconsistent. To address this, the corporation's town planning wing has integrated lighting responsibilities into advertising contracts. So far, three agencies have signed formal agreements to install lights along portions of Anna Nagar and K K Nagar.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Learn How To Write Faster for Work (Find Out Now)
Grammarly
Learn More
Undo
"These agreements include clauses mandating maintenance and electricity coverage," a senior official said. In K K Nagar, some lights have already been installed on central medians, a move welcomed by traffic activists. "Mounting lights on medians improves road visibility and pedestrian safety," said T Nageshwaran, a traffic activist.
Meanwhile, the corporation is also pushing ahead with a ₹5-crore project to improve lighting citywide. A new contractor will soon be appointed to repair faulty lights and improve illumination in residential areas. Additionally, over 4,500 new streetlights are being procured based on ward-level assessments, with installation already underway in extended areas using previously purchased lights worth ₹3.52 crore.
Officials said these combined efforts aim to make Madurai's streets safer, brighter, and more energy-efficient.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
OpenAI plans to launch GPT-5 in August: Report
OpenAI is gearing up to launch GPT‑5 in early August 2025, following a delay for additional testing. In April, Altman announced a shift in the company's AI model release schedule, revealing that intermediate models known as 'o3' and 'o4-mini' will be launched in the coming weeks, ahead of the much-anticipated GPT-5 rollout. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Sam Altman-led OpenAI is planning to launch its much awaited advanced artificial intelligence (AI) model GPT 5 in August, according to a report by The news comes after Altman 's statement to make free copy of GPT-5 available to everybody. 'I am very interested in what it means to give everybody on Earth a free copy of GPT-5, running for them all the time," he also shared plans to roll out GPT-5 on microblogging platform X on July 19. However, he said it is not yet capable of solving the very hardest math problems, such as those in the International Math Olympiad (IMO).'We are releasing GPT-5 soon but want to set accurate expectations: this is an experimental model that incorporates new research techniques we will use in future models,' he said.'We think you will love GPT-5, but we don't plan to release a model with IMO gold level of capability for many months,' he April, Altman announced a shift in the company's AI model release schedule, revealing that intermediate models known as 'o3' and 'o4-mini' will be launched in the coming weeks, ahead of the much-anticipated GPT-5 this month, Reuters reported that the company is also preparing to launch an AI-powered web browser that would directly compete with Google Chrome. This follows the recent release of ChatGPT Agent , a new tool that can perform tasks on users' computers autonomously.
Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
India opens accounting, auditing services under trade pact with UK: GTRI
India has opened key segments of its services sector to British firms, granting access in areas, such as accounting, auditing, financial services, telecom and auxiliary air transport, think tank GTRI said on Thursday. However, all key areas of India's interest like IT, business services such as management consultancy, advisory, professional including accountancy, engineering, telecom, financial, education and health are covered in the pact. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Cybersecurity Design Thinking Project Management Management Data Science Leadership Product Management Artificial Intelligence Digital Marketing Public Policy Others PGDM Data Analytics Technology CXO Finance MCA others Degree Data Science Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months MIT xPRO CERT-MIT xPRO PGC in Cybersecurity Starts on undefined Get Details It said the UK companies can now offer telecom, construction, and related services in India without needing to establish a local presence, and they are entitled to national treatment, meaning they will be treated on par with Indian firms. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo India also agreed to recognise UK professional qualifications in select fields like law and accounting (though legal services remain closed), the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said. While India has made commitments on market access across 108 sub sectors in services, the UK has made commitments across 137 sub sectors, practically covering more than 99 per cent of India's exports, a commerce ministry official said. Live Events The agreement, the GTRI said, ensures no caps on the number of UK service providers, and offers commercial presence rights (Mode 3) across multiple domains. However, India retained key regulatory carve-outs, especially in legal services, taxation, and national security, and still lacks full mutual recognition frameworks in most regulated professions. "In contrast, the UK's services offer to India is more cautious and limited in scope," GTRI Founder Ajay Srivatava said, adding that while it grants commercial presence rights in sectors like computer services, consultancy, and environmental services, its commitments on professional mobility are modest. The UK has offered an annual quota of 1,800 visas for niche roles like yoga instructors and classical musicians, but it has not made binding commitments on broader visa categories, including business visitors or IT professionals. "The UK's refusal to restore post-study work visas is a disappointment for Indian students, and the FTA does not override the UK's points-based immigration system -- meaning Indian professionals must still meet regular education, salary, and job offer thresholds," Srivastava said. A key positive is the Double Contribution Agreement, which allows over 75,000 Indian workers on short UK assignments to continue paying into India's social security system without dual contributions. "However, this is a temporary fix, and a comprehensive totalisation agreement remains pending. Overall, the UK's services package shows reluctance to ease mobility for Indian professionals -- one of India's core demands," he added.
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Hulk Hogan's costly divorce — reports say he lost 70% of his wealth to first wife Linda Hogan
Hulk Hogan's death at 71 and the divorce that cost him 70% of his fortune: The world is mourning the loss of professional wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, who died at the age of 71. Known for his electrifying charisma and unforgettable presence in the ring, Hogan's death has sparked a wave of tributes across the globe. But as fans reflect on his remarkable legacy, many are also revisiting the financial storm he weathered years ago — particularly his high-profile divorce from first wife Linda Hogan, which reportedly cost him 70% of his wealth. What caused Hulk Hogan's death? According to TMZ and other major outlets, Hulk Hogan died on July 24, 2025, after suffering cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida. Emergency responders arrived at around 9:51 a.m., but despite rapid intervention, the wrestling icon could not be revived. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Operations Management Product Management Management Artificial Intelligence Degree Data Science Cybersecurity healthcare MBA Technology Finance Healthcare Public Policy others Data Science Digital Marketing PGDM CXO Others Project Management Data Analytics Leadership MCA Design Thinking Skills you'll gain: Quality Management & Lean Six Sigma Analytical Tools Supply Chain Management & Strategies Service Operations Management Duration: 10 Months IIM Lucknow IIML Executive Programme in Strategic Operations Management & Supply Chain Analytics Starts on Jan 27, 2024 Get Details His death comes just months after undergoing neck surgery, a procedure his wife Sky Daily had previously described as successful. The WWE has officially confirmed his passing and released a statement honoring his legacy, calling him "one of the most recognized pop culture icons in wrestling history." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 20 Pieces of Clothing Older Women should Avoid Learn More How did Linda Hogan walk away with 70% of his wealth? Back in 2009 , Hulk Hogan (born Terry Gene Bollea ) finalized his divorce from Linda Hogan after a 24-year marriage. The financial terms of the split were jaw-dropping and made headlines for years — many experts now rank it among the most expensive divorces in celebrity history. Here's a detailed look at how the money was divided: Live Events How much did Linda Hogan get in liquid assets? Linda reportedly received $7.44 million out of the couple's joint $10.41 million in cash and investment accounts. That's just over 70% of their liquid assets , leaving Hogan with roughly $2.97 million , or about 30%. This division alone forms the basis of the widely circulated claim that Hulk Hogan lost 70% of his wealth in the divorce — and yes, that claim is accurate when referring to their bank and investment holdings. What business ownership did Linda Hogan receive? As part of the divorce agreement, Linda Hogan was awarded 40% ownership in Hulk Hogan's business entities . These businesses, tied to his wrestling name, personal brand, and endorsements, were central to his income streams at the time. What property did Linda Hogan get in the settlement? In addition to cash and business shares, Linda also received a $3 million real estate settlement . That amount reportedly came from the sale or transfer of their beachfront Florida home and other jointly held properties. Did Hulk Hogan have to pay spousal support or alimony? Surprisingly, no alimony or spousal support was required . Despite the large settlement, the court did not order Hogan to make ongoing payments. Legal analysts believe this was due in part to Linda's substantial financial gain from the asset division. How much did Hulk Hogan pay in legal fees? A Florida judge ordered Hulk Hogan to pay more than $180,000 in legal fees , accusing him of delaying the discovery process. In addition to court costs and attorney reimbursements, Hogan was responsible for all litigation expenses during the proceedings. What did Hulk Hogan get to keep after the divorce? While the numbers might seem one-sided, Hulk Hogan wasn't left with nothing. He retained 100% of his future income , including earnings from: Live appearances WWE royalties Book sales , especially his 2009 memoir My Life Outside the Ring This allowed him to continue building wealth, although he admitted in later interviews that the divorce nearly bankrupted him at the time. What were the final divorce terms between Hulk and Linda Hogan? Here's a breakdown of the financial settlement between Hulk and Linda Hogan: Category Linda Hogan Received Hulk Hogan Retained Liquid Assets $7.44 million (≈70%) $2.97 million (≈30%) Business Ownership 40% 60% Property Settlement $3 million — Legal Fees Paid by Hulk Hogan (~$180k+) — Spousal Support/Alimony None No payments ordered Future Income — 100% of personal earnings & royalties Hulk Hogan's life and fortune Hulk Hogan's death at 71 closes the chapter on a complicated yet legendary life. His rise, fall, and financial recovery are all part of a story that goes far beyond the ring. While he may have lost a massive chunk of his fortune in the divorce, he never lost the loyalty of his fans or his place in pop culture. As tributes pour in across the world, one thing is clear: Hulk Hogan may be gone, but his legacy will live forever. FAQs: Q1: How much did Hulk Hogan lose in his divorce? He reportedly lost around 70% of his total wealth. Q2: What did Linda Hogan get from the divorce? She got millions in cash, property, cars, and business shares
