
Avinashi Road flyover works to be completed by August 15, says Minister
The Minister told the media the flyover would have eight ramps. Work on one ramp was delayed due to a legal case pending before the Madras High Court. The steel girders above the railway section (near Hope college) was over and the flyover work was progressing.
When asked about the absence of pedestrian subways along the flyover, the Minister said such facilities were generally not included in these types of projects. 'The focus is on the main carriageway and the entry and exit ramps. Once the project is completed, if a need arises, we will consider it,' he said.
The Minister also inspected the ongoing construction of the Thanthai Periyar Library and Science Centre in the city. He said the construction would be completed by December and the facility was expected to open in January. The library and science centre were developed at a cost of ₹300 crore and would cover 1,98,000 sq. ft.
To a question on the Talisman amulet (dhrishti bommai) placed at the construction site, the Minister said he did not support such practices. 'I am a Periyarist and do not encourage these. But the contractors may follow certain beliefs. I do not comment on that. Once the work is completed, there will not be any such structures,' he said.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Hindu
19 hours ago
- The Hindu
Justice's shrine
Today, I found myself once again drawn to the majestic embrace of the Madras High Court, joining the heritage walk for the fourth time. Yet, as I approached its grand red facade, my heart fluttered with anticipation and awe as if I were beholding this architectural marvel for the very first time. Each visit, no matter how many times I have walked these corridors, feels like a pilgrimage, an intimate journey into the soul of a building that has been both a silent witness and a guiding force through the chapters of my life. My first encounter with this venerable edifice was in 1991, as a wide-eyed student, eager and anxious, stepping into a world that would soon become my second home. The Madras High Court, with its soaring domes and intricate Indo-Saracenic details, seemed to beckon me, promising stories of justice, struggle, and triumph. Over the years, it watched me grow from a tentative apprentice, absorbing the wisdom of seasoned advocates, to a junior lawyer, finding my footing amid the hallowed halls. It saw my struggles as a first-generation lawyer, striving to carve a niche, my moments of self-doubt, and the gradual blossoming of confidence as I began to establish myself in the legal fraternity. Living, breathing companion But the journey did not end there. This red building, steadfast and dignified, bore witness as I donned the robes of a judge, entrusted with the solemn responsibility of upholding justice in this great chartered High Court. For nearly 35 years, the Madras High Court has been more than a place of work — it has been a living, breathing companion. Every morning, as I walk through its arched corridors towards my courtroom, I am enveloped by a sense of reverence and humility. The very walls seem to murmur tales of the past, echoing the footsteps of legal luminaries who shaped the destiny of law and society. Their voices, though silent, resonate through time, reminding me that I am but a humble custodian in a long, unbroken chain of justice. There is a peculiar magic in these corridors, an energy that is palpable to those who pause and listen. The Madras High Court has witnessed epochal changes, landmark judgments, passionate debates, and the evolution of law itself. It has been a silent spectator to the ebb and flow of history, to the struggles for justice that have shaped the conscience of our society. Every brick, every pillar, every ornate archway carries the imprint of those who have walked before me, their ideals and convictions woven into the very fabric of this building. To the uninitiated, the High Court may appear as a mere structure of bricks and mortar, a relic of colonial grandeur. But to me, it is a sanctum, a temple of justice that evokes a sense of piety far deeper than any shrine. Within these walls, I find a communion with something greater than myself, a spirit that transcends time, binding generations of seekers, advocates, and judges in a shared quest for truth. It is here that I have experienced moments of profound clarity, where the weight of responsibility is balanced by the quiet assurance that I am part of a noble tradition. Today, as I mingled with the throngs of heritage enthusiasts and young aspirants, many were surprised to see a sitting judge among them on a holiday. Perhaps they wondered what draws me back, time and again, to a place where I spend most of my waking hours. How could they know the depth of my attachment, the overwhelming surge of emotion that wells up each time I step into this building? To walk these corridors is to converse with history, to feel the pulse of justice that beats through every chamber. Listening to N.L. Raja, senior advocate, recount the storied past of the High Court, I felt a tide of emotions rise within me — gratitude, humility, and an inexplicable joy. I found myself struggling to hold back tears, grateful for the anonymity afforded by my dark glasses. There are moments when words fail to capture the intensity of what I feel. How does one articulate the sense of belonging, the gratitude for having been chosen by this building, for having been allowed to serve within its sacred precincts? The Madras High Court has given me more than a career — it has given me purpose, identity, and a profound sense of fulfilment. It has witnessed my victories and my failures, my hopes and my fears. It has seen me at my most vulnerable and my most resolute. In its silent companionship, I have found solace, inspiration, and the courage to persevere. As I sit alone in my office, searching for words to express the depth of my emotions, I am acutely aware of the tears streaming down my cheeks. Yet, in this solitude, I am grateful for the chance to reflect, to honour the building that has shaped the very core of my being. I am blessed, truly blessed, to have been woven into the tapestry of this great institution. If I were to be born a thousand times, I would choose, again and again, to walk these corridors, to serve this red building, to be a humble part of its enduring legacy. The Madras High Court is not just a monument of stone and history — it is a living entity, a guardian of justice, a silent mentor. It has given me everything, and in return, I have given it my devotion, my labour, and my love. As I wipe away my tears, I know that my journey with this building is far from over. It is a bond that transcends time, a relationship that will endure for eternity. And so, with a heart full of gratitude and eyes brimming with emotion, I offer this humble tribute to the great red building that has been, and will always be, my home. anaushram44@


The Hindu
5 days ago
- The Hindu
GPS devices installed in garbage vehicles to keep track of their movement
The Tiruvannamalai Corporation has fitted the Global Positioning System (GPS) in its garbage vehicles to keep track of waste generation, especially door-to-door collection from households on a daily basis to ensure cleanliness of the town. Officials of Tiruvannamalai Corporation, which has started the initiative, said that the idea to introduce GPS tracking system in trash vehicles is to re-energize the process of source segregation at households by sanitary workers before segregated wastes are dumped at landfill sites on Girivalam path. 'The idea is to inculcate the habit of source segregation by consumers as it will be helpful to process segregated wastes easily and to ensure cleanliness of the town,' S. Selva Balaji, Commissioner, Tiruvannamalai Corporation, told The Hindu. Corporation officials said that garbage segregation into biodegradable and non biodegradable wastes was stopped during the outbreak of pandemic in 2021. Since then, sanitary workers were simply dumping all unsegregated wastes collected from households in landfill sites. It has resulted in accidental fires. Also, segregation of accumulated wastes at landfill sites remains challenging due to such accidents. The GPS fitted vehicles help to encourage segregating wastes by consumers themselves. It helps to monitor door-to-door collection, routes taken by sanitary vehicles and time taken for the work. Minister for Public Works and Highways E.V. Velu and Tiruvannamalai Collector were apprised about the initiative by the Corporation. Senior civic officials including Corporation Commissioner will be able to keep track of the vehicles. Civic officials will be alerted on any devivation on routes taken by vehicles and more time taken at specified streets. Currently, the Corporation has around 110 garbage vehicles covering areas around Arunachaleswara temple and Girivalam path.Every day, on an average, 65-70 metric tonnes of wastes are generated in the town. Each ward has 60-70 streets with around 400 households and a capacity of 300 kg garbage generation. At present, the Corporation has around 350 sanitary workers with over 60% of them are women. Corporation officials said initially, the project will be implemented in core areas of the town before extending it to other areas. The civic body was extended in January 2025 by merging 18 surrounding villages to become a Corporation.


Hans India
5 days ago
- Hans India
On International Tiger day, TN's Mudumalai Tiger Reserve records 28 pc rise in feline population
Marking a significant achievement on International Tiger Day (July 29), the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) has reported a 28 per cent rise in its big cat population for 2024–25. The number of tigers has increased from 129 in 2023–24 to 165, delighting wildlife conservationists and forest officials alike. The impressive growth is attributed to a combination of dedicated anti-poaching efforts, effective habitat restoration, and the large-scale removal of invasive plant species. MTR, which spans 688.59 hectares, comprises 321 hectares of core zone and 367.59 hectares of buffer zone. Within its core area, the presence of nearly 85 swamps plays a vital role in supporting wildlife by providing essential water sources. Forest Department officials highlighted that the unchecked increase in density of Lantana camara, an invasive woody shrub that poses a serious threat to these swamp ecosystems. "If not removed, Lantana would have overtaken the swamps and destroyed key habitats," an official said. Acting on a directive from the Madras High Court, forest teams - with active participation from indigenous communities - undertook a large-scale clearance of Lantana camara across 725 hectares in four core forest ranges during 2024–25. The cleared biomass was repurposed into eco-friendly briquettes by tribals from the Kattu Naicker, Kurumba, Malasar, and Paniya communities, with six tonnes produced so far, providing both conservation gain and livelihoods. A senior MTR official noted that the removal of Lantana allowed sunlight to reach the forest floor, encouraging the natural regrowth of native grass species. This, in turn, has boosted prey density, a key factor in the rise of tiger numbers. "Anti-poaching activities and habitat improvement go hand-in-hand. Increasing prey base directly supports predator populations," the official said. MTR currently operates 36 Anti-Poaching Camps (APCs), with plans underway to establish another in collaboration with tribal communities. The reserve also supports other key species, including leopards, dholes, hyenas, and vultures - the latter playing a crucial role in scavenging and maintaining ecosystem health. The tiger population surge at Mudumalai is being hailed as a model for conservation across the country. On this International Tiger Day, the reserve stands as a testament to the impact of sustained, community-driven conservation efforts.