Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Christopher Miltus
Thousands stranded as signal panel fault disrupts train services
Chennai: Several thousand passengers bound for southern districts were stranded for nearly three hours on Friday evening after smoke in Karunguzhi station’s signalling panel room, near Chengalpet, disrupted trains. At least six southbound express and Chennai-bound and suburban services, were affected. Officials saw smoke after a downpour at Karunguzhi, between Chengalpattu and Madurantakam. Staff switched off electronics and operated trains manually.
Metro card users struggle to check balance
Chennai: For thousands of commuters, an insufficient balance on their Singara Chennai Metro cards often becomes apparent only when automatic gates deny them entry, forcing them to queue at ticket counters to check their balance and recharge. Nearly 1.2 lakh of the 3.2 lakh commuters who use the metro every day travel with Singara Chennai Metro cards. Yet, there is no easy way to check the available balance online or through a mobile app.
Chennai’s second AC suburban train to run on this route starting Oct 23
CHENNAI: Southern Railway will introduce its second air-conditioned electric multiple unit (AC EMU) service in the suburban network here on Oct 23, with trial operations in the Chennai Central–Arakkonam section until Dec 24. The services will operate from Monday to Friday, excluding weekends. Three pairs of services will run on the Chennai Central–Avadi, Chennai Central–Arakkonam and Avadi–Arakkonam routes.
What's Chennai's plan to lower flood risk? Original
Rapid urban expansion, shrinking vegetation and waterbodies, drainage gaps, and low-lying terrain contribute to flood risk, according to a University of Madras study. The city’s flood-risk hotspots include Velachery, Pallavaram, Chromepet and surrounding southern localities, parts of western Chennai, Koyambedu, Villivakkam and areas around Tondiarpet. The study found that between 2000 and 2024, city's built-up area grew 7.6%, vegetation cover declined 26.14% and water bodies shrank 22.54%.
Unsold vegetables pile up at Koyambedu market as festival trade slows
Chennai: Fresh vegetables were dumped in heaps inside and outside the Koyambedu wholesale market due to poor footfall during the long Ayudha Pooja holiday. Sacks of lady’s finger, cabbage, beans, and onions were left to rot in the open as the produce lost freshness, even as traders cut prices to attract customers. The market, which receives vegetables from various districts of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states, usually sees brisk sales during festivals.
Jurisdictional gaps leave Porur, Poonamallee areas battling garbage dumping
Chennai: Plastic waste, discarded furniture, and meat waste are piling up along interior roads off Mount-Poonamallee High Road, turning residential areas near the city into dumping grounds. Residents blame irregular garbage collection and poor coordination among local bodies for this situation. Areas such as Porur, Thelliyaragaram, Iyyappanthangal, Paraniputhur, Kolathuvanchery, Mugalivakkam and Kundrathur Main Road have become hotspots for indiscriminate dumping.
Costly craze to modify bikes is illegal too
The roar of a high-speed bike, a ‘wheelie’ or ‘stoppie’ on a busy road — behaviour every one of those illegal road stunts is a modified motorcycle violating many a clause of the Motor Vehicles Act. Two weeks ago, at least 50 bikers gathered on Valluvar Kottam High Road and performed stunts, including wheelies, stoppies and drifts. Greater Chennai Police tracked and arrested at least 21 of them. All their bikes were ‘modified’, costing several lakhs of rupees.
Costly craze behind modified bikes puts Chennai city at risk
The roar of a high-speed bike, a ‘wheelie’ or ‘stoppie’ on a busy road — behind every one of these illegal road stunts is a modified motorcycle violating many a clause of the Motor Vehicles Act . Two weeks ago, at least 50 bikers gathered on Valluvar Kottam High Road and performed stunts, including wheelies, stoppies and drifts. Greater Chennai Police tracked and arrested at least 21 of them. All their bikes were ‘modified ’, costing several lakhs of rupees.
Tambaram station to get nine more lifts, 10 escalators by Dec
Chennai: For senior citizens struggling to climb stairs with heavy luggage and commuters rushing to catch trains during peak hours, moving between platforms at Tambaram railway station could soon become easier. Southern Railway is expediting the installation of nine additional lifts and 10 escalators, with the facilities expected to be commissioned in phases from Nov.
IRCTC wallet money stays locked when Tatkal tickets are sold out
We won't sell or share your personal information to inform the ads you see. You may still see interest-based ads if your information is sold or shared by other companies or was sold or shared previously.
Five-hour midnight power cuts leave Chennai’s western suburbs sleepless
Chennai: Residents of the city’s western suburbs, including Valasaravakkam and Porur, have been enduring power cuts lasting up to five hours, disrupting sleep and leaving students, office-goers and families struggling with heat and mosquitoes. On Thursday night, several neighbourhoods had no power from around 10.30pm to 3.30am, despite repeated assurances that supply would be restored shortly.
Days before Porur metro opening, road below remains messy
Chennai: When Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister C Joseph Vijay take the inaugural ride on the yellow line of Chennai Metro Rail between Porur and Poonamallee on Oct 11, out of their sight may be the road below, damaged and chaotic. Every hour, at least 10,000 vehicles squeeze through the 8km Poonamallee–Porur High Road, and motorists on one side of the road have to negotiate narrow carriageways, damaged patches and poorly managed U-turns.
New Tiruvallur bus terminus struggles to fill commercial spaces
Chennai: Three months after the new Tiruvallur bus terminus became operational, its commercial spaces remain largely unused despite a daily footfall of around 10,000 passengers. Of the nearly 100 shops planned at the terminus, only five or six have opened. Built by Tiruvallur municipality at a cost of ₹36 crore on 5.5 acres in Vedanginallur, around 2km from the town, the terminus can accommodate 56 buses at a time.
Delays persist on Chennai–Arakkonam suburban route after yard upgrade
Chennai: For students, office-goers and regular commuters, the wait for a suburban train on the Chennai Central–Arakkonam corridor has become a daily test of patience. Despite the ₹97.73crore yard remodelling and track improvement work at Arakkonam Junction, passengers continue to report delays of up to 30 minutes during peak hours and much longer gaps during the day. Every day, more than six lakh passengers use Chennai’s suburban network.
Clogged canals raise waterlogging concerns in western suburbs
Chennai: With the northeast monsoon nearing, stretches of the canal network running through Porur, Iyyappanthangal, Kummananchavadi and Kolathuvanchery show signs of a system under pressure — sections of the waterways are narrow, with silt, plastic and other solid waste accumulating along the bed, thereby reducing flow. The network is a crucial drainage route for excess water from the western suburbs towards Adyar river.
Tambaram’s ₹2,000-cr revenue opportunity in tatters
In Tambaram, a commercial building springs up, another floor is added to a house and a vacant stretch along a busy road turns into a parking lot almost every month. Yet much of this does not show up in the revenue records. Five years after it was upgraded from a Chennai suburban municipality to a corporation, Tambaram’s revenue increase has been lukewarm, as the civic body has not expanded its tax and non-tax revenue base smartly.
Design flaw: Adambakkam MRTS station remains shut for seven months
Chennai: More than seven months after the Velachery–St Thomas Mount MRTS extension opened, trains continue to pass through Adambakkam station without stopping, denying residents of Adambakkam, Nanganallur and Madipakkam the benefits of a railway station close by. The 4.5km extension was inaugurated on March 14 and full-scale suburban services began between St Thomas Mount and Chennai Beach.
Electric barriers replace manual gates on key Chennai rail routes
Chennai: A level-crossing that once took a gatekeeper up to three minutes to open or close can now be cleared in about eight to 12 seconds as Chennai Division of Southern Railway steps up the replacement of manual barriers with electrically operated systems. Of the 143 manned level crossings in the division, 70 have been converted to electrically operated lifting barriers (EOLBs).
Roadwork worsens motorist woes on Velachery-Tambaram road
Chennai: What used to be a 15-minute drive between Tambaram railway station and Camp Road now takes nearly 40 minutes during peak hours, as the ongoing Metrowater work and a badly damaged carriageway turn the 3.5km stretch of Velachery-Tambaram High Road into a daily ordeal for motorists. The stretch, from the eastern entrance of Tambaram railway station to Camp Road junction, has remained riddled with patches and potholes for more than three months.
After a year’s delay, foot-overbridge work begins on Velachery Main Road
Chennai: Commuters stepping out of the Velachery MRTS station won’t have to walk 800m along the busy 100-Ft Road to cross safely, or jump the median braving speeding vehicles. The Chennai Metropolitan Development Plan (CMDP) wing of state highways department has finally started work on a foot-overbridge (FOB) near Nalli Silks on Velachery Main Road after a year of delay.
Tender row: Tambaram corporation commissioner S Balachander relieved of his duties
CHENNAI: Tambaram corporation commissioner S Balachander, IAS, has been relieved of his duties and placed on compulsory wait following allegations of tender irregularities in two civic works worth Rs 45.9 lakh. This is the first instance of an IAS officer being placed on compulsory wait following a report by anti-corruption organisation Arappor Iyakkam. A govt order issued by chief secretary M Sai Kumar on Tuesday said Balachander was relieved as commissioner with immediate effect.
Tambaram corporation steps up monsoon preparedness with 344km drain desilting, setting up 20 relief camps
Chennai: With northeast monsoon weeks away, Tambaram corporation has completed at least 80% of its preparedness work, including desilting 344km of stormwater drains of the total 417km, along with 45km of major and link canals. The civic body has also kept 48 dewatering pumps and 75 tractors ready to tackle waterlogging and flooding. Every monsoon, several streets in Tambaram get inundated and roads get damaged.
5 MEMU trains cancelled on September 10 due to engineering works Original
CHENNAI: Five MEMU train services on the Chennai-Sullurupeta, Nellore and Avadi routes will remain cancelled on September 10 due to ongoing engineering works in the Chennai Central-Gudur section. According to Southern Railway, a Line Block/Power Block has been permitted between Pedapariya and Nayudupeta railway stations from 12.20pm to 6.50pm on September 10, for carrying out engineering works. The block will be in force for six hours and 30 minutes.
Traffic on Chennai’s Arcot Road worsens amid metro construction, illegal parking and drainage work Original
Chennai: Bumpy roads riddled with potholes, illegal parking and wrong-side driving have turned the 5km stretch between Porur junction and Vadapalani Metro station into a daily ordeal for motorists. The stretch, used by at least 10,000 vehicles a day, should take about 15 minutes to cover but often takes nearly 40 minutes. Arcot Road, which branches off Mount Poonamallee Road near Porur junction was congested on Sunday.
Sewage lorries turn Thangal lake into a cesspool, residents fear groundwater contamination
Chennai: What was once a freshwater source for farmers has turned into a cesspool, with untreated sewage discharged into the canal leading to Thangal Lake near Nedungundram by about 20 lorries every night. This has raised concerns over pollution, groundwater contamination and recurring flooding in nearby residential areas. The 35 acre lake in Puthur village, under Nedungundram village panchayat, is located about 5km from Tambaram Corporation limits.
Dangling cables choke Tambaram; underground network project drags on Original
Chennai: When a truck turns into a narrow street in Tambaram and its top catches a low-hanging cable, the wire is dragged along, a GI pole bends, and the tangled network becomes more deadly. Despite repeated assurances that electric lines will be shifted underground, the streets remain cluttered with hanging wires, bent poles, and cables lying on roads, raising safety concerns for motorists and pedestrians.
Pattabiram commuters struggle with poor bus connectivity
Chennai: For 20-year-old R Vaishnavi, getting to college is a daily struggle. The second-year BSc Physics student at a private college in Morai travels nearly 40km from Pattabiram, but has no direct bus to college. She depends on share-autos or her father for the daily commute, adding to travel time and costs. Vaishnavi is among thousands who face limited bus connectivity in Pattabiram.
24_Che_CM_Vox pop Second stroy
Status: Not Approved HEAD: 24_Che_CM_Vox pop Second stroy Byline: Christopher Miltus Vox Pop | What changed in Avadi after it became a Corporation? Residents speak A Roy Rosario, Founder, People’s Voice Federation, Pattabiram “I clearly remember a meeting held in 2009 where residents’ associations from Avadi and nearby areas were called to discuss the underground sewerage (UGDS) project. We were told the work would be completed in 5 years.
Tambaram steps up dengue prevention measures ahead of monsoon Original
Chennai: With the northeast monsoon weeks away, Tambaram Corporation has stepped up dengue prevention measures, deploying around 700 mosquito breeding control workers across its 70 wards to identify and eliminate breeding sites before the rains intensify.
Monsoon readiness in doubt as SWD work stalled in Avadi, Tambaram
Chennai: With the northeast monsoon weeks away, dug-up roads, unfinished stormwater drain (SWD) work and clogged existing drains in parts of Avadi and Tambaram have raised concerns over the suburbs’ preparedness for heavy rain this year. Residents say several SWD projects have either stalled midway or remain incomplete, leaving vulnerable stretches without proper drainage ahead of the monsoon’s arrival.
Chennai councillors move resolution against commissioner over unpaid ward funds Original
CHENNAI: The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) council moved a resolution against Commissioner G S Sameeran for not releasing ward councillor funds for the past three months. Councillors from DMK , BJP, CPI and CPI(M) criticised the commissioner and demanded an explanation for the delay in releasing the funds.
For Chennai commuters, last-mile travel costs more than rail or bus fare, exposes gap in Chennai’s feeder network
Chennai: For core city residents travelling 10km-20km round-trip, cheap tickets do not ensure savings, as 5km auto feeders can exceed MTC fares by 250% to 900%. TOI analysed costs on five city routes: Anna Nagar–T Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur–Thoraipakkam, T Nagar–Velachery, Porur–Vadapalani and Velachery–Taramani. For those living within 5km of a bus stop or railway station, one-end costs range from ₹7,920/year by shareauto to ₹52,800/year by private auto.
Decoding Chennai’s commute: Car may not be the fastest mode of transport for those living in suburbs
Chennai: If you live in Chennai’s suburbs or on the outskirts and believe driving to work is the quickest option, the numbers challenge that assumption. A TOI analysis of journey times and costs across five prominent routes found that cars were never the fastest mode of transport. It covered Tambaram–Guindy, Central–Tambaram, Tambaram–Koyambedu, Velachery–Tambaram and Kilambakkam–Central.
Chennai Beach Railway Station Redevelopment Progresses Amid Congestion Original
Chennai: At Chennai Beach railway station, lakhs of suburban passengers squeeze through narrow entry points every day, navigating piles of mud, construction equipment and debris, due to the redevelopment work underway. The city’s busiest suburban transit hub, which handles at least 240 services, remains in disrepair despite recording the highest daily footfall (around 2 lakh) among suburban stations in and around Chennai.
Tambaram’s lack of a parking policy chokes its roads
Chennai: Tambaram has expanded rapidly in recent years, driven by real estate growth and IT-related development. However, parking infrastructure has not kept pace. From East Tambaram to Selaiyur and West Tambaram, shoppers and visitors park along busy stretches and outside residential areas, while commercial establishments have increasingly turned public spaces into informal parking lots.
Tiruvallur commuters seek more buses to Kilambakkam buses leaves
Chennai: Tiruvallur commuters seeking to catch southbound buses from Kilambakkam say limited services can leave them waiting up to three hours. They want more frequent, faster buses with timings aligned to southbound departures from Kilambakkam. Bus 297 makes 12 daily trips—six each from Tiruvallur and Kilambakkam—covering 24 stops. The first service leaves at 5am and the last at 8.25pm.
Tambaram metro water work leaves camp rd stretch riddled with potholes
Chennai: Months after Metro Water completed underground drainage work, the two-km Camp Road–Agaram Main Road stretch in East Tambaram continues to be in poor shape. Potholes, uneven patches and unfinished portions has made commute difficult for motorists and pedestrians. The stretch branches off from the Camp Road junction on Velachery Main Road and connects to Tambaram Eastern Bypass.
Three months on, dug-up roads turn into muddy nightmare in Thirumullaivoyal
Chennai : For nearly three months, residents of Thirumullaivoyal have been navigating slushy roads after stormwater drain and road-relaying works left several internal stretches dug up and unfinished. With frequent spells of rain over the past two weeks, these roads have made daily commute difficult, increasing the risk of accidents.
Southern Railway to provide laminated covers with season tickets Original
Chennai: Southern Railway will provide laminated covers along with paper season tickets to prevent printed details from fading, following complaints from suburban commuters who said their tickets became illegible within days. Southern Railway ADRM (Additional Divisional Railway Manager) I Senthil Kumar said the move was aimed at addressing the problem caused by thermal printing. “The thermal printing is the reason why the letters fade.
Southern Railway records 8.84% rise in earnings in 2025-26 Original
CHENNAI: Southern Railway recorded originating gross earnings of ₹13,778 crore in 2025-26, an 8.84% increase over the previous year, General Manager U Subba Rao said on Saturday while addressing the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Railway Stadium in Perambur. Subba Rao hoisted the National Flag and received the Guard of Honour from RPF contingents and the St John’s Ambulance Brigade.
Tambaram seeks metrowater hydrant to ease Radial Road water shortage
Chennai: Tambaram Corporation has asked Chennai Metro Water to provide a hydrant connection at Madipakkam or another suitable location to supply potable water to the rapidly developing Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam Radial Road until a permanent piped network is commissioned. The request was made by Tambaram Corporation to the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) on July 31.
Mangani Kuttai turns dumping ground, lies in utter neglect Original
Chennai: A freshwater pond two decades ago, Mangani Kuttai today has little resemblance to a waterbody. The 1.4-acre pond on the Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam Radial Road, located barely 3km from Pallavaram Periya Eri, has been reduced by road expansion, dumping and encroachment, with its remaining portion now being used to accommodate solid waste management workers. Around 30% of the original waterbody was acquired during the widening of the radial road in 2020.
TN budget 2026-27:Rs 23 crore earmarked to preserve folk arts
News City News chennai News TN budget 2026-27:Rs 23 crore earmarked to preserve folk arts Trending CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu govt has allocated Rs 23 crore in the 2026-27 budget for the preservation and promotion of traditional folk arts.
Aadi Krithigai: Devotees seek more EMU trains from city suburbs to Tiruttani
News City News chennai News Aadi Krithigai: Devotees seek more EMU trains from city suburbs to Tiruttani Trending At present, only 32 trains operate between Chennai Central and Tiruttani each day, including 28 EMU suburban services and four express trains Chennai: As thousands of devotees prepare to head to the Tiruttani Murugan Temple for Aadi Krithigai next week, commuters have urged Southern Railway to run additional direct EMU services, saying the existing suburban trains are overcrowded...
Chennai Egmore redevelopment: Nine express trains to be short-terminated, some EMU services to be cancelled Original
News City News chennai News Chennai Egmore redevelopment: Nine express trains to be short-terminated, some EMU services to be cancelled Trending CHENNAI: Passengers travelling to and from Chennai Egmore will face major disruptions this month as Southern Railway is intensifying redevelopment work at the station. Nine express trains will temporarily originate from or terminate at Tambaram and Mambalam between Aug 5 and 20, while two weekly special trains will be diverted on select days.
Tiruvallur to shift bus operations to new 56-bay terminus on Aug 10
The existing half-acre bus terminus accommodates only 10 buses, and its narrow entry and exit points cause daily congestion Chennai: All bus services from Tiruvallur town’s five-decade-old terminus will shift to a new and larger facility at Vedanginallur, 2km away, from Aug 10.The existing half-acre bus terminus accommodates only 10 buses, and its narrow entry and exit points cause daily congestion.
Bandh in Sowcarpet as traders protest GST inspection
Traders in the Sowcarpet area downed their shutters on Saturday as part of a protest. Chennai: Two days after traders locked up a team of GST officials on duty, more than 500 shops across Sowcarpet, Chennai’s busiest wholesale market, observed a bandh on Saturday.Shops along Mint Street and adjoining commercial areas, including Anna Pillai Street and Narayana Mudali Street, remained closed through the day.
Delayed Redhills bus terminus upgrade leaves commuters stuck in daily traffic chaos Original
News City News chennai News Delayed Redhills bus terminus upgrade leaves commuters stuck in daily traffic chaos Trending Chennai: More than a year after the Red Hills bus terminus was relocated — to a temporary site opposite Puzhal lake — for renovation, the unfinished project has been an inconvenience to around 20,000 passengers every day.
Tambaram, Arakkonam and north Chennai corridors to get rail capacity upgrade
Chennai: New railway lines, doubling and multitracking works are among a series projects planned and under execution across Chennai’s suburban network and neighbouring districts, as Centre looks to ease congestion and improve connectivity on some of Tamil Nadu’s busiest rail corridors.The Beach–Chengalpet suburban section records a daily footfall of 10,21,110 passengers, while Beach–Arakkonam section handles around 5,10,080 passengers.Replying to a question from Lok Sabha MP R Sudha on the...
More than 100 Avadi sanitation workers rushed to hospital after dead lizard found in sambar
News City News chennai News More than 100 Avadi sanitation workers rushed to hospital after dead lizard found in sambar Trending Avadi corporation commissioner R Saranya said only six workers were admitted as inpatients and that most of those brought to the hospital were affected by panic after seeing the dead lizard.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Christopher
Contact Christopher, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack