Chennai News – Chennaionline

Local Groups Highlight City Issues Before Election

redi_user — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:02:58 +0000

Across Chennai, many local neighborhood groups have raised concerns about problems that have been affecting residents for a long time. These issues include poor waste disposal, damaged roads that are not repaired properly, frequent traffic rule violations, concerns about public safety, and a lack of coordination between different local government departments.

Residents say that garbage is not being cleared regularly in some areas, which creates an unhealthy environment. Many roads have potholes and are left unrepaired, making travel difficult and sometimes dangerous. Traffic problems are also common, with people not following rules, leading to congestion and accidents.

In addition, people have raised concerns about safety in certain neighborhoods, especially at night. Another major issue is that different government offices do not always work together effectively, which delays solutions to these problems.

With elections just 10 days away, these neighborhood groups are urging the next government to take quick action. They are asking for regular meetings with officials so that issues can be discussed and resolved faster.

The groups believe that better communication and faster decision-making will help improve daily life for residents and make the city a safer and cleaner place to live.

Former Vice President Venkaiah Naidu Inaugurates 10th Edition of CAHOCON 2026 in Chennai

Sukumar J — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 12:08:31 +0000

Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, former Vice President of India, inaugurated the 10th edition of CAHOCON 2026, India’s premier healthcare quality conference organised by the Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organizations (CAHO), here today.

Scheduled from April 10 to 12, 2026, the conference features high-impact scientific sessions, panel discussions, innovation showcases, and interactive networking opportunities. The programme also includes poster presentations by researchers and clinicians, highlighting innovative projects and fostering knowledge exchange.

Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director of the Apollo Hospitals Group, delivered the Keynote Address, while Dr Ezequiel Garcia Elorrio, President and Board Member of the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua), presented the Special Address.

Dr Vijay Agarwal, President, and Dr Lallu Joseph, Secretary General, CAHO were among the dignitaries who delivered special addresses. Dr Nalla G Palaniswami, Organising Chairperson, CAHOCON 2026, welcomed the gathering, while Dr S Manivannan, Co-Organising Chairperson, presented the theme address. Dr Sathish Devadoss, Organising Secretary, proposed the vote of thanks.

CAHOCON 2026 brought together around 2,500 healthcare leaders, clinicians, administrators, and policymakers, including over 200 international delegates, to deliberate on advancements in patient safety, healthcare quality, accreditation, and digital transformation. Alongside the conference, the event hosts a comprehensive healthcare exhibition with over 200 stalls, showcasing cutting-edge products and services from leading medical equipment manufacturers, digital health companies, pharmaceutical firms, and service providers.

In his Chief Guest address, Shri Venkaiah Naidu said, “The governments must prioritise the creation of robust healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, to ensure that quality care is accessible to all, ideally at no cost. While insurance penetration has improved over the years, a significant proportion of patients still rely on out-of-pocket expenditure, which remains a major concern. There is immense potential for Public-Private Partnerships to bridge gaps in access and affordability, enabling more efficient and widespread delivery of healthcare services. At the same time, healthcare practitioners must embrace artificial intelligence to expand reach, improve diagnostics, and enhance patient outcomes. Equally important is strengthening awareness at the community level, with a strong focus on preventive care, this will play a crucial role in reducing the growing burden of lifestyle diseases in the long term.”

The conference will also feature multiple breakout houses, designed to facilitate smaller group discussions, interactive workshops, and focused learning sessions. Over 40 pre-event workshops were organised engaging 32 leading hospitals from Chennai, providing hands-on training and practical insights into quality improvement and patient safety for the participants.

The inaugural function featured the release of the Conference Souvenir and academic publications and journals, along with the launch of new programmes, including maturity and excellence standards in healthcare risk, laparoscopic governance, pharmacy governance, rehabilitation, and patient-friendly hospital administration.

Announcements were also made on the launch of Centres for Quality Promotion and new CAHO forums in areas such as human resources, infection prevention control, and occupational health. The event also witnessed the signing of an MoU between CAHO and Indian Institute of Management Jammu to promote management practices in the healthcare sector.

Recognised by ISQua as the first ISQua Regional Conference for South Asia, CAHOCON 2026 will witness addresses by 20 ISQua experts. The conference will honour excellence in healthcare quality and patient safety through the prestigious CAHO Awards, celebrating institutions and professionals who have made outstanding contributions to advancing healthcare standards.

AMMK Alleges Neglect in NDA Campaign Activities

redi_user — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 06:29:35 +0000

In Chennai, the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) said on Friday that it has been supporting candidates of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Uthangarai and Bargur Assembly constituencies in Krishnagiri district for nearly two weeks.

The party said this support was given based on instructions from its leader T. T. V. Dhinakaran. However, AMMK leaders also claimed that their party has not been given proper importance during campaign activities by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and other alliance leaders.

According to S. Ganesh Kumar, the Krishnagiri East district secretary of AMMK, party workers—from district-level leaders to local members—have been actively involved in campaigning. They have been working on the ground to support NDA candidates and connect with voters.

Despite their efforts, the party feels that it has been ignored and not included properly in campaign events and planning. This has led to some dissatisfaction among AMMK members in the district.

Overall, the issue highlights internal coordination problems within the alliance, even as parties continue to campaign for the upcoming elections.

Fruit Prices Rise in Chennai Markets

redi_user — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 06:16:03 +0000

In Chennai, the prices of fruits like oranges and apples have increased a lot in recent weeks. Traders say this is mainly because of supply problems caused by tensions in West Asia, especially involving Iran.

At the Koyambedu Wholesale Market Complex, fewer shipments of fruits are arriving than usual. Because of this, prices have gone up sharply. Oranges imported from countries like Iran and Egypt are now being sold at much higher rates.

Currently, a 15 kg box of these oranges costs between ₹1,400 and ₹1,700. During the same time last year, the price was much lower, around ₹900 to ₹1,000. These oranges are commonly used by juice shops, so the price increase is also affecting small businesses.

Traders say that if the supply situation does not improve soon, prices may continue to stay high or even rise further. This situation is also affecting customers, who now have to pay more for fruits in local markets.

Political Leaders Face Heat in City as Election Heats Up

redi_user — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 05:19:13 +0000

Despite the very hot weather in the city, political leaders and candidates stepped out on Friday to meet people and gather support for the upcoming Assembly elections. They visited different neighborhoods, spoke to voters, and encouraged them to take part in the election process.

After completing his campaign work in various parts of Tamil Nadu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, who is part of the DMK youth wing and serves as Deputy Chief Minister, returned to his constituency Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni on Friday morning.

He took part in a door-to-door campaign, where he met local residents and spoke with them directly. This type of campaign helps leaders understand people’s concerns and build a closer connection with voters.

Even with the extreme heat, candidates continued their efforts, showing their dedication to winning support ahead of the elections. The active campaigning reflects how important these elections are for political parties and leaders in the state.

Leaders Face Heat in City During Election Push

redi_user — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 02:01:57 +0000

Political leaders continued their election campaigns on Friday even though the weather was very hot. With Assembly elections coming soon, candidates from different parties went to local areas to meet people and ask for their support.

One of them was Udhayanidhi Stalin, a senior leader of the DMK and the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. After campaigning in many places, he returned to his area, Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni.

On Friday morning, he went door to door to meet people. He spoke with residents, listened to their problems, and asked for their support in the upcoming elections. This kind of direct contact helps leaders understand people better.

Even with the strong heat, leaders did not stop their work. They continued campaigning with full effort, showing how important the elections are for them and their parties

Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Surprises Metro Riders

redi_user — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 04:37:01 +0000

M. K. Stalin took a surprise ride on the Chennai Metro Rail on Friday as part of his public outreach during the ongoing Assembly election campaign.

He was joined by N. Ezhilan. They travelled from Chennai Central to AG-DMS Metro Station.

During the journey, Stalin spoke with people at the metro station and passengers inside the train. He listened to their opinions and asked for feedback about different government schemes.

This unexpected visit helped him connect directly with the public. It also gave him a chance to understand what people think about the government’s work.

Overall, the metro ride was part of his effort to engage with citizens and hear their views during the election period.

Perungudi Residents Plan Election Boycott

redi_user — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 03:15:58 +0000

A group of residents in Perungudi have decided to boycott the upcoming Assembly election. They are unhappy that major political parties like Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam have not solved a land dispute in their area for more than 50 years.

The residents say they have been facing this issue for a long time, but no proper action has been taken. Because of this, they feel ignored and have chosen not to vote in the election.

To show their protest, they have put up posters and signs in the area, clearly stating that they will skip voting.

Perungudi comes under the Sholinganallur Assembly constituency.

Overall, the boycott is a way for residents to express their frustration and demand attention to their long-pending problem.

Tamil Nadu Assembly Polls See Over 4,600 Candidates

redi_user — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 03:11:02 +0000

The race for the Tamil Nadu Assembly election, scheduled on April 23, is becoming more intense, with over 4,600 candidates contesting.

The deadline for candidates to withdraw their nominations ended on April 9, 2026. Now, the final list of candidates has been confirmed, and all parties are actively campaigning.

Major political alliances like the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led Secular Progressive Alliance and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led National Democratic Alliance are key players in the election.

Seeman’s Naam Tamilar Katchi is also taking part in the contest.

In addition, actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay is contesting through his new party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, which is trying to gain support from voters.

With many candidates and parties in the race, the election is expected to be highly competitive, as each group works hard to attract voters and win seats.

Udhayanidhi Wins Over Voters in Egmore Campaign

redi_user — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:40:01 +0000

Egmore’s Thana Street, a busy market area in Purasawalkam, was especially lively on Wednesday as the political campaign passed through. The event attracted shoppers, traders, supporters, and locals, who gathered along the roadside.

As Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin approached, the street buzzed with excitement. Traditional music filled the air, creating a festive mood. Bright flags and signs with election symbols lined the street, making it look like a colorful campaign trail. A local band played light music and political songs, keeping the crowd energetic despite the hot evening.

Local leaders, including Chennai Mayor R. Priya and DMK candidate S. Prasanna (known as Tamilan Prasanna), arrived early to greet supporters. They took photos with locals and urged them to vote. Announcements were made to ensure everyone stayed safe during the event.