Traffic Diversion Announced at Gandhi Mandapam Junction to Ease Congestion

Traffic congestion in Chennai continues to worsen despite the availability of multiple public transport options such as buses, suburban trains, and metro rail. Several areas in the city are increasingly affected by heavy traffic, prompting continuous intervention by the Chennai Traffic Police.

To tackle this issue, authorities have been identifying high-congestion zones and implementing targeted traffic diversions. In many parts of the city, roads with high vehicle density have already been converted into one-ways, contributing significantly to easing the burden on arterial roads.

One such congestion-prone area is the Gandhi Mandapam junction. Surrounded by key landmarks including Anna University, IIT-Madras, CLRI, Guindy Children's Park, and the Gandhi Mandapam itself, this junction sees heavy traffic on both weekdays and weekends.

To streamline traffic movement from Raj Bhavan towards Madhya Kailash, the Chennai Traffic Police have proposed a new route adjustment. Under the new diversion, all vehicles bound for Madhya Kailash must use the Gandhi Mandapam flyover alone.

The Greater Chennai Police, in an official statement, said the change is part of an ongoing series of traffic improvement measures. As per the plan, the traffic diversion at Gandhi Mandapam junction will be implemented on a trial basis starting Wednesday, May 21, to reduce congestion during peak hours.

Officials urged commuters to cooperate with the changes and assured that traffic flow will be closely monitored to evaluate the effectiveness of the new arrangement.

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Civil Defence Drills Continue Across Tamil Nadu to Test Emergency Preparedness

Civil defence mock drills will continue across Tamil Nadu this week to assess the preparedness of vital installations during emergencies, according to an official statement issued by the state government on Monday.

The ongoing drills, which began on May 7, are being conducted in coordination with the Revenue Department, the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) in Chennai, and district-level emergency teams. The upcoming phase will focus on major reservoirs maintained by the State Water Resources Department.

Authorities said the exercise will begin with tabletop simulations and move to full-scale on-site drills during the second half of the week. District Collectors and the Greater Chennai Corporation will supervise the activities.

The drills are part of a nationwide directive from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs aimed at evaluating the civil defence mechanism’s readiness, particularly for emergency situations that resemble war-like scenarios. Critical installations such as ports, power plants, airports, and atomic facilities are being targeted for the simulations.

So far, the drills have been successfully conducted at several key locations, including the Atomic Power Station in Kalpakkam, Chennai Port Trust, Chennai Petro Chemicals in Manali, Kamarajar Port in Ennore, V.O. Chidambaranar Port in Thoothukudi, and the Thoothukudi Thermal Power Station.

Mock scenarios have included air raids, safe evacuation procedures, civil protection drills, and first aid response. These activities are designed to test the coordination and efficiency of emergency response teams.

Officials clarified that the drills are routine and part of a standard preparedness protocol. “These exercises are being conducted only to assess emergency readiness at specific locations. Normal life will not be disrupted, and there is no reason for panic,” the statement said.

The renewed focus on such preparedness drills comes in the wake of the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, prompting heightened security awareness across all Indian states.

Madley Junction to the CIT Nagar–Usman Road flyover will be operational by the end of May

 

The long-awaited flyover link from Madley Junction to the CIT Nagar–Usman Road flyover will be operational by the end of May, bringing much-needed relief to commuters traveling from Ashok Nagar, KK Nagar, and Saidapet towards Panagal Park and T Nagar.

Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner, J. Kumaragurubaran, confirmed that the final phase of the construction is nearly complete, and the flyover will soon be open for public use.

The new infrastructure will connect Madley Junction with the 1.1-km two-lane flyover that runs to Usman Road, facilitating easier access for vehicles in and around T Nagar.

The flyover is expected to open by the end of May, providing a smoother travel experience for thousands of commuters.

The link is designed to alleviate the severe traffic congestion around T Nagar, particularly benefiting commuters from southern neighborhoods like Ashok Nagar, KK Nagar, and Saidapet who regularly travel to T Nagar for business and shopping.

The new flyover includes a 50-meter entry ramp located 50 meters from Madley Junction, offering direct access to the flyover. A down-ramp near the T Nagar bus terminus will allow vehicles to exit smoothly onto the road below. Exits near Ranganathan Street will cater to shoppers, while an additional entry ramp from the opposite direction toward Anna Salai is also in the works. A short corridor at ground level will connect the new ramp with the existing CIT Nagar–Usman Road flyover.

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Tamil Nadu Bans Raw-Egg Mayonnaise Over Public Health Concerns

 In a decisive move to safeguard public health, the Tamil Nadu government has imposed a one-year ban on the manufacture, storage, distribution, and sale of mayonnaise prepared using raw eggs. The ban, effective from April 8, was issued by the Commissioner of Food Safety under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Mayonnaise is a thick, creamy condiment typically made by emulsifying egg yolk with oil and vinegar or lemon juice, and often used in sandwiches, salads, and fast foods like shawarma.

The notification cites the high risk of contamination from bacteria such as Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enteritidis, E. coli, and Listeria monocytogenes, commonly linked to food poisoning. Officials say improper preparation and storage practices have triggered the restriction.

The ban applies across the entire food supply chain — including restaurants, street vendors, catering units, and food processors — and covers any food service offering mayonnaise made from raw eggs. The creamy dressing, widely popular in fast foods, has come under scrutiny following growing use in unregulated eateries.

The move puts raw-egg mayonnaise in the same risk category as gutka and pan masala, previously banned in the state for being hazardous to health. Authorities emphasized that in situations where a potential health hazard is identified, even amid scientific uncertainty, precautionary restrictions can be enforced in the interest of public safety.

Health experts have welcomed the decision, noting that raw-egg mayonnaise remains a high-risk food due to its vulnerability to microbial contamination. The ban is expected to prompt vendors and eateries to shift to safer, cooked-egg or eggless alternatives.