The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Reporter's Diary

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 27, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Reporter's Diary

Bus passenger taken for a ride

A passenger who boarded a bus on route no. 114 from Vadapalani around 10 p.m. on Saturday, was surprised when the conductor issued her a ticket for Rs.10 to Tambaram. It was double the normal fare. When asked, the conductor told her that it was a night service.

According to some passengers, the bus started from the Anna Nagar West bus terminus at 9.45 p.m. "`Is it justifiable to charge night-service fares when a bus takes up its journey well before 10 p.m.

Will the Metropolitan Transport Corporation come up with an explanation?" they ask.

Is police vehicle above law?

While Chennai Traffic Police are penalising motorists for speeding on Anna Salai, a highway patrol vehicle bearing registration number TN-22-G-0226 was seen speeding at 60 kmph on the arterial road during the peak hours on Monday morning.

Between signals, the sports utility vehicle sped its way through heavy traffic, blaring its horn and siren. Many motorists thought the patrol vehicle was on an emergency mission and gave way. But those who were travelling in it were seen chatting and reading newspapers.

Offers galore at book store

The slogan — "Oh my God! It's the Landmark sale" — with the tagline "up to 90 per cent off" brought in droves of people into the bookstore's two outlets last weekend. While crowds jostled for space at the discount section and bargain bookshelves, there was hardly any space at a particular spot — a table where audio cassettes were being sold for Rs. 10!

It was obvious that the cassettes had been lying unsold for at least three years but, for most of the shoppers, the throwaway price was too much to resist.

One was heard saying that they were cheaper than blank cassettes and re-selling them would be a good option. The sale in on till October 9. And while you are there, check out the hardbound classics on offer for Rs. 150 on the bargain shelves.

New building in a shambles

The new blocks of the Government General Hospital are just over two months' old, but the roof of the resuscitation ward already has gaping holes. According to the hospital staff, a leak in the air conditioner vent led to water dripping on the floor. Repair work is yet to be taken up, it is learnt.

(Contributions by

T. Madhavan, R. Srikanth,

R. Sujatha and

Kannal Achuthan)

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu