Kerala Maritime Board requests govt to hold stakeholder meet on Valiyathura redevelopment
Thiruvananthapuram: As part of expediting the redevelopment of Valiyathura region in the state capital, Kerala Maritime Board (KMB) requested govt to convene a stakeholders' meeting.
The meeting, likely to be held under the chairmanship of ports minister V N Vasavan, aims to secure the trust of fishermen, ensuring the project proceeds without affecting their livelihoods. It would address a spectrum of concerns, ranging from fish landing infrastructure and market access to preserving the iconic Valiyathura pier and sustaining community fishing access.
The proposed redevelopment spans nearly 4.5 acre of underutilised, KMB-owned land adjacent to the deteriorating pier.
Once govt approves the project, KMB will call for expressions of interest (EOI) from qualified consultants and investors for a detailed proposal of the redevelopment project. Based on the proposal, KMB will prepare a report and submit it to the govt for final approval.
KMB has prepared detailed preparatory work and land surveys were carried out in anticipation of the redevelopment. However, officials emphasise the importance of winning support from the fishing community before tender invitations and EOI calls can be issued.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Pinga-Pinga e HBP? Tome isso 1x ao dia se tem mais de 40 anos
Portal Saúde do Homem
Clique aqui
Undo
A senior board official highlighted that fisherfolk has a strong presence in the area and clear strategies, including alternate pathways, must be planned to avoid future conflict.
According to KMB chairman N S Pillai, the preparatory work has been done. "It is not just for tourists; we need their (fisherfolk) confidence. The minister is positive about this and will hold a meeting involving fishermen, the church and local representatives.
Only then will we proceed with the tender for the maritime hub," Pillai said.
Meanwhile, KMB is set to invite EOIs to attract private consultants and investors who would co-develop the site under a public-private partnership (PPP). As per the announcements in Jan this year, the revised proposal includes a maritime hub concept, encompassing a fish landing centre, convention facilities, hospitality zones and museums or maritime-themed attractions.
"Following EOI selection, KMB will compile a detailed report, which will then be submitted to the govt for final sanction. Subsequently, a long-term management agreement, likely up to 30 years, will be made with a private partner and a project monitoring committee will oversee coastal regulation zone compliance," Pillai added.
Rehabilitation of the historic pier, estimated at Rs 20 crore, is central to the redevelopment.
However, earlier such efforts under the Sagarmala scheme were shelved over a lack of funding from Centre. Nevertheless, under the PPP model, restoration of the sea bridge is expected to be bundled with other site upgrades, financed and executed by the private developer.
Once slated as a busy cargo port with a 214-m-long pier built in 1956, Valiyathura lost relevance when Kochi port rose to prominence. The pier, described as a heritage structure and a landmark in the area, partly collapsed due to coastal erosion and has been closed for the past four years.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
12 minutes ago
- Time of India
Janitri raises $1.4 million pre-series A led by investor Ashish Kacholia
Bangalore-based Janitri , a maternal healthcare technology company, has raised $1.4 million in a pre-Series A round led by investor Ashish Kacholia , Founder, Lucky Investments Manager, who has doubled down on the company, having also participated in the previous round. Participants in this round included Prateek Maheshwari , Pradip Todi via O2 Angels, and the tal64 syndicate. While the current funding round is primarily based on Janitri's proven B2B success, a portion of the raised funds will be strategically allocated to enter the consumer segment. Kacholia said in a statement, 'Arun has spent time and effort in understanding unmet customer needs in the 1000-days journey of maternal care. Janitri's product is compact, full function, and enables cost-effective monitoring of mother and newborn for both hospital and home segment. It is a large market in India and overseas and hopefully, Janitri will identify more such market gaps to build a large and profitable medtech company out of India.' Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search ads Learn More Undo Agarwal said in a statement, 'Janitri is building products focused on the 1000-day pregnancy journey of a mother and child. The goal is to bring joy to the mother, father, and the whole family as they anticipate and prepare for the arrival of their newborn into the world.' With this new funding, Janitri plans to expand its sales and support network across India; enhance its product suite with new offerings focused on in-home maternal healthcare; develop wearable vital signs patches for remote monitoring in the third trimester; create neonatal monitoring solutions for high-risk newborns and scale operations to reach Rs 3 crore monthly revenue in the next 12 months. Live Events The company's flagship product, Keyar, is an intrapartum monitoring device that tracks vital signs of pregnant women during labor, helping detect complications early and enabling timely interventions. Janitri addresses a critical gap in healthcare delivery — inadequate vital signs monitoring during labor, which contributes significantly to maternal and child mortality rates.
Time of India
12 minutes ago
- Time of India
Recruiter calls out candidate for rejecting job with '42-mile' commute. Redditors give a brutal reality check: 'Flexibility for thee, not for me'
A recruiter's seemingly motivational LinkedIn post backfired spectacularly, sparking a fiery debate online after she shared a candidate's refusal to commute 42 miles for a $150,000 job offer. While the recruiter framed the incident as a lesson in professional flexibility , the internet had other plans—and empathy for the commuter. The drama unfolded on Reddit's r/LinkedInLunatics forum, where users dissected a viral LinkedIn post from a female recruiter who appeared baffled that a jobseeker—publicly marked as 'Open to Work'—would turn down what she described as a 'perfect fit' simply because of a long commute. The post, now circulating widely with screenshots and memes, reads like a blend of pep talk and passive-aggressive disappointment. 'I was transparent about everything,' she wrote. 'Location, comp, expectations… He said, 'Wow, sounds great… but it's 42 miles away. One way.'' The candidate reportedly added that he was only seeking opportunities within 10 miles of his home. 'Sometimes a little flexibility opens a lot of doors,' she concluded. 'Because companies want to hire people who are willing to show up—even when it's 42 miles away.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Undo A recruiter's LinkedIn post detailing a candidate's refusal of a $150K job over a 42-mile commute went viral. She advocated for flexibility, but her stance sparked a fiery debate online. (Screenshot/LinkedIn) 'Flexibility for Thee, Not for Me' Trap What was likely meant to be an inspirational musing about dedication and grit quickly turned into a digital roast session. Users across platforms questioned the underlying assumption that turning down a long, costly commute signals a lack of ambition or work ethic. One commenter sarcastically rephrased the recruiter's words into a mock dialogue: ''Sometimes a little flexibility goes a long way.' 'Can I work hybrid then?' 'Absolutely not.'' Others pointed out the reality of modern urban commuting, where 42 miles could equate to over two hours of daily travel, stress, and fuel bills—not to mention wear and tear on one's vehicle and mental health. You Might Also Like: Can frequent job changes hurt your career growth? Employee shares his major career regrets on Reddit Another scathing comment summed up the issue perfectly: 'Flexibility for thee but not for me!' 'Open to Work' Doesn't Mean 'Desperate for Work' Critics of the post didn't just mock the distance—they did the math. One user noted that a 42-mile one-way commute adds up to nearly 1,700 miles a month, excluding non-work travel. That's not just time lost in traffic; that's money burned in fuel and car maintenance. For some, it's a dealbreaker regardless of salary. 'Open to work does NOT mean desperate for work,' one person commented sharply. Others brought up the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement, noting that mid-career professionals with savings and options don't feel compelled to chase every dollar at any cost. The Real Red Flag While the recruiter seemed to question the candidate's priorities, internet sleuths turned the scrutiny on her post itself. Many accused her of using a rejection—made respectfully and reasonably—as fodder for virtue signaling or, worse, to shame jobseekers for having boundaries. You Might Also Like: 'Constant fear of...': Indian student in US warns others planning US education, shares struggles on Reddit 'This is a critical clue,' one thoughtful comment read. 'If the opportunity is that amazing, make it hybrid or remote. But you aren't REALLY looking for someone talented enough to have options, are you?' In a job market evolving toward work-life balance , remote flexibility, and employee well-being , the recruiter's post felt out of touch to many. What was intended as a lesson in seizing opportunity ended up revealing a widening rift between employer expectations and worker autonomy. No, 42 Miles Is Not Just a Number What this viral moment underscores is that in today's professional landscape, distance does matter—and so does empathy. Candidates, especially those with experience, are drawing boundaries not because they lack drive, but because they understand the cost of burnout. So the next time a recruiter asks, 'Is the opportunity worth stretching for?'—perhaps they should also ask, 'Is it worth meeting halfway?'
Time of India
12 minutes ago
- Time of India
How a cost-cutting move led to the biggest bar exam failure in US history
Why California's bar exam disaster threatens US legal integrity. (AI Image) California's legal system is grappling with a public crisis after what is being called the worst bar exam failure in US history. The collapse occurred during the administration of a new bar exam, built by a private contractor and meant to cut costs — a decision that has backfired spectacularly and drawn national attention. As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, the February rollout of the new exam left thousands of test takers facing technical chaos, delays, and emotional distress. The State Bar of California, in an effort to erase an $8 million deficit in its admissions fund, contracted the test's development and administration to Kaplan Exam Services and Meazure Learning. But instead of efficiency, the result was described as a complete system breakdown. Warnings ignored, and consequences followed Law school graduate Tonya Saheli was among the first to experience the disaster. Months before the official test, she participated in a November experimental version of the exam and immediately reported alarming issues. She faced repeated login failures, unexplained delays, and an unstable platform that crashed mid-exam. "If I'm having this many problems with this experiment, what's going to happen in February?" she recalled, as quoted by the San Francisco Chronicle. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Saheli's warnings were ignored. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, test takers during the February exam faced freezing screens, login errors, and proctors clashing with examinees out of sheer frustration. One legislative analysis stated the failures caused "screaming out of frustration by examinees and proctors arguing with each other." A system built to fail Unlike most states that use a standardized bar exam created by the National Committee of Bar Examiners, California crafts its own. In this case, the test was partially generated using artificial intelligence, leading to sloppy questions and increased confusion. Despite promises from Meazure Learning that their system had "99.982 percent uptime availability" and could support 25,000 test takers at once, performance fell drastically short, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. Rick Coca, spokesperson for the State Bar, stated in an email that Meazure's assurances were "contradicted by actual performance," as quoted by the San Francisco Chronicle. The fallout has been swift: the State Bar is now suing Meazure Learning, while test takers have also filed lawsuits claiming trauma and career disruption. Political and legal ramifications California's ability to produce competent legal professionals is now under scrutiny, even as the state participates in at least 22 legal challenges against US President Donald Trump's administration. The San Francisco Chronicle noted that these cases, along with those filed by nonprofit workers and private citizens, require a steady influx of qualified lawyers — something now in jeopardy. Amid growing pressure, lawmakers have proposed new legislation mandating a formal audit of the exam disaster. Yet, many feel the damage is already done. As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, the State Bar's executive director Leah Wilson appeared defiant, quoting James Baldwin and saying, "Those who say it can't be done are usually interrupted by those who are doing it." But for thousands of aspiring attorneys, the system did not do it — it failed. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
