November 9 tentatively set for demolition of Chander Kunj Twin Army Towers in Kochi
This was part of the elaborate four-phase plan the committee has drawn up for the proposed demolition and reconstruction of the twin towers starting with the evacuation of affected families by July 31.
The district committee, with the District Collector as convener and representatives of the Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO), residents association, experts and officials associated with the demolition and reconstruction, was formed in compliance with the Kerala High Court order dated February 3, 2025.
Two months for the evacuation of the affected families marks the first phase of the process. The affected families will be given three weeks' notice ahead of evacuation. The committee has asked AWHO to release three months' rent based on the category of the apartment unit they have been holding as decided by the court. Besides, each family should be given ₹30,000 each towards shifting charges. AWHO has been asked to make the first payment to the apartment owners by June 17, 2025.
The demolition of the towers will mark phase two. It would start with the invitation of tender for demolition on July 1, 2025, followed by its finalisation on August 7, 2025. Two months between August 16, 2025 and October 16, 2025, would be devoted to the preparation of the engineering design for the demolition.
Demolition by implosion
Preparation of structures for demolition by implosion would take two months from September 1 to November 1. November 9 has been set as the tentative date for demolition. Cleaning of the demolition site by removing the debris is likely to be completed in two months by January 9, 2026.
Finalisation of the project management consultant (PMC) would mark the third phase. The tender for PMC would be invited on July 8 and finalised on August 2. This will be followed by the invitation and finalisation of tender for civil contractor in EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) Contract by December 7, 2025.
The design would be finalised between January 9, 2026, and February 28, 2026, and approved by March 31, 2026. The six-month-long piling and foundation works between April 1, 2026 and October 30, 2026, would mark the beginning of the fourth phase. Reconstruction works would be finished in two-and-a-half years by July 31, 2029. Yard levelling, numbering of the apartments and their eventual handover would be completed in the next two months.
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Time of India
19 hours ago
- Time of India
Garbage dumps heighten bird strike risks at Pune airport
1 2 As many as 120 documented incidents of bird strikes have been noted in the last three years in the area around Pune airport, which is managed by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The trend signals the severity of the aviation hazard to commercial and military flights alike. Alongside, it has repeatedly been pointed out that a number of open plots in a 2km radius of the airport — primarily privately owned ones — are used for garbage dumping, creating a conducive environment for birds. There are also water bodies in the area, where birds gather. Despite Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) repeated calls for property owners to maintain cleanliness, there has been little improvement. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune | Gold Rates Today in Pune | Silver Rates Today in Pune Flocks of birds, along with stray dogs and grazing cattle, are a common sight around the airport. A senior IAF officer told TOI, "Bird strikes are a well-known danger in aviation, capable of causing engine failure and serious accidents. The potential for an crash near a densely populated area is catastrophic." On a site visit, TOI found chronic dumping spots on Lohegaon-Wadgaon Shinde Road, Lohegaon-Kharadi Road, Gurdwara locality, Hartale Vasti, and Lohegaon gaothan. While PMC collects waste in two shifts from open areas, it is ineffective. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The officer added, "Without imposing fines, people will not stop this practice. PMC must work in collaboration with the police and continuously warn offenders." IAF reiterates concerns The Aerospace Safety Section of the Air Force Station in Lohegaon has raised concerns with PMC about improper disposal of garbage on many occasions in the last two years. From June 19-21, 2025, section personnel were conducting a survey in surrounding areas to ensure a safe environment for aircraft operations at the civilian airport and the air force base. Coincidentally, on June 20, a bird hit was detected on an Air India Delhi-Pune flight after it landed, prompting cancellation of the aircraft's return journey. Wing Commander Yadvinder Singh, Station Aerospace Safety and Inspection Officer, in a letter to PMC dated June 23, said, "The unchecked accumulation of garbage near the airfield attracts birds, significantly increasing risk of bird strikes. This is a pressing issue that directly threatens safety of military and civilian aircraft, as well as human lives." He referenced the AI flight bird strike and added, "To prevent such incidents at Pune airport and protect the surrounding civilian population, our airbase has initiated a programme to reduce bird activity near the airfield. A key component is immediate and thorough removal of garbage in the vicinity, which attracts birds." "Failure to act swiftly could lead to serious consequences, for which civil authorities would share responsibility," the missive further stated. When TOI asked PMC commissioner Naval Kishore Ram about IAF's letter, he said, "We have prioritised this issue to ensure safe flight operations from Pune airport. We have already started implementing certain measures, and expect to see desired results in coming weeks. We are taking this matter seriously and coordinating with IAF authorities." Residents dissatisfied The civic body has asserted that it is actively working on a solution by regularly collecting garbage and maintaining cleanliness in the airport area. Sheetal Wakade, assistant commissioner of the Nagar Road zonal office, said fines totalling Rs4 lakh have been imposed on violators in just the last two months. "We have also deployed additional staff and vehicles in recent times to collect garbage in two shifts, covering a 10km-radius around the airport," she told TOI. Yet, residents expressed frustration that the situation remains unchanged. They have urged PMC to take action against individual offenders and private landowners who fail to comply with cleanliness orders. Irked by what they describe as "five years of official apathy," residents of Karmabhoomi Nagar in Lohegaon issued an ultimatum to PMC to close the chronic garbage dumping site on Lohegaon-Wagholi main road or face a public protest. These residents blame both PMC's health department and private waste collection contractors for negligence, stating that no one has taken responsibility to fix the issue. Now, they want the hotspot be declared a "fixed monitoring point" with strict penalties for offenders, as well as permanent fencing. "If PMC cannot manage a single garbage site, what hope do citizens have for a clean city?" asked local activist Mohan Shinde, adding, "Civic authorities must develop a special garbage cleaning plan to effectively address this problem. Current efforts are insufficient as people continue to dump garbage in many areas. Awareness is the most crucial factor." Akash Khandve, a Lohegaon resident, agreed: "Authorities should work on the ground to create awareness among residents about indiscriminate garbage dumping." Private plot challenge Lohegaon-Wagholi host hundreds of private open plots — most are unfenced. As a result, residents in nearby areas have developed the habit of dumping garbage in these plots on their way to work. The sizes of these plots vary, with the largest exceeding 10,000 sqft. PMC in the first week of July issued notices to 20 plot owners, instructing them to maintain their properties in a garbage-free condition. They also warned that plots could be seized if not kept clean. "We have not acted against any owner so far," confirmed Wakade. However, some plot owners questioned PMCs approach. "People living in the area are dumping garbage on our properties. How can the civic body blame us? What role do we play? We cannot afford to fully fence our entire property due to high costs, so we put up what we can. People still toss trash in. How can we stop it?" asked one plot owner. Another plot owner added, "PMC must actively deploy teams and impose hefty fines on violators to send a strong message. Only then will people reconsider their actions." A section of citizens holds the municipal authority responsible for the current circumstances, saying timely action could have prevented things from escalating to this point. "Dumping has become a common practice now. It will be challenging for the authorities to rectify it quickly," said Lohegaon resident Sangita Jadhav. Vital installation in focus A senior IAF officer, who served at the Pune air force base, told TOI, "The air base here is one of the prominent stations in the South Western theatre. It houses two fighter squadrons of the Sukhoi 30 MKI. The flying at the base happens almost daily. The fighter flying is totally different from civil flying. Fighter jets conduct various manoeuvres and fly longer over the base airspace. So, the chances of encountering birds in this space are high. It is critical that we maintain cleanliness across the city to mitigate the possibility." Similarly, Pune airport director Santosh Dhoke pointed out, "Civil flight operations from the airport have reached 100 takeoffs and as many landings on a daily basis. The average 24x7 footfall per day is about 30,000 flyers. Considering the rapid growth of Pune city, there is a high chance that numbers will go up in coming years. We need to prepare to handle this air traffic properly." Satish Pande, an ornithologist and bird conservationist, who has conducted studies on the same topic at Mumbai airport and various defence bases in the past, explained that while garbage mitigation is needed in such situations, it is not the only requirement. "A proper ornithological study has to be conducted at Pune airport to understand the types of birds, timing of their arrivals, behaviour, and why they are attracted to the airport. Only then will we be able to take scientific measures in and around the airport. Garbage cleaning is one step, not the complete solution to the problem." ______________________ Even one bird strike can lead to an aircraft crash. The level of danger it poses is significant — Dhairyashil Vandekar | Aviation Expert ___________________ Knowing about the high incidence of bird strikes is quite risky. It endangers the safety of passengers. The authorities need to take action as soon as possible — Sanket Pandhare | IT Professional and Frequent Flyer ____________________________________ Slew of Incidents (2024-2025-till June) Delhi: 171 Bengaluru: 123 Mumbai: 147 Pune: 51 ______________________ IAF's action plan to PMC 1. Prioritise cleaning garbage | Deploy resources immediately to clear all garbage around the airfield perimeter 2. Prevent open disposal and ensure sustained supervision | Ensure no open disposal of garbage, better supervision 3. Collaborate with airbase authorities | Work closely with IAF team to improve long-term measures, such as implementing covered waste disposal systems to deter bird activity 4. Install CCTV cameras | This will assist authorities in taking action through civil police/PMC as per the law Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Tired of tantrums? Try these 7 parenting shifts that actually work
7 game-changing parenting shifts that calm even the worst tantrums (Image: iStock) The modern world is undergoing significant changes and while these changes are for the best, we cannot undermine the fact that they have raised some serious concerns at the same time. This especially holds true when it comes to parenting. Parents nowadays are juggling between timelines and at the same time they are on a constant quest of raising emotionally and mentally strong kids. Studies have shown that children who are emotionally stable and have better control over their emotions can reach milestones in social and emotional development. Such kids have strong social skills and simultaneously perform better at school and enjoy strong bond with their peers. A study by University of Sydney's ParentWorks intervention, detailed in The Conversation, established that offering immediate, relationship-based rewards like attention or praise, following good behaviours, can disrupt tantrum cycles. This is because it reinforces what kids should do, fostering positive cycles rather than inadvertently rewarding misbehaviour. Avoid screen distractions because they impair self-control or so Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry study (Konok et al., 2024) claimed as it was found that relying on digital devices as calming tools (digital pacifiers) may lead to poorer anger control and less effortful self-regulation a year later. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 11 Foods That Help In Healing Knee Pain Naturally Undo This is because emotional coping requires guided practice, not appeasement via screens. Know parenting shifts that end tantrums without yelling (Image: iStock) As per PMC – Behavioral Interventions for Anger, Irritability and Aggression, Parent Management Training (PMT) Techniques focused on positive reinforcement, ignoring attention-seeking tantrums and consistent consequences, has been validated across 100+ randomised controlled studies and shows sustained improvements. The researchers found that PMT aims to reduce the child's aggression by improving parental competence, giving praise for appropriate behaviour, ignoring maladaptive attention-seeking behaviour and using consistent consequences. Structured behaviour-shaping strategies help break tantrum patterns and support emotional growth. In an interview with TOI, Dr Archika Didi, PhD in Meditation and Yogic Science and Vice Chairperson of Vishwa Jagriti Mission, explained how small daily changes can lead to long-term results and move from tear-filled chaos to calmer, emotionally resonant routines that empower both parent and child in everyday life. Self-parenting in managing your reactions Start leading by example. Following the practice of self-parenting can be helpful. Once you learn to manage your reactions and control your emotions, it will help you calm down and engage with your kids peacefully. Instead of coming home tired and frustrated, give yourself some time to ease out from the stress of office and then enter the house. This will prevent strong display of emotion in the house, also you will be able to answer your kid's concerns calmly. Validate the feeling, not always the behaviour Parenting tweaks that instantly diffuse tantrums, backed by science (Image: iStock) Children, especially when young, are ruled by their emotions. When your child is upset, the instinct may be to correct their behaviour immediately. A more effective habit is to first validate their underlying feeling. Simple phrases like, "I can see you are outraged that playtime is over," or "It's disappointing when we can't have what we want, isn't it?" create a powerful connection. This doesn't mean you condone hitting or screaming. It means you see their inner world, which makes them feel safe and understood, and more receptive to guidance on their behaviour. Create intentional moments of quiet Our world is saturated with noise and overstimulation. A crucial habit for mental well-being is to intentionally create pockets of quiet in your child's day. This could be five minutes of silent car rides, a 'no-devices' period after school, or simply sitting together and watching the clouds. These moments of stillness help reduce sensory overload and teach children to be comfortable with their own thoughts, fostering focus and inner calm. Nurture their expression beyond words Get creative while helping your kids to express their thoughts and emotions. Channelising their feelings in the right direction is essential. Engaging in creative activities such as pottery making, painting, and sketching can be beneficial. This provides a healthy outlet and reinforces the message that all emotions are valid and can be processed constructively. Share stories of great personalities Habits form the nature of an individual. To instil positive traits, make it a daily or weekly habit to tell stories about great personalities. Reading books is yet another way to make them aware about the real-world heroes, their positive traits that helped them become so. Stories have a strong impact, and starting this at an early age will make the kids keener to learn and adopt virtues like courage, kindness, and integrity within their developing samskara. Connect before you correct When a child is in the midst of a tantrum, their logical brain is offline. In these moments, attempting to lecture or discipline is futile. A more effective habit is to "connect before you correct." This means getting down to their level, offering a hug or a calm presence, and helping them co-regulate their emotions. Once they are calm, their brain is ready to learn, and you can then discuss what happened and what could be done differently next time. Name and tame the 'brain-bully' Teach your child that they are not their thoughts. A simple way to do this is to personify negative or anxious thoughts as a "Worry Monster" or a "Brain-Bully." When your child expresses a fear or a negative self-perception, you can say, "That sounds like the Worry Monster talking. What can we say back to it?" This habit creates a slight separation between your child and their thoughts, empowering them with the understanding that they can control their brain and choose which thoughts to believe. Adopting these habits in your daily life will not only help you evolve and become a better human being, but it will also set an example for your kids, making you their inspiration and motivation. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes, messages , and quotes !
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Drainage system to be upgradedto resolve waterlogging issues
1 2 Prayagraj: One of the long-standing problems of waterlogging is set to become a thing of the past here in city. The Prayagraj Municipal Corporation has announced ambitious plans to upgrade the city's drainage system to tackle frequent waterlogging issue, which will be resolved by reconstructing several important drains. The PMC has decided to widen and reconstruct several drains that were previously replaced with pipes, which have proven inadequate to siphon out water during heavy rains. According to Mayor Ganesh Kerserwani, the solution will come through comprehensive repairs and infrastructure upgrades funded under 15th Finance Commission. Over Rs 100 crore will be invested initially to widen drains and remove old pipelines that have caused blockages, leading to water accumulation in many neighbourhoods. Several localities such as Sadiyabad, Daraganj, Allapur, Baghambari Housing, Pura Padhain, Teliyerganj, Rasulabad, Mehdauri, Salori, Chakia, and Pura Manohardas have been affected by the use of 16 to 18-inch diameter pipes instead of open drains. While these pipes manage to drain water during light rainfall, they have been found to get choked during heavy downpours, causing severe waterlogging in streets and homes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Become Fluent in Any Language Talkpal AI Sign Up Undo For instance, on Baghambari Math Road, about 200 to 250 metres of 18-inch pipes were installed, while near Allapur police chowki and other key locations like Malakaraj and near the flyover at Alopidevi, similar pipe-based drainage systems have been set up. However, these are now set for removal and replacement with proper open drains to ensure effective water flow. Municipal Commissioner Sai Tej said that on Baghambari Gaddhi Road, old pipes will be removed, and a new standard-compliant drain will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 50 to 60 lakh. Following this, a detailed work plan and budget will be formulated for drainage improvements across the city. Drainage improvement plans are already underway for multiple areas with proposed drain lengths: Mehdawari (2,200 metres), Ashok Nagar (1,100 metres), Ganganagar (2,400 metres), Rajapur (1,800 metres), Chaka (4,250 metres), Mahewa (2,700 metres), Chaman Ganj (3,000 metres), Chhatnag (1,200 metres), Shantipuram (1,800 metres), Malaka (1,600 metres), Balrampur (1,600 metres), Gohari (1,500 metres), Malak Harhar (2,000 metres), Bhadri (1,200 metres), and Karelabag (1,100 metres). Mayor Ganesh Kerserwani emphasised that these measures will provide a permanent solution to waterlogging in Prayagraj. A thorough survey will be conducted to assess the current drains' depth and width, followed by upgrades to bring them to standard specifications. Pipes that do not meet the standards will be removed to ensure smooth drainage during monsoons. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
