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The Hindu
5 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Collapsed and cracked NH 66 stretches in Kerala built in violation of Union Ministry specifications, finds inquiry report
Most of the construction packages of national highway (NH) 66 in Kerala, which have either collapsed or developed cracks, were built in violation of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) specifications, says an expert study. Though the 'inspection report on slope stability, protection measures for slopes, embankments, and other vulnerable locations on NH 66', commissioned by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), following the incidents has not fixed the responsibility on any agency, it has exposed serious lapses in the road construction. While the NH collapsed at Kooriyad, Malappuram, the sidewalls of the road structure caved in some parts of Kannur and a service road sank in Kasaragod. The road stretch had also developed cracks in some other parts of the State, leading to widespread public outrage. The committee, which had Kishor Kumar, former chief scientist of Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi, K. Aravind, director, Geological Survey of India, State unit (Tamil Nadu and Puducherry), T. K. Sudheesh, Associate Professor and Head, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Palakkad and P.S. Prasad, chief scientist, Geotechnical Engineering Division, Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi, as its members, submitted its report earlier this week. Caution against potential landslides The panel has also sounded caution about the potential landslides and the resultant widespread structural damage and traffic disruptions in several reaches of the NH 66, while prescribing mitigation measures to the critical road stretches to 'safeguard against future instability.' Investigations revealed that none of the packages for construction followed the methodology or construction sequence of the slope stabilisation with soil nailing (a technique used to reinforce and stabilise slopes) as per the MoRTH specifications. The 'improper methodology/construction sequence followed for the slope cutting and the soil nailing method' led to the failing of slopes along the NH. 'In many locations, the soil layers and their properties are not considered in the design. The groundwater table was not considered in the design of soil nailing,' the report pointed out. It strongly recommended that 'comprehensive geotechnical investigations, site-specific geological mapping, slope stability analyses, and foundation engineering studies be carried out before implementing any design changes, remedial measures, or slope protection works.' Such assessments are 'particularly crucial in geologically sensitive and failure-prone areas such as high vertical cut slopes, lateritic terrain, weathered rock interfaces, backwater foundations, and zones of inadequate 'Right of Way' where generic solutions may not be effective without tailored geotechnical input,' the committee has warned. Firms blacklisted The MoRTH had blacklisted the Andhra Pradesh-based construction company KNR Constructions and the consultancy firm Highway Engineering Consultant following the collapse, which had kicked up a series of public protests. While the Congress-led Opposition in Kerala cried foul and raised the allegation of a tacit understanding between the BJP-CPI(M) regarding the damaged roads, the Chief Minister and the Minister for Public Works, who had highlighted the completion of the road project as the major achievement of the LDF government, adopted a conciliatory stance by stating that the NHAI would carry out the rectification works. The nearly 600km-long road runs through the urban centres of Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Kochi, Alappuzha, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram, before entering Tamil Nadu at Karode.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Speak less, fill vacant cabinet berths, says Raj Gopal to Revanth
Hyderabad: Congress MLA Komatireddy Raj Gopal Reddy on Wednesday said his suggestion to chief minister A Revanth Reddy is to control his language, speak less, fill the three vacant cabinet berths, and focus more on the development of Telangana. Of late, Raj Gopal has been making statements against Revanth, which has been termed as "pressure tactics" by Congress seniors, to secure a cabinet berth for himself. Raj Gopal, who has openly expressed that he is upset with the party for not fulfilling its promise of allotting him a cabinet berth, met Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar at a hotel in Hyderabad and termed it a courtesy call. Shivakumar was in the city on a personal visit. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Raj Gopal said Revanth should focus more on explaining to the people what the Congress govt was doing for their welfare, instead of going after the opposition. "The Congress leadership had promised me a cabinet berth. Revanth will continue to be the CM for another three-and-a-half years. Thereafter, the party high command will decide based on the public mandate in the next elections. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Daughter thought she had saved 'cute bunnies.' The vet pales when he realizes what they really are Interesticle Undo Revanth's comments on social media journalists were not fair," he said. He also questioned the lack of action by Revanth against Andhra Pradesh-based contractors involved in the Kaleshwaram project. "Several Andhra contractors looted public money, but Revanth has been delaying taking action against them on the pretext of investigations and inquiry commissions. Over 20 Andhra-based contractors were looting Telangana's resources. I will expose them soon," he said, vowing to speak out against anyone looting the state's wealth — be it in the form of land, sand, or contracts, irrespective of party affiliations. Responding to Raj Gopal's comments, TPCC disciplinary action committee chairman and MP Mallu Ravi said they will speak to him in a day or two. "Based on his version, we will decide our future course of action. We were busy making arrangements for the dharna at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. But I want to make it clear that indiscipline will not be tolerated, irrespective of the leader's stature. Everyone has to follow the party's discipline," he said, when asked whether disciplinary action would be taken against the MLA.
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Value retailer SuperK raises Rs 100 crore co-led by Binny Bansal, Mithun Sacheti; cricketer Shubman Gill joins as investor
Synopsis SuperK, an Andhra Pradesh-based budget retail chain, has secured Rs 100 crore in a Series B funding round. The investment, co-led by Binny Bansal's 3STATE Ventures and Mithun Sacheti, also saw participation from cricketer Shubman Gill.
The Print
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Print
Rs 1 crore damages for ‘blatant infringement': Johnson & Johnson's big win in court against ORS copycats
A bench of Justice Mini Pushkarna pointed to confusion among consumers regarding the drinks, saying: 'The present case is a clear example wherein the triple identity test is satisfied. The marks/trade dress of the parties are similar. The areas of operation/business are the same, and the target consumers are also similar.' The court Tuesday penalised the makers of the product ElectroORS and also restrained them from manufacturing deceptively similar drinks and copying the packaging and branding of Johnson & Johnson's electrolyte drink. New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has awarded damages of Rs 1.2 crore to multinational pharma company Johnson & Johnson in an infringement case relating to its trademark ORSL, a brand of electrolyte drinks. The 'triple identity test' looks for three things: whether a set of goods or services are identical to each other; whether the trade channel or customers are identical; and whether the marks are identical. The order noted that Jagdale Industries had first introduced the ORS-L brand by way of flavoured electrolyte drinks in 2003. It came to be known for its apple, lemon and orange flavours. Johnson & Johnson acquired the brand in 2014 and the trademark ORS-L was subsequently changed to ORSL. In 2022, upon finding out that an Andhra Pradesh-based firm, Sree International India, along with another Tamil Nadu-based company, Pure Tropic, had been making products bearing similar trademark and trade dress, Johnson & Johnson approached the high court seeking a permanent or interim injunction that would restrain them from making the product. An injunction is a court order requiring a person to do or cease doing a specific action. It can either be issued temporarily or even permanently, as a final judgment in a case. Essentially, Johnson & Johnson claimed its product's infringement and passing off of its trademarks in this case. Infringement occurs where there is unauthorised use of a registered trademark, whereas passing off refers to misrepresenting one's own goods or services as those of another while infringing on the other's trademark or brand reputation. The defendants in the case at hand used the marks ORSI and ERSI. A core tenet of passing‑off law is that 'a man may not sell his own goods under the pretence that they are the goods of another man', the Delhi High Court had said in the 1996 case N.R. Dongre And Ors. vs Whirlpool Corporation. Taking note of the defendants' product packaging and finding it similar to Johnson & Johnson's, the court observed Tuesday that they had made 'minor alterations' in the packaging of their product, which increased the likelihood of confusion among the consumers. Relying on its 2014 ruling in Heifer Project International vs. Heifer Project India Trust, the high court said the triple-identity test had been satisfied in this case. It noted that the trademarks were 'nearly identical' along with the areas of operation, and the segments of public they targeted. 'The defendants' use of these nearly identical and deceptively similar marks is certain to cause deception and confusion among the general public,' the court said. The court added that the dress, mark and packaging of the defendants' products would also cause confusion and deception among 'any unwary purchaser', especially since the goods are easily-available as over-the-counter products, and available on e-commerce platforms. 'The present is a case of blatant infringement and passing off,' the court noted, awarding cumulative damages in favour of Johnson & Johnson to the tune of Rs 1,21,56,864. (Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui) Also Read: How Delhi HC defined 'originality', holding AR Rahman & 'PS-2' makers guilty of copyright infringement
The Hindu
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
A.P. Chambers announces Business Excellence Awards-2025
The Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation (A.P. Chambers) on Thursday launched the AP Chambers Business Excellence Awards 2025 with a curtain-raiser event. Minister for Housing and I&PR Kolusu Parthsarathy, Minister for Mines, Geology and Minister for Excise Kollu Ravindra, Collector of NTR District Dr. G. Lakshmisha were present. They jointly unveiled the AV, Awards Brochure, and Logo of the Awards, respectively, and praised A.P. Chambers for initiating a platform to recognise entrepreneurial excellence. On the occasion, A.P. Chambers President Potluri Bhaskara Rao stated that this is the first exclusive State-level business awards initiative since the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. 'The A.P. Chambers Business Excellence Awards 2025 will honour outstanding enterprises across categories including MSMEs, start-ups, large industries, exports, food processing, tourism, logistics, CSR, and women entrepreneurship,' he said. A special Lifetime Achievement Award will be conferred on an entrepreneur with sustained impact on industry and society. A jury of senior bureaucrats will assess the nominations, ensuring a transparent and merit-based selection process. General Secretary B. Raja Sekhar announced that the grand award ceremony will be held on August 30, 2025 in Vijayawada. He encouraged Andhra Pradesh-based enterprises to submit nominations via by July 30, 2025. The event is supported by leading sponsors, including Kandhari Hotels, Continental Coffee, Laila Group, Sravan Shipping, and others. For queries, entrepreneurs can contact A.P. Chambers at 91212 21473, 91212 21474, or 99120 92222.
