Latest news with #Anilkumar
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Desilting and Restoration of Chilavannoor, Market canals to begin shortly
The desilting and restoration work on the Chilavannoor Canal, worth ₹8.40 crore, is set to get under way shortly under the Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS). The restoration of the Market Canal is also likely to begin shortly. The work has already been tendered and will be executed using ₹28.77 crore allotted by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). The State Cabinet, in May, gave its nod for implementing the IURWTS in Kochi, aimed at reviving six canals, at a revised estimate of ₹3,716.10 crore. The project is intended to make the canals navigable and provide a lasting solution to flooding in the city during the rainy season. Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) will continue as the special-purpose vehicle for the initiative, while the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) has been appointed as the implementation agency for the sewerage components. Funding for the project will be ensured through the KIIFB and the National River Conservation Directorate. Mayor M. Anilkumar said the works launched under the canal rejuvenation programme were making rapid progress. 'The Kochi Corporation and KMRL will jointly organise a review meeting of the project, which will also be attended by Industries Minister P. Rajeeve. The main objectives of the project include strengthening the water transport system, landscaping and constructing walkways along the canal banks, removing accumulated silt to improve water quality, and restoring water flow and the aquatic ecosystem,' he added. The construction of a higher-capacity sewage treatment plant at Elamkulam is set to get under way shortly. The KWA is the executing agency for the project, which is estimated at ₹341.97 crore. 'A proposal for the beautification of the Chilavannoor Canal banks — including a walkway and seating arrangements — had been submitted to the KIIFB for approval,' said Mr. Anilkumar. Runoff from around the Kaloor International Stadium eventually reaches the Chilavannoor Canal. The bridge along Subhash Chandra Bose Road is narrow, and ₹4.71 crore has been allocated for its reconstruction. The work has been re-tendered as the amount quoted in the initial tender was higher than estimated. The construction of Bund Road has been completed at a cost of ₹38.17 crore. 'Works worth around ₹100 crore are likely to be completed this year, and the rest of the project estimated at ₹3,716 crore could be completed in a couple of years,' said Mr. Anilkumar. 'Sewage outlets draining into canals will be completely sealed helping to prevent the accumulation of silt and reducing the need for frequent desilting. Waterlogging will be addressed to a great extent sparing the city from mosquito infestations. Canal tourism projects are also expected to become a reality. Canal rejuvenation is the second biggest project in Kochi after the resolution of the waste management issue at Brahmapuram,' he added.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Construction of new houses for Shanthipuram Colony residents begins
Kochi: Reconstruction of houses has begun for residents in the area known as Shanthipuram Colony, located in 44th division of Kochi corporation in Karanakodam. Corporation has designed the project to construct new houses for 197 families in the colony using Life Mission and CSR funds. The existing houses are very old and lack proper security. "Providing them with safe and secure homes has been one of the long-term goals of the municipality and was announced in the budget. Under the leadership of Azadi Group's Architecture Engineering College, a plan has been prepared to construct apartment complexes in blocks of eight homes each, across three cents," mayor M Anilkumar said. "The expected construction cost for one house is Rs 10 lakh. However, the maximum amount the corporation can provide per family under LIFE scheme is Rs 4 lakh. We are unable to use any other funds for this purpose. The challenge before the corporation was to find the remaining Rs 6 lakh per house. Assurances have been received for CSR funds of Rs 1 crore from BPCL Kochi Refinery and Rs 50 lakh from Sobha Group. Phase I construction activities will commence soon," Anilkumar added. "Division councillor George Nanat also took the initiative to ensure the project becomes a reality," he said.
The Hindu
19-07-2025
- The Hindu
Missing Keralite found safe after Houthi attack in Red Sea
The family of Anilkumar Raveendran, a 52-year-old security officer from Pathiyoor in Alappuzha, who went missing after a cargo vessel sank in the Red Sea following an attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels on July 7, can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Anilkumar contacted his family and informed them that he is currently in a hotel under the control of Yemeni government forces. His family said that he first contacted them in the early hours of Friday and again on Friday evening. He told them that he was initially rescued by a fishing vessel and later handed over to the Yemen Coast Guard. Efforts to bring him back to Kerala are under way with the help of the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia, the family added. The vessel, MV Eternity C, a Liberian-flagged cargo ship, was en route to the Israeli port of Eilat when it came under attack. At the time, the ship had a crew of 25 on board, including nationals from India, the Philippines, Russia and Greece. Four crew members were killed in the attack. Ten others, including another Keralite identified as Augustine of Parasala in Thiruvananthapuram, were rescued.
New Indian Express
19-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Kochi canal rejuvenation project gains momentum
KOCHI: Kochi Mayor M Anilkumar on Friday said the canal rejuvenation programme started under the Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS) project is gaining momentum. The Rs 3,716 crore project includes revitalisation of six major canals in Kochi, inland transportation and tourism. 'The project aims to strengthen water transport systems, construct attractive landscaping and walkways along canal banks, improve water quality by removing accumulated waste in the canals, make water flow smooth, and protect the aquatic ecosystem,' Anilkumar said. The Rs 8.4-crore project prepared for the cleaning of Chilavannur canal is set to be launched, he said, adding that the plan for the beautification of the banks of the Chilavannur canal has been submitted for KIIFB approval. 'The plan is to create a walkway and beautiful public spaces along the banks. The stream flowing from the international stadium joins the Chilavannur stream. The Chettichira bridge on Subhash Chandra Bose Road is very narrow, and thus Rs 4.51 crore has been spent on its reconstruction,' he said. The Kochi corporation and the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) have also decided to organise a meeting on the project. It will be attended by Industries Minister P Rajeeve and other people's representatives.
New Indian Express
18-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Ex-army man missing after Houthi strike on cargo vessel
ALAPPUZHA: A Kayamkulam native posted as security officer has been missing since July 7 after Houthi rebels attacked and sunk the cargo ship he was on in the Red Sea. Anilkumar Raveendran, 52, of Pathiyoor is among the 12 crew members of Liberia-flagged M V Eternity C who are missing since the attack. One other Keralite crew member, Augustine from Parassala in Thiruvananthapuram, was rescued along with six others by the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR). Anilkumar, a retired Indian Army officer, last contacted his family via phone on July 6, a day before the attack and told them the ship was heading towards the Red Sea. The family is now frantically seeking information about his whereabouts. Anilkumar's wife Sreeja, who was officially informed about his disappearance by the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, has reached out to the Union government as well as Alappuzha MP K C Venugopal urging immediate intervention to locate and rescue her husband.
