Latest news with #CMRL
New Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- New Indian Express
CMRL achieves milestone as TBM ‘Peacock' completes longest Phase 2 tunnel without disruptions
CHENNAI: CMRL crossed a major engineering milestone on Wednesday with the successful retrieval of tunnel boring machine 'Peacock' at the Kodambakkam ramp near Meenakshi College, completing the longest underground work of its Phase 2 drive without public disruption. The 2.047-km bored tunnel is part of Corridor 4, a 26.8 km stretch that will eventually link Light House and Poonamallee Bypass. The TBM, designated DL-1074, was launched in May 2024 from Panagal Park crossover and has since traversed densely built residential areas, passing under more than 190 buildings — including over 50 ageing structures — and two churches, while boring parallel to an active railway line before cutting across multiple tracks. Despite the engineering complexity and urban sensitivities, CMRL officials confirmed that no damage or disturbance was reported during the entire excavation. The breakthrough marks the completion of the single longest tunnel in Phase 2. CMRL Director (Projects) T Archunan, alongside senior officials from contractor ITD Cementation India Ltd and project consultants, attended the retrieval event at Arcot Road.
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Exalogic affairs: Kerala high court adjourns plea for CBI probe
Kochi: High court has adjourned to Aug 12 the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a CBI probe into the alleged financial transactions between Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) and Exalogic Solutions, a defunct company owned by CM Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter, T Veena. The adjournment came after the petitioner sought time to file a counter-affidavit. The bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji was hearing the plea by M R Ajayan, a senior journalist from North Paravur in Ernakulam. He alleged that Exalogic Solutions received Rs 1.72 crore from CMRL as illegal gratification, and also sought an investigation into the alleged political nexus involving the CM and the companies concerned. On Wednesday, HC was informed that the notice issued to the Interim Board of Settlement, New Delhi, remained unserved. When HC inquired whether the board needed to be heard, the petitioner's counsel sought time to respond. Notice to T Veena In another petition seeking probes by central agencies like the CBI and ED into the alleged financial dealings of CMRL, including those involving Exalogic Solutions, HC issued notices to T Veena and other respondents before admission. The bench of Justice C S Dias adjourned the petition filed by BJP leader Shone George to Aug 25.
The Hindu
17 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
CMRL-Exalogic case: Kerala High Court issues notice to Veena, 12 others
The Kerala High Court has issued notice to Veena T., the daughter of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, her IT firm Exalogic Solutions Pvt. Ltd., and 11 others who had been arraigned as respondents in the case pertaining to the allegations regarding the financial transactions between Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd. (CMRL) and Exalogic. The notice was issued on a petition filed by BJP leader Shone George, seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the allegations. The 11 other respondents include Sasidharan Kartha, the MD of CMRL. In the petition, Mr. George said that the contents of the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) probe report on the alleged financial transactions between the two companies had referred to corporate fraud. But the SFIO had limited the scope of its probe to offences under the Companies Act and did not investigate the motive behind the alleged illegal payments. He thus sought further probe in coordination with the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Election Commission, since the findings involved offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the Representation of People's Act. Veena's stance Ms. Veena had in an affidavit before the High Court in June refuted the allegation that her company is a 'benami' firm, and said it is operated independently of her father. In response to a PIL filed seeking a CBI probe into the allegations pertaining to the financial transactions between the two companies, she had said that the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs had ordered a probe by the SFIO into certain affairs of the CMRL, including its transactions with Exalogic, under the Companies Act. As the SFIO was currently seized of the matter, all other agencies are precluded from probing it, she had contended then.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
CMRL to fully switch to usage of Singara Chennai cards, commuters with smart cards can transfer balance
Chennai Metro Rail will entirely switch to the usage of National Common Mobility Cards or the Singara Chennai cards from August 1. As a result, commuters with the regular travel cards or contactless smart cards will not be able to do a top-up of the card in all 41 stations of the phase I and phase I extension network from August 1. Commuters can exhaust the remaining balance in the smartcards for travel meanwhile. 'When the card residual value reaches the minimum (less than ₹50), the card shall be surrendered at CMRL ticketing counters and in lieu shall obtain Singara Chennai Card as replacement with zero card cost along with transfer of their deposit and residual value to NCMC for further usage,' according to a press release. While contactless smart cards have been available since 2015, Chennai Metro Rail commenced the issuance of NCMC in April 2023.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Chennai Metro Rail won't top up old travel cards starting August 1
CMRL old card (above) and Singara Chennai card CHENNAI: Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) will phase out its existing travel cards and migrate entirely to the Singara Chennai National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) from August 1. From that date, top-up services for the older CMRL travel cards will be discontinued across all 41 metro stations. Other ticketing methods such as QR tickets will remain unchanged. Commuters holding the old CMRL cards can continue using their cards until the balance is exhausted. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Once the residual value falls below Rs 50, passengers must surrender the card at any metro station counter. They will then receive a Singara Chennai Card free of charge, with the remaining balance and deposit amount transferred to the new NCMC card for continued use. CMRL first introduced the NCMC-compliant Singara Chennai Card on April 14, 2023, alongside the older CMRL travel cards. The transition is aimed at creating a unified ticketing system compatible with multiple modes of transport and urban mobility services.
