Latest news with #CMRL
The Hindu
21 hours ago
- The Hindu
Chennai Metro Rail Limited to do detailed feasibility study for setting up cable cars, ropeways in Mamallapuram, Ooty, and Kodaikanal
Imagine hopping onto a cable car and taking in the spectacular aerial view of the Shore Temple in Mamallapuram, the botanical garden in Udhagamandalam, or the Green Valley in Kodaikanal. Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has started work to hire a consultant to carry out a detailed feasibility study to see if cable-propelled transport systems, such as cable cars and ropeways, can be set up in Mamallapuram, Udhagamandalam, and Kodaikanal connecting some of the popular tourist spots. For instance, at Mamallapuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the plan to check if it will be viable to operate a cable car or ropeway linking tourist hotspots such as the Shore Temple, Mamallapuram Beach, Lighthouse, Pancha Rathas, Krishna's Butterball, Arjuna's Penance, India Seashell Museum, Sculpture Museum, Tiger Cave, Mahishasuramardini Cave Temple, and Varaha Cave Temple. CMRL has invited bids seeking consultants for the study and also look into improving traffic management in Mamallapuram, Kodaikanal, and Udhagamandalam. In Kodaikanal, CMRL is looking at connectivity from the foothills to Kodaikanal Town while also linking tourist attractions such as Vattakanal Waterfalls, Green Valley Viewpoint, Guna Cave, and Moir's Point. In Udhagamandalam, the plan is to link locations such as the botanical garden, Rose Garden, Boat House, and Doddabetta Peak. After carrying out surveys, consultants suggest several alignment options and best routes that will attract a lot of traffic. They also study different technologies used in cable-propelled transport systems and determine the most suitable one. This aside, they will also do detailed traffic projections for 30 years, fare structure, financial models, among others. This project will need in-principle approvals from the Coastal Regulatory Authority and the Archaeological Survey of India. There will also be studies on the potential environmental consequences, socio-economic impact assessment, seismic and geological impact assessment.
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Porur-Poonamallee line: CMRL pulls out all stops to finish work
CHENNAI: Facing an acute shortage of construction workers, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is scrambling to meet its December deadline for operationalising the 9.5-km elevated stretch between Porur Junction and Poonamallee Bypass - part of the city's ambitious Phase-2 metro expansion. To offset the labour gap, CMRL has redeployed workers from other construction sites, to ensure availability of 90% manpower, which is roughly 5,200 persons, on Corridor 4. The target is to finish the line's entry and exit points, a phase considered highly labour-intensive, involving detailed finishing work such as concreting and granite laying. 'We're in a phase that demands high manual labour. The viaduct is complete, but completing the stations' access points is proving to be a challenge,' said T Archunan, director (Projects) and a board member of CMRL. 'We're relying heavily on migrant labourers from northern India, as local workers increasingly prefer opportunities overseas – in places like Singapore and are coming, but retaining them is a challenge. Many migrate to cities like Bengaluru after a short stint,' Archunan said. Ajan Das* from Assam, working near Nungambakkam, said his work starts at 8am and ends at 8pm. He said he is paid Rs 18,000 per month. 'There is a lot of work but not enough people to complete it,' he added. A few others said monthly salary at the entry level is around Rs 14,000-Rs 15,000. Monu Ranjan from Kolkata said it's not just the pay but also the difficulties of not knowing the local language. Despite these headwinds, officials are remaining cautiously optimistic.
New Indian Express
6 days 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
7 days 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
7 days 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.
