Latest news with #Cala
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Legal disputes over land acquisition delay ORR project
T'puram: Outer Ring Road (ORR) project, aimed at connecting Vizhinjam to Navaikulam, has encountered a legal roadblock due to alleged irregularities in land acquisition process. Competent authority for land acquisition (Cala), responsible for acquiring land on behalf of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), is facing criticism for issuing conflicting notifications that experts allege violate legal procedures. Cala refers to revenue officials appointed by state govt to oversee the land acquisition process for national highway projects. Cala first issued a 3A notification on Oct 28, 2022, to begin acquiring land for the project. This notification serves as a notice of intention, allowing the public to raise objections within 21 days. Once objections are settled, Union ministry of road, transport and highways (MoRTH) must issue a 3D notification, which is the final approval for land takeover. According to documents accessed by TOI, MoRTH issued 3D notification in several stages during 2023 for villages including Kulathummal, Balaramapuram, Pallichal, Pullampara, Manickal, Pulimath, Nagaroor, Koduvannoor and Kilimanoor. But Cala unexpectedly, issued a new 3A notification again on Nov 22, 2024, on the properties which were issued 3D notification. Landowners and legal experts questioned this illegal move. Once a 3D notification is issued, there is no need for a 3A notification. Repeating the process without a valid reason may make the acquisition invalid. Adding to the problem, as per rules, NHAI needs to get consent from at least 70% of affected families before taking over the land. Legal experts said the step was not followed properly, making 3D notification itself questionable. "Cala issued a fresh 3A notification for properties with same survey number, which were already issued a 3D notification. It is illegal. Not only one village. There are many survey numbers. This is sheer apathy of authorities and it has to be corrected. Otherwise, it will cause more delay in the land acquisition process," said K Raveendran Nair, a landowner and legal expert. Meanwhile, Sheeja S, deputy collector (LA (NH) and Cala, Thiruvananthapuram), told TOI that 3A notification was issued to 13 villages, excluding 11 villages which were issued 3D notification. "The 3D notification for the 11 villages is still active. The 3A notification is for remaining 13 villages. So there are no illegalities. We issued notification as per procedure," she said. Villages, which were issued 3D notification, will be compensated only after the project secures Centre's approval, said Sheeja. "Once Union ministry approves the project, we will start disbursing compensation to landowners in 11 villages," she said. The cost of acquiring land has doubled owing to the delay in land acquisition. Earlier, land acquisition was estimated at Rs 1,800 crore and it has now crossed Rs 3,800 crore. This delay is putting pressure on both govt and affected families. 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.
Edinburgh Reporter
05-08-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Planning application submitted for brownfield site in Penicuik
A planning application has been submitted to Midlothian Council for the redevelopment of the former Pomathorn Mill site in Penicuik, a brownfield site identified for residential use in the adopted Midlothian Local Development Plan. Following a recent marketing process, Cala Homes (East) has been selected to bring forward proposals seeking to deliver a residential development alongside associated infrastructure and landscaping on the former mill site. Stephen Faller, Senior Land Manager at Cala Homes (East), said: 'This application represents a significant step in bringing new life to a largely-derelict site. 'As a brownfield site allocated for housing, Pomathorn Mill offers an attractive location for new homes that can help meet local demand and contribute to Midlothian Council's delivery targets' Cala will hold public consultation events in Penicuik Town hall on 28 August and 2 October, providing local residents with the opportunity to view the proposals and offer feedback. Further details will be made available via a dedicated project webpage ahead of the event. Stephen Faller added: 'We look forward to working closely with the community and the planning authority to shape a development that complements Penicuik's character and delivers long-term value.' Cala are nearing the completion of their Belwood Oaks Development in Penicuik, which comprised an overall development of 544 homes. As part of this, Cala delivered 57 affordable homes for Dunedin Canmore and Midlothian Council will be delivering the second phase. As part of this development, a total of £8.9m has been paid to the local authority to contribute towards Education, Transport and Community infrastructure. Cala has been involved in several community initiatives to date including working with Penicuik Athletic Boards and Penicuik Harriers as well as sponsoring Cuiken Primary school with a garden donation for a soft play builders' yard for the school. Further details of the proposals and the upcoming public exhibition will be made available via Cala's dedicated project webpage, which will be launched ahead of the public consultation event. Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
15-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Hamilton housing development scoops industry awards
Cala's Darroch showhome at Cornhill Village was recognised at the Scottish home awards A Hamilton housing development has been recognised at this year's Scottish home awards, while its project manager has earned a prestigious honour from the National Home Building Council (NHBC). Cala Homes, who are constructing 26 properties at Cornhill Village off Strathaven Road, took home the showhome of the year title from the 18th annual Scottish home awards in Glasgow for their five-bedroomed Darroch house type. It features the housebuilder's 'showhome of support' initiative by showcasing products by 10 local suppliers; while the property has been designed by Alison Harding of amw Designs, inspired by nature and the development's green surroundings and using influences including Japanese and Scandinavian design, and neutral aesthetics. Judges were impressed by the Darroch's 'high specification and finish, flexibility and sustainability features' as the Cala property triumphed in a keenly-contested category with 16 finalists. Cala began sales of their Cornhill development last October with its three showhomes opening in February, in what is the company's first development in Hamilton since constructing the nearby Wellshaw Grange development nearly a decade ago. Project manager Jordan Hughes made it a double award success as he earned a pride in the job quality award from the NHBC, meaning he will now go on to this autumn's seal of excellence and regional awards, with winners then going forward to a national ceremony in January. Jordan said: 'This recognition means a lot. It reflects the high standards I set every day but more importantly, reflects the team culture we've built on site: one that takes ownership, solves problems fast, and never compromises on the quality of the homes we deliver. 'This is what it looks like when a team believes in the product, the process, and each other. The whole team is on cloud nine about the recent award wins.' Cala Homes (West) managing director Ian Conway said: 'Since launching our latest Hamilton development we have received spectacular feedback, so it is a great honour to be awarded showhome of the year and to witness Jordan and the team being recognised, as they have helped make this site possible. 'Pride in the Job is a highly-regarded accolade which is testament to the hard work Jordan and the team carry out day-to-day, ensuring our site and its teams including our sub-contractor partners achieve the highest standards for our customers and communities. 'Congratulations are very well deserved.' Hamilton's community growth area. * Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. Article continues below
News24
02-07-2025
- News24
Woman slapped by Cala police officer for greeting him speaks out: ‘I can't hear properly now'
Police officers and police stations are meant to be beacons of safety and protection, where citizens can seek help and refuge from harm. However, a disturbing incident has brought to light the dark reality that, for some, these institutions and people who have sworn to protect and serve the community can be the source of trauma and violence. Read more | Heh mntasekhaya! Meet Olwethu Ncapayi the multifaceted content creator taking social media by storm Sisipho Nxazonke details the alleged brutality she encountered at the hands of a police officer. Speaking to Drum Sisipho tells us she was born and bred in Cala - Eastern Cape but now resides in Cape Town due to work purposes. At the time of the incident, she was back home in Cala for a ceremony that was held by one of her initiates as she's a traditional healer. She alleges that on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, she went to the local police station for personal matters and that's when she was met with the horrific ordeal. As she was tending to the matter she went to the police station for, she saw the police officer in question whom she's acquainted to as he is the father of her nephew and thought she should greet him given that it's been long since they last saw each other. She says that she also wanted to ask about her nephew as well. Sisipho alleges that she greeted him by referring to him as her nephew's father, which prompted him to respond aggressively. 'I went to the police station accompanied by a close family friend and as I was done, I saw him and decided to greet and ask how my nephew is since my cousin passed away, and I know him through her since they were romantically involved together. I greeted him by referring to him as the father of my nephew and little did I know I was not supposed to, he said; once you greet me that way that means you'll be too over familiar with me,' she says. She further states that despite her attempts to brush off his behaviour as a joke, the officer slapped her causing her spectacles to fall off her face. 'I didn't take his words seriously and I was trying to brush what he had said off, and I asked him jokingly because I know him, I've interacted with him before, I asked why he's saying he doesn't want people to be over familiar with him, I still had a smile on my face, and in a blink of an eye he slapped me, and I don't know what influenced his behaviour to act like that as I was not even provocative towards him, I just greeted him that's all,' she said. Read more | Mqanduli teen's life cut short over stolen bread, jam and porridge - 'He was desperate and hungry' Sisipho says she was still trying to figure out what had happened and in shock asked the alleged perpetrator why he slapped her, he threatened to do it again. 'I was still in shock trying to process what had happened and I asked him why he slapped me, and he said he'll do it again and as he said it, he was getting closer to me but fortunately was prevented by the person who had accompanied me to the station,' she added. Sisipho claims that she then requested to speak to the station commander from one of the officers who was on duty but was told he's in a meeting and was instead given his contact number and she called him but was advised to open an assault case against the officer which she subsequently did. 'Bear in mind as he slapped me there was a long queue at the station and people saw him stripping me of my dignity and his two colleagues did too. The two police officers who were present weren't much help as I got tended to by the other police officer who was not there during the assault, but eventually I filed the case at least I thought so. And I was told by the officer handling my case that she had done everything and because I don't live there and was there for a short period of time I inquired in an effort to get more information as to what was to happen from there on and she told me I'll receive an SMS the next day with the details of my case. I knew that wasn't how the system works but I gave her the benefit of the doubt, and I asked what will happen to the perpetrator. She said he'll get arrested, and I took her word.' Read more | 71-year-old woman in Lusikisiki killed in a suspected arson attack - 'We're scared' says family The same day June 17, 2025, Sisipho says that she had to go back to Cape Town as her leave days had ended and was supposed to resume work on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, but when she arrived in Cape Town on June 18 until Friday, June 20, 2025, she received no communication whatsoever, despite being told she'll receive it. She then took the issue to social media, specifically Facebook, where it gained significant traction and attention. 'I decided to take things into my own hands and because I have a huge following on Facebook, I used that in my quest to getting justice, and mostly because I was no longer in Cala now to go there and inquire about this,' she says. Following her post, several other victims came forward alleging that they had experienced similar treatment at the hands of the same police officer. Notably, the police officer in question took to social media to respond to the allegations, but his posts showed no remorse for his actions. supplied supplied 'Many more other women under my post's comments section also came out and said they've also suffered the same ill-treatment and brutality from him but were never brave enough to speak out as they were scared for their lives, so this is something he does at that police station but he's still there serving,' she stressed. Additionally, the victim mentioned that when the perpetrator's posts were met with scrutiny and backlash from the public, he locked his Facebook page. Sisipho furthermore states that she later received an SMS notification about her case being opened only after the uproar social media made, leading her to suspect that the station may have been prompted to take action due to the public attention. 'Later that evening I received the SMS notification that I was meant to receive a day after filing the assault case, meaning had I sat back and relaxed they were not going to do anything about it, they'd let him walk away with it like with the other victims.' Sisipho states that the assault had a significant impact on her physical and emotional well-being. She reported experiencing persistent ear pain and occasional headaches as a result of the incident. 'This has really taken a toll on me, my ear hurts so much, and I can't hear properly anymore, and I occasionally get severe headaches that require me to see a Dr,' Sisipho mentioned. Despite these challenges, her primary motivation for seeking justice is not solely for redress, but rather to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. 'My quest for justice is driven by a desire to hold the officer accountable for his actions and to send a strong message to other law enforcement officials who may be engaging in similar behaviour. I hope my case will serve as a catalyst for change, and that police respect us as the public, everyone who abuses their power must be held accountable,' she concluded. Read more | Bullied teen tells mom if perpetrators are not arrested she'll kill herself In response to our inquiry, the station commander of the police station declined to comment on the matter, referring us to the communications department. We were subsequently informed by the communications team that the Cala police station had indeed opened a case of assault against the officer in question. According to the communications team, 'Cala police opened a case of assault against the police, and the case was transferred to IPD for investigation,' reads the comment. The case is still under investigation.
News24
19-06-2025
- News24
Eastern Cape transport dept crew robbed while repairing flood-damaged road
A provincial transport department crew was robbed while repairing a flood-damaged road in Cala, Eastern Cape. Gunmen stole the crew's bakkie. The robbery comes days after humanitarian aid workers were intimidated while assisting people affected by flooding in the province. A group of armed men robbed provincial transport department construction workers who were sent to repair a flood-damaged road in Cala in the Chris Hani district in the Eastern Cape. 'The incident occurred in Cala late [on Wednesday] as the workers were out to attend to a rural bridge damaged by the recent floods in a village in Cala,' Transport MEC Xolile Nqatha said. 'A bakkie driven by a group of balaclava-clad men armed with rifles approached them while working at a nearby quarry,' Nqatha added. He added that the men tied up the workers, demanded keys to their bakkie, and removed several tyres from their tipper truck. 'They loaded them onto the stolen bakkie, and both bakkies sped off, leaving the [crew] stranded but unharmed,' Nqatha added. The incident comes only days after Gift of the Givers Foundation aid workers were intimidated while providing essential aid to flood victims in Mthatha on Saturday. According to the OR Tambo District Municipality, the workers were threatened by people who demanded that they stop supporting hundreds of displaced residents affected by recent flooding in the province. Police are now escorting Gift of the Givers teams when delivering essential aid to affected people. The Mthatha area was the hardest-hit part of the province with 68 of the total death toll of 92. Two bodies were found on Wednesday night, including that of a teenage girl, Premier Oscar Mabuyane said in a statement. It was discovered along the Mthatha River. Mabuyane added: 'The provincial government continues to work tirelessly to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to 4 308 individuals who have been left homeless across the province, and processes are under way to ensure the provision of temporary residential units. Significant progress has also been made in the restoration of critical infrastructure,' he said. The premier said an intensive response and recovery effort was under way.
