Latest news with #Cial
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
CM praises Cial for socializing profit, launches digitization project
Kochi: Lauding Cochin International Airport Ltd (Cial) for being a model for socializing profit, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday launched the Rs 200-crore Cial 2.0 project , which aims to fully digitize airport operations. Vijayan emphasized the strategic importance of ensuring safety of air passengers and protection of airport assets. With around 50,000 passengers travelling through Kochi airport daily and close to 1,00,000 people visiting the premises for travel-related needs, security of digital assets becomes even more significant. The airport also hosts over 400 govt and non-govt agencies, 30 airlines, around 200 commercial establishments, including hotels, and more than 12,000 employees, making it a vast and complex travel hub. Cial 2.0 project incorporates various initiatives focused on artificial intelligence, automation and foolproof cybersecurity to tackle emerging challenges in cyberspace and enhance travel experience. As part of the project, full-body scanners have been introduced, eliminating need for physical pat-downs during security checks. An automated tray retrieval system has been implemented to speed up cabin baggage screening. Additionally, 4,000 AI-enabled surveillance cameras have been installed to strengthen airport and perimeter security. Airport's existing bomb detection and disposal system is also being upgraded. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Her body cannot endure this level of pain; please help her. Donate For Health Learn More Undo "Apart from these initiatives, several large-scale projects launched last year are progressing rapidly. Apron construction, part of the Rs 700-crore international terminal development, is in its final stages. Commercial zone being constructed in front of Terminal 3 is also advancing steadily. These developments have created around 29,000 job opportunities," said a Cial official. Cial authorities said the firm is committed to offering maximum benefits to investors, local communities and workers. "In 2023-24 fiscal year, it distributed a 45% dividend to investors," said an official. The company also undertook multiple bridge construction projects and recently launched a society for cargo loading and unloading contract workers, which is functioning effectively. Cial plays a key role in Wayanad Model Township project initiated by state govt. It is independently installing solar panels on all 400 houses in the township. Industries minister P Rajeeve presided over the inaugural event. MLAs Anwar Sadath and Roji M John; MPs Benny Behanan, Hibi Eden and Haris Beeran, and Cial managing director S Suhas also attended the programme. As part of the event, aero digital summit featuring an AI experience centre, a robotics display and a panel discussion involving leading national AI experts were held.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
New multiplex launches to boost Kochi's entertainment sector
Kochi: The entertainment sector will receive a major boost with several multiplex theatres expected to come up in the city and its suburbs soon. Besides the existing more than half-a-dozen major multiplex theatres in different shopping malls, at least four more multiplex theatres will come soon. A noted theatre group based in Kochi will launch a new four-screen multiplex at Kakkanad soon, and another multiplex will be opened in an upcoming major shopping mall at Willingdon Island. A four-screen multiplex theatre will come up at Cochin International Airport Ltd (Cial) in Nedumbassery, and a new multiplex will be opened on Chittoor Road soon. A new multiplex is proposed as part of Chithranjali project in Kakkanad. The twin theatres of Lulu and Mymoon, which closed down 15 years ago, on Chittoor Road will be reopened within four months. They will be revived as a multiplex theatre by Lulu Group in collaboration with PVR Cinemas. The theatre complex is situated on around 2 acres of prime land. Mohanlal's 'Mahasamudram' was the last major release at the theatre. The new project will be a standalone theatre project by PVR group with four to five screens, including a PIXL screen, it is learned. HiLITE will set up its screens at its Boulevard project near Thoppumpady under its own theatre brand 'Palaxi Cinemas'. The new multiplex to come up at Cial's proposed mall in the airport compound is in the initial stage of discussions. "Cinema halls, both multiplexes and traditional theatres, have successfully drawn substantial audiences over the last year, contributing to the rapid expansion of multiplexes across urban areas. While multiplex operators face significant challenges and losses in various states due to film industry difficulties, their operations in Kerala continue to generate substantial profits," said K Vijayakumar, president of Film Exhibitors United Organisations of Kerala (Feuok). Besides new ones, many theatres are planning major facelifts in the coming months. There are reports of Dolby Laboratories planning to launch Dolby Cinema Screens at an existing multiplex theatre in Fort Kochi. One of the oldest theatre complexes in the city, Saritha, Savitha and Sangeetha, is under renovation and will be modernised soon. In Dec last year, Cinepolis opened the first Imax screen in Kochi, at Centre Square Mall on MG Road. The theatre, with seating for 229, has 4K laser projection and a patented sound system. "The multiplexes boom indicates an increase in city's economic growth. Kochi has the highest number of screens, and new theatres opening is expected to give a boost to the city's growth as the capital of Mollywood," said Arjun Prakash of Kochi Next Forum collective. The growth of malls has often been closely tied to the rise of multiplexes, as both benefit from increased visitor traffic. Notably, several once-prestigious malls across the state that lack multiplexes are now struggling, with top retailers shutting down. As the middle class continues to grow, more multiplexes are likely to emerge in the city and its suburbs. However, the key to their sustained success lies in the consistent performance of the films they screen. **Info Box** Now Showing Major Cinemas - PVR at Lulu Mall - Shenoy's Multiplex - PVR Multiplex at Oberon Mall - Vanitha Vineetha Complex - Pan Cinemas, Nucleus Mall - Cinepolis Centre Square Mall, MG Road - PVR Forum Mall, Maradu Upcoming Projects - Magic Frames, Kakkanad - Chithranjali, Kakkanad - PVR Lulu Mymoon, Chittoor Road - Cial Mall multiplex, Nedumbassery - HiLITE Boulevard, Willingdon Island
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Cial to unveil Rs 200-cr tech upgrade
Kochi: Cochin International Airport Ltd (Cial) is set to launch Cial 2.0 , a Rs 200-crore project aimed at fully digitising airport operations and enhancing passenger services using artificial intelligence, automation, and advanced cybersecurity. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the initiative on May the heart of the project is the cyber defence operations centre (CDOC), the first full-fledged on-premises server facility at any Indian airport. Supported by CDAC, the CDOC offers real-time threat intelligence, 24/7 proactive monitoring, and rapid response to incidents. "With increasing cyber threats in the aviation sector, the CDOC employs advanced security tools to detect, neutralise, and pre-empt external threats, including hacking attempts, malware intrusions, and ransomware attacks. This real-time digital shield ensures that Cial's vast network and IT backbone remain resilient, uninterrupted, and secure—making it a national benchmark in airport cybersecurity ," said S Suhas, MD, addition to cybersecurity upgrades, Cial 2.0 includes major enhancements in passenger handling and terminal safety. Full-body scanners compliant with international standards will enable contactless and non-intrusive security checks, ensuring both safety and comfort. Security checkpoints will be equipped with the Automated Tray Retrieval System (ATRS), which speeds up cabin baggage screening by automating the tray movement process and reducing manual AI-driven surveillance system comprising over 4,000 intelligent cameras is now operational across terminal interiors, airside zones, and other high-security areas. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 月 *만원대 "실비보험" 최적가 비교가입! "가성비 굿 맞춤설계+할인혜택"... 굿리치 보험대리점 (등록번호:제2006038313호) 가입하기 Undo These systems use deep learning to monitor behaviour, detect threats in real time, and enable swift responses to further bolster security, Cial has also added advanced tools like a bomb detection and disposal system, liquid explosive detectors, portable X-ray scanners, and threat containment vessels for managing hazardous materials.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kerala CM residence, state secretariat, Kochi airport on high alert after bomb threat
T'puram: The Secretariat, the chief minister's official residence, Cliff House, and the Cochin International Airport Limited (Cial) were placed on high alert after bomb threats were sent via email late Sunday night. The threats came from an individual identifying himself as Abdul Arulappadoss, purportedly representing a group called 'Madras Tigers-The Resistance Front'. The email, addressed to finance minister KN Balagopal, additional chief secretary (finance) A Jayathilak and finance secretary Ajith Patil, contained a message claiming that an RDX-based improvised explosive device (IED) was planted within the Secretariat premises and the Cliff House premises. The message further claimed that the device was programmed to detonate at 2.30pm on Monday. The email alleged, without any coherent substantiation, that the motive behind the plot was to derail the chief minister's investigation into a cross-border narcotics network linked to drug smuggler Jaffer Sadiq. It also made various disjointed claims about political cover-ups involving DMK leaders, alleged cyber trails connecting a former Tamil Nadu IPS officer to a drug cartel, and a supposed international collaboration through encrypted communication systems sourced from Italy. Top sources revealed that the same individual has been issuing similar threats in Tamil Nadu for over two months, with Tamil Nadu Police actively on the lookout for him. In Kerala too, officials said he was sending threatening emails and messages intermittently for the past month, keeping security forces under constant pressure. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like News For Jack Nicholson, 87, He Has Been Confirmed To Be... Reportingly Undo The repeated threats have kept the bomb detection squad and the K-9 units of Kerala Police on their toes, forcing them to rush to various govt buildings and sensitive locations to conduct thorough checks. Despite the incoherence and erratic nature of the messages, the authorities are treating the threats seriously, given the potential risks involved. Investigations are underway to trace the origin of the emails and verify the credibility of the claims. Meanwhile, a Cial email received a bomb threat on Sunday evening from achimuthu_ahmed_shankar@ Bomb threat assessment committee (BTAC) was convened on Monday morning and decided that the CISF ensure anti-sabotage checks at all terminals and police conduct city wide checks. Airlines should ensure increased secondary ladder point check for all southern flights. Cial filed a complaint with the state police and informed the stakeholders concerned.
