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Time of India
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kochi corporation, CSML meeting to sort out streetlight issues fails
Kochi: A joint meeting convened by Cochin Smart Mission Ltd (CSML) and Kochi corporation on Friday failed to take any key decision on addressing issues related to streetlights in Kochi. Another round of meetings will be convened in the presence of mayor and deputy mayor. The opposition said that the meeting was a farce, as neither mayor nor deputy mayor attended. Councillors expressed dissatisfaction, stating that no effective measures were taken for maintenance of CSML LED lights in the city. Councillors criticized CSML officials for not repairing the lights. CSML officials said that LED lights are yet to be installed along 2,500m as part of the project and that no operation and maintenance contract was signed with the contractors. Opposition leader Antony Kureethara stated that inability to complete the project, which cost Rs 40 crore, is unjustifiable. A UDF councillor suggested providing toll-free numbers to public to report faulty lights, but CSML stated that this is not feasible under current circumstances. The meeting ended with an assurance that another meeting would be called in the presence of mayor, who is an executive member of CSML. Mayor M Anilkumar couldn't attend the meeting as he is under treatment.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Kochi corporation, CSML meet today to sort out streetlight issues
Kochi: Kochi corporation and Cochin Smart Mission Ltd (CSML) will conduct a joint meeting on Friday to sort out issues related to defunct streetlights. During the meeting, councillors and officials with the corporation should pinpoint the issues related to streetlights in their areas so that CSML can take necessary corrective measures. There are widespread complaints that streetlights are not functioning in several parts of the city despite CSML claiming that they are nearing completion of the much-hyped LED streetlight project in Kochi. According to councillors, the issue has been persisting for the past one year. Councillors also said that authorities begin rectification works only five or six months after the complaint is filed. Separate meetings will be conducted for each circle of the corporation from 2pm to 4pm on Friday. Corporation entrusted a Rs 40-crore project to CSML to replace the existing lights with LED lights. As per original schedule, the project was supposed to be completed by Dec 2023. Later, deadline was revised to Dec 2024. Now, CSML authorities say rectification works can be done after project completion by the end of July. The project was initiated to improve quality of streetlights and cut down on electricity bills. Before switching over to LED lights, electricity bill was around Rs 1.5 crore a month. In April 2025, corporation received a bill of Rs 1.24 crore, and in May and June, the bills were Rs 1.33 crore and 1.29 crore respectively. So, the claim that power bills can be reduced by 40% once the project is implemented is also being questioned by councillors. Councillors are expected to raise such issues at the meeting and CSML will be asked to rectify those.
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Kochi corporation increases rent for stalls in new Ernakulam market
Kochi: Kochi corporation has increased rent of stalls in new Ernakulam market building. Corporation council, which met last month, gave approval for increasing rent to Rs 45 per square foot from the earlier Rs 20. Revised rates will be collected from stall owners from July, it is learned. This rate is applicable to existing vendors, while those who procure stalls on rent through fresh tenders will have to pay Rs 120 per square foot. Construction of the 19,822.14 square metre complex began in Feb 2022 and new market was inaugurated in Dec 2024. The project was completed using Rs 75 crore given by Cochin Smart Mission Ltd (CSML). Basement is allocated for parking. Ground and first floors have been allocated for existing vendors. First floor has space for an electrical room and FMP (fast-moving products) section, while sewage treatment plant is provided in the basement. Second and third floors are currently open spaces with no partitions, providing ample commercial or office space. This can be allotted to vendors through fresh tenders.
New Indian Express
24-06-2025
- New Indian Express
Vyttila Hub repair finally begins after 1.5 years; Nature Park, better amenities on the way
KOCHI: At long last, commuters and bus operators at the Vyttila Mobility Hub can heave a sigh of relief. The Cochin Smart Mission Ltd (CSML) has started repairing the carriageway of the hub, which had been lying dilapidated for nearly 1.5 years. According to a senior official, CSML has carried out a compaction test of the soil — called California Bearing Ratio (CBR) — before going ahead with the renovation. 'The tiling will be changed entirely. We will also improve the amenities for commuters, including seating arrangements, bathrooms, lighting, fan, waste bins, etc,' the CSML official said. The authorities aim to complete the work by September first week. 'The ground already has a layer of appropriate material, and it will be adequate to prevent sinkage in the future,' the official said. He also pointed out that the undulations on the carriageway due to ground sinking, as the hub was built on marshy land, will not happen in future. Once the maintenance is over, in three months, the CSML authorities will start setting up an open park behind the hub, along the course of the Kaniyampuzha river. The project includes the development of a walkway with natural landscaping and stone benches for passengers to relax. It will also have play equipment for children. While the entire project cost amounts to Rs 9.56 crore, the open space development is being carried out at an estimated cost of Rs 5.43 crore. 'A key aspect of the project is the development of a 5.5-acre space behind the 13 bus bays into a green landscape where passengers can unwind. The planned 'Nature Park' will have two separate recreational areas, sculpture gallery, play area, activity area, food kiosk, wide walkway, granite seating along the riverbank, and uniform lighting,' the official said.
New Indian Express
22-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Old tea godown threatens Fort Kochi boat jetty; SWTD seeks its demolition
KOCHI: An old godown building, in dilapidated condition, is threatening the Fort Kochi customs boat jetty, which is relied on by hundreds of commuters and tourists. In fact, a portion of the large building has already caved in, damaging the ceiling of the walkway of the boat jetty, which was reopened to the public just a couple of months ago following a `80-lakh renovation. The 'Imperial' building, owned by a Willingdon Island-based export company engaged in tea packaging, used to exhibit artwork during the Kochi Biennale. But now, it's mostly employed as a godown. Constructed using stones and mud bricks, it has the height of a two-storey building. With the structure threatening to cave in at any time, the state water transport department (SWTD) and the Cochin Smart Mission Ltd (CSML) has written to Kochi corporation, demanding that the building be demolished. 'A portion of the building caved in last week, damaging the roof of the jetty, which was aesthetically renovated using a false ceiling and illuminating lights. We suffered a damage of Rs 20,000. We've also taken up the issue with the Disaster Management Authority,' a senior SWTD official said. The portion of the walkway facing the godown building is restricted for commuters to ensure their safety. As a result, the walkway connecting the jetty with the road remains crowded during rush hour. Meanwhile, ward councillor and health standing committee chairperson T K Ashraf has also filed a complaint, demanding the immediate demolition of the 'dangerous' building, following which the corporation assistant executive engineer served a notice to the owner, A V Agencies. The notice threatened action under the Kerala Municipality Act if the owner fails to act. 'Firm to bear expense' Meanwhile, Kalvatty ward member Ashraf said he held talks with representatives of the company, which owns the building, and the latter agreed to demolish the portion posing a danger to the boat jetty. 'The company agreed to bear the expense for levelling the section, which will probably start tomorrow itself. Demolition experts visited the site today. A fire force team also examined the building and agreed to assist the process. The continuous rain has worsened the situation. We've initiated action on a war footing,' he told TNIE. 'A portion caved in last week, and no measure has been taken yet to ensure the safety of commuters. We demand that authorities demolish the building at the earliest,' said M M Abbas, president of the West Kochi Passengers Association.
