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New Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Vyttila Mobility Hub Society office is now virtually a one-man show
KOCHI: Entering the spacious office of the Vyttila Mobility Hub Society (VMHS), one is greeted by vacant seats and cabins—with files stacked up on tables the only indication of any activity. There is only a single official on the entire floor, which is enveloped by an eerie silence. The condition of the office, which was once a bevy of activity, now mirrors the Mobility Hub, the integrated transit terminal located in the heart of the city, which has degenerated into a mesh of craters and fissures of late. All key posts are lying vacant as activities at VMHS have come to a virtual standstill, so much so that the society, entrusted with management of the sprawling 25-acre premises, hasn't been able to participate in any tendering process. This explains why the Cochin Smart Mission Ltd (CSML) has finally taken up the project to repair the carriageway and beautify the hub, on behalf of VMHS. In fact, the latter hasn't carried out any major work ever since assistant engineer (technical) Divya Mohan was handed a promotional transfer over one-and-a-half years ago. 'To participate or float a tender you need documents to be vetted by at least three officials, including a technical expert. This has prevented VMHS from floating tenders over this period. This has severely hampered the developmental activities of the hub. Fund shortage is another major constraint. The Rs 590-crore second phase development was actually set for completion by 2021, but work is yet to start due to shortage of funds,' sources said.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
MG Road footpaths: HC calls for swift fix
Kochi: High court on Thursday sought an immediate response from state govt on when the restoration of footpaths along MG Road in Kochi will begin. A bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran was hearing petitions concerning the poor condition of roads in Kochi. Court observed that flooding along MG Road is particularly severe in sections where footpaths are damaged. This, it said, is due in part to ineffective cleaning of drains and rampant waste dumping. Court stressed that restoring footpaths and drainage system is an urgent need, and simply removing and replacing slabs is an inadequate, temporary solution. In response, senior govt pleader appearing for PWD requested a few days to seek instructions from the state. It was submitted that govt is seriously considering footpath restoration and is currently reviewing a proposal that may exceed Rs 16 crore due to cost escalation. Court also noted that damaged tiles and bollards on Banerji Road footpath remain unrepaired. However, counsel for Cochin Smart Mission Ltd (CSML) assured court that all restoration works there would be completed within 10 days. Court recorded this assurance and posted the matter for further hearing next Thursday.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Streetlights remain defunct in many areas in Kochi city
Kochi: Many places in the city are in darkness at night as authorities fail to ensure that streetlights are operating. Though Cochin Smart Mission Ltd (CSML) and Kochi corporation are implementing a project to replace all old streetlights with LED lights, even the lights erected under the project are defunct in certain are unable to rectify flaws and restore the streetlight system. Streetlights in many places in the city, like Manappattipparambu Road, Vyttila and Gandhinagar, are not functioning for the past few days. "Streetlights erected by KMRL in Panampilly Nagar walkway have not been functioning for the past three months. It is learned that there were some technical issues with KSEB that resulted in the malfunction of streetlights. So, authorities of Kochi corporation and KMRL should intervene and get the lights restored," said former Councillor from Panampilly Nagar to opposition councillors, CSML authorities fail to rectify the malfunction of streetlights. CSML contracted a lighting technology agency to replace 40,000 streetlights in the city with new LED lights. The contract was supposed to be completed by Aug 2024, but the deadline was extended to Dec 2024 as the agency couldn't complete the work. "We have been demanding that corporation authorities should intervene to ensure proper functioning of streetlights. But corporation is doing nothing in this regard. Even if we approach CSML, it will take at least two months to get LED lights repaired," said corporation UDF parliamentary party secretary MG Aristotle."There are multiple agencies involved in the operations of streetlights in the city. A section of streetlights is being maintained by CSML, while corporation's contractors undertake repair of another batch of streetlights. Yet another section of streetlights installed under various projects by MLAs and MP is also there. When we raise the issue of streetlights malfunctioning, contractors deployed by these agencies will engage in a blame game," said mayor M Anilkumar said that issues related to streetlights will be resolved within a month.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Work on third Ro-Ro vessel begins in Kochi
Kochi: Marking the inauguration of the work on third Ro-Ro vessel , steel cutting ceremony of the vessel was conducted on Wednesday. The construction will be completed within a year. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Contract for building the vessel for the corporation was signed with (CSL) on Nov 13, 2024. Corporation has allocated Rs 14.9 crore, including GST, for the project. Financial assistance for this project is provided by Cochin Smart Mission Ltd (CSML). The vessel is designed to be 28.43m long and 8.25m wide, with a design speed of six knots. The vessel, classified under IRS Classification Society, was designed by the shipyard's in-house design department. It is configured to carry four trucks, 12 cars and 50 passengers. "The original schedule for completion set by shipyard authorities was one-and-a-half years. Following our requests, shipyard authorities agreed to complete the entire work within a year," mayor M Anilkumar said. The steel cutting ceremony was attended by Hibi Eden, MP, TJ Vinod, MLA, and KJ Maxi, MLA. Also present were deputy mayor KA Ansiya, various standing committee chairpersons, councillors Antony Kureethara and S Sashikala, KSINC managing director R Girija, Steel Industrials Kerala Ltd chairman Muhammad Iqbal, managing director TG Ullas, CSL directors and other officials. With the arrival of third Ro-Ro, even if there is a technical fault at any point, the service can continue uninterrupted with the other two Ro-Ros. This will make travel from Fort Kochi to Vypeen, as well as from Ernakulam to the tourist areas of Kochi and Mattancherry, more convenient.
