Latest news with #IntegratedUrbanRegenerationandWaterTransportSystem
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Nod for additional land acquisition for Chilavannoor Bund Road bridge
Kochi: Expediting land acquisition procedures for reconstruction of Chilavannoor Bund Road bridge, revenue department issued an order approving recommendation of expert committee report for additional land for the project in old bridge area. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now An additional 0.1127 hectares in Poonithura village will be acquired for construction work of approach road and bridge. The project is being implemented as part of Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS) project of Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL), and state govt has already accorded sanction for the revised tender of Rs 38.77 crore for the bridge. Earlier, KIIFB accorded sanction for the reconstruction at an estimated cost of Rs 32.58 crore. Following this, KMRL published tender and work was awarded to ULCCS. Although initial construction work, including piling, commenced, the project required additional land, prompting the latest decision to acquire more land to ensure the project's completion. The narrow bridge is one of the major causes of stagnation and flooding in and around the city. New bridge will be an iconic 90m span bridge, which is expected to reduce flooding in the city.
The Hindu
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Canal rejuvenation under IURWTS likely to ease waterlogging in Kochi
The State government's move to accord in-principle approval for the implementation of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB)-funded Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS) will benefit six canals in Kochi and is expected to bring a lasting solution to the perennial issue of waterlogging faced by the city. Edappally canal, Perandoor canal, Chilavannoor canal, Thevara canal, Market canal, and Konthuruthy canal will be rejuvenated under the project. Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) is the special purpose vehicle for the project. While administrative sanction was accorded for an estimated ₹1,528.27 crore initially, it was revised to ₹3,716.10 crore based on a revised proposal submitted by the KMRL project director. The KIIFB will carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the estimate proposal of KMRL. The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has issued wildlife clearance for the IURWTS, subject to the condition that the sub-canal passing through the Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary shall be taken up for cleaning during the implementation of the project. Accordingly, the government order gave in-principle approval for including the cleaning of the sub-canal passing through the sanctuary as well in the project. 'The implementation of the project will put an end to Kochi's perennial problems of waterlogging, mosquito menace, and other issues. It will also alter the face of the city in terms of infrastructure, industry, and tourism potential,' said Mayor M. Anilkumar. According to the revised estimates, ₹532.09 crore has been allocated for canal-oriented development, ₹41.33 crore for the canal-oriented development of Konthuruthy canal, ₹5 crore for the development of Mangalavanam canal, ₹1,386.68 crore for sewage treatment plants and sewer network, and ₹37.05 crore for sanitation and solid waste management. A significant allocation of ₹1,235.70 crore has been made towards land acquisition, which is critical to the project. Further allocation of ₹28.27 crore has been made for rehabilitation and resettlement, ₹36.47 crore for utility shifting, ₹41.94 crore for specialised works and survey, ₹353.81 crore for establishment charges related to land acquisition, and ₹17.76 crore for project expenses towards capitalisation.
The Hindu
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Mayor contests Behra's claim on launching boat services through rejuvenated canals in Kochi
Mayor M. Anilkumar said that Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) managing director Lokanath Behera's claim that boat services will be launched along six canals in the city, which are to be rejuvenated under the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB)-funded Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS) project, was impractical and made unilaterally without consulting stakeholders. Mr. Anilkumar urged Mr. Behera to communicate more with the people's representatives instead of making unilateral statements, which was not befitting of a democracy. KMRL is the special purpose vehicle for the IURWTS project, under which Edappally Canal, Perandoor Canal, Chilavannoor Canal, Thevara Canal, Market Canal, and Konthuruthy Canal will be rejuvenated. 'Boat services were not discussed at any point during the canal rejuvenation project. The service may be possible through Edappally Canal and Chilavannoor Canal, considering their relatively greater width. The Thevara-Perandoor Canal was wide enough until the Pottakkuzhi stretch, facilitating a potential boat service linking Chittoor River to Pottakkuzhi. At best, pedal boats may be possible in the other canals,' he said. Mr. Behera, on his part, clarified that he had meant only Edappally Canal in the context of boat service, as it was not possible in other canals owing to the lack of vertical clearance caused by railway overbridges. 'The priority now is the completion of the bridge along Bund Road, while we remain hopeful of receiving approval for the rejuvenation of Market Canal. We may also undertake dredging of Edappally Canal to restore at least the water flow, subject to sanction from the KIIFB. We are also trying to fast-track land acquisition in consultation with the government and the district administration,' he said. Mr. Anilkumar said that a minimum width would be ensured for all canals, which would be flanked by walkways with seating arrangements to ensure access for future cleaning. Sewage lines and dedicated sewage treatment plants would be installed along the sides of the canals. He called for speedy decision-making to avoid inordinate delays that lead to cost escalations. The cost has already risen from ₹2,000 crore to over ₹3,000 crore. 'I am confident that the project will be launched this year and completed within the next two to three years. Just as solid waste management changed during this council's term, the canals will witness a similar transformation during the next council,' he said.
The Hindu
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
KMRL plans to introduce boat services in Edappally, Chilavannoor canals
With the State government recently granting administrative approval for the ₹3,716-crore Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS) project — aimed at widening, dredging, and making six canals in Kochi navigable — Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), which will implement the project, has announced plans to introduce boat services in Edappally and Chilavannoor canals. Boat services have been planned at 30-minute intervals along a newly navigable 11.5-km stretch from Muttar to Chitrapuzha via the Edappally canal. A fleet of 10 new boats, each with a vertical clearance of 3.5 metres, will be introduced for the purpose, according to the metro agency. Metro-Water Metro connectivity 'In addition, Water Metro ferries operating on the Vyttila–Thevara route will use the revitalised Chilavannoor canal to provide access to Elamkulam metro station, enhancing integration between multiple modes of transport. Aimed at promoting tourism and recreation, a Marine Drive-model waterfront is being planned along the canal featuring landscaped walkways and water sports facilities. The area is expected to become a new recreational hub, promoting wellness among the public,' said Loknath Behera, managing director, KMRL. 'The IURWTS will rejuvenate canals with water transport, walkways, and water sports activities, ease monsoon flooding, and help address persistent waste management issues in Kochi,' added Mr. Behera. Under the project, six major canals — Perandoor, Chilavannoor, Edappally, Thevara, Konthuruthy, and Market canal — will be deepened, widened, and beautified. The rejuvenated canals will have a minimum width of 16.5 metres, while walkways and green spaces will be developed along their banks, according to the agency. A new 90-metre-long bridge on Bund Road and the reconstruction of a bridge on Subash Chandra Bose Road near the Chilavannoor canal will streamline water flow and help reduce flooding during the monsoon, said metro sources. 'Alongside this, four sewage treatment plants have been mulled at Elamkulam, Vennala, Perandoor, and Muttar. The ₹1,325-crore project is being executed by KMRL in collaboration with the Kerala Water Authority. This integrated approach will enhance mobility, reduce flooding, and help reinvent Kochi's identity as a water-centric urban haven, they added.
New Indian Express
12-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Kochi Metro to transform canals with new boats, tourism initiatives
KOCHI: In a groundbreaking move that integrates urban regeneration, transportation and tourism, Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) plans to transform the city's canals into vibrant corridors of connectivity and recreation. With the state government's administrative approval for the Rs 3,716.10-crore Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS), Kochi is poised for a historic leap in urban development. 'I'm delighted that the state government has approved this transformative initiative. The project will not only alleviate monsoon flooding and address the persistent waste management issues in Kochi but also rejuvenate our historic canals with water transport, walkways, and water sports facilities,' said Loknath Behera, Managing Director of KMRL. The initiative involves the deepening, widening, and beautification of six major canals — Perandoor, Chilavannur, Edappally, Thevara, Konthuruthy, and Market Canal. All canals will be upgraded to a minimum width of 16.5 metre. Aesthetic walkways and green spaces will be developed on both banks, turning these stretches into scenic urban assets.
