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Time of India
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Heavy rain: Vizhinjam port enhances safety measures
T'puram: As heavy monsoon rain began to lash the city, Vizhinjam International Seaport undertook a series of measures to ensure safety while handling containers and ships. The strong winds made the sea considerably rough inside the breakwater, while tall waves pounded the nearby beaches. An official said a slew of steps were taken, including implementing best practices for piloting, anchoring and mooring ships. Vessel agents and shipmasters monitor the weather conditions until the vessels safely enter and depart. The mooring operations are conducted with heightened precautions and measures are taken to secure the ships due to the potential roughness of the sea. This prevents the ship from swaying when docked. The pilot vessel will also guide the container ships with caution as ships have to sail in, turn and dock. An official said that drains were cleared of silt, vegetation and obstructions to ensure the smooth flow of stormwater. The port also ensured a steady power supply and backup power. Rain will not hamper loading of containers because cranes are controlled from an operations room, unlike in other ports where operators sit atop the cranes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 40대 이상이고 PC가 있으세요? 그럼 이 게임을 정말 좋아하실 거예요! Sea of Conquest 플레이하기 Undo "Loading and unloading of containers can continue despite heavy rain. This is one advantage because ships will be able to return as per schedule," he added. However, breakwater extension work will slow down due to the rough sea because it will be difficult to dump rocks into the water and secure them because the waves and current will be strong. On most days, waves smash into the breakwater and wash over it. Breakwater work slowed down in previous years during the monsoon months of June-Aug. A large vessel dumps rocks into the sea to build the breakwater. The port personnel receive training in safety during the monsoon season. It has become one of the busiest ports in the south, handling nearly one ship every other day, with a high volume of container movement.
India Today
19-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Can second-term report card secure Pinarayi's path in run-up to polls?
The Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) will be completing the fourth year of its second term in Kerala on May 21. The chief minister created political history by winning consecutive terms with massive mandates in 2016 and 2021. Will the alliance be third time lucky in the polls next year?The first term of the LDF government was marked by many challenges—the massive floods of 2018 in which 483 people died and one million people were evacuated, and the state incurred losses to the tune of Rs 31,000 crore. This was followed by deaths and huge losses in the floods in 2019 and 2020 as well. Then, the Covid-19 pandemic paralysed the state and its the shocks, the Vijayan government's work ensured that the LDF retained the mandate in 2021. The alliance won 99 of the 140 seats and a vote share of 45.4 per cent. In its second innings, the Vijayan government prioritised mega infrastructure investment. Topping this was the Vizhinjam International Seaport, in which the state government has invested Rs 5,453 crore to develop the first mother port of India. Another Rs 1,135 crore were spent on the Kochi Water Metro and Rs 1,515 crore for the Digital Science Park in Thiruvananthapuram. The government also focused on extreme poverty eradication, IT parks and an integrated rehabilitation township for the landslide victims in Wayanad, besides spending on highways, rural roads, waterways, hospitals and schools, and building the state's image as an investor-friendly is with this report card that the LDF will be going to the people for a third consecutive stint in power. Vijayan's brand of governance is also going to be showcased in the mega fourth-year celebrations across the 'We will repeat our victory in the assembly elections as the people are with us. We have delivered our promises and continue to serve the people with dedication and determination. While the Opposition rakes up controversies to draw the media's attention, our government remains in mission mode to deliver the best to the people,' LDF convener T.P. Ramakrishnan told INDIA to Ramakrishnan, the government has distributed more than 400,000 title deeds to the landless and built 420,000 houses for the homeless, spending Rs 18,000 crore since polls just a year away, Vijayan has directed district collectors to identify shortcomings in delivery and asked the government department heads to monitor the timelines of projects. He has convened regional conferences to set targets before his government completes its term.'We have published progress reports of our government since 2016 and tackled issues on priority. The change is visible. Our strength is our delivery to the people of Kerala, who gave us a bigger mandate in the second term,' Vijayan said in a conversation with INDIA CPI(M)-led LDF will have to strategise hard to soften the blow of anti-incumbency even as the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), led by the Congress, and the BJP, which is hoping to create ripples in the 2026 polls, make every attempt to corner the of the issues on which the LDF is certain to face tough questions from the electorate are waste management, the stray dog menace—with 13 deaths already reported in 2025—and the rising human-wildlife conflict that continues to claim lives.'More than anti-incumbency, a section in the CPI(M) has become critical of the Pinarayi Vijayan government. They are of the view that the party has no stakes in the government as it is run by a chosen few bureaucrats close to the chief minister. The performance of many ministers is seen to be poor,' a retired bureaucrat told INDIA to him, if the LDF gets 42 per cent of the votes in the assembly elections, it can retain power in the triangular political situation. The Congress has revamped its state organisation and appointed lawyer-turned-politician and legislator Sunny Joseph as the state chief. The BJP too has a new commander—former Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar. As for the LDF, the chief minister remains its most bankable to India Today MagazineMust Watch advertisement
New Indian Express
11-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Installation at Kanakakunnu Palace sparks outrage among nature lovers
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Green activists in the state capital on Saturday organised a peaceful protest walk demanding the protection of the heritage grounds of Kanakakunnu Palace. As many as 20 nature lovers took part in the walk held at Kanakakunnu Palace on Saturday morning. The massive installation of a container-laden ship replica at the Kanakakunnu Palace premises in Vizhinjam has sparked outrage among environmentalists. Earlier, green activists had moved the High Court against implementing nightlife at Kanakakunnu Palace premises causing damage to the heritage grounds of the palace and the HC had issued a stay order halting the nightlife project. The existing High Court order restricts any kind of construction activities, hard landscaping, excavation, tree removal and demolition of structures within the compound and inside the historically significant palace. 'Kanakakunnu is an INTACH certified heritage property and nothing of this sort can be done inside it without the permission of the Arts and Heritage Commission. They have put up this huge installation close to the tree which I planted in 2022. Back to back events, and installations are causing damage to the trees and plants inside the premises,' said Asha Gopinathan, a green activist who took up the matter with the tourism department. In response to the complaint, tourism director Shika Surendran said that the installation is connected with the inauguration of the Vizhinjam International Seaport project. She pointed out that the installations are temporary and are scheduled for removal immediately. She also made it clear that the installation was erected responsibly without causing any damage to the flora and fauna.
The Hindu
03-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Rajeev Chandrasekhar hits back with ‘son-in-law of communist dynasty' remark amid Vizhinjam row
After being criticised by Kerala's Public Works Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas and trolled on social media for his onstage presence alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the commissioning of the Vizhinjam International Seaport, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kerala State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar has said the 'son-in-law of the communist dynasty was upset because I arrived early at the inauguration ceremony.' Inaugurating Vikasitha Keralam convention organised by the BJP Alappuzha North district committee on Saturday (May 3), Mr. Chandrasekhar, without naming Mr. Riyas directly, said 'the son-in-law should consult a doctor.' 'He is upset because I arrived early. Since the party workers had come early, as the State president of the party (BJP), I felt that I should also arrive with them. When everyone went to the VIP lounge, I went to see my party workers. That was why I entered the stage early,' said Mr. Chandrasekhar. He said that Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] members were trolling him since Friday night. 'The Prime Minister said that some people would not be able to sleep anymore. That is true. Let them troll me as much as they want and say whatever they want. The BJP will do what it has to do. The BJP and National Democratic Alliance's train has already started moving. Anyone can board this train, including the son-in-law. Our goal is a developed Kerala and we will achieve it,' added Mr. Chandrasekhar.
Hindustan Times
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
At port unveiling, PM makes ‘sleepless nights' jibe at Oppn
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the presence of Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor at the commissioning of the Vizhinjam International Seaport will give 'sleepless nights' to the opposition INDIA bloc. The remark, apparently made half in jest, along with an observation in a similar vein about a communist leader calling a conglomerate a partner, sparked a sharp reaction from the Congress, which said the PM was fixating on the opposition leaders days after the country faced a terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 civilians. Addressing the gathering at the inauguration of the port, developed by the Gautam Adani-led group, the Prime Minister also described Vijayan as a 'pillar' of the Opposition bloc. 'I would like to say to our chief minister, you are a big and strong pillar of the INDI Alliance. Shashi Tharoor is also sitting here, and I would like to say that today's event will give sleepless nights to several people,' Modi said. However, the person translating his speech did not translate it properly, prompting Modi to say: 'The message has gone across to whom it was meant.' While Vijayan's party CPI(M) and Tharoor's Congress are partners of the INDIA bloc nationally, the two parties contest state elections as part of the rival LDF and UDF alliances. The Congress hit back at the Prime Minister. Cpngress general secretary, organisation, K C Venugopal said in a post on X, 'Even after the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, our PM remains fixated on disturbing the sleep of opposition leaders instead of confronting the real threat — Pakistan'. 'But rest assured, PM, while you're busy with your distractions, our sleepless nights will be spent holding you accountable,' Venugopal said. Tharoor, who missed the Congress Working Committee meeting in Delhi for the seaport inauguration, received Modi on his arrival on Thursday. 'Despite delays at the dysfunctional Delhi airport, managed to land in Thiruvananthapuram in time to receive Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his arrival in my constituency. Looking forward to his officially commissioning Vizhinjam port, a project I have been proud to have been involved with since its inception,' he said in a post on X. Earlier in March, Tharoor gave rise to speculations over his future in the Congress, when he praised the government's handling of the Russia-Ukraine war as an endorsement of India's deft diplomacy under Modi's leadership. At the commissioning of the port, the PM said -- again in apparent jest -- that industrialist Gautam Adani and his firm 'should be ready to face the anger of the people of Gujarat'. 'When the people of Gujarat learn that Gautam Adani has built such a big port in Kerala... in Gujarat, he has been working in the port sector for over 30 years. But never he has built a port like this,' he said. The PM also referred to a statement by Kerala ports minister VN Vasavan in which he called the Adani group a 'partner' in the mega project. 'The ports minister referred to the Adani Group as a partner in his speech. A minister of a Communist government is saying the word, referring to the private sector. This is an example of changing India. Private-government partnership is crucial to the country's development,' the PM said. The PM, who landed in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday night, flew to Vizhinjam around 9.45am on Friday by chopper from the Pangode air force base. He went around the port facilities along with CM Vijayan, Kerala governor Rajendra Arlekar, MoS Suresh Gopi, MoS George Kurian and other state and central officials. He was given a demonstration of the port's advanced features and operational capabilities by top officials before formally dedicating the port to the nation. 'Until now, 75% of the country's transshipment needs were routed through other ports in the world. India was suffering losses in revenue through it. This situation will change now. The country's money will be useful for it. The money that used to flow outside will now bring new economic opportunities for the people of Vizhinjam and Kerala,' the PM said at the event. Vijayan said the long dream of the state and its people for a port in Vizhinjam has been realised. 'It will become one of India's most important ports and attract global attention,' the CM said, claiming that it was a state government owned project. The country's first semi-automated port, the first phase of the project in Vizhinjam was completed at a cost of ₹8,867 crore. Two-thirds of the project's cost has been borne by the Kerala government — the highest such investment by a state in a port in the country -- including for building the breakwaters, a critical part of the infrastructure that will ensure the ports operates smoothly in all kinds of weather. Trial operations at the port began in July last year and commercial operations in December with the first mothership being invited. During the three-month trial phase, over 272 large vessels docked at the port and more than 550,000 containers were handled.
