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Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Living in a large apartment community? ECI may set up a polling station on your premises
If a residential area has more than 500 votes, the ECI would take steps to set up a polling station there. COIMBATORE: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is planning to set up polling stations in large apartment communities in urban areas to increase the voting percentage in the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly election, officials said. In Coimbatore, ECI officials have approached the residents' welfare associations to identify suitable locations for the polling stations. 'More than 500 to 600 voters are residing in some apartments. We are ready to set up polling stations on the ground floor of the residential areas to assist the residents in exercising their franchise. We are also planning to set up polling stations at the apartments of Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board,' said an official. In a press note issued on March 4, 2025, the ECI stated that polling stations would be established in high-rise buildings as well as slum clusters to increase voting in urban areas. ECI officials said many people residing in apartments did not turn up to exercise their franchise. Therefore, the ECI planned to set up polling stations in residential complexes. 'The ECI wants to increase the polling percentage as all citizens should do their duties by casting their votes,' said an ECI official. He added that with the help of Coimbatore city police, election department officials would collect the contact details of the apartment residential welfare association functionaries and meet them in person. 'The apartment residential welfare associations won't need to pay even a single penny for setting up the polling stations. They can just provide their space for two days to set up the polling stations. We are going to collect the voters' details in major apartments and Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board's apartments in Coimbatore city. If a residential area has more than 500 votes, we would take steps to set up a polling station there,' said the official. J Sathish, director, Kongu Global Forum, said it is a welcome move by the ECI. 'Everybody should exercise their franchise. Creating the facilities in the gated communities would increase the polling percentage in the upcoming assembly election.' Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
03-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Passenger traffic at Coimbatore airport crosses 9.5 lakh in a quarter for first time
Coimbatore: The city airport has recorded a 21% increase in passenger traffic in the first quarter of the current financial year compared to the same period last fiscal. And in a milestone, passenger traffic crossed the 9.5 lakh mark for the first time in a quarter. As per the data released by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the city airport handled 9,51,249 passengers from April 1 to June 30, against 7,83,281 in the corresponding period last fiscal. The growth was primarily driven by a surge in international passenger traffic, which rose by 49% to 80,976 from 54,403 in the first quarter of 2024-25 financial year. Domestic passenger traffic also recorded a 19% increase to 8,70,273 from 7,28,378 during the period under discussion. The AAI noted that this was the highest growth recorded in a quarter for passenger traffic at Coimbatore airport. At 3,089 metric tonnes, freight movement too registered a 19% increase in the first quarter of this fiscal from 2,596 metric tonnes in the same period last financial year. This growth was driven by a 45% increase in international freight, which rose to 575 metric tonnes from 398 metric tonnes. Domestic freight also increased by 14% to 2,513 metric tonnes from 2,198 metric tonnes during the period under discussion. Airport officials attributed the growth in both passenger and freight traffic to increased connectivity. "The launch of international flights by IndiGo to Abu Dhabi and Singapore contributed to the growth in international passenger and freight traffic. On the domestic front, the addition of daily IndiGo flights to Mumbai, Bengaluru and Goa contributed to the rise in the passenger and freight movement," said an official at the city airport. J Sathish, director, Kongu Global Forum, said the first quarter performance of the city airport was impressive and demonstrated its true potential. "It recorded one of the highest growth percentages in the country." He, however, cautioned that the momentum might not continue into the second quarter, owing to curtailment of flight services. "From July 1, Air India flights to Mumbai and Chennai and IndiGo flights to Mumbai and Chennai were discontinued. As a result, passengers now have fewer options, and this situation has led to a drop in passenger numbers in July. Fares have also increased compared to the previous quarter," he said and urged authorities to reinstate these flight services immediately. "Air India Express has strong connectivity to Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad from several airports in South India. However, it is yet to commence operations from Coimbatore," Sathish said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
11-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Mission on to arrest Noyyal water pollution
Coimbatore: There was a time when the Noyyal river replenished the city's groundwater table. Today, the river is reduced to a sewage channel for most part of the year, but for the days when heavy rain lashes its catchment areas, filling the river with fresh water. The river becomes extremely polluted when it enters the city corporation limits, with sewage water entering the water body at various points along its 18.5km route in the city. To address the issue, the city corporation is planning to set up pumping stations along the river's tributaries in the city. The plan is to pump water to the sewage treatment plants to prevent direct entry of sewage into the river. Once treated, pumped water would be released back into the Noyyal. Earlier, the corporation was planning to set up seven sewage treatment plants along the river's pathway in the city. This plan has been shunned. Now, the proposal is to set up just one sewage treatment plant near Nanjundapuram with a capacity to treat seven million litres of sewage water per day. The corporation has sought Rs100 crore from the govt for the purpose. It has sought another Rs110 crore from the govt for riverfront development. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 3.5, 4.5 BHK Homes starting at ₹4.89 Cr.* Hero Homes Learn More Undo According to a senior corporation officer, the plan to set up seven sewage treatment plants along the river pathway was shunned because of the land scarcity. "The project required substantial land, which is scarce in the city limits. The city currently has four sewage treatment plants. Water in the Noyyal's tributaries will be diverted to these treatment plants and the proposed one, as and when it is ready. By way of interception and diversion of drains, we will address the water pollution issue. " Corporation commissioner M Sivaguru Prabakaran said they were planning pumping stations in areas from where sewage water was being let into the Noyyal. "One of the pumping stations will come up at Puttuvikki and sewage water from there will be diverted to the treatment plant at Ukkadam. The additional fund will be used for landscape development along the river." A local environmentalist said the Tirupur district had earlier unveiled a similar approach. "Both the terrains are different. For the city corporation, managing with a single sewage treatment plant and diverting sewage from the pumping stations will be labour-intensive. However, interception by nearby sewage treatment plants will be more practical." J Sathish, trustee, Siruthuli, an NGO actively working on Noyyal restoration, recommended planting of more trees along the river bank to prevent further encroachments. "Given the possibility of flooding during cloudbursts, maintaining the river's original form is crucial to prevent inundation."
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Rail infrastructure in Coimbatore district to get a boost soon
Coimbatore: The railway infrastructure in the district is all set to get a boost with the Southern Railway considering various long pending demands in its list of work shortlisted for 2025-26. To start with, the railway department has allocated Rs3.46 crore for the development of Singanallur station. While five trains have stoppages at Singanallur station, not many are aware of its existence, thanks to lack of proper entrance and exit points, terminal and approach roads. J Sathish, joint secretary, Resident Awareness Association of Coimbatore, said the railway should consider creating an entrance and exit on the eastern or western side, that is towards SIHS Colony or Neelikonampalayam Road. "Both these directions come with good approach roads, whereas the present entrance and exit located on the south side is a narrow lane. Additional facilities like drinking water, toilets and renovation of the terminal building are needed. " The railway department has allocated another Rs6.42 crore to increase the platform height at Irugur and Somanur stations, Rs2.97 crore to upgrade LHB coach maintenance facility at Coimbatore Junction, Rs41.13 crore to develop a coach maintenance facility at Podanu and yet another Rs18.46 crore for the modernization of goods sheds at Irugur and Coimbatore North stations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like After Losing Weight Kevin James Looks Like A Model 33 Bridges Undo Irugur depot is known for generating significant freight revenue. It mainly handles petroleum products, cement, food grains and fertilizers. "Other divisions of the Southern Railway have ports, whereas the Salem division lacks one. Even then, Irugur generates freight revenues to the tune of Rs275-Rs300 crore yearly. Hence, improving the goods shed there is the need of the hour. Located at the centre of the city, Coimbatore North station could be completely utilised for passenger traffic. The railway should consider shifting the entire freight operations to Irugur," Sathish said.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Coimbatore corporation decides to desilt, strengthen bunds, widen canals of Singanallur lake
Coimbatore: To bring about an overall rejuvenation of the water body, the Coimbatore Corporation has decided to desilt Singanallur lake , strengthen its bunds and widen its canals at a cost of Rs 13 crore. Additionally, the civic body plans to collaborate with NGOs to preserve the lake's natural ecosystem. Unlike previous lake projects undertaken under the Smart City initiative, the new initiative to maintain the ecology with additional infrastructure. As the lake has not been desilted for over three decades, it is estimated that nearly 2 lakh cubic metres of sludge have accumulated. A preliminary survey and a detailed project report (DPR) are being prepared jointly by the civic body and Siruthuli, an NGO. Environmentalists have also proposed several suggestions for the development of the lake. Coimbatore Corporation and Siruthuli conducted a joint inspection to assess the current condition of the lake and its feeder channels. Siruthuli has recommended desilting the lake and strengthening its bunds. According to a Siruthuli representative, a bathymetric survey has been completed, though the results are awaited. "We are conducting a digital survey to map the streams and their entry points. The priority is to desilt the anicut in Nanjundapuram. After that, the connecting stream must be clearly marked to ensure the proper flow of fresh water into the lake. We are currently drafting methods and exploring technologies to achieve these objectives," said J Sathish, trustee of Siruthuli. There are also plans to develop an island within the lake to attract migratory birds and support bird nesting. Unlike other urban lakes in Coimbatore, Singanallur lake has remained untouched by intrusive development, largely due to sustained opposition from environmental NGOs. In line with conservation efforts, boating and commercial fishing were banned several years ago to protect the lake's biodiversity. The current development plan includes the construction of a walking track along the lake's perimeter. Manikandan from Kovai Kulangal Padhukappu Amaippu suggested introducing a minimal entry fee at all water bodies to encourage public responsibility. "People value and take care of places when there's a price attached. Free and unrestricted access often leads to pollution," he said.
