Latest news with #JahamgeerS
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Thanal housing project to rehabilitate residents of Vikalanga Colony receives technical approval
Thiruvananthapuram: Putting an end to months of uncertainty, construction of the housing complex for the residents of Vikalanga Colony under Thanal housing project is set to begin soon, after local self-government department (LSGD) granted technical sanction last week. The approval has brought relief to 99 families, including those with various disabilities, who languished under poor living conditions ever since construction stalled due to pending approvals. Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS), which was awarded a Rs 20 crore contract, was unable to begin work due to an outdated cost estimate based on the 2018 Delhi Schedule of Rates (DSR). Upon revision to the 2024 DSR, LSGD chief engineer cleared the project. "The technical approval from LSGD paves way for much-needed progress. With the updated estimates in place, we are poised to begin construction shortly, delivering safe, dignified housing to families who have waited far too long," corporation secretary Jahamgeer S said. The two-storey residential complex will come up on two acres at Priyadarshini Nagar, Muttathara. The development will feature 136 apartments, each measuring 550 sq ft, arranged in blocks of four units. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Amazon's Hottest Selling Hearing Aid is Back on Sale Hear True Learn More Undo The apartments are designed to rehabilitate vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, flood-affected residents, and displaced fishermen. Initially planned as a three-storey building, the design was altered to two storeys to comply with height restrictions imposed by Airport Authority of India. The new sanction also ends an 18-month delay since the tender was awarded last year. Officials confirmed that groundwork, including soil tests, was complete and actual construction could now commence without further administrative hindrances. Once initiated, the project is expected to be completed within 18 months. 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.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Karimadom Colony rehab project gets green light
Thiruvananthapuram : Nearly two decades of uncertainty appear to be drawing to a close for the residents of Karimadom Colony. The basic services for urban poor (BSUP) rehabilitation project, launched by the corporation in 2008 but stalled since 2023, finally secured technical sanction. Costs, designs and timelines are now in place, but only after persistent allegations of civic apathy and election-driven politics. The civic body confirmed that the local-self govt department has granted technical approval for the project to house all 105 affected families. "The project has been approved, and Costford, the accredited agency, will handle construction," said Jahamgeer S, corporation secretary. "Work will begin within a month of signing the agreement and the project is expected to be completed within a year. Each unit will cost Rs 21 lakh, with a total of 105 units planned. The land has already been cleared for construction." For residents, these developments bring a glimmer of hope after years of inadequate compensation and unmet promises. Since 2023, the corporation has provided each family only Rs 2,000 per month as temporary rent—a sum many consider insufficient, especially given the lack of basic amenities. Ward councillor K K Suresh said: "It shows the corporation's sheer apathy in properly rehabilitating the residents. For the past two years, they have been paying just a meager amount as monthly rent, while residents continue to struggle without essential facilities. The sudden action now seems driven by the upcoming local body elections, rather than genuine concern." However, a source close to the corporation said the delay was due to the beneficiaries' failure to provide the necessary documents. "Many families don't have documents or ID cards. Some beneficiaries are no more and their families don't have the required papers. So, proceedings are underway to resolve the issue before rehabilitating them," a source said. Residents, too, voiced their discontent. Stella Sebastian, a mother of three, said: "Every day, I worry about my children risking illness in these damp and cramped shelters. Rs 2,000 doesn't even cover basic hygiene, let alone safety. We have waited long enough," she said. Another resident, Sathyan P, added: "We have heard promises since 2008, when the BSUP scheme was first mooted for Karimadom, yet here we are, stuck in makeshift homes with no proper toilets or electricity. This project must begin, and it must finish," he said. Indeed, the project's origins run deep. As far back as 2008, plans under BSUP, later integrated into initiatives like the Life Mission, aimed to demolish 105 temporary homes and rebuild units for each family, but tangible progress remained elusive for years. Architectural firm Costford has long been associated with cost-effective and sustainable housing proposals for the colony. Their Laurie Baker-inspired designs included multi-story blocks with terraces and balconies meant to offer dignity and functionality to low-income occupants, a blend of affordability and human-centric design. 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
10-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Green building roadmap rolled out in T'puram
Thiruvananthapuram: In a major step toward sustainable and climate-resilient urban development, Thiruvananthapuram's blueprint for net zero carbon and resilient buildings (NZCRB) was launched on Thursday. Speaking at the event, city corporation secretary Jahamgeer S said, "Thiruvananthapuram is expanding rapidly both vertically and horizontally. The 23 local bodies in the district have reported a significant rise in building construction approval requests. To address the increasing energy demand, we have equipped public buildings with solar power systems, achieving a cumulative installed capacity of 17MW under the solar cities programme. We remain committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions in the building sector and are now working on a climate budget for the city." NZCRB refers to buildings designed to reduce environmental impact and withstand climate-related challenges. These energy-efficient structures either generate renewable energy onsite or source it externally to achieve net zero carbon emissions. The plan, developed by the City Corporation with WRI India as a knowledge partner and inputs from architects and experts, outlines 20 key actions to cut emissions across the entire building lifecycle—from design and construction to operation and demolition. Proposed measures include creating a database on the carbon footprint of building materials, implementing a green procurement policy, integrating NZCRB principles into urban planning and city master plans and improving infrastructure for managing end-of-life building emissions. In addition to reducing emissions, the plan offers co-benefits such as lower urban heat island effects, better air quality, long-term energy savings, infrastructure efficiency, and local green job creation. It also recommends forming a dedicated steering committee to oversee implementation and monitor progress. The initiative comes at a crucial time, as the global building sector accounts for 36% of final energy use and nearly 40% of energy-related CO₂ emissions. In India, buildings and construction contribute about 32% of national greenhouse gas emissions. With urbanisation set to reach 40% by 2036, cities like Thiruvananthapuram face growing pressures to plan sustainably.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Palayam market revamp: Eviction nears completion
T'puram: With around 90% of traders now evicted from Connemara Market at Palayam, city corporation has cleared way for the long-delayed Rs 55 crore market redevelopment. The civic body, working with Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (SCTL), is in active talks with contractor RDS Projects Ltd, which expressed interest earlier in pulling out, citing cost escalations and demolition delays. The construction work is likely to begin in Aug. Originally awarded the project in 2020, the redevelopment and retention of the market's iconic heritage gate encountered repeated setbacks. Demolition of around 70% of the old stalls was stalled due to protests and regulatory hurdles. A temporary steel-block facility built behind the market now houses roughly 460 vendors, although many still lack power, sanitation, or finalized stall allotments. The situation escalated earlier this month when around 25 operational shops were razed with police assistance, triggering strong objections from trader groups and claims of high court violations. In mid-June, the corporation issued a two-day eviction ultimatum, prompting negotiations with stallholders to shift goods. Corporation secretary Jahamgeer S, coordinating the relocation push, commented on the impasse: "We are in constant dialogue with RDS and Smart City officials. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo Our aim is to ensure all traders are properly moved within a week and to officially restart renovation within this financial year." He acknowledged the difficulties faced by fish vendors and stall owners but stressed that the project's success hinges on completing the phased relocation. Source documents reveal the corporation plans to finalize vendor stall assignments, complete power and sanitation hookups and convene a joint board meeting with SCTL and RDS within days. RDS Projects has officially flagged rising costs in cement and steel, as much as Rs 3,000–3,500 per tonne for steel and Rs 80–100 per cement bag, as key concerns, prompting fresh negotiations. Smart City officials have reportedly asked the finance department for exemptions to allow cost escalation, even as tender terms remain rigid. Despite the stalls, civic leaders are determined. The new four-storey complex, designed for enhanced safety, hygiene and foot traffic, will preserve the market's historic frontage.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
ID cards issued to vendors at Shanghumugham Beach
1 2 3 4 T'puram: In a bid to streamline beachside commerce and regulate informal trade, the city corporation has begun issuing ID cards to street vendors at Shanghumugham Beach. The process is part of a new policy under which only one person per ration card is allowed to operate a stall, an approach aimed at ensuring fairness and curbing duplication. The move follows a decision by the town vending committee, which has mandated that each vendor must submit a valid ration card to prove eligibility. Corporation secretary Jahamgeer S told TOI that the rule has evoked resistance. "Some vendors opposed it since we insist on the ration card rule," he said. Despite the opposition, over 50% of the relocation process has been completed and talks are ongoing with the remaining vendors. All existing food kiosks along the beach were demolished to make way for a new, streamlined food street, developed at a nearby site. The revamped vending zone will feature uniform stalls, a consistent colour scheme and equal space allocation, ensuring both visual harmony and operational efficiency. The town vending committee, formed under the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, has played a key role in formulating the relocation plan. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo Additionally, the corporation council has approved the issuance of ID cards to over 3,500 street vendors across the city, marking a wider move to regulate informal trade. The corporation is set to complete the relocation of 116 street vendors at Shanghumugham Beach within a month, marking a milestone in its beach beautification and rehabilitation project. As part of it, 16 designated food kiosks have been constructed and operations are expected to begin shortly. Initially, only 96 vendors were registered at Shanghumugham. But with the area's redevelopment under way, 20 new applicants joined. Corporation officials confirmed the newly built kiosks were allotted based on seniority and the demolition of unauthorised structures is now complete. To support the eco-friendly transformation of the beach, a mechanical composting facility and an organic waste converter have been installed to handle food waste more efficiently. The broader development project is being executed in collaboration with the tourism department, Smart City Thiruvananthapuram, city corporation and the district tourism promotion council. The construction of the new vending infrastructure was undertaken by the Kerala State Nirmithi Kendra, with kiosks set up near the beach entrance and beside the old coffee house. Despite initial pushback, officials remain confident that disputes would be resolved. "Discussions are in progress with the vendors to resolve the issue and all shops will be operational within a month," Jahamgeer said.
