Latest news with #KochiCorporation
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Kochi corporation urged to adopt affordable waste management methods
KOCHI: As the Kochi Corporation has taken steps to become waste-free by August this year, the opposition alleged that out of the more than one lakh shops registered in the assessment register of the corporation, only 25,000 have been licensed, and of these, less than 500 establishments are handing over waste to authorised agencies. 'According to corporation records, over one lakh commercial establishments have obtained occupancy certificates to conduct business. These buildings pay a higher building tax than residences. But only less than 25,000 of these have been issued licences this year. Of these, Rebuild Kerala, the authorised agency to collect bulk waste through the MyKochi app, collects waste from less than 500 establishments,' said Antony Kureethara, the leader of opposition. He added that only a small portion of the waste generated in the city is being collected and that waste is being disposed of through illegal means. 'The corporation should take the initiative to provide a cost-effective waste disposal method for shops and establishments. In March, Rs 2.16 crore was spent on waste management. However, the corporation received only Rs 64 lakh out of more than Rs one crore it was supposed to receive from shops for collecting bulk waste,' said M G Aristottil, the UDF parliamentary party secretary. He extended full support of the UDF councillors to make the city waste-free through proper planning and action plans.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
1,900 households registered under Digital Haritha Karma Sena
Heal Ponnurunni Society (HPS) in the Ponnurunni East division of the Kochi Corporation, which has emerged as a model in sustainable waste management since its inception in December 2023, has set a new benchmark in QR code-based user fee collection for doorstep waste collection by the Haritha Karma Sena. A total of 1,828 households have been registered across the division. In May alone, ₹1.98 lakh was collected as user fees under the Digital Heal Haritha Karma Sena initiative, while the total collection since the launch of the project stands at ₹38.67 lakh. Outstanding dues amount to ₹6.58 lakh. The QR code-based user fee system has been integrated into Kochi Corporation's multi-purpose app, My Kochi. 'Ours is perhaps the only division in the State where QR code-based user fee collection has been fully implemented. Elsewhere, scanning the QR code only reveals whether a household is giving its waste to Haritha Karma Sena or not. In our case, multiple households in the same multi-storeyed buildings have been brought under the QR system using separate building numbers issued by the Corporation,' said Dipin Dileep, division councillor. The waste collected is scientifically and hygienically converted into organic manure, without leaving any room for residents to complain about issues such as foul odour. Two months ago, HPS began marketing its organic manure under the brand name Heal Environment. The enriched manure is sold at ₹30 per kilogram and the raw manure form at ₹20 per kilogram through a small outlet near the Vyttila flyover. The product has received a positive response, with repeat customers generating ₹31,726 in sales during the period. 'We are also engaged in organic farming using our own manure on vacant plots, based on agreements with the landowners. Currently, we are cultivating vegetables on 76 cents spread across four such plots in the division. The produce is sold under the brand Heal Harvest, which has brought in ₹57,158 so far, along with ₹12,481 from the sale of grow bags. The initiative also addresses complaints about vacant plots turning into dumping yards,' Mr. Dileep added. The Kochi Corporation has also granted HPS permission to collect waste from small establishments that are not classified as bulk waste generators. The income from these initiatives helps HPS cover its operational expenses, including staff wages.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Climate
- The Hindu
Heavy rain disrupts normal life in Ernakulam
Normal life was disrupted in Ernakulam due to heavy rain and strong winds on Friday. Incessant rain over the past six days has damaged 216 houses in the district. An 85-year-old resident of Thirumaradi village died after a tree fell on her on Thursday evening. Annakutty of Ammamkulam, Karavetta, who worked under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, was returning home after work when the tragedy occurred, according to an official release. So far, three houses have been fully damaged — one each in Kanayannur, Kochi and Kothamangalam taluks — and 213 have been partially damaged — 47 in Aluva, 19 in Kanayannur, 30 in Kochi, 18 in Kothamangalam, 35 in Kunnathunadu, 25 in Muvattupuzha and 39 in Paravur taluks. An official advisory issued around 3 p.m. on Friday called for increased vigilance along the coast from Munambam to Maruvakkad in Ernakulam on Sunday. People in vulnerable areas were urged to move to safer locations. The water level in the Muvattupuzha river has gone up following heavy rain. The level recorded at 8 a.m. on Friday was 11.05 metres, above the flood-warning level of 10.92 metres. People living along the banks of the river have been advised to remain cautious due to the rising water level. People in the coastal panchayats of Chellanam and Kannamaly continued to be battered by furious waves as many houses were flooded with gushing seawater on Friday. Several houses suffered damage following the sea incursion. Residents in the affected areas blamed the district authorities for not initiating the necessary control measures to tackle the situation. Representatives of Chellanam-Kochi Jankeeya Vedi demanded the fulfilment of a promise to build a tetrapod wall along the 10-km stretch between Chellanam fishing harbour in the south and the border of the Kochi Corporation near Fort Kochi in the north.
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
24 families evacuated after pillar at apartment complex in Kochi suffers damage
A total of 24 families residing in a 16-floor apartment complex at Panampilly Nagar here were evacuated after an L-section pillar on the ground floor suffered extensive damage, exposing the steel rods within. The families were residing in the A Block of RDS Avenue-1 apartments. Following the development, officials from the engineering wing of the Kochi Corporation visited the apartment and issued a stop memo to construction work reportedly under way near the damaged structure, citing the lack of civic agency approval. Responding to the eviction of families due to the damaged pillar, Yacub Mohan George, who retired as Deputy Chief Engineer from the Public Works department (PWD), said the builder, contractors, project manager, designer, architect, and officials who issued the occupancy certificate must be held accountable. As per norms, all materials used in the construction should be tested and certified, and a proof check must be carried out on the structural design as per the National Building Code. He added that the report submitted by an expert committee that had been formed about a decade ago to revise the Kerala Municipal Building Rules (KMBR) should be implemented to prevent recurrence of such structural problems. Hibi Eden, MP, who visited the apartment, demanded that a team of experts from the PWD Buildings wing, Kochi Corporation, and the disaster management team be formed to rectify the damage. One of the apartment owners Sreenivasan Krishnan, who was formerly secretary of the All India Congress Committee, said the owners had taken up the issue of the damaged pillar with structural engineers, who opined that the problem could be rectified in another two to three months. An additional pile may be needed to bear the load of the nearly 17-year-old apartment complex. The cost-sharing arrangement for this needs to be worked out, he added.
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
Monsoon preparedness to be stepped up in Ernakulam
The district authorities have initiated steps to complete the pre-monsoon preparedness and prevent waterlogging in the city limits as part of the Operation Breakthrough project. A meeting of the officials of various departments and elected representatives, convened by District Collector N.S.K. Umesh last week, had decided to ensure the time-bound completion of the projects. The meeting reviewed the rejuvenation works in Mullassery canal, Chilavannur canal, Edappally canal, and High Court canal. A decision to step up work in the areas that usually face severe waterlogging was taken at the meeting. The required works at Kammattipadam have been completed, according to officials. Mr. Umesh told the officials to implement measures to avoid waterlogging at the Jos Junction. The district administration suggested immediate completion of the cleaning up of canals within the Kochi Corporation limits. Steps should also be taken to ease the flow in the Vivekananda canal. The meeting had also discussed the waterlogging near Al-Ameen School, Edappally. Minister for Industries P. Rajeeve, who convened an online meeting to discuss the preparedness, suggested convening Assembly constituency-level meetings to review the works initiated. He suggested cutting down trees that pose a danger to the public during heavy rains and strong winds. A strict protocol has to be ensured with regard to the opening of the shutters of various dams, he said. T. K. Ashraf, chairperson of the Kochi Corporation's Standing Committee on Health, said that the decisions taken at the review meetings convened by the district administration and the government will be implemented in a time-bound manner. The cleaning works along the canals and drains will be done as per the schedule, he said.
