Latest news with #M.Anilkumar
The Hindu
2 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Greening programmes mark World Environment Day celebrations in Kochi
Planting of saplings, setting up of mini forests and green islets marked World Environment Day celebrations held in Ernakulam on Thursday. At a programme held in the headquarters of the Varapuzha Archdiocese here, Archbishop of Varapuzha Joseph Kalathiparambil handed over saplings of vetiver to Kochi Mayor M. Anilkumar. The saplings will be planted at the dumping site of the civic body at Brahmapuram, where biomining was carried out to remove waste heaps, according to a release issued here. The Mayor also inaugurated the clean-up and environmental initiatives of the Varapuzha Archdiocese on the occasion. The Maradu municipal authorities initiated works to set up a green islet comprising fruit trees to mark Environment Day celebrations. It was set up up near the material collection facility near the 16th division in the municipality. Antony Ashanparambil, chairperson, planted various fruit tree saplings. District Collector N.S.K Umesh inaugurated the green islet project at nearly four cents on the civil station premises at Kakkanad by planting saplings. Traditional fruit trees will be planted at the site as part of the joint project involving the district administration, Haritha Keralam Mission, Thrikkakara municipality and Rotary Club. 'Changathikkoru Maram' (a tree for a friend) project was inaugurated at the Don Bosco Senior Secondary School here as part of a programme organised by the Haritha Keralam Mission and the Kochi Corporation. Students exchanged tree saplings as part of the green initiative. 'YouCanHeal', a dashboard app by students of computer applications and recognised by the Department of Environment and Climate Change and the Kochi Corporation, was launched at a programme held at the St. Teresa's College here. The theme of the event, organised by the Bhoomitra Sena Club, Department of Zoology and NSS Unit 41, was 'Beat Plastic Pollution and Promote Renewable Energy'.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
UDF questions Kochi Corporation's claim of declaring city waste-free in two months
The Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) has questioned the Kochi Corporation's claim that the city will be declared waste-free in two months, citing what it alleged was a disproportion between the total number of commercial establishments in the city and the negligible number of those that have signed up for waste disposal through the civic body's My Kochi app. Mayor M. Anilkumar, at a council meeting on Thursday (May 29, 2025), had announced the launch of an intense drive to declare Kochi waste-free in two months. The UDF pointed out that, as per the Corporation's assessment register, there were over one lakh commercial establishments in the city, of which fewer than 25,000 had renewed their licences this year. Even fewer commercial establishments — less than 500 — had signed up for waste disposal through the Corporation's bulk waste management agency, Rebuild Kerala. 'This exposes the Corporation's claim of making the city waste-free as hollow, as there is no parity between the waste generated and scientifically disposed of. When so many commercial establishments are not within the Corporation's official ambit of waste disposal unauthorised dumping in public places is unlikely to end anytime soon making the intense drive to declare the city waste-free meaningless. What is needed is a feasible waste disposal system acceptable to the community of traders,' said M.G. Aristotle, UDF parliamentary party secretary in the Corporation. Mr. Anilkumar, however, dismissed the accusation as baseless. According to the Opposition, the Corporation spent ₹2.16 crore on waste management in March, while over ₹1 crore is due from commercial establishments classified as bulk waste generators. The Corporation has received only ₹64 lakh through waste collection. The Opposition also accused the Corporation of not even trying to monetise reusable waste, despite spending crores on waste treatment every month.
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Indigenous art expo to be held in Kochi this year, says Minister
'Gadhika', an exhibition of indigenous art forms and sale of indigenous products, would be held in Kochi this year, Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes O.R. Kelu said on Monday. He was speaking at the inauguration of a programme organised to celebrate International Museum Day here. The museum day celebrations were organised under the aegis of the Kerala Institute for Research Training and Development Studies of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (KIRTADS) at the Ernakulam Tribal Complex. The Minister said it was important to protect and encourage indigenous culture, knowledge, and art forms. He also stressed the importance of the indigenous medical system and the world of knowledge spread by indigenous communities. Mayor M. Anilkumar presided over the event. Head of the Department of History at UC College Jenee Peter delivered the keynote address.
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
13-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Restoration of remaining 200 metres of Mullassery canal likely to be taken up after monsoon
The Irrigation department is likely to take up the restoration of the remaining 200-odd metres of the Mullassery canal under Operation Breakthrough only after the monsoon. Of the total 829-metre stretch of the canal, the Irrigation department claims to have completed the restoration of 625 metres. The stretch between Chittoor Road and M.G. Road remains to be restored. 'For now, the priority will be completing the resurfacing of pathways along the restored stretch of the canal before the onset of the monsoon. We are hopeful that the restored portion will help address waterlogging near the Ernakulam KSRTC depot and nearby areas like Karikkamuri as water can be channelled through the Vivekananda canal to the Thevara–Pernandoor canal,' said Irrigation department sources. The restoration of the Mullassery canal has already been inordinately delayed, drawing the Kerala High Court's rebuke on more than one occasion. In February, the High Court had directed the authorities to complete the restoration work within three months, failing which the court would have to summon the District Collector. A meeting chaired by Mayor M. Anilkumar in January and attended by District Collector N.S.K. Umesh had reviewed Operation Breakthrough — a project aimed at resolving inundation in Kochi city — and issued an ultimatum to the Irrigation department to complete the canal restoration by June. The schedule of works up to May was also approved at the meeting, which expressed dissatisfaction over the department's delay in completing the restoration process that had been ongoing for the past three years. Furthermore, a directive was issued to the department to avoid further delay. 'The restoration of the remaining stretch involves the crossing of the M.G. Road. We will also have to coordinate with Kochi Metro Rail Limited to ensure that no damage is caused to the metro pillar along the stretch. Since the usual method of excavation, which requires prolonged road closure, may not be viable on M.G. Road, we may have to explore more sophisticated methods such as precast technology, though a decision will only be taken by the monitoring committee chaired by the Collector. We are also considering cross drains instead of side drains along the stretch as the former would necessitate shifting numerous utilities leading to further delays,' said Irrigation department sources. The department is also revising the estimates as several emergency works required at the site had to be carried out during the course of the project.
