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Time of India
3 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Heavy rain causes widespread waterlogging in Kochi
Kochi: Heavy rain that lashed the city on early Tuesday morning caused widespread waterlogging in several areas. The high tide in the early morning accelerated waterlogging, which was reported in Kaloor, Edapally Toll, Poonithura, Vennala and other adjacent areas. The residents had to wade through water to reach their destinations. This is the second time the city has reported waterlogging this monsoon season. Piravom recorded 22cm rainfall in 24 hours till 8.30am on Tuesday. A car fell into a canal that separates Kochi corporation and Maradu municipality in Poonithura after the driver followed directions on a navigation app. "Instead of the left turn, he took the right turn. He may have mistaken a pedestrian pathway parallel to the canal for a waterlogged road. A tragedy was averted as there were no passengers and the driver managed to escape. Later, locals pulled the car up using a crane," said division member Mercy. Meanwhile, to address waterlogging in the city, district disaster management authority provided four large pumps to regional fire officer. Mayor M Anilkumar and district collector N S K Umesh handed over the pumps to regional fire officer J S Sunil Kumar at a function held at Kadavanthra Gandhinagar fire station on Tuesday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Knee Pain Keeping You Up at Night? This Trick Could Help Instantly Learn More Undo The district disaster management authority had purchased four pumps at a cost of Rs 2.17 crore. The decision to purchase the pumps was made on the instructions of district collector, who is also the chairman of district disaster management authority.
New Indian Express
31-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Brahmapuram biomining: Corporation to extend contract till September 30
KOCHI: Kochi corporation has decided to extend its contract with Bhumi Green Energy, the Pune-based company entrusted with carrying out biomining at the Brahmapuram waste dumping yard, till September 30. The council meeting held on Wednesday made the decision as the work was not completed within the stipulated time of March 2025. UDF councillors said the contract should not be extended as the company failed to meet the deadline. 'We paid the company Rs 1,690 per tonne on the agreement that biomining would be completed in 16 months. Now, as they have sought an extension, we should at least reduce the cost per tonne,' said Antony Kureethara, leader of the Opposition. Opposition councillors also alleged lapses in carrying out the work. Bhumi Green Energy, which specialises in solid waste management, had approached Kochi corporation for an extension, saying the work was delayed because of heavy rain. Mayor M Anilkumar, responding to the allegations, said it was a challenging task to remove waste from the dumping yard, and yet, around 90% of the work has been completed. 'We have to pay the company around `45 crore for the work carried out in recent months. In such a scenario, how can we terminate the contract? Now, only 10% biomining is left. So, it is better to extend the contract till September 30,' the mayor said. When the agreement was signed in October 2023 after a major fire at Brahmapuram, the cost of treating seven lakh tonnes of waste was estimated at Rs 118 crore. However, a survey carried out by NIT Calicut found that 8.4 tonnes of waste had accumulated at the site. Meanwhile, Opposition councillors protested the decision to extend the contract. 'The officials aren't properly auditing the work carried out. Looting is taking place. Not completing the work on time is a violation of the agreement. The mayor should seek a detailed report from the officials on the work carried out,' said Antony Painuthura, a UDF councillor. The mayor, however, expressed confidence that there is no corruption involved. 'I have directed the officials not to be involved in such malpractices. Kerala High Court was also satisfied with the work,' he said. Brahmapuram biomining
Time of India
30-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Waste from different parts of state piled up at Brahmapuram
Kochi: Mayor M Anilkumar said in the corporation council, which met on Wednesday, that waste from several places in the state was dumped on Brahmapuram solid waste treatment plant premises for around 13 years until 2023. Various types of waste, including customs rejects, were dumped at Brahmapuram. The mayor stated that corporation had to give its nod for various local bodies, including neighbouring municipalities, to dump waste at the solid waste treatment yard at Brahmapuram. "Until 2010, the entire waste lay inside the windrow compost plant at Brahmapuram. Later, the waste started to pile up all over the plant premises," Anilkumar said. He mentioned that this points to the fact that treatment of waste was not done properly. Waste generated from across the state during 2018 floods and Covid-19 pandemic was also dumped at Brahmapuram. LDF councillor Benedict Fernandez also said that customs rejects were dumped at Brahmapuram. He noted that containers laden with garbage, including customs waste, were dumped at Brahmapuram. "It was after the corporation raised complaints a few years ago that Cochin Port authorities started a facility to dump such waste on the port's land on Willingdon Island," Fernandez said.
Time of India
28-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Company seeks extension for biomining of legacy waste in Brahmapuram
Kochi: The contracting company has requested an extension for completing biomining of waste piled up in Brahmapuram. Bhumi Green Energy Corporation approached Kochi corporation, stating that financial difficulties due to delayed bill payments and impact of heavy rains prevented completion of biomining within the scheduled time. The contract for biomining in Brahmapuram was signed between corporation and Pune-based Bhumi Green Energy on Nov 4, 2023, with a duration of 16 months, which ended in March 2025. Although the company continues biomining, corporation has not extended the contract duration. In this context, the company submitted a letter to corporation requesting an extension. The council meeting to be held on Wednesday will decide on the matter. Initially, cost for processing and removing 7,00,000 tonnes of waste was estimated at Rs 118 crore. However, with the increased waste volume in NIT Calicut (NITC) survey, the cost rose to Rs 142 crore. Mayor M Anilkumar said around 90% of biomining was completed. Corporation states that the 16-month duration was determined based on a survey report estimating 7,00,000 tonnes of legacy waste in Brahmapuram. However, NITC survey found 10.54 cubic metres (8,44,000 tonnes) of waste. Biomining contract was awarded at a rate of Rs 1,690 per tonne.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Construction of new houses for Shanthipuram Colony residents begins
Kochi: Reconstruction of houses has begun for residents in the area known as Shanthipuram Colony, located in 44th division of Kochi corporation in Karanakodam. Corporation has designed the project to construct new houses for 197 families in the colony using Life Mission and CSR funds. The existing houses are very old and lack proper security. "Providing them with safe and secure homes has been one of the long-term goals of the municipality and was announced in the budget. Under the leadership of Azadi Group's Architecture Engineering College, a plan has been prepared to construct apartment complexes in blocks of eight homes each, across three cents," mayor M Anilkumar said. "The expected construction cost for one house is Rs 10 lakh. However, the maximum amount the corporation can provide per family under LIFE scheme is Rs 4 lakh. We are unable to use any other funds for this purpose. The challenge before the corporation was to find the remaining Rs 6 lakh per house. Assurances have been received for CSR funds of Rs 1 crore from BPCL Kochi Refinery and Rs 50 lakh from Sobha Group. Phase I construction activities will commence soon," Anilkumar added. "Division councillor George Nanat also took the initiative to ensure the project becomes a reality," he said.
