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New Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Heavy rains batter Kerala: Roads and railways disrupted, crops worth crores destroyed
Torrential monsoon rains accompanied by gusty winds continued to lash Kerala on Tuesday, disrupting road and rail traffic, flooding low-lying areas, and damaging crops worth crores of rupees. The incessant downpour over the past four days has battered agricultural land, particularly in the high ranges, and triggered incidents of uprooted trees, house wall collapses, and electrical short circuits across the state. Since the onset of the monsoon last week on May 24, three casualties have been reported, prompting the state government to open a dozen relief camps in affected districts, officials said. In Wayanad, 242.74 hectares of farmland have been destroyed due to rains, flooding and strong winds, while agricultural crops in 101.47 hectares of land have been lost in neighbouring Kozhikode district, authorities said. The falling of uprooted trees on railway tracks has caused great concern in northern districts since last night. Several trains are running four to five hours behind schedule due to blockages caused by fallen trees. An electric line fell upon the track in the Kozhikode-Areekode route following the uprooting of a huge tree, authorities said. It took a few hours for the authorities to clear the track and restore normal train traffic on the route. According to railway sources, many trains, including Thiruvananthapuram-bound Vande Bharat Express and Parasuram Express, reached their destinations late. State Public Works Department Minister PA Mohammed Riyas visited the railway tracks near Kozhikode to assess the damage and said the railways had been alerted to manage trees along the tracks. 'Meetings and review sessions with people's representatives were held as early as April. However, this time the weather has changed drastically, which is part of the challenge,' he said. According to the local meteorological office, heavy rainfall was recorded Tuesday morning in Thrissur, Kozhikode, and Kannur districts, with Vellanikara in Thrissur reporting the highest rainfall at 114.7 mm, followed by 113.4 mm in Kozhikode city and 113.2 mm in Kannur.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Kerala govt sanctions Rs 75 lakh for international mountain biking competition
T'puram: The state govt has sanctioned Rs 75 lakh for organizing the seventh edition of International Mountain Biking Challenge — MTB Kerala 2025 — which aims to put Kerala on the global map of mountain biking competitions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The date of the competition is yet to be decided. An amateur cycling competition for Indian cyclists will also be held, and the winners will compete at MTB. The move aims at developing the state into an adventure tourism destination. MTB Kerala, promoted by the state tourism department, will be held at Priyadarshini Tea Plantation in Mananthavady, Wayanad. Indian and foreign cycling stars will participate in the championship, a press release stated. The 5-km track where the competition will be held is at an altitude of 3,000 feet. The championship's main attraction is the cross-country competition section, which covers terrains such as mud, rocks, and water. Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS) and Wayanad district tourism promotion council (DTPC) are organizing the championship in collaboration with Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and Cycling Federation of India (CFI). "Adventure tourism is drawing much attention globally. Kerala has excellent potential to emerge as a destination for adventure sports," said tourism minister PA Mohammed Riyas. MTB Kerala has also been included in the calendar of Union Cycliste Internationale, the Switzerland-based world governing body for sports cycling.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Chalai heritage street plan gets fresh push from govt
Thiruvananthapuram: The Chalai heritage street project , a flagship urban renewal initiative in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram, is finally set to be revived, with the state govt designating it a key priority. Stalled for months due to funding constraints, the project will now move forward, with a high-level meeting scheduled on May 14 to finalise the implementation strategy. The meeting, called by state public works and tourism minister PA Mohammed Riyas, will bring together all key launched in 2018 under Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Limited (SCTL), the project aimed to transform the historic Chalai market into a bustling commercial and tourism hub, inspired by Kozhikode's SM Street. Operation Sindoor After Pak dials India, both sides agree to stop firing; top military officials to talk on May 12 'Armed forces remain operationally ready': India after ceasefire announcement 'Any future act of terror will ...': India's big stand against Pak However, lack of funds left the plan in limbo. With the tourism department and PWD now stepping in to share the financial burden, the project is regaining momentum."The project had been stalled due to SCTL's financial constraints. With support from the tourism department and PWD, we can now proceed," said Antony Raju, MLA overseeing the initiative. "Whether we follow the original SM Street model or adopt a new plan will be discussed at the meeting," he told far, only the renovation of eight approach roads has been completed. A senior SCTL official confirmed that the immediate focus will be on road beautification, improved signage, and modern street lighting. "At the meeting, we will collect feedback and develop a revised proposal," the official traders have long demanded the revival of the project, which promises not only infrastructure upgrades but also preservation of the market's cultural and historical identity. The govt has assured that no traders will be displaced and that the redesigned heritage street will integrate existing commercial revised plan includes converting the eight access roads into smart roads with modern amenities, installing streetlights, and transforming the main Chalai road into a smart corridor. The market, designed with an octagonal layout featuring eight entry points, will see phased the second phase, the focus will shift to enhancing heritage elements. Plans include permanent entry arches, historical graffiti, tiled footpaths, roofed walkways with benches and flowers, and underground electrical wiring. The entire stretch will also be Wi-Fi-enabled to boost functionality and visitor experience.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
State govt to launch ropeway project in Wayanad: Kerala tourism minister
Kozhikode: Tourism and public works minister PA Mohammed Riyas said on Sunday that the state govt aims to implement a ropeway project parallel to the Wayanad Churam Pass under a PPP ( public-private partnership ) model. The minister was speaking at a seminar organized by the tourism department as part of the state govt's fourth-anniversary celebrations at the 'Ende Keralam' exhibition and trade fair held at the Kalpetta SKMJ school grounds. The minister said that Wayanad's terrain is highly suitable for adventure tourism . "According to new trends, adventure tourism is becoming one of the strong branches in the global tourism sector. The tourism department will lead a special study on adventure tourism suitable for the state. The Adventure Tourism Society will be tasked with preparing the necessary safety guidelines. More adventure tourism parks and training centers will be established in the state. Ensuring necessary safety precautions is essential in adventure tourism," the minister added.
The Hindu
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
All PWD roads in State to be upgraded to BM BC standard: Riyas
Tourism Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas on Tuesday announced that all PWD roads in State will soon be upgraded to Bituminous Macadam and Bituminous Concrete (BM BC) standard. He said 60% of the 30,000 km road network under the PWD has already been upgraded. He was speaking after inaugurating the renovated Killiyalam-Vamanjoor-Banam-Kmmadam road and the reconstructed bridge over the Kiliyalam canal. The 10km long stretch was widened to 10 metres and the new bridge was completed using Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board funds. Mr. Riyas credited the Constituency monitoring team formed in all 140 assembly segments for expediting road renovation projects across the State. The Minister described the project as 'gift' to the Kanhangad constituency, coinciding with the State government's fourth anniversary. The upgraded stretch passes through Kinanoor-Karinthalam and Kodom Belur panchayats. The project included sub base strengthening, BM BC tarring and construction of drains and culverts. The even was presided over by E. Chandrasekharan, MLA. Rajmohan Unnithan, MP, M. Rajagopalan, MLA and District Panchayat president Baby Balakrishnan were among the dignitaries present. Panchayat and political leaders from various parties and department attended.
