Latest news with #NSKUmesh
Time of India
2 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Ernakulam collector welcomes students back to school and urges caution during monsoon
Kochi: District collector NSK Umesh released a video message on the social media, warmly welcoming students back to school as the new academic year begins on Monday, following a two-month summer vacation. In his message, collector emphasized both the excitement of returning to school and the importance of staying safe during monsoon season. "As you know, monsoon has arrived. When walking on the road during heavy rain, do not stand under trees and always ensure your own safety," said Umesh. "Also, there is a higher risk of communicable diseases and fever. Please take necessary precautions," he said. Umesh assured that both the district administration and general education department took all necessary measures to ensure student safety. He noted that towards the end of May, as rains intensified, many students began requesting holidays via his Facebook page. He urged students to stop asking for time off and instead embrace school life — playing, laughing with friends and creating lasting memories. "When school days are over and you enter the working world, you might wish to return to school — but that won't be possible," he reminded the students. He further clarified that school holidays will only be declared after careful evaluation of weather conditions and safety concerns. Industries minister P Rajeeve will inaugurate annual school reopening celebration, Praveshanolsavam, at Kadungalloor Govt High School on Monday. Kochi: District collector NSK Umesh released a video message on the social media, warmly welcoming students back to school as the new academic year begins on Monday, following a two-month summer vacation. In his message, collector emphasized both the excitement of returning to school and the importance of staying safe during monsoon season. "As you know, monsoon has arrived. When walking on the road during heavy rain, do not stand under trees and always ensure your own safety," said Umesh. "Also, there is a higher risk of communicable diseases and fever. Please take necessary precautions," he said. Umesh assured that both the district administration and general education department took all necessary measures to ensure student safety. He noted that towards the end of May, as rains intensified, many students began requesting holidays via his Facebook page. He urged students to stop asking for time off and instead embrace school life — playing, laughing with friends and creating lasting memories. "When school days are over and you enter the working world, you might wish to return to school — but that won't be possible," he reminded the students. He further clarified that school holidays will only be declared after careful evaluation of weather conditions and safety concerns. Industries minister P Rajeeve will inaugurate annual school reopening celebration, Praveshanolsavam, at Kadungalloor Govt High School on Monday.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Dilapidated Chander Kunj Army Towers: Ernakulam collector submits detailed demolition and reconstruction plan before Kerala HC
Kochi: The Ernakulam collector has submitted a detailed affidavit before high court outlining the proposed plan of action for the demolition and reconstruction of the dilapidated Towers B and C of the Chander Kunj Army Towers at Silver Sand Island, Vyttila, with the project expected to be completed by Oct 31, 2029, at an estimated cost of Rs 211.49 crore. The affidavit that proposes a tentative demolition date of Nov 9, 2025 was filed in compliance with the directive of the bench of Justice C P Mohamed Nias in a batch of review petitions filed by residents of Chander Kunj, who sought clarity on an earlier single bench order directing the demolition and reconstruction of the towers, constructed in July 2018. District collector N S K Umesh informed HC that a stakeholders' meeting was held on April 22, during which representatives of the Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO) were directed to allot Rs 30,000 to each family currently residing in Towers B and C to cover relocation expenses. The residents were instructed to complete the shifting by July 31. The affidavit noted that the funds for Phase I, covering eviction and rehabilitation, can be allocated to AWHO only after HC fixes the rent payable to flat owners. Since 82 flat owners have opted for the buy-back option, the collector has forwarded a letter to the AWHO director requesting discussions to finalise the terms. During the meeting, the town planner informed that the building rules in force at the time of the original construction have since been revised, creating several impediments for reconstruction under the new norms. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo As per the collector's four-phase plan, the shifting of occupants will happen within the next two months, followed by demolition over the next six months, with the site being cleared by Jan 9. Phase IV, involving piling and foundation work, will commence on April 1 and is expected to be completed in six months. The entire work can be completed within 4.5 years. Two sub-committees constituted to monitor the project, comprising the PWD executive engineer, a structural expert and a resident of Towers B and C, will submit regular reports to the collector. The report also notes that since the water, gas and electricity connections to Towers A, B and C are interlinked, the possible impact of the demolition on Tower A must also be assessed.
New Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Poor coordination delays Kochi's pre-monsoon works, raising flood risk as rains arrive early
KOCHI: Though Kochi corporation initiated its pre-monsoon cleaning activities early this year, lack of coordination between departments has delayed the work, posing the threat of waterlogging in the city. The situation is worryingly dire, with the southwest monsoon having made early landfall. On Sunday, district collector N S K Umesh visited National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) work locations and directed the authority, railways, and other departments to complete the dredging of canals and drains. 'The public works department had been entrusted with cleaning the drains in MG Road, Banerjee Road and Shanmugham Road. That work is yet to be completed. In the 2025-26 budget, `10 crore was allocated for Operation Breakthrough. The amount has not been utilised. Moreover, the water authority is yet to remove the old pipes obstructing water flow,' said Manoj Kumar, president of the Merchants Chamber of Commerce. Areas such as Panampilly Nagar, BRM Nagar, Vasanth Nagar, and other areas experienced waterlogging in the past few days. Seena Gokul, chairperson of the public works committee, said pre-monsoon cleaning activities were started early this time, but were delayed due to several reasons. 'We had instances of contractors abandoning work, besides other issues. We have completed desilting and dredging of most of the canals using the suction-cum-jetting machine,' she said. On Friday, the Kerala High Court observed that only 30-50% of the pre-monsoon activities had been completed.
New Indian Express
12-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Ernakulam district sets Aug 15 target for extreme poverty-free tag
KOCHI: Amid the government push to declare the state extreme poverty-free by November 1, Ernakulam district is sprinting towards the final phase of its 'extreme poverty eradication programme'. According to officials, the administration aims to make the district extreme poverty-free by August 15, Independence Day. They said 5,650 'extremely poor' individuals have been identified in the district, of whom almost 90% have moved out of the category following coordinated efforts. The first part of the project focused on identifying individuals requiring basic needs like food and healthcare. Of the 1,962 people identified as in need of food, 54 are being served cooked food while the rest are being provided with regular food kits. As many as 2,458 individuals in need of medical assistance and healthcare were identified and are being supported through various schemes. Of them, 275 people are being provided with palliative care and 28 with self-support equipment. In the next phase, 219 people with no source of income were identified. Of them, 199 are being supported via Kudumbashree's Ujjeevanam scheme, while the rest are getting support through other means of funding. Meanwhile, around 281 individuals are in consideration for the housing scheme, the only part awaiting completion for the district to achieve the 'extreme- poverty' free status. The programme was introduced by the state government in 2021 to make Kerala the first state to wipe out extreme poverty by November 1, 2025. According to officials, almost 20 panchayats in the district are in the final stages of achieving the tag. Law Minister P Rajeeve had announced that his Kalamassery assembly constituency will be declared 'extreme-poverty free' in May. 'Ernakulam district is on track with the scheme. The revenue department and panchayats are coordinating towards using revenue poramboke land and allocating title deeds with the consent of the people in consideration,' district collector N S K Umesh told TNIE. In April, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had announced that 50,401 families out of the 64,006 extremely poor families identified in the state have been moved out of extreme poverty. He had also declared Dharmadam, his assembly constituency, as the first extreme-poverty free constituency in the state under the scheme.
New Indian Express
28-04-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Work on GCDA's new Kakkanad shopping complex to begin soon
KOCHI: Construction of the Greater Cochin Development Authority's new shopping complex in Kakkanad is set to begin soon. The facility, dubbed 'Commercial Hub 2.0,' will come up on 14 acres of land owned by GCDA in the heart of Kakkanad and replace the existing 50-year-old building. Officials said the new 18,000 sqft building will be spread over five floors, including the basement, which will house a parking lot. It will also boast retail and office spaces, a meeting hall on the top floor, toilets, lifts, and other facilities. At least 13 shop owners from the existing premises will be rehabilitated to a nearby facility until the new building is constructed. Demolition of the old structure and construction of the new one is expected to be completed within one-and-a-half years. The authority has set apart `6.5 crore of its own funds for the project. 'We are currently carrying out final estimations. The tender for the project, covering demolition of the existing structure and construction of the new one, will be issued shortly,' a GCDA official said. The project was unveiled at a review meeting, attended by Collector N S K Umesh, GCDA chairperson K Chandran Pillai, district panchayat president Manoj Muthedan, members of the Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopanai Samithi, tenants of the existing building, and GCDA planning and engineering department officials, held at the district panchayat meeting hall on Wednesday. Other projects currently being undertaken by the authority include new commercial complexes at Dhobi Khana in Fort Kochi on 2.75 acres of GCDA land, at a budget of Rs 5.6 crore, a public-private partnership (PPP) model multi-storied complex on 129 cents in Olimugal, Kakkanad, a commercial-residential complex in Kadavanthra, a new multi-storied commercial complex on GCDA land at High Court Junction replacing the existing shopping and bank complexes near Marine Drive, a 2,000 sqft, two-storied shopping complex near Mundamveli LIFE Mission project, and a 3,200 sqft, two-storied commercial complex in Edathala.
