Latest news with #P.P.Chitharanjan
The Hindu
06-08-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Work on ‘Alappuzha – A Global Water Wonderland' project set to begin
Work on the 'Alappuzha- A Global Water Wonderland' project under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme is set to begin soon. The project will be implemented at a cost of ₹93.17 crore, including ₹74.95 crore provided as a loan by the Union government. The State government has designated the Kerala Tourism Infrastructure Limited as the nodal agency for its implementation. A preliminary meeting ahead of the project launch was held recently. District Collector Alex Varghese, MLAs P.P. Chitharanjan and H. Salam and others attended the meeting. The project includes transforming the Alappuzha beach, canals and backwaters into an 'iconic global tourist destination.' The beachfront development, which envisions an ecologically sensitive upgrade of the area, includes setting up promenade walkways, parking lots, seating spaces, lighting, landscaping, spaces for conducting events, an Indian Coast Guard station, outdoor sports courts, and waste management, among other amenities. The canal-side transformation aims to restore and revitalise the historic canals of Alappuzha town, 'reintroducing them as thriving public spaces while respecting their ecological and cultural significance'. Planned works include walkways, seating, lighting, plazas, boat docks, cafes and boat jetty development. An international cruise terminal with parking, marina, experience centre, information kiosks, water adventure zone, restaurant, and toilets will come up at Punnamada Finishing Point. Mr. Varghese said that steps would be taken to obtain all necessary approvals from various departments at the earliest. The aim is to complete the project by February 2026, he added.
The Hindu
29-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
DDC calls for urgent steps to ease traffic woes on NH 66 in Alappuzha
A meeting of the District Development Committee (DDC) has called for urgent measures to ease traffic congestion and prevent frequent accidents on National Highway (NH) 66 in Alappuzha district, caused by the ongoing road widening work. In the meeting held on Saturday, P.P. Chitharanjan, MLA, pointed out that sand for NH construction was supposed to be extracted from a designated area in Vembanad Lake to the east of Aryad grama panchayat, but the extraction has shifted westward. He said that vehicles transporting sand were speeding recklessly, damaging roads and causing accidents. The MLA urged the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to look into the matter and take necessary action. He also demanded that NHAI officials be instructed to attend DDC meetings regularly. H. Salam, MLA, demanded that the traffic signal installed at Kaithavana junction in Alappuzha, which remains switched off during the day, be made operational immediately. K.C. Venugopal MP's representative, former MLA A.A. Shukkoor, said the ongoing NH construction has been causing severe traffic congestion in the Aroor region. Despite the allocation of ₹7 crore for the repair of alternate roads, the situation has not improved, he said. The representative of Ramesh Chennithala, MLA, demanded that an underpass be sanctioned at Narakathara on the NH. Mr. Chitharanjan also raised issues, including travel difficulties on the Alappuzha railway station road, the growing stray dog menace, and delays in the disbursement of compensation for natural calamities. District Tourism Promotion Council officials informed the meeting that a letter had been sent to the Tourism director requesting the installation of a prefab toilet unit on Alappuzha beach. Officials from the Ports department said a proposal had been submitted to the Maritime Board to set up an amenity centre, including toilets, within the Port office compound. As part of the construction of the District Court Bridge, 50 out of 168 piles have been completed, and tender procedures for the demolition of buildings are in progress, Kerala Road Fund Board officials informed the meeting. Fisheries department officials said that the construction of an apartment complex under the Punargeham project at Purakkad for coastal residents was progressing. Kerala State Nirmithi Kendra authorities informed the meeting that the new building of the Fisheries Hospital at Tharayilkadavu was nearing completion.
The Hindu
27-04-2025
- The Hindu
Steps to tackle drug sales and unlicensed vending on Alappuzha beach
A meeting of the District Development Committee has decided to initiate measures to prevent the sale of drugs and anti-social activities on Alappuzha beach and to enhance security on all beaches in the district. Officials informed the meeting that the Police and Excise departments had intensified joint inspections on Alappuzha beach. Excise officials said that 3.38 kg of ganja had been seized in connection with five Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances cases in recent times. Besides, 15 Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act cases were registered. The meeting, chaired by District Collector Alex Varghese on Saturday, also decided to convene a meeting of the concerned departments, in the presence of MLAs- P.P. Chitharanjan and H. Salam, to regulate unauthorised vending on Alappuzha beach and to ensure the safety of visitors. Officials said that unauthorised use of space by putting up plastic sheets and trading by unlicensed vendors on Alappuzha beach were under scrutiny. Notices were issued to 14 shops. During a quality check of food items sold on the beach, issues such as poor hygiene and adulteration were detected. Ten vendors were issued notices and fined for the violations, an official said. Mr. Chitharanjan demanded steps to remove silt from canals in Alappuzha town to prevent waterlogging during the monsoon season. Mr. Salam called for strict action against illegal filling of paddy fields and encroachment of puramboke land. Officials informed the meeting that a special squad had been formed at the taluk level to report cases of illegal filling of paddy fields and that follow-up actions were being taken. Daleema Jojo, MLA said that accidents had become frequent on the Arookutty- Cherthala road. Public Works Department officials informed that various measures were being taken to reduce accidents. They said that works, including installation of rumble strips and warning boards, were progressing on the stretch. Kerala Road Fund Board officials informed the meeting that the remaining works on the Kaithavana-Old Nadakavu road would begin on Monday.
