Latest news with #Sabarimala
The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
PWD forms special team to coordinate Sabarimala pilgrimage preparations
A special core team has been formed within the Public Works department (PWD) to coordinate preparations ahead of the upcoming Sabarimala pilgrimage season, Minister for Public Works P.A. Mohamed Riyas has said. The team will be headed by the PWD Secretary and will include the Additional Secretary, KSTP Project Director, KRFB (PMU) Project Director, Chief Engineers of Roads, Bridges, National Highways, and Design, as well as the Managing Directors of RICK, Pratheeksha, and Ashwas. The decision was taken during a high-level review meeting to assess pre-pilgrimage season work. Every Chief Engineer has been asked to review preparations in a specific district. In addition, special inspection teams have been set up for every district and these are expected to submit their reports by August 25. These inspections will continue throughout the pilgrimage season. Executive engineers of the Roads Division have been tasked with coordinating the activities of all wings at the district level. Mr. Riyas has instructed that all ongoing works be completed in a time-bound manner. He also stressed the timely completion of technical approvals, tendering processes, and related administrative steps. All roads must be fully motorable before the pilgrimage season begins, he said. Safety inspections Reports of regular accidents on certain roads were raised at the meeting. The Minister directed that safety inspections be conducted immediately on such roads and that road safety measures be ensured. Mr. Riyas said that it was important to have signages in multiple languages since pilgrims are expected to arrive in large numbers from various States. Roadside vegetation should be cleared to ensure safe passage for pedestrians. The Minister also instructed that street lighting and drainage systems be made fully functional and efficient. Works on bridges Rest houses should be equipped with all facilities. Bridge railings and related infrastructure must be well-maintained. The Minister said that the works on bridges be expedited and completed without delay . Health Minister Veena George; Chief Whip N. Jayaraj; Mathew T. Thomas, K.U. Jineesh Kumar, Pramod Narayanan, Vazhoor Soman, and Sebastian Kulathunkal, all MLAs; PWD Secretary, Pathanamthitta District Collector and senior officials from various departments were present at the meeting.
The Hindu
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Coconut oil prices singe household budgets in Kerala
With the festival season round the corner, the rising price of coconut oil has become a concern for many households in the State. If the prevailing copra and coconut prices are any indication, the average price of a litre of coconut oil will be anywhere between ₹500 and ₹600 during the Onam festival season. In addition, the demand for coconut is expected to rule high till December with festivals in northern India and the Sabarimala pilgrimage in Kerala. Speaking to The Hindu, an officer at the Coconut Development Board (CDB) said there had been a big drop in coconut production in the country due to shrinking patronage for coconut cultivation and the adverse impact of climate change. 'Besides this, there was a glut in the market during the pandemic outbreak in 2020 and 2021, with sales and consumption of copra and coconut oil plummeting. However, as soon as the market reopened after the pandemic, the hoarded produce flooded the market, significantly lowering the price of copra and coconut oil, with coconut farmers taking a hit,' the officer said. This was followed by a drop in coconut production in equatorial countries, including in India, due to climate change and the reluctance of farmers to take care of trees, lowering production and increasing the price for copra, coconut oil and allied products, the officer said. Talath Mahamood, president, Cochin Oil Merchant's Association, said the rise in coconut oil prices had opened the window for adulterated coconut oil manufacturers to flood the market with spurious products. The alarming price rise had also upset the family budget of many. The retail coconut oil price was ₹460 a litre on Thursday, almost a 100% rise compared to ₹235 during the first of January 2025. Although cooking oils such as palm oil (₹120/850 gm) and sunflower oil (₹150/litre) are available in the market, the majority of Malayalis prefer coconut oil for home cooking. Mr. Mahamood said as an immediate measure to protect the industry, the Centre should urgently intervene and ban the export of coconut, copra, coconut oil, and allied products, at least for a brief period. Further, the restrictions imposed on the import of coconut and copra from countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines should be lifted, considering the precarious situation.
New Indian Express
19-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
TDB to take over unniyappam production at Kottarakkara Mahaganapathy temple
KOLLAM: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) will directly take over the production of Unniyappam at the Kottarakkara Mahaganapathy Temple. The decision was taken at a meeting of Deputy Devaswom Commissioners convened by the board on May 21. A subsequent board meeting issued an order that included the procurement of an Unniyappam-making kit. The move comes in the wake of a report by the board's vigilance wing, which found irregularities in the preparation and distribution of the Unniyappam. The board clarified that media reports claiming the cancellation of the decision to take over production are incorrect. TDB officials stated that the aim is to ensure quality offerings for devotees. A similar measure was adopted during the previous Sabarimala pilgrimage season, when the board directly handled the production of Appam and Aravana at Nilakkal, Erumeli, and Pandalam Devaswom.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kerala Railway Projects: CPM MP urges rail minister to reject move to surrender Kerala project funds, ET Infra
Advt Advt Communist Party of India (Marxist) MP John Brittas has written to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the Railway Board, requesting them to reject the Southern Railway 's move to surrender funds allocated for projects in Kerala in the 2025-26 separate letters addressed to Vaishnaw and the Railway Board chairman, Brittas has expressed strong objection to a proposal submitted by the Southern Railway through a letter dated May 14 to surrender a substantial portion of the funds allocated in the budget for the Financial Year 2025-26 for the Angamali-Sabarimala and Tirunavaya-Guruvayur railway has urged for immediate intervention to discard the Southern Railway's recommendation and ensure continued financial support for these crucial projects in the southern state."These projects, envisaged decades ago, remain unfinished due to persistent institutional apathy, despite their strategic, economic, and socio-cultural significance," Brittas said in his letter addressed to termed the move a blatant continuation of the long-standing neglect of Kerala's railway infrastructure and emphasised that the Angamali-Sabarimala line is of national significance given the magnitude of the Sabarimala pilgrimage , while the Tirunavaya-Guruvayur line is vital for improving connectivity in northern pointed out that the Southern Railway has also proposed surrendering funds for projects in Tamil Nadu, revealing a broader pattern of bureaucratic disregard for long-standing railway demands in south India."The decision to surrender funds, ironically justified by citing a 'frozen' status, amounts to a perpetuation of neglect rather than an attempt at rectification. It is pertinent to note that the very status of these projects as 'frozen' is symptomatic of the broader pattern of railway discrimination against Kerala, where critical demands are either delayed or denied," the Left leader requested the minister to issue directions to the board to reject the Southern Railway's recommendations in this regard and instruct the authorities concerned to ensure the continuation, acceleration and proper funding of these long-pending projects."Kerala cannot be expected to wait indefinitely for basic rail infrastructure," he said.
Hindustan Times
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
CPI(M) MP opposes railways' move to surrender funds for projects in Kerala
New Delhi, Communist Party of India MP John Brittas has written to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the Railway Board, requesting them to reject the Southern Railway's move to surrender funds allocated for projects in Kerala in the 2025-26 budget. In separate letters addressed to Vaishnaw and the Railway Board chairman, Brittas has expressed strong objection to a proposal submitted by the Southern Railway through a letter dated May 14 to surrender a substantial portion of the funds allocated in the budget for the Financial Year 2025-26 for the Angamali-Sabarimala and Tirunavaya-Guruvayur railway lines. He has urged for immediate intervention to discard the Southern Railway's recommendation and ensure continued financial support for these crucial projects in the southern state. "These projects, envisaged decades ago, remain unfinished due to persistent institutional apathy, despite their strategic, economic, and socio-cultural significance," Brittas said in his letter addressed to Vaishnaw. He termed the move a blatant continuation of the long-standing neglect of Kerala's railway infrastructure and emphasised that the Angamali-Sabarimala line is of national significance given the magnitude of the Sabarimala pilgrimage, while the Tirunavaya-Guruvayur line is vital for improving connectivity in northern Kerala. He pointed out that the Southern Railway has also proposed surrendering funds for projects in Tamil Nadu, revealing a broader pattern of bureaucratic disregard for long-standing railway demands in south India. "The decision to surrender funds, ironically justified by citing a 'frozen' status, amounts to a perpetuation of neglect rather than an attempt at rectification. It is pertinent to note that the very status of these projects as 'frozen' is symptomatic of the broader pattern of railway discrimination against Kerala, where critical demands are either delayed or denied," the Left leader said. He requested the minister to issue directions to the board to reject the Southern Railway's recommendations in this regard and instruct the authorities concerned to ensure the continuation, acceleration and proper funding of these long-pending projects. "Kerala cannot be expected to wait indefinitely for basic rail infrastructure," he said.
