Latest news with #SajanPJohn
New Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Water Metro going green; betting big on solar power
KOCHI: In a major push for sustainable transportation, the Kochi Water Metro Ltd (KWML) has embarked on an ambitious project to set up a solar farm at Purakkad, in Alappuzha, besides implementing rooftop solar-panel systems at its terminals and buildings. This is in line with the ambitious plan of the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL), its parent, to go carbon neutral by 2030. 'We've identified 90 acres of land in Purakkad. We expect the revenue department to hand over the land soon. The plan is to set up a CIAL-model solar farm that will produce 17 MW of power daily. Once we start generating electricity, we will enter into a trade off with the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) through its power grid scheme, whereby an equivalent amount to power will be made available in Kochi to fuel the entire water metro fleet,' Sajan P John, chief operating officer (COO) of KWML, told TNIE.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
KMRL speeds up Srinagar Water Metro feasibility study despite terror attack
KOCHI: The Pahalgam terror attack and the resultant conflagration between India and Pakistan might have shaken the entire Kashmir valley. But authorities have ensured that development activities, including the proposed Srinagar Water Metro, won't suffer a bit. If anything, the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) — which the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has entrusted with conducting water metro feasibility studies at 21 centres across the country — has speeded up the study for the Srinagar project. While the terror attack had initially spurred thoughts of 'delay', the authorities grew determined to implement the project at the earliest to pass on the message that such 'cowardly terror acts' cannot stop the nation from marching ahead. A three-member team headed to Srinagar in the third week of May and completed the preliminary study, which prima facie found the project 'feasible' in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. 'We reversed our initial decision and undertook the challenge as we felt such cowardly acts shouldn't come in the way of a region's development activities. In fact, the authorities there are also pushing forward the Srinagar Smart City project,' said Kochi Water Metro chief operating officer (COO) Sajan P John, who led the team. The preliminary study identified routes linking the famous Dal lake and the Jhelum river which passes through the heart of the city. The targeted population was both local residents and tourists. It, however, suggested that only electric boats should be used, given the fragile environment there. KMRL plans to prepare study report by mid-July 'IWAI chairman Vijay Kumar personally arrived there and said they are ready to invest in the project to develop a green urban transport system,' Sajan said. KMRL intends to prepare a detailed preliminary study report by the middle of July. IWAI will then initiate steps to prepare a detailed project report (DPR). KMRL is optimistic it will be entrusted with that work as well, thanks to the successful operation of the Kochi Water Metro.
Time of India
6 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Kochi Water Metro mishap sparks fresh safety audit demands
Kochi: Commuters on a Kochi Water Metro boat had a narrow escape on Saturday morning when the vessel lost control and collided with a stationary Ro-Ro boat at Vypeen jetty. The incident occurred around 10.30am as the Water Metro boat was attempting to dock at the Vypeen terminal, which is located adjacent to the Ro-Ro jetty. Although no passengers were injured, the collision has sparked renewed concerns over the safety of water transport operations in the area. According to Kochi Water Metro Limited (KWML), the boat had been operating on its regular route from the High Court terminal to Vypeen. As it approached the jetty, a strong undercurrent caused the vessel to drift backward and lightly hit the anchored Ro-Ro boat. "Neither vessel suffered major damage, and there was no inconvenience to passengers. With the help of another boat, the passengers disembarked at the jetty. Service was temporarily suspended until the current's strength decreased, after which the operations resumed," stated a press note issued by KWML regarding the incident. Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), which oversees KWML, has initiated a detailed investigation into the incident. KWML CEO Sajan P John said the preliminary probe points to an unusually strong undercurrent during low tide as the reason for the mishap. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo "Boat operators rely on visible signs on the water surface and scientific tidal data from our control centres to assess such risks. The driver involved was a trained and experienced operator," he said. This is not the first time such an incident has occurred in the area. In Nov 2023, two Water Metro boats slightly grazed each other while slowing down near the same location, causing the emergency exit on one of the boats to open automatically and triggering alarms that led to panic among commuters. Though no injuries were reported, the incident raised similar safety concerns. The area has a history of maritime accidents. In 2015, a major collision between a fishing boat and a passenger ferry claimed 11 lives near Vypeen. Several civic groups, including the Kochi Metro Passengers Association, have demanded a safety audit. "Three different jetties—SWTD, Water Metro, and Ro-Ro—operate adjacent to each other at Vypeen, increasing the risk of accidents during berthing," said association member Ebencer Chullikkadu. Launched in April 2023, the Kochi Water Metro is India's first integrated water transport project and recently won a national award for the 'Best Green Transport Initiative'.
Hans India
13-05-2025
- Science
- Hans India
NSTL celebrates National Technology Day
Visakhapatnam: Chief Operating Officer, Kochi Water Metro Limited, Sajan P John opined that technology and its advancements are the solutions to various upcoming dynamic problems. Marking the National Technology Day 2025, Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), the premier naval research laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), organised a programme at NSTL family welfare centre here on Monday. Speaking on the occasion, Sajan P John briefed in detail how Kochi Water Metro was incepted and successfully developed. Scientist-F and chairman NTDC-2025 K Srikanth explained in detail the background of National Technology Day and theme of the day 'Yantra – Yugantar' for advancing new technology, research and acceleration. Outstanding scientist and Director NSTL Dr Abraham Varughese elaborated the aptness of the theme of NTD 2025 to the existing geo-political scenario. He mentioned that a nation can be strengthened if the technological advancements are fruitfully utilised at maximum. The director strongly felt the Prime Minister's vision of Vikasit Bharat can be realised with more concentration on recent technological frontiers viz Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, advances in material science, etc. He appealed to the NSTL fraternity to work smart and innovative towards developing indigenous technologically advanced underwater systems. During the programme, the Titanium medal was presented to Khagesh Kumar Choudhary, Scientist-E for his oration on 'Thermal Suppression of Gas Turbine Exhaust in Compact Tunnel of Warship'. Outstanding scientist HN Das, scientist-G D.R. Rajeswari Devi, Other scientists, officers, staff, NSTL Civil Employees Union and other leaders participated in the programme.
