Latest news with #SmartCityMission
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Tensions rise as corp evicts traders, demolishes shops
T'puram: Tensions rose at the century-old Connemara Market at Palayam where corporation staff evicted traders and demolished about 25 shops with the help of a large police force on Tuesday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to the traders, corporation staff threw out articles from the shops. The owners shut their shops and raised slogans against the civic authorities for demolishing operational shops without ensuring proper rehabilitation. Corporation's move is part of a Rs 55-crore redevelopment project under Smart City Mission to modernise the market's infrastructure. However, traders allege that the demolition violates the high court order mandating adequate safety and infrastructure at temporary resettlement sites before any eviction. "We resisted corporation's attempt. As there were 200 policemen we couldn't oppose it, and they demolished the shops. It is a cruel act by the corporation. However, we will approach the court again. We won't move into the new facility," said Palayam Connemara Merchants Association secretary Rajas J. The merchants' association organised a shutdown of all shops and led a march, joined by families and supporters, to the corporation office. The corporation, along with Thiruvananthapuram Development Authority (Trida), constructed a temporary facility behind the existing market to house vendors during the redevelopment. These consist of three prefabricated blocks, designed to accommodate up to 460 traders, with dedicated sections for fish vendors. However, several traders claim they haven't been allotted their new spaces yet. Traders are firm in their refusal to relocate until all safety and infrastructure concerns are addressed. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to a senior official, the corporation has to complete acquisition proceedings. "Though we issued directives several times, they didn't relocate. Hence, we had to do it forcefully. However, all traders will be rehabilitated properly," he said. Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi state president and national secretary S S Manoj strongly condemned city corporation's move. He called the act inhumane and lawless, saying only those devoid of empathy and legal respect could execute such an operation. Despite assurances to the court and traders, four police vehicles accompanied by corporation-appointed workers arrived to raze operating shops without ensuring safe relocation, he said. This was the final attempt to forcefully evict traders into a new building that neither meets safety standards nor complies with court-ordered conditions, Manoj alleged. Using forged affidavits to mislead courts and compromising the safety of traders and consumers is completely unacceptable, he added.
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
5k poverty-free villages, 16 smart cities: State's devpt agenda this yr
Jaipur: Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma Tuesday directed officials to lift Below Poverty Line (BPL) families out of poverty from 5,000 villages in the first phase of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Gareeb Mukti Gram Yojana. The direction came during a review meeting on implementation of the 2025-26 state budget. "This is not just about infrastructure; it is about transforming lives. The poor, farmers, women, and youth are at the heart of our budget. Every department must work in synergy to bring real change," he said. The CM also laid out an urban roadmap under which 16 cities will be developed as Clean and Green Cities—modelled after the Smart City Mission. These cities will see upgraded infrastructure, improved sanitation, greenery, pedestrian-friendly roads, and overall beautification. "These cities must become examples of what a modern, liveable Rajasthan can look like," Sharma said, adding that newly formed 65 urban local bodies will also be equipped with waste processing units. With Rajasthan home to world-renowned tourist and pilgrimage sites, Sharma stressed the need for stronger air connectivity. Plans include developing helipads and introducing helicopter services to ease access and encourage tourism. Sharma reiterated that all budgetary announcements must be completed within a defined timeframe. He instructed departments to prepare detailed work plans and execute them in phases. Any delay, he warned, would be met with strict action. "If a foundation stone is laid under our govt, the inauguration should also happen during our tenure. Every promise must be fulfilled on time," he said. Emphasising transparency and quality, Sharma directed departments to ensure physical verification of road construction and other major works. He called for close coordination between electricity, water, and PWD departments.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Cong leader accuses BJP MLA of not taking action during rain disaster
Mangaluru: KPCC general secretary Padmaraj R Poojary criticised MLA D Vedavyas Kamath for failing to support the rescue operations during the recent rain-related disasters. Poojary told reporters on Monday that the MLA of Mangaluru City South forgot his responsibilities and was engaged in political mudslinging even when the city witnessed artificial flooding and other disasters. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He said the MLA also did not meet district minister Dinesh Gundu Rao to discuss rain-related issues. "Heavy downpour caused significant destruction, including loss of lives, in Dakshina Kannada. People elected their MLAs with the hope of working for the constituency, especially in times of crisis. Unfortunately, MLA Kamath was engaged in political mudslinging targeting the Congress govt, even when roads in the city were witnessing artificial flooding," Poojary said. He stated that the BJP, which was in power in the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) council for five years, did not do anything to prevent the flooding of roads. The unscientific development works taken up under the Smart City Mission were also a reason for the artificial flooding. On the instructions of chief minister Siddaramaiah, the district minister visited various places, distributed ex-gratia to the families of those who died in the natural disaster, and also held official meetings to strengthen the disaster response network. Being an elected representative, Kamath should have met the minister and given his suggestions to tackle the rain damage. Condemning the murder of Abdul Rahiman, Poojary said, "I checked the background of Rahiman and I assert confidently that he was an innocent youth, who had no criminal records in any police stations. No one has the right to kill anyone, even those who have criminal records. I have confidence that the new police officers appointed by the govt will be able to establish peace and harmony in the district." In response to a query, Poojary said that he will seek more funds for disaster management in the district.
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
After 4 years, Smart City opens Tonca road with open pits and no footpaths
Panaji: The 200-metre stretch from Taad Maad to the Tonca sewage treatment plant (STP) has been opened — after a long delay — for vehicular traffic, even as workers and engineers scramble to put the finishing touches. Though the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) said that the road was completed, some sections of the footpaths remain incomplete, with paver blocks yet to be placed. Open pits, gravel, and other construction materials are visible along the stretch. Street lighting is also yet to be completed. Debris, metal barricades, sewerage pipelines, and cement blocks remain strewn along the stretch. The IPSCDL said that the construction of the concrete road at St Inez is complete and that it met the high court mandated deadline of May 31. 'The road was re-laid using high-grade, durable concrete, with the addition of footpaths for pedestrians. With the project now complete, the new road is fully traffic-ready,' said an IPSCDL official. 'That will facilitate smoother vehicular movement, improved stormwater drainage, and safer passage for both motorists and pedestrians.' Travelling on the St Inez Road to Tonca and the Caculo mall junction stretch became a nightmare for residents and commuters after IPSCDL decided to dig up the Taad Maad junction around four years ago. 'The road is now open to the public, representing a key milestone in Panaji's ongoing infrastructure transformation under the Smart City Mission,' the IPSCDL official said. IPSCDL got the contractors to hurriedly clear up the challenging 200-metre stretch, which emerged as a 'focal point' of the Smart City Mission, particularly the sewerage renovation project. The sewerage network required extensive underground utility works, including the installation of a 710-mm diameter trunk sewerage line at the Taad Maad junction. However, the new sewerage line has yet to be connected to the Tonca STP, with work nearing completion. 'The new sewerage line was laid in a manner that ensures the existing line remains intact and fully functional. Once the new line is connected to the STP and commissioned, the old line will become redundant,' an IPSCDL engineer said.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana: Basketball court delayed yet again
The indoor basketball court at Guru Nanak Stadium remains stuck in delays, missing yet another deadline despite repeated assurances. Part of the Smart City Mission, the project was expected to be completed by May 31, but that deadline too has slipped by, adding to a growing list of missed targets. Originally promised to be ready much earlier, the project has seen its completion date extended multiple times, from June and December 2024 to January and March 2025, and now past May 31, the basketball court is yet to be completed. Frustrated by the continued delays, the Ludhiana municipal corporation even slapped a ₹10 lakh fine on the contractor in March for the slow pace of construction. Earlier in January, Union minister of state for railways, Ravneet Singh Bittu, had also taken the civic body to task for failing to complete the construction on schedule. The consequences of the delay are being felt most by the city's young basketball talent. With over 150 players depending on the court for training, the lack of space has forced them to practice during odd hours, as early as 4 am and sometimes as late as 11 in the night. 'The players struggled with only a single court available,' said Teja Singh Dhaliwal, general secretary of the Punjab Basketball Association. 'The new facility would not only relieve pressure on the existing court but also provide a much-needed upgrade for our athletes,' Dhaliwal added. Once completed, the modern indoor stadium will feature two full-size courts, allowing simultaneous matches and better training opportunities. Currently, only one overcrowded court is available, making it difficult for the growing number of players to train properly. District sports officer Kuldeep Chugh previously said that about 80 to 85 percent of the work was already completed. 'Having three indoor courts in Ludhiana will be a game-changer for our young athletes,' he added. Superintendent engineer SL Gupta of the municipal corporation said that the court will be ready within 10 days. He blamed the delays on the maple flooring, which took longer than expected to install.
