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The Hindu
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Extension of Kochi Water Metro service proposed in developing Kadambrayar as a tourism destination
Extending the Kochi Water Metro service using feeder boats from Kakkanad to Kadambrayar in Ernakulam for sustainable, efficient, and eco-friendly transit for tourists and Infopark professionals figured among the recommendations included in a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed enhancement of Kadambrayar tourism destination centre. A well-designed, eco-friendly boat jetty has been proposed to facilitate the service. A floating or fixed reinforced cement concrete jetty based on water conditions, covered passenger waiting area with seating, safety railings, signage, and lighting, information display about the water metro schedules, easy pedestrian access from the riverfront promenade and integrated CCTV and Wi-Fi zones for safety and digital access are some of the features proposed for the jetty. 'We have already discussed the proposal with the Kochi Metro Rail Limited, and the outcome has been, by and large, positive. A more detailed discussion will have to be held,' said P.V. Sreenijin, Kunnathunadu MLA. Smaller boats He said that boats smaller than those used for the water metro services will have to be designed for the proposed service, considering the lack of vertical clearance under the Brahmapuram Bridge. The project has already received administrative sanction from the government. Once the technical sanction is also granted, the tourism department will tender it. The ₹3.50 crore project was approved during the chief minister's Nava Kerala Sadas. The DPR, however, proposes a three-phased development with an estimated investment of ₹5.50 crores. The first phase proposes a walkway widening, lighting, parking, and a café at an estimated ₹2 crores to be completed in six months. The second phase includes a proposed amphitheatre, gym, a boat jetty and parking facilities at an investment of another ₹2 crores in six months. Beautification and other amenities for ₹1.50 crores have been proposed in the final phase. The DPR observes that the Kadambrayar riverfront, with its natural beauty and ideal urban-rural interface, presents an exceptional opportunity for Kerala to showcase a sustainable tourism success story. It concludes that through targeted interventions, smart infrastructure, and community involvement, Kadambrayar can be developed as a model riverfront destination attracting urban professionals, families, and global tourists alike.
The Hindu
05-06-2025
- The Hindu
An unauthorised canine shelter dogs Kunnathunadu panchayat
Efforts to take the number of stray dogs being sheltered at a rented house in Parakkode East ward of Kunnathunadu panchayat in Ernakulam district as part of the implementation of an order of the Revenue Divisional Officer failed after the woman who runs the shelter allegedly did not cooperate with officials. A team of officials from the Animal Husbandry department, the veterinary hospital, and the Kunnathunadu panchayat had gone to the house with the Kunnathunadu police on Wednesday. However, the woman allegedly locked them out. Eventually, an official had to scale the compound wall to get the number of the stray dogs. Tension has been prevailing in the area following the rift between the woman and residents, who have been complaining about the hygiene concerns and the threat posed by so many strays. The residents had staged a march led by P.V. Sreenijin, MLA, representing Kunnathunadu, to the house on March 6, demanding that the dogs be shifted to a safer place immediately. Mr. Sreenijin alleged that the dog shelter facility was functioning without the necessary licence issued by the panchayat as per the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act. The long-running feud further boiled over when several strays managed to emerge outside the gated house on Tuesday night. This led to intensified protests by the residents who alerted the police and the panchayat authorities. 'There was a commotion in the area, and when we rang her up, she said that she was out to buy dog feed and had locked the gate. She further alleged that someone opposed to her would have deliberately unlocked it to bring her bad name,' said Prasanna I.N., member of the Parakkode East ward. As the commotion continued, the power supply in the area was disrupted, and the woman alleged that she was assaulted in between, citing the bloody wound on her head. The Kunnathunadu police have registered an assault case. There was yet another flare-up on Wednesday night when the compound wall of the house was pulled down under the cover of darkness, amidst a disruption in the power supply. The police said that the RDO had ordered her to vacate the house by May 9 and that the dogs be either given away for adoption or moved to an Animal Birth Control Centre. 'The panchayat secretary has given her a stop memo while there are also reports against the unauthorised dog shelter by the health inspector and veterinary hospital as well,' said Jancy Davis, Kunnathunadu panchayat president. The woman had moved to the area some four months ago, and the agreement, she claimed, included a clause about the sheltering of dogs. She all along claimed that she had taken the necessary precautions to ensure that the presence of dogs did not create any problems for residents.
