Latest news with #ThiruvananthapuramInternationalAirport
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
State govt directs revenue department to expedite land acquisition for Thiruvananthapuram airport runway expansion
Thiruvananthapuram: After months of delay, expansion of runway at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has gained fresh momentum, with the state govt directing officials to fast-track land acquisition and clear all related bottlenecks. At a high-level meeting chaired by chief principal secretary to the chief minister K M Abraham, the govt instructed the revenue department to expedite procedures for acquiring 22 acres of land needed for the development of the runway end safety area (RESA) — a critical aviation safety feature mandated by international standards. Originally scheduled for completion by Sept 2024, the RESA expansion project has been delayed due to administrative hurdles and land disputes. The latest govt intervention comes as a push to meet safety norms and accommodate the growing passenger traffic at the international airport. One of the major roadblocks to the expansion has been the 4.5 acres of land under BrahMos Aerospace Ltd, a sensitive defence installation. While the land is essential for the expansion, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Union ministry of defence and its transfer requires Centre's approval. The state govt is also working on identifying an alternative site for the Chackai fire and rescue station, which lies within the proposed expansion zone. Officials have also confirmed that portions of Chackai–Shanghumugham Road may need to be taken over for the project, however they reassured that the ITI at Chackai would remain unaffected. Aviation secretary K Biju told TOI that the expansion of the runway is a top priority for both operational safety and long-term development of the airport. "State govt is fully committed to completing the land acquisition process at the earliest. Coordination with the Union ministry of defence is also underway to resolve the BrahMos land issue," he said. The project, once completed, will improve safety margins for aircraft operations, particularly during emergency landings and in adverse weather conditions. It will also enable the airport to handle larger aircraft, enhancing its potential as a key aviation hub in southern India. Airport authorities and AAI officials have welcomed the govt's proactive stance, noting that RESA expansion was critical for retaining international operational certifications. Revenue and transport officials are expected to intensify measures to complete surveys, initiate compensation packages and begin formal land handovers in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the development of Terminal 2 (International) under Project Anantha is likely to be delayed due to pending environmental clearance from the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority.
Arabian Post
5 days ago
- Arabian Post
Fraudulent Agents Exploit Schengen Visa Demand Amid Rising Scams
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai A surge in fraudulent activities targeting Schengen visa applicants has prompted urgent warnings from VFS Global and European embassies, as scammers increasingly exploit the high demand for travel to Europe. In a notable case, a 38-year-old man from Kanyakumari was arrested at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport after attempting to travel to Slovakia with a forged Schengen visa. The visa, procured through an Angamaly-based agency for ₹7 lakh, initially passed scrutiny by Slovakian embassy officials in India. However, Sharjah immigration authorities identified it as counterfeit, leading to his deportation and subsequent arrest. Upon investigation, local police found his claims credible, releasing him on station bail while he assists in identifying the perpetrators. ADVERTISEMENT This incident underscores a broader trend. Data from the district crime records bureau indicates a sharp increase in visa fraud cases, from 15–20 annually between 2021 and 2023 to 66 in 2024, with 23 cases already reported in 2025. VFS Global, the official visa outsourcing partner for multiple Schengen countries, has reiterated that it does not collaborate with third-party entities for appointment bookings. All appointments must be scheduled through its official website, The company warns against individuals or agencies claiming association with VFS Global and offering guaranteed appointments or expedited processing for a fee. Bernard Vijaykumar, VFS Global's Head for North Asia and the Philippines, emphasized the importance of early application to mitigate risks. 'We strongly encourage all travellers to apply for their visas well in advance of their intended travel dates,' he stated. 'Waiting until the last moment not only increases the risk of delays but also exposes applicants to fraudulent entities seeking to exploit their urgency.' European embassies have echoed these concerns. Veronika Hadravova, Head of the Consular Section at the Embassy of Czechia in Bangkok, advised applicants to book appointments only through VFS Global and to be wary of scammers exploiting peak travel seasons. Similar advisories have been issued by embassies of Austria, Germany, Hungary, and Switzerland. Common tactics employed by fraudsters include requesting advance payments to personal bank accounts, seeking personal information under the guise of application validation, and using fabricated email IDs to send fraudulent job offers or immigration communications. Applicants are advised to be cautious of pixelated or disproportionate logos on documentation and to avoid sharing sensitive information on public domains or social media platforms. VFS Global has also highlighted that visa appointments are free of charge and should only be booked through its official website. The company does not influence visa decisions, which are solely at the discretion of the respective embassies or consulates. Applicants are urged to report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities and to avoid engaging with unauthorized agents promising guaranteed approvals or expedited services.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Time of India
Agency gives fake visa, flier arrested
T'puram: Valiyathura police on Monday arrested a 38-year-old man for forging a Schengen visa and attempting to fly to Slovakia. During probe, police found that Sujin, a Kanyakumari native, was cheated by an Angamaly-based agency which offered him the visa. The victim even contacted the Slovakian embassy in India to verify the authenticity of the visa provided and the embassy officials confirmed it to be a valid Schengen visa. At Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, the emmigration officials allowed him to travel to Sharjah for a transit flight from there. However, the immigration officials at Sharjah found the visa to be fake and he was deported back to the city on another flight. As soon as he returned, immigration officials handed him over to Valiyathura police and a case was registered against Sujin under Sections 10 and 24 of the Immigration Act and under BNS Sections 336 (2) forgery, 336 (3) for committing an offence through forgery, 340 (2) for using forged documents and 318 (4) for cheating. "The accused paid Rs 7 lakh to the agency for the visa and it resembled an authentic Schengen visa. Even the embassy officials could identify it to be a fake one. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Click Here - This Might Save You From Losing Money Expertinspector Click Here Undo Sujin provided the transaction details of the money paid to the agency and the proof of the inquiries with the embassy. His claims were found to be true and we released him on station bail," said police. Sujin promised full support to the probe team in arresting the real culprits. He will appear before police again on Wednesday. According to data shared by the district crime records bureau, the number of cases registered over visa frauds was just 15, 17 and 20 in the years 2021, 2022 and 2023 respectively. However, it rose dramatically in 2024, with 66 cases registered. This year, so far, a total of 23 cases have been registered.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Vallakadavu bridge construction likely to start in July
T'puram: The long-awaited construction of the new bridge at Vallakadavu is likely to begin in July, with the public works department (PWD) preparing to float a construction tender by June. The move follows approval of a Rs 55.5 crore compensation package for the remaining 15 landowners, which is expected to be disbursed next finance department approved the funds in March and officials are optimistic that the allocation will be completed by end of this month. "We expect the allotment soon and compensation disbursal can begin by next month. Tender procedures are complete and we are aiming to start construction by July," a senior PWD official new bridge, planned on the left side of the existing temporary structure towards Valiyathura, will span 500m and require one acre of land. It will serve as a vital connection between the city and the coastal areas and also provide a key access route to the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport .The old Vallakadavu bridge, a 136-year-old structure, was declared unsafe in 2022. Operation Sindoor 'Common sense prevailed': Trump on India-Pak ceasefire on Truth Social 'Pakistan initiated call; both nations agreed to stop military action after direct talks', says India Ceasefire took effect at 5pm; top India, Pak military officials to talk again on May 12 Since then, residents have been demanding a replacement. As a temporary solution, the PWD built a provisional bridge last year to maintain traffic flow. Land acquisition has been a major hurdle. In the first phase, Rs 39.8 crore was disbursed to landowners. Revenue department began collecting documents from 47 owners in Oct 2023. Rising land acquisition and design revision costs pushed the overall project estimate beyond initial Raagam Rahim, who has been closely following the project, said, "Though a few more land parcels are pending, the bridge work can begin. After years of govt apathy, high court's intervention finally pushed the process forward. We hope to see work commence within two months."
India Gazette
28-04-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Bomb threat reported at Kerala chief minister's office and residence
ANI 28 Apr 2025, 13:09 GMT+10 Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], April 28 (ANI): A bomb threat was reported on Monday at the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) and Cliff House, the official residence of the Chief Minister. According to the CMO, a bomb squad has been deployed and search operations are currently underway. Further details are awaited. Earlier on Sunday, security checks were carried out at Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram International Airport after a bomb threat was received via email. The Thiruvananthapuram International Airport received a bomb threat via email on Sunday, according to officials. (ANI)
