Kochi: Keeping decibels in check
Last year, the sound decibels at Pallimukku and Kundanoor Junctions recorded 106 decibels, nearly double the permissible levels. KOCHI: Last year, the sound decibels at Pallimukku and Kundanoor Junctions
New Indian Express (Kochi)
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Metro rail project: Land owners are willing
The land owners on Banerjee Road and MG Road who had to surrender land for metro rail-related infrastructure projects have seemingly softened their stand with the Union Cabinet granting its final nod for the city’s dream project on Tuesday. Having earlier taken a stiff stand that they would approach the courts, the land owners climbed down and said that they were waiting for a discussion with the Chief Minister.
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Protestors block metro survey works
While Kochi is on a high after the Union Cabinet issued its nod for the Kochi Metro Rail, agitations are also on the rise against the project. On Wednesday, the Vyttila-Petta Road agitation committee blocked the Public Works Department (PWD) officials, who were carrying out land survey for acquisition, at Vyttila junction. The agitators pointed out that the survey is being carried out without any official confirmation about the road alignment. Following the protests, the team of PWD officials comprising executive engineer Hashim, Tripunithura section assistant engineer Aniroopa and overseer Joy returned without undertaking the survey.
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Centre may wave green flag today
The much-awaited nod for the proposed Kochi Metro Rail project is likely to be given by the Union Cabibnet on Tuesday. The project is expected to provide reliable, safe, energy-efficient, comfortable, affordable, and non-polluting rail-based mass transit system for Kochiites, who have to grapple with jammed roads every day. The value of the project at ‘current cost’, which was approved by the Cabinet, is pegged at `5,126 crore.
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Fish death leaves PCB high and dry
The recurrence of large-scale fish death in the Periyar river has left environmentalists and the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) officials a worried lot. The situation assumes importance in the wake of the ongoing trawling ban when the demand for freshwater fish is at its peak. According to environmentalists, after May 3, there have been over 18 instances of large-scale fish death in the Periyar. “Fish death has become common in Eloor. Though the phenomenon is usually seen in summer and was expected to stop with the onset of monsoon, it has not.
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Mullaperiyar: Kerala to file counter-affidavit in SC
Unhappy with the Empowered Panel report on Mullaperiyar, Kerala will file a counter-affidavit before the apex court challenging the report. As an initial procedure, the state will file a petition seeking copies of the study reports based on which the Empowered Panel arrived at the final conclusion.Though Kerala has decided to challenge the panel’s report, to what extent it should be done will be decided after consultations with Kerala’s counsel in Delhi and other legal experts.
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Mullaperiyar: Hurdles ahead for proposed dam
Even as the Empowered Committee has pointed out the possibility of a new dam as an alternative to the Mullaperiyar dispute, Kerala’s proposal regarding the same is likely to face a hard time getting the green signal from the various departments and environmental agencies. In its report, the Empowered Committee had pointed out the possibilities for alternative solutions which includes a new reservoir. With the proposed location for the new dam falling within close proximity to the Periyar Tiger Reserve, the Forest Department is bound to have second thoughts before granting approval for any construction-related activities here.
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CWRDM’s eco-friendly toilets a big hit
The Ecosan toilet project formulated by Centre for Water Resources and Management (CWRDM), here, to curb groundwater pollution due to the unscientific treatment of septage, is scripting a new story in ecological sanitation in the district. As a pilot project, the CWRDM established Ecosan toilets at four locations in Chathamangalam Grama Panchayat last year and owing to the huge success of the project more panchyats have come forward to set up these toilets which are very eco-friendly.
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HC: Bring in law to control food prices
The Kerala High Court has held that an appropriate legislation should be enacted to save the common man from unreasonable and arbitrary pricing of food articles by hotels and restaurants in the state. The court also suggested that a machinery should be constituted for regulating the prices of food articles. “The preparation of food in many hotels and restaurants are done in unclean and unhygienic surroundings.
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914.55 litres of endosulfan transferred to HDPE barrels
The first phase of the operation ‘Blossom Spring’ (endosulfan detoxification process) started at the Plantation Corporation’s godown in Periya here on Sunday. The task force entrusted with the work including experts, medicos and other officials reached the spot early in the morning and started the procedure at around 11am and continued till 4.15pm.
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Ban will only accentuate illegal sand mining’
The district administration’s decision to close down 15 sand mining ghats came as a bolt from the blue for around 5000 sand mining labourers, who are now left in the lurch, struggling every day to make