Category Archives: News
Kerala expects special trains for Onam
It is during the time of Onam, people of Kerala are blessed with special trains from Indian Railway. This time also people are waiting for the declaration of special trains from various cities of India. These special trains are intended to facilitate transportation to Malayalis working various parts India to reach their home town in Kerala, during the fest of Onam. The special train services are essential because even one month before Onam, the waiting list for each regular train exceeded 300. As per railway authorities, the special train declaration is lagging because of the coach deficiency. During last years the trains are announced just 3 or 4 days before Onam and people were unknown about the service. The special trains can be useful only if they are declared at least 2 weeks before Onam fest.
New Minister of Kerala
The LDF meeting held today decided to appoint V.Surendran Pillai of P.C Thomas group as Minister. The department as well as date of swearing will be decided later. V.Surendran Pillai is the only M.L.A from P.C. Thomas group. Surendran Pillai represents Trivandrum West legislative assembly.
Saint Alphonsamma Website
Mar.Joseph Kallarangattu,the Bishop of Pala will inaugurate the official website for Saint Alphonasmma church on 28 July,2010. This is the year of the celebrations for the 100th Birthday of Saint Alphonsamma and the 100th year of convent at Bharananganam. The website is designed by Rev.Fr. Alexander J Kurian. The website is saintalphonsamma.org.
Added Security to Mullaperiyar
Kerala government decided to increase the security of Mullapreriyar dam. The dam is a news source of every rainy season. The strength of the dam is getting weaker by days and more security is essential for the peace of people living in the near the Dam. Kerala government included the Dam in the category of “A “level security. Special arrangements are also made to observe the people going through dam and the roads towards dam. The forest routes are also monitored. Special committee headed by district collector is entrusted for the regular monitoring of the security strengthening activities.
NH Widening Issue in Kerala – A Study Report
Summary of the NH widening issue
This is with regard to the request of an All-Party delegation from Kerala to reduce the width of National Highways in Kerala from the stipulated 45 metre to 30 metre. We feel that this decision, taken at an All-Party Meet on 20 th April, 2010, is disappointing and lacks farsightedness.
The width was reduced to 45 metre from the National Standard of 60 metre in 2007, based on a representation from the State Government, citing high population density and non-availability of land as the reasons.
Present 45/30 meter NH roads are already bursting at their seams and traffic blocks have become an everyday feature. With a high vehicle-to-population ratio in Kerala (1: 6 as compared to the national average of 1:25) the present National Highway road network is already experiencing traffic levels higher than the road capacity. Also the vehicle density of Kerala is 170/ Sq km as compared to the national average of 30/Sq km. Research shows that traffic volume, particularly on National Highways 17 and 47, is likely to exceed road capacity levels by nearly three times in a 10-year period and about six times in another 20 years (10-12% traffic growth rate).
The National Highways connect main cities like Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kochi, Thrissur and Kozhikode to each other and to other towns and villages. It is also the centre point of trade, with approximately 80% of goods for consumption been transported through it. Kerala’s three airports as well as Cochin Port and other ports are connected by these National Highways. It is estimated that around 8.5 lakh persons use the highways every day. If the width is reduced to 30 metre, it will cause chaos and hamper the daily activities of countless common people and business community at large. An estimated Rs. 2700 crore per annum can be saved by way of savings in man hours, fuel, maintenance and wear and tear of vehicles by a well maintained highway system.
The number of accidents and fatalities is high, with an average 100 accidental deaths or grievous injuries happening everyday on Kerala roads. A study report shows that most of the people affected by accidents are the bread winners of families of lower income group. Total number of people affected by road accidents each year is about three times that of number of people affected by land acquisition in the present proposed NH improvement.
It may kindly be noted that in the case of collected BOT model only users pay. Otherwise, when the Govt. charges no user fee, more tax has to be from the general public to build the roads and thus people who are not using this facility also have to pay for it. This may please be compared with the model of electricity and water supply where Govt. collects the charges only from the users.
Finally, disaster management and national security concerns are better addressed by a proper highway system connecting coastal villages. Good connectivity and access will help the State respond faster in emergency situations. Evacuation and transportation of the masses will be possible only when there is proper connectivity between the district headquarters and villages to other parts of the State.
The allegation that land acquisition will affect 24 lakh persons is exaggerated and unfounded. Study reports show that only about 50000 people is actually affected. If the concerns of the people affected by land acquisition are resolved properly people will be ready to give their land for the proposed widening, which will be in the larger interest of the entire state.
This issue is indeed, one that needs immediate intervention of the Hon. Chief Minister and the Hon. Minister for Public Works.
Kalyan Sarees now at Trivandrum
The well known textile people Kalyan Sarees are opening their Trivandrum showroom on 23 July 2010. This new showroom is at Kizhakkekotta. The showroom inauguration will be at 9.30 am by Film star Jayaram and Shriya Saran will inaugurate the saree floor. Kalyan sarees at Trivandrum is in 6 floors. The first floor includes the shirting, suiting and furnishing collections. The second floor is the silk saree floor where Kalyan displays the sarees weaved in their own looms and other looms from various parts of India. The third floor is for ladies readymades, salwars, suits, churidars and lachas. Fourth floor is the exclusive territory of Kids and the fifth floor is for Gents.
IBM and Oracle to Technopark
International Computer giants IBM and Oracle are coming to Trivandrum Technopark. They are having plans of establishing a unit in the IT centre of Kerala. Both of these companies had discussions with Kerala IT department regarding the plans and possibilities. The arrival of these well reputed companies can create great effects in industrial sector of Kerala. Technopark of Trivandrum was established in late 90’s and now there are about 185 companies running there. About 30000 people are working in this IT Park. These 2 companies are capable of creating about 4000 job opportunities in Technopark. The interests shown by multinational companies in Trivandrum Technopark is an added advantage for the mission of making Kerala the fastest growing IT destination of the country.
