Kollam (Quilon) Cityscapes/Projects [Archive] - Page 6

jaleelmalik

July 1st, 2009, 08:15 AM

Kollam corporation is the smallest one areawise among the 5 city corporations in Kerala with a mere 57 sq. Kms. But still it has 3.62 lakhs of population and ranks 4 which is very dense for a tier 3 city.

Actually, the urban area is much wider if you look at the Kollam city region. The city should be expanded upto Kundara in the East and Kottiyam to the South and Chavara in the North.

If that happens the area will be more than 120 sq. Kms and the population will be a whopping 6 lakhs. This will allow Kollam to be under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) program which Kochi and Trivandrum now enjoys.

Kollam's commercial potential and importantce is on a high after Kollam ports inaugration and the city development is a key for more business projects in the future and these funds can leverage the infrastrucutural development of Kollam city.

I think the government can do something especially for Kollam and Trichur corporation to make them under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission JNNURM)scheme.

There is scope to extend the Corporation to Chavara, Kottiyam & Kundara. Though the administrative boundaries are limited, informally the limits are upto these points. Private Buses Operate to these points except Kundara. BUt Anjaalumoodu is as good as Kundara. Sorry, if the blue coloured city buses ply upto Kundara.

In the case of Thrissur, the increase in Corporation's area shall be a difficult task as the surrounding areas are not that densely populated. As per the culture of Thrissur, people live mostly at Thrissur, Kodungallur, Chalakkudi, Iringalakkuda and the Kunnamkulam,Chavakkad & Guruvayoor. May be due to a better transportation system this is possible.

Emerging_Quilon

July 1st, 2009, 10:13 AM

There is scope to extend the Corporation to Chavara, Kottiyam & Kundara. Though the administrative boundaries are limited, informally the limits are upto these points. Private Buses Operate to these points except Kundara. BUt Anjaalumoodu is as good as Kundara. Sorry, if the blue coloured city buses ply upto Kundara.

In the case of Thrissur, the increase in Corporation's area shall be a difficult task as the surrounding areas are not that densely populated. As per the culture of Thrissur, people live mostly at Thrissur, Kodungallur, Chalakkudi, Iringalakkuda and the Kunnamkulam,Chavakkad & Guruvayoor. May be due to a better transportation system this is possible.

Jameel Bhai, Blue color city buses (Private buses) are plying upto Elampaloor very near to the heart of Kundara town. I think the blue buses should go beyond Elampaloor to the Kollam Techno Park location and to Nedumpayikkulam where Kundara Town Panchayath ends.

Kundara and Chavara are emerging as hub of industrial activities again. Kottiyam - Parippally stretch is going to see alot of education, hospital and commercial ventures. Amrithapuri and Karunagapally are vibrant in educational institutions and toursim. Yes... Anchalumoodu, though looks small is a very important town headquartering the Thrikkadavoor panchayath. The hindrance for the development of Anchalumoodu is the narrow roads. It is a big junction that links Kollam city, Kundara town and small village towns like Parakkulam, Ashtamudi and Perumon. Though Anchalumoodu is hardly 8 to 9 Kms away from the city, the roads are in a pathetic condition.

All these towns Kottiyam, Chathanoor, Parippally, Karunagapally, Paravoor, Kottarakkara, Kundara, Chavara are within half an hour reach from the hear tof the Kollam city if you go by the shortest route.

Kollam urban area or the Greater Kollam concept should be revived to make sure that Kollam comes under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM)program.:banana:

Emerging_Quilon

July 1st, 2009, 12:29 PM

I post this as I have seen a lot of information floating around about the population of differnt Kerala cities in the respective city threads.

Currently, the population of a city grows due to migration mainly. It has happend in Cochin, Trivandrum and Calicut in a larger scale because of the much better educational and employment opportunities there.

There are cities which have dense population like Kollam, Alleppy and Thalasseri (Kannur) because of its historic business and trade relations with outer world and due to the proximity of the sea coast. If you take the population of Alleppy (about 2.77 lakhs) which is realtively a smaller municipality compared to Kottayam or Palakkad has more population than Kottayam or Palakkad. This is because of the historic settlement that happend at this place long time before itself.

Kollam, being a coastal port city had a dense population from ages itself. But the migration from the other districts were very less compared to Cochin, Trivandrum or Calicut in the recent decades. There are thousands of Kollamaites settled in Cochin, Trivandrum and Calicut. They migrated for the job and business oppurtunities.

Kollam city, areawise the smallest among the 5 municipal corporation (57 sq. Kms)includes the vast Ashtamudi Lake parts as well. If you exclude the Ashtamudi Lake area, the inhabited or land area will come down. But still it has a population of 3.62 lakhs. It will shoot up to 6 lakhs if the adjoining urban areas are integrated.

Now, as Kollam emerges into a Commercial city, the population is going to get increased with migration from other parts of the district and state to this city.

If you notice, Kollam has acute shortage of land in the coastal and midlands that are very thickly populated for starting significant projects. The land acquisition for roads, academic institutions, hospitals and even apartments have become a conundrum for the entrepreaneurs.

The SNDP could not find land within 10 Km radius of Kollam city to start its Medical college despite the allocation of a hefty amount.

The Kollam corporation is finding it hard to find space for starting its Law college and the bus terminal for lack of space.

Land prices has shot up alarmingly at Kollam coastal area even 20 to 25 Kms away from Kollam city. The coastal area of the district from Paravoor to Karunagapally is very densely populated. The towns like Kottiyam, Chathanoor, Kundara, Chavara and Karunagapply lie like an array of towns and gives Kollam city a wide urban area. These towns are just 4 to 5 Kms away from each other and densely populated as well.

There is hardly any paddy fields or farming land except may be some small patches in certain pockets. The population of the city will exceed 6 lakhs if you take into account of the these towns that are within the 10 - 13 KM radius of the city.

It is high time for the authorities to think out of the box and plan accordingly to make Greater Kollam a reality. A new era is drawn for Greater Kollam development with Kollam Port being the hallmark.^^

jaleelmalik

July 1st, 2009, 01:43 PM

Jameel Bhai, Blue color city buses (Private buses) are plying upto Elampaloor very near to the heart of Kundara town. I think the blue buses should go beyond Elampaloor to the Kollam Techno Park location and to Nedumpayikkulam where Kundara Town Panchayath ends.

Kundara and Chavara are emerging as hub of industrial activities again. Kottiyam - Parippally stretch is going to see alot of education, hospital and commercial ventures. Amrithapuri and Karunagapally are vibrant in educational institutions and toursim. Yes... Anchalumoodu, though looks small is a very important town headquartering the Thrikkadavoor panchayath. The hindrance for the development of Anchalumoodu is the narrow roads. It is a big junction that links Kollam city, Kundara town and small village towns like Parakkulam, Ashtamudi and Perumon. Though Anchalumoodu is hardly 8 to 9 Kms away from the city, the roads are in a pathetic condition.

All these towns Kottiyam, Chathanoor, Parippally, Karunagapally, Paravoor, Kottarakkara, Kundara, Chavara are within half an hour reach from the hear tof the Kollam city if you go by the shortest route.

Kollam urban area or the Greater Kollam concept should be revived to make sure that Kollam comes under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM)program.:banana:

Elampalloor - Is it the junction from where the road to Kannanallor / Kottiyam originates? There is a Govt. Hospital or so somewhere close to this junction. No?

Anchalummodu Jn - There is a big vacant area or rather an open space, in the middle of this junction with parapet wall all around. Am I correct? Why not this be properly upgraded and the beautified ?

Emerging_Quilon

July 1st, 2009, 02:01 PM

Elampalloor - Is it the junction from where the road to Kannanallor / Kottiyam originates? There is a Govt. Hospital or so somewhere close to this junction. No?

Anchalummodu Jn - There is a big vacant area or rather an open space, in the middle of this junction with parapet wall all around. Am I correct? Why not this be properly upgraded and the beautified ?

Jameel Bhai, you are mentioning about Hospital Junction in Kundara. It is 2 Kms East of Elampaloor junction.

The NH - 208 from Chinnakkada goes to the Eastern side of the district like this:

Kollam City - Keralapuram Jn - Elampaloor Jn - Mukkada Jn(Kundara Town centre) - Hospital Junction - Pallimukku Jn - Aarumurikkada Jn - Nedumpaikulam.

Kundara Town panchayath ends at Nedumpayikulum where a new railway overbrige has come up as part of Braud Gauge conversion and this overbridge borders Kundara and Ezhukone panchayaths.

The distance from Kollam city centre (Chinnakkada)to Nedumpaikkulam is mere 16 Kms. This is a densely populated stretch as well. That was one of the reason for the delay of the land acquisition of BG conversion works.

The Kannanaloor - Kottiyam route originates from Hospital Junction in Kundara. There is a proposal to make this road a 4-laner connecting the Kollam Techno Park at Kundara. This will become another bypass road for Kollam city in future if it materializes.

Yes, Anchalumoodu Junction possess a small ground at the centre and the parking area is concetrated encircling the ground. A small stage has been constructed there recently by the government for public functions. The Anchalumoodu Juntion is stifling with congestion and during the rush hour it is mayhem all over the junction. It is high time for the authorities to widen the road with better town planning.

A nice three star hotel has been opend in Anchalumoodu town recently by the Zavier's Hotel group that also has a hotel near Kadapakkada in the city.^^

Emerging_Quilon

July 1st, 2009, 02:36 PM

Emerging_Quilon

July 1st, 2009, 02:40 PM

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has said that preliminary steps had been initiated to start a Technopark at Kundara in Kollam district. The State Government is planning to construct a building with an area of one lakh square feet at Kundara for the purpose.:banana:

He said that 65 new companies have started functioning at the Trivandrum Technopark after the present Government came to power.

Achuthanandan while replying to a question in the Assembly on Monday said that 7,000 persons had been given employment since the new Government assumed office.

Reghu

July 2nd, 2009, 05:04 AM

Reghu

July 2nd, 2009, 05:12 AM

The development of the Kollam - Theni NH 220 development has come to a standstill at the Kollam region due to the court order. The authorities were planning to develop the existing NH 208 road stretch in the Kollam region instead of the Kollam City - Anchalumoodu - Perinad - Elampaloor - Bharanickavu - Sooranad - Chengannur - Thiruvalla - Kottayam - Theni stretch.

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Reghu

July 2nd, 2009, 05:35 AM

Emerging_Quilon

July 2nd, 2009, 07:12 AM

Emerging_Quilon

July 2nd, 2009, 10:25 AM

New Delhi: The central shipping ministry, in its 100-day plan announced here today, informed the inclusion of Kollam- Kottapuram waterway project no 3 in the hundred day project plan. The decision was informed by Shipping Minister G.K. Vasan.

By ensuring north-south coastal connectivity, the three waterway could be of use in transporting people and goods. This would help in decongesting the roads in the State. It will also be a boost to the various tourist destinations along the waterway.

The 12th Finance Commission had earmarked Rs.225 crore for developing waterways in the State. The State government had set apart Rs.98 crore in the budget.

The 2nd Phase of Capital Dredging of National Waterways No.3 on West Coast Canal from Kollam to Kottapuram along with Champakara and Udyogmandal Canal will be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs. 89.74 cr.

The second phase of dredging of National Waterways No 3 on the West Coast Canal from Kollam to Kottapuram will be implemented. Plus more ships for the administrations at Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.:banana:

More passenger ships from Kollam Port to Lakshadeep islands should be operated. If the National Waterway could be connected the Kollam Port, it will make easy for the cargo traffic between the Kollam Port and Kottayam Inland Port. This will ease and boost the trade realationship btween the two big cities in Central Travencore.

jaleelmalik

July 2nd, 2009, 11:01 AM

Kollam district was formed on July 1, 1949 along with Thiruvanthapuram, Kottayam and Thrissur. Kerala has formed even 7 years later in 1956. The Kollam district was formed during the Travancore - Cochin integration and before that it was a revenue division under Tranvancore Kingdom. Kollam had an area of 7024 sq. Kms during 1949 and had Kollam, Kottaakkara, Pathanapuram, Kunnathur, Karunagapally, Schencottah, Karthikapally, Mavelikkara, Pathanamthitta, Thiruvalla, Ambalapuzha and Cherthala. That means the district was spread accross the current districts of Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alapuzha, Kottayam and Schencottah in Tamil Nadu.

In 1982, Kollam shaped up in the current shape with 2491 sq. Kms of area.

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This was the case of the Travancore-Cochin, while the Malabar District remained like that. Later, Malabar
was divided into Palghat, Kozhikode & Cannannore.

When the state was re-organized, four Taluks were handed over to Tamil Nadu to constitute the Kanya Kumari District. But Reghu, would you please explore & patch up how come the remaining three Taluks became four as we have Trivandrum, Nedumangad, Neyyattinkara & Chirayinkil Taluks as of now.

navjot

July 2nd, 2009, 04:31 PM

Reghu

July 2nd, 2009, 08:30 PM

This was the case of the Travancore-Cochin, while the Malabar District remained like that. Later, Malabar
was divided into Palghat, Kozhikode & Cannannore.

When the state was re-organized, four Taluks were handed over to Tamil Nadu to constitute the Kanya Kumari District. But Reghu, would you please explore & patch up how come the remaining three Taluks became four as we have Trivandrum, Nedumangad, Neyyattinkara & Chirayinkil Taluks as of now.

Jaleelbhai, no idea how the 3 taluks became four. I have searched in google but in vain.

The Kollam district authorities did not conduct any programs to celebrate the 60th birthday of the district. It was a very sad gesture from the authorities as the district and the city is poised to enter a new era of development with an array of projects like Kollam Cargo port, Kollam Cashew Board, Kollam Techno park, MEMU Terminal, Titanium Sponge Plant and Alind Factory revival is going to happen.

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Reghu

July 2nd, 2009, 08:48 PM

As Kollam enters a new era of development, the district and the city aspires to achieve great heights in terms of basic infrastructure developments like roads, railway, hygiene, healthcare and educational developments.

It is quite interesting to know how Kollam was 60 years before and here are some snippets from the sexagenarians and other elders from Kollam:

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Reghu

July 2nd, 2009, 08:54 PM

Kodikkunnil Suresh MP has said that he has discussed about the expedition of Kollam - Punalur BG conversion works with railway minister E. Ahmed and most likely the work will be completed before Onam this year and will be commissioned as a Onam gift for Kollam and Kerala.

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Reghu

July 2nd, 2009, 09:09 PM

Reghu

July 2nd, 2009, 09:33 PM

Passengers’ association expects substantial allocation for MEMU

KOLLAM: Rail commuters are hopeful of receiving a substantial allocation to begin Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) services in the State in the railway budget to be presented on Friday.

President of the Railway Passengers Association (RPA) S. Ulhas Kumar told The Hindu that MEMU services were proposed to be operated from three bases — Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode.

The bases are Thiruvananthapuram to Kayamkulam, Ernakulam to Alappuzha, Kottayam to Thrissur and Kozhikode to Shornur, Tirur and Kannur.

Mr. Kumar said statistics given by the Railways put the number of commuters on the Thiruvananthapuram-Kayamkulam sector at roughly 18,000; 12,000 on the Ernakulam-Kottayam sector; 14,000 on the Alappuzha-Ernakulam sector; 17,000 on the Kannur-Kozhikode sector; and 16,000 on the Thrissur-Ernakulam sector.

The Railways has already made allocation for the construction of MEMU maintenance yards in Kollam and Palakkad.

The Kollam yard has been alloted Rs. 7.5 crore. Work on the yard has already begun. The yard will be built behind the booking office here.:banana:

The yard in Palakkad will be near the Akathithara railway gate, where the wood sleeper factory of the Railways was located. A sum of Rs.8.5 crore has been allocated for the Palakkad yard.

Electrification and doubling of lines are necessary for these services.

Railway officials said work on doubling of the line on the Ernakulam-Kayamkulam sector was in progress and sanction for doubling of line between Kayamkulam and Ambalapuzha had been granted.

However, sanction for doubling of the Alappuzha-Ernakulam section and the Kozhikode-Shornur section was still awaited.

The MEMU maintenance workshop shed work is progressing fast in Kollam compared to the BG conversion work. This shed is for the maintenance of the the MEMU trains comprisisng of the Engine and the 3 compartement unit after each journey.

The work is scheduled to be completed by december. The work of the 4.5 feet deep pit line from the ground surface and the 1.5 metre fence over that has started. The shed will have a lenght of 210 metres length. there will be 2 pitlines in the begining of the 4.5 feet deep paltform from the ground surface.

Moreover, railway is planning a exclusive Heavy Maintenance shed for MEMU trains at Kollam as enough space availabilty is there at Kollam Junction Railway Station.:cheers: With this the repair of the main parts of MEMU can be completely performed at Kollam itself.

The railways has allotted 10 crores for starting MEMU services from Kollam Junction. More fund is expected from tomorrow's (July 3, 2009) Railway budget.

Emerging_Quilon

July 3rd, 2009, 07:05 AM

The MEMU maintenance workshop shed work is progressing fast in Kollam compared to the BG conversion work. This shed is for the maintenance of the the MEMU trains comprisisng of the Engine and the 3 compartement unit after each journey.

The work is scheduled to be completed by december. The work of the 4.5 feet deep pit line from the ground surface and the 1.5 metre fence over that has started. The shed will have a lenght of 210 metres length. there will be 2 pitlines in the begining of the 4.5 feet deep paltform from the ground surface.

Moreover, railway is planning a exclusive Heavy Maintenance shed for MEMU trains at Kollam as enough space availabilty is there at Kollam Junction Railway Station.:cheers: With this the repair of the main parts of MEMU can be completely performed at Kollam itself.

The railways has allotted 10 crores for starting MEMU services from Kollam Junction. More fund is expected from tomorrow's (July 3, 2009) Railway budget.

Great news, yaar. Kollam is going to create a record shortly as the longest platform in India is coming up as part of the BG conversion work. The platform number - 3 is going to be extended to more than 1100 metres which will be a world record probably.

Also the Kollam Railway court has created a record:

Kollam Railway Court sets a record

KOLLAM: The Kollam Railway Court has set a record by collecting a fine of around Rs.25 lakh and disposing of 10,821 cases between January 1 and June 30. The achievement is a record in the operation of railway courts, a statement said. As a result of the court action, incidents of thefts, gambling, consumption of alcohol, harassment of women, unauthorised sale, chain-pulling and unauthorised transport of goods had appreciably come down in the Thiruvananthapuram division.

Encroachments on railway property and anti-social activities on railway premises too have come down.

In one incident, a fine of Rs.2,000 was imposed on a courier service company that had been transporting parcels without booking for the past five years.

These parcels were kept under lower berths of bona fide passengers. :banana:

Emerging_Quilon

July 3rd, 2009, 12:51 PM

navjot

July 3rd, 2009, 05:39 PM

Mamata Banarjee has announced the setting up of a nursing college at Kollam. This was announced in the Railway budget that was presented in the Parliamt house today.

Proposal for Erumeli-Punalur-Thiruvananthapuram path which passes mainly through the eastern pasrt of Kollam district.

kollam-punalur gauge conversion to be completed this year.

70 crore alloted for kollam-tirunelveli bg conversion
4 new trains to pass thru kollam
1 tvm-mangalore superfast.

2 kochuveli bangalore

3 tirunelveli hapa

4 tirunelveli bilaspur

and finally janshatabdi extended to kozhikode

Reghu

July 3rd, 2009, 06:19 PM

kollam-punalur gauge conversion to be completed this year.

70 crore alloted for kollam-tirunelveli bg conversion

4 new trains to pass thru kollam

1 tvm-mangalore superfast.

2 kochuveli bangalore

3 tirunelveli hapa

4 tirunelveli bilaspur

and finally janshatabdi extended to kozhikode

Also, a Nursing College at Kollam owned by Railways. Also, Erumeli - Punalur - Trivandrum to pass through the breadth of Kollam district.

Guys, any idea about new fund allocation for the MEMU base terminal at Kollam and the stop for Rajadhani Express at Kollam?. These were the demands by the Kollam MP to the railway minister E. Ahmed.

Reghu

July 3rd, 2009, 08:33 PM

ajithv

July 4th, 2009, 03:38 AM

Mamata Banarjee has announced the setting up of a nursing college at Kollam. This was announced in the Railway budget that was presented in the Parliamt house today.

No.That is not in Kollam..It is in Kalyan(Mumbai):ohno:

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/7054/nursing.jpg

See This (http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentType=EDITORIAL&programId=1073753763&articleType=Malayalam%20News&contentId=5668763&BV_ID=@@@) Also

Reghu

July 4th, 2009, 05:23 AM

No.That is not in Kollam..It is in Kalyan(Mumbai):ohno:

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/7054/nursing.jpg

See This (http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentType=EDITORIAL&programId=1073753763&articleType=Malayalam%20News&contentId=5668763&BV_ID=@@@) Also

Again, the newspapers reported it wrongly. It was a big mistake from the reporters. Kollam has enough railway space in the Cantontment area to start a Nursing college or a Commercial complex. Kollam is one of the important station in Kerla where railways have the largest land area both in the station and outside the station premises. They could have announced a commercial building complex at Kollam dut to its great potential with the new BG link and MEMU terminal base. Kollam is one among the top income earnig stations in Kerala from passenger traffic and it comes to an average of 3 to 4 crores a month. With the commissioning of BG conversion and MEMU base termianl, this is expected to raise upto 10 crores a month according to the railway officials here. The cargo traffic from Kollam to Tamil Nadu and back will put Kollam among the top income earning stations in Kerala. The commissioning of Kollam Port along with the BG and MEME terminal is going to see a spurt in the income of Kollam Junction.

Emerging_Quilon

July 4th, 2009, 07:36 AM

No.That is not in Kollam..It is in Kalyan(Mumbai):ohno:

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/7054/nursing.jpg

See This (http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentType=EDITORIAL&programId=1073753763&articleType=Malayalam%20News&contentId=5668763&BV_ID=@@@) Also

Yes it was a printer's devil or a mispronounciation from Mamata Banergee that gave hope to Kollam and later disappointed the Lakhs of Kollamaites.

A nursing college should have started at Kollam as there is space available at Kollam. Let's hope that ^^.

As Reghubhai mentioned, Kollam Junction will be at a much better and more relant position by this time next year. With the MEMU, Kollam - Punalur BG commission and the other yard and platform renovations, this junction should also be elevated to a Adarsh station with international standards.

It is important to remember that Kollam is fast growing to be a world famous backwater tourism destination. Kollam Cargo Port, Kollam Cashew Board, Marintine Institute, Neendakara LPG terminal, Titanium Sponge plant, the renovation of industries like Alind in Kundara, Amrithapuri Aashramam Ashramam at Kollam will make Kollam Junction a very congested station in the immedeate future.

The authorities should give a stop for Rajadhani Express immedeately looking at this context.

It is quite embarassing for this station which is earning more than 3 crores not having a stop at Kollam Junction though the frequency of the train has been increased and having stops at less income earning stations as well.:bash:

Reghu

July 4th, 2009, 07:44 AM

The authorities has started the work of the demolotion of the office buildings at the upcoming Aashramam link road site. They work has started to demolish the Police Quarters at Aashramam and the Inland Navigation Office near to the KSRTC Bus stand.

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Reghu

July 4th, 2009, 07:54 AM

The railway budget disappointed Kollam especially regarding the dates of the Kollam - Punalur BG conversion commissioning. Though, Kodikkunnil MP has reiterated that the commissioning will be before Onam this year and will be an Onam gift for Kollamaites, the work progress and plan are not going accoring to that.

It is been said that the commissioning will take place only by February next year.

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navjot

July 4th, 2009, 08:10 AM

Yes it was a printer's devil or a mispronounciation from Mamata Banergee that gave hope to Kollam and later disappointed the Lakhs of Kollamaites.

A nursing college should have started at Kollam as there is space available at Kollam. Let's hope that ^^.

As Reghubhai mentioned, Kollam Junction will be at a much better and more relant position by this time next year. With the MEMU, Kollam - Punalur BG commission and the other yard and platform renovations, this junction should also be elevated to a Adarsh station with international standards.

It is important to remember that Kollam is fast growing to be a world famous backwater tourism destination. Kollam Cargo Port, Kollam Cashew Board, Marintine Institute, Neendakara LPG terminal, Titanium Sponge plant, the renovation of industries like Alind in Kundara, Amrithapuri Aashramam Ashramam at Kollam will make Kollam Junction a very congested station in the immedeate future.

The authorities should give a stop for Rajadhani Express immedeately looking at this context.

It is quite embarassing for this station which is earning more than 3 crores not having a stop at Kollam Junction though the frequency of the train has been increased and having stops at less income earning stations as well.:bash:

frankly speaking, i dont think kollam-punalur bg will b commissioned this year,coz if it is to be commissioned this year,then trains in the kollam-punalur section would have been announced in this budget itself.........i dont think there is much to cheer about in this budget for kollam..coz 5.52 crores for memu is very inadequate..............70 crores for kollam-tirunelveli is also not enough....coz of the lobbying of madurai division most of the amt will b used for finishing works in tenkasi-virudhunagar/tirunelveli section......n a nursing college at kollam gave me lot of hope..but alas.........mamata pronounced "kollyan" for kalyan in her bengali accent.......n it w misunderstood by the media

Emerging_Quilon

July 4th, 2009, 08:13 AM

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Great snaps:banana:. It is clearly evident that Aashramam Maidan is the biggest open space available inside any of the Kerala Municipal corporations. I think the proposed airstrip at the Ashramam Maidan is scrapped now due to the protest from the Enviormentalists, Kollam Pooram authorities and the Corporation themselves. But still Aashramam Maidan can host Airshows of these types, Para-sailing training, other flying and adventure shows. There is enough space for that in this historic maidan.

But Kollam should not loose the airstrip or airport. The ideal place will be Kottarakkara which is just 25 KMs away from the heart of Kollam city.

The airport at Kollam will complement the Trivandrum airport in future. It is visible in the Metro cities like Mumbai and Delhi as they have their second airports almost 50 Kms away from the centre of the city. In Delhi, the airport is at Guragaon, which is another district and belongs to Haryana.

It will be easy for the government to acquire land at Kottarakkara rural area. This will see the development of Kottarakkara and Punalur area as well and the district as a whole as Kottarakkara is more centrally located in the district. Moreover, it is almost equi-distant from both Kollam city and Punalur town. This will also see Kollam city expanding further to east upto Kottarakkara. Currently Kollam city has expanded upto Kundara almost near to the border of Ezhukone panchayat. It is just 12 Kms from Kundara town panchayath border to reach Kottarakkara town.

Emerging_Quilon

July 4th, 2009, 08:19 AM

Railways were targeting to complete the gauge conversion work between Kollam and Punalur in 2009-10. Also, proposals have been initiated for laying new lines between Madurai and Ernakulam (Kochi) and along the Erumeli-Pathanamthitta-Punalur-Thiruvananthapuram route.

The new trains that are passing through Kollam Junction:

1. Bangalore-Kochuveli super fast weekly express

2. Thiruvananthapuram-Mangalore daily via Alappuzha.

3. Hapa (Gujarat)-Tirunelveli Junction biweekly super fast

4. Bilaspur-Tirunelveli Junction weekly super fast

Emerging_Quilon

July 4th, 2009, 08:20 AM

SP conducts on-the-spot study; seeks people’s cooperation

KOLLAM: The police are getting ready to implement a better traffic management system in the city.

K. Sanjay Kumar who recently took charge as the Kollam Superintendent of Police conducted an on-the-spot study of the road and traffic situation in the city on Friday evening.

Talking to The Hindu, Mr. Sanjay Kumar said in his opinion the entire traffic signal system at Chinnakada was not correct. The system was confusing and should be changed. Pedestrians should also be given importance when it came to crossing the roads at various points in Chinnakada.

New parking stretches

He said the inspection was to held to familiarise himself with the traffic situation, especially the bottlenecks. The points where structural changes will have to be made are being identified. So there will be new parking and non-parking stretches in the city in the larger interests of streamlining the traffic management system.

He said the cooperation of the people was of utmost importance in implementing a good traffic management system. The government has charted a special programme to enlist people’s cooperation in this connection and the same is being implemented through the police.

Taluk level meetings in this connection are already over and the district-level meeting to coordinate the suggestions that came up during the taluk meetings will be held at 11 a.m. on July 6 at Sopanam mini-auditorium here.

Emerging_Quilon

July 4th, 2009, 08:23 AM

KOLLAM: Several decisions for protecting the Ramser-listed freshwater Sasthamcotta Lake were taken at a meeting called by District Collector A. Shajahan with various district-level department heads and environment activists here on Friday.

The decisions will be presented at an ad hoc joint meeting by Minister for Water Resources N.K. Premachandran and Forest Minister Benoy Viswom in Thiruvananthapuram on July 10.

One of the decisions was that the government should take steps to constitute a statutory authority for the lake’s protection. Fifty families living on the banks without title deeds should be rehabilitated elsewhere. The meeting wanted all gutters from Bharanikavu and the Sasthamcotta market leading to the lake to be diverted immediately. Steps should be taken to clear the harmful water hyacinth growth on the lake by July 31. Environmental activists Odanavattom Vijayaprakas and Ganga Prasad attended.

Reghu

July 4th, 2009, 08:46 AM

The second phase of dredging of National Waterways No 3 on the West Coast Canal from Kollam to Kottapuram will be implemented. Plus more ships for the administrations at Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.:banana:

More passenger ships from Kollam Port to Lakshadeep islands should be operated. If the National Waterway could be connected the Kollam Port, it will make easy for the cargo traffic between the Kollam Port and Kottayam Inland Port. This will ease and boost the trade realationship btween the two big cities in Central Travencore.

The announcement of the second phase of dredging of National Waterways No 3 on the West Coast Canal from Kollam to Kottapuram is a great news. With commissioning of the Kollam Port and this project is going to boost the trade and cargo traffic from Kollam Port to the interiors of the district and the neighbouring districts.

Kollam Canal is just half a kilometer away from th port site especially near the Kochupilamoodu bridge near to the beach. If the Kollam Canal can be linked to the Kollam port the the cargo traffic can be done from the Port itself through small barges or Inland backwater ships. Moreover, it will make the water of the Kollam Canal clean as one of the canal end will be in contact with the Arabian Sea on western side and the other end links the Ashtamudi Lake on the eastern side.

There are hiccups for the Kollam - Kottapuram project especially in the Kollam city region as the rehabilitation of the people residing at the banks of the canal has not been completed. This process is delayed due to ugly politics and protests from certain vested interests. Though, the flats for the rehabilitation scheme are completed at the Mayyanad and Paravoor region the vested interests are brain washing the people settled at the canal banks not to go from here. This is delaying the development of the city and deteriorating the health of the people who stay in the canal banks having severe hygenic diseases as the canal is so much polluted with dirt, garbage, human excreta.

Kollam TS Canal - Rehabilitation program

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Authorities and the central goivernment should interfere immedeately to complete the rehabilitation process before starting the work as the state government and the local authorities are falining continously in the rehabilitation process and lapsing the crores of money alloted for the project every year.

Reghu

July 4th, 2009, 08:50 AM

Reghu

July 4th, 2009, 08:53 AM

:bash:frankly speaking, i dont think kollam-punalur bg will b commissioned this year,coz if it is to be commissioned this year,then trains in the kollam-punalur section would have been announced in this budget itself.........i dont think there is much to cheer about in this budget for kollam..coz 5.52 crores for memu is very inadequate..............70 crores for kollam-tirunelveli is also not enough....coz of the lobbying of madurai division most of the amt will b used for finishing works in tenkasi-virudhunagar/tirunelveli section......n a nursing college at kollam gave me lot of hope..but alas.........mamata pronounced "kollyan" for kalyan in her bengali accent.......n it w misunderstood by the media

Yes... that was mispronounced:bash: by Mamatha though for some time Kollamaites felt the mamatha (affection) of Miss Banerjee. Lets hope this mistake will be compensated the next year budget as they get enough time to study the railway demands and needs of Kollam and Kerala.

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Reghu

July 4th, 2009, 09:15 AM

Reghu

July 4th, 2009, 09:24 AM

navjot

July 4th, 2009, 11:08 AM

The only relief for Kollam in the railway budget is the 5.5 crore allocation for the MEMU termianal base and Maintenance shed. But there was no mention about the Heavy maintenance shed which was mooted for Kollam due to the availability of space here. The 5.5 crore is a very less amount for a project like MEMU which is expected to get completed by next year.

Also, the commissioning of the Kollam - Punalur BG conversion will happen only by Fenruary 2010, though there were rumours that it may be inaugrated before Onam this year.

Erumeli - Trivandrum line survey which is passing through Kollam is a good sign. But we have to wait and see how much protest and undercurrents happen to undermine these projects by the vested interests. The Kottayam - Erumeli line and Chengannur - Kottarakkara line is not heard nowadays which were also mentioned in some of the previous years budgets.

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actually survey of trivandrum-punakur line was taken nearly 12 years ago...but the project was cancelled due to political intervention as the line passed through some farmlands.....the allignment was along trivandrum-nedumangad-madathara-anchal-punalur

jaleelmalik

July 4th, 2009, 11:13 AM

frankly speaking, i dont think kollam-punalur bg will b commissioned this year,coz if it is to be commissioned this year,then trains in the kollam-punalur section would have been announced in this budget itself.........i dont think there is much to cheer about in this budget for kollam..coz 5.52 crores for memu is very inadequate..............70 crores for kollam-tirunelveli is also not enough....coz of the lobbying of madurai division most of the amt will b used for finishing works in tenkasi-virudhunagar/tirunelveli section......n a nursing college at kollam gave me lot of hope..but alas.........mamata pronounced "kollyan" for kalyan in her bengali accent.......n it w misunderstood by the media

Yes, the Bongalis speak that way.
Momta of Kolkota Boddy Lotkee

Reghu

July 4th, 2009, 11:38 AM

actually survey of trivandrum-punakur line was taken nearly 12 years ago...but the project was cancelled due to political intervention as the line passed through some farmlands.....the allignment was along trivandrum-nedumangad-madathara-anchal-punalur

True, Navjoth. But the concern is that the same protest and agitation may happen as it is a common story in Kerala these days. As you may now, the land aquisition was a conumdrum for the railway authorities and the Kerala government even along the existed MG stretch of Kollam - Schencottah route and the project was delayed mainly for this main cause. The same reason led to the scrapping of the Express Highway project which was the much hyped project during the last Kerala government tenure.

So we have to wait and see whether these projects which are very much required for the region will remain in paper as dream or materialize.

Reghu

July 4th, 2009, 04:09 PM

New Delhi: The central shipping ministry, in its 100-day plan announced here today, informed the inclusion of Kollam- Kottapuram waterway project no 3 in the hundred day project plan. The decision was informed by Shipping Minister G.K. Vasan.

By ensuring north-south coastal connectivity, the three waterway could be of use in transporting people and goods. This would help in decongesting the roads in the State. It will also be a boost to the various tourist destinations along the waterway.

The 12th Finance Commission had earmarked Rs.225 crore for developing waterways in the State. The State government had set apart Rs.98 crore in the budget.

The 2nd Phase of Capital Dredging of National Waterways No.3 on West Coast Canal from Kollam to Kottapuram along with Champakara and Udyogmandal Canal will be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs. 89.74 cr.

Despite there being adequate funds, the development of the waterway had suffered due to the involvement of too many agencies in the process.:banana::cheers::banana:

The Kollam-Kottapuram National Waterway No 3 was expected to be commissioned in August 2007, according to a statement made by the by the Kerala Water Resources Minister N K Premachandran in 2007. But the Kollam canal in the city was the major hindrance block for the Waterway extension to the south especially to Kovalam. The Kollam Canal stretch in the city is in a dilapidated state now with dirt, and settlements on either side of the banks.

Now, as the central shipping ministry has included the Kollam- Kottapuram waterway - 3 project in the hundred day project plan, the Kerala government and the local authorities should make sure the rehabilitation of the people settled on either side of the canal banks to facilitate the widening and cleaning progress.

Reghu

July 4th, 2009, 04:45 PM

Kollam Port will be developed into a major port in future and the Government had appointed the US-based multi-national company Deloitte as consultants for developing Kollam Port as a major one. The project will be implemented after inviting global tenders.

Some snaps of the ships that came to the Kollam coast in the recent years:

Korean oil tanker MT Mirae Sun at Kollam coast

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INS Bangaram at Kollam Port

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TSD Sindhuraj at Kollam Port

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Anakuri from Maldives

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robin_a_p

July 4th, 2009, 06:33 PM

Reghu

July 4th, 2009, 07:29 PM

Good to see GoI has shown some interest in Punalur TVM line. With this Punalur will become a major junction as that will be the shortest route between TVM - Chennai and TVM - Bangalore.

Now, its time to think about Punalur Paper mill. any idea what the current status is. If reviving paper mill is not viable/possible, the GoK shud start thinking of other options to utilize the land. Some suggestions could be

1. an IIT [once TVM-Punalur line comes to reality, the travel time to airport/Technopark/VSSC/IIST/IISER will come down to less than an hr. Also Kollam Technopark will be just 35 mts drive]

2. a high end hotel considering the tourism potential around Punalur town and Kollam district in general

3. a central govt PSU unit like BEML/BHEL or industries like cement.

Robin, there is an initiative from the government of Kerala to revive the companies like Punalur Paper Mill and Kundara Alind. The news was posted in this thread a few months back.

Yes.. Robin, you are correct. If the Paper Mill is not viable, they can think about the new projests that you have mentioned.

Punalur has the potential to become a major town in central travencore like Thiruvalla or even bigger than that. The town is centrally located in the district and close to Kollam city (44 Kms) and Triovandrum City (75 KMs).

As you have mentioned an IIT or BEML/BHEL is a good initiative as it is only 40 minutes away from Kollam city if the BG becomes reality and 1.15 hrs away from Trivandrum city once the Punalur - Trivandrum line becomes a reality.

Moreover, Punalur will become the Junction point for the Sabarimal pilgrim from Tamil Nadu. As the easter part of Kollam district is an abode of a series of Ayyappa temples, it will be a great conveneience for the pilgrims to visit the temples in the stretch as they move on to Sabarimala.

Also, the Kollam - Punalur stretch of the new BG line should be electrified and hence the MEMU trains can ply thorugh this stretch as well. This will reduce the travelling time between Kollam city and Punalur town to around 30 minutes.

Also, Punalur's tourism potential is very high due to proximity of Thenmala, Palaruvi and Kuttalam. The train journey through the hill ranges is an awesome scene as well. They could still retain the MG stretch for the tourists purpose while continuing with a new BG line.

Reghu

July 5th, 2009, 04:55 AM

The construction work of the Kottarakkara Mylom overbridge that is part of the Kollam - Punalur BG conversion has re-started. The metalling works are going on now. The Mylom overbridge work delay is one of the prime reasons that is delaying the commissioning of the project.

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The work of the Mylom railway overbridge and the alignment road is in the final phase. The Mylon overbridge and the alighnment road work delay was the major hindrance for the commissioning of the Kollam - Punalur stretch of the new BG line.

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Reghu

July 5th, 2009, 05:25 AM

MP Kodikunnil Suresh, N Peethambara Kuruppu and the Railway Passengers association feel that Kollam was decently treated in the railway budget though everyone feel that the 'Nursing College episode' was a bit of embarassment.

Kodikkunnil Suresh said that he had started the initiatives for the Erumeli - Punalur line to be extended to Trivandrum for the benefit of people in Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Trivandrum during his tenure as Adoor MP.

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Reghu

July 5th, 2009, 05:31 AM

The Baby John Memorial Government college, the only government college in Kollam district is going to be renovated to a tune of 4 crores. Currently, the college is housed in an old building which was constructed in 1981 by the then minister Baby John. The current minister NK Premachandran has taken initiative to rename the college as Baby John Memorial college a few years back.

The development initiatives include 5 multi-storeyed blocks in the premises.

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Reghu

July 5th, 2009, 05:38 AM

Emerging_Quilon

July 5th, 2009, 07:04 AM

The Kollam Port dredging process has come to a stanstill due to the stay by the Kerala Highr court for transparency issues.

This is a big blow for the development prospects of the ports as it was expecting more ships in the coming months.

It seems like the vested interests and lobbys are again playing spoilsport to undermine the Kollam Cargo Port developent.

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Yes... the lobby has started playing their games to undermine the development of Kollam Port. They know that if the port thrives Kollam will develop commercially to become one of the major cities in the region.

It is sad some politicians are also supporting these vested interests or lobbies.

Kollam Cargo Ports success is vital for the Kollam city's and the district as a whole. It will help the Cashew, coir, marine and mineral industies of the district to which the district economy is highly dependant.

The people of Kollam should reciprocate strongly against this ill minded people and make sure that the Kollam Cargo Port to be made a major port in the immedeate future.

Emerging_Quilon

July 5th, 2009, 07:11 AM

The only relief for Kollam in the railway budget is the 5.5 crore allocation for the MEMU termianal base and Maintenance shed. But there was no mention about the Heavy maintenance shed which was mooted for Kollam due to the availability of space here. The 5.5 crore is a very less amount for a project like MEMU which is expected to get completed by next year.

Also, the commissioning of the Kollam - Punalur BG conversion will happen only by Fenruary 2010, though there were rumours that it may be inaugrated before Onam this year.

Erumeli - Punalur - Trivandrum line survey which is passing through Kollam is a good sign. But we have to wait and see how much protest and undercurrents happen to undermine these projects by the vested interests. The Kottayam - Erumeli line and Chengannur - Kottarakkara lines are not heard nowadays which were also mentioned in some of the previous years budgets.

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The MEMU amount allocated is not enough to complete the project by next year first half which is expected dates to commence the service operation.

Moreover, there was no allocation for the newly mooted Heavy maintenance shed for MEMU trains. There is no mention about the Kollam Junction's renovation and platforms for the new MEMU service.

It is imperative to have more facilities and platforms exclusively for MEMU service. There is enough space on the west side of the Kollam Junction near to the Karbala junction side for further MEMU related expansion work.

jaleelmalik

July 5th, 2009, 10:49 AM

Yes... the lobby has started playing their games to undermine the development of Kollam Port. They know that if the port thrives Kollam will develop commercially to become one of the major cities in the region.

It is sad some politicians are also supporting these vested interests or lobbies.

Kollam Cargo Ports success is vital for the Kollam city's and the district as a whole. It will help the Cashew, coir, marine and mineral industies of the district to which the district economy is highly dependant.

The people of Kollam should reciprocate strongly against this ill minded people and make sure that the Kollam Cargo Port to be made a major port in the immedeate future.

Is it the same lobby who did play against the Alappuzha, which led to its degenration?

jaleelmalik

July 5th, 2009, 10:58 AM

The much expected stop for Rajdhani Express at Kollam did not happen. This was one of the demand and item in the prioirity list of Kollam MP Peethambara Kurruppu.

Also, the stops for some of the express trains at Karunagapally railway station, the second biggest station in the district was not considered. Karunagaplly is a fast emerging town in Kollam district with the Amrithapuri Aashrmam in the vicinity. Hundreds of people come to the Ashramam daily and they have to get down at Kayamkulam which is 15 to 20 Kms away compared to Karunagapally which is 5 to 7 Kms away from the Aashramam.

Also , the Mundro Islands, a land which is surrounded by Ashtamudi lake on all sides and no other conveyance facilities other than trains has been totally neglected. The Mundroe islands is a fast emerging tourist destination. People from these islands resort to trains to go to Kollam city and the mainland. But only passenger trains used to stop here. They have to travel about 25 - 30 Kms to reach Kollam by road or waterways. But Kollam city is just 12 - 15 Kms away by train from the various islands.

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Railway Stops - Some justifications, Some Thoughts !!!

One might feel why trains stop at the close by stations at Kayamkulam, Mavelikkara, Chengannur & Tiruvalla ?

Kayamkulam is a major railway junction.

Chengannur / Mavelikkara act as the boarding point for Alappuzha District, while Tiruvalla represents Pathanamthitta. But what if a train stop at Mavelikkara & Chengannur?

However, it is interesting to note that almost all trains stop at Alwaye, as it is the boarding point for Idukki District. Do we have a boarding point any where for Wayanad District? (I mean desginated for Wayanad, just like Alwaye for Idukki).

Years back 'Malayala Manorama' wrote a very funny article. It was widely criticised by the peopl of Kerala.

The essence of the article is this.

In Kerala, the maximum number of railway stops are at two different sectors.
One in North & the other in South. Both these areas are dominated by NRKs.
However, the controversial statement is this - Though both these are NRI dominated areas, the prinicipal difference is wrt the social status, especially the education level of the people. One area has people of high qualification and calibre and while the people from the other NRK are has a lower level of literacy. I do not wish to compare these areas. But just thought about posting the finding of the Malayala Manorama.

The zone in North Kerala is between Kuttippuram & Kozhikode and the one in South Kerala is between Kayamkulam & Kottayam.

Reghu

July 5th, 2009, 02:58 PM

navjot

July 5th, 2009, 03:34 PM

The Kodikunnil Suresh MP has requested the public and the political parties to combiine their efforts to realize the Erumeli - Punalur - Trivandrum line which help the development of Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Trivandrum districts.

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MP Kodukkunnil Suresh said that he would take necessary steps for settung up a railway station at Pulamon.

Since Kottarakkara railway station is 2 kms from the ksrtc busstand , one has to avail an auto from the kottarakkara railway station to the ksrtc stand , which makes kollam-kottarakkara travel cost by train costlier than the cost of travel by a ksrtc fast passenger.

A railway station at Pulamon will be of great help bcoz of its close proximity to the ksrtc and pvt bus stands.

Moreover Pulamon station could serve as the junction station for the proposed chengannur-kottarakkara railway line.

He said that the land for this purpose has been identified and necessary steps will be taken

jaleelmalik

July 5th, 2009, 04:07 PM

MP Kodukkunnil Suresh said that he would take necessary steps for settung up a railway station at Pulamon.

Since Kottarakkara railway station is 2 kms from the ksrtc busstand , one has to avail an auto from the kottarakkara railway station to the ksrtc stand , which makes kollam-kottarakkara travel cost by train costlier than the cost of travel by a ksrtc fast passenger.

A railway station at Pulamon will be of great help bcoz of its close proximity to the ksrtc and pvt bus stands.

Moreover Pulamon station could serve as the junction station for the proposed chengannur-kottarakkara railway line.

He said that the land for this purpose has been identified and necessary steps will be taken

Yes. All points are agreed.

However, Pulamon is one of the most congested parts of the Kottarakkara Town. The entire Pulamon Centre (where the roads from Trivandrum, Quilon, Kottayam & Pathanapuram meets) and the KSRTC & Private bus stations are situated should be re-developed.

Along with the new railway station, if these developments can happen, then it shall be a great achievement. Kottarakkara was upgraded as a Municipality almost two decades back. But due to political pulls, it was reverted as a Panchayat. Why not the KSRTC & Private Bus Stands moved to the area available on the Trivandrum Road (where there were empty lands - ippol undo endo ?). In that case, the shoppers could be rehabilitated at the present bus stand premises.

If I am correct, there is elevation difference between the road and railway. How this shall be tackled ? Will be managed as in the case of Changanassery ? (Tiruvalla also like this?).

Reghu

July 5th, 2009, 04:18 PM

Yes. All points are agreed.

However, Pulamon is one of the most congested parts of the Kottarakkara Town. The entire Pulamon Centre (where the roads from Trivandrum, Quilon, Kottayam & Pathanapuram meets) and the KSRTC & Private bus stations are situated should be re-developed.

Along with the new railway station, if these developments can happen, then it shall be a great achievement. Kottarakkara was upgraded as a Municipality almost two decades back. But due to political pulls, it was reverted as a Panchayat. Why not the KSRTC & Private Bus Stands moved to the area available on the Trivandrum Road (where there were empty lands - ippol undo endo ?). In that case, the shoppers could be rehabilitated at the present bus stand premises.

If I am correct, there is elevation difference between the road and railway. How this shall be tackled ? Will be managed as in the case of Changanassery ? (Tiruvalla also like this?).

Kottarakkara should be elevated to the municipality status. It is very important for the Greater Kollam city development as well. Kottarakkara is going to see a lot of development activites in the future. It is one of the fast developing towns in South Kerala and a vibrant cultural centre as well. The Kollam Techno Park is just 15 Kms away. Kollam Cargo Port is only 27 Kms away.

It is great to hear that Kodikunnil Suresh focus more on the Railway needs. It is also great to hear that Kottarakkara, Punalur are also gearing up for railway developments along with Kollam Junction Railway station.

Now, the key is Kollam - Punalur BG inaugration. The other developoments will follow shortly as the Kollam - Punalur line will give the necessary impetus for these demands as well.

jaleelmalik

July 5th, 2009, 04:38 PM

Kottarakkara should be elevated to the municipality status. It is very important for the Greater Kollam city development as well. Kottarakkara is going to see a lot of development activites in the future. It is one of the fast developing towns in South Kerala and a vibrant cultural centre as well. The Kollam Techno Park is just 15 Kms away. Kollam Cargo Port is only 27 Kms away.

It is great to hear that Kodikunnil Suresh focus more on the Railway needs. It is also great to hear that Kottarakkara, Punalur are also gearing up for railway developments along with Kollam Junction Railway station.

Now, the key is Kollam - Punalur BG inaugration. The other developoments will follow shortly as the Kollam - Punalur line will give the necessary impetus for these demands as well.

Agree with upgrading Kottarakkara as a Municipality (but as Panchayati Raj & Nagara Palika act applies now, everything depends on it).

'Kodi' is not a new MP. He represented the region for 10 (or 15) years or more.
Let us make an evaluation on what he could contribute for his voters during his 2 or 3 tenures? If he could make something solid during that time, this time also we can expect him to be making more contributions. Otherwise, whatever he makes shall remain eye wash.

Reghu

July 6th, 2009, 05:13 AM

Emerging_Quilon

July 6th, 2009, 02:27 PM

Reghu

July 6th, 2009, 08:08 PM

Reghu

July 7th, 2009, 04:09 AM

The panchayath authorities from Thrikkadavoor, Perinad, Panayam, Kundara, Perayam and Kallada have discussed and demanded the route Kollam City - Kundara - Perayam - Kallada - Bharanickavu - Charumoodu - Chengannur - Kottayam.

This 106 Kms route is going through the interior regions of Kollam, Alleppy, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts which will give enough impetus for the development of the region itself.

Moreover, the route is passing very near to the upcoming Kollam Techno Park at Kundara. This will enable better connectivity for the people residing in the interior regions of the district to the Techno Park.

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Action council’s claim

KOLLAM: Leaders of the Kollam-Theni National Highway Action Council told mediapersons here on Monday that Public Works Minister Mons Joseph had assured them that the Kollam-Theni National Highway 220 will pass through Anchalumoodu-Kundara-Perayam-Bharanikavu and Charumoodu to reach MC Road at Chengannur. Action council chairman K.B. Mahendra said the Minister said this when a council delegation called on him in the presence of Education Minister M.A. Baby who is the legislator from Kundara. The council was on an agitation against the moves to align the road at Kottarakara.

Emerging_Quilon

July 7th, 2009, 06:03 AM

The 'Aashramam Tourism Destination Management Council' headed by minister PK Gurudasan has decided and proposed for a new road that fillips the tourism prospects of the city.

The road starts from Aashramam Toiurist Village - Aashramam Link Road - KSRTC Junction/Boat Terminal - Olayil Kadavu - Thirumullavaram.

The minister has ordered for a detailed preparation of the project.

This road will be a great boon for the public in the city to visit the important tourist centers in the city without hustling in the traffic jam in the main routes.

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This is an excellent move. This road will be almost like a Backwater drive road till Olayil Kadavu. I would love to drive along this road. The other side of the Ashtamudi banks is the Aashramam region with Mangrove forest on the fringes and the beautiful Adventure Park.

Kudos to PKG for his initiatives in Tourism and Infrastructural Developement projects.:banana:

Emerging_Quilon

July 7th, 2009, 06:08 AM

navjot

July 7th, 2009, 07:28 AM

New plan to tidy up traffic

http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/07/stories/2009070750930300.htm

Kollam SP warns of stern action

ALL BUSINESS: Kollam SP K. Sanjay Kumar addressing an interaction with road users in Kollam on Monday.

KOLLAM: The first phase of a traffic discipline plan for Kollam city in particular and the district in general has been unveiled by the police.

This was announced by District Superintendent of Police K. Sanjay Kumar at an interaction here on Monday with a cross-section of road users.

As per the plan, strong penal action will be initiated against private bus conductors and drivers who refuse to accommodate schoolchildren in the buses.

The decision has been taken in view of complaints that private bus employees are wantonly refusing to admit students into buses since they get concession on tickets.

Mr. Sanjay Kumar said that criminal cases would be registered against bus employees who use abusive language in front of the passengers.
At bus bays

Wherever there are bus bays, buses should strictly stop at them. Stopping at a distance from the bays for passengers to alight of board the bus will invite action from the police.

He said that often autorickshaw drivers subject passengers to an ‘interview’ of sorts before deciding on taking them. Many autorickshaw drivers refuse to go to nearby places even from the railway station late in the night. Police would be deputed in mufti to counter this. Action would also be taken against the erring drivers.

Mr. Sanjay Kumar said that some autorickshaw drivers tended to ‘create’ an autorickshaw stand at a place of their choice. This trend would not be entertained. The police will also ask the Motor Vehicles Department to look into this.

Autorickshaws overloaded with schoolchildren too will invite action from the police. The SP said that even in mini buses with 13 seats, more than 80 students are taken to school.

“Ambulance drivers some times ply at breakneck speed even when the situation does not warrant it. Even ambulances with just the driver are seen using the warning systems to move fast. Action will be taken against such ambulance drivers,” the SP said.
Parking for customers

It has also been noticed that many cars parked along the Main Road at Chinnakada belong to shop owners. Police will ensure that except for the vehicles of customers engaged in shopping, no cars are parked along the Maid Road beyond two hours at a stretch.

He added that loading and unloading activity along the Paikada Road during peak hours would be banned. The City Corporation will be asked to clear those billboards that tend to cause accidents.

Chairman of the Kollam Corporation Standing Committee on Public Works T. Venugopal, Kollam DySP Ramachandran and Joint Regional Transport Officer P.K. Sathyan spoke.

navjot

July 7th, 2009, 07:41 AM

A 3.95 CRORE TENDER FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE AT technopark , kollam HAS BEEN INVITED

navjot

July 7th, 2009, 08:08 AM

ANY UPDATES ABOUT PROPOSED BIG BAZAAR KOLLAM @ POLAYATHODU????

Emerging_Quilon

July 7th, 2009, 02:30 PM

KOLLAM: The State government has given administrative sanction for the Central government’s Rs.2.86-crore project for modernisation of the children’s park at Asramam here.

Labour Minister P.K. Gurudasan, who is also Kollam MLA, said that the project was part of a programme to develop Asramam into a tourist destination.

The project comprises six mandapams, a rest room complex, open air auditorium, entertainment gadgets for children, a family train with diesel engine, landscape of the area and a toilet block. On completion of the project, the park will serve as an entertainment hub for the tourists.

K. Shirish, secretary of the Kollam District Tourism Promotion Council, a State government project of Rs.96 lakh for the development of the park was under implementationand would be completed in three months.

The Aashramam Tourism Destination Project includes Children's Park renovation - encircling the children's park with a beautiful fence, Mandaps at different locations, Rest rooms, Open-air Auditorium, Lawns and Toilets.

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The Union Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned Rs.2.86 crore for developing the Entertainment and Children’s Traffic Park at Asramam in Kollam as a tourist destination.

The Director of Tourism had submitted a proposal in this regard to the Government to develop a portion of Asramam Maidan into a planned entertainment area and children’s park which will serve as a permanent entertainment hub for the tourist as well as the local people.

The Union Government had released Rs 2.29 crore as first instalment which had been credited to the Treasury Savings Bank account operated by the Director of Tourism. The working group on plan and schemes has accorded administrative sanction to the project.

The project will have components such as compound wall and gateway, six mandapams, restroom complex, open-air auditorium, toilet block, dashing/bombing car, family train with diesel engine, landscaping and allied works and sinkages and dustbins.

The development work will be executed through SIDCO and will be completed within a period of 24 months.:banana::cheers::banana:

Emerging_Quilon

July 7th, 2009, 02:33 PM

KOLLAM: The construction of a boat jetty near Ashtamudi Veerabhadraswami temple here is nearing completion. The Inland Water Authority has said that the jetty would be opened within two months.

Following a mass movement for the renovation of the jetty, the Water Resources Ministry had sanctioned fund for the renovation. Out of the Rs 14 lakh sanctioned for the renovation works, Rs 8 lakh had been allocated for the renovation of the jetty near the Veerabhadraswami temple and Rs 6 lakh for the renovation of the jetty near the Ashtamudi bus stand.

With the opening of the renovated boat jetties, it will be easy for the devotees and pilgrims to reach the Veerabhadraswami temple, especially those coming from the the western parts of the district. The Veerabhadraswami temple is the only temple in the state where Veerabhadra is installed as the deity. The `urul nercha’ conducted here annually is famous and attracts thousands of pilgrims. A large-scale trade fair is also being held annually in connection with the temple festival.

The opening of the jetty is also a boost to the tourism projects as the area has a tourism potential. Administrative sanction has already been given for the Rs 5-crore Ashtamudi Tourism Circuit Project. The majority of the works under the project will be carried out in the Thoppilkadavu, Sambranikodi and Palliyamthuruthu areas of the Ashtamudi backwaters. Another boat jetty near the Veerabhdraswami temple, exclusively meant for tourists at a cost Rs 25 lakh, is also in the offing.:banana:

Reghu

July 7th, 2009, 04:49 PM

Reghu

July 7th, 2009, 06:52 PM

Thiruvananthapuram, Tuesday 7 July 2009: Kerala Food and Civil Supplies Minister C Divakaran today informed the State Assembly that the Government would open ”Maveli Hotels” as part of measure to check exorbitant prices in hotels in the state.

Replying to questions from M K Premanath of Janata Dal(S) and others, he said as a pilot project Maveli hotels would start in Kollam, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram district, under the direct supervision of the District Collectors.

C Divakaran said the decision was taken as the restaurant association put forward various demands during a meeting held with them to bring down prices of eatables in hotels and the government had out rightly rejected it.

The government plan was to start five to ten such hotels in each district and the Collector would monitor the functioning of the hotels, including fixing the prices, he said, adding that the Civil Supplies Corporation would provide essential commodities at subsidised prices to the Maveli hotels.

However, the hotels would never be allowed to decide the prices on their own and instead the government would fix the prices, he added.

The Minister said the government was considering whether to introduce a grading system in hotels to fix prices according to its grades.

The government had also decided to appoint a committee to look into all aspects of unifying the prices in hotels after introducing a grading system, he added.

Reghu

July 8th, 2009, 04:19 AM

As one of the major junction with a line directly towards Tamil Nadu and the central base for MEMU services the importance of Kollam station is looming large. In this context, it is imperative to elevate Kollam junction also in the Adarsh/World class category atleast in the next budget. With Kollam Cargo Port, Kollam Teckno ParK becoming operational in full swing next year, the request is justified for a 10 crore income earning station.

Calicut is inluded in the World class category along with Trivandrum and Eranakulam and Kottayam is included in the Adarsh station category according to the latest reports.

Reghu

July 8th, 2009, 04:31 AM

The Anchalumoodu-Kundara-Perayam-Bharanikavu and Charumoodu stretch in the Kollam-Theni National Highway 220 to reach MC Road at Chengannur will give another National Highway road for Kollam that starts from the heart of the city passing through the Thrikkadavoor Panchayath which is surrounded by the Ashtamudi backwaters on all the three sides. The route will touch the Kollam NH Bypass at Kadavoor which will make Kadavoor an important junction in Kollam. The city may further expand due to these road developments.:banana::cheers::banana:

The NH 220 starts from High School Junction in Kollam city and pass through Anchalumoodu-Kundara-Perayam-Bharanikavu and Charumoodu to reach MC Road at Chengannur.

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Reghu

July 8th, 2009, 04:38 AM

Ashramam in Kollam will be the hub of all the centres.

http://i32.tinypic.com/732gxj.jpg

http://i32.tinypic.com/10nt82b.jpg

navjot

July 8th, 2009, 11:11 AM

Calicut is inluded in the World class category along with Trivandrum and Eranakulam and Kottayam is included in the Adarsh station category according to the latest reports.

THIS IS UNFAIR...KOLLAM JN HANDLES MORE PASSENGERS , TRAFFIC AND TRAINS THAN CALICUT OR KOTTAYAM STATIONS.......INCLUSION OF KOTTAYAM IS REALLY SURPRISING.....OKAY AT LEAST CALICUT IS A MAJOR CITY IN KERALA...BUT I HAVE NO IDEA HOW KOTTAYAM FIGURES IN THE LIST......... AGAIN LOBBYS HAVE STARTED PLAYING THIR ROLE [:(]..............BUT KOTTAYAMITES , I DONT MEAN ANY OFFENCE

navjot

July 8th, 2009, 11:16 AM

The NH 220 starts from High School Junction in Kollam city and pass through Anchalumoodu-Kundara-Perayam-Bharanikavu and Charumoodu to reach MC Road at Chengannur.

http://i30.tinypic.com/11k9mwp.jpg
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THIS IS GR8,....KOLLAM BYEPASS CAN BECOME LIKE KOCHI BYEPASS WHICH IS A HUB OF CAR SHOWROOMS AND RESORTS.....AND KOLLAM BECOMES THE MEETING POINT OF 3 NATIONAL HIGHWAYS:):banana::cheers::cheers::banana::cheers::banana:

Emerging_Quilon

July 8th, 2009, 03:35 PM

THIS IS GR8,....KOLLAM BYEPASS CAN BECOME LIKE KOCHI BYEPASS WHICH IS A HUB OF CAR SHOWROOMS AND RESORTS.....AND KOLLAM BECOMES THE MEETING POINT OF 3 NATIONAL HIGHWAYS:):banana::cheers::cheers::banana::cheers::banana:

Already, the Kollam bypass stretch of Thattmala - Kallumthazham has been seeing Car and other vehicle showrooms, service centres mushrooming up. Probably, the existing showrooms in the city, most of them in the Pallimukku - Thallamala stretch can re-locate to the Bypass road for further expansion of their business. :banana:

Emerging_Quilon

July 8th, 2009, 03:52 PM

Reghu

July 8th, 2009, 07:52 PM

THIS IS GR8,....KOLLAM BYEPASS CAN BECOME LIKE KOCHI BYEPASS WHICH IS A HUB OF CAR SHOWROOMS AND RESORTS.....AND KOLLAM BECOMES THE MEETING POINT OF 3 NATIONAL HIGHWAYS:):banana::cheers::cheers::banana::cheers::banana:

There are a good number of Hospitals and Educational institutions on both sides of Kollam Bypass. I strongly believe that the Kollam Bypass region (including the upcoming 3rd and 4th phases) can be developed for starting IT and ITES industries. The Bypass is hardly 12 KMs away from the proposed Kollam Techno park, 50 Kms away from Trivandrum Techno Park and 45 Kms away from the proposed Techno City at Pallipuram. The Bypass should be widened and developed with a futuristic IT corridor vision.^^

Emerging_Quilon

July 9th, 2009, 06:18 AM

KOLLAM: The district unit of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has sought the setting up of a Kollam Port Trust.

NCP district president R. Rajmohan Nair said in a statement here on Wednesday that only a port trust can ensure the smooth and fast growth of the port there. Shipping agents from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh had expressed their willingness to operate from Kollam. There should not be any delay in the constitution of a port authority, Mr. Nair said.

Immediate steps should also be taken to improve the infrastructure facilities at the port, the statement said. It also urged the government to start shipping services to Male, Lakshadweep and Sri Lanka from Kollam. Services to these places from other ports are registering profits, he said.

He said a resolution in this regard was moved at a special meeting of the party which was attended by NCP general secretary S. Pradeep Kumar.^^

Emerging_Quilon

July 9th, 2009, 06:28 AM

TFC Pathanapuram had a soft launch at the Kollam Press Club and announced their ambitious plans for the future.

K Gangadharan, DFA (Kollam) secretary, inaugurated the official website, while the official 2009/10 jersey was presented by the current India U-16 coach Feroz Sheriff and ex-international K Anson at the function on Sunday.

The Keralite club is currently playing in the 1st Division DFA League (Kollam) and has managed to rope in multinational companies to sponsor the team. The team selection was conducted during a 10 day residential coaching camp, with footballers from all over Kerala taking part under the supervision of K Anson and Feroz Sheriff.

Anson and Sheriff selected 26 players with an average age level of 20 years.

TFC has come a long way with well known sevens football festivals in Southern India and intend to promote professional football in Kerala. The focus is laid on the southern districts and to promote the game, while creating a platform for young talents to play at a competitive level.

On a first move, TFC built a club house and introduced a team bus for training purposes. Further they launched U-9, U-13, U-16 teams in cooperation with SEPT Calicut and appointed team doctors, physios, coaches and managers to set-up a professional club structure.

Emerging_Quilon

July 9th, 2009, 01:19 PM

KOLLAM: After more than 20 years of legal and procedural wrangles, the contract for the construction of Thanni bridge has been awarded.

Contractor Valiyathu Ebrahimkutty took the contract the for the amount of Rs 6.69 crore. The contract was originally awarded to contractor Sam Cherian in 1984 for the amount of Rs 58.32 lakh.

The 221.60 metre-long bridge across the Paravur backwaters would connect the Thanni area to Mayyanadu. Once the bridge and approach road is completed, the distance from Thanni to Kollam would be reduced considerably. :banana::cheers::banana:

Emerging_Quilon

July 9th, 2009, 01:25 PM

The Cabinet has decided to sanction veterinary hospitals at newly formed panchayats in the district. The newly formed panchayats are Chirakkara (Kollam), Kummil (Kollam). ^^

navjot

July 9th, 2009, 06:15 PM

navjot

July 9th, 2009, 06:21 PM

http://www.shubhyatra.com/gifs/thirumullavaram-beach1.jpg

Reghu

July 9th, 2009, 06:51 PM

THE INAUGURATION OF THE SERENITY VILLAS PROJECT OF SAHYA DEVELOPERS @ KERALAPURAM , WILL BE HELD @ HOTEL BEACH ORCHID ON JULY 10 AT 7 PM.
THE PROJECT WILL BE INAUGURATED BY CINESTAR JAGATHY SRIKUMAR...:banana::cheers::banana::cheers:

The exclusive villas on offer at Sahya Serenity are located in a virgin grove of coconut palms, a few minutes drive from the city centre at Keralapuram. It's an ideal location for those who cherish a life of peace and tranquility while still being able to enjoy a vibrant cosmopolitan lifestyle seen in the cities.

• Near Karikode - educational hub of Kollam, with premier institutions like the TKM Group of Colleges, Travancore Medical College, SN Public School, Oxford School etc. all within a radius of 3 Kms

• Easy accessibility to the city - Chinnakada - 7 kms / Railway Station - 8 kms / NH 47 - 7 Kms / NH 208 - 500 mts

• Close to the proposed Kollam IT Park at Kundara

http://i32.tinypic.com/2ep7akw.jpg
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Emerging_Quilon

July 10th, 2009, 06:39 AM

Action council’s claim

KOLLAM: Leaders of the Kollam-Theni National Highway Action Council told mediapersons here on Monday that Public Works Minister Mons Joseph had assured them that the Kollam-Theni National Highway 220 will pass through Anchalumoodu-Kundara-Perayam-Bharanikavu and Charumoodu to reach MC Road at Chengannur. Action council chairman K.B. Mahendra said the Minister said this when a council delegation called on him in the presence of Education Minister M.A. Baby who is the legislator from Kundara. The council was on an agitation against the moves to align the road at Kottarakara.

The importance of the Highschool Junction - Anchalumoodu road development is very important as the roads are very wide and have width less than 6 metres. This causes lots accidents, especially when the private buses runs amok like anything to rach their destination. The latest in this series is the accident that happend yesterday at Kadavoor Junction in this stretch:

Kollam, Friday 10 July 2009: Twenty-nine passengers were injured in a bus accident at Kadavoor on Thursday evening.

The accident occurred at 6 p.m. when the private bus attempted to overtake another bus through the wrong side of the median. The buses were coming from the Anchaulmoodu side towards Kollam.
The accident occurred on the Kadavoor course of the road which has a sharp curve with a median.

Eyewitnesses said the bus swerved to the right to avoid hitting a bus coming from the opposite direction and crashed through the compound wall of a house.

The injured, including the driver, had been admitted to the District Hospital. However, the driver told the police that a mechanical flaw to the steering wheel caused the accident.

But eyewitness and the local people said that in the race between private buses, drivers often took the buses at breakneck speed in both directions through the wrong side of the median.

The roads are very narrow and the bus races are most frequent which leads to the accidents.

Kollam-Theni National Highway 220 development through Highschool Junction - Anchalumoodu-Kundara-Perayam-Bharanikavu and Charumoodu to reach MC Road at Chengannur will alleviate this severe situation.

navjot

July 10th, 2009, 09:08 AM

The importance of the Highschool Junction - Anchalumoodu road development is very important as the roads are very wide and have width less than 6 metres. This causes lots accidents, especially when the private buses runs amok like anything to rach their destination. The latest in this series is the accident that happend yesterday at Kadavoor Junction in this stretch:

Kollam, Friday 10 July 2009: Twenty-nine passengers were injured in a bus accident at Kadavoor on Thursday evening.

The accident occurred at 6 p.m. when the private bus attempted to overtake another bus through the wrong side of the median. The buses were coming from the Anchaulmoodu side towards Kollam.
The accident occurred on the Kadavoor course of the road which has a sharp curve with a median.

Eyewitnesses said the bus swerved to the right to avoid hitting a bus coming from the opposite direction and crashed through the compound wall of a house.

The injured, including the driver, had been admitted to the District Hospital. However, the driver told the police that a mechanical flaw to the steering wheel caused the accident.

But eyewitness and the local people said that in the race between private buses, drivers often took the buses at breakneck speed in both directions through the wrong side of the median.

The roads are very narrow and the bus races are most frequent which leads to the accidents.

Kollam-Theni National Highway 220 development through Highschool Junction - Anchalumoodu-Kundara-Perayam-Bharanikavu and Charumoodu to reach MC Road at Chengannur will alleviate this severe situation.

development of nh 220 along this route is good for ksrtc too which can start operating more services from kollam to kottayam and other places in the mc rd and idukki/pathanamthitta districts

jayadevan_c

July 10th, 2009, 12:14 PM

The Cabinet has decided to sanction veterinary hospitals at newly formed panchayats in the district. The newly formed panchayats are Chirakkara (Kollam), Kummil (Kollam). ^^

Kollam thread is getting filled with junk. Unlike other threads, if we go through previous pages, we can see that this thread is filled with claims without proof and very local news.

arshad_pkd

July 10th, 2009, 09:02 PM

http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentType=EDITORIAL&programId=1073753760&articleType=Malayalam%20News&contentId=5695251&BV_ID=@@@

Reghu

July 11th, 2009, 04:25 AM

http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentType=EDITORIAL&programId=1073753760&articleType=Malayalam%20News&contentId=5695251&BV_ID=@@@

Hi Arshad, Great news. But this news is more relevant in the Palakkad thread or the Kerala Development and Projects thread. This thread is related to projects and news related to Kollam City and district only.

Reghu

July 11th, 2009, 04:45 AM

The Institute of Management in Kerala will start their extension centre at Chemmakkad which is 5 KMs away from Kundara town and 12 Kms away from the city.

Reghu

July 11th, 2009, 05:11 AM

The piling works near to the SP office ground are over. The approach road has the length of 350m on both the sides of the flyover.

http://i29.tinypic.com/2cnf39k.jpg

Reghu

July 11th, 2009, 06:24 PM

A sailing mall in Kerala makes waves

The Floating Triveni is a unique, floating supermarket on the Vembanad Lake in Kerala

The 16-metre-long vessel covers 53 locations in the Kuttanad region

Consumerfed, the state cooperative that owns Triveni, aims for endorsement from Guiness Book Of World Records

With the Floating Triveni a roaring success there are plans for similar boats in the backwaters of Kochi and Kollam.

The Kerala State Cooperative Consumers Federation Ltd (Consumerfed), the apex body of consumer cooperatives, which owns the Rs 50-lakh mall, sells at less than market prices. The Floating Triveni offers an additional discount of two per cent to promote sales. Scheduled castes and tribal customers can avail of a further three per cent discount.

Consumerfed hit on the concept from the slender canoes ferrying men and materials along the labyrinthine backwaters and canals of Kuttanad. Perhaps Triveni's only limitation is its size—16-metre-long and six-metre-wide—which may make it difficult to navigate through some of the smaller channels. Says Riji R. Nair, MD, Consumerfed: "Initially, when this idea was floated, there was some scepticism. But we were ready to experiment and told the ship-builder that if he could build a platform that could float and remain intact, we would go for it. That's how the mall was born."

Meanwhile, considering the novelty of the backwater-cruising, island-hopping supermarket, Consumerfed has written to the Guinness Book of World Records, seeking its imprimatur that would float Triveni before the world's eyes.

Well-stocked interiors of Floating Triveni

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garnetmalowney

July 11th, 2009, 07:33 PM

Emerging_Quilon

July 12th, 2009, 06:00 AM

Kollam
According to media reports, Fashion Jewellers has launched its international standard showroom in Kollam,for the first time.It is the biggest 9.16 showroom in Kerala.This “gold palace” attracts customers from far and wide,with a wide array of all the traditional and modern collections of ornaments as well as separate sections for bridal wear,bangles and necklaces. It also has separate wings for diamonds, birthstones, ear rings etc.

Expert advice on astrology is also offered free to those customers who wish to purchase birthstones.The jewellers recently started a special showroom for diamond ornaments. This is the first diamond showroom in Kollam.:banana::banana:

Great news that Kollam also gears up with other Gold cities in Kerala. I have seen Fashions old building at Kollam. It was one of the biggest that time. The new one will be something bigger than that. Right?

Another great news is that Malabar Gold as their expansion plan enters Kollam district this year by opening a new showroom at Karunagapally - 23 Kms north of Kollam city. Karunagapally, an abode of the largest NRI populations is the perfect place for them to start the Jewellery.^^

Reghu

July 12th, 2009, 07:22 AM

The authorities are going against the widening of the NH roads and the city roads by reducing the proposed width.:bash: This move has to nipped in the bud itself.

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Suncity

July 12th, 2009, 10:20 PM

EVERY VOTE COUNTS

Please vote for a new moderator - the contest is hotting up

Voting closes July 16, 2009.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=909566

Emerging_Quilon

July 13th, 2009, 07:13 AM

All sports personalities in Kerala should strive to make the 35th National Games in Kerala in 2010, a memorable event, sports minister M Vijayakumar said on Sunday.

Speaking at a function got up in Kochi to form the Organising Committee for the Games, he said it was a great honour for Kerala to be allotted the Games in September 2008, but the state had little time for preparatory work.

Exhorting all concerned to make Games the best ever conducted in the country, he said steps should be taken to convert Kerala into a ‘model state´ for national and international sports after the games.

The minister said existing stadiums would be modernised for the games in the state, which at present did not have a stadium of international standards.

The games had been allotted to Kerala after a 23-year gap he said, adding the main events would be held mainly in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode and others at centres like Alappuzha, Kannur, Thrissur and Kollam.

He requested Olympic Association of India (Kerala chapter) President M M Abdul Rahman to bid for the Asian Games and even Commonwealth games.

T P Dasan, President, Kerala Sports Council, said 32 events will be played in this edition of the games, of which nine would be held in kochi.

A large number of sports personalities, including Olympians, attended the meeting.:banana:

Reghu

July 14th, 2009, 04:47 AM

The road works at the Aashramam - Kadapakkada stretch of the most anticipated Aashramam - Kappalandimukku Avenue road 4 laning has resumed. The road with have a width of 15 metres and 2 metres footpath on either sides. Once completed, this will be best road in the city.

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Reghu

July 14th, 2009, 04:58 AM

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jaleelmalik

July 15th, 2009, 09:40 AM

The Institute of Management in Kerala will start their extension centre at Chemmakkad which is 5 KMs away from Kundara town and 12 Kms away from the city.

So another institute to compete with the TKM. Right?

Emerging_Quilon

July 15th, 2009, 09:51 AM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister for Ports and Parliamentary Affairs M. Vijayakumar told the Assembly on Tuesday that global tenders would be called for development of Kollam, Alappuzha and Azhickal ports with private investment this year. Contract for development of Ponnani port would be awarded through the ‘Swiss challenge’ system of competitive bidding.

Replying to the debate on the demand for grants for ports, the Minister said that the Alappuzha port was to be developed as a marina cum cargo port. A marina port would be developed at Thalassery also. The Kottayam port would be commissioned next month. It was being developed as joint venture of private parties with Kerala State Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra).

Mr. Vijayakumar said that an investment of Rs.15,000 crore was estimated for the six ports proposed to be developed with private participation.

He said that the government would convene an all-party meeting to decide on the course of action to be taken in the case of the proposed Vizhinjam International Trans-shipment Terminal. He said that the Central government had stated that Poovar would be suitable for the shipyard planned for the Western Coast.

A ship repairing yard would be set up at Vizhinjam as a joint venture with the Cochin shipyard. Maritime institutes would start functioning at Neendakara and Kasaragod this year itself.

He said that the government had drawn up draft legislation for establishment of a maritime development board in the State. :banana:

Emerging_Quilon

July 15th, 2009, 09:55 AM

Industries Minister Elamaram Karim, who replied to the debate on the demand for grants for industries, said that a statutory board would be set up for selection of chief executives of public sector units. A titanium sponge factory would be set up at Chavara in Kollam in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation. In addition to the three trade fairs being organised by the Industries Department, an agritech and food festival and a textile fair would be organised annually in Thrissur and Kannur respectively.

The Minister said that the government had taken no decision to reclaim sea on the Thiruvananthapuram coast for industrial purposes. The government had no plans to harm the environment or habitats.

However, Kinfra had commissioned a study in this regard by the National Environment Engineering and Research Institute, Chennai. That study had recommended further studies in oceanography and environmental engineering to assess feasibility.

Later, the House passed the demands for grants for industries (Rs. 324.11 crore) and ports (Rs. 35.43 crore). Demands for grants under nine other heads such as Legislature and Stamps and Registration were guillotined.

Reghu

July 15th, 2009, 07:47 PM

So another institute to compete with the TKM. Right?

Yes.. this is an MBA college by the Institute of Management in Kerala owned by Kerala University and GOK. The location at Chemmakkad is a calm and quite place just 5 Kms away from the proposes Techno Park at Kundara.

TIM (TKM Institute of Management) is still the premiere business school in Kollam though there are a few more MBA colleges in the city like the onc in Chavara and Thattamala.

Reghu

July 15th, 2009, 07:51 PM

Industries Minister Elamaram Karim, who replied to the debate on the demand for grants for industries, said that a statutory board would be set up for selection of chief executives of public sector units. A Titanium sponge factory would be set up at Chavara in Kollam in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation. In addition to the three trade fairs being organised by the Industries Department, an agritech and food festival and a textile fair would be organised annually in Thrissur and Kannur respectively.

The Minister said that the government had taken no decision to reclaim sea on the Thiruvananthapuram coast for industrial purposes. The government had no plans to harm the environment or habitats.

However, Kinfra had commissioned a study in this regard by the National Environment Engineering and Research Institute, Chennai. That study had recommended further studies in oceanography and environmental engineering to assess feasibility.

Later, the House passed the demands for grants for industries (Rs. 324.11 crore) and ports (Rs. 35.43 crore). Demands for grants under nine other heads such as Legislature and Stamps and Registration were guillotined.

Great to hear that Titanium sponge factory would be set up at Chavara in Kollam in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation. ISRO also has a sub centre which is more academic oriented near Amrithpuri which is just 12 Kms away from the proposed factory location. :banana:

Reghu

July 15th, 2009, 08:06 PM

Medicity Medical college gets recognition

KOLLAM: On the basis of a recommendation from the Medical Council of India, the Travancore Medical College (Medicity) here received recognition of the Central government. The college has been given permission to admit 100 students for the MBBS course. The director of the college said that admissions will be conducted on the basis of government norms.

Couple of weeks before the Azeezia Medical college just 20 Kms away from the heart of the city also received approval to start MBBS admission this academic year.

Reghu

July 15th, 2009, 08:55 PM

The Iron Bridge at the heart of the city and the Chavara bridge in the city outskirts along the NH-47 are the main bottlenecks that chokes the city during the rush hours. It is imperative to replace these bridges with new wide bridges. The existing bridges are hardly 5 metres wide.

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tangy_boy

July 16th, 2009, 04:32 PM

Emerging_Quilon

July 16th, 2009, 04:46 PM

Wow. I was just going through the pages. Ofcourse having joined only today. Its amazing I had no idea so many developments were going on in Kollam. I loved that for the national games, a hockey stadium is being constructed in kollam. Any recents developments about this. I mean how much work has been completed?

And so many medical colleges and other institutions coming up in Kollam is going to give a huge boost to the city. I mean students make or break a city. All the big cities have a huge student population. They are the life of the place. I have always felt that Kollam had very few educational institutions. Now i dont feel that anymore. Its good that Kollam is being developed right now. Its high time it has been done.

Another thing. What is the progress on the underpass at chinnakada. I hope it is not going stalemate.

Yes.. there are a lot of educational and healthcare institutions in Kollam now. Kollam is developing in the Tourism sector with an array of resorts at the Ashtamudi lake banks as well.

Also, the Kollam Cargo Port, Kollam Techno Park and the probable Cashew board will boost Kollam's development. The MEMU base and Kollam - Punalur BG conversion is another added advantage.

The underpass work has started in a snails pace...but there are still some protest going on to cancel this project.

The Aashramam - Kappalandimukku 4-laning and the Ashramam Link road work is going on. Also, the road to the Cargo port is in progress. There is a road proposed that will link Aashramam to Thirumullavarom.

Yaar, are you from Thankasseri?

tangy_boy

July 16th, 2009, 05:07 PM

Yes I am from Tankasseri. :) And I am happy that guys like you keep us weel informed about the happenings in and around my place. East or West, Home is always the best!!!!!!!!

Reghu

July 16th, 2009, 08:16 PM

Aerens Gold Souk Group has outlined investment plans with a total outlay of Rs 1,000 crore for Kerala in the next five years, company's Vice-Chairman and Joint Managing Director Ashish Gupta told PTI here today.

Kerala's first gem and jewellery park at Kalamassery and the Gold Souk Grande Mall at Kochi were the mega projects of the company, Gupta said.

The work on the Park, awarded to the company by Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KINFRA), on 33 acres of land at Kalamassery in Kochi had started and first phase would be commissioned within two years, he said.

The park would house more than 1,000 jewellery manufacturers from Kerala as well as from other parts of the country and abroad, he said.

The park would facilitate standardisation and deployment of latest technology. It would also provide integrated facilities for commercial, recreational and institutional needs, he said.

The company is identifying strategic locations here, Thrissur, Kollam, Kottayam, Kannur, Kozhikode and Palakkad for retail, residential, commercial and infrastructure projects, he said.

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Reghu

July 16th, 2009, 08:20 PM

KOLLAM: A society for the conservation of Sasthamcotta lake will be constituted with the District Panchayat president as chairman and the District Collector as convener.

Heads of various government departments in the district and activists of environmental organisations will also be included in the society.

The first meeting of the society will be held on August 21 at the Collectorate conference hall in the presence of Water Resources Minister N.K.Premachandran.

The decision in this regard was taken at a meeting held in Thiruvananthapuram which was presided over by Forest Minister Binoy Viswam.

Water Resources Minister N.K.Premachandran, ADM C.R.Jose Prakash, who is holding the charge of the Kollam District Collector, District Panchayat president K.Somaprasad, Kovur Kunjumon MLA, heads of various government departments, presidents of Mynagappally, Sasthamcotta and West Kallada grama

panchayats and representatives of the Kollam Jilla Paristhithi Samrakshana Samithi Odanavattom Vijayaprakash, T.K.Vinodan, Sajid and Babuji also attended the meeting.

Minister Premachandran said that steps would be taken to constitute a statutory authority for the conservation of the Sasthamcotta lake at the next session of the Assembly. However, the Paristhithi Samithi leaders insisted that the authority should be constituted through an ordinance.

The Minister said that since Sasthamcotta lake was included in the list of recognised wetlands by the Central Government, there are some technical impediments for enacting a state legislation.

It has also been decided to plant 20,000 bamboo saplings around the lake. The cleaning of the lake which include removal of weeds, mud and the diversion of two drainages leading to the lake will be done soon.

Reghu

July 16th, 2009, 08:30 PM

The IT park proposed at Kollam will soon be notified as a special economic zone, Kerala IT department officials said here. The project implementation board of Technopark has approved the master plan for development of the Kollam IT park, which is one of the district parks being developed as part of the IT department’s strategy to broad base the IT/ITES sectors in the state in a hub-and-spokes model.

The state government has allotted a 40-acre plot for the park at Kundara, and tendering for infrastructure development works for the project are under way.

State IT secretary Ajay Kumar said the conceptual design for a modern IT building, measuring 5 lakh sq ft of built-up space incorporating the green building concept had already been approved by the project implementation board.

Technopark CEO Mervin Alexander said the first phase of the park building with a built-up space of one lakh sq ft was expected to be ready for occupation by August 2010. Besides this, developed plots of varying sizes will be offered on lease basis to interested co-developers. When completed, the park is expected to provide direct employment to about 8,000 IT professionals.

Reghu

July 16th, 2009, 09:21 PM

40 acres of land to become SEZ at Aashtamudi lake banks at Kundara

Infrastructure development process at the site is progressing fast

Tender process for the 110 KV sub station, road inside park and irrigation project going on

5 Lakh sq.feet area Eco-friendly IT Park building master plan approved

One Lakh sq.feet area building to be completed in first phase by August 2010

The design of the buiding is convenient to enjoy the backwater scenes

8000 IT professionals to get job in the first phase development

PWD has started the Kottiyam - Kundara IT Park road development

The Inland Water Way Authority has started work to facilitate commutation from the city to the IT park by waterway

A beautiful Boat Jetty is planned near the IT park
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Reghu

July 17th, 2009, 06:45 PM

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Reghu

July 17th, 2009, 06:55 PM

Rs. 5 crore sanctioned for new Taluk office building complex

Facelift for 9 bridges, 10 buildings

Rs.2.50 crore for traffic improvement

Road to Kollam Port will be developed soon

KOLLAM: A sum of Rs.5 crore has been sanctioned for replacing old buildings within the Kollam Taluk office complex with a new building. The project is part of a Rs.86.22-crore first phase infrastructure development scheme for Kollam district.

This was announced by the office of Public Works Minister Mons Joseph on Tuesday.

New bridges

The works under the scheme comprise nine bridges, ten buildings, two mini civil stations and 38 roads.

The narrow bridge at Kochupilamoodu across the Kollam canal will be replaced with a new one at a cost of Rs.2.85 crore.

An amount of Rs.1.50 crore has been sanctioned for a bridge to link Shakthikulangara with Fatima island on Ashtamudi Lake.

A sum of Rs.50 lakh has been sanctioned for a bridge across the TS canal at Ayiramthengu.

A new building will be constructed at the Asramam guest house complex for Rs.1 crore.

For the third phase of Asramam Link Road, Rs.2.50 crore has been sanctioned.

A sum of Rs.2.50 crore has been sanctioned for easing the traffic congestion in the city.

Other projects

1. New Excise complex at Kottarakara — Rs. 2.09 crore

2. Building to house a polytechnic at Punalur — Rs.3.63 crore

3. Mini civil stations at Chavara and Chadayamangalam — Rs.1 crore and Rs.2.53 crore respectively.

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Reghu

July 17th, 2009, 07:25 PM

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40 acres of land to become SEZ at Aashtamudi lake banks at Kundara

Infrastructure development process at the site is progressing fast

Tender process for the 110 KV sub station, road inside park and irrigation project going on

5 Lakh sq.feet area Eco-friendly IT Park building master plan approved

One Lakh sq.feet area building to be completed in first phase by August 2010

The design of the buiding is convenient to enjoy the backwater scenes

8000 IT professionals to get job in the first phase development

PWD has started the Kottiyam - Kundara IT Park road development

The Inland Water Way Authority has started work to facilitate commutation from the city to the IT park by waterway

A beautiful Boat Jetty is planned near the IT park

Reghu

July 17th, 2009, 07:43 PM

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Emerging_Quilon

July 18th, 2009, 07:33 AM

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Reghu

July 19th, 2009, 02:20 PM

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The Interceptor Boat and coastal police stations are very much required in most of the Kerala districts due to the long coast line of the state and due to the increased terror threats.

The Interceptor Boat for the Neendakara police station is more relevant in the context of Kollam Cargo Port and Neendakara port.

Reghu

July 20th, 2009, 08:07 PM

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Reghu

July 21st, 2009, 05:02 AM

Frangrant Nature 5 Star resort was inaugrated at Nedungolam, Paravur. The 5 star resort is located in 6 acres of land at the banks of the beautiful Malakayal.

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Emerging_Quilon

July 23rd, 2009, 06:40 AM

Ashramam in Kollam will be the hub of all the centres.

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KOLLAM: Wednesday witnessed large groups of people engaged in sun gazing in Kollam. By 5.30 a.m. people began to gather at open spaces in the city to watch the sun get obscured by the moon. The Asramam Maidan saw the largest gathering for the purpose.

The phenomenon, labelled by astronomers as the longest solar eclipse of the century, evoked awe among all.

Reghu

July 24th, 2009, 05:11 AM

Travancore Medical College at Medicity got central governments approval.

The Travancore Medical College is in the Medicity premises at Thattamala just 10 Kms from the heart of the city. All facilities with International standards including Libraries, Labroataries, modern class rooms, hostels , restaurants, health clubs and sports training acilities are provided.

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Reghu

July 24th, 2009, 05:17 AM

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Reghu

July 24th, 2009, 05:23 AM

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Reghu

July 24th, 2009, 05:30 AM

The Kollam Taluk office is going to become the tallest Taluk office in Kerala with a multi-storyed building with shopping area worth 5 crores to come at the heart of the city next year. It is for the first time an amount to the tune of 5 crores is allotted for a Taluk office in Kerala.

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Emerging_Quilon

July 27th, 2009, 04:00 PM

Emerging_Quilon

July 29th, 2009, 07:12 AM

Rs.110 crore for sports infrastructure in State

Preparations on for 35th National Games

Rs.90 crore to be spent for conduct of National Games

Swimming pool, indoor stadium planned in Kollam

KOLLAM: Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs M. Vijayakumar said here on Sunday that the Planning Commission had sanctioned Rs.110 crore for sports infrastructure development in the State.

He was inaugurating a meeting convened to constitute the organising committee for the events of the 35th National Games, for which Kollam is one of the venues.

While sports comes under the State list, the amount was sanctioned on a request made by the State government to the Planning Commission, the Minister said. A sum of Rs.90 crore will be spent this year for the games. The State will also allot Rs.235 crore for long-term sports infrastructure development.

He said the 2010 National Games were being conducted as a prelude to the Commonwealth Games. While earlier the National Games were conducted in a single place, this time the Games will be held at seven places in the State.

The State government has obtained special permission for the purpose.

Four events will be held in In Kollam, a hockey stadium and indoor stadium of international standards, a swimming pool and synthetic track at the Lal Bahadur Stadium will be built for the Games. The State games will also be organised as a prelude to the National Games, Mr. Vijayakumar said.

A 1,001-member organising committee has been constituted to ensure the smooth conduct of the events in Kollam.

Minister for Water Resources N.K. Premachandran presided over the meeting.:banana:

KOLLAM: Sports Minister M.Vijayakumar has said that the Planning Commission has recommended Rs 110 crore for the development of sports infrastructure in the state.

Inaugurating the meeting to constitute the organising committee for the National Games 2010 here on Sunday, the Minister said that the state had demanded Rs 220 crore for the same. In the current fiscal year Rs 90 crore will be spent for infrastructure development and Rs 235 crore will be spent for long-term projects. The government has planned comprehensive development of sports during the 11th Five Year Plan. Introduction of sports facilities at panchayat level and the introduction of sports as part of curriculum at school level have been planned in this regard, the Minister said.

The Minister said that the National Games in 2010 would be held as a prelude to the Common Wealth Games. Unlike in the past, this time the National Games will be held at 7 venues of the state instead of a single venue. The State Government has got sanction for the same.

By holding the Games at different venues, the government is planning to develop sports infrastructure in all these places, he said.

In Kollam, a hockey stadium of international standards, an indoor stadium and a swimming pool would be constructed and synthetic track would be laid at the Lal Bahadur stadium with the assistance of the Sports Authority of India.

By developing sports infrastructure, the government is aiming to host the Asian Games. As a prelude to the National Games, a Kerala Games will also be held, the Minister said.

Four events in Kollam: Hockey, Handball, Beach Handball and Rugby - 7 for both men and women are the four events to be held in Kollam as part of the National Games.:banana:

Emerging_Quilon

July 30th, 2009, 08:25 AM

New Delhi, Jul 29 (PTI) A new passport office will be opened at Kollam in Kerala to cater to the travel document needs of the people of the area.

Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor has given this information in a letter to Lok Sabha MP N Peethambara Kurup who had emphasised the need for setting up of a passport office in Kollam.

The new office will be opened under the Passport Seva Project of the Ministry of External Affairs.:banana:

Ajaypp

July 30th, 2009, 11:26 AM

Emerging_Quilon

July 31st, 2009, 06:57 AM

Strengthening marine policing

High-speed boat for Neendakara coastal police station

The boat is built by Goa Shipyard Limited

KOLLAM: As part of strengthening marine policing, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on Thursday launched a high-speed interceptor boat of the Neendakara coastal police station.

The day and night surveillance and investigation boat built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) had arrived at the police station on July 17. The boat has been christened ‘KCP-Nethra.’

After the launch, Mr. Balakrishnan accompanied by Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran, Director General of Police Jacob Punnose, Inspector General of Police A. Hemachandran and Kollam District Superintendent of Police K. Sanjay Kumar went for a high-speed trial cruise into the sea in the interceptor boat.

According to Cyril Fernandez, structural engineer of GSL, the boat will not sink even if it is filled with water as it has 10 per cent reserve buoyancy. It can also operate in shallow waters. The boat has propulsion, power generation, ballistic protection, and other engineering and electrical systems to perform the functions for which it is designed.

The boat is fitted with two in-board engines of 500 HP each with water jet propulsion. It is provided with weather proof air-conditioned wheelhouse with bullet proof features for personal safety. The 13-metre-long boat is capable of operating at 35 knots on full load with an endurance of 75 nautical miles.

Reghu

August 2nd, 2009, 09:58 AM

jaleelmalik

August 2nd, 2009, 10:12 AM

It is quite likely that the Games may only happen in 2011. Since the Games Village is located in Trivandrum, it is quite logical to have as many events in Kollam as possible.

Btw, a 1001 member committee sounds like it will ensure nothing happens! :nuts:

Will need a huge stage, as in the case of Congress party's public meetings.

"AAlu koodiyaal aaru paambine kollum"?

jaleelmalik

August 2nd, 2009, 10:13 AM

Reghu

August 2nd, 2009, 10:36 AM

This is really good news and indirectly would improve the efficiency of the one @ Trivandrum.

Absolutely great news. The opening of the new Passport Office at Kollam will not only a relief for the Kollamaites, but also will benefit people from Pathanamthitta as well.

Kudos to Shashi Tharoor and Peethambara Kuruppu.

Reghu

August 2nd, 2009, 10:39 AM

The proposed hockey stadium at Kollam for the National Games 2010 is coming up at this location at the Ashtamudi Lake banks near to Aashramam Tamarind Easy Hotel:

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Pic courtesy - EQ

Reghu

August 2nd, 2009, 05:14 PM

The widening of the Aashramam Link road from 13 metres to 21 metres has started. The road has been blocked for expediting the work.

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Emerging_Quilon

August 3rd, 2009, 07:03 AM

The widening of the Aashramam Link road from 13 metres to 21 metres has started. The road has been blocked for expediting the work.

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If both the Aashramam Link road and the Aashramam - Kappalandimukku 4-laning will be commissioned before the National Games 2010, it will add more color, fervour and fillip to the preparation of the games in Kollam. As, Kollam is the nearest venue to the Games village (In Thiruvananthapuram) just 1.30 hrs away from here, more facilities for athletes tranining and relaxation can be provided here. Moreover, items like the Marathon, Long distance walking..etc can be held at Aashramam once the ongoing 4-laning of the Aashramam - Kappalandimukku avenue is over.:banana:

Emerging_Quilon

August 4th, 2009, 02:55 PM

KOLLAM: More than 300 delegates will participate in the international seminar on Integrated Spatial Planning Programme to be held here on August 27, 28 and 29. This is the first time that an international seminar on integrated spatial development programme is being held in the country. Experts on planning and development from other states and countries which are members of the United Nations will participate in the seminar.

The programme envisages coordinating the developmental activities by considering the geological peculiarities of regions. The programme will be implemented in Kollam district for the first time in the country. The District Planning Committee under the supervision of the State Urban Planning Department has prepared a document based on local development plans prepared by the Paravur Municipal Council and Pooyappalli grama panchayat. The Planning Commission has endorsed it and selected it as a model programme.

The seminar will be conducted in association with the Institute of Social Sciences. Union Minister for Panchayat, the Chief Minister, Ministers, members of the Planning Commission, members of the State Planning Boards and office-bearers of local administration bodies will participate in the seminar. An organising committee with District Panchayat president K. Somaprasad as chairman has been constituted.

Emerging_Quilon

August 5th, 2009, 06:58 AM

KOLLAM: Delay on the part of the Kollam City Corporation to commence the construction of the underpass at Chinnakada has put the public in much trouble.

In a statement here on Tuesday, leader of the Congress in the Corporation Council George D. Kattil said his party would take up the issue by launching an agitation on Wednesday.

A dharna at Chinnakada would be inaugurated by District Congress Committee president Kadavur Sivadasan. District chairman of the United Democratic Front Sooranad Rajasekharan would deliver the keynote address.

It was on November 16, 2008, that the Chinnakada bus stand was demolished to facilitate the construction of an underpass through the Chinnakada overbridge. The project is one under the Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Programme aimed at easing the traffic congestion at Chinnakada.

Demolishing the bus stand meant that bus commuters losing an alighting and boarding point at Chinnakada. It was formally announced that buses which started from Chinnakada bus stand would now start from the Andamukham stand, not very far away from Chinnakada.

However, the importance of the underpass was not underestimated. Mayor N. Padmalochanan had then given the assurance that work on the underpass would start during the first week of December. But in December, the Mayor said that construction of the underpass would commence during the summer vacation and the overbridge would remain closed for 45 days for the purpose.

But the construction has not yet commenced. This has invited widespread protests.

Mr. Kattil said most of the so-called development projects launched by the Corporation had turned out to be harassment for the public. The underpass project was a clear instance of such harassment, he said.

He alleged it was a cruel measure on the part of the civic body to demolish the stand which was used by hundreds of people. Mr. Kattil questioned the haste shown by the Mayor to demolish the bus stand and tender the work.

Mr. Kattil said the demolished bus stand had now become the venue for doing some of the steel work required for the construction of the flyover at the SP Office junction railway level-crossing. Apart from bus commuters, business in shops owned by the Corporation at the bus stand complex had also been adversely affected.

When asked about it, the Mayor said the steel work going on at the demolished bus stand premises was not for the flyover, but for the preliminary work required for the underpass. He said the delay in the work was because the Railways had not handed over the land required for laying the approach road to the northern side of the underpass.

The Mayor hit back at the Congress by alleging that instead of helping the Corporation in making the Railways hand over the land, that party was trying to make political capital out of the whole situation. Being in power at the Centre, the Congress leaders should take the initiative to make the Railways hand over the land. The underpass was, in fact, a scheme of the UDF, he said.

The Mayor said that in spite of the UDF’s negative attitude, he was in constant touch with the Union Minister of State for Railways E. Ahamed and Defence Minister A.K. Antony in this connection. He said the bus stand had been permanently shifted to Andamukham and there was no question of reviving the demolished bus stand.

jaleelmalik

August 6th, 2009, 01:48 PM

Reghu

August 6th, 2009, 06:50 PM

I wonder how EQ & Reghu missed this news !!!!!!!!!!

According to "Gulf Madhyamam" dated 5th August 2009, it is learnt that very soon, 35 Grama Panchayats of the State shall be upgraded as Municipalities.

Among these, Kottarakkara is also there, under active consideration to be upgraded, as is understood.

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That is a great news as far the district and Kottarakkara is concerned. Along with Kottarakkara, Karunagappali should also be elevated as municipality status. Also, Chavara, Kottiyam and Kundara should be included in the Kollam corporation.:banana:

Reghu

August 6th, 2009, 07:11 PM

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Reghu

August 8th, 2009, 06:09 AM

jaleelmalik

August 8th, 2009, 10:28 AM

That is a great news as far the district and Kottarakkara is concerned. Along with Kottarakkara, Karunagappali should also be elevated as municipality status. Also, Chavara, Kottiyam and Kundara should be included in the Kollam corporation.:banana:

What about Anchal-Ayoor Municipality?
Can be done by merging Ayoor and Anchal towns, which are scattered on Elamad, Edamulakkal & Anchal grama panchayats.

This shall be a major hub between Kottarakkara & Kilimanoor on the MC road and ofcourse Punalur too shall be closer.

Reghu

August 8th, 2009, 05:55 PM

What about Anchal-Ayoor Municipality?
Can be done by merging Ayoor and Anchal towns, which are scattered on Elamad, Edamulakkal & Anchal grama panchayats.

This shall be a major hub between Kottarakkara & Kilimanoor on the MC road and ofcourse Punalur too shall be closer.

You are absoultely correct Jameelbhai. Anchal-Ayur can be elevated as municipality as the place is a major town in Kollam dsitrict especially at the south eastern side. It is major trade centre especially of rubber, spices and gateway of oil palms. The cow-bull trade at Anchal is famous and people from outside the state also participate in this.

Moreover, Anchal is great resource from where famous film personalies has evolved including the world famous Oscar laurette Rasool Pookutty and Rajeev Anchal. Moreover, film and music personalities like late Ravindran Master and ofcourse grammy avard winner Anushka Ravishankar also has a root in Anchal as pandit Ravishankar's wife is from Anchal. Bollywood film producer John Mathew Mathan is also from this place.

Paravoor in Kollam district was made a municipality when it was pure rural village with some shops in the junction. The population of the Paravur town was even lesser than Chathanoor town then. Kottarakkara, Karunagappaly, Paripally or Chathanoor had more population and urban nature then.

So, it is hight time to make Karunagappally, Kottarakkara and Anchal municipalities by 2010 Panchayath elections. Paripally and Chathanoor can be considered for this before the 2015 Panchayat elections.

Binoj_viswam

August 8th, 2009, 06:41 PM

jaleelmalik

August 9th, 2009, 06:40 AM

E. Ahamed, Union Minister of State for Railways, will inspect railway stations in the State from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram for an on-the-spot study of the condition of the stations. He will be conducting the exercise from August 10 to 13 on a special train.

During the inspection tour he will be accompanied by the respective Member of Parliament and top officers of the Railways.

Inspection schedule

According to Railway sources, the tour will begin from Kasaragod station coming under the Palakkad Division on August 10. After inspecting the stations between Kasaragod and Kozhikode on that day, the Minister will camp in Kozhikode.

The next day, he will inspect the stations from Kozhikode to Ernakulam.

On August 12, the tour will begin from Ernakulam at 9.50 a.m.

The special train will proceed through the Alappuzha line. From Kayamkulam the Minister will proceed to reach Kottayam at 5 p.m. and halt there.

The inspection tour on August 13 will commence from Kottayam at 6.15 a.m., and the Minister will pass through Kollam to reach Thiruvananthapuram the same day.

Reception planned at Kollam Junction

Meanwhile, various associations of railway passengers and railway trade unions will give receptions to the Minister at some stations including Kollam Junction.:banana:

This is more of a publicity stunt, I believe.
News in this regards had been flooding in our media for the past one month or more.

Once our Neelan had made such a trip from Trivandrum to Kasaragod, while he was the Transport Minister. He failed to understand the grave situation as the officials manipulated everything to mask the real facts.

Same thing will happen here, for sure.

The officials of the Indian Railways would give the Minister a great holiday at the expense of the public. Had the Minister been sincere in his venture, he might had made a surprise visit to all the railway stations and also travelled from Trivandrum to Kasaragod as an ordinary citizen.

I appreciate the efforts of R Balakrishna Pillai (as Transport & Power Minister) and his son KBG Kumar (as Transport Minister) in having conducted surprise inspections, so that there were some positive impact.

E Ahmed kurae aanayeyum ambariyeyum kaanum ennallandu, vere 'no grass will walk here'.

Emerging_Quilon

August 10th, 2009, 03:53 PM

5 flyovers planned for NH expansion between chethala and kazhakkottam. Out of 5, four are within kollam district(karunagappally, kottiiyam, chathanoor and paripally) and remaining one is in district boarder (kallambalam)

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That is a great news. Flyovers are required at these places as these towns are thickly populated by buidings on each side of the roads. Widening will be difficult to the extend of 30 metres.

jaleelmalik

August 10th, 2009, 04:29 PM

That is a great news. Flyovers are required at these places as these towns are thickly populated by buidings on each side of the roads. Widening will be difficult to the extend of 30 metres.

Yes, really great news.

Riva_Philip

August 12th, 2009, 06:18 AM

You are absoultely correct Jameelbhai. Anchal-Ayur can be elevated as municipality as the place is a major town in Kollam dsitrict especially at the south eastern side. It is major trade centre especially of rubber, spices and gateway of oil palms. The cow-bull trade at Anchal is famous and people from outside the state also participate in this.

Moreover, Anchal is great resource from where famous film personalies has evolved including the world famous Oscar laurette Rasool Pookutty and Rajeev Anchal. Moreover, film and music personalities like late Ravindran Master and ofcourse grammy avard winner Anushka Ravishankar also has a root in Anchal as pandit Ravishankar's wife is from Anchal. Bollywood film producer John Mathew Mathan is also from this place.

Paravoor in Kollam district was made a municipality when it was pure rural village with some shops in the junction. The population of the Paravur town was even lesser than Chathanoor town then. Kottarakkara, Karunagappaly, Paripally or Chathanoor had more population and urban nature then.

So, it is hight time to make Karunagappally, Kottarakkara and Anchal municipalities by 2010 Panchayath elections. Paripally and Chathanoor can be considered for this before the 2015 Panchayat elections.

Kottarakkara, Karunagapally, Chavara, Kundara, and Chathannur can be elevated as municipalities.

Emerging_Quilon

August 12th, 2009, 09:02 AM

Kottarakkara, Karunagapally, Chavara, Kundara, and Chathannur can be elevated as municipalities.

I think it is better to integrate Chavara, Kundara and Kottiyam with the Kollam corporation than making separate municipalities as all these places are just around 10 KMs away from the city centre.

Chathanoor could be combine with Paravur (Already a municipality) to make it a bigger municipality. Infact the distance between Chathanoor and Paravoor is just 8 to 10 Kms. This will pave the development of both the places due to the combined tax generated as income.

Kottarakkara and Karunagapalli are clear favourites to become municipalites because of their urban nature, importance and density of population.

BabuCS

August 12th, 2009, 11:24 AM

jaleelmalik

August 13th, 2009, 09:04 AM

Looks like Capt. Riva has reached Kollam as well. Merge Panchayats to form Muncipalities, Muncipalities to Corporations and Coroporations to a Central travancore State with Capt. Riva_Phillip as the commander in chief...BTW,FYI, Lahore is the capital of the Central Travancore State.

Ivan parayi petta panthirukulathile puthiya kanniyanu !!

Pattanathil Pranthan !!! or
Nagaraanathu Braanthan !!!

Panchayathu kale aadhyam Municipality kal aaky uyarthuka, pinne Municipality kale Corporationukal aakkuka. Corporations pinne Metro City aakky upgrade cheyyuka. Ellam koody smooth aayi poykondirikkumpol, Lahore il ninnu gundakale irakkumathy cheythu ellam thachudaykkuka.

Ellilla Naakilappan !!!

jaleelmalik

August 13th, 2009, 09:04 AM

Reghu

August 13th, 2009, 11:17 AM

KOLLAM: A long list of demands awaits Union Minister of State for Railways E. Ahamed as he enters Kollam district on Thursday as part of his inspection tour to study the condition of railway stations in the State.

After passing through Ochira, Karunagapally, Sasthamcotta, Munroethuruthu and Perinad stations, the Minister is a scheduled to arrive in Kollam by 12.45 p.m.

Commuters and those living in the eastern parts of the district look forward with much expectation on some announcement with regard to the early completion of the gauge conversion work on the Kollam-Punalur sector. Only five per cent of the work on this sector needs to be completed.

The issue of starting the gauge conversion work on the Punalur-Schencotta sector will also come up during the visit. A major demand in this connection is that train services on the sector should not be stopped till the gauge conversion work commences.

With regard to facilities at the Kollam railway station, the need for a second entry point from the National Highway 208 side, near the Upasana Hospital, will be placed before the Minister. There is also a demand for better vehicle parking facilities at the station.

Another major compliant is that all the booking counters at the station are not functioning and this results in long queues before the working counters. Many a time passengers are unable to catch the train because of the situation.

Other demands include better toilet facilities, roofing and proper lighting on platform numbers seven and eight, better rest room facility and a foot overbridge from the Puthiyakavu temple side to the station.

Improvement of basic facilities at the Oachira station, halt for Netravati Express at Karunagapally, another ticket counter at Karunagapally during peak hours and increasing the length of platform number one there will be placed before the Minister.

Opening a new reservation counter at Sasthamcotta, halt for Kannur and Parasuram express trains at the station, upgrading the Munroethuruthu station to a signal station and halt for Malabar Express there will also be placed before the Minister. A demand for the computerisation of the Paravur railway station will also be submitted to the Minister.

Reghu

August 13th, 2009, 12:03 PM

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Emerging_Quilon

August 14th, 2009, 07:18 AM

Kollam station to get a new entry Terminal on the Northern side near Upasana Hospital by the side of NH-208

Present entry to the station is on the southern side from the National Highway 47

Second entry is expected to ease the congestion in front of the station with better parking facilities

3 more platforms to come at Kollam Junction to make it one of the stations to have the most number of platforms in Kerala

Land required for the underpass would be handed over to the Kollam Corporation in lieu of land to the railways by the State government or the Corporation

Braud Gauge conversion of the Punalur-Kollam section would be completed by March 31, 2010

First phase of the gauge conversion work of the Punalur-Schencotta section would be completed by March 31 next year

Work on the entire sector of the Punalur-Schencotta section would be completed within the term of the United Progressive Alliance government

Money no hindrance to development projects, says Ahamed

KOLLAM: The Kollam railway station will soon get a second entry on the northern side from the National Highway 208, Union Minister of State for Railways E. Ahamed has said.

The Minister was in Kollam on Thursday afternoon as part of a mass contact programme from Manjeshwaram to Thiruvananthapuram.

The present entry to the station is on the southern side from the National Highway 47.

The second entry is expected to ease the congestion in front of the station.

Three more platforms at Kollam Junction

The Minister also said three more platforms would be sanctioned for the station.

Mr. Ahamed, who arrived at 1.15 p.m. by a special train, was accompanied by Deputy General Manager of the Southern Railway V. Carmelus and Thiruvananthapuram Divisional Railway Manager R.D. Sharma.

Mr. Ahamed was given a rousing reception at the station. Members of Parliament N. Peethambara Kurup, Kodikunnil Suresh, A. Sampath; Minister for Labour P.K. Gurudasan; DCC president Kadavoor Sivadasan; district president of the Indian Union Muslim League A Younus Kunju; and president of the Railway Passengers Association (RPA) Ulhas Kumar were present.

Land for underpass

Mr. Ahamed said the Railways would not be a hurdle to any development project when Mr. Gurudasan pointed out that the handing over of railway land to the Kollam Corporation for an underpass at Chinnakada was pending.

He said the land required for the underpass would be handed over to the Corporation but land in lieu of it should be given to the railways by the State government or the Corporation.

Talking to the media, Mr. Ahamed said that gauge conversion of the Punalur-Kollam section would be completed by March 31, 2010.

He said the first phase of the gauge conversion work of the Punalur-Schencotta section would be completed by March 31 next year and the work on the entire sector would be completed within the term of the United Progressive Alliance government.

“Being a ghat section, there are many technical hurdles on the Punalur-Schencotta section to be overcome for carrying forward the gauge conversion work. These include widening several tunnels along the route,” he said.

The Minister said money was no hindrance to railway development projects in the State.

In reply to a petition submitted by the RPA, he said that allocation would be made for constructing a building for the Munro Thuruthu station and for improving the platform there.:banana:

Emerging_Quilon

August 14th, 2009, 07:22 AM

KOLLAM: Minister for Labour P.K. Gurudasan submitted a memorandum to Union Minister of State for Railways E. Ahamed seeking rail connectivity to the newly commissioned Kollam cargo port.

The memorandum was submitted when Mr.Ahamed arrived here on Thursday as part of his mass contact programme.

Mr. Gurudasan, who is also the Kollam MLA, said that the real objectivity of the port could be realised only through rail connectivity.

He also highlighted the need to complete the work for stabling facilities in Kollam to start Mainline Electrical Multiple Unit services between Neyyatinkara- Kollam- Alappuzha and Kottayam-Ernakulam- Thrissur- Palakkad.:banana:

Aji Kollam

August 14th, 2009, 12:16 PM

Emerging_Quilon

August 14th, 2009, 12:58 PM

E Ahmed's visit at Kollam Station was a damp affair...

A new entrance from the Upasana side was already in the pipe line....

What else is there to boost of ???????????????

But Kollamites , dont worry, none of his words during this yathra is going to be fulfilled..

if at all something is happening , that will be the second entrance for Kollam station..

Yaar, the second terminal was only a proposal from differnt quarters before but there was no money allocated or no master plan prepared. This is the first that the minister himself has ordered the second terminal will be constructed and opened soon. Moreover, he mentioned about a better parking facility at the new entry terminal. There is enough space at the Upasana hospital side for this. The location is key place to have the 2nd terminal as it is on the side of the NH-208 just 400 metres from Chinnakkada and 200 metres from Shankar's Hospital Junction. Morover the location is a trench area and if properly planned, there can be underground parking as well.

It is true that Kollam - Punalur BG conversion, Underpass construction, MEMU Base Terminal are in the pipe line, but his orders will defintely expedite the process.

Also, the proposal to have 3 more platforms will increase the number of platforms in Kollam junction to 9 which as of now no railway station in Kerala has.

Emerging_Quilon

August 14th, 2009, 01:53 PM

I think it is better to integrate Chavara, Kundara and Kottiyam with the Kollam corporation than making separate municipalities as all these places are just around 10 KMs away from the city centre.

Chathanoor could be combine with Paravur (Already a municipality) to make it a bigger municipality. Infact the distance between Chathanoor and Paravoor is just 8 to 10 Kms. This will pave the development of both the places due to the combined tax generated as income.

Kottarakkara and Karunagapalli are clear favourites to become municipalites because of their urban nature, importance and density of population.

According to a latest scoop by Deepika daily, Karunagapalli is listed among the towns to be upgraded as municipalies befre the next local body elections.

This is a great news for the district as Kottarakkara is already in the list of the towns to be upgraded as municipality according to Gulf Madhyamam.:banana:

jaleelmalik

August 14th, 2009, 08:14 PM

Emerging_Quilon

August 17th, 2009, 07:48 AM

New Delhi, Aug 16 Kerala will set up about 100 IT zones, Techno-Lodges, over the next five years to attract more IT companies to the state and would invest about Rs 20-25 crore in the project.

The techno-lodges, to be set up on the lines of IT parks, will be small in size and cater to small IT firms.

"We plan to have 100&aposTechno-Lodges&aposover the next five years, offering 30-60 per cent cheaper rentals. These zones would be apt for companies looking at 50-500 seater centres," Kerala IT Secretary Ajay Sharma told PTI.

The funding of the project would depend on the location of the project, which would be set up in small cities of the state, he added.

" Though we are looking at the public-private partnership model for investing in the project, the government could invest about Rs 20-25 crore,"he added.

The government is targetting BPO firms, entrepreneurs and training institutions for setting up base in these lodges.

Kerala State IT Infrastructure Ltd (KSITIL) will be the main governing body for the scheme.

Though the companies setting up base in these zones would not get tax holidays of any sort, they would, however, be given power at lower tariffs.

The government has set up two such zones in Kollam District, which would be inaugurated in November, while two more centres are expected to come up by the middle of 2010, he added. PTI SR ANA

Emerging_Quilon

August 17th, 2009, 08:17 AM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Railways will commission 33 more Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) in the Thiruvananthapuram Railway Division as part of efforts to improve the issuing of unreserved tickets to commuters.

This was announced by Rajiv Dutt Sharma, Divisional Railway Manager, in his address after unfurling the tricolour at the divisional railway headquarters at Thycaud here on Saturday.

The low/medium-level platforms in stations in the division will be converted to high-level platforms for the benefit of the passengers, especially senior citizens. “This will be done depending on the traffic handled at the railway station,” Mr. Sharma said.

A new route relay interlocking cabin and two additional platforms have been commissioned in Kollam. He said another platform will be commissioned in the current financial year.

Emerging_Quilon

August 17th, 2009, 08:24 AM

Projects worth Rs.123.55 crore sanctioned

Rs.50 crore for Taluk office junction-Boat jetty road developement

Rs. 1 crore for Cotton Mill-Convent-Vadayattukotta road development in the city

Rs.2 crore for constructing a drain and culvert on the Asramam link road

Rs. 20 crore for bridge at Perumon

Rs.2 crore for constructing a working women’s hostel at Asramam

Focus on infrastructure development

KOLLAM: The Public Works Department has given administrative sanction for 59 infrastructure development projects in Kollam district.

The total cost of these projects works out to Rs.123.55 crore, according to a release from the department.

The projects include construction of mini-civil station buildings at Pathanapuram and Anchal at Rs.1.50 crore each and at Chathannur at Rs.1 crore.

Road development

A sum of Rs.1 crore has been allocated for developing the Cotton Mill-Convent-Vadayattukotta road in the city. For widening the taluk office junction-boat jetty road, Rs.50 crore has been allocated.

A sum of Rs.2 crore has been allocated for constructing a drain and culvert on the Asramam link road; Rs.2 crore for the Anchal bypass; and Rs.3 crore for the construction of a court complex at Punalur.

An amount of Rs.2 crore has been allocated for constructing a working women’s hostel at Asramam and Rs.1.65 crore for a building at the chest disease hospital at Karunagapally.

For a building to accommodate the trauma care centre and medical lab attached to the Kottarakara Taluk Hospital, Rs.2.20 crore has been allocated.

For developing the Chathannur-Velinellur road Rs.1.48 crore; Ezhukone-Kallada road Rs.1 crore; and the Kunnikode-Kottarakara road Rs.1.15 crore has been allocated.

A sum of Rs.1.17 crore has been allocated for constructing a pre-matric hostel at Chathannur; Rs.1.40 crore for reconstructing the Avaneeshwaram bridge; and Rs. 20 crore for the Perumon road bridge.:banana:

Emerging_Quilon

August 17th, 2009, 09:13 AM

Emerging_Quilon

August 17th, 2009, 02:42 PM

According to the Kerala Government, the IT Park proposed at Kollam will soon be notified as a special economic zone. The master plan for development of the Kollam IT park has been approved by the project implementation board of Technopark.

It is one of the parks being developed as part of the IT department’s strategy to broad base for the IT/ITES sectors in the state on a hub-and-spokes model.

For the park at Kundara, the state government has allotted a 40-acre and tendering for infrastructure development works for the project are under way.

The project implementation board of Technopark has approved the master plan for the development of an IT Park at Kollam in Kerala. Following the hub-and-spoke model of the development strategy of the IT department and the Kerala government for the promotion of the IT and ITeS industry, Technopark will develop three hubs, with Kollam being the first of its kind.

V S Achuthanandan, chief minister of Kerala, has launched the project in February 2009. The state government has already allotted 40 acre at Kundara near Kollam, along the banks of Ashtamudi lake.

The park will soon be notified as a special economic zone (SEZ). Tendering for the infrastructure development works like 110 KV substation, internal roads and water supply scheme are in progress. A modern sewage treatment plant is also part of the master plan.

Mervin Alexander, chief executive of Technopark, said Phase-I of the park, with a built-up area of 100,000 sft, was expected to be ready by August 2010.

According to the state IT secretary, the conceptual design for a modern IT building, measuring 5 lakh sq ft of built-up space incorporating the green building concept had already been approved by the project implementation board.

Apart from this, developed plots of varying extents will be offered on a lease basis to interested co-developers. When completed, the IT park will have a direct employment potential of about 8,000 IT professionals.

The state Public Works Department has already initiated action to widen and develop the existing road leading to the IT Park from NH 47 at Kottiyam. The Inland Water Navigation Department has also drawn up a plan to provide facilities to promote water transport to the Park, which is expected to ease the traffic pressure on the highway. Technopark authorities have already approved the proposal for a boat jetty designed in line with the traditional Kerala architecture.

Emerging_Quilon

August 18th, 2009, 08:10 AM

KOLLAM: The Hindu opened a branch office in Kollam city on Monday, the Malayalam New Year’s day.

The function was marked by a solemn religious ceremony performed by Brahmasri Narayana Sasthrikal.

The news bureau and the advertisement section will function from the office, on the first floor of Rajan Complex at Kadappakada. The telephone number is 0474-2740001 with fax facility.

The event was attended by Thiruvananthapuram Regional General Manager T.S. Lakshminarasimhan and Regional Manager (Advertising) K.K. Joshi.

Address:
First floor,
Rajan Complex,
Kadappakada

Tel No: 0474-2740001 with fax facility.

Emerging_Quilon

August 18th, 2009, 12:53 PM

Plan to upgrade 5 grama panchayats

Proposal to be given to delimitation panel

Bifurcation of 14 others mooted

The number of municipalities to go up to 58

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A proposal to upgrade five grama panchayats as municipalities and bifurcate 14 others is understood to have been drawn up for the consideration of the Delimitation Commission.

Official sources told The Hindu here that it has been proposed to upgrade Karunagapally, Thrikkakara, Kottakkal, Nilambur and Neeleswaram as municipalities and merge certain panchayats with the adjoining municipalities. The number of municipalities will go up to 58.

As per the proposal drawn up by the Local Self-Government Department, Nattakom and Kumarakom panchayats have been recommended to be merged with Kottayam municipality, Thycaud and Pookode with Guruvayur, Purathussery with Irinjalakuda, Eloor with Kalamassery and Thiruvankulam with Thrippunithura. Maradu panchayat has been proposed to be integrated with Kochi Corporation. There is no proposal to upgrade any municipality as corporation. It has also been proposed to merge five panchayats in the capital with Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.

In the wake of the merger and upgradation, the number of panchayats is likely to decrease from the current 999.

Standing committees

It has almost been decided in principle to have four standing committees in all panchayats. In order to facilitate the formation of the committees, the minimum number of members in each panchayat has been fixed at 13. Each committee will have three members and the president will be an invitee to all the committees without voting powers. This proposal has been mooted to increase the efficiency of the standing committees. There were complaints that the committees were over-loaded and could not function effectively. The proposal is seen as a solution to such complaints, sources said.

The delimitation proposals have been framed on the basis of the density of population, area and funds. It has been recommended to upgrade civic bodies having more than a population of 50,000, own income of Rs.20 lakh and 20 sq km area.

Density of population and the ratio of non-agriculture male labourers were considered for upgrading panchayats as municipalities. Proposals for amending the Panchayati Raj Act and Municipalities Act too have been drawn up.

The proposals will be given to the Delimitation Commission after the approval of the Cabinet. The proposals are likely to figure at the next Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, the sources said.

Riva_Philip

August 18th, 2009, 02:58 PM

Emerging_Quilon

August 18th, 2009, 03:25 PM

Upgrading Karunagapally as a municipality is a good move. However what about Kundara, Chavara, Kottarakkara, Chathannur etc. These towns also deserve municipality status.

It is better to merge the Kundara, Chavara and Kottiyam town panchayaths to the Kollam municipal corporation as all these towns are just 10 Kms away from Kollam City centre - Chinnakkada. Moreover, merging these 3 town panchayaths along with the some parts of Thrikkadavoor panchayath, one of the most preferred residential areas in Kollam now, will give Kollam corporation enough space to expand and the population will cross the 6 lakh figure mark which is required for Kollam to be included under the JNNURM scheme of India Government for city development. Kundara is going to be hub of industies with the Kollam Techno Park the king pin. Chavara will hold the key with the mineral industires and Kottiyam will be a major commercial centre with a lot of educational and Hospitality facilties in and around in future. Thrikkadavoor panchayath will be a prime residential area apart from being one of the potential tourist destination as the place is surrounded by Ashtamudi lake on all three sides. The Kollam Bypass which cuts through this panchayath will boost the development progress apart from the proposed NH 220 which is passing through the Panchayath.

It is quite interesting that Kottarakkara is not included in the municipality list though it figured in some of the reports earlier. Kottarakkara is equally on par with Karunagappally though Karunagapally may have the population advantage.

Riva_Philip

August 18th, 2009, 03:43 PM

It is better to merge the Kundara, Chavara and Kottiyam town panchayaths to the Kollam municipal corporation as all these towns are just 10 Kms away from Kollam City centre - Chinnakkada. Moreover, merging these 3 town panchayaths along with the some parts of Thrikkadavoor panchayath, one of the most preferred residential areas in Kollam now, will give Kollam corporation enough space to expand and the population will cross the 6 lakh figure mark which is required for Kollam to be included under the JNNURM scheme of India Government for city development. Kundara is going to be hub of industies with the Kollam Techno Park the king pin. Chavara will hold the key with the mineral industires and Kottiyam will be a major commercial centre with a lot of educational and Hospitality facilties in and around in future. Thrikkadavoor panchayath will be a prime residential area apart from being one of the potential tourist destination as the place is surrounded by Ashtamudi lake on all three sides. The Kollam Bypass which cuts through this panchayath will boost the development progress apart from the proposed NH 220 which is passing through the Panchayath.

It is quite interesting that Kottarakkara is not included in the municipality list though it figured in some of the reports earlier. Kottarakkara is equally on par with Karunagappally though Karunagapally may have the population advantage.

I think Chavara and Kundara are nearer to Kollam, but not contigious. But in future, these towns can be part of Kollam corporation.

I don't know much about Kottiyam. I think there is no panchayat/village known as Kottayam. May be it is part of Kottamkara.

I feel, the following places should be include in Kollam corporation as of now: Anjaallumoodu, Thrikkadavur, Thrikkaruva, Mukhathala, Thrikkovilvattom, Tazhuthala, Mayyanad. These places are very near to corporation.

Emerging_Quilon

August 18th, 2009, 04:35 PM

I think Chavara and Kundara are nearer to Kollam, but not contigious. But in future, these towns can be part of Kollam corporation.

I don't know much about Kottiyam. I think there is no panchayat/village known as Kottayam. May be it is part of Kottamkara.

I feel, the following places should be include in Kollam corporation as of now: Anjaallumoodu, Thrikkadavur, Thrikkaruva, Mukhathala, Thrikkovilvattom, Tazhuthala, Mayyanad. These places are very near to corporation.

You are correct that there is no panchayath called Kottiyam but Kottiyam is a palce rather a junction where three panchayaths meet. Kottiyam is hardly 9 Kms away from Kollam City centre. Kundara Junction is 13 Kms away to be precise and Chavara 13 Kms. So Kottiyam is more close to the Kollam city centre - Chinnakkada. Moreover, the city buses from Kollam city ply to Kottiyam, Chavara and Kundara.

You are correct regarding Anchalumoodu, Kadavoor, Mukhathala, Mayyanadu and some parts of Thrikkovilvattom as these are major residentail areas in the suburbs of the city. These areas are going to be the prime residential areas of Kollam city in the coming years. Anchalumoodu and Kadavoor are congested towns with narrow roads and lack of planning. These junctions are the major bottlenecks especially on the easternside of the city suburbs.

If these places are included in the city corporation the road widening works will get an impetus with proposed NH-220 passing through both Anchalumoodu and Kadavoor junctions. Moroveover, the Kollam Bypass third phase will pass through Kadavoor just half a kilometre east from the junction and 3 Kms west of Anchalumoodu junction.

Reghu

August 18th, 2009, 07:55 PM

RCI Grows Club Mahindra Portfolio To 15

Parsippany, NJ - (August 18, 2009) – RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange and one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies (NYSE: WYN), today announced four new affiliations with resorts belonging to leisure hospitality major Club Mahindra.

The new resorts include Club Mahindra Lake Forest in Yercaud, Club Mahindra Tusker Trails in Thekkady, Club Mahindra Backwater Retreat in Ashtamudi Lake, Kollamand Club Mahindra Dancing Waters in Naukuchiatal.

“RCI is very proud to continue to grow our long-standing relationship and partnership with Club Mahindra as we welcome these extraordinary new resorts into our global exchange program,” said Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO, Group RCI. “Each of these resorts exemplifies the wide range of vacation experiences our more than 3.8 million subscribing members can enjoy in over 4,000 locations across the globe.”

“We are thrilled to announce these four new affiliations into the RCI network and are glad that our members will enjoy the RCI advantage that allows for greater vacation flexibility and an opportunity to explore new destinations with every holiday,” said Ramesh Ramanathan, managing director, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Ltd.

Club Mahindra Backwater Retreat is located on the quiet and peaceful banks of Ashtamudi Lake in Kerala. Historic Kollam is the gateway to Ashtamudi, and is just 15 kilometers from the resort by road or 10 minutes by speedboat. The resort has 25 rooms spread across five chalets, with each room overlooking a view of the garden and lake. Guests can opt for a massage at Svaastha spa, a boat trip, bird watching, kayaking or fishing. Located less than two hours by road to Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam and Alappuzha, guests looking for adventure can travel to Alappuzha on the backwaters by boat.

Club Mahindra Lake Forest is located in Yercaud in the hills above Salem at an altitude of 1,600 meters. The resort, which is a short walk from Lake Forest at the town’s center, was originally a British bungalow dating back to the 1800s. The architectural style of the resort integrates a classic vintage ambience with modern luxuries. Situated in the midst of a coffee estate, Yercaud is just 200 kilometers from Bangalore and 340 kilometers from Chennai, with a network of highways connecting these cities to Salem.

Club Mahindra Tusker Trails is located in Thekkady, in Kerala, and offers the ultimate getaway for travelers looking for a tranquil holiday. Situated amidst spice plantations and lush woods, the resort offers guests opportunities for scenic hikes and mountain walks. Built in traditional Indian ‘machan’ style, the resort boasts 32 rooms that exude a warm and rustic charm. All rooms have private balconies overlooking hills, foliage or landscaped gardens. The resort’s many offerings include, a multi-cuisine restaurant that serves local delicacies, an ayurveda center, and an array of indoor and outdoor activities such as bamboo rafting, plantation tours, jungle treks and elephant rides.

Club Mahindra Dancing Waters is located in Naukuchiatal, just 25 kilometers from the town of Nainital, in the Himalayan mountains. Naukuchiatal, known as the “lake of nine corners,” is situated in a valley surrounded by tranquil orchards and dense jungles. Club Mahindra Dancing Waters offers 31 rooms that blend into the surroundings, each offering scenic views of either the lake or the hills.

For additional information on the value-added services offered to leisure real estate developers by Group RCI visit www.grouprci.com.

Ajaypp

August 18th, 2009, 09:06 PM

Cross-posting from the Trivandrum thread.

NHAI has fixed the financial bid submission date for the 4-laning of the Trivandrum - Oachira and Oachira - Cherthalai stretches of the NH-47 for August 24th.

The shortlisted bidders are:

1. Reliance Infrastructure
2. HCC - John Laing
3. ISOLUX - Soma
4. L&T
5. Navinya - Atlantis S.P.A
6. Cintra - SPCL
7. Maytas - CR18G
8. Nagarjuna Construction
9. KMC - IVRCL
10. DLF - Gayatri
11. Gammon - Macquarie
12. IDEB - SUCG

Fingers crossed, gentlemen!

Riva_Philip

August 19th, 2009, 07:41 AM

You are correct that there is no panchayath called Kottiyam but Kottiyam is a palce rather a junction where three panchayaths meet. Kottiyam is hardly 9 Kms away from Kollam City centre. Kundara Junction is 13 Kms away to be precise and Chavara 13 Kms. So Kottiyam is more close to the Kollam city centre - Chinnakkada. Moreover, the city buses from Kollam city ply to Kottiyam, Chavara and Kundara.

You are correct regarding Anchalumoodu, Kadavoor, Mukhathala, Mayyanadu and some parts of Thrikkovilvattom as these are major residentail areas in the suburbs of the city. These areas are going to be the prime residential areas of Kollam city in the coming years. Anchalumoodu and Kadavoor are congested towns with narrow roads and lack of planning. These junctions are the major bottlenecks especially on the easternside of the city suburbs.

If these places are included in the city corporation the road widening works will get an impetus with proposed NH-220 passing through both Anchalumoodu and Kadavoor junctions. Moroveover, the Kollam Bypass third phase will pass through Kadavoor just half a kilometre east from the junction and 3 Kms west of Anchalumoodu junction.

Friend,

I want to know one thing. Which are the panchayats borders in Kottiyam junction?

Emerging_Quilon

August 19th, 2009, 11:57 AM

Friend,

I want to know one thing. Which are the panchayats borders in Kottiyam junction?

The panchayaths which encircles the Kottiyam town are:

1. Thrikkovilvattom on the North - Eastern side
2. Mayyanad on the the South - Western side
3. Adichanalloor on the South - Eastern side

None of these panchayaths are taking care of this very important town which is the Gateway to Kollam coporation entrance (Kollam Bypass also starts from there) which is 2 to 3 Km away from Kottiyam junction. The town has developed tremendously despite the neglect from the authority just because of the NRI investment and settlement. It is very important to include this most important town at the the southern side of Kollam city with Kollam corporation for the overall development of the city as well as Kottiyam town.

Riva_Philip

August 19th, 2009, 12:22 PM

The panchayaths which encircles the Kottiyam town are:

1. Thrikkovilvattom on the North - Eastern side
2. Mayyanad on the the South - Western side
3. Adichanalloor on the South - Eastern side

None of these panchayaths are taking care of this very important town which is the Gateway to Kollam coporation entrance (Kollam Bypass also starts from there) which is 2 to 3 Km away from Kottiyam junction. The town has developed tremendously despite the neglect from the authority just because of the NRI investment and settlement. It is very important to include this most important town at the the southern side of Kollam city with Kollam corporation for the overall development of the city as well as Kottiyam town.

I think, entire Thrikkovilvattam and Mayyanad need to be merge with Kollam corporation. The area under Adichanallur panchayat which is part of Kottiyam can also included. Anyway, I support expansion of Kollam by including all adjacent panchayats.

Emerging_Quilon

August 19th, 2009, 01:13 PM

Cross-posting from the Trivandrum thread.
Great news dude! Will the road have the proposed 45 metres width? I have heard that there are flyovers coming up at Karunagapally, Oachira, Kottiyam, Paripally and Kallambalam as part of the NH-47 4-laning. How wide would be the new flyovers along this path. I have not seen a 45 metre wide flyover even in Bangalore.

Also, what about the Kollam Bypass? Will it be completed as part of this project. Actually land has already acquired on both sides of the existing Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Kollam Bypass. But not sure whether it will come to the extend of 45 metres. Also, the land aqcuisition for the Kollam Bypass Phase 3 and Phase 4 has been completed years before.

Emerging_Quilon

August 19th, 2009, 01:20 PM

I think, entire Thrikkovilvattam and Mayyanad need to be merge with Kollam corporation. The area under Adichanallur panchayat which is part of Kottiyam can also included. Anyway, I support expansion of Kollam by including all adjacent panchayats.

Dude, you are absolutely correct. Kollam corporation is finding acute shortage of land within its existing boundary (Area of just 57 sq. Km the smallest among the 5 coporations, but 4th regarding population just behind Calicut). The corporation was struggling to find place for the proposed Government Law College, the Sewage plant..etc.

It is great idea to expand the Kollam corporation upto Chavara in the North, Kundara in the East and Kottiyam in the South. Also Thrikkovilvattom, parts of Thrikkadavoor panchayaths could be included. This will make the Kollam population to reach more than 6 lakhs minimum to be included in JNNURM scheme for city development.

City lacks proper planning and desperately needs modern planning in the wake of new development projects like the Kollam Cargo Port, MEMU Base, Kollam Techno Park, Kollam Cashew Board and the Paripally ESI Medical College to name the few.

Riva_Philip

August 19th, 2009, 01:32 PM

Dude, you are absolutely correct. Kollam corporation is finding acute shortage of land within its existing boundary (Area of just 57 sq. Km the smallest among the 5 coporations, but 4th regarding population just behind Calicut). The corporation was struggling to find place for the proposed Government Law College, the Sewage plant..etc.

It is great idea to expand the Kollam corporation upto Chavara in the North, Kundara in the East and Kottiyam in the South. Also Thrikkovilvattom, parts of Thrikkadavoor panchayaths could be included. This will make the Kollam population to reach more than 6 lakhs minimum to be included in JNNURM scheme for city development.

City lacks proper planning and desperately needs modern planning in the wake of new development projects like the Kollam Cargo Port, MEMU Base, Kollam Techno Park, Kollam Cashew Board and the Paripally ESI Medical College to name the few.

So what you are saying, there is a need to create Greater Kollam, which includes areas like Anjaallumoodu, Thrikkadavur, Thrikkaruva, Mukhathala, Thrikkovilvattom, Tazhuthala, Mayyanad, Kottiyam, Perinad, Panayam, Kottamkara, Elampallur, Kundara, Mulavana, Perayam, Neendakara, Chavara Thekkumbhagom and Chavara. I think, this will amke Kollam as a metro.

Emerging_Quilon

August 19th, 2009, 04:22 PM

So what you are saying, there is a need to create Greater Kollam, which includes areas like Anjaallumoodu, Thrikkadavur, Thrikkaruva, Mukhathala, Thrikkovilvattom, Tazhuthala, Mayyanad, Kottiyam, Perinad, Panayam, Kottamkara, Elampallur, Kundara, Mulavana, Perayam, Neendakara, Chavara Thekkumbhagom and Chavara. I think, this will amke Kollam as a metro.

The expansion is required by amalgamating the urban looking and residential areas so that the city gets more space for development and infrastrucutre activities and planning. I did not mean to include Thrikkaruva, Tazhuthala, Perinad, Panayam, Mulavana, Perayam, Chavara Thekkumbhagom in this category as they are more of rural in nature.

Interestingly, Kollam Techno Park is coming up at Mulavana Panchayath which is less than 15 Kms from the city centre.

Aji Kollam

August 19th, 2009, 04:45 PM

Binoj_viswam

August 19th, 2009, 05:46 PM

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has given green signal for the proposed Kerala campus of the Hyderabad-based English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) at Thinkalkarikkam near Pathanapuram in Kollam district.

If the project is implemented, the multi-campus will be the third centre of the EFLU outside Hyderabad. Besides the main campus in Hyderabad, it currently has two regional centres in Shillong and Lucknow.

Vice Chancellor Abhai Maurya told The Hindu-EducationPlus over telephone from Hyderabad that the university has received the no-objection certificate from the UGC for the Kerala campus of EFLU. He said that the initial financial allocation for the project was about Rs.72 crore.

Pointing out that the university was now awaiting the final clearance from the Union Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD), the Vice-Chancellor said that he would soon meet the HRD Minister Kapil Sibal and brief him about the proposal.

EFLU will build classrooms, administrative structures, hostels for at least 3,000 students, guest houses for Indian and foreign guests and trainees (at least 300 rooms), playgrounds and other sports facilities of international standards at the proposed site.

The academic programmes proposed for the Kerala campus include five-year integrated MA in English and foreign languages; journalism and mass communication; B.Ed. and M.Ed. (English language) and M.Phil. and Ph.D. in education; training programmes for school and college teachers of English; postgraduate certificate and diploma in the teaching of English; M.Phil. in all disciplines; Ph.D. in all disciplines; short-term need-based proficiency courses in English and foreign languages for Indian learners; short-term need-based proficiency courses in English and foreign languages for foreign learners; and all degree programmes in English and other subjects for foreign students coming from all non-English-speaking countries.

EFLU will set up the entire infrastructure required for the campus. University authorities said the proposed multi-campus in Kerala would focus on disseminating instructional, research and extension facilities in the teaching of English and foreign languages and literature in the country.

It will also take appropriate measures for inter-disciplinary studies and research in literary and cultural studies and develop critical inter-cultural understanding of civilisations. The EFLU is a Central University established by an Act of Parliament on August 3, 2007. It is the only university in India devoted exclusively to the study of English and foreign languages.

Link (http://www.thehindu.com/edu/2009/08/10/stories/2009081050060200.htm)

Binoj_viswam

August 19th, 2009, 05:54 PM

Its not so near pathanapuram , its near to Anchal(or kulathupuzha) , but in pathanapuram taluk

http://wikimapia.org/#lat=8.9105534&lon=77.037034&z=15&l=0&m=b

Binoj_viswam

August 19th, 2009, 05:58 PM

Projects worth Rs.123.55 crore sanctioned

Rs. 20 crore for bridge at Perumon

KOLLAM: The Public Works Department has given administrative sanction for 59 infrastructure development projects in Kollam district.

The total cost of these projects works out to Rs.123.55 crore, according to a release from the department.

The projects include construction of mini-civil station buildings at Pathanapuram and Anchal at Rs.1.50 crore each and at Chathannur at Rs.1 crore.
Road development

A sum of Rs.1 crore has been allocated for developing the Cotton Mill-Convent-Vadayattukotta road in the city. For widening the taluk office junction-boat jetty road, Rs.50 crore has been allocated.

A sum of Rs.2 crore has been allocated for constructing a drain and culvert on the Asramam link road; Rs.2 crore for the Anchal bypass; and Rs.3 crore for the construction of a court complex at Punalur.

An amount of Rs.2 crore has been allocated for constructing a working women’s hostel at Asramam and Rs.1.65 crore for a building at the chest disease hospital at Karunagapally.

For a building to accommodate the trauma care centre and medical lab attached to the Kottarakara Taluk Hospital, Rs.2.20 crore has been allocated.

For developing the Chathannur-Velinellur road Rs.1.48 crore; Ezhukone-Kallada road Rs.1 crore; and the Kunnikode-Kottarakara road Rs.1.15 crore has been allocated.

A sum of Rs.1.17 crore has been allocated for constructing a pre-matric hostel at Chathannur; Rs.1.40 crore for reconstructing the Avaneeshwaram bridge; and Rs. 20 crore for the Perumon road bridge.

Link (http://thehindu.com/2009/08/17/stories/2009081753800300.htm)

Riva_Philip

August 20th, 2009, 05:31 AM

The expansion is required by amalgamating the urban looking and residential areas so that the city gets more space for development and infrastrucutre activities and planning. I did not mean to include Thrikkaruva, Tazhuthala, Perinad, Panayam, Mulavana, Perayam, Chavara Thekkumbhagom in this category as they are more of rural in nature.

Interestingly, Kollam Techno Park is coming up at Mulavana Panchayath which is less than 15 Kms from the city centre.

EQ,

As areas like Thrikkaruva, Tazhuthala, Perinad, Panayam, Mulavana, Perayam and Chavara Thekkumbhagom are located in between Kollam city and suburban towns like Chavara and Kundara, it is ideal to merge the entire panchayats with Kollam in order to achieve contiguous geography. The expanded corporation can give more thrust to those undeveloped areas. The new projects like hospitals, education institutions, companies, etc can be establish in these areas.

Binoj_viswam

August 20th, 2009, 05:50 AM

Emerging_Quilon

August 20th, 2009, 07:13 AM

EQ,

As areas like Thrikkaruva, Tazhuthala, Perinad, Panayam, Mulavana, Perayam and Chavara Thekkumbhagom are located in between Kollam city and suburban towns like Chavara and Kundara, it is ideal to merge the entire panchayats with Kollam in order to achieve contiguous geography. The expanded corporation can give more thrust to those undeveloped areas. The new projects like hospitals, education institutions, companies, etc can be establish in these areas.

That is a good idea. I think institutions have started coming up at these panchayaths. Kerala University has started the Kerala Institute of Management at Chemmakakd in Perniad panchayath. Copertive Engineering College, Perumon is in Thrikkaruva panchayath, the Kollam Techno Park is coming up in and arounf Mulavana - Perayam panchayath, Cashew Board head office could be set up at a similar place within 10 Km radium from the city centre. Moreover, the new educational institutions and the hospitality and tourist ventures are all coming up at these panchayaths or outside the city limits. This is a good sign as the city faces acute space crunch.

So the transition is happening. Let's wait what the civil authorities and the givernment has to say.

Emerging_Quilon

August 20th, 2009, 07:15 AM

Kochi: The Union Commerce Ministry is understood to have sent the draft proposal for setting up a Cashew Development Board to the Union Agricultural Ministry, soliciting its comments before submitting it to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). The proposal covers all the aspects such as financial implications, establishment cost, annual cost, development schemes implementation, etc.

Link (http://sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?a=jegwDFgifag&title=Fresh_push_for_Cashew_Board_by_Commerce_Ministry&tag=commerce_ministry)

Hope the Cashew Board will become a reality soon. This was one of the most important point in N. Peethambara Kuruppu's manifesto. He seems to be exerting pressure at the centre along with Kodikunnil Suresh.

The Cashew board will give a major fillip to Kollam Port development as well.:banana:

Emerging_Quilon

August 20th, 2009, 07:21 AM

Its not so near pathanapuram , its near to Anchal(or kulathupuzha) , but in pathanapuram taluk

http://wikimapia.org/#lat=8.9105534&lon=77.037034&z=15&l=0&m=b

It is good to have such a big university outside the city probably 35 to 40 Kms away from the city in a calm and serene place. Anchal will be an ideal place as the place has produced a few internationally acclaimed personalities.

Great to see 'New educational institutions of International standard' coming to Kollam.:banana:

Emerging_Quilon

August 21st, 2009, 07:06 AM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An ambitious project to help develop the skills of workers in the construction field and to solve the acute shortage of skilled workers is in the offing.

Kerala Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board is planning to set up ‘Kerala Construction Academy’ on the lines of the National Academy for Construction (NAC), Hyderabad, to impart training to the workers in modern techniques and skills. Once the workers and technicians in the construction industry upgrade and polish their skills they would be able to increase their income and would be in great demand in the country and abroad.

In this connection, former Union Minister of State for Labour Oscar Fernandez had proposed the setting up of construction academies in all states on the lines of NAC.

On the initiative of the Labour Minister Kerala Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board examined the proposal and decided to set up the academy in the state. For this purpose, former labour commissioner K S Premachandra Kurup was appointed as special officer and he assumed office on July 1. An amount of Rs 20 crore has also been earmarked in the Board’s budget for this purpose.

Premachandra Kurup told ‘Express’ that a subcommittee with Labour Minister P.K.Gurudasan as chairman had been set up for the purpose. “The proposed academy would take care of the skill development of all segments of people involved in the construction industry. It will function like a finishing shcool,’’ he said.

He said a team comprising himself and the Board members had visited NAC and held detailed discussions with the Director General and other top officials of the NAC last week. NAC is functioning in 168 acres of land located in Cyberabad, the Hightech city near Hyderabad. Andhra Pradesh Government and Builders Association of India have jointly set up the Academy.

Kurup said that the Andhra Pradesh Government had given great importance to the institution by keeping the Chief Minister as the chairman of the governing council of the Academy. There are over 900 personnel engaged in the Academy which is devoid of political interference to maintain the quality of the faculty.

Now the NAC has started conducting MBA programme in Construction Management and has the prospect of becoming a deemed university. Construction workers, masons, carpenter supervisors, engineers and managing directors of construction companies get trained here and polish their skills.

Premachandra Kurup said that NAC had offered all support to the Kerala Construction Academy. Services of retired engineers and experts from government departments and other established agencies would be engaged as faculty in the Academy.

He said that he would submit a report to the Board soon.

However, the location for the Academy has not yet been finalised.

“We require at least 25 acres of land for the Academy. We are on the look out for ideal sites in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Ernakulam districts. If everything goes well, we hope to start the Academy in six months’’ he said.

Reghu

August 22nd, 2009, 11:36 AM

http://i32.tinypic.com/29lgwb9.jpg

Reghu

August 22nd, 2009, 11:40 AM

http://i25.tinypic.com/2aju8sx.jpg

Reghu

August 22nd, 2009, 11:54 AM

http://i25.tinypic.com/2s0me1d.jpg

jaleelmalik

August 22nd, 2009, 02:26 PM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An ambitious project to help develop the skills of workers in the construction field and to solve the acute shortage of skilled workers is in the offing.

On the initiative of the Labour Minister Kerala Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board examined the proposal and decided to set up the academy in the state. For this purpose, former labour commissioner K S Premachandra Kurup was appointed as special officer and he assumed office on July 1. An amount of Rs 20 crore has also been earmarked in the Board’s budget for this purpose.

Premachandra Kurup told ‘Express’ that a subcommittee with Labour Minister P.K.Gurudasan as chairman had been set up for the purpose. “The proposed academy would take care of the skill development of all segments of people involved in the construction industry. It will function like a finishing shcool,’’ he said.

Kurup said that the Andhra Pradesh Government had given great importance to the institution by keeping the Chief Minister as the chairman of the governing council of the Academy. There are over 900 personnel engaged in the Academy which is devoid of political interference to maintain the quality of the faculty.

Now the NAC has started conducting MBA programme in Construction Management and has the prospect of becoming a deemed university. Construction workers, masons, carpenter supervisors, engineers and managing directors of construction companies get trained here and polish their skills.

Premachandra Kurup said that NAC had offered all support to the Kerala Construction Academy. Services of retired engineers and experts from government departments and other established agencies would be engaged as faculty in the Academy.

He said that he would submit a report to the Board soon.

However, the location for the Academy has not yet been finalised.

“We require at least 25 acres of land for the Academy. We are on the look out for ideal sites in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Ernakulam districts. If everything goes well, we hope to start the Academy in six months’’ he said.

Minister Prema Chandran representing Quilon district
MP Peethambara Kurup representing Quilon district

So the District was already having a Premachandra-Kurup Team.

Now Prema Chandra Kurup !!! (Oru meyyum, oru manavum)

I hope this IAS officer (or Ex ? ) will perform well. His earlier assignments as Kerala Tourism's Additional Secretary and District Collector were remarkable.

Reghu

August 22nd, 2009, 06:37 PM

Minister Prema Chandran representing Quilon district
MP Peethambara Kurup representing Quilon district

So the District was already having a Premachandra-Kurup Team.

Now Prema Chandra Kurup !!! (Oru meyyum, oru manavum)

I hope this IAS officer (or Ex ? ) will perform well. His earlier assignments as Kerala Tourism's Additional Secretary and District Collector were remarkable.

Hope this academy will come to Kollam.^^ P.K Gurudasan the MLA and labour minister can work towards it as the district lacks good academies in any field.

Reghu

August 24th, 2009, 06:11 PM

Emerging_Quilon

August 25th, 2009, 07:21 AM

A dream come true for the islands scattered accross the Ashtamudi lake and the interior villages of Kollam district. The much awaited Perumon bridge than can reduce the road distance from Kollam city to Shasthancotta by 25 kms and to the northern parts of the state by abpot 60 kms. After the completion of the bridge, one can go from Kallumthazam through the Kollam Bypass third phase (yet to start) to reach Anchalumoodu and cut accross to Shasthancotta within half an hour. Now it takes more than 1.5 hours to reach this place by road as the land is surrounded by the vast Ashtamudi lake.:banana:

http://i30.tinypic.com/2hrlqpy.jpg

Great news. This will be third bridge in Kollam district across the backwaters that were much awaited for a long time. The Dalavapuram - Chavara Guhanandapuram bridge connecting the city with the interior villages was realized a couple of uears before. The Thanni - Mayyanadu bridge is also proposed and fund allocated and the construction is about to start. The Perumon - Kannankad Bridge will be the most important one as this can act as a bypass for the city once the proposed NH-220 materializes. :banana:

Emerging_Quilon

August 25th, 2009, 08:55 AM

State to join national expressway project

NEW DELHI: Kerala has expressed its willingness to join the national expressway network project proposed by the Centre, which is to be realized by the end of the 13th Five-year Plan.

At a meeting of representatives of the the State and Central governments held here the other day, the proposal was discussed at length and breadth.

"We have expressed our desire to join the project, further details of which have not been worked out yet,” State Works Ministry principal secretary Tom Jose told Express.

The Faridabad-based consultant for the project, CRAPHTS Consultants (I) Pvt Ltd, has already submitted the final draft of the plan for the ‘national expressway network' to the Union Government. As per the report, the 615-km road network planned through the State will comprise a 215-km stretch between Mysore and Kozhikode and a 400-km stretch between Thrissur and Kanyakumari.

The Mysore-Kozhikode stretch, which is included in phase-III of the whole project, is targeted to be completed by 2022, while the Thrissur-Kanyakumari stretch, included in the phase-I, will be completed by 2012. In addition, a 185-km Kollam-Theni stretch has been proposed in the report under the annuity mode, while the first two stretches have been put under the PPP mode.

Since the most crucial aspect in the realization of the project in the State would be land acquisition, the report suggests formulation of a special ‘Expressway Act' for streamlining the procedure. The consultant has provided two separate alignments to the State. A third alignment has been prepared and kept ready by the State for the project. Left in the lurch in the midst of the infrastructure boom, recent times have indicated a turnaround by the State, showing positive signals towards infrastructure projects.

The State had also decided to reconsider its own long-forgotten express highway project and re-christen it as the North South Friendship Corridor.

Though the Left government had wound up the company set up for the expressway project by the UDF government, it has started the project afresh and has sent ‘request for proposals' for the feasibility study, as part of the project revival, to the agencies short-listed by the Union Government.

Binoj_viswam

August 25th, 2009, 05:19 PM

Emerging_Quilon

August 26th, 2009, 07:34 AM

President's secretary Christi Fernandas intervenes, Kollam Bypass work to start within 2 months. NHAI Initiates tender procedures. It will be on BOT basis. Width is 45 m

http://www.mathrubhumi.com/php/newFrm.php?news_id=12233581&n_type=RE&category_id=2&Farc=T

The land required for the 45m width has already been acquired years before for all the stretch. It was the utter neglect of the authorities and lack of fund allocation delayed this project.

It is imperative to complet this project with immedeate effect for the development of the growing Kollam city as well for better connectvity towards the capital city.

Hope this time there will not be any further delay.

Emerging_Quilon

August 26th, 2009, 03:52 PM

C.P. Joshi, Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, will inaugurate a two-day International conference on “district planning methodology and agenda for action” at the Beach Orchid auditorium here on August 28. The inaugural function will be presided over by Kerala Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac.

The function will be addressed by Agriculture Minister Mullakara Ratnakaran and Minister for Water Resources N.K. Premachandran. The programme is being organised by the District Planning Committee, Kollam, and the Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi, in association with the Planning Commission, the State government and the United Nations Development Programme.

UNDP Deputy Country Director Peter Bult will introduce the organisation’s support to district planning. The inaugural function will be followed by two plenary sessions on the first day.

The subjects for the two sessions are “manual for integrated district planning” and “district planning experiences and lessons from States.”

In the afternoon the same day, Mayor N. Padmalochanan will inaugurate an exhibition on integrated district development plan for Kollam.

There will be a special lecture on the role of the State Planning Board in Kerala’s decentralised planning by Mohammed Shafi, MP, who is a former Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Rural Development.

The valedictory session will be inaugurated by Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan. Minister for Labour P.K. Gurudasan will preside. C. Divakaran, Minister for Food, Bharat Singh, Minister for Rural Development, Rajasthan, Hariprasad Shah, Minister for Panchayati Raj, Bihar, A.N.P. Sinha, Secretary, Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj, and K. Devaki, former District Panchayat President Kollam will speak.

Source - The Hindu

Emerging_Quilon

August 27th, 2009, 09:40 AM

KOLLAM: P.K. Gurudasan, Minister for Labour, has said that the State government will allocate Rs.3 crore for the development of cashew plantations. This was in addition to the Rs. 58 crore allotted by the Central government, he said. Mr. Gurudasan was inaugurating the cashew plantation development scheme at Karikode on the outskirts of the city on Tuesday.

The Minister said that while the cashew industry earns foreign exchange worth Rs.2800 crore and provides employment to more than 3 lakh women, the industry was yet to get due importance. It was for this purpose that the State government launched the Agency for Expansion of Cashew Cultivation, he said.

For India’s cashew industry to make a mark in the international market, plantations must be promoted, the Minister said.

Emerging_Quilon

August 27th, 2009, 09:43 AM

KOLLAM: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan will inaugurate the new building of the Baby John Memorial Government College at Chavara near here on August 29. Minister for Water Resources N.K. Premachandran, who is also Chavara MLA, told press persons that at the function Minister for Public Works P.J. Joseph would hand over the keys and Minister for Education M.A. Baby would unveil a photo of Baby John.

The website of the college will be launched by Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac. The college began functioning in 1981 and is the only government college in the districts of Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha. It was christened as Baby John Memorial Government College last year.

The college has only limited facilities with just two small blocks. In 2006, on request from Mr. Premachandran, Mr. Isaac visited the college and upon realising the problems made a special allocation for a new building.

The new building has been constructed at a cost of Rs.5.50 crore.

The administrative sanction for the building was given in November 2006 and the construction was completed much ahead of the date in the agreement.

The three-storey building comprises 36 rooms.

Mr. Premachandran said that naming the college after Baby John, who represented the Chavara constituency for four decades, was one of the biggest tributes the State could pay to the great leader.

Steps to start new courses at the college are progressing. The new building also meets all University Grants Commission standards.

Emerging_Quilon

August 27th, 2009, 02:29 PM

KOLLAM: The Kerala Mineral Research Institute will be established at Chavara in Kollam.

The annual general body meeting of the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, chaired by Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, has taken a decision in this regard. The meeting also decided to give first priority for the establishment of the Mineral Research Institute. Announcing the decision here on Wednesday, Water Resources Minister N K Premachandran, who is also representing the Chavara constituency said that the proposed institute will focus on value addition, diversification and technological upgradation of the mineral sand industry by using nano technology and mining technology. Apart from the research, the institute will also provide opportunities for higher education in mineral sand industry.

The Government will invest Rs 5 crore as initial investment and the plan funds of both the State and Central Governments will be fully utilised for the institute. The Atomic Energy Commission is also likely to provide funds needed for the institute. It will be established in two acres of land, provided by the KMML. The land will be near to the KMML Guest House and eco-friendly buildings will be constructed for the institute.

According to sources, the KSCSTE has taken the decision to establish the institute by overruling the objections raised by the Finance Department. The Finance Department had suggested to start the institute as an in-house research and development wing of the KMML. Now the Indian Rare Earths Ltd (IRE), Chavara, has got an in-house R&D wing, which is functioning in Kollam.

Binoj_viswam

August 27th, 2009, 05:56 PM

Kollam declared as town of center of excellence along with kannur and alappey in kerala by Federal Government

Emerging_Quilon

August 28th, 2009, 08:18 AM

Kollam declared as town of center of excellence along with kannur and alappey in kerala by Federal Government

That is great news. In what are all parameters they have judged this accredition. It is a good title, but the city has go a long way to really achieve this. These days procalmation and anouncements happen more than actual implementations.

Definitely, Kollam is seeing a plethora of development activities especially in the last couple of years. It is essential to convert these development initatives to realized projects. Ministers like NKP and PKG are doing a tremendous job. MA Baby also chips in. But the other two minister from the district are not visible. The MPs especially Kodikkunnil is doing a comendable job especially for the Railways and Cashew Sector development of the district.

Reghu

August 30th, 2009, 09:10 AM

Mineral Research Institute@ Chavara

Maritime Institute @ Needndakara

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Reghu

August 30th, 2009, 09:20 AM

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Reghu

August 30th, 2009, 09:57 AM

Reghu

August 30th, 2009, 10:08 AM

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan inaugurated the new building of the Baby John Memorial Government College at Chavara. This is the only government college in the vicinity of Kollam, Alleppy, and Pathanamthitta districts.

New building constructed at a cost of Rs.5.50 crore

Three-storey building comprises 36 rooms

Steps to start new courses at the college are progressing

New building meets all University Grants Commission standards

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Reghu

August 30th, 2009, 10:12 AM

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Emerging_Quilon

August 31st, 2009, 07:27 AM

Mineral Research Institute@ Chavara

Maritime Institute @ Needndakara

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This is a great impetus to the educational and industrial development of the whole North - West Kollam.

Already, quality institutes like the Amritha Institute of Technology is there at Amrithapuri, North Kollam. The commencement of the Maritime Institute and Mineral Research Institute will definitely make North Kollam an educational hub like South Kollam which has the upcoming ESI Medical College, Medicity and related eductional institutions, the Azeezia Medical college, MES Engineering College and Sree Narayan Institute of Technolgy, Mannam Memorial Institute of Management and NSS College at Kottiyam.

Emerging_Quilon

August 31st, 2009, 07:33 AM

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The 4 - laning of this stretch is very important for the development of the city. Actually the 4-laning should be extended upto collectrate junction where the Kollam Port road 4-laning ends.

Reghu

August 31st, 2009, 07:57 PM

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Emerging_Quilon

September 1st, 2009, 10:25 AM

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The fund allocated for the Kollam City Junction Railway station and the Karunagapally station are very less.

Kollam being the most important junction station in central travencore should have been allocated more fund. Also, Karunagapally the destination of the Amrithapuri Ashramam pilgrims should have had more fund allocation and plans. Also, it is interesting that Perinad station in the suburb of Kollam city did not receive any allocation.

Reghu

September 2nd, 2009, 12:53 PM

Hay art design to be taught at design institute

Promotion of natural fibre craft

KOLLAM: Labour Minister P.K. Gurudasan has said that the government will start a Department of Hay Art Design at the Chandanathoppe Fashion Technology and Design Institute soon.

He was inaugurating a get-together of hay craftsmen organised as part of the Onam celebrations by the Neeravil Navodyam Library on Tuesday.

Mr. Gurudasan said the government would do everything possible to promote natural fibre craft. The United Nations too had declared 2009 as Year of Natural Fibres, he said. Natural fibre craft was not only an art form but also a means of livelihood for a good number of families.

District Collector A. Shajahan spoke. Forty-two hay craftsmen based at Thrikadavur attended the programme. Fourteen of them were honoured by Mr. Gurudasan. Library secretary S. Nazar said the craft was introduced in the area by the late K.V. Victor.

Emerging_Quilon

September 3rd, 2009, 07:28 AM

Inpatient facilities are not available in many PHCs

Focus sought on tribal, coastal areas

Even district hospital lacks latest diagnostic facility

KOLLAM: The government sector health care infrastructure in Kollam is poor, according to the Integrated District Development Plan (IDDP) report for the district prepared by the District Planning Committee. The report was released by Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac at a function here recently.

As per the report Kollam comes eleventh in the State based on beds per lakh of population in the government sector.

Inpatient facilities are not available in government hospitals (public health centres (PHCs)) at Aryankavu, Thenmala, Melila, Vettikavala, Vilakudy, Kulathupuzha, Pattazhy, Vadakekara, Kulakada, Thalavoor, Mylom and Alayamon.

Diseases

But, there is an obvious increase in the number of patients in the district over the years. Kollam has a high rate of respiratory diseases, standing at 87 per cent of the diseases reported. Incidence of tuberculosis is among the lowest in the district.

Hepatitis A has been listed as the most life threatening disease in the district. Bronchial asthma is the major occupational disease, found among cashew workers, majority of whom are women. The report states that in the allopathic sector there is low bed strength in the district, taluk and block level hospitals.

Doctors and staff are inadequate in all these hospitals. Even the district hospital lacks advanced diagnostic facilities. The report points out the absence of super specialty facilities in Punalur.

It calls upon the allopathic sector to give special attention to the tribal and coastal areas in view of the frequent outbreaks of vector borne diseases. Staff pattern should be rearranged in all government hospitals according to patient strength. It is also important to make available the latest investigating facilities at the government sector hospitals.

In the ayurvedic sector, though there are many postgraduate degree holders, the specialties of ayurveda are not effectively implemented, it says. There is a lack of skilled and trained staff. Four ayurveda hospitals in the district do not even have a pharmacist.

The report calls upon the homoeopathy sector to concentrate more on public health and preventive aspects of communicable diseases.

navjot

September 3rd, 2009, 07:40 AM

the statue of late actor Jayan was installed by actor Mukesh at Olayil Jn on tuesday

source:the hindu

Emerging_Quilon

September 3rd, 2009, 01:38 PM

the statue of late actor Jayan was installed by actor Mukesh at Olayil Jn on tuesday

source:the hindu

Hey Navjot. It nice to see you back again. Yaar, please some snaps of the latest development activities in Kollam. Hope you would have taken snaps during this break.

Also, any updates regarding the Kollam Techno Park and the Kollam Cargo Port. There are no updates regarding these projects in the recent weeks. Happy Onam to you. Please post some beautiful city snaps of Kollam.

navjot

September 3rd, 2009, 04:19 PM

Hey Navjot. It nice to see you back again. Yaar, please some snaps of the latest development activities in Kollam. Hope you would have taken snaps during this break.

Also, any updates regarding the Kollam Techno Park and the Kollam Cargo Port. There are no updates regarding these projects in the recent weeks. Happy Onam to you. Please post some beautiful city snaps of Kollam.

happy onam to u EQbhai ...i was out of station for the last 2 months...any ways reghubhai and you hav done a gr8 job posting regular updates and keeping this thread lively......

Emerging_Quilon

September 4th, 2009, 08:13 AM

The Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) has started work on a project to equip 28 tribal schools across the State with model science laboratories.

The project will be taken up in collaboration with the Department for Development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes under the Sastraposhini programme aimed at improving the quality of science education.

Executive Vice President of KSCSTE E.P.Yesodharan said the department had agreed to fund the joint project. “Our officials have visited 13 tribal schools to assess the existing infrastructure. They will propose necessary improvements,” he said.

As many as 114 government schools have been provided with model laboratories under the Sastraposhini programme launched in 2003 with the objective of arresting the decline in the quality of science education. The programme is expected to lead to improved enrolment in science courses, develop better competitiveness among science graduates and encourage students to seek a career in science.

Apart from students, teachers are also encouraged to carry out innovative projects in science education for children. Students are provided hands-on training in performing experiments in physics, chemistry and biology.

The model science labs are being established at a cost of Rs. 3 lakh for each school. Labs are built to specifications in size, furniture, lighting and apparatus. The KSCSTE funds the labs for the first two years, after which they are handed over to the Education Department.

Management committees comprising school authorities and representatives of teachers and parents act as a review forum.

Teachers handling the model labs are encouraged to interact with each other, share their experiences and discuss problems.

According to R. Prakashkumar, Principal Scientific Officer, KSCSTE, who is also the Nodal Officer for the Sastraposhini scheme, the model laboratories had generated considerable excitement and enthusiasm among students and provided an element of fun in learning science. He said the extension of the project to tribal schools would boost the quality of education in backward regions and help arrest the dropout rate among students.

“Our initial assessment revealed that children in tribal schools can make use of good laboratory facilities to learn science better,” he said.

The council is also embarking on a project to set up district science parks for children on the lines of the Science and Technology Museum in Thiruvananthapuram. As many as three districts have been identified for the first phase of the project. While the council will fund the parks to be set up at Kollam and Kozhikode, the Revenue Department has agreed to finance the park at Thrissur.

Reghu

September 5th, 2009, 11:50 AM

Reghu

September 5th, 2009, 12:36 PM

Bridge to be extended to the Petrol pump near Press Club

Underpass to have a length of 270 metres, width of 9.5 metres, and a height of 5 metres

French technology to be used to strenghten the existing bridge

The underpass ends near the Chinnakkada clock tower:

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Picture Courtesy - Nowshad

Reghu

September 7th, 2009, 05:19 AM

South to see rural BPO revolution

State governments seen encouraging outsourcing centres in villages

BPOs have been set up in Perinad and Kadakkal villages of Kollam district

Inaugration of the Kollam BPOs called Techno Lodges in November 2009
When BPO revolution started in India in the late 90’s, not many people had thought that rural India, which lacks even basic amenities like drinking water, road connectivity and electricity will ever be able to handle outsourced backoffice work. But almost a decade since then, the state governments, especially in Southern India, are being seen aggressively promoting rural BPO concept not just as an employment generation scheme, but as a mean to groom the BPO ecosystem.

Governments in all the southern states have either launched various schemes or are in the process of developing models to encourage private players to set up BPO centres in rural areas. All these states are talking about creating huge employment opportunities for socially backward classes, school and college drop-outs and graduates who have lack of job opportunities in their areas.

“Rural BPO concept might not be new in the Indian context where a few of these are running successfully with the support of large corporates and NGOs. But what we are trying to do is to create opportunities for youths who are 10th standard dropouts or above, by providing them respectable employment opportunities in their areas, the lack of which often forces them to join criminal and naxalite outfits,” says Santosh Babu, MD of Electronic Corporation of Tamil Nadu (ELCOT), the IT arm of government of Tamil Nadu. “If we can provide urban opportunities in rural areas, it would be a win-win situation for all,” he adds.

Tamil Nadu is perhaps the first state in the country to start a rural BPO centre in early 2006 in Krishnagiri district, under the patronage of the state government. While two of them are currently functional under the brand name of FOSTeRA at Krishnagiri and naxal-infested Uthangarai areas in the state, three more are in the process of getting operational. The Tamil Nadu government has announced to set up 100 rural BPOs in the state, as part of which the government is soon going to come out with a business model.

“We are not looking at providing the interested parties any financial incentives, but coming out with a commercial model for the continuity of business. As the part of the model, we will have a Board of directors at the appex level, who will be assisted by a CEO and the other team members. They will oversee the all the rural BPOs in the state,” added Babu.

Karnataka government has recently announced a rural BPO (R-BPO) scheme as part of which the government is providing various financial benefits such as capital expenditure incentives up to Rs 20 lakhs and per employee training incentive of Rs 10,000. In fiscal 2008-09, the state had earmarked Rs 5 crore for this purpose. In the first year, out of the nine companies and entrepreneurs who had shown interest, four were given approval.

The first govt-promoted rural BPO has recently started operations in Srirangapatnam near Mysore while the other three are in the process of getting operational in Salgame (Hassan), Shiggaon (Haveri) and Gundlupet (Chamrajnagar).

In the current year, the state government, according to the state IT secretary Ashok Kumar Manoli, has received 124 applicants, “with companies like Infosys and Wipro showing interest to set up rural BPOs”.

In order to select the genuine aspirants, the state government has set up a six-member screening committee with three members from the government and three from the industry. The committee to be headed by Aravind Jannu, MD of Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation (KEONICS), has members including Sridhar Mitta, MD of e4e Labs and S Nagarajan, co-founder of 24/7 Customer.

Kerala, on the other hand, is going for a ‘hub and spoke’ model as a part of which the government aims to set up about 100 rural BPOs at panchayat and district level in all the 14 districts of the state, in the next three years. Under a scheme known as ‘Techno Lodge’, the state-owned Kerala State IT Infrastructure Limited is setting up facilities in the rural areas which are being given on lease to private parties. The government is also providing lands to interested private parties to establish offices and give it on lease to companies intending to set up low cost BPO centres. The first two of the rural BPOs under this scheme have been set up in Perinad and Kadakkal villages of Kerala’s Kollam district, and would be officially inaugurated in November this year, Ajay Kumar, IT secretary, government of Kerala said.

“We expect that when complete, our low cost BPO scheme will generate employment opportunities for about 10,000 people. We intend to have such BPOs at the panchayat and taluk level in every district which will be headed by the district collectors,” Kumar added.

Industry sources say other than creating employment opportunities for rural youths, the rural BPO initiatives would also encourage bigger players to move a chunk of their outsourcing works to these lows cost operations, either to their own centres or to their partners. “Even though we don’t want to set up rural BPOs, we are interested to work with companies who have a base in rural areas in Karnataka. We can bring them business continuity,” said Amitabh Chaudhry, CEO of Infosys BPO.

Says Sabyasachi Satpathy, Partner at Tholons Advisory, “Rural BPO can provide an alternate business model for the opening up of the domestic BPO opportunities. By leveraging the low operations and people cost as well as significantly lower employee attrition, Indian service providers can significantly reduce cost by moving non-complex support operations from large cities to their rural operations.”

Emerging_Quilon

September 7th, 2009, 07:55 AM

Bridge to be extended to the Petrol pump near Press Club

Underpass to have a length of 270 metres, width of 9.5 metres, and a height of 5 metres

French technology to be used to strenghten the existing bridge

The underpass ends near the Chinnakkada clock tower:

It is great to know that the underpass construction is finally to kick start. The extension of the bridge is a good idea. I guess it will start somewhere near to the Chinnakkada round. This may put Chinnakkada one of the busiest signal junctions in Kerala. The round will be a Junction of 11 lanes to different directions including the meeting point of 2 national highways the NH -47 and NH - 208.

Interestingly, there was a proposal to have a station entry at the Northern side of Kollam Junction station which is at Chinnakkada. After the commissioning of the Underpass this entry point will be very relevant. I think the Chinnakada entry to the station can be the third entry to the Kollam Junction Railway station. Already the railways have given the nod for the second entry point at eastern side of Kollam Junction station which is near to the Upasana Hospital.

Emerging_Quilon

September 7th, 2009, 12:45 PM

Emerging_Quilon

September 9th, 2009, 07:36 AM

KSCDC facing working capital problems
Rs.50-crore State assistance under consideration
KSCDC plans 287 workdays this year
Rs.4 crore for new packing machines

KOLLAM: The public sector Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC) has registered a capacity utilisation of 90 per cent.

KSCDC Managing Director K.A. Ratheesh told The Hindu on Monday that a target of 287 days of work has been set for this financial year. The KSCDC has 30 factories. During the five months of the year, the KSCDC has already registered 146 working days.

A sum of Rs.4 crore is being invested in state-of-the-art packing machines for the company’s value-added products. Demand for its value-added products has instilled confidence in the company to invest in the packing machine, he said. The KSCDC proposes to sell imported raw nuts to small and medium cashew processors. Such processors find it difficult to import raw nuts.

This will give additional revenue to the government by way of tax and small profit for the KSCDC.

Import

During April, May and June, the KSCDC factories processed domestic raw nuts. During July and August, raw nuts were imported from Ivory Coast at a record low price of $649 a tonne. During September and October, raw nuts will be imported from Guinea Bissau and from November to January from Tanzania and Mozambique.

From January this year, the KSCDC had made a turnover of Rs.6 crore through the sale of its products on the domestic market. Its export turnover from April has touched Rs.70 crore.

Dr. Ratheesh says the foreign trade policy announced by the Centre recently is very encouraging for the cashew industry. Under the policy, the government itself will identify the risk factors on new markets, especially in CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries, and provide the solution for the same.

As part of the National Agricultural Innovation Project, a market research study with Central fund for expanding the markets of KSCDC products has been carried out through a study agency.

The study report shows that the products have considerable demand but needs an organised retail market set up.

Meanwhile, Minister for Cashew P.K. Gurudasan told The Hindu that considering the performance of the KSCDC, the State government is examining a request from the KSCDC for a one-time financial aid of Rs.50 crore as working capital. This is because in spite of the prospects, the company faces working capital problems.

Source - Hindu

Emerging_Quilon

September 9th, 2009, 07:42 AM

Kerala to take IT deeper into rural areas

Setting up 200 small-level IT parks across various districts

Each IT Park would provided jobs for 50 to 100 people

The small level IT parks in Kollam are coming up at Perinad and Kadackal

In line with the Kerala government's plan to provide a boost to the IT scenario and also decentralize the IT infrastructure in the state, the state administration would set up as many as 200 small-level information technology parks across various districts.

The new small-level parks are to be designed in such a way that as many as 50 to 100 people would get jobs in each IT park. Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, who also holds the IT portfolio, said the first of such small-level IT parks will come up at in a couple of smaller towns in Kollam district in November.

Pointing out that the small IT parks would help extend the development of the IT sector to rural areas, he added that the government is also committed to set up IT parks at Koratty in Thrissur district, Eramam in Kannur and Cheemeni in Kasaragod.

Adding that the government had provided the needed support to IT companies in Kerala to help them buck the recessionary trend, the Chief Minister said the growth rate of software exports from Kerala touched 45 per cent during the slowdown period. This is against a national rate of 15 per cent, he added. He revealed that IT exports from Kerala leaped five-fold over the last three years.

V S Achuthanandan, who was speaking after inaugurating a 110-KV power substation on the Technopark campus at Kazhakkuttom here, said the North Kerala region will also be catapulted to the IT scene with the new Cyberpark fast coming up at Kozhikode. Meanwhile, down south, the Technocity project in Thiruvananthapuram, and the next phase of development of Technopark will generate 2,00,000 jobs, he added.

According to Ajaykumar, Kerala's Secretary for IT, the work environment in Kerala currently offers growth opportunity for both employers and employees. He said the government will "make an effort to seamlessly keep business operating round the clock by providing robust infrastructure and connectivity. The new substation is a step in that direction."

Technopark CEO Mervin Alexander, who spoke at the event, said that the new power substation now on stream would help the ongoing Phase III development of Technopark gain added momentum.

"Being implemented as an IT-ITeS Special Economic Zone on 92 acres of land, the new development will make Technopark Asia's biggest IT hub with a total 10 million sq ft and a 1, 00,000 strong workforce," Alexander added.

Reghu

September 12th, 2009, 06:16 AM

Kottiyam - Perumpuzha - Kristhuraj junction (Kundara) to be 4-laned

550m Kristuraj Junction to Techno Park road to be 2 - laned

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Reghu

September 12th, 2009, 06:33 AM

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navjot

September 12th, 2009, 06:38 AM

Bridge to be extended to the Petrol pump near Press Club

Underpass to have a length of 270 metres, width of 9.5 metres, and a height of 5 metres

French technology to be used to strenghten the existing bridge

The underpass ends near the Chinnakkada clock tower:

http://i30.tinypic.com/2s6ujxc.jpg
http://i32.tinypic.com/2pyw7dy.jpg
http://i28.tinypic.com/2rhya2f.jpg

Picture Courtesy - Nowshad

good to see the work on the underpass getting kickstarted at last,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Emerging_Quilon

September 17th, 2009, 02:17 PM

KOLLAM: The ESI Model and Super Specialty Hospital at Asramam here has received the ISO 9001-2008 certification.

A statement issued by the hospital said it was recognition to the services of the hospital to the beneficiaries of the ESI scheme. The certification was received jointly by hospital superintendent S.R. Chauhan and chief medical officer K.A. Paul.

It was on January 1, 2003 that the ESI Corporation took over the hospital from the State Labour Department, as part of the corporation’s move to have one ESI Model Hospital in each State.

The hospital in Kollam was elevated to a super specialty one on December 10, 2007 and was inaugurated by Defence Minister A.K. Antony. The hospital has the super specialty departments of cardiology, cardio thoracic surgery, urology and gastroenterology.

Emerging_Quilon

September 21st, 2009, 07:00 AM

Three boat services daily from the Rs.25-lakh complex in Kollam

The complex is being constructed by the Inland Navigation Department (IND).

The boat jetty complex coming up near the KSRTC Bus Station

KOLLAM: The new boat jetty complex under construction near the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) depot here will be commissioned by the end of this month.

The Rs.25-lakh complex is being constructed by the Inland Navigation Department (IND).

Hitherto, the boat terminal here was only a roofless platform along the wharf. I.G. Shilu, Assistant Executive Engineer of the IND, said the new complex would have a waiting room and two official rooms with ticket counters.

The complex would also have a veranda with seats for passengers.

The 12th Finance Commission had allocated 25 cents of land at the boat jetty area here to house the new complex.

Mr. Shilu said the complex with its wharf would have the capacity to accommodate two boats at a time.

Station master of the boat jetty K. Sukumaran said three separate boat services would start from the jetty every day.

These comprise six trips to Guhanandapuram, two trips to Pezhamthuruthu and 60 circular trips through Kavanad-Prakulam-Kureepuzha and back to the jetty.

A good number of people rely on the boat service and the new complex would come as an added facility for them, he said.:banana:

Emerging_Quilon

September 22nd, 2009, 10:04 AM

The maintenance shed for operating the suburban Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) train services will coming up in Kollam at a cost of Rs.7 crore and will be commissioned in May next year, according to General Manager of Southern Railway M. S. Jayanth.

A sum of Rs.5.52 crore had been allocated in the current year’s Railway Budget for the facilities coming up near the Kollam railway station.

According to the General Manager, the MEMU can meet the growing commuter requirements, especially the short-distance commuters, of the State. The MEMU has fast acceleration 90 to 60 km per hour in 40 seconds), better breaking capability with electric pneumatic brakes compared to the normal conventional coaches.

Besides, the carrying capacity of the MEMU is three times more as compared to normal conventional coaches. MEMU trains of nine cars can carry 3,000 passengers at a time and seating will be as in suburban trains that are plying in Chennai and Mumbai.

The gauge conversion between Kollam and Punalur will also be commissioned during 2009-10.

Emerging_Quilon

September 23rd, 2009, 04:06 PM

More trains from Alleppy and Kottayam to Kollam Juction and from Kollam to Trivandrum sought during day time

An average of 48 trains arrive and depart late from Kollam railway station

The main platforms at the Kollam railway station without trains for most of the day time

KOLLAM: On an average about 48 trains arrive and depart from the Kollam railway station every day. Yet the paradox is that for hours together during the day time there are no trains from Kollam. The situation is badly affecting those who come from other stations to work in Kollam and for those who want to travel after the peak hours.

One behind the other seven trains leave Kollam towards Thiruvananthapuram between 5.50 a.m. and 8.50 a.m. Since office goers to Thiruvananthapuram use those trains, especially the Malabar Express (departing at 8 a.m.), Vanchinad (8.20 a.m.) and the Intercity Express (8.50 a.m.), those trains are packed.

The next train to Thiruvananthapuram from Kollam is the Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram Mail at 10.15 a.m. After that there is no train to Thiruvananthapuram for almost three hours. This situation is posing problems to the commuters from Kottayam and Alappuzha side working in Kollam.

While their office time is 10 a.m., they are compelled to arrive in Kollam by 8.50 a.m. President of the Railway Passengers Association (RPA) S. Ulhas Kumar said had there been a train from the northern side that arrives in Kollam around 9.30 a.m. it would have been of much convenience to those coming to Kollam by train to work.

Joint petition

Recently, more than 170 commuters from the Kottayam-Kayamkulam side coming to Kollam for work had sent a joint petition to the railway authorities in Thiruvananthapuram and Chennai for rescheduling the timing of one or two trains to the convenience of those arriving in Kollam for work. But the plea was rejected by the authorities through a written reply. Later, they petitioned Union Minister of State for Railways E. Ahamed and he has promised to look into the matter.

Meanwhile, after 10.15 a.m. the next train to Thiruvananthapuram from Kollam is the Kerala Express at 1.05 p.m. This is followed by the Island Express to Kannyakumari at 1.40 a.m. After that there is no express train to Thiruvananthapuram again for another three hours though there is a shuttle at 3.40 p.m.

The next express train is the Parasuram Express at 4.55 p.m. Then, within half-an-hour the Netravati Express (5.15 p.m.) and the Sabari Express (5.30 p.m.) will leave Kollam. Again after two hours the Thiruvananthapuram-bound Shatabdi arrives and then one hour after that the Venad Express leaves Kollam.

The situation to the north from Kollam is somewhat the same in the afternoon. Between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. there is no shuttle train to Kayamkulam.

After the departure of the Chennai mail at 3.35 p.m., the next train towards Kayamkulam side from Kollam is the Intercity Express at 6.15 p.m. The RPA alleges that even the schedules of the shuttle trains do not suit the convenience of the commuters.

Long-standing demand

And if the shuttle train from Ernakulam that arrives at Kayamkulam at 12.25 p.m. is extended to Kollam, it would serve as an afternoon train towards Kollam from the north side.

Such a train is, in fact, a long-standing demand of Kollam passengers.

‘A declared policy’

Mr. Ulhas Kumar said that introduction of more shuttle trains was a declared policy of the Railways, there was no such train connecting Kollam and Alappuzha during the day time and was an injustice to the commuters of the two districts.

Emerging_Quilon

September 23rd, 2009, 04:07 PM

South to see rural BPO revolution

State governments seen encouraging outsourcing centres in villages

BPOs have been set up in Perinad and Kadakkal villages of Kollam district

Inaugration of the Kollam BPOs called Techno Lodges in November 2009

Kollam truly gearing up to join the IT bandwagon. IT lodges at Perinad and Kadakkal to be commissioned in November 2009 is a great step before the the Kollam Techno Park's inaugration next year.

Perinad is serene and quit village just outside the city limits with good human resource particularly for BPO industry.

Emerging_Quilon

October 8th, 2009, 07:52 AM

KOLLAM: The State’s first district-level resources and services web portal was launched for Kollam district on Monday by Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran. The portal, Sevana, is a joint venture of the District Informatics Centre (DIC) and the district administration.

Emerging_Quilon

October 8th, 2009, 03:04 PM

I have visited Kollam Junction Railway station last week and have seen good progress in the MEMU shed work progress. The basement concrete work is going on now. Kollam Junction is witnessing a lot of development works along with the Kollam - Punalur BG conversion.

Though, the progress of the Kollam - Punalur BG conversion track laying in the remaining section is going at a slow pace, the Station Building work at important stations like Kilikollur, Kundara and Kottarakara are almost over. The longest Platform in South India (Platfrom No -3 at Kollam Junction) is been given its finishing touches. The platform which is more than 1 Km starts from the station building and ends near the hockey ground end at the Fathima Matha College.

The 2nd Terminal work near the Upasana hospital side is expected to start soon. Also, the work of the Chinnakkada underpass near the railway station north side is progressing slowly.

Emerging_Quilon

October 9th, 2009, 07:25 AM

Land housing the Crowther Masonic Hall near the DCC office here has been identified as the site

Proposed land comprises 90 cents

Revenue team has also identified 20 cents of land around the plot

Would be sufficient for the court complex which will house all the courts
KOLLAM: The land housing the Crowther Masonic Hall near the DCC office here has been identified as the site for constructing the proposed Kollam Court Complex.

The land was inspected for the purpose by a team of revenue officials led by Kollam Tahsildar M. Vishwnathan on Thursday. Mr. Vishwanthan will submit a report to District Collector A. Shajahan in a week’s time. The land comprises 90 cents. The revenue team has also identified 20 cents of puramboke land around the plot. This would also be acquired and it would be sufficient for the court complex, sources said.

Thursday’s inspection was a follow up to the decisions of a high-level meeting of officers of the Home and Revenue Departments in Thiruvananthapuram on August 5. The minutes of the meeting was sent to the District Collector and the minutes had mentioned about the Masonic Hall plot.

The Collector then directed the Tahsildar to inspect the land as a prelude to the land transfer proposal.