Cochin (Kochi) / Ernakulam Projects II

[mohammedirshad06]

It seems both Government of Kerala and Cochin Corporation racing against time, to make up the loss that the city face for past 5 years. Its only 4 days over, since Kerala CM Ommen Chandy announced widening of Thamman-Pullepady road as a preliminary works for Kochi Metro. And within 3 days Kochi Corporation completed all formalities. Kochi Mayor Tony announced the details of progress in his facebook account;

The preliminary works for Thammanam- Pulleppady road widening from Kaloor-Kadavanthra road to M.G.road is in full swing. An urgent survey for the road was ordered to the officials & the survey works were going on for the last 3 days & it will be completed today.The land & buildings that has to be acquired for the road is identified during these survey.- Hon Mayor Tony Chammany

http://www.facebook.com/mayorkochi

Good going Corporation and Govt. I hope, by end of this govt, Ernakulam will be relieved from its 4 decade old curse of crossing the rail-lines only thro' 2 overbridges, with more than 4 overbridges.........

[Malayaali]

CIAL waterway holds huge tourism potential

Nedumbassery: The move by the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) to position itself as the gateway to the State is set to advance further with the government nod to initiate the proposal of a waterway connecting the airport with the seaport in Kochi.

“Once it opens up, a ride along this scenic route will make up an integral part of the itinerary of all the backpackers landing here,” said a senior airport official. It will also play a key role in developing the activity of ‘cruise exchange' and expand the airport's core product of aircraft landings, he said.

Cruise exchange

According to the official, there was also a plan for CIAL to hold discussions with the DP World officials to strike a deal in the segment of cruise exchange in an effort to draw more chartered aircraft operators to Kochi. Further, it is also working on a proposal to promote the route by establishing working partnerships with tour operators and other key stakeholders in the sector.

“These proposals are on a liquid stage but initial studies point to a great demand for this route from tourists as it offers sight-seeing right from their landing at the airport,” he said.

As per the statistics available with CIAL, tourist movements accounted about 60 per cent of passenger movement in the domestic and 20 per cent of the international sector. This numbers are set to increase further with the opening of a proposed air-route connecting the five west coast airports including Kochi.

According to tourism sources at the airport, the 49.5-km-long waterway will open up an alternative route for the tourists from Nedumbassery to Alappuzha, a favourite backwater destination.

The Inland Waterways Authority of India, in a survey, has divided the route into three stretches —from the Seaport to Eloor, from Eloor to Kanjoor and from Kanjoor to the airport.

While the primary reach of 23 km is already a part of the National Waterway 3 and will require no improvement, some up gradation works will have to be carried out to develop the second stretch of 26 km through the Periyar.

The final stretch through the Chengalthodu, an extremely silted up tributary of the Periyar, is the most important part that interlinks the airport to the river. The study also envisages the construction of a passenger jetty and a terminal building of 2,000 sq.ft. with all the luxury passenger amenities.

Meanwhile, the IATA Agents Association of India state president P.R Bose has requested the government to extend the water transport facility from Kanjoor to places like Kalady and Malayatoor.

According to him, the move will give a great opportunity to develop tourism in these areas along with developing a waterway transport system in the Periyar.

The Hindu

[Malayaali]

Chandy to inaugurate NUALS's new campus

KOCHI: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will inaugurate the new campus of the National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS) at KINFRA hi-tech park in Kalamassery here on Saturday.

NUALS Vice-Chancellor N. K. Jayakumar said here on Wednesday that Kerala High Court Chief Justice Jasti Chelameswar will preside.

Union Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs K. V. Thomas will inaugurate the academic block.

Finance Minister K. M. Mani will inaugurate the amenities centre while Education Minister P. K. Abdu Rabb will inaugurate the faculty apartments.

Industries Minister V. K. Ebrahim Kunju, will inaugurate the students' hostel – I while M. A. Baby, MLA, will inaugurate the students' hostel – II.

Construction cost

Dr. Jayakumar said that the cost of completing the first phase of the construction of the new campus was around Rs. 24 crore. The university had received bank loans of Rs. 21 crore on a guarantee given by the government. For the second phase (library and administrative buildings), the expected cost is Rs. 10 crore.

The University Grants Commission will give Rs. 5 crore and the State government will provide a matching grant, he said.

In the third phase, construction of residential quarters for the administrative staff, Vice-Chancellor's quarters, Registrar's quarters and Centre for Continuing Legal Education will be initiated. Dr. Jayakumar said that the first phase was completed in a record 15 months' time, with the active involvement of HPL, the project consultant, and INKEL, technical advisor. He said the second phase of the campus development project would begin in July.

The Hindu

[Malayaali]

Red signal for Electronic Park

KOCHI: The Wetland Conversion Committee of the state government under the Agriculture Department has given a stop memo for the land acquisition for the proposed first ever Electronic Park in Amballoor panchayat near Piravom.
The Kerala State Industries Development Corporation (KSIDC) has been entrusted with the acquisition of 340 acres of land for the project.
The committee asked KSIDC to look for alternative land as there are wetlands on the proposed site which begins from the north side of Puthenkavu-Kanjiramattom Road and goes adjacent to Manthuruthel Church in Amballoor Pallithazam.
KSIDC sources said that the wetland at the proposed area is less and it comes to around 20 per cent of the total land.
It was also pointed out that this land was not used for cultivation for the last 30 years and now cultivation is not possible here.
However, KSIDC again sent a request to the state government citing that the land could not be used for any agriculture purpose and to reconsider the decision.
The final nod in this regard is awaited from the state government which has to recommend to the Wetland Conversion Committee to consider the request.
It is a marshy and barren land covered with bushes and the public will not enter the area.
When the survey of KSIDC started, the public were enthusiastic in helping the officials as the project could bring in several other development activities.
The first ever Electronic Park was planned to be set up at a cost of Rs 7,000 crore which can create around one lakh job opportunities.
KSIDC had made a study for the project and expected an investment of Rs 7,000 crore and create 20,000 jobs directly and 70,000 indirectly.
There will not be any hurdles for the acquisition of the proposed land as there are only 22 houses on the 340 acres of land.
It was also decided to develop the land without harming the environment and ecology. Konothupuzha, the river flowing through the land, will also be protected.
Once developed, the project is expected to attract major electronics companies manufacturing TV, refrigerator, washing machine, computer and other electronic gadgets.
The land will be given to industries for lease for a period of 90 years.
The project is designed to ensure that the fuel for the operations of the Park can be taken from the LNG Terminal. In the second phase KSIDC plans to acquire 3000 acres for expansion.

Indian Express

Yet another road block for project in Kochi! Why each and every project in Kochi is cursed to wait for years to get going!!

[Malayaali]

A floating hospital for Goshree Islands

KOCHI: The health woes of the Goshree Islanders are about to find some relief. The island is all set to get a brand new hospital for itself. But no, none of those traditional brick and glass structures. Like the islands, the hospital will also be seen floating on the islands’ waters.
The hospital will be housed on a boat some 40 metres in length. It will have medical facilities like intensive care unit, laboratories, medical store etc. It will move from island to island treating patients on its way.
“The budget for the boat is estimated at Rs 65 lakh. The proposal was put forward by Minister K V Thomas. A draft proposal for the same will be submitted within a week,” District Collector P I Sheik Pareed said.
The Collector also said the tender for the boat connecting Goshree Islands will be floated on July 15.
The circular boat service interconnecting the islands was proposed by the Collector in February this year. It is part of the efforts to develop the Goshree Islands into a tourism hub.
According to the proposal, the boat will have a capacity to accommodate 75 people.
The proposal for the boat service will have to be approved by IIT Madras and the India Navy.
The tender for the boat terminals in all the islands will be floated in the coming months.
The location for these has been identified by the Kerala Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organisation (KITCO). “Once the work on the boat begins, it will be completed within six to eight months. We propose to complete the work on the terminals within the same time frame,” said the Collector.
The other plans for the tourist hub have not been initiated yet, he said.

Indian Express

[DileepKS]

Actually, the sliver of low land between Amballoor and Puthiyakavu is a bigg snake farm. We should take the babu who issued the stop memo there and let him walk back. I don't know what is wrong with these people!!

It was a project blessed by Elamaram, so not sure about Kunjali's policy towards that. I know that Jacob and Babu are strongly behind it, so unless Kunjali have serious opposition, it will happen.

That projects adds much more value to the society than any ITvty projects, because it employs +2/ITI/Diploma holders, mostly coming from the lower strata of the society. I have firsthand experience with how such employment changes lives.

[Malayaali]

Hopefully, the drama of red taping doesnt happen this time, and this govt. is proving good to me atleast!

[mohammedirshad06]

UAE will be soon sending a high level team to explore possibilities of stepping up investments in Kerala, primarily in Kochi. This was announced by Yousaf Ali, director of Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce during the CII meeting with Sheikh Nahayan, the visiting foreign Minister of UAE in Delhi.

The govt of UAE has identified 4 cities for exploring potential UAE investments in India and Kochi is one among them. The areas into which UAE is planning to invest are Tourism/Leisure Parks, Electricity & Energy, Pharma and Logistics (both shipping and aviation). The first major investment was announced by UAE electricity major- TAQA for improving capacity at Neyelli Power Plant in TN. Similar power deals are planned in Kerala and Karnataka.

4 months back, the Economy Minister- Sheikha Lubina visited Kochi and hold discussions with various government bodies in Kerala for investment. With new government, things are expected to move rapidly.

[e_arunsid]

DD Misty Hills (Kakkanad)

[tonapz]

Padma Theatre now has two screens!

Also Tommy Hilfiger opens their first showroom in Kerala at MG Road Cochin!

[Malayaali]

Originally Posted by tonapz

Padma Theatre now has two screens!

Also Tommy Hilfiger opens their first showroom in Kerala at MG Road Cochin!

Osum update!

[Malayaali]

Kaati Zone plans expansion

Bangalore-based food chain Kaati Zone is planning to expand its business in Maharashtra including cities like Mumbai, Pune and Thane.

It will open over 15 food joints across Maharashtra and 35 all over India by April 2012. Kaati Zone has a strong presence in Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad. It is the first to venture into quick service restaurant industry in India.
Kaati Zone presently has over 15 outlets in Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai. Kaati Zone is venturing into kiosk format which is a mid-level food joint which normally requires an investment of Rs 10 lakh.

The first kiosk outlet of Kaati Zone in Maharashtra has opened in Thane. The company is expecting to invest around Rs 2 crore for the expansion business. Apart from Maharashtra, it will be opening in new joints in the cities like Mangalore, Kochi and Manipal.

"We are planning to scale up the business in Maharashtra. This will be done on franchise basis. Each joint requires around Rs 8 to 10 lakh investment. There is a good market for quick service restaurant business in Maharashtra. Later, we will be focusing tier-II and tier-III cities. The company has tied up with Coke for the beverages from last five years. Kaati Zone is the first to venture into quick service restaurant industry in India. Their vision is to create a brand of Indian quick service restaurants that will reach to customers both within India as well as overseas,"said Vijaydeep Nadkarni, director, Kaati Zone speaking to Business Standard.

He added, "It is one of the few concepts in Indian quick service foods with the potential to become a national and international brand and sees a fresh opportunity in Pune, the emerging investment hub of India. Two-income families and larger disposable incomes in India have generated demand for different types of food services, especially quick service restaurants, thus, Kaati Zone presently has over 15 outlets in Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai."

The Kaati Zone brand is owned by East West Ethnic Foods Private Limited, a company incorporated in 2004.

Business Standard

[Malayaali]

Plans afoot to uplift transport

KOCHI: In order to uplift the existing Urban Transport sector of Kochi and to develop it into the set standards of an advanced metro, the Cities Development Initiative for Asia (CDIA) has suggested an ambitious plan at an estimate of Rs 644 crore for the overall development of the public transport system of the city. The pre-feasibility study report in this regard prepared by international agency, Global Works, was presented at the Kochi Corporation Council Hall on Thursday.
Detailing the report, CDIA Senior Programme Specialist in India Balakrishnan Elangovan said the pre-feasibilty study lays stress on the development of four sectors — ferry services, enhanced bus services, pedestrian precincts and rail-road and pedestrian over bridges.
Ferry service
For the betterment of ferry services, the pre-feasiblity report suggests increase in frequency of existing services and number of vessels through five ferry service routes. The routes are Vypeen-Fort Kochi, Mattanchery-Ernakulam High Court, Edakochi- Thevara, Panchayat Terminal-High Court and Kumabalam-Chittoor. The study also recommends the introduction of advanced new generation vessels and the upgradation of 15 existing boat jetties. Better intermodal facilities— easy access to bus and other transport system for commuters to continue their journey have been recommended in Fort Kochi, Mattanchery and Vypeen areas.
Bus services
The second project package at an estimated cost of Rs 100 crore mainly aims at enhancing bus services. The report suggests the improvement of 35 km of the new priority bus lanes, seven new park and ride facilities and upgradation of existing 26 bus shelters.
It also suggests new foot overbridges in Kacherippady and Kaloor.
Proper bus-lane marking, road signage and zebra crossing have also been suggested.
Pedestrian precincts
The report suggests five pedestrian precincts where vehicular traffic will be totally banned, 16 off-street parking facilities, modifying eight existing streets as one-way and proper road signs and marking. The estimated cost is Rs 142 crore.
Pedestrian overbridges.
The CDIA report also proposes the construction of 14 pedestrian overbridges at various locations.
According to the report, the civic body can look into the possibilities of strengthening the existing agencies of forming a Special Purpose vehicle (SPV) with key stake holders in the short term for the implementation of the projects. In the long term, the Corporation can think of establishing an autonomous transport authority for managing the transport sector. A Public-Private- Participation (PPP) model is also feasible.

Indian Express

[DileepKS]

Okay, here is the CDIA Report in its entirety

I am pasting some highlights

Technical Description and Aspects
The ferry services investment proposal comprises ferry and terminal upgrades for five of Cochin‟s island ferry routes. These routes have been selected due to their significant passenger demand potential, and their overall strategic importance in promoting transport system integration. The five route upgrades include a total of 15 new or improved ferry terminal facilities, and the provision of twelve purpose-built, low wash type catamaran passenger vessels, which are fast, versatile and efficient.

The upgraded terminals will include, (i) floating pontoons with islands, (ii) covered walkways from the vessels to the waiting areas, (iii) either terminal waiting areas or covered „at-shore‟ pontoon waiting areas, (iv) pedestrian ramps, and (v) site landscaping and cosmetic improvements. The terminal facilities will be modern and efficient, yet low cost, and provide completely covered walkways to the vessels. The floating pontoons are the basis for the design of all terminals.


The proposed vessels are low wash type catamarans referred to as Kochi Cats. These purpose built vessels will include the following technical specifications: (i) capacity – 163 passengers, (ii) length, beam and draft are 25.5, 7.6 and 1.42 metres respectively; (iii) clearance – 8 metres;(iv) displacement - 35 tonnes; (v) operating speed – normal at 18 knots, maximum at 25 knots; (vi) hull – aluminium; (vii) deck and upper section – fibreglass. Due to their speed and carrying capacity, and to the efficiency of the pontoon loading/unloading systems, the Kochi Cats will provide a dramatically improved ferry service in terms of safety, comfort, speed and reliability. The Kochi Cats are illustrated as follows.

Proposed routes and terminal locations are:

[Malayaali]

Good Info, Dileep bhai,

Kochi Medical College to be Medi-City

* The cooperative medical college at Kalamassery will be developed as Cooperative Medi-City

* Master Plan for the same will be prepared.

cc: Manorama

[Malayaali]

Originally Posted by mohammedirshad06

UAE will be soon sending a high level team to explore possibilities of stepping up investments in Kerala, primarily in Kochi. This was announced by Yousaf Ali, director of Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce during the CII meeting with Sheikh Nahayan, the visiting foreign Minister of UAE in Delhi.

Source??

[mohammedirshad06]

Originally Posted by Malayaali

Source??

It was reported in Asianet News. on the day when Sheikh Nahyan visited Delhi. I don't have recorded video. Will check for it in Youtube and come back

[KMC]

Originally Posted by tonapz

Padma Theatre now has two screens!

Also Tommy Hilfiger opens their first showroom in Kerala at MG Road Cochin!

waaww , thats great Where its coming at MG road.

I heard its also coming at Lulu.

[KMC]

Images Shopping Centre Awards 2011

Most Admired Shopping Centre of the Year: NON-METROS – NORTH - AlphaOne, Amritsar
Most Admired Shopping Centre of the Year: NON-METROS – SOUTH - Oberon Mall, Kochi
Most Admired Shopping Centre of the Year: NON-METROS – EAST - Cosmos Mega Mall, Siliguri
Most Admired Shopping Centre of the Year: NON-METROS – WEST - Magneto Mall, Raipur
Most Admired Shopping Centre of the Year: METROS – NORTH - Ambience Mall, Gurgaon
Most Admired Shopping Centre of the Year: METROS – SOUTH - Forum Mall, Bangalore
Most Admired Shopping Centre of the Year: METROS – EAST - South City Mall, Kolkata
Most Admired Shopping Centre of the Year: METROS – WEST - Inorbit, Malad
Most Admired Shopping Centre Launch of the Year – NORTH - Pacific Mall, New Delhi
Most Admired Shopping Centre Launch of the Year – SOUTH - Express Avenue, Chennai
Most Admired Shopping Centre Launch of the Year – EAST - City Centre, Siliguri
Most Admired Shopping Centre Launch of the Year – WEST - Prozone Mall, Aurangabad
Most Admired Speciality Mall - The Emporio, New Delhi
Most Admired Shopping Centre of the Year -- Marketing and Consumer Promotions - DLF Promenade, New Delhi
Most Admired Shopping Centre of the Year: Retailers’ Choice – METROS - Select CityWalk, New Delhi
Most Admired Shopping Centre of the Year: Retailers’ Choice – NON-METROS - Treasure Island, Indore
Most Admired Shopping Centre Professional of the Year - Kishore Bhatija
Most Admired Shopping Centre Developer of the Year - Ambience Group

http://www.imagesfashion.com/content...t.aspx?cid=907

[mohammedirshad06]

FACT-RCF Building Products Ltd (FRBL), a joint venture between Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore (FACT) and the Mumbai-based Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF), is expected to commission its gypsum-based reinforced wall panel and building components unit by September.

The FRBL is a Rs.100-crore company and a 50:50 joint venture between the two public sector fertilizer companies. The unit is coming up on 12 acres of land on the Ambalamedu campus of the FACT.

A statement issued by the fertilizer company here on Wednesday said the project was 97 per cent complete. All machinery had been erected and the wet gypsum handling section had been commissioned.

The calciner was successfully lit up and some plaster was made during the last week of May. The unit is now fully operational.

Commissioning of the mixing plant is expected towards the end of this month.

A team of engineers from Rapid Building Systems, the Australian technology and machinery provider for the project, is expected to arrive in Kochi and take up the commissioning of the wall panel manufacturing unit in September.

The fibreglass reinforced gypsum panels are expected to revolutionise building culture in Kerala. The project originated with the idea of utilising the nearly 60 lakh tonnes of gypsum stockpiled on the Ambalamedu and Udyogamandal premises of FACT.

The fibreglass reinforced panels can replace brick walls and effect substantial savings in time and money invested in conventional buildings. Savings in cement, bricks and scarcer resources such as river sand are highlights of the new building component. Construction time can be reduced to about one-fifth of the normal time taken for erecting a conventional building.

The new FRBL unit has a capacity to produce around 39,000 panels, each of 36 sq. m. size a year. Interior wall putty and interior wall plaster will be other products from the new joint venture company. The plant will require over one lakh tonnes of gypsum a year.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper...cle2152577.ece