Kozhikode: The Kerala government Monday announced it will go ahead with the construction of a new dam at Mullaperiyar and urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to "intervene strongly" in the dispute and make Tamil Nadu initiate "practical steps" on the issue. "The state government will not go back from its decision to construct a new dam at an estimated expense of Rs 600 crore," Finance Minister K.M. Mani told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
"Kerala has the right to construct a new dam in Kerala's land funded by the state for the safety of the people of the state," he said, adding about 45 lakh people living in five districts of Kerala are facing serious threat to their lives. It was due to the "non-cooperative attitude" of the Tamil Nadu government that the Mullaperiyar issue was being dragged on without arriving at a solution, he charged. Funds have been earmarked in this year's budget for the construction of a new dam at Mullaperiyar, he said.
Urging Tamil Nadu to adopt a "compassionate approach" to the issue, Mani said Kerala was never against giving water to the neighbouring state. "A new dam is the only solution as we cannot play with the lives of over 45 lakh people living in the downstream area," he said.
Kerala has been pressing for immediate central intervention to persuade Tamil Nadu to agree to the proposal of a new dam at Mullaperiyar holding that the present 116-year-old structure posed a threat to nearly three million people, mainly in Idukki, Kottayam and Ernakulam districts.
However, holding a contradictory view, Tamil Nadu has opposed construction of a new dam, asserting that the present reservoir "is as safe and good as new" and accused Kerala of whipping up fear psychosis.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Online booking in Sabarimala a hit
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Police initiative - www.sabarimala.keralapolice.gov.in - to promote online booking for darshan at Sabarimala became a huge hit. The software was developed by constables without costing a penny. The number of devotees who have used the system crossed 3.5 lakh within 10 days of its launch. It was the idea of south zone ADGP P Chandrasekharan who had mooted this idea to control the rush by giving devotees the facility to book for darshan in advance.
The main advantage of online booking is that the devotees won't have to stand in queue anywhere other than the Sannidhanam, he said. The devotees, after covering Neelimala and Appachimedu, had to wait in long queues for hours in Sabaripeetom. Two years before, some age-old people who were unable to stand in long queues complained about it, he said.
Through online booking, devotees can find less crowded hours and opt for darshan. The aim is to provide darshan time for 1000 devotees and next year the number would be doubled to 2000.
As per the direction of the ADGP, the computer cell of State Crime Records Bureaus, arranged the programme Advance Queue Placement Facility. Mukesh MR constable is the developer of the software. Though not sophisticated, outside agencies charge a hefty amount to develop this but the group created the software without spending a rupee. It was on November 16 that the facility came into effect. Those who come with the printout of the booking can enter the Sannidanam through Chandranandan road without going through the flyover at Marakootam. If they show copies of ID card, they would be directly led to the Pathinettam Padi
The main advantage of online booking is that the devotees won't have to stand in queue anywhere other than the Sannidhanam, he said. The devotees, after covering Neelimala and Appachimedu, had to wait in long queues for hours in Sabaripeetom. Two years before, some age-old people who were unable to stand in long queues complained about it, he said.
Through online booking, devotees can find less crowded hours and opt for darshan. The aim is to provide darshan time for 1000 devotees and next year the number would be doubled to 2000.
As per the direction of the ADGP, the computer cell of State Crime Records Bureaus, arranged the programme Advance Queue Placement Facility. Mukesh MR constable is the developer of the software. Though not sophisticated, outside agencies charge a hefty amount to develop this but the group created the software without spending a rupee. It was on November 16 that the facility came into effect. Those who come with the printout of the booking can enter the Sannidanam through Chandranandan road without going through the flyover at Marakootam. If they show copies of ID card, they would be directly led to the Pathinettam Padi
Earthquake within 15 km of dam should be viewed seriously: CESS
Upputhara: Dr John Mathai, senior scientist from the Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS), said a slight tremor within 15 kms of the dam should be viewed seriously. Also whether the dam can sustain this should be taken into account. The recent tremors occurred within 34 km surrounding the dam. He told mediapersons that the recent tremors centering Kannampadi, Venjoormoodu, Vellakkanam, Uluppooni are creating apprehensions.
John Mathai said the area is a category III quake-prone zone, which means that it could experience tremors with an intensity of up to 6 on the Richter Scale. He added that the need of the hour is to build quakeproof buildings as he noticed that the houses, which were not built to resist quakes, had be
John Mathai said the area is a category III quake-prone zone, which means that it could experience tremors with an intensity of up to 6 on the Richter Scale. He added that the need of the hour is to build quakeproof buildings as he noticed that the houses, which were not built to resist quakes, had be
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Another tremor rocks Mullaperiyar dam area
Idukki: Just hours after Kerala Water Resources Minister P J Joseph warned that another earthquake could lead to the collapse of the dilapidated Mullaperiyar Dam, a low intensity tremor rocked the dam area and other places in this district early this morning, creating panic among 30 lakh people living downstream.
However, no damage has been reported from anywhere so far, according to sources here.
The tremor occurred between 0314 and 0320 hrs. The tremors were felt at Vandiperiyar, Upputhara, Velliyamattom, Valakode, Chappath and Moolamattom in Idukki district, and other places in Kottayam, Alappuzha and Ernakulam districts.
Many people were awakened from sleep early in the morning as they felt the shock and heard rumbling noises, the sources added.
This was the 21st tremor in the dam area for the last four months.
However, no damage has been reported from anywhere so far, according to sources here.
The tremor occurred between 0314 and 0320 hrs. The tremors were felt at Vandiperiyar, Upputhara, Velliyamattom, Valakode, Chappath and Moolamattom in Idukki district, and other places in Kottayam, Alappuzha and Ernakulam districts.
Many people were awakened from sleep early in the morning as they felt the shock and heard rumbling noises, the sources added.
This was the 21st tremor in the dam area for the last four months.
Ferry service between Kochi-Male from Jan or Feb next year
Kochi: The proposed cargo-cum-passenger ferry service between Kochi and Male as announced by Prime Minister Manmohan singh at the SAARC summit on November 11 would commence operations in January or February 2012.
A team of officers from Maldives Ports Limited, led by MPL Deputy CEO Hussain Naeem held discussions with the Cochin Port Trust authorities yesterday and today decided to structure the ferry serivce as a cargo-cum-passenger service, a CPT release said here today.
According to the decision, besides carrying 300 passengers, the vessel, to be operated weekly, would also carry about 15 to 20 containers and about 500 tonners of break bulk cargo, it said, adding the EOI would be floated by SCI soon after receiving confirmation from the Maldivian side that they were ready for the ferry service.
Stating that the ferry would be berthed at the BTP Jetty in the Cochin Port and would use the Cruise Terminal facility that was being developed at a cost of Rs seven crore, it said the work on the cruise terminal was expected to be completed by March 2012.
The Maldivian team expressed a desire to get the ferry to touch Kulhuduffushi Port also. However, since the port expansion work was yet to be completed, it was decided to start the ferry as a Cochin-Male-Cochin service and incorporate an option to extend it to Kulhuduffushi Port when the work was completed.
A team of officers from Maldives Ports Limited, led by MPL Deputy CEO Hussain Naeem held discussions with the Cochin Port Trust authorities yesterday and today decided to structure the ferry serivce as a cargo-cum-passenger service, a CPT release said here today.
According to the decision, besides carrying 300 passengers, the vessel, to be operated weekly, would also carry about 15 to 20 containers and about 500 tonners of break bulk cargo, it said, adding the EOI would be floated by SCI soon after receiving confirmation from the Maldivian side that they were ready for the ferry service.
Stating that the ferry would be berthed at the BTP Jetty in the Cochin Port and would use the Cruise Terminal facility that was being developed at a cost of Rs seven crore, it said the work on the cruise terminal was expected to be completed by March 2012.
The Maldivian team expressed a desire to get the ferry to touch Kulhuduffushi Port also. However, since the port expansion work was yet to be completed, it was decided to start the ferry as a Cochin-Male-Cochin service and incorporate an option to extend it to Kulhuduffushi Port when the work was completed.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Kerala cabinet clears sops for Non Residents
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala cabinet Wednesday unveiled sops for the diaspora by clearing a special housing scheme for them and also lowered the minimum amount for equity in the proposed Kannur airport to allow mid-income diaspora to invest in it.
Unveiling the new housing policy, Finance and Housing Minister K.M. Mani said it is a wrong notion that all the Kerala diaspora are rich.
'There are so many diaspora whose dream of owning a house is yet to materialise and for that we have launched a trial scheme in Thrissur exclusively for the diaspora. It has been proved a success with many diaspora joining it. This scheme will now be replicated in other districts for the benefit of the not-rich diaspora,' said Mani.
The nodal agency for implementing the housing policy is the Kerala State Housing Board (KSBH) which extends subsidies to all the allotees who buy flats and houses build by the KSHB.
'The diaspora will now get the benefit of subsidy. When it comes to allotment, the average diaspora would get the preference in exclusive schemes which will now be floated,' said Mani.
A recent study by the Centre for Development Studies here found that 2.1 million Keralites work abroad with close to 85 percent in the Middle East, and of these close to 70 percent are not in the rich category.
After the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that following repeated demands from several quarters, the government has decided to lower the minimum amount for acquiring equity in the proposed Kannur international airport from Rs.200,100 to Rs.50,000. 'This was a long standing demand that the minimum amount be reduced so as to help many who want to invest in the Kannur airport. This was first cleared at the board of the airport and today the cabinet accepted the demand,' said Chandy.
Kannur International Airport Limited (KIAL) has already been registered and the Rs.1,200 crore airport would be built under a public-private initiative in an area of 2,000 acres near here at Mattanur in Kannur district. It is expected to open in 2013.
There was a huge hue and cry from the diaspora when the previous Left government decided to fix the minimum amount at Rs.200,100 and when the Chandy government took over in May this year, they announced that they would ensure that even the ordinary diaspora can become an investor in Kannur airport.
Unveiling the new housing policy, Finance and Housing Minister K.M. Mani said it is a wrong notion that all the Kerala diaspora are rich.
'There are so many diaspora whose dream of owning a house is yet to materialise and for that we have launched a trial scheme in Thrissur exclusively for the diaspora. It has been proved a success with many diaspora joining it. This scheme will now be replicated in other districts for the benefit of the not-rich diaspora,' said Mani.
The nodal agency for implementing the housing policy is the Kerala State Housing Board (KSBH) which extends subsidies to all the allotees who buy flats and houses build by the KSHB.
'The diaspora will now get the benefit of subsidy. When it comes to allotment, the average diaspora would get the preference in exclusive schemes which will now be floated,' said Mani.
A recent study by the Centre for Development Studies here found that 2.1 million Keralites work abroad with close to 85 percent in the Middle East, and of these close to 70 percent are not in the rich category.
After the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that following repeated demands from several quarters, the government has decided to lower the minimum amount for acquiring equity in the proposed Kannur international airport from Rs.200,100 to Rs.50,000. 'This was a long standing demand that the minimum amount be reduced so as to help many who want to invest in the Kannur airport. This was first cleared at the board of the airport and today the cabinet accepted the demand,' said Chandy.
Kannur International Airport Limited (KIAL) has already been registered and the Rs.1,200 crore airport would be built under a public-private initiative in an area of 2,000 acres near here at Mattanur in Kannur district. It is expected to open in 2013.
There was a huge hue and cry from the diaspora when the previous Left government decided to fix the minimum amount at Rs.200,100 and when the Chandy government took over in May this year, they announced that they would ensure that even the ordinary diaspora can become an investor in Kannur airport.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Sabarimala: Pilgrims discover Q-coupon booking appreciable
Sabarimala: Every year, Krishna Kumar used to spend a minimum of five hours in the queue to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the Sabarimala temple here. But this year, it just took him 15 minutes -- thanks to a new Q-coupon booking facility.
All he had to do was log onto www.sabarimala.keralapolice.gov.in, upload his picture and book the time of darshan.
A brainchild of Director General of Police Jacob Punnoose, the facility has come as a relief to thousands of pilgrims this season.
"For some reason we were not able to launch this facility during last few years. But this time, we decided to give it a try and it has been a huge success," Punnoose told IANS.
"On an average, we can provide advance booking to 1,000 pilgrims in an hour. The pilgrim can select his own time of darshan if time slots are available.
"At peak hours, no one will have to wait for more than an hour. They will be made to stand in a special queue located close to the 18 steps leading to the sanctum sanctorum," said Punnoose.
Though the temple is open throughout the year, the peak pilgrimage season begins on the first day of the Malayalam month in November (Nov 17 this time) and closes on the first day of the Malayalam month in January.
"We launched the website a week back. In the first week, we received just 3,000 bookings but the number rose to 40,000 and the number of hits on our site has crossed two lakh," said Punnoose.
Authorities are now planning to extend the facility to the special days in the two-month-long pilgrimage.
"We have not yet extended this facility for special days as the crowds are huge. Those who have made an advance booking might not be able to reach the special queue in time. We are working out ways to see what best can be done," added Punnoose.
As many as 100 people were killed in a stampede in January this year when pilgrims were returning after watching the celestial Makara Jyothi light, the most important event of the pilgrimage, from a hillock some 30 km from the Sabarimala temple.
Situated on the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats at an altitude of 914 metres above sea level, Sabarimala temple is four kilometers uphill from Pamba in Pathanamthitta district.
It is one of the most famous Hindu pilgrim centres in India.
The temple, which bars the entry of women who have attained puberty, is accessible only on foot from Pamba.
The Sabarimala authorities have said the collection in the first two days crossed Rs.2.17 crore, Rs.37 lakh more than last year's figures.
All he had to do was log onto www.sabarimala.keralapolice.gov.in, upload his picture and book the time of darshan.
A brainchild of Director General of Police Jacob Punnoose, the facility has come as a relief to thousands of pilgrims this season.
"For some reason we were not able to launch this facility during last few years. But this time, we decided to give it a try and it has been a huge success," Punnoose told IANS.
"On an average, we can provide advance booking to 1,000 pilgrims in an hour. The pilgrim can select his own time of darshan if time slots are available.
"At peak hours, no one will have to wait for more than an hour. They will be made to stand in a special queue located close to the 18 steps leading to the sanctum sanctorum," said Punnoose.
Though the temple is open throughout the year, the peak pilgrimage season begins on the first day of the Malayalam month in November (Nov 17 this time) and closes on the first day of the Malayalam month in January.
"We launched the website a week back. In the first week, we received just 3,000 bookings but the number rose to 40,000 and the number of hits on our site has crossed two lakh," said Punnoose.
Authorities are now planning to extend the facility to the special days in the two-month-long pilgrimage.
"We have not yet extended this facility for special days as the crowds are huge. Those who have made an advance booking might not be able to reach the special queue in time. We are working out ways to see what best can be done," added Punnoose.
As many as 100 people were killed in a stampede in January this year when pilgrims were returning after watching the celestial Makara Jyothi light, the most important event of the pilgrimage, from a hillock some 30 km from the Sabarimala temple.
Situated on the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats at an altitude of 914 metres above sea level, Sabarimala temple is four kilometers uphill from Pamba in Pathanamthitta district.
It is one of the most famous Hindu pilgrim centres in India.
The temple, which bars the entry of women who have attained puberty, is accessible only on foot from Pamba.
The Sabarimala authorities have said the collection in the first two days crossed Rs.2.17 crore, Rs.37 lakh more than last year's figures.
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