WNA Globe

World News by Wild Rose

#Kerala ร—

Kerala Minister O.J. Janeesh urges NHAI to finish NH 544, NH 66 ancillary works within fixed timeline

Joint inspection in August as concerns mount over delays, public safety and waterlogging

Kerala nominates Ashutosh Dash on Mullaperiyar dam panel

Following Keralaโ€™s protests in June over what it termed the โ€œunilateralโ€ decision of the National Dam safety Authority to remove its nominee from the panel, the latter called on the State to nominate an expert to represent it

70 and counting, abandoned quarries continue to pose safety threats in Keralaโ€™s Ernakulam district

Kodungallur-Angamaly NH 544 bypass alignment likely to be ready in a fortnight

The approximately 18-km stretch, expected to be built at a cost of โ‚น360 crore, would help motorists bypass congested junctions, especially in and around Angamaly, where serpentine traffic snarls frequently hold them up

Kollam District Development Committee in Kerala urges speedy execution of projects

KSRTC staff will face action if free tickets are issued to men on Priyadarshini buses, says Kerala Transport Minister C.P. John

KSRTC to hire private buses during festival seasons to meet the increased travel demand, says Minister, who adds that the corporation had not purchased new buses over the past 10 years, leaving much of its fleet outdated

Tap ESCO model for improving energy efficiency, Kerala's Energy Management Centre tells institutions, industries

What makes the ESCO model attractive is that entities can implement energy efficiency improvement projects without upfront capital investment. The Energy Service Company undertakes the investment and implementation of the selected energy efficiency measures, and the project cost is recovered from the verified energy cost savings that are generated

A first in Kerala: Munnar tea company uses drones to move harvested leaves

Initiative aims to streamline field logistics, boost productivity, minimise manual handling, and ensure faster transfer of green leaves to the factory

Land acquisition for rail projects moves at snailโ€™s pace in Kerala

So far, only 78 hectares (13%) have been acquired, leaving 540 hectares (87%) still to be obtained, which delays rail infrastructure development.

Major fire breaks out at plastic recycling factory in Keralaโ€™s Kasaragod; none injured

GAIL natural gas pipeline runs beneath factory premises at a depth of about 2 m. After fire was extinguished, officials inspected the area above the underground pipeline and confirmed that it had not been affected

Kerala power crisis: State may face deficit in coming months too

According to Load Generation Balance Report of Central Electricity Authority, Kerala can expect gaps in peak demand and availability from August through October this year and January through March 2027

Introduction of new trains, increased train frequency sought in DRUCC meeting held in Keralaโ€™s Thiruvananthapuram

Railway officials assure that all feasible proposals will be pursued at the divisional level and policy matters will be forwarded to the competent authorities for consideration

Boost for road connectivity in Edamalakkudy tribal area in Kerala

The Forest and Tribal Development departments have signed an agreement to construct a new road linking Edaliparakkudy to Societykudy, further enhancing access to the stateโ€™s first tribal panchayat.ย 

Kerala government launches women-only โ€˜pink busโ€™ service

The project, which has been launched in Thiruvananthapuram, will be extended to other districts soon, and the routes and timings will be determined after assessing the requirements of the passengers

Defunct street lights along Chettuva bridge in Thrissur, Kerala, raise safety concerns

Residents have been urging the authorities to make the street lights functional and carry out permanent repairs to the bridgeโ€™s damaged surface. Accidents have become common on the damaged bridge

Amid power crisis, workplace accidents pose stiff challenge to Kerala State Electricity Board

Accidents have claimed the lives of 8 KSEB staff and 10 contract staff so far this year, notes KSEB. Primary causes include safety rule violations and carelessness.

Traffic restrictions in Keralaโ€™s capital

KSRTC to launch โ€˜pink busโ€™ services for women

Online taxi fares surge as drivers continue โ€˜offline strikeโ€™ in Kerala

Commuters face higher fares and cab shortages, forcing many to switch to buses and autorickshaws; drivers demand fare revisions, welfare measures and action against illegal bike taxis; talks withย Uberย scheduled on Thursday

Keralaโ€™s power crisis partly due to cancellation of long-term contracts during LDF govtโ€™s term, says V.D. Satheesan

Kochi metro introduces additional peak-hour services

Kerala earmarks โ‚น15 crore for road safety under โ‚น450-crore Sabarimala development plan

The package envisaged comprehensive infrastructure development of the pilgrimage corridor, says Public Works Minister P.K. Basheer.

Kerala to unveil transport policy soon, says Minister C.P. John

Road safety mission, pre-licence driving education in higher secondary schools to be party of policy

State Electricity Regulatory Commission pulls up KSEB for erratic power curbs

Kerala to receive 200 MW from Sunday under short-term power purchase deal

Drawing flak over power curbs, Kerala State Electricity Board seeks nod for procuring 200 MW for one-year period

The power utility has approached the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission requesting its approval for procuring 100 MW each from NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd and Power Pulse Trading Solutions Ltd at โ‚น5.96 per unit

Daily ridership of women passengers on KSRTC Ordinary buses increase from 6.48 lakh to 12.12 lakh, says Kerala Minister

Despite the roll-out of the scheme on Ordinary buses,ย number of male passengers using these services has remained almost constant. This indicates that increase in women passengers has not come at the expense of other passengers, says C.P. John

Kerala high-speed rail: CM Satheesan says govt panel finds Delhi Metro Rail Corporation proposal โ€˜incompleteโ€™

Chief Minister says 'what the recommendations mean is that the State should not repeat the mistakesโ€™ that occurred with the scrapped K-Rail project

Water Authority steps up pace of Jal Jeevan Mission work in Thiruvananthapuram district

Several of the water supply schemes and components necessary for providing connectivity in the rural areas of the district are expected to be commissioned over this year and the next

Decision pending on direct purchase of land in Ayyankuzhi for Kerala waste management project

โ€œWhile acquisition through the direct purchase route will be swift, it would be more protracted under the Land Acquisition Act,โ€ district administration sources said

A crisis on wheels in Kerala

The free bus ride scheme for women is turning out to be financially unviable

Kerala govt. forms transport coordination committee

Wayanad debris slip: Why Kerala Minister said it was not a natural disaster

Kerala Agriculture Minister T. Siddique said the debris slip in Wayanad was caused by unscientifically stacked excavated soil, alleging that the contractorโ€™s failure to remove the accumulated earth in time led to the incident

Violation of tariff conditions: KSEB slaps fine for letting out flats as โ€˜private lodgesโ€™

KSEB plans to extend its inspections across the State to address similar violations.

KSEB to charge 1 paise per unit surcharge in July for bi-monthly consumers to recover fuel costs

However, no surcharge will be levied on monthly-billed consumers

PWD reforms to speed up projects worth โ‚น513 cr. in Kerala

Progress slow on Comprehensive Dam Safety Evaluation in Kerala as deadline closes in

Owners of dams are required to complete the first CDSE by an independent panel of experts within five years of the commencement of the Dam Safety Act, 2021. As per this requirement, the deadline expires on December 31, 2026

Adani-MSC Vizhinjam port deal controversy | Explained

The move by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited to divest its 49% stake in Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited to Switzerland-based MSC Group has courted controversy, with Kerala govt conveying its displeasure to APSEZ on being kept in the dark

Kerala govt begins examining Adani proposal to sell 49% stake in Vizhinjam port to MSC Group

Announcement by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited has sparked a controversy in Kerala, with Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan claiming Adani Group had not communicated its decision to State govt and that its approval is mandatory for such a move

Idukki reservoir faces critically low storage levels

The Idukki hydel power project in Kerala is facing a dire situation, with its reservoir storage plummeting to just 23% as of July 1, a stark decline from 58% a year ago

Kerala Assembly: Minister says govt to prioritise battery energy storage systems to tackle power crisis

Five of six BESS projects on the anvil are expected to be completed by 2026-end and these will provide 1,500 MW in storage capability, Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph tells House

โ€˜โ‚น523-crore project cleared to tackle Kochiโ€™s water shortageโ€™

Private bus operators in Kerala to decide on Statewide motor strike on July 6

Kerala mulls bringing โ€˜non-motorisedโ€™ electric two-wheelers under RTO rules, says Transport Minister

At present, the sub-250W e-bikes and e-scooters do not require a learnerโ€™s or permanent driving licence, registration certificate, or pollution-under-control certificate. Minister says they have been causing many accidents on the roads in recent times, leading to the loss of life of youngsters