Latest news with #PublicWorksdepartment
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Drains along M.G. Road in Kochi to be renovated to increase carrying capacity
Drains along M.G. Road will be widened enough to increase their carrying capacity to accommodate water from intense spells of rain within a short period as experienced during recent years. This will be one of the works to be undertaken by the Public Works department (PWD) using the ₹10 crores to be sanctioned under Operation Breakthrough (OBT). Renovated drains with footpath atop and twin duct for utilities, including one exclusively for the KSEB, will be part of the works. The PWD will seek technical sanction once the amount is credited to its account. Out of the 9.40-km stretch of M.G. Road, 2.60 km from Pharmacy Junction is likely to be covered in the initial phase. The PWD prefers a left side-oriented work considering that more shops are on that side, and, therefore, pedestrians are also likely to be more there. 'M.G. Road has traditionally suffered from lack of flow of water through the drain leading to waterlogging warranting slope correction. Also, the unscientific installation of prefabricated drains on an existing drain has affected the proper drainage of water into the drains, which also need to be corrected. Missing slabs on the footpath also need to be replaced,' said Mayor M. Anilkumar. The works will be carried out in accordance with a detailed project report (DPR) for drains along M.G. Road, prepared by the PWD two years ago after the Mayor wrote to the Public Works Minister. However, as per the DPR, the total cost of the works is ₹16 crore. 'A meeting will be held with the Minister to explore ways to secure the remaining ₹6 crore needed to complete the project,' said Mr. Anilkumar. A proposal worth around ₹20 crores for laying an eastern-centric outlet to discharge water from the drains directly to the backwaters also remains pending. At present, the discharge outlet through M.G. Road is west-centric. The proposal is to draw an outlet from near the South railway station across M.G. Road directly to the backwaters through DH Road. A majority of OBT works have been focused on the restoration of Mullassery Canal, resolving waterlogging near High Court Junction, and the construction of a culvert at Kammattipadam.
The Hindu
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Initial survey completed for flyover across Sarovaram Biopark
The Public Works department (PWD) has completed laying tentative boundary stones to aid land acquisition for the proposed flyover and road connecting Mini Bypass Road with National Highway 66 across Sarovaram Biopark here. A notice has been issued to landowners who are likely to lose their property to the project, and a survey is under way. The much-awaited project involves a 1-km road from the junction of Gandhi Road and Mini Bypass Road near Sarovaram Biopark to Kottooli Post Office Junction at Panathuthazham. It is connected to the NH from Panathuthazham by an existing four-lane road. 'A gazette notification has already been issued announcing the government's intent to acquire land for this project. Once the actual boundary stones are laid, the Revenue department will conduct the Social Impact Assessment before going ahead with the acquisition process', said Vinay Raj, Project Officer for the Kozhikode City Road Improvement Project (KCRIP) under which the road is being constructed. Meanwhile, the PWD has already submitted the alignment sketch and the requisition to acquire land to the Revenue department. The government has set aside ₹53.69 crore for the construction, while another ₹21.78 crore has been allocated for land acquisition. Of the 1-km stretch, 400 metres will be a flyover over the Sarovaram Biopark to ensure that the Kottooli Wetlands are not disturbed. It will be the first four-lane flyover under the KCRIP, built at least 6 metres above the water level of the Conolly Canal and 18 metres wide. Meanwhile, there has been discontent among residents on both sides of the canal regarding land acquisition. Some people attempted to stop the laying of the tentative boundary stones, prompting police intervention to complete the process. 'This is a project that would cause minimal damage. We may not have to remove more than four houses. The wetland will also not be disturbed,' said Mr. Vinay Raj.
New Indian Express
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- New Indian Express
Craters on Durgapali ROB weeks after inauguration in Odisha
SAMBALPUR: Barely over a month after its grand inauguration, the newly-inaugurated Durgapali railway overbridge (ROB) in Sambalpur has developed craters at multiple spots, raising concerns over the quality of construction. Constructed at a cost of Rs 60.43 crore, the ROB was inaugurated on May 25 to address the persisting traffic congestion in the area. However, within weeks of opening to the public, the road near Durgapali has sunk, creating a dangerous cavity. Another portion of the road near Lakhmi Dunguri caved in on Thursday evening, trapping a truck in the crater. Emergency efforts were launched late in the night to pull the vehicle out and clear the road. The ROB spans 947 metre in length and 12.5 metre in width. The railway portion of the ROB has been constructed by the Railways while the approach roads were laid by the Public Works department (PWD). Shockingly, signs of poor quality work were visible from the very next day of the inauguration with sinkholes appearing at two to three places on Durgapali side of the ROB. Though repairs were hurriedly carried out, new craters have now emerged on the opposite side, exposing the fragile construction.
The Hindu
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Nilambur byelection: Campaigning to end at 6 p.m. on June 17
Campaigning for the June 19 Assembly byelection in Nilambur will come to a raucous conclusion at 6 p.m. on Tuesday (June 17). Public meetings, mic announcements, use of electronic media for electioneering, musical and other entertainment programmes will be banned in the constituency from Tuesday evening (June 17). According to Section 126(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, election campaigning must cease 48 hours before the polling time. District Collector V.R. Vinod, who is the District Election Officer, has ordered that political workers and leaders from outside of Nilambur should leave the constituency soon after 6 p.m. on Tuesday. The Election Commission has banned carrying mobile phones into polling booths. The District Collector appealed to the voters not to bring mobile phones to the polling booths. The Collector has also asked different agencies, including the Public Works department, Kerala Water Authority, and the KSEB, to not dig roads as part of their work within the constituency neighbouring areas until June 23, the day of the election results. The temporary ban on digging is to prevent potential damage to BSNL's internet and telephone infrastructure, which is crucial for the smooth conduct of the election.
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Theyyam museum to come up at Kadannapally
A museum dedicated to preserving the ritualistic art of Theyyam without compromising its spiritual and traditional values will be established at Chanthappura in Kadannapally - Panapuzha grampanchayat, Minister for Registration, Museum and Archaeology Minister Ramachandran Kadannappally has said. Inaugurating the Theyyam museum project on Thursday, the Minister said that the museum was aimed at portraying Theyyam as a purely ritual art form. He added that the museum's design and narrative had been finalsied after in-depth consultations with Theyyam practitioners, ensuring authenticity and cultural integrity. The project, originally proposed during the tenure of the first LDF government, faced delays due to technical issues, despite land allocation by the Public Works department and detailed planning. It was revived later with a fresh administrative santion of ₹7.96 crore. The construction has been entrusted to Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society, with ₹1 crore already disbursed as mobilisation advance. The Minister called for the timely completion of the museum, highlighting the importance of preserving Theyyam in its true form. MLA, presided over the function. Rajmohan Unnithan, MP, and former MLA T.V. Rajesh were the chief guests. Museum and Zoo department Director P.S. Manjula Devi presented the project overview.
