Latest news with #TNPrathapan
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Shipwrecks: Kerala high court admits former MP's plea seeking comprehensive compensation package
Kochi: High court on Tuesday admitted the petitions filed by former MP T N Prathapan and others, who have sought a comprehensive compensation package for fishermen and other stakeholders affected by the recent shipwrecks off the Kerala coast and adjourned the matter to Sept 8. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji adjourned the matter following a submission by advocate general K Gopalakrishna Kurup that an admiralty suit has been filed to recover maritime claims amounting to Rs 9,531 crore for the environmental and economic damage caused by the sinking of the cargo vessel MSC Elsa 3 on May 25. The copies of the suit and the order of interim arrest issued by the single bench on July 7 have been produced. MSC Akiteta II, the sister vessel of MSC Elsa 3, has been arrested on the order of the single bench. The division bench then noted that the issue of monetary claims against the shipping company, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), is currently being considered by the single bench in the admiralty suit. The petitioners contended that aside from the monetary claim, there are other issues relating to the duties and responsibilities of the state authorities, pollution control board and director general of shipping, which still need judicial consideration. The division bench granted liberty to the petitioners to approach court with an application if any such urgent intervention is required. Meanwhile, MSC clarified that the removal of the wrecks, a relief sought by the petitioners, is planned for Aug as the current weather conditions do not permit deep-sea operations.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Streetlight woes continue in Kochi city
Kochi: Despite claims that the LED streetlight project in Kochi is nearing completion, several parts of the city continue to remain in darkness, with both new and old streetlights lying dysfunctional for months. While the Cochin Smart Mission Limited (CSML) is implementing the project, the lack of timely repairs and poor inter-agency coordination have left many residents frustrated. The Rs 40-crore LED project aims to replace all existing streetlights within the corporation limits with energy-efficient LED lamps to improve illumination and reduce electricity bills. Initially scheduled for completion in Dec 2023, the deadline was extended to Dec 2024. CSML now claims that the major implementation work will be completed by the end of July 2025. However, on the ground, lighting failures persist across multiple areas—both where new lights were installed and where old ones remain unreplaced. According to residents and councillors, maintenance has been poor, and repairs often take months. CSML blames the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) for not cooperating, particularly when it comes to power connections and maintenance support. "I've been raising the issue of defunct streetlights on the Ponnurunni overbridge for over a year and a half," said RTI activist TN Prathapan. "Despite notifying the corporation, CSML, and even the LSG minister, the area remains unlit. A fatal accident involving a father and son happened here, and poor lighting was a factor." Councillors have raised similar concerns with the corporation and CSML. "In many areas like Manappattipparambu Road, Girinagar, Fort Kochi, Eravely, Karippalam, Mattancherry, Moolamkuzhy, Edakochi and Palluruthy, streetlights are not functioning. CSML keeps citing lack of KSEB support," said Antony Kureethra, opposition leader in Kochi Corporation. UDF parliamentary party secretary MG Aristotle pointed out that the project was expected to slash electricity bills. "Earlier, before switching over to LED lights, the monthly bill was Rs 1.5 crore. In April 2025, it was Rs 1.24 crore and in May and June, Rs 1.33 crore and Rs 1.29 crore, respectively. The goal was a 40% reduction," he said. Public figure CICC Jayachandran added that lights in even key areas like MG Road and SA Road have not been functioning. "After I raised the issue, the mayor intervened and got some lights repaired on SA Road," he said. CSML officials said they will focus on repairs next month. "As of now, our aim is to complete the project. We've procured 1,500 smart meters, of which 850 are installed. Once fully operational, they will help streamline maintenance and reduce electricity costs," an official said.
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kerala fisheries committee to protest demanding investigation and compensation for ship accident losses
Kochi: Kerala Fisheries Coordination Committee will organise a protest in front of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) at 10am on July 7. The protestors are demanding a comprehensive investigation into ship accidents under court responsibility, compensation for losses to the fisheries sector and workers based on international standards and the appointment of an expert committee to examine the losses to fisheries and the environment. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The protest will be inaugurated by Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden, with committee chairman T N Prathapan presiding. The committee is also demanding the abandonment of plans to bring large corporate ships into the deep-sea sector. Former MLA V Dinakaran will deliver the keynote address. Other speakers include MLA P P Chitharanjan, Jackson Pollayil, Joseph Xavier Kalappurackal and Kerala Fishworkers Aikyavedi Forum president Charles George, among others. The fishers have been alleging that their fishing nets are getting damaged due to the debris of the shipwreck. They alleged that nets of 10 boats that went fishing from Kochi on Monday were torn, nine parts southwest of the estuary, hitting debris or containers from a ship. "The repair, installation of new nets and a week's work will result in losses worth Rs 10 lakh per boat. Since the sinking of the ship ELSA-3, accidents in the fishing area have been increasing. Last week, the nets of nine boats were similarly torn west of Thottappally," George said.
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Shipwrecks off Kerala coast: Will file admiralty suit in a week or two, state govt tells high court
Kochi: State govt has informed high court that an admiralty suit will be filed within one or two weeks, seeking compensation for the environmental and economic losses resulting from recent shipwreck incidents off Kerala coast. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Advocate general K Gopalakrishna Kurup further submitted that the state is in the process of collecting additional authentic data regarding the Liberian-flagged vessel, MSC ELSA 3, which capsized on May 25. These submissions were made in response to public interest litigations filed by former MP T N Prathapan and others, seeking a comprehensive compensation and rehabilitation package for fishermen and other stakeholders affected by the recent shipwrecks. While considering the petitions, the bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji observed that some other suits have already been filed in connection with compensation claims arising from the same incidents. The advocate general clarified that those suits were filed by the owners of goods that were lost aboard the vessel. He added that there remains some uncertainty regarding the ownership of the cargo vessel MSC ELSA 3, as the vessel's managers have claimed it was under the operation of another registered entity. He stated that the ship is a containership registered under the ownership of ELSA 3 Maritime Inc. The bench, however, reminded the state that the ongoing data collection should not delay the filing of the admiralty suit. The court accordingly adjourned the petitions to July 15. Charles George, one of the petitioners, alleged that the shipping company had terminated the contract with a salvage agency and appointed a new one, which, he argued, could affect the progress of salvage operations. The company responded that the change was made for valid reasons and would not impact the ongoing operations. The court directed the director general of shipping to examine the issue and respond to the petitioner's concern by the next posting date.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
No significant pollution or environmental damage caused by MSC ELSA 3 capsize so far: Shipping company
Kochi: Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), owner of the cargo vessel MSC ELSA 3, which capsized off Kerala coast on May 25, has informed high court that no significant pollution or environmental damage has been caused by the incident so far. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to MSC, the light oil sheen initially observed around the vessel's location was promptly contained, and it has since dispersed. All accessible vents and sounding pipes from which oil could potentially escape have been capped. Therefore, at present, there is no imminent threat of an oil spill, environmental damage, or any related consequences. These submissions were in response to petitions filed by former MP T N Prathapan and others, seeking comprehensive compensation and rehabilitation for fishermen and other stakeholders affected by the incident. The affidavit filed by MSC further states that of the 643 containers on board, 13 contained legally permitted hazardous cargo. It is believed that all 13 containers sank with the vessel. None of the 61 containers retrieved so far contained hazardous material. The other cargo on board included plastic products known as nurdles, of which more than 70 tonnes have been collected by special teams. MSC also informed that the removal of fuel from the vessel's bunker tanks requires saturation diving — a high-risk operation unfeasible under the current weather conditions. Also, the wreck does not appear to pose any navigational hazard and does not obstruct fishing activities. The vessel is currently stable and resting on the seabed at a depth of 54.5 meters. HC will consider the petitions on Wednesday. The affidavit also describes the events leading to the shipwreck, stating that at 1am on May 24, the vessel developed a concerning starboard list, which continued to increase despite efforts by the crew to correct it. At that time, the vessel was approximately 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi and 21.5 nautical miles from the nearest Kerala coast. By 3.15am, the list had increased to 30 degrees. The crew still onboard took proactive steps to stabilise the vessel, and about 40 containers fell overboard, reducing the list to 20-22 degrees. However, the crew members were subsequently evacuated following a directive from DG Shipping, and although further efforts were made to correct the list, they were ultimately unsuccessful.
