Kochi: As election fever grips Ernakulam and officials busy with pre-poll works, the rampant reclamation of water bodies, paddy fields, wetlands and destruction of mangroves are going unnoticed.

Kochi: It is tough times ahead for Kochi Metro as environmentalists tighten the noose around Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL).

Kochi: Kochi corporation has decided to appoint International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for executing the solar city project. The local body has informed that it will hold preliminary discussions with ICLEI representatives in a month.

The aim of the project is to promote the use of renewable energy in urban areas. Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi were identified as suitable regions for implementing the project.

Kochi:The state government has decided to opt for the ‘Swiss challenge system’ of tendering, a bidding process to help private sector initiative in core sector projects, for the new solid waste treatment plant to be set up at Brahmapuram.

Urban development minister Manjalamkuzhi Ali said the cabinet has already taken a decision in this regard and tender notifications would soon be released. “By adopting this model of tendering, we will be able to finalise the bid within three months of releasing the notification,” he said.