The Union Urban Development Ministry wants cities to do more than just express intent to have a metro railway system. The Ministry is annoyed that cities have been limiting their role to submitting a detailed project report and attaching an application for the Centre to approve and fund their metro systems.

A senior official of the Ministry on Wednesday said cities should play a more proactive role and emulate Kochi’s determination to get the metro project sanctioned.

The industrial clusters based in Greater Kochi fall into the group of cities with high pollution levels, as per a study done by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in association with Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi. The study had carried out an environmental assessment of industrial clusters across India, the results of which have been published online.

Under the study, a comprehensive environmental pollution index (CEPI) was calculated to help prioritise planning needs to improve the quality of the environment in industrial clusters.

With climate change becoming a reality for our world to contend with, a highly detailed assessment of the likely impacts of this phenomenon in Kochi will be undertaken soon by the project partners

A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Friday directed the State government to take steps to impose complete plastic ban and sale of other non-biodegradable materials at the Sannidhanam.

The Bench comprising Justice Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan and Justice K. Vinod Chandran pointed out that no objection had been raised from any quarters to its suggestion that no articles of food other than ‘kanji’ (rice gruel) and necessary side dishes need be provided in and around the Sannidhanam and Pampa.

The second phase of the project to assess the impact of climate changes in target cities in India, including Kochi will be launched soon.

A stakeholder meeting will be convened in Kochi on Tuesday to discuss the timelines, status and next steps for the project. The major objectives of the meeting also include detailed discussions on the climate projections for Kochi and the impact of changing climate on the urban systems here. The project ‘Asian Cities Adapt: Impacts of Climate Change in Target Cities in India and the Philippines and Local Adaptation Strategies,’ is implemented jointly by International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) European Secretariat, CLEI South Asia and ICLEI South East Asia.

All the 15 companies, which had submitted requests for qualification for the government’s modern solid waste treatment plant at Brahmapuram capable of processing 500 tonnes of waste materials daily, have been qualified to bid for the project.

Confirming the development, Urban Affairs Minister Manjalamkuzhi Ali told The Hindu on Wednesday that a pre-bid conference is likely to be held next week. Foreign technology will be adopted for the modern plant. The government will not act in haste and will complete all modalities before launching the project, he said.

Water tanker lorries are the main lifeline in many of Kochi’s villages

The city may well take pride in her title as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. But the Queen’s subjects are often left anxiously waiting for non-descript water tankers arranged by the authorities to roll in to their neighbourhoods to quench their thirst. Whether or not the tankers supply quality water or comply with hygiene and sanitation parameters, statistics explain why it may be necessary to include them in the list of essential services.

The families who will be affected with GAIL pipeline project between Kochi and Mangalore have formed Kochi-Mangalore Gaspipeline Santhrastara Horata Kriya Samithi and have clarified that they will not give up their land even if the authorities pay highest amount for the land.

Addressing a press meet here on Tuesday, Rajaram Bhat of the samithi said that the Central government and Supreme Court has given guidelines for acquiring land for development work. However, the GAIL authorities have sidelined the guidelines and have started the acquisition process.

Petronet LNG Ltd, India’s largest natural gas importer, is in talks to set up a Rs 3,500-crore power plant adjacent to its upcoming liquefied natural gas import facility at Kochi in Kerala.

Petronet had proposed to set up a 1,200-Mw gas-fired power plant, a 50:50 joint venture with the Kerala government, sources privy to the development said. Kerala, which faces power shortages, is willing to partner Petronet and the land it would give for setting up of the power plant would be considered as part of its equity contribution in the project.

In its effort to decongest the city and prohibit parking on footpath and encroachments especially by street vendors, the Corporation will formulate a parking policy by November.

The civic body had already entrusted an agency Civitas Urban Solutions with the preparation of a detailed study report focusing on the parking patterns suitable for the city.