Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi will inaugurate the Rs. 100 crore project for a flyover at Gandhipuram on December 12, Minister for Rural Industries and Animal Husbandry Pongalur N. Palanisamy said on Tuesday.
He will also launch works for establishing a botanical garden on 165 acres at Gandhipuram, which is now part of the Coimbatore Central Prison premises. The park would be created on an outlay of Rs.100 crore in phases.
The first phase would be on 45 acres on an outlay of Rs.20 crore. The Chief Minister will also inaugurate the construction of the building of Anna University, Coimbatore, coming up on the Bharathiar University campus at Marudhamalai.
Mr. Karunanidhi will also start the repairs and renovation works of the 54-km Contour Canal of the Parambikulam – Aliyar Project at Rs. 150 crore.
The canal meets the irrigation and drinking water requirements of three revenue districts in Western Tamil Nadu — Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode. The renovation of the canal would be done after nearly four decades.
The Chief Minister will also lay the foundation for a Rs.50-crore additional block in the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital and launch the Rs.27-crore modernisation of the Coimbatore District Co-operative Milk Producers Union (Aavin) plant.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
IndiGo Airlines in Coimbatore
Terming Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu as a key market, low-cost airline IndiGo Friday said it will start flight services connecting the national capital as well as Chennai to the southern city from Nov 30.
'Expanding operations in south India is in line with our growth strategy in the Indian market, and Coimbatore is a key market for us,' said Aditya Ghosh, president, IndiGo.
The company said the new flights highlight the airline's expansion plan and the month-on-month growth and was in-line with its growth strategy of emerging domestic sectors from south India.
'IndiGo will continue to expand its network to meet the requirements of both business and leisure travellers wherever they demand it,' Ghosh added.
Currently IndiGo operates 207 flights connecting 23 destinations across the nation.
'Expanding operations in south India is in line with our growth strategy in the Indian market, and Coimbatore is a key market for us,' said Aditya Ghosh, president, IndiGo.
The company said the new flights highlight the airline's expansion plan and the month-on-month growth and was in-line with its growth strategy of emerging domestic sectors from south India.
'IndiGo will continue to expand its network to meet the requirements of both business and leisure travellers wherever they demand it,' Ghosh added.
Currently IndiGo operates 207 flights connecting 23 destinations across the nation.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Kerala plans for Industrial corridor between Kochi and Coimbatore
Kerala government is considering a proposal to set up an industrial corridor between Kochi and Coimbatore, along the lines of a similar project being implemented between Mumbai and Delhi.
The government has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Infrastructure Kerala Limited (INKEL), a private-public enterprise set up to promote infrastructure facilities in the state, to undertake a feasibility study and submit a report on the project before March 31 next.
The project will come up on either side of a dedicated freight line to be set up parallel to the gas pipeline linking Coimbatore and the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal expected to be commissioned in Kochi in 2013.
"We will have to identify the locations where different types of industrial clusters can be set up. Availability of land as well as uninterrupted power and water supply will be the criteria for identifying potential locations," Dr G C Gopala Pillai, the head of INKEL, told The Times of India here.
"Tamil Nadu government has shown keen interest in the project during talks held so far between officials of the two states. A ministerial level discussion on the project is likely to take place in December," M said R Karmachandran, executive director of the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC). "The project is expected to cost millions of rupees and we are looking for significant central funding," he added.
Asked whether land will be a constraint for the project in a land-starved state like Kerala, an INKEL official said, "You will be surprised to know that there are vast reserves of land available in Kerala. Much of it is lying unutilized with public or private sector firms. Some individuals and consortium of individuals also hold huge areas of land. We have to put such land to optimal use for industrial development without affecting the environment."
"Industries which can draw on the huge trained manpower pool available in the state could be set up in the proposed clusters. Since the LNG is going to be easily available through the pipeline which is being set up by the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL), power units or power intensive industries would also be ideal," said the KSIDC official.
The dedicated freight line will have both road and rail lines, M P Ranji, additional secretary, state industries department said.
The government has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Infrastructure Kerala Limited (INKEL), a private-public enterprise set up to promote infrastructure facilities in the state, to undertake a feasibility study and submit a report on the project before March 31 next.
The project will come up on either side of a dedicated freight line to be set up parallel to the gas pipeline linking Coimbatore and the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal expected to be commissioned in Kochi in 2013.
"We will have to identify the locations where different types of industrial clusters can be set up. Availability of land as well as uninterrupted power and water supply will be the criteria for identifying potential locations," Dr G C Gopala Pillai, the head of INKEL, told The Times of India here.
"Tamil Nadu government has shown keen interest in the project during talks held so far between officials of the two states. A ministerial level discussion on the project is likely to take place in December," M said R Karmachandran, executive director of the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC). "The project is expected to cost millions of rupees and we are looking for significant central funding," he added.
Asked whether land will be a constraint for the project in a land-starved state like Kerala, an INKEL official said, "You will be surprised to know that there are vast reserves of land available in Kerala. Much of it is lying unutilized with public or private sector firms. Some individuals and consortium of individuals also hold huge areas of land. We have to put such land to optimal use for industrial development without affecting the environment."
"Industries which can draw on the huge trained manpower pool available in the state could be set up in the proposed clusters. Since the LNG is going to be easily available through the pipeline which is being set up by the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL), power units or power intensive industries would also be ideal," said the KSIDC official.
The dedicated freight line will have both road and rail lines, M P Ranji, additional secretary, state industries department said.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Coimbatore to get New International Airport by 2014
Coimbatore will have its own international airport on the lines of the Devanahalli airport in Bangalore by July 2014. After months of protests by local villagers, the decks have been cleared for acquiring lands for the expansion of its existing airport.
The Tamil Nadu government has given an assurance to Airports Authority of India (AAI) that the acquisition of around 612.97 acres of land required for the expansion works would be completed by next June. And the AAI can start construction works from next July.
"The works would begin in a time-bound manner as soon as the acquisition process gets over. We need just three more years to finish the construction work. And on completion, it would be an all-new international airport, comparable only with the recently constructed international airports like Bangalore and Hyderabad," Airport Director Peter K Abraham told The Times of India.
With an extended runway of 12,000 ft (it is 9,900 ft at present), it can facilitate landing and takeoff of wide-bodied and fat-bellied international flights. "What we are visualizing is not just a cosmetic expansion and renovation. It would be a total revamp keeping in view of the city's needs for another 30 years," said Peter.
On completion, the main building with domestic and international terminals would come up in the area facing L&T Bypass and so the public can use it as the main entrance. There would be an entrance from Trichy Road as well.
However, the present entrance from Salem Road would be closed and the existing airport building would be used to accommodate various offices of AAI and its affiliated organizations.
Terming the expansion and renovation works as boosters to city's industrial and commercial growth, the airport director said the existing cargo terminal would also be expanded by doubling its present capacity of 40 tones at a time.
The AAI has already earmarked Rs 300 crore for the renovation and funds would not be a constraint for the time bound completion of works, he said. "We are aware of the hurdles in the wake of land acquisition. The state government has agreed to give us 612.97 acres in the place of a demand for 848 acres. But the shortage in the availability of land would in no way affect the setting up of a fully international airport,'' he said.
Meanwhile, revenue officials have started marking the outer boundaries for the extended airport in Kalapatti, Uppilipalayam, Singanallur, Irugur and Nilambur villages. The state government has already allotted Rs 350 crores for the land acquisition process and the identified plots would be taken over by giving suitable compensation. "The compensation amount for each affected family is yet to be fixed. Government has already expressed its consent for allocating more funds for compensation if the need arises. A special revenue officer and three tehsildars would be soon deputed to speed up the acquisition," district revenue officer A Shanmugha Sundaram informed.
The Tamil Nadu government has given an assurance to Airports Authority of India (AAI) that the acquisition of around 612.97 acres of land required for the expansion works would be completed by next June. And the AAI can start construction works from next July.
"The works would begin in a time-bound manner as soon as the acquisition process gets over. We need just three more years to finish the construction work. And on completion, it would be an all-new international airport, comparable only with the recently constructed international airports like Bangalore and Hyderabad," Airport Director Peter K Abraham told The Times of India.
With an extended runway of 12,000 ft (it is 9,900 ft at present), it can facilitate landing and takeoff of wide-bodied and fat-bellied international flights. "What we are visualizing is not just a cosmetic expansion and renovation. It would be a total revamp keeping in view of the city's needs for another 30 years," said Peter.
On completion, the main building with domestic and international terminals would come up in the area facing L&T Bypass and so the public can use it as the main entrance. There would be an entrance from Trichy Road as well.
However, the present entrance from Salem Road would be closed and the existing airport building would be used to accommodate various offices of AAI and its affiliated organizations.
Terming the expansion and renovation works as boosters to city's industrial and commercial growth, the airport director said the existing cargo terminal would also be expanded by doubling its present capacity of 40 tones at a time.
The AAI has already earmarked Rs 300 crore for the renovation and funds would not be a constraint for the time bound completion of works, he said. "We are aware of the hurdles in the wake of land acquisition. The state government has agreed to give us 612.97 acres in the place of a demand for 848 acres. But the shortage in the availability of land would in no way affect the setting up of a fully international airport,'' he said.
Meanwhile, revenue officials have started marking the outer boundaries for the extended airport in Kalapatti, Uppilipalayam, Singanallur, Irugur and Nilambur villages. The state government has already allotted Rs 350 crores for the land acquisition process and the identified plots would be taken over by giving suitable compensation. "The compensation amount for each affected family is yet to be fixed. Government has already expressed its consent for allocating more funds for compensation if the need arises. A special revenue officer and three tehsildars would be soon deputed to speed up the acquisition," district revenue officer A Shanmugha Sundaram informed.
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Police encounter - Double murder accused gets killed
Barely days after the kidnap and murder of two children had rocked the state, the main accused, a van driver, was shot dead by the police in Coimbatore after he allegedly tried to escape from custody.
The encounter happened in the early hours of Tuesday.
Mohanraj, who had temporarily worked as a van driver transporting children to school, was arrested for kidnapping and subsequently murdering 10-year-old Muskan and her younger brother Ritish (7), children of a trader in Coimbatore. His accomplice Manoharan, a tractor driver, was also arrested.
As the case is going on, the police sought and received in custody the duo for further questioning on Monday. This morning at around 5:30 am, while they were taking him from Chettikulam police station to the murder spot as part of the investigation, Mohanraj allegedly snatched the service revolver from a sub-inspector who was part of the team and shot two police men in a bid to escape custody.
Two police personnel, sub-inspectors Jyothi and Muthumalai were injured in the firing.
However, the escape was short-lived as another inspector in the party, Annadurai fired at Mohanraj using his revolver killing him on the spot.
On October 29, Mohanraj tricked the children and their grandmother who had accompanied them to the bus stop, claiming that he was asked to pick up the school students in the absence of the regular person. As he had worked as school driver earlier, they did not find anything amiss.
But not finding the children at the regular spot, the real driver contacted the children's father Ranjit Kumar, a textile merchant in the city. Being outstation, he contacted his wife Sangeeta to check.
Finding their plan go awry, the driver duo allegedly murdered the children by pushing them into a water canal near Coimbatore, according to police. Their bodies were later fished out from the waterway. Initial reports suggest that the girl child was sexually-assaulted before the murder.
The killings had created an instant outrage among the society, with almost all members seeking nothing less than death penalty for the accused – but by way of legal, judicial retribution and not extra-judicial 'encounter'. Even though the western city has had its share of troubles over the past, this is the first such killing in Coimbatore.
The encounter happened in the early hours of Tuesday.
Mohanraj, who had temporarily worked as a van driver transporting children to school, was arrested for kidnapping and subsequently murdering 10-year-old Muskan and her younger brother Ritish (7), children of a trader in Coimbatore. His accomplice Manoharan, a tractor driver, was also arrested.
As the case is going on, the police sought and received in custody the duo for further questioning on Monday. This morning at around 5:30 am, while they were taking him from Chettikulam police station to the murder spot as part of the investigation, Mohanraj allegedly snatched the service revolver from a sub-inspector who was part of the team and shot two police men in a bid to escape custody.
Two police personnel, sub-inspectors Jyothi and Muthumalai were injured in the firing.
However, the escape was short-lived as another inspector in the party, Annadurai fired at Mohanraj using his revolver killing him on the spot.
On October 29, Mohanraj tricked the children and their grandmother who had accompanied them to the bus stop, claiming that he was asked to pick up the school students in the absence of the regular person. As he had worked as school driver earlier, they did not find anything amiss.
But not finding the children at the regular spot, the real driver contacted the children's father Ranjit Kumar, a textile merchant in the city. Being outstation, he contacted his wife Sangeeta to check.
Finding their plan go awry, the driver duo allegedly murdered the children by pushing them into a water canal near Coimbatore, according to police. Their bodies were later fished out from the waterway. Initial reports suggest that the girl child was sexually-assaulted before the murder.
The killings had created an instant outrage among the society, with almost all members seeking nothing less than death penalty for the accused – but by way of legal, judicial retribution and not extra-judicial 'encounter'. Even though the western city has had its share of troubles over the past, this is the first such killing in Coimbatore.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
School children kidnapped and killed
A 10 year old school girl along with her brother had been kidnapped on Thursday while on her way from school to home. The girl was subsequently sexually assaulted and killed by her kidnapper. The information was released by C.Sylendra Babu – City Police Commissioner after going through the post–mortem report.
Muskan (10 year old) and Ritish (7 years old) were kidnapped on Friday at Sathyamangalam Road by Mohan, who had once been their private van driver. Both Muskan and Ritish were on their way to school. The parents only came to know about the kidnap when their van driver turned up to the house and stated that he waited for a long ime but the children did not showup. Their parents Ranjith – a textile merchant and Sangeetha launched a complain at the nearest police station.
The kidnappers behind this crime have been traced and arrested. The police have registered a case against Mohan – the prime accused and Manoharan under section 363 – abduction, 376 – sexual abuse and 302 – murder.
Mr Sylendra Babu said that the two accused have confessed of assaulting the kids. They where made to climb the hill and pushed from there.
Mohan was produced to the Judicial Magistrate -I L.S. Sathyamoorthy, who remanded him to judicial custody till 12th November. Manoharan will be produced before the magistrate by tonight.
Muskan (10 year old) and Ritish (7 years old) were kidnapped on Friday at Sathyamangalam Road by Mohan, who had once been their private van driver. Both Muskan and Ritish were on their way to school. The parents only came to know about the kidnap when their van driver turned up to the house and stated that he waited for a long ime but the children did not showup. Their parents Ranjith – a textile merchant and Sangeetha launched a complain at the nearest police station.
The kidnappers behind this crime have been traced and arrested. The police have registered a case against Mohan – the prime accused and Manoharan under section 363 – abduction, 376 – sexual abuse and 302 – murder.
Mr Sylendra Babu said that the two accused have confessed of assaulting the kids. They where made to climb the hill and pushed from there.
Mohan was produced to the Judicial Magistrate -I L.S. Sathyamoorthy, who remanded him to judicial custody till 12th November. Manoharan will be produced before the magistrate by tonight.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Students and a child get hurt in Tiruppur
A group of people, including students and a child, waiting at a bus stop in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruppur district were injured when crude bombs kept in a gunny bag nearby exploded on Monday.
One-year-old Manoj Kumar, who sustained serious injuries, was rushed to a hospital in Coimbatore. Those with minor injuries were taken to the local government hospital.
According to the police, the blast occurred at around 9 am when a tractor accidentally ran over the bag near Kozhumam bus stop near Udumelpet. Shops and vehicles parked nearby were also damaged.
The farmers in the region use such bombs to scare away and sometimes kill wild boars.
Inspector K Kanakaraj said it was not yet clear who kept the bag there. A case has been registered under the provisions of Explosives Act and the IPC, he added.
One-year-old Manoj Kumar, who sustained serious injuries, was rushed to a hospital in Coimbatore. Those with minor injuries were taken to the local government hospital.
According to the police, the blast occurred at around 9 am when a tractor accidentally ran over the bag near Kozhumam bus stop near Udumelpet. Shops and vehicles parked nearby were also damaged.
The farmers in the region use such bombs to scare away and sometimes kill wild boars.
Inspector K Kanakaraj said it was not yet clear who kept the bag there. A case has been registered under the provisions of Explosives Act and the IPC, he added.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Online electricity payment in Coimbatore
Payment of electricity consumption charges will soon become easier for low tension (LT) consumers in this region, which covers Coimbatore, Tirupur and the Nilgiris districts.
Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) will introduce measures that will help avoid the last minute rush at its collection counters from 13 to 15 of every month.
The board proposes to install “anytime payment machines” here.
TNEB Chief Engineer here A. Thangavelu told that it introduced online payment mode in Coimbatore in June.
The system had already been implemented in Chennai. Of the 17 lakh LT consumers in this region, 13,143 paid the consumption charges online during the last three months.
The number of users had increased in October.
The board had now proposed to increase the number of banks through which consumers could make the online payment. Currently, online payment was possible through internet banking, credit or debit cards, Mr. Thangavelu said.
The board would also install about 50 “anytime payment machines” in Coimbatore and Tirupur districts soon.
These were similar to the ATMs. Four machines were in use in Chennai. Consumers could make cash payment at any time of the day through this machine, he said.
Further, TNEB would introduce “30-day collection system” from November 1. Through this, consumers would be able to make the payment at the collection counters within 20 days of assessment.
Through these efforts, consumers need not wait for long hours at the collection counters, and payment could be made on any day of the month, he said.
Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) will introduce measures that will help avoid the last minute rush at its collection counters from 13 to 15 of every month.
The board proposes to install “anytime payment machines” here.
TNEB Chief Engineer here A. Thangavelu told that it introduced online payment mode in Coimbatore in June.
The system had already been implemented in Chennai. Of the 17 lakh LT consumers in this region, 13,143 paid the consumption charges online during the last three months.
The number of users had increased in October.
The board had now proposed to increase the number of banks through which consumers could make the online payment. Currently, online payment was possible through internet banking, credit or debit cards, Mr. Thangavelu said.
The board would also install about 50 “anytime payment machines” in Coimbatore and Tirupur districts soon.
These were similar to the ATMs. Four machines were in use in Chennai. Consumers could make cash payment at any time of the day through this machine, he said.
Further, TNEB would introduce “30-day collection system” from November 1. Through this, consumers would be able to make the payment at the collection counters within 20 days of assessment.
Through these efforts, consumers need not wait for long hours at the collection counters, and payment could be made on any day of the month, he said.
Nuts 'n' Spices Grocey store in Coimbatore
Nuts 'n' Spices, the Chennai-based chain of grocery stores, is planing to launch its first store in Coimbatore post Diwali. This would be the company's first store outside Chennai, where it currently operates 15 stores.
Confirming the development to ImagesFood, Sunil Sanklecha, founder and managing director, Nuts ‘n' Spices, said, “The store will be spread over an area of 1,500 sq ft, with a merchandise mix of 4,000 SKUs.”
The product portfolio of Nuts 'n' Spices – founded in 1999 – includes a range of dry fruits, spices, tea, beverages, mouth fresheners, sugar-free products, imported food products, frozen foods and snacks.
Confirming the development to ImagesFood, Sunil Sanklecha, founder and managing director, Nuts ‘n' Spices, said, “The store will be spread over an area of 1,500 sq ft, with a merchandise mix of 4,000 SKUs.”
The product portfolio of Nuts 'n' Spices – founded in 1999 – includes a range of dry fruits, spices, tea, beverages, mouth fresheners, sugar-free products, imported food products, frozen foods and snacks.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Engineering student designs a computer operated car
An engineering student has designed an unmanned computer-operated miniature car that can be controlled through satellite signals through Internet-based computer networking.
VVV Karthi, the 21-year-old computer student who hails from Coimbatore said the operators could access the car through secured passwords.
"Basically the car operates with the help of satellite signals. The point to access the signals is controlled by a network. The network area is served through Internet so it is very easy to access the network of the car. The relevant detail of the car is received to a particular user that operates the signal," said Karthi.
Karthi also said the programme, which took a year to develop, cannot be hacked easily as it is designed to operate with a wireless mobile phone command.
The users would be given a secured password and identification number.
The operating command would be linked to a satellite through the Internet. After the password is verified the vehicle can be operated from any corner of the world.
If an attempt to hack the car is made it sends a message and alert signals to the user.
Karthi said the unmanned car had a number of user-friendly features.
"The unique feature of the car is that it can be operated from any part of the world and you just need a computer to operate it. No other system is needed. It only has a simple password, which could be logged in and can be easily operated. No driver in particular is required to run it," said Karthi.
This surveillance vehicle can be used in factories to carry goods and also to keep a watch on any activity from a distance.
It can also prove beneficial in security of temples and can be even used in search operations by the police force in dense forests or hilly areas.
The computer wizard plans to use the same technology for air surveillance by using the same technology in helicopters.
VVV Karthi, the 21-year-old computer student who hails from Coimbatore said the operators could access the car through secured passwords.
"Basically the car operates with the help of satellite signals. The point to access the signals is controlled by a network. The network area is served through Internet so it is very easy to access the network of the car. The relevant detail of the car is received to a particular user that operates the signal," said Karthi.
Karthi also said the programme, which took a year to develop, cannot be hacked easily as it is designed to operate with a wireless mobile phone command.
The users would be given a secured password and identification number.
The operating command would be linked to a satellite through the Internet. After the password is verified the vehicle can be operated from any corner of the world.
If an attempt to hack the car is made it sends a message and alert signals to the user.
Karthi said the unmanned car had a number of user-friendly features.
"The unique feature of the car is that it can be operated from any part of the world and you just need a computer to operate it. No other system is needed. It only has a simple password, which could be logged in and can be easily operated. No driver in particular is required to run it," said Karthi.
This surveillance vehicle can be used in factories to carry goods and also to keep a watch on any activity from a distance.
It can also prove beneficial in security of temples and can be even used in search operations by the police force in dense forests or hilly areas.
The computer wizard plans to use the same technology for air surveillance by using the same technology in helicopters.
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