Kerala
Eravikulam National Park is closing from 1st February 2022 to 31st March 2022 due to the calving season of Nilgiri Tahr.
Cochin International Airport registered a robust growth both in air traffic movements and passenger volume in year 2021 compared to 2020 CIAL handled 43,06,661 passengers during the year 2021 against 33,37,830 during 2020; an increase of almost a million. The aircraft movement also witnessed a growth from 30,737 in 2020 to 41,437 in 2021.
With the sustained growth rate, CIAL retained its position as the third airport in the country in terms of international traffic throughout the year 2021. It handled 18,69,690 international passengers in 2021 against 14,82,004 during 2020. The domestic passenger volume increased from 18,55,826 to 24,36,971. CIAL managing director S .Suhas IAS attributed the traffic growth to the proactive measures taken by the management to attract more airlines. “ Hon Chairman Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan and board of directors have been consistently put their effort to re-establish air connectivity to Kochi from all international travel hubs .By December 2021 CIAL was able to facilitate 185 weekly departures to the Middle East alone in addition to the services to Europe , Srilanka and far east “ : said S. Suhas – Managing Director, Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL).
Year 2021 also saw the resumption of direct flight to The United kingdom and Singapore. Air Arabia started daily operations to Abu Dhabi for the first time in India in addition to its Sharjah services. Domestic sector witnessed a growth at par with pre pandemic period. As per the winter schedule which came effective from October 2021 scheduled 50 departures a day.
CIAL’s timely response to the UAE’s supreme council of disaster management’s guidelines helped the airport to host the UAE services from July itself. Subsequently CIAL ramped up both rapid PCR and RTPCR testing and now the cumulative capacity of the three testing labs stationed at the airport enhanced to 900 at a time.
India Today’s team was on the way to Kovalam, a top tourist destination in Kerala, to see the implementation of new restrictions in place for New Year celebrations. Police checking on the road was intensive and a large fleet of vehicles were waiting in line to be inspected.
A foreigner arrived on his scooter when the vehicles started moving. The vehicle was thoroughly checked, and the police found three bottles of alcohol. The police officers who spotted the bottles rather excitedly called their superiors, who were a little further away.
“He has three bottles on him,” one of the policemen commented. They all surrounded him to inspect the bottles. They asked him for a bill.
Steven, a Swedish national, has been running a homestay in Kovalam for four years now. He told the officers that he had forgotten the bill at the BEVCO outlet in Vellar. He requested that they let him go back to collect it.
The officers, however, were adamant that he couldn’t go back and asked him to dispose of the bottles. Instead of throwing them away, Steven poured the alcohol out of the bottles.
As he reached the third bottle, the officers stopped him, having spotted the camera of the ‘India Today’ team. They let him go collect the bill after that. Steven soon returned with the bill and was free to go.
However, the incident brings forth a major question as to how tourist-friendly Kerala is. Steven, in his four-year stay, faced several issues.
“There have been incidents. I plan on staying another year though. Some police officers are really kind and friendly, but there are instances like this too,” said Steven.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan made loud promises when he said more pubs would be established in the state to boost tourism and draw more tourists in. However, if basic issues like this are not dealt with in a tourist-friendly manner, the future of Kerala tourism remains to be seen.
News Courtesy – India Today
Comments from Trivandrum Indian Group
This was the new year gift our Kerala Police gave to a foreigner who liked to celebrate his New Year peacefully in Kerala.
This happened in Kovalam, which is Kerala’s prime tourist destination and an world famous international beach destination !
What message are we giving to the world or giving to tourists who want to come here. Kerala is the 1st state to officially approve Tourism as an industry and no wonder state’s like Goa, Tamilnadu etc are far good & progressing than Kerala in tourism. We definitely need changes in policies.
Sorry to start 2022 with a negative post. But this is very important.
കേരള പൊലീസിന്റെ വാടക ഹെലികോപ്റ്റർ കരാർ ചിപ്‌സൺ ഏവിയേഷന്. പ്രതിമാസം 20 മണിക്കൂർ പറക്കാൻ കമ്പനി ക്വാട്ട് ചെയ്തത് 80 ലക്ഷം രൂപ. അധികമായി പറക്കുന്ന ഓരോ മണിക്കൂറിനും 90,000 രൂപ നൽകണം. മൂന്ന് വർഷത്തേക്കാണ് ആറ് സീറ്റുള്ള ഹെലികോപ്റ്റർ വാടകയ്ക്.
കേരള പൊലീസിനായുള്ള (Kerala Police) ഹെലികോപ്റ്റർ വാടക കരാർ (Helicopter) ദില്ലി ആസ്ഥാനമായ ചിപ്സണ് ഏവിയേഷന് (Chipsan Aviation) . ഇന്ന് തുറന്ന സാമ്പത്തിക ബിഡിൽ ഏറ്റവും കുറഞ്ഞ തുക നൽകിയ ചിപ്സണ് കരാർ നൽകാൻ ഡിജിപി അധ്യക്ഷനായ ടെണ്ടർ കമ്മിറ്റി സർക്കാരിനോട് ശുപാ‍ർശ ചെയ്യും.
പ്രതിമാസം 20 മണിക്കൂർ പറക്കാൻ 80 ലക്ഷം രൂപയാണ് ചിപ്സണ് നൽകിയത്. 20 മണിക്കൂർ കഴിഞ്ഞ ഓരോ മണിക്കൂറും പറക്കാൻ 90,000 രൂപ അധികം നൽകണം. മൂന്നു വർഷത്തേക്കാണ് ആറ് സീറ്റുള്ള ഹെലികോപ്റ്റർ വാടകക്കെടുക്കുന്നത്.
ടെണ്ടർ ഇല്ലാതെയാണ് ഒന്നാം പിണറായി സർക്കാർ പവൻ ഹൻസെന്ന കമ്പനിക്ക് ഹെലികോപ്റ്റർ വാടക കരാർ നൽകിയത്. പ്രതിമാസം പറക്കാൻ ഒരു കോടി നാൽപത് ലക്ഷവും നികുതിയുമാണ് നൽകിയത്. ഒരു വ‍ർഷത്തെ കരാർ പ്രകാരം 22.21 കോടിയാണ് സർക്കാർ പവൻ ഹൻസിന് നൽകിയത്. പുതിയ കരാറോടെ പവൻ ഹൻസിന് ടെണ്ടർ ഇല്ലാതെ കരാർ നൽകിയതുവഴി സർക്കാരിന് ലക്ഷങ്ങളുടെ നഷ്ടം സംഭവിച്ചുവെന്ന് കൂടുതൽ വ്യക്തമാവുകയാണ്.
വിവാദമായ ഹെലികോപ്റ്റർ കരാർ
കൊവിഡ് ഒന്നാം തരംഗ കാലമായ 2020 ഏപ്രിലിലാണ് പൊലീസിൻ്റെ അടിയന്തരാവശ്യത്തിനെന്ന പേരിൽ ഹെലികോപ്ടർ വാടകയ്ക്കെടുത്തത്. പൈലറ്റ് അടക്കം മൂന്ന് ജീവനക്കാരുമായി ദില്ലിയിലെ പൊതുമേഖലാ സ്ഥാപനമായ പവൻഹൻസിൽ നിന്നുമാണ് 11 സീറ്റുള്ള ഇരട്ട എഞ്ചിൻ ഹെലികോപ്ടര്‍ വാടകക്കെടുത്തത്. ഇരുപത് മണിക്കൂർ പറത്താൻ 1.44 കോടി വാടകയും അതിൽ കൂടുതലായാൽ മണിക്കൂറിന് 67000 രൂപ വീതവുമെന്നതായിരുന്നു കണക്ക്.
മാവോയിസ്റ്റ് നിരീക്ഷണം, പ്രളയം പോലുള്ള ദുരന്തഘട്ടങ്ങളിലെ ഉപയോഗം എന്നിവയായിരുന്നു അടിയന്തരാവശ്യമായി ചൂണ്ടിക്കാണിച്ചിരുന്നത്. എന്നാൽ ഈ സാഹചര്യങ്ങളിലൊന്നും ഹെലികോപ്ടറിൻ്റെ ഉപയോഗം നടന്നില്ല. മുഖ്യമന്ത്രിയുടെയും ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥരുടെയും യാത്രകള്‍ക്കും അവയവദാനത്തിനുമായി ചുരുക്കം ചില യാത്രകളൊഴിച്ചാൽ മറ്റൊന്നിനും ഹെലികോപ്റ്റര്‍ ഉപയോഗിച്ചില്ല. പെട്ടിമുടി ദുരന്തം ഉണ്ടായപ്പോള്‍ മോശം കാലാവസ്ഥ കാരണം ഹെലികോപ്റ്റർ ഉപയോഗിച്ചില്ല. താഴ്ന്ന് പറക്കാനാകാത്തതിനാൽ മാവോയിസ്റ്റ് പരിശോധനയും നടന്നില്ല.
22.21 കോടി വാടക !
11 സീറ്റുള്ള ഇരട്ട എഞ്ചിൻ ഹെലികോപ്റ്ററിന്‍റെ വാടയായി സർക്കാരിന് ഒരു വർഷം നൽകേണ്ടിവന്നത് 22.21 കോടിയാണ്. ഇതിനെക്കാള്‍ കുറഞ്ഞ നിരക്കിൽ ഹെലികോപ്റ്റർ നൽകാമെന്നും ടെണ്ടർ വിളിക്കണമെന്നും ആവശ്യപ്പെട്ട് ചിപ്സണ് ഉൾപ്പെടെയുള്ള കമ്പനികൾ സർക്കാരിനെ സമീപിച്ചുവെങ്കിലും എല്ലാം തള്ളുകയായിരുന്നു. മുഖ്യമന്ത്രിയുടെ മുൻ പൊലീസ് ഉപദേഷ്ടാവ് രമണ്‍ ശ്രീവാസ്ത പവൻ ഹൻസിന് വേണ്ടി ഇടപെട്ടതും വിവാദമയിരുന്നു. പക്ഷെ സർക്കാർ കരാറുമായി മുന്നോട്ടുപോയി.
ഒരു പക്ഷെ അന്ന് ടെണ്ടർ വിളിച്ചിരുന്നുവെങ്കിൽ പവൻ ഹൻസിന് നൽകിയതിനേക്കാള്‍ കുറഞ്ഞ തുകയ്ക്ക് കരാർ ഉറപ്പിക്കാമായിരുന്നു. കടുത്ത സാമ്പത്തിക പ്രതിസന്ധിക്കിടിയിലും വീണ്ടും ഹെലികോപ്റ്റർ ടെണ്ടർ വിളിക്കാൻ സർക്കാർ തീരുമാനിക്കുകയായിരുന്നു. ആറു സീറ്റിൽ കൂടുതലുള്ള ഹെലികോപറ്ററുള്ള കമ്പനികളെയാണ് ടെണ്ടറിലേക്ക് കക്ഷണിച്ചത്. ഈ ടെണ്ടറിലും പവൻസ് ഹൻസിന് അനുകൂലമായ ടെണ്ടർ വ്യവസഥകള്‍ സർക്കാർ ഉൾപ്പെടുത്തി. പുതിയ ടെണ്ടറിലാകട്ടെ പവൻ ഹൻസ് പങ്കെടുത്തുമില്ല.
Kerala Cabinet Headed By Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan As Chief Minister (2nd Term) Assumed Power On 20th May 2021.
Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan – Chief Minister
Cliff House, Nanthancode, Trivandrum
Phone : 0471-233241, 2333812, 2333682, 9447565656
Shri. K Rajan – Minister for Revenue and Housing
Grace, Near Cantonment House, Trivandrum
Phone : 0471-2327068, 9400006300
Shri. Roshy Augustine – Minister for Water Resources
Prashanth, Cliff House Compound, Nanthancode, Trivandrum
Phone : 0471-2333487, 0471-2337855, 9400099333
Shri. K Krishnankutty – Minister for Electricity
Periyar, Cliff House Compound, Nanthancode, Trivandrum
Phone : 0471-232756, 9400055333
Shri. A K Saseendran – Minister for Forests, Wildlife Protection
Kavery, Near Cantonment House, Palayam, Trivandrum
Phone : 0471-2327561, 9495969787
Shri. Ahammed Devarkovil – Minister for Ports, Museums, Archeology and Archives
Thycaud House, Vazhuthacaud, Trivandrum
Phone : 9400552200
Shri. Antony Raju – Minister for Transport
Manmohan Bungalow, Vellayambalam, Trivandrum
Phone : 0471 2518221, 9400088111
Shri. V Abdurahiman – Minister for Sports, Wakf and Haj Pilgrimage, Post & Telegraphs, Railways
Phone : 0471-2333526, 9400005600
Shri. G R Anil – Minister for Food and Civil Supplies
Ajantha, Opposite Raj Bhavan, Vellayambalam, Trivandrum
Phone : 0471-2333371, 9400662244
Shri. K N Balagopal – Minister for Finance
Cliff House Compound, Nanthancode, Trivandrum
Phone : 0471-2333294, 9400887700
Smt. R Bindu – Minister for Higher Education & Social Justice
Sanadu, Vazhuthacaud , Trivandrum
Phone : 0471-2332868, 9447741385
Smt. J Chinchu Rani – Minister for Animal Husbandry and Zoos
Cliff House Compound, Nanthancode , Trivandrum
Phone : 0471-2335366, 9400008700
Shri. M V Govindan
Nest, Cliff House Compound, Nanthancode, Trivandrum
Minister for Local Self Governments and Excise
Phone : 0471-2332700, 9400099111
Shri. P A Mohammed Riyas – Minister for Public Works and Tourism
Pampa, Cliff House Compound, Nanthancode , Trivandrum
Phone : 0471- 2517152
Shri. P Prasad – Minister for Agriculture
Clindhust, Devaswom Board Junction, Nanthancode, Trivandrum
Phone : 0471-2333091, 9400553344
Shri. K Radhakrishnan – Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes and Devaswoms
Esandeen, Cliff House Compound, Nanthancode, Trivandrum
Phone : 0471-2518594, 9400099555
Shri. P Rajeev – Minister for Law and Industries
Ushas, Nanthancode, Trivandrum
Phone : 0471-2336866, 9400077333
Shri. Saji Cheriyan – Minister for Fisheries, Harbour Engineering, Culture and Youth Affairs
Kowdiar House, Vellayambalam, Trivandrum
Phone : 0471- 2518333, 0471- 2327796 ,0471- 2327895, 94000 03800 , 94470 69379
Shri. V Sivankutty – Minister for General Education and Labour
Rose House, Vazhuthacaud
Phone : 0471- 2327560, 2517048, 9400009100
Shri. V N Vasavan – Minister for Co-operation and Registration
Ganga, Cantonment House Compound, Palayam, Trivandrum
Phone : 0471-2333833, 2331685, 9447050543
Smt. Veena George – Minister for Health, Woman and Child Welfare
Nila, Near Cantonment House, Palayam,
Phone : 0471- 2327876, 2327976, 8547007032 / 9400066111
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate Lulu Group’s second shopping mall in Kerala on December 16 at 11.30 am, Lulu Group chairman MA Yusuff Ali has said.
LuLu Mall Thiruvananthapuram is located on NH 66 bypass at Akkulam, near to Technopark. The mall is a 185800 sq.m. development with over 300 national and international brands, and 12 Anchor Stores including the LuLu Hypermarket spread across 18500 sq. m. The mall will house a 12-screen multiplex and a 7400 sq. m. Family Entertainment Centre, which will include a 1800 sq. m. Trampoline Park. The Mall will also feature a 2500-seater food court, as well as several restaurants and cafes, that serve various regional, international and specialty cuisines. With ample parking for over 3800 vehicles, supported by a multi-level car park, spectacular flagship store designs, combined with an ample offering of food and entertainment, LuLu Mall Thiruvananthapuram will be a true destination mall for the people of Thiruvananthapuram and beyond.
Thiruvananthapuram City Circular Service is an innovative transportation network, introduced by KSRTC for first time in the state of Kerala….
The city to have the first launch will be Thiruvananthapuram. This is the first public transportation system in Kerala with Hop-on – Hop-Off model.
Connecting all major routes inside the Trivandrum City
Total 7 routes interlinking all major points in the city.
Buses in every 15 Min.
Minimum charge is Rs 10 and the maximum is Rs 30.
Good Day Ticket provides unlimited travel in any city circular buses with a time limit of 24 hours.
KSRTC Travel Card with RFID technology to provide hassle free cashless payment.
For More Details : https://citycircular.keralartc.com/index.html
Singapore Airlines has announced the resumption of passenger flights from the Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL).
Cial said there will be three flight operations per week from November 30.
From November 30, there will be three flights weekly on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. On these days the flight arrives at Kochi at 10.15pm and departs at 11.05pm, Cial said in a release.
“We are extremely happy to have Singapore Airlines here after a 20-month long hiatus. With the resumption of flights from Kochi, passengers can finally reunite with their friends and family in Singapore,” Cial managing director S Suhas said.
Cial now handles 185 weekly departures to the Middle East. The airport operator also facilitates flights to the UK, Sri Lanka and Male.
Cial hopes that by the end of the year the international flights operations at Kochi airport will be back to normal.
Meanwhile, the Centre on Monday informed the high court during hearing of a plea by a man seeking a third jab of an internationally accepted vaccine so that he can go back to the Gulf nation for work, that Saudi Arabia has withdrawn its ban on travellers from India.
The man had received two doses of Covaxin which was earlier not recognised by Saudi Arabia and had moved the high court, seeking directions to the state and the Centre to administer him a third dose of an internationally recognised vaccine like Covishield.
Taking note of the Centre’s submission, the court disposed of the plea.
CIALhopes that by the end of the year the international flights operations will be back to normal.
In a major policy initiative that could redefine the possibilities In the tourism sector, the government has re-interpreted the central motor vehicles rules to allow camper vans to be operated In state.
The government’s decision comes in the wake of its Initiative to promote caravan tourism In the state. According to top government sources, motor vehicles department (MVD) offices have been receiving Inquiries for operating camper vans that are common In several western countries, but permissions were denied as the Interpretation of the existing rules proved to be a hindrance.
After the government announced its caravan tourism policy, the tourism director had forwarded a proposal based on submissions from tour operators, seeking permission to operate camper trucks, built with camping facilities on light goods vehicles (LG Vs) chassis with cargo body and having a maximum seating capacity of five persons.
The government set up a technical committee under the motor vehicles department (MVD) to examine the proposal in detail and compare It with the design parameters and the permitted limits in the central motor vehicles rules (CM VR) 1989.
The committee reported that building a closed body or reconstruction of the existing one can be permitted if changes are not made on the basic features of the chassis ftame. Hence, such construction or reconstruction Is admissible subject to the maximum statutory limitation of the rear overhang of such vehicles, which can be up to 60% of the wheelbase, as per the rules.
On the basis of the committee’s report, the transport commissioner cleared the proposal for approval.
Camper trucks are widely operated In several states within the country as well. “The decision can be a major fillip to the tourism sector, which is a major Industry In our state and it cannot remain isolated from the modern trends In the tourism sector. The proposal of the tourism director Is In conformance with the CMVR.” secretary (transport) Biju Prabhakar said.
Because of the prevalence of multiple stringent environmental laws, the lack of accommodation facilities has been holding the tourism sector back In exploring several exotic locations.
“Of course, such laws are mandatory to secure our fragile environment, but a viable solution Is also required for ensuring that the tourism sector also does not suffer. The permission for operating camper trucks Is one such wln-wln solution for such a problem,” principal secretary (tourism) V Venu said.