Updates

Big time for manufacturing in Kochi

Close on the heels of big investments at CSEZ
by Magnum aviation big initiatives have come
forth in manufacturing by CII. They have correctly
zeroed in on Kochi to promote the industrial clusters.

CII plans to launch six steel clusters in Vizag

BS Reporter / Chennai/ Hyderabad May 26, 2008, 3:26 IST

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) plans to launch six new small and medium enterprises clusters in Visakhapatnam for steel companies. It would also set up a steel task force to drive the steel cluster, according to BVR Mohan Reddy, chairman of CII Southern Region.

This apart, five more clusters would come up at Trichy (wielding and allied branches) , Bangalore (heavy engineering), Chennai (automotives), Hosur (automotives) and Kochi (agri-based) during the current year. Full story

And this certainly has resulted in manpower
shortages in a state otherwise known for
unemployment ! State govt needs to remove
tax impediments to the growth of manufacturing.

Manpower shortage hits engineering workshops

Staff Reporter

Many units close down because of high tax rate

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Tax rate in Kerala is 12.5 per cent

Only 15 per cent of installed capacity is being utilised

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KOCHI: Industrial engineering workshops are facing a stiff shortage in manpower at a time when the construction sector is booming in the State. The engineering units that make scaffoldings, grills, grates, piling equipment, garden furniture, shutters and props are also burdened with a tax structure that has forced big buyers to opt for supplies from outside the State. Full story

Kochi needs new railway hub

It would be better to develop Kalamassery or
Edappally as the new hub where there is ample
space for development. Moreover, these stations
are crossed by all trains that ply through Kochi.
Kalamassery is ideal since it will have Metro link
close by.

Demand to develop suburban rail stations

John L. Paul

KOCHI: There is an increasing demand to develop the railway stations at Thripunithura and Kalamassery, considering the eastward growth of Kochi city.

The demand has gained strength in the context of numerous residential areas coming up on the city’s east. Shops and business establishments too have been shifting to places such as the NH bypass, Kalamassery, Kakkanad and Thripunithura. This has resulted in thousands of people residing and working in these places being forced to endure maddening traffic snarls in the city and unnecessarily spending time and money to reach the two major railway stations – the Ernakulam Town and Junction stations. Full story

Coastal Highway taking shape

This four-laner will create additional road
connectivity to Kochi and Vallarpadam ICTT
in particular.


‘Alignment to be a connection to Vallarpadom terminal’
Saturday May 24 2008 09:53 IST

Express News Service

KOCHI: The alignment drafted by the Goshree Island Development Authority for the proposed Coastal Highway will be a connection to the Vallarpadom International Container Transshipment Terminal, said Fisheries Minister S Sarma.

He was addressing a meeting of panchayat presidents on Friday held to discuss the rehabilitation of residents who will be displaced for the project.