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Centre wants no inland waterway terminals near major ports, cites ‘economic interests’

Aseem — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 12:52:16 +0000

New Delhi: The government plans to restrict development of inland waterway terminals (IWTs) near major ports to protect the economic interests of these ports. From now on, such development will need a no-objection certificate (NoC) from the major port authority involved.

The plan is to expedite the development of IWTs, which are important riverine arteries for inland shipping and navigation, but also ensure that they complement seaports rather than compete with them, officials in the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways said.

The change has been introduced in a new regulation for the development of IWTs along national waterways. India is developing 111 national waterway (NW) systems covering over 20,000km—only five of them are operational, while 106 were added in 2016.

Also read | Amazon inks pact with Inland Waterways Authority to boost delivery service

There are around 50 IWTs at the moment, but as the new approved waterways are readied for cargo handling, many more terminals will be needed.

Several of the upcoming and some of the existing NWs touch the country’s 12 major ports. For instance, NW1 on the Ganges touches Haldia port in West Bengal, while NW3 is close to the major port at Kochi in Kerala.

The other major ports are Paradip, Kandla, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Mormugao, Mangalore, Mumbai, Tuticorin, Chennai, Thoothukkudi and Visakhapatnam.

According to regulations issued by the ministry this week, no NoC shall be granted by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) for development of a terminal within “the limits” of major ports—an area of operation in the sea or the route that is used by ships to dock in and move out from the port.

The new regulations make it mandatory for all existing IWTs to also seek NoCs from the IWAI within a specified period of time.

Read more | ‘Multidisciplinary desks’ to ease cargo movement at ports: among decisions taken at commerce ministry meeting

To protect the interest of existing IWTs set up by the IWAI, the regulation has also stopped new IWTs from being developed within the notified exclusivity zone, i.e. within a specified distance from the existing IWT.

Such exclusivity zones will be notified by the IWAI with the approval of the board of IWAI within 60 days of publication of the new regulations.

An NoC will be granted for a period of five years, by when the IWTs have to become operational. Any delay in operationalizing IWTs beyond five years would face cancellation of the NOC.

“The regulations clarify various issues that were considered impediments for development of infrastructure along national waterway network. The government should look at further incentives for infrastructure development along inland waterways channels to make these critical navigation arteries realize their true potential,” said an official of the terminal development entity on condition of anonymity.

Also read | Sarbananda Sonowal takes charge of ministry of ports, shipping & waterways

The IWT development programme seeks to promote waterway systems for movement of both goods and passengers. Since 2013-14, the volume of cargo transported through inland waterways has seen an exponential rise, with total traffic increasing from 29.16 million tonnes (mt) in fiscal year 2014-15 (FY15) to 133.03 mt in FY24, a compound annual growth rate of 18.07% and representing a more than sixfold increase compared to FY14.

Under targets set by the Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, the government aims to boost cargo traffic to 200 mt by 2030 and 500 mt by 2047.

लाखों की भीड़, भयानक गर्मी और सिस्टम की लापरवाही… चेन्नई में एयर शो के दौरान ऐसे हुआ हादसा

Aseem — Sun, 06 Oct 2024 19:15:02 +0000

तमिलनाडु की राजधानी चेन्नई में रविवार को एक बड़ा हादसा हो गया. भारतीय वायुसेना की 92वीं वर्षगांठ के मौके पर चेन्नई में एक एयरशो का आयोजन किया गया था. इस दौरान गर्मी और डिहाइड्रेशन के चलते तीन लोगों की मौत हो गई और 230 लोगों को अस्पताल में भर्ती कराना पड़ा. बीजेपी नेता अन्नामलाई ने इसे लेकर डीएमके सरकार पर निशाना साधा है.

बताया जा रहा है कि यातायात अधिकारियों के खराब कॉर्डिनेशन के कारण चेन्नई में लाखों लोग फंस गए. शहर के कई हिस्सों में इसी तरह की घटनाएं सामने आईं, जहां लोग घंटों तक जाम में फंसे रहे. उधर, मरीना बीच (जहां एयर शो हुआ) पर एकत्रित भारी भीड़ को कार्यक्रम के बाद तितर-बितर होने में भी काफी संघर्ष करना पड़ा.

यह भी पढ़ें: चेन्नई के मरीन बीच पर एयर शो के दौरान बड़ा हादसा, दम घुटने से 3 दर्शकों की मौत, सैकड़ों घायल, देखें

सम्बंधित ख़बरें

भयानक जाम में फंसे लाखों लोग

इंडियन एयरफोर्स की 92वीं वर्षगांठ का जश्न मनाने के लिए आयोजित विशालकाय एयरशो के बाद खराब कोऑर्डिनेशन के कारण लाखों लोग वहां फंस गए. ट्रैफिक पुलिस और अन्य अधिकारियों के खराब कोऑर्डिनेशन के कारण एयर शो के बाद शहर के कई हिस्सों में भयानक जाम लग गया और लाखों लोग जहां थे वहीं फंस गए और कहीं भी जाने में असमर्थ हो गए.

सुबह 8 बजे से जमा हो गई थी भीड़

एयरफोर्स ने मरीना बीच पर 16 लाख लोगों को इकट्ठा कर लिम्का बुक ऑफ रिकॉर्ड बनाने की कोशिश की थी. इस दौरान पानी बेचने वाली कई दुकानों को आसपास से हटा दिया गया था. सुबह 11 बजे से दोपहर 1 बजे तक चलने वाले इस एयर शो के लिए सुबह 8 बजे से ही भीड़ जमा हो गई थी. शो शुरू होने तक सूरज की तपिश और गर्मी के कारण कई बुजुर्ग बेहोश हो गए.

अधिकारियों के खिलाफ उठ रहे सवाल

एयर शो खत्म होने के बाद, भीड़ वहां से निकली और पूरी तरह से नाकाबंदी हो गई. इस दौरान कई लोग डिहाइड्रेशन का शिकार हो गए और कुछ को सांस लेने के लिए सड़क के किनारे बैठना पड़ा. गर्मी से बिलख रहे लोगों को समुद्र तट के पास रहने वाले स्थानीय लोगों ने पीने का पानी उपलब्ध कराया. इवेंट से लौटती भीड़ के कारण मेट्रो स्टेशनों पर भी काफी भीड़ थी. इस घटना के बाद बदइंतजामी के लिए अधिकारियों के खिलाफ कई सवाल उठ रहे हैं.

16 लाख लोगों को जमा करने का था उद्देश्य

जानकारी के मुताबिक 16 लाख लोगों को एकत्र कर लिम्का बुक ऑफ वर्ल्ड रिकॉर्ड में नाम दर्ज कराने के उद्देश्य से इस एयर शो का आयोजन किया गया था. पुलिस ने बताया कि मरीना बीच के पास लाइटहाउस मेट्रो स्टेशन और वेलाचेरी में चेन्नई MRTS रेलवे स्टेशन पर हजारों लोगों की भीड़ उमड़ पड़ी. आलम ये था कि कई लोगों को प्लेटफॉर्म पर खड़े होने के लिए पैर रखने तक की जगह नहीं मिली.

कड़ी मशक्कत कर एंबुलेंस को जाम से निकाला

पीटीआई के मुताबिक एयर शो स्थल के करीब अन्ना स्क्वायर स्थित बस स्टॉप पर लोगों की भीड़ उमड़ पड़ी. एक वरिष्ठ पुलिस अधिकारी ने बताया कि करीब एक दर्जन लोग भगदड़ जैसी स्थिति और गर्मी के कारण मरीना में बेहोश हो गए और उनका सरकारी अस्पताल में इलाज कराया गया. उन्होंने बताया कि पुलिस को ट्रैफिक क्लियर करने के लिए आवश्यक कदम उठाना पड़ा, ताकि तीन एंबुलेंस अस्पताल पहुंच सकें.

Chennai's Best Cocktail Bars And Venues You Must Visit

Aseem — Sun, 06 Oct 2024 06:51:17 +0000

In July this year ITC Grand Chola, one of Chennai’s premier luxury hotels unveiled Cholatails, a collection of cocktail recipes in a book that makes a strong connection to the city’s heritage. The Cholas were among India’s most formidable dynasties and their influence spread beyond the boundaries of modern India thanks to their maritime exploits. It’s the same for modern food and drink trends that boast a wider reach beyond traditional boundaries. Chennai’s cocktail scene has truly evolved this decade. It’s part of a wider global trend that has seen trends like sustainable cocktails, zero-proof cocktails and a beautiful medley of the classics and new-age drinks reshape bars and nightspots.

The city’s well-heeled, expats and business visitors are reshaping the cocktail landscape in the city as mixologists are discovering their A-game. Many of these mixologists are also tapping into the region’s strong culinary heritage and leaning on local ingredients to create unique beverage experiences. We take you through some of the city’s best spots for cocktails and zero-ABV beverages:

Tranquebar, ITC Grand Chola

^{Photo:Tranquebar, ITC Grand Chola}

This cleverly named bar shares its name with the erstwhile Danish trading post of Tranquebar (Tharangambdi) about 285 km south of Chennai. It’s one of two dedicated bars at the ITC Grand Chola that’s also home to Cheroot, a malt and cigar lounge. The hotel embarked on an ambitious program to create an array of cocktails across seven different dining venues in 2023 and created a bank of 280 beverages in the process. Our favourites are the Cholatails that the hotel likes to call beverages from Tamarind Town that include Puli (Tequila with tamarind and jaggery), the perfect thirst quencher for Chennai and Chukku Kaapi which is a clever spin on filter coffee with Cognac, dry ginger and green cardamom in the mix.

Where: ITC Grand Chola, Mount Road, Guindy.

Also Read:Sip Into Weekend Relaxation Mode With These 5 Creamy And Smooth Cocktail Recipes

The Leather Bark, The Park Chennai

^{Photo:The Leather Bark, The Park Chennai}

The Leather Bark remains one of the city’s most sophisticated techno lounge bars. The interiors pay homage to the region’s strong connection with leather products. The bar’s new cocktail menu seeks inspiration from the city’s cultural threads and also flavours of seasons. There’s Maami’s Martini which combines the city’s favourite brew (filter coffee) with Irish whiskey and coffee liqueur and Full Bloom, a delicate floral cocktail that captures the bouquet of the city’s famous Koyambedu flower market. The diverse beverage selection is complemented by bar bites that ingeniously blend traditional techniques and flavour with a contemporary touch.

Where: The Park Chennai, Anna Salai

Lady Connemara Bar and Lounge at Taj Connemara

^{Photo:Lady Connemara Bar and Lounge at Taj Connemara}

Located at one of South India’s oldest luxury hotels (that dates back to 1854) and an integral part of Colonial Madras, this bar takes its name from Lady Connemara the wife of the then Governor of Madras. One of the bar’s signature cocktails – Madras no: 1, pays tribute to the city’s first licensed bar that first opened as ‘The Cocktail Bar’ suggesting that the city’s love for iced cocktails is not entirely a modern trend. Regulars also recommend 1891 which is crafted in memory of Lady Connemara who spent a year at the hotel.

Where: Taj Connemara, Binny Road.

Pandan Club

^{Photo:Pandan Club}

India’s first Peranakan cuisine restaurant and bar, Pandan Club has won awards for its cocktail program. Pandan Club embarked on a unique journey – ‘Shortest Route’, a cocktail book that makes the connection between the high-energy vibe of Singapore’s streets and Chennai’s rich culture. These cocktails are not just great for the ‘gram’ but also feature delicious twists. One of our picks is Serangoon Smith which recreates the buzz of Serangoon Road in Singapore with notes like Lemongrass & Gula Melaka.

Where: Bazullah Road, T Nagar

Sundays Chennai

^{Photo:Sundays Chennai}

It might be positioned as ‘The Everyday Getaway’ but there’s a distinct Sunday afternoon vibe about one of Chennai’s most popular cocktail bars. That’s one reason why this casual bar located in the heart of one of Chennai’s quintessential residential pockets draws many diners during the day. It’s the perfect getaway on a Thursday or Friday afternoon when you’re already craving for the weekend. Sundays offers a wide array of cocktails and a mix of Indian and international plates.

Where: D Block, Anna Nagar (East)

KooX, Novotel Chennai Chamiers Road

^{Photo:KooX, Novotel Chennai Chamiers Road}

KooX has remained one of Chennai’s hip rooftop Asian dining destinations and high-energy weekend hangouts since it launched back in 2019. The edgy decor and panoramic views complement the KooX experience. KooX recently launched Koi and Khao, a menu that blends the rich flavours of Thai cuisine with the delicate artistry of Japanese dishes. The menu also has room for cocktails like the Nitro Thai Basil Fizz which incorporates ingredients like Thai basil shrub, adding to its reputation as one of the city’s preferred cocktail spots.

Where: Novotel Chennai Chamiers Road

Also Read:5 Tips To Make The Perfect Espresso Martini At Home

The Velveteen Rabbit

^{Photo:The Velveteen Rabbit}

The Velveteen Rabbit borrows its name from Margery Williams’ novel of the same name. A popular destination for a relaxed night with good food, friends, drinks and conversations. The bar is spread over multiple levels with refreshed interiors and an all-new menu. It’s Velveteen Rabbit’s cocktails that feature both classics and contemporary, artisanal cocktails that are a big draw with its regulars.

Where: 2nd Main Rd, RA Puram

Noci Adante

One of Chennai’s newest hotspots, Noci Adante is conveniently located in one of the city’s popular retail and entertainment destinations – Express Avenue (EA) Mall. This nightspot is designed to morph from a fine dining space to a party zone as the night progresses. Noci is Japanese for way of life while Adante (in Italian) refers to playing an instrument slowly. The menu is a mish-mash of international plates while the cocktail program is quite bold with a blend of local flavours and international influences.

Where: EA Mall, Royapettah