Kollam: The Detailed Project Report for the proposed Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod Semi High-Speed Rail (SHSR) corridor will be ready by early next month and the work will get underway in 2020 itself,  said a top official of (Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd. KRDCL), the implementing agency of the project.

“The initial steps for putting this dream project on the rail is progressing in a fast pace manner as the very project seeks to fast-track end-to-end rail traffic in the state,” said KRDCL Managing Director Mr. V Ajith Kumar, during a presentation on SHSR Corridor at the annual convention of the (Quilon Management Association QMA) here.

As a prelude to preparing the DPR, the traffic survey had been completed and the soil testing is over by 70 percent. The Environmental Impact Study is progressing. The preliminary work on the alignment of the project will start soon, for which the approval from the authorities concerned had been obtained, Mr. Ajith Kumar said.

In Thrissur-Kasaragod stretch, the stations of the SHSR will be located close to the existing railway stations. There will also be feeder stations, and the locations for these in Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts include Attingal, Kallamblam, Paripally, and Chathannur.

The 55 km distance between Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam will be covered by  SHSR in 24 minutes. From Kollam to Chengannur it would take 48 minutes, to Kottayam one hour and to Ernakulam 1 hour 26 minutes.

The SHSR will have world-class technology such as automatic train control and ticket distribution systems and state-of-the-art communication channels.

The estimated cost of the project is Rs 56,443 crore but this can go up to Rs 66,079 crore by the time of its completion. Efforts to arrange low-interest loan has already begun.

State Fisheries Minister Smt J Mercykutty Amma inaugurated the convention. QMA president Riji G Nair presided. State Chief Electoral Officer Shri Teeka Ram Meena was presented the award of QMA on the occasion.

Kerala Lands Use Commissioner A Nizamuddin, Pollution Control Board Chairman Dr. Ajith Haridas and former chairman of KITTS Dr. G Chandramohan made presentations on different topics.

A joint venture of Kerala Government and Ministry of Railways, SHSR is envisaged as the most affordable solution for the transportation problems of Kerala as it will sharply reduce travel time from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod to four hours, he said.

Thiruvananthapuram: The meteorological department has warned that heavy rains are likely in the state for a couple of days as minor pressure is likely to develop in the Arabian Sea. Over the next 48 hours, low pressure is likely to form near the southern coast of Tamil Nadu.

The state will receive thunderstorms and rain across the state, the Meteorological Department said. Accordingly, Yellow Alert was announced in six districts in the state today. Yellow Alert is in Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Idukki and Malappuram districts.

Yellow Alert has been announced in four districts tomorrow. Therefore, it is advisable not to go fishing in areas adjacent to Lakshadweep today or tomorrow. Heavy rains are likely in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh in the next two days, the Meteorological Department said.

Thiruvananthapuram: The trial of the case in an attack on actress has started. A woman judge has been appointed to hear the case. The case is being heard by the CBI court in Kochi.

The proceedings resumed after the Supreme Court ruled that not required providing the memory card for Dileep, which was the most important evidence in the case. Dileep can see the visuals, the court said.

The Supreme Court has ordered the trial to be completed within six months. Dileep is currently overseas and will not have to appear in court as the trial is to begin today.

Kasaragod: The Incubation Centre, set up by the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) here to support innovative entrepreneurship, has invited applications from technology startups in the district with ideas that can be converted into products with market value.

The facility, set up in association with district panchayath, will offer infrastructure, economic and technical aid to students and entrepreneurs.  KSUM will provide well-furnished office with hi-speed Internet facility, government aid as per rules, technical support and arrange meetings with investors.

As part of KSUM’s induction programs, startups will get opportunities for participating in global startup fair and exhibitions; and management development program to be conducted in association with IIMs of Kozhikode and Bengaluru.

The nascent ventures will also get free Internet Cloud services and development tools, guidance from world-famous startup experts, founders and academic experts. Besides, an innovation grant of Rs 12 lakh from KSUM for converting ideas into market-value products is also awaiting the startups.

The last date of application is December 8. Interested startups can register at www.f6s.com/ksum. For more details, contact: [email protected].

Kochi:  Serial entrepreneur Rajesh Dembla is planning to invest in “a couple of” Kerala startups with an impressive track record and definite growth potential.

The move comes amid Microsoft’s project on grooming select startups in the country. Mr. Dembla had earlier this year invested in select startups in Gujarat and Rajasthan, where the MNC had held mentoring programs under its ‘Highway to a Hundred Unicorns’ project.

Last week, Microsoft held an event to guide Kerala startups towards becoming companies valued at over one billion US dollars. Attending the November 22 program named Emerge X at Kochi, Mr. Dembla said he came across “at least two startups” that merited solid investment.

“One is in the SME sector and the other is into a larger social cause,” he revealed on the sidelines of the event at KSUM’s Integrated Startup Complex in Kalamassery, 20 km north of here. “I have informed the two startups about my interest in investing in them.”

Mr. Dembla, who was Group Vice-President (Global Operations) of Justdial that provides a local search for different services over the phone, said he noticed that the general standard of the startups incubated under the KSUM is “way better” than that of other states in the country.

Founder of 36 companies, Mr. Dembla, who is currently CEO of data science and design firm Xelpmoc, hailed Microsoft’s joining KSUM to groom Kerala startups.

Welcoming Mr. Dembla’s move, KSUM Chief Executive Officer Dr. Saji Gopinath said Kerala startups will benefit hugely from investments in ventures, more so ones that are technology-driven and socially beneficial. “Our startups are facing stiff international competition. KSUM is devising ways to help them equip to face this challenge,” he added.