Collector tells HC 85% of city canal desilting work completed

Ernakulam District Collector informed the Kerala High Court that 85% of the desilting work in the city canals has been completed.

The report was submitted through a petition seeking a report from the State on preparation of a permanent mechanism for proper management of the Thevara-Perandoor Canal. The court had directed the Collector to inform the Collector about the steps taken to de-clogging the canal near the KSRTC bus stand and Perandoor Canal, to expedite the work of Mullassery Canal and to repair the drains at Madhava Pharmacy Junction, where MG Road branches from Banerjee Road.

The government has sanctioned ₹ 5.37 crore for completion of the remaining 175 meters of the Mullassery canal. Kerala Water Board, Kerala State Electricity Board and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited have been given funding approval to shift their services through the canal. Work is expected to begin after the rainy season.

The report stated that the Thevara-Perandoor Canal has been desilted on priority and the tender procedures for desilting work behind Udaya Colony in Vyttila have also been completed.

To reduce flooding caused by tidal flow in Indira Nagar area, a fiberglass reinforced plastic louvered sluice gate was constructed at Pandarachira by the Minor Irrigation department. These shutters will be operated and maintained by Kochi Corporation. Last year, a joint field survey was conducted by Deputy Executive Engineer Vyttila, District Collector Amicus Curiae and residents of the area regarding the waterlogging problem in the area adjacent to Chilavannur backwaters.

It has been reported that the jetting work at 22 of the 23 railway culverts in the region from Atlantis to Vaduthala has been completed by the Kochi Corporation to ensure smooth flow of water.

The railway culvert at Ernakulam KSRTC-Mullassery Canal junction has also been cleared. De-silting of Vivekananda Canal has also been completed. The Collector informed the court that the Health team has been instructed to conduct waste clearance operations every two weeks.