Cleaning the Edappally canal of accumulated sludge and water hyacinth under Operation Vahini will get under way on Friday in view of the severe waterlogging experienced for two successive days during heavy rainfall in the city, Industries Minister P. Rajeeve has said.
Considering the emergency nature of the situation and the prevalence of the model code of conduct, the work will be executed as part of the disaster management work without tender formalities. The District Collector will issue directions to the Irrigation department in this regard.
Addressing a press conference after taking stock of the situation on Thursday, Mr. Rajeeve said pre-monsoon works, including Operation Vahini that had made significant change in waterlogging during the last two years, were affected on account of the model code of conduct. After much persuasion, works under the project had received the clearance of the Election Commission, he added.
Drains are missing in many parts of Edappally and the existing ones are narrow. Directions have been issued to clean up the drains immediately. An existing project for the widening of drains will be considered.
Mr. Rajeeve said unusual rainfall of 157 mm was recorded in one-and-a-half-hours in Kalamassery. A permanent solution will have to be evolved in keeping with climate change. There was no deliberate failure on anyone’s part, he added.
Work for resolving the waterlogging at Moolepadam, one of the worst affected areas in Kalamassery, would be awarded by June 17. Public Works department and the municipal authorities will conduct a joint inspection of an existing culvert in the area to fix ownership, following which the agency concerned will take steps to demolish the existing one and replace it with a bigger culvert.
The area has been experiencing waterlogging for the last 14 years and it has worsened since the construction of the highway. A comprehensive project was drawn up for the eviction of encroachments and many encroachments were marked out for eviction by the Kalamassery municipality. The municipal secretary has been asked to take stringent action against encroachments, including unauthorised buildings.
National Highways Authority of India, Kochi Metro Rail Limited, PWD and Kalamassery municipality will clean up drains under their jurisdiction on Friday. Cameras will be set up in Kalamassery municipality to check waste dumping. Mr. Rajeeve said the situation had improved to a great extent in Kochi Corporation.
Published - May 30, 2024 08:41 pm IST
