Kerala - Kozhikode   

More facilities likely at Neelichira

Staff Reporter

KOZHIKODE: The city corporation has drawn up a proposal for providing more facilities to the public at Neelichira Pond, which was rejuvenated before the previous monsoon.

Technical assistance was given by the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM) and funds of Rs. 10.5 lakhs by the United Nations Development Programme through the Mission for Application of Technology to Urban Renewal and Engineering (Mature) programme.

The work was carried out with help from the residents in the locality through people's committees set up for the purpose.

M. Bhaskaran, Chairman of the Health and Education Standing Committee of the corporation, said that considering the popularity of the pond, a wall would be built around it and seating facilities provided.

On the rebuilding of the embankment of the pond, Mr. Bhaskaran said the granite slabs were damaged following the widening of the road around the pond using a road roller and the high water recharge.

``The embankment is being strengthened by the contractor who undertook the work earlier, and a drainage outlet is being provided. No extra expense is incurred by the corporation for the work.''

Mr. Bhaskaran refuted allegations that the corporation had suffered a loss owing to damage to the embankment.

The CWRDM had carried out detailed investigations to renovate the pond for augmenting drinking-water supply. The work involved protection of the sides of the pond with an embankment, removal of slush from a depth of nearly 1.5 metres, provision of a filter bed of sand, pebble, and charcoal and construction of the road around the pond and continuous monitoring of the water quality.

The stakeholders of Neelichira have welcomed the regeneration of the pond, and as the area is free from pollution, it can be maintained as a freshwater source. The outlet is expected to drain floodwaters during the monsoon.

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