PATHANAMTHITTA: District Collector Ashok Kumar Singh has directed the Major Irrigation Department to remove all the granite pieces dumped on the course of the Pampa river at Maramon on a war footing. This is to facilitate the free movement of `palliyodams' (snakeboats) during the annual `Uthirttathi Vallamkali' in Aranmula.

Meanwhile, the Major Irrigation Department sources told The Hindu that the process of removing the granite pieces has already started and it would be completed in the next few days.

Disposing off a petition filed by the `Palliyoda Seva Sanghom' (PSS) recently, the High Court had issued a direction to remove the same from the river course on the basis of a report filed by the District Collector.

The Irrigation department had, a few weeks ago, dumped a few lorry loads of rubble along the Maramon stretch of the river as part of a project to strengthen the existing retaining wall there.

The dumping of the granite pieces in the river has already kicked up a controversy following the objection raised by the `Paliyoda Seva Sanghom' that organises the Aranmula Vallamkali to be held on September 9.

The PSS had alleged that the dumping of the material would hinder the free movement of `palliyodams' along the Maramon stretch of the river during the festival season.

PSS president K.G. Sasidharan Pillai had alleged that the action would hinder the movement of not only the palliyodams but also all other boats coming for the annual snakeboat regatta.

The PSS had also demanded removal of the rubble before September 1.

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