The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Flood control: 96 proposals submitted to panel

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Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008
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Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Flood control: 96 proposals submitted to panel

Special Correspondent

Departments will chalk out coordinated action plan, says Minister

Periodic cleaning of storm-water drainages stressed
Committee to meet today to study proposals

Photo: S. Mahinsha

SEEKING SOLUTIONS: Minister for Public Works Mons Joseph attends a public hearing organised by the committee for flood control at Thampanoor and Pazhavangady, in the city on Tuesday.

Thiruvananthapuram: A public hearing organised by the government-appointed committee on flood control for the capital city drew a good response on Tuesday. Individuals, institutions and mass organisations submitted 96 proposals at the two venues at the Corporation headquarters and Taluk office.

Minister for Public Works Mons Joseph; MLAs V. Sivankutty and V.Surendran Pillai; Mayor C. Jayan Babu; Deputy Mayor V. Jayaprakash; and officials representing the departments of Water Resources, Local Self-Government and Public Works participated in the hearing.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister said the committee would work out a coordinated action plan for flood control involving different departments and agencies. “The problem of flooding eluded a solution all these years because departments were working in isolation, often at cross purposes. Our priority will be to coordinate their activities.”

Mr. Joseph said the proposals received at the hearing would be examined in detail and the practical suggestions would be integrated with the project reports. The proposals received by the committee ranged from desilting storm- water drains, deepening and widening the canals, diverting floodwaters to the Killi river and cleaning up the Veli and Aakulam lakes.

While some participants proposed the installation of pumps to drain out waterlogged areas, others suggested rainwater harvesting in the elevated areas of the city to reduce the quantum of floodwaters. Another issue that was highlighted was the removal of encroachments into canals.

A majority of the participants stressed the need for periodic cleaning of the storm-water drainage network. The Minister said the committee would meet on Wednesday to analyse the proposals. He added that the committee would submit its report to the Chief Minister in 15 days.

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