The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Flood control works in final phase

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Thursday, May 29, 2008
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Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Flood control works in final phase

Special Correspondent

Major portion of the Amayizhanjan canal de-silted

Photo: S. Gopakumar

Cleaning up: An earth mover scooping up accumulated silt and garbage from the Amayizhanjan canal near the Thakaraparambu junction in the city on Wednesday.

Thiruvananthapuram: The short-term activities undertaken by the government to control flooding at East Fort and Thampanoor in the city entered the final phase on Wednesday.

A major portion of the Amayizhanjan canal from the Observatory to Kannamoola has been de-silted. Earth movers were pressed into service to remove tonnes of accumulated silt, debris and plastic waste from the bed of the canal.

Thiruvananthapuram East MLA V. Sivankutty said most of the storm water drainage network in the city had been cleared by a coordinated effort involving the Department of Public Works, National Highway, Water Resources Department and City Corporation. “While the canal is being de-silted by the Water Resources Department, the National Highway Department is simultaneously engaged in a project to clean up the drains around the Ponnara Sreedhar Park at Thampanoor.”

At East Fort, the most flood-prone area in the city, efforts are on to reconstruct two bypass drains that would divert floodwaters from the Amayizhanjan canal to the Thekkanamkara canal. The sub-project is expected to cost Rs.15 lakh.

One of the drains originates from Pazhavangady and passes through the premises of the Government Homoeo Hospital and the area in front of the Abhedananda Ashram before linking up to the Thekkanakara canal. The second one, also linking Pazhavangady with the canal passes through the city bus stand and under the Karimpanal Arcade. “The work on these two drains is almost complete. Together, they will help to drain a substantial amount of the floodwater to the canal, thereby minimising the flood situation at East Fort,” Mr. Sivankutty said.

He said that 42 km of the drain had been cleared of accumulated silt and garbage. “We hope to complete the remaining work in a couple of days. Disposing of the large amount of plastic waste removed from clogged canals and drains is a problem,” he said.

Minister for Public Works Mons Joseph is scheduled to review the works at a meeting on Thursday.

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