Desilting of Thevara-Perandoor canal assigned to separate contractors for timely completion
The Kochi Corporation is racing against time to complete the pre-monsoon works, with the monsoon predicted to arrive earlier than usual towards the end of this month.
Unlike in previous years, the desilting and deepening of major canals, including the Thevara-Perandoor Canal (TP Canal), have been entrusted to the Irrigation department. While the Corporation previously carried out the works directly, this time the civic body remains largely restricted to a supervisory role
The desilting and deepening of the canal worth nearly ₹10 crore have been divided into four different segments and assigned to separate contractors to ensure that the works are done simultaneously and wrapped up on time.
'Accessibility remains a major challenge when it comes to desilting the canal using hydraulic excavators. On some stretches, there are houses on both sides, necessitating going a long way downstream or upstream to launch the hydraulic excavators. Bridges, separated by short distances, and the lack of enough vertical clearance where bridges remain low further add to logistical challenges,' said Irrigation department sources.
The possibility of launching hydraulic excavators using cranes is also being explored. Further, there is a chance of side embankments caving in on some stretches or fences erected by the Corporation to prevent waste dumping from getting damaged. Foreseeing this, the expenses for restoration works have also been included in the estimate. Deploying the department's silt pushers is also being planned.
The department also plans to undertake the deepening of canals beyond the Corporation limits in adjoining panchayats like Vypeen, Chellanam, and Kumbalam on an emergency basis to increase their water-carrying capacity under 'Operation Vahini'. However, only limited works can be undertaken as part of the operation since only ₹2.50 crore has been allocated against the demand for around ₹15 crore.
'We will hold meetings with Irrigation department officials to review the progress of works. The Corporation has completed around 50 to 60% of the pre-monsoon works, such as cleaning smaller and larger drains, at an expense of ₹5 lakh and ₹8 lakh, respectively. However, the desilting of Changadampokku Canal has just started. Besides, some works had to be re-tendered, leading to the resultant delay. Contractors have been asked to deploy more workers to complete the works on time,' said Seena Gokul, works standing committee chairperson of the Corporation.
She added that motors and 'petti and para' have been installed at places traditionally vulnerable to waterlogging during the monsoon.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- The Hindu
Heavy rain disrupts normal life in Ernakulam
Normal life was disrupted in Ernakulam due to heavy rain and strong winds on Friday. Incessant rain over the past six days has damaged 216 houses in the district. An 85-year-old resident of Thirumaradi village died after a tree fell on her on Thursday evening. Annakutty of Ammamkulam, Karavetta, who worked under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, was returning home after work when the tragedy occurred, according to an official release. So far, three houses have been fully damaged — one each in Kanayannur, Kochi and Kothamangalam taluks — and 213 have been partially damaged — 47 in Aluva, 19 in Kanayannur, 30 in Kochi, 18 in Kothamangalam, 35 in Kunnathunadu, 25 in Muvattupuzha and 39 in Paravur taluks. An official advisory issued around 3 p.m. on Friday called for increased vigilance along the coast from Munambam to Maruvakkad in Ernakulam on Sunday. People in vulnerable areas were urged to move to safer locations. The water level in the Muvattupuzha river has gone up following heavy rain. The level recorded at 8 a.m. on Friday was 11.05 metres, above the flood-warning level of 10.92 metres. People living along the banks of the river have been advised to remain cautious due to the rising water level. People in the coastal panchayats of Chellanam and Kannamaly continued to be battered by furious waves as many houses were flooded with gushing seawater on Friday. Several houses suffered damage following the sea incursion. Residents in the affected areas blamed the district authorities for not initiating the necessary control measures to tackle the situation. Representatives of Chellanam-Kochi Jankeeya Vedi demanded the fulfilment of a promise to build a tetrapod wall along the 10-km stretch between Chellanam fishing harbour in the south and the border of the Kochi Corporation near Fort Kochi in the north.
Hans India
25-05-2025
- Hans India
Delhi L-G hails efforts of Rekha Gupta govt to make drains rain-ready
Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G) V.K. Saxena on Sunday commended the efforts of the Rekha Gupta government to desilt drains and focus on preparing the city's drainage system to handle rainwater flow during the advancing monsoon. In a social media post accompanied by videos showing rainwater flowing in large drains, the L-G said, 'The morass set in due to neglect of more than a decade will take considerable time getting fully sorted, but the new government's efforts at governance are indeed gratifying.' In a special appreciation for the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, headed by Minister Parvesh Verma, Saxena said, 'It's encouraging to see the Irrigation & Flood Control Deptt striving to make our drains flow & mitigate waterlogging, amidst heavy unexpected rains. The consistent efforts of Hon'ble CM Smt @gupta rekha vide field visits & monitoring have started showing results.' The L-G's words of praise coincided with Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva lauding the government for preparing the city for monsoon. Sachdeva stated that while sudden storms and monsoon-related waterlogging have been regular occurrences in Delhi every year, the situation till last year was worsened by the negligence of the then-government. However, this situation has significantly improved now. Sachdeva said that when Delhiites woke up this morning, they were faced with multiple complaints of fallen trees and waterlogging due to a storm that hit late last night. Following the instructions of CM Gupta, all BJP MLAs and councillors, along with officials from the Delhi Jal Board and Public Works Department, took to the streets. 'By 9 a.m., most trees had been cleared and much of the waterlogging removed, easing traffic across the city. By noon, the situation had been brought under control,' he said. After every spell of rain, the people of Delhi can clearly see the difference between the former Arvind Kejriwal government and the current BJP-led administration, he said. Sachdeva emphasised that while the Kejriwal government used to blame the L-G and officials for waterlogging and leave citizens in the lurch, the BJP government takes responsibility and, after thunderstorms or rain, works actively with officials and staff to normalise the situation.
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- The Hindu
Monsoon preparedness to be stepped up in Ernakulam
The district authorities have initiated steps to complete the pre-monsoon preparedness and prevent waterlogging in the city limits as part of the Operation Breakthrough project. A meeting of the officials of various departments and elected representatives, convened by District Collector N.S.K. Umesh last week, had decided to ensure the time-bound completion of the projects. The meeting reviewed the rejuvenation works in Mullassery canal, Chilavannur canal, Edappally canal, and High Court canal. A decision to step up work in the areas that usually face severe waterlogging was taken at the meeting. The required works at Kammattipadam have been completed, according to officials. Mr. Umesh told the officials to implement measures to avoid waterlogging at the Jos Junction. The district administration suggested immediate completion of the cleaning up of canals within the Kochi Corporation limits. Steps should also be taken to ease the flow in the Vivekananda canal. The meeting had also discussed the waterlogging near Al-Ameen School, Edappally. Minister for Industries P. Rajeeve, who convened an online meeting to discuss the preparedness, suggested convening Assembly constituency-level meetings to review the works initiated. He suggested cutting down trees that pose a danger to the public during heavy rains and strong winds. A strict protocol has to be ensured with regard to the opening of the shutters of various dams, he said. T. K. Ashraf, chairperson of the Kochi Corporation's Standing Committee on Health, said that the decisions taken at the review meetings convened by the district administration and the government will be implemented in a time-bound manner. The cleaning works along the canals and drains will be done as per the schedule, he said.
