Pandarachira canal in West Kochi to be restored with international funding
The Kochi Corporation has drawn up a ₹100-crore project backed by international funding to restore the Pandarachira canal in West Kochi.
The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) South Asia and Swiss Re will jointly implement the project. The Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance has agreed to fund the project through grants. The move comes close on the heels of criticism that canals in West Kochi were overlooked under the Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS), a project to restore six critical canals in Kochi.
A plant to treat wastewater draining into the Pandarachira canal has also been included in the project. Bridges and culverts will be altered to avoid flooding and facilitate the smooth flow of water during high and low tides. A permanent system will also be set up to facilitate smooth flow by preventing solid waste and hyacinth from obstructing the flow.
Sustained clearance of silt, controlling pollution, strengthening the sidewalls of the canal, and construction of other necessary structures on stretches without sidewalls are also part of the project. A walkway alongside the canal, an open space, and a play area have also been envisaged. The first phase will cover 2.30-km stretch of the canal.
The canal also serves as the border of Kochi and Palluruthy. The project is expected to benefit future projects like the restoration of the Pashni canal in Palluruthy.
'Steps have been taken to prepare a detailed project report [DPR]. Linking the Pandarachira canal with water transport networks and community participation in the maintenance of the canal are also part of the DPR,' said Mayor M. Anilkumar while presiding over a meeting of company representatives and officials.
Matter Lab, a sister concern of Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society, has been entrusted with preparing the DPR for ₹50 lakh. The DPR will be ready within four months.
The Pandarachira canal was one of the main cargo routes to Kochi. However, the canal lost its significance with the development of road networks and the overall fall in the popularity of water transport. The stagnant canal has now become a source of pollution and waterlogging.
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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Kochi corp designs Rs 100-cr project to renovate Pandarachira Canal
Kochi: Kochi corporation designed a Rs 100 crore project to rejuvenate Pandarachira Canal in West Kochi. The project is funded by Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA), an international agency that works to build resilience in coastal communities and ecosystems. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Project to rejuvenate the canal, which passes through several divisions, will help address waterlogging in West Kochi area. "Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS) project to rejuvenate six major canals in Kochi city is being implemented under the leadership of state govt. The plan involves removing silt from canals, constructing walls, implementing sewage system to avoid dumping of faecal waste into these waterbodies, purifying water, improving side roads and installing lights to enhance beauty of the area," mayor M Anilkumar said. "Canals in West Kochi are not included in this project. In this context, the idea of rejuvenating Pandarachira Canal, one of the main canals in West Kochi region, was proposed and it was decided to implement the project in collaboration with international agencies such as ICLEI South Asia, Bechtel and Swiss Re," Anilkumar said. The project includes a treatment plant to process polluted water currently flowing into Pandarachira Canal. Bridges and culverts will be renovated to maintain proper water flow during high and low tides. A permanent system will be established to ensure unobstructed flow of water, free from solid waste and water hyacinth. Sustainable desilting, pollution control and construction of new walls are key components of the project. Construction of a walkway along the canal and development of modern public spaces and playgrounds are also included. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Phase I will cover a 2.3-km stretch of the canal, which borders Kochi and Palluruthy. This project will aid in the future rejuvenation of other canals, including Pashnithodu in Palluruthy. Detailed DPR preparation activities have commenced. "DPR will also address connecting Pandarachira Canal with water transport routes and its maintenance with community participation. Matter Lab, a sister organization of Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS), is preparing the DPR with a budget of Rs 50 lakh. DPR will be completed within four months," mayor said. A meeting chaired by mayor was attended by Monalisa Sen from ICLEI, Tara S Pillai from Bechtel and Jayakumar from Matter Lab. Pandarachira Canal, once a major cargo waterway to old Kochi city, lost its significance with the construction of modern roads and urbanization.
The Hindu
7 hours ago
- The Hindu
Pandarachira canal in West Kochi to be restored with international funding
The Kochi Corporation has drawn up a ₹100-crore project backed by international funding to restore the Pandarachira canal in West Kochi. The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) South Asia and Swiss Re will jointly implement the project. The Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance has agreed to fund the project through grants. The move comes close on the heels of criticism that canals in West Kochi were overlooked under the Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS), a project to restore six critical canals in Kochi. A plant to treat wastewater draining into the Pandarachira canal has also been included in the project. Bridges and culverts will be altered to avoid flooding and facilitate the smooth flow of water during high and low tides. A permanent system will also be set up to facilitate smooth flow by preventing solid waste and hyacinth from obstructing the flow. Sustained clearance of silt, controlling pollution, strengthening the sidewalls of the canal, and construction of other necessary structures on stretches without sidewalls are also part of the project. A walkway alongside the canal, an open space, and a play area have also been envisaged. The first phase will cover 2.30-km stretch of the canal. The canal also serves as the border of Kochi and Palluruthy. The project is expected to benefit future projects like the restoration of the Pashni canal in Palluruthy. 'Steps have been taken to prepare a detailed project report [DPR]. Linking the Pandarachira canal with water transport networks and community participation in the maintenance of the canal are also part of the DPR,' said Mayor M. Anilkumar while presiding over a meeting of company representatives and officials. Matter Lab, a sister concern of Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society, has been entrusted with preparing the DPR for ₹50 lakh. The DPR will be ready within four months. The Pandarachira canal was one of the main cargo routes to Kochi. However, the canal lost its significance with the development of road networks and the overall fall in the popularity of water transport. The stagnant canal has now become a source of pollution and waterlogging.
The Hindu
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Kousika river revival project in Coimbatore receives funding support
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