Kerala civic body lax on desilting

KOCHI: Even as the summer rains pick up, the city corporation authorities have been sitting on the proposal to clean drains and canals in the city so that flooding can be avoided during monsoon.

If the current situation is any indication, the city is going to face the worst ever water-logging this monsoon. Desilting and cleaning of big canals and drains have not yet started.

Since many drains and canals along the Metro Rail corridor have been blocked with concrete sludge, the city will witness heavy flooding, if cleaning is not completed in the next couple of weeks.

“The civic authorities are not serious about cleaning drains and canals which will make the lives of city residents miserable during this monsoon. Even the tendering process has not started for pre-monsoon cleaning. We’ve raised the issue in several council meetings, but it is of no use,” alleged K.J. Jacob, opposition leader.

As weathermen have forecasted an early monsoon, the civic body has to immediately start the cleaning, is the demand by opposition councillors.

“Corporation authorities have not cleaned even the small drains in this area. Even during the summer rains, the roads become inundated. If drains are not cleaned, there will be heavy flooding in the northern parts of the city,” said Sumi Vivera, a garment shop owner.

Meanwhile, corporation works committee chairperson Soumini Jain told DC that cleaning of small drains has already started and tenders would be soon invited for cleaning big drains and canals.

“Rs 5.70 crore has been earmarked for cleaning. But we’ve been getting complaints of water logging during the evening summer showers from various parts of the city,” she said.