Interlocked footpaths to save Thiruvananthapuram from floods

Thiruvananthapuram: More well-planned footpaths with interlocked tiles are important to prevent waste accumulation in stormwater drains underneath them, say experts.  The rain clouds on Tuesday unleashed a record 6.5cm of rainfall in three hours in the city. Incidentally, the flood-prone Thampanoor area which has got tiled footpath and better drainage system recently was inundated by just 10 inches for few minutes. In the past, showers used to leave roads 4 feet underwater  

“There are inspection chambers every 10 metres to access drain under tiled footpaths. There is no flooding on the road made by Thiruvananthapuram Road Development Company Limited (TRDCL) because there is no way for waste to go inside. Concrete gratings have been provided instead of cast iron gratings that tend to fall into the drain along with waste and water,” said TRDCL Project Director Anil Kumar Pandala.

Experts say that sanitary workers more often tend to sweep waste into drains through openings on normal concrete slabs. Miscreants also would place dump waste through holes. Meanwhile, the minor irrigation officials said that the same principle cannot be applied to drains which are bigger. “Big storm water drains, such as the Thekkenamkara canal are as wide as five metres. Providing a slab on them is like inviting encroachment from the vicinity. Open canals with high fences, prove more useful to us,” said minor irrigation officials.