Mega clean-up of Killi river starts today in Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram: Yet another mega cleaning drive of Killi River will be kicked off on Tuesday. As many as 25000 volunteers from all walks of life including college students, sanitation workers, politician and various public and private offices will take part in the drive, which will cover 13.5 km stretch from Vazhayila - Kalladimukham. LSGD Minister A C Moidheen will inaugurate the main event at a function to be held at 8 am.

Mayor V K Prasanth, at a press conference held here on Monday, said that the launch of the event will be held simultaneously at 14 spots including Maruthamkuzhy, which will be inaugurated by Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran. Deputy speaker V Sasi will launch the drive at Jagathy Ground. Similarly, inaugurations will be held at Attukal, Mannamoola residents association, Poojapura, Nettayam, Kalady, Aarannoor, Ambalathara, Pangod, Vazhayila, and Kowdiar.

Mayor said that workers from all health circles will be mobilized for the purpose. "We expect a minimum of 7000 volunteers from the corporation wards along the Killiyar stretch. We have been cleaning up the stretch using machinery," said Mayor. He said that strict action will be taken against encroachers as protection of Killi river banks is a top priority for the civic body. He said that around 40 schools under the Corporation jurisdiction have agreed to bring lunch for the volunteers taking part in the drive.

"We have served notices to several violators including major institutions for polluting the river. In the second phase, we will be taking actions. For that, we need help from the revenue department and district administration. All encroachments will be demolished. Several violations have been identified along the Thettiyar river stretch," said the Mayor. He said that there are several settlements along the river stretch which are directly releasing sewage waste to the river. "We will be giving them alternatives before taking action," Mayor added.