Alappuzha canals to get a Dutch touch-up

Alappuzha: In order to give a facelift to the canals of Alappuzha, a team from Netherlands has offered support to the district administration. The team which will carry out a study arrived on Monday and had a discussion with local MLA and Finance Minister T M Thomas Issac and district collector Veena N. Madhavan. The district administration in a press release said that the team would  carry out a study on Alappuzha and it would be submitted in a week.

The project is estimated to cost Rs 150 crores and is likely to begin soon. A design will be set up with the support of Tata Consultancy Services, Trivandrum Engineering College and the irrigation department. As part of the project, water bodies at Muthalappozhi, Thumbolippozhi will be cleaned up. The cleaning and deepening works of the canals and water purification will also be carried out. The team will take care of the water inlet and outlet, affected because of salt water exposure.

The team will hold a discussion with Water Resources Minister Mathew T Thomas on November 24. The project will be executed by the department of Irrigation. Secretary Perta J M Smoulders from the Embassy and hydrologists Visadak, Walken Berg and Dr. A Bella were part of the Dutch team. Executive Engineer Mr. Joshi from the irrigation department also attended the meet.