Kochi: With the authorities including Kochi Corporation repeatedly failing to tackle water-logging near South railway station premises, the railways have decided to conduct a study on its own to arrive at a concrete solution which it hopes to implement with the help of the civic agencies.
What has triggered the quick action was the severe water-logging of rail tracks in the whole section from Ernakulam Junction to Ernakulam Town railway stations in the heavy rains on Monday which resulted in suspension of train services for over 10 hours.
Unlike in the past, new areas like Pullepaddy region got inundated this time over, even forcing the railways to resort to manual signaling and communication process on the whole of Monday after a couple of electrical interlocking got immersed in rain water.
“The solution needs a scientific study as a one-time cleaning or de-silting won’t help. A team of our engineers will visit the affected areas in the next two days and study factors like topography, illegal building structures and alternate drainage solutions among others,” said Ernakulam area manager Nithin Nobert.
An official letter will be soon sent to the Corporation seeking its help on the matter.
Meanwhile, sources said the lack of an emergency mechanism on the part of the corporation worsened the flooding the other day. “As the water level started rising, the railway authorities asked the corporation to pump put water from Mullassery canal at the point near KSRTC bus station on a war-footing but the latter was unable to arrange for men and mechanism at short notice.”
The Ernakulam KSRTC bus terminal, too, is facing severe water logging due to overflowing of the canal during rains. Post the flooding on the other day, the corporation has promised to act, including setting up of new toilet complex and drainage mechanism at the terminal.
“In response to our letter, the corporation has agreed to take measures such as making a proper drainage system and renovating the existing toilet complex,” said V.M. Thajudeen Sahib, Ernakulam district transport officer.
