THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The renovation of the eight kilometre- long Kariyilthodu that was first included and later dropped from Operation Anantha continues to the major cause for even slight rains causing floods in Kamaleswaram- Ambalathara wards. The densely-populated wards sits on levelled paddy fields and ponds. The two century-old canal that runs through the ward, parallel to NH bypass was connected to Parvati Puthanar on both ends to drain out water. Though there was an increase in the water load into the canal due to levelling of paddy fields, its carrying capacity was affected by water hyacinths.
During Operation Anantha, a few encroachments along the canal were knocked down. However, the de-siltation could not continue for long even though barge-mounted excavators worked in the canal for a short time. “There was a demand for over '25 crore from the state government for cleaning up the two-century old canal a few months ago. The irrigation department was yet to prepare a Detailed Project Report on the work. There was practical difficulty in manually cleaning the canal. Last time when similar clean up drives were planned here, we were not getting contractors to take up the works,” said a former Kamaleswaram councillor.
The canal runs through four wards including Ambala-thara, Poonthura, Kamaleswaram and Muttathara. “Around five culverts were repaired and side walls were installed. The canal has to be partially renovated from Neelattinkara to Parvati Puthanar. Currently, during rainy seasons, the bridges (culverts) also get submerged,” official added.
