Better days in sight for Karamana, Killi rivers

Over the past few years, the water flow along the Karamana and Killi rivers has reduced to a large extent owing to the large amount of waste dumped in them on a daily basis. All that is set to change for the better with the City Corporation holding the final round of talks with the Thiruvananthapuram Development Authority (TRIDA) for the implementation of a camera surveillance system along the rivers to track dumping of waste.

“We had one round of talks with TRIDA officials last week during which we were asked to identify the spots to fix the cameras. The date of implementation is yet to be fixed. Another meeting is scheduled for next week, in which a final picture will evolve,” said Mayor K. Chandrika.

The camera surveillance project mooted by Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment is part of the Karamana-Killi River Scientific Management Project estimated to cost around Rs.5 crore.

First phase

In the first phase, the project will be implemented along the 6-km stretch of the Killi river, from Myladikkadavu to Iranimuttam. The CCTV cameras will be installed by Keltron at an cost estimated of Rs.87.48 lakh.

Keltron will have the responsibility of maintaining the cameras for the first three years, after which they will be handed over to the local body.

Offenders to be booked

“Many steps need to be taken to bring the river to its past State. The dumping of waste along the river cannot be stopped physically. The setting up of surveillance cameras is a deterrent and a way to collect evidence. Offenders can be charged under the relevant clauses of the Municipal Act,” says P.K. Venugopal, TRIDA Chairman.

Work on the cleaning up of the drains to the river is currently being carried out by the Corporation. Slabs are being laid over the drains between Myladikkadavu bridge and Iranimuttam bridge and silt traps also will be installed here. “There is also the problem of lack of drainage facility in houses near the river and all these are drained into the river. The pump houses have also limited resources. We are trying to solve these issues too,” says Mr. Venugopal.