The Cabinet on Wednesday approved a Rs.125.51 crore project for flood control and related measures in Thiruvananthapuram city.
In the first phase, costing Rs.27 crore, protection and reconstruction of bunds and sidewalls of the Killi river, removal of sand banks and vegetation in the Killi and Karamana rivers, and clearing of the Ulloor, Amayizhanjan, Thekkanakkara and Pattom water streams and drains will be undertaken.
Second phase
In the second phase, steps will be taken for flood control at Karimadom, Yamuna Nagar and Cauveri garden at a cost of Rs.50 crore. Another Rs. 48.51 crore will be spent for flood control works in the Killi river.
Briefing the media on the Cabinet decisions, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that the funds for these would be earmarked in the next Budget. The project would be finalised after receiving the report of a study being undertaken by RITES.
The third phase envisaged pollution control, eco-restoration and allied works of the Killi and Karamana rivers.
A total of Rs.505 crore would be sought from the Centre as assistance for this phase. The Chief Minister recalled that projects had been proposed for pollution control and eco-restoration of the Vembanad, Sasthamkotta and Ashtamudi lakes and six rivers flowing into the Vembanad Lake.
The Water Resources Department would be asked to do the feasibility study.
