People of Karimadom Colony in Thiruvananthapuram dread the rain. Memories of the perils of a flood, that had affected this area during January, are fresh in their minds. But the people have now pinned their hopes on a flood mitigation and pollution abatement project, for which officials of the Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) are already in the city to begin their study.
Minister for Health V.S. Sivakumar during his visit to the colony along with the officials of the RITES on Tuesday morning confirmed that based on the reports, which would be submitted by the government-accredited agency within two months, the implementation of the project would be carried out.
The project sanctioned by the Central government looks at long-term flood mitigation plans for the colony and pollution abatement of the Karamana and Killiar rivers.
Speaking to The Hindu , G. Anil Kumar, Superintendent Engineer of the Irrigation Department, said that along with the Rs.50 crore project for flood control in areas including Yamuna Nagar, Cauvery Garden and at Karimadom Colony, Rs.27 crore had been allotted for short-term measures.
According to an official of the RITES, the Karamana and Killiar rivers and the water bodies at the colony are “in very bad conditions” and only through a detailed study, a feasible proposal can be suggested. The project is also expected to bring a permanent solution to the pitiable condition of the Karimadom tank, which has been reduced to a garbage dump yard.
Rajeev, a resident at the colony, says he along with a few friends had made an effort to clean up the garbage dumped near the entrance to the pond, which is adjacent to their community space.
The tank had silted up and so it could not store anymore water, which then forms a stream, flowing through the colony, ending at the Parvathi Puthanar canal. Encroachments on areas nearby also prevent the proper outflow of water.
The project is expected to be completed in six months.
