A meeting of various stakeholders of the Canoly Canal renovation project, convened by A. Pradeep Kumar, MLA, here on Monday decided to finalise the location for dumping silt and other waste dredged from the canal only after the visit of an expert committee to assess the suitability of the proposed site at Eranhikkal in the city.
The meeting held at the Collectorate conference hall decided to expedite the work on drafting a comprehensive master plan for the proposed conservation and beautification project of the century-old canal flowing through the heart of the city.
Various concerns were raised by residents’ association members, environmentalists, officials, and public representatives during the meeting, which was convened in the wake of a National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development-funded renovation project for the canal.
Heavy silting at both ends of the 11.2-km canal, connecting the Kallai river and the Korapuzha, is a major problem. Destruction of its sidewalls, dumping of waste, and growth of wild vegetation on various stretches are the other problems.
A 8.2-km stretch is expected to be de-silted in the first phase of the renovation project, for which Rs.2.4 crore has been sanctioned.
District Collector C.A. Latha; Water Resources Department Executive Engineer Joseph Abraham; Kozhikode chapter president of the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) Vinod Cyriac; environmentalist T. Sobeendran; Canoly Canal Development Committee members; and city Corporation ward councillors attended the meeting. People has been urged to give their suggestions on the renovation to the IIA office-bearers (ph: 9447 438869).
