The district administration carried out a participatory survey along the 13-kilometre Canolly canal on Saturday as part of the efforts to revive it as one of the cleanest tourism destinations in the city. About 230 students from various prominent educational institutions took part in the one-day survey that collected details on the socio-economic-environmental and engineering aspects of the region to support the master plan preparation.
Officials said the survey team mainly comprised engineering and architecture students from colleges such as the National Institute of Technology-Calicut (NIT-C), KMCT and the M. Dasan Institute of Technology. The socio-economic survey was completed with the support of a 100-member team comprising MSW students from two prominent colleges.
“The task given to the students in architecture was to take stock of the complete buildings and other assets along the Canolly canal. The city was missing such a record that was vital for proper planning,” said M.A. Naseer, faculty member at the NIT-C’s Department of Architecture, and one of the staff coordinators of the event. He said the map handed over for reference purpose had no details, and it could be updated easily with the survey records. E.R. Amritavarshini, a student from NITC-C, said the survey offered them a chance to study one of the serious issues of the city, and come up with suggestions to support the district administration. “We could interact with a number of local people to know their feedback on development. Also, we have taken note of issues that directly or indirectly spoiled the waterway,” she said.
District Collector U.V. Jose, Mayor Thottathil Raveendran, and people’s representatives from various Assembly constituencies were present during the launch of the survey.
