Kochi Corporation has earmarked Rs. 60 lakh in its annual budget for protection of canals.
The Budget for 2012-13 has given emphasis on rejuvenation of canals in the city. A project on fixing the boundaries of canals will be soon carried out in association with the Revenue Department. Work on constructing side walls will also begin without delay. The local body has received an assurance from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to provide Rs. 6 crore for protection of the Edappally canal.
Projects have also been prepared for conservation of Karanakodam canal, Changadampoku canal, Market canal and Thevara-Perandoor canal.
The budget pointed out that the U.K-based London Investment Consultancy Ltd has agreed to provide help to rejuvenate the polluted canals.
Market canal will be cleaned in the first phase of the project. The Kerala chapter of the Confederation of Indian Industry has assured financial support for the pilot project.
A total station survey as part of the renovation of the Thevara-Perandoor canal was conducted earlier. Tender proceedings have also been completed for the project. Other canals that would be rejuvenated in the coming days include Mulassery canal, Elamkulam canal, Thukalankuthiya thodu, Rameswaram canal, Mantra canal, Pashnithodu, Karakkamuri thodu, Kareethodu and Punchathodu.
The Corporation will take stringent action against those responsible for polluting the rejuvenated canals.
