Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) principal advisor E. Sreedharan and Mayor Soumini Jain on Wednesday inspected the cleaning-up of Mullassery Canal which is being undertaken with technical support from DMRC.
The duo visited the stretches of the canal near the Ernakulam South Railway Station and the KSRTC bus station where cleaning work is under way.
The process is estimated to cost around ₹1 crore, including ₹50 lakh for cleaning and ₹50 lakh for high-capacity jet pumps, which will replace Pettiyum Parayum.
Mr. Sreedharan suggested that the slope of the canal near the bus station be corrected to ensure smooth diversion of water to the Kochi backwaters through MG Road.
At present, Pettiyum Parayum, installed alongside Salim Rajan bridge, drains out water to the Thevara Perandoor Canal which cannot contain it, resulting in waterlogging. Mr. Sreedharan observed that water could be drained out to the backwaters through MG Road if the slope is corrected, thus resolving waterlogging at vulnerable points including the railway station, KSRTC bus station, and Karikkamuri areas.
The cleaning of the canal is proving to be a tough task as it is clogged with concrete waste and debris at several points. Mr. Sreedharan volunteered to clean up the canal ahead of the monsoon with the support of the NGO, Foundation for Restoration of National Values, spearheaded by him.
The culvert near the railway station premises which often gets clogged due to unrestrained dumping of plastic waste, is one of the major reasons for flooding in the area.
Clogged with plastic waste
Ms. Jain said how the culvert, which was intensively de-silted last week, got clogged with plastic waste all over again in a manner of days. She agreed with Mr. Sreedharan’s observation that rectifying the slope of the canal would facilitate the smooth flow of water to the backwaters.
Meanwhile, Opposition councillors demanded that other smaller canals and drains be cleaned up to avoid waterlogging.
