The first phase of the Killi River City Mission, to clean up the parts of the river flowing through the city Corporation area, is proposed to begin next month. It will be completed by August. A meeting of the technical committee on Friday formulated a detailed action plan for the project.
The meet noted that it was important that people staying near the river were made part of the clean-up project. The wards of Thuruthummoola, Nettayam, Sasthamangalam, Kanjirampara, Kowdiar, Peroorkada, Pangode, Jagathy, Nedumcaud, Kalady, Chala, Thycaud, Valiyasala, Attuakal and Ambalathara, through which the river flows, will fully or partially be part of the project area.
The Corporation Health officials in the last few days conducted a survey of all connecting streams and drains that flow into the river on either side. The survey identified various violations, including the waste outlets into the river from households. A total of 276 violations were flagged, of which 235 owners were served notice. Specific locations of large-scale dumping of waste have also been identified.
Detailed map to be readied
A detailed map of the river and its connecting streams will be prepared to co-ordinate the activities. As part of the Killi River City Mission, meetings will be held at the Corporation, health circles, wards and at the local level to form organising committees for each section of the project. The Corporation is also planning a large-scale awareness drive, targeted at people residing near the river, to make them realise the importance of protecting the river and to ensure their co-operation and support for the project.
Help will be sought from people living in these parts for the next phase of study of the river. The surveys will be finished by the end of May. Preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is also expected to be completed by this time.
Upstream, a 22-km stretch of the river, beginning from Karinchathimoola, the origin of the river in Panavoor panchayat, till Vazhayila bridge is being cleaned up as part of the Killiyar Mission, by various local bodies. On Friday, district panchayat president V.K. Madhu and officials visited the mission area near Karakulam as part of the plans to strengthen the banks on either sides. The 31 canals and over 50 rivulets that flow into the river along this stretch are also being cleaned.
