With SM Street attracting more tourists after its beautification, the district administration is all set to take up its next priority project, an urban water loop, which can transform the Canolly Canal from being an effluent channel to an attractive waterway.
A draft master plan is ready with the district administration, and it will be submitted to the State government with inputs from the civic community and the city corporation.
The district administration has come up with the new project after conducting a field study on the current status of the canal and pollution threats.
The urban water loop project will be implemented on completion of the ongoing water purification drive by closing all illegally connected drains to the inland waterway.
Under the Town and Country Planning Act
Tourism Department officials say the project will be implemented under the Town and Country Planning Act to ensure that it gets legal protection. It will be realised on the Elathur-Kallayi stretch, covering around 12 km, they add.
District Collector U.V. Jose, who recently reviewed the master plan, says the propagations against the project with the argument that it will displace hundreds of families along the canal are baseless. The urban water loop will be implemented in such a way that protection to all households in the project area is ensured, he asserts.
Mr. Jose also rejects the allegation that the project will adversely impact the existing Kallayi timber industry. The Collector, who issued a detailed explanation condemning the claim in his recent Facebook post, clarifies that the project under the consideration of the district administration is totally in favour of conserving the traditional industry.
He also observes that those who oppose the project have no association with the timber industry.
The announcement of the revival plan has kindled active discussions in various social media forums, with people expressing full cooperation for the project.
Social media users are also highlighting the names of firms that are allegedly polluting the waterway with their secretly connected drains. Videos and photos capturing live incidents too have started doing the rounds in groups, inviting action on the part of the district administration.
The 12-km-long canal has clear water flow only at the starting point at Eranhikkal. Residents of the area point out that the Eranhikkal stretch can be easily converted into a small water tourism destination by introducing pedal boat services.
On either side of the canal, visitors can also enjoy the scenic beauty of mangroves, they point out.
