Thiruvananthapuram: The State authorities and experts have restarted discussions to find a permanent solution to the perennial flooding problem at Thampanoor.
The entire area was marooned in summer showers recently leaving many people wonder if a solution could ever be found.
Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson, who held a high-level meeting of the department heads and authorities on Tuesday to review the situation, said a diversion canal would be constructed to channel the flood water.
“Regular cleaning of the canal and drainage network is a must to avoid flooding during rains. Our focus will be to clear encroachments and put in a system to ensure regular cleaning and also to prevent dumping of garbage into water bodies, canal and drainage system,” Mr Thomson told DC.
The chief secretary is monitoring the situation. A diversion canal is under consideration and even a detailed project report was ready but the government decided to put the project on hold.
“A diversion canal linking Thampanoor and Vanchiyoor will be constructed to put an end to the flooding,” he said.
Lokayukta had rapped top officials, ministers, mayor and collector for not being able to fix Thampanoor flooding problem even after spending crores of rupees.
A Rs. 10-crore storm-water drainage is almost finished but it failed even during summer showers. A two-hour torrential downpour was enough to flood the region.
The proposed alternate storm-water drain from Indian Coffee House to Uplamoodu is estimated to cost around Rs 22 crore. The plan is to lay 1,200-mm pipe to channel storm water getting logged at Thampanoor.
