THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: RITES – the agency engaged by the state government to carry out a study on the flood mitigation project - mooted a foolproof plan worth Rs 445 crores to save the city from routine flooding.
RITES have mooted short term measures including rectification of damaged embankments and protective walls on the sides of the rivers and thodus.
According to sources, the proposal was forwarded to the Centre. “The proposal was sent back by the centre with a number of queries. The revised proposal is yet to be sent,” said a source.
RITES have mooted strict action against dumping of garbage into Karamana, Killiyar and other thodus and has recommended that the government impose fines. They have advised the government to put up sign-boards at every 200 metres along the thodus prohibiting dumping.
When Irrigation Department Secretary V J Kurian was asked, he said that the proposal was under the consideration of the Centre. “We submitted the proposal and are waiting for a positive reply from the Centre,” said Mr Kurian.
Once the Centre approves the proposal, almost 70 per cent of the total project cost will be borne by the Centre and the rest by the state government.
