Thiruvananthapuram: As a result of highway widening with poor emphasis on drainage, water logging has hit wards located on both sides of the National Highway bypass between Chackai and Thiruvallam. The service roads along Muttathara and Kamaleswaram and wards like Amabalathara and Perunthanni also were affected by water logging.
“The highway authorities have not coordinated with the irrigation department during the construction of road on a higher elevation. As a result several natural rivulets at Kamale-swaram have become still and rain water is not draining off to the Parvathi Puthanar which is located on the opposite side of the highway,” said Kamaleswaram Councilor V. Giri.
“Neelattinkara canal and Kariyilthodu have been affected. Stronger showers can have a disastrous effect now,” he added. Not less than 200 houses in the ward were affected by water logging. Water comes to the areas from higher areas like Manacaud and Kalippankulam.
Muttathara which was located at a higher plain was previously unaffected by water logging. “During a discussion on the construction of underpass near Enchakkal, we had expressed the apprehensions of water-logging. The highway project manager had then promised to construct a full-fledged drain. Now they have laid few pipes which can hardly drain off water,” Mr Giri added.
