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Pre-monsoon operations to clean Kochi start

As the IMD forecast a near-normal monsoon, the drains and canals have to be desilt and cleaned before June to avoid flooding.

Kochi: Despite the enforcement of election code of conduct, the Kochi Corporation has begun the pre-monsoon cleaning as the tenders for emergency works were floated earlier.

As the IMD forecast a near-normal monsoon, the drains and canals have to be desilt and cleaned before June to avoid flooding. Each division has been given Rs 3 lakh for drain cleaning.

“Desilting of small drains and canals has already started in many divisions as even the summer rains might cause water logging if not cleaned immediately. Cleaning of big canals passing through several divisions will be taken up in the next phase,” said Pratibha Ansari, health committee chairperson.

Meanwhile, pre-monsoon cleaning might not be effective in areas like South, Kadavanthra and Vyttila where Kochi Metro construction works are going on, and the drains are blocked.

“The corporation is yet to take sustainable measures to resolve the water logging during monsoon. Only cosmetic measures are being taken every year spending huge funds. The civic body should chalk out a comprehensive plan to permanently resolve the flooding. Funds allocated as part of Union government’s projects like AMRUT for canal restoration remains unused,” alleged V. P Chandran, CPM councillor.

Since different government agencies share the ownership of arterial roads, water logging can be only if all of the departments work together.

Last year, the corporation took up cleaning works with the technical support of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. The Mullassery Canal was cleaned under the technical guidance of E. Sreedharan.

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