KOCHI: As the MET department has forecast more-than normal rainfall during the monsoon, the Kochi Corporation has started intensive pre-monsoon cleaning of drains and de-silting of canals.
All canals, including the big ones and rains are being cleaned. The big canals in west Kochi areas including the Rameswaram Kalvathy Canal which were not de-silted during past eight years are being cleaned this time, said Adv. V.K. Minimol, health committee chairperson.
The civic body is spending nearly Rs 6 crore for the annual cleaning drive. Since, the state Election Commission has exempted the cleaning work from the purview of code of conduct, the civic body could continue the tendering process even after the elections dates were announced.
However, the financial assistance expected from Kochi Metro Rail Ltd to clean drains along the Metro corridor from Edappally to MG Road has not been received, said civic body officials. Though the civic body had earlier submitted a letter to KMRL seeking financial assistance, the agency turned it down citing financial constraints.
“However, we've agreed to reimburse the amount spent for cleaning drains once government funds are released. Drain cleaning is mainly required at MG Road, where civil works are yet to be completed,” said sources at KMRL.
In the past two years, the agency have given funds for cleaning the drains clogged with concrete sludge from Metro sites which helped in preventing water logging during monsoon. Even though the corporation has initiated its monsoon preparedness, there are apprehensions over the timely completion of the de-silting works.
"Though tender process has been completed for cleaning big canal, the works have not yet started. If not carried out immediately, de-silting will not be effective in summer rains and it can't be completed before monsoon," said P.S. Prakash, CPM councillor representing Moolamkuzhy division.
