KOCHI: Even as the weathermen forecast an excess monsoon this time, the city corporation is yet to begin cleaning of the canals and drains to prevent water-logging. The regular pre-monsoon cleaning drive has been slowed down and the city is sure to face flooding.
Though the civic body has submitted a letter to Kochi Metro Rail Limited seeking financial assistance to clean the drains along the Metro viaduct from Edappally to Vyttila, the agency has not offered any assistance so far. “A decision is yet to be taken whether to provide funds to the corporation for drain cleaning,” KMRL sources said. In the last two years, the agency had given funds for cleaning the drains clogged with concrete sludge from metro sites.
Mayor Soumini Jain told DC that cleaning of small canals and drains had started and the estimate for big canals had been taken. “Since the Election Commission has exempted cleaning works from the code of conduct purview, we can go on with the drive. We are hopeful of completing the works before the onset of monsoon.” she said.
The Mayor added that even if the KMRL turns down the request for financial assistance, the civic body would carry out cleaning along the Metro corridor using its own funds. The cleaning of drains along the Metro sites on the SA Road has already started, she said.
Though the metro civil works have been completed at many areas, the drains are damaged and clogged with debris and slush from work sites. If they are not repaired and cleaned, many city areas will be inundated during heavy rain.
During the recent council meeting, BJP councillor Syamala Prabhu had raised the delay in canal cleaning and sought immediate measures to start pre-monsoon cleaning drive in west Kochi.
