Corporation forms special committee to respond to emergency flooding situations

The Kochi Corporation will commence desilting of drains along the M.G. Road stretch between Madhava Pharmacy and South Junction after recent showers left several shops and establishments flooded.

The decision was taken following an inspection of the stretch on Wednesday (February 25, 2026) by public works standing committee chairperson T.K. Asharaf, officials of the Corporation’s engineering wing, and representatives of the Public Works department (PWD).

“Drains were not desilted, and many outlets within them were sealed by the PWD when the stretch was tiled as part of beautification. Only four outlets could be located between Madhava Pharmacy Junction and Padma Junction, while the rest were sealed,” said Mayor V.K. Minimol.

PWD officials said that desilting had not been undertaken due to lack of funds, which, the Corporation feel, should have been conveyed to it in which case it would have provided assistance. At present, the drains have a depth of only 1.80 metres, while desilting could increase it up to 2.50 metres, Ms. Minimol noted.

At a meeting convened by the District Collector on Thursday (February 26, 2026), the Corporation insisted that either the PWD should carry out desilting or issue a no-objection certificate permitting the Corporation to do so since it would be held accountable in the event of flooding. “The District Collector has directed us to begin work, assuring that PWD approval will follow shortly. Contractors have been instructed to commence desilting at the earliest,” Ms. Minimol said.

Stadium Link Road has also been identified as another stretch vulnerable to flooding, and Mr. Asharaf will inspect the stretch on Friday (February 27, 2026).

“We have constituted a special committee to respond to emergency flooding situations. The Corporation secretary will head the committee, while the superintendenting engineer will oversee mitigation works,” Ms. Minimol added.

The Corporation has further resolved to channel a budgetary allocation of ₹10 crore to ‘Operation Breakthrough’ into innovative flood-mitigation measures, rather than relying solely on the Irrigation department’s recommendations.