Kerala Congress (M) to submit 16-point plan for Meenachil to CM

A 16-point action plan aimed at mitigating recurring floods in the Meenachil River basin is set to be submitted to the State government by Kerala Congress (M), which holds the Water Resources portfolio in the State cabinet. The plan calls for interventions ranging from the restoration of streams and wetlands to structural and regulatory reforms.

The proposals were formulated based on a symposium held in Kottayam last week. At the core of it is the call to remove all obstructions to river flow from source to mouth and restoring nearly 1,600 streams. Another key proposal is the revival of paddy cultivation in all suitable areas to restore the natural water-retention capacity of wetlands. The action plan also emphasises the need for legal protection of riverbanks.

Other significant recommendations include identifying sand-rich stretches on the river bed and allowing controlled dredging through public auction and reusing silt and sediment from rivers and backwaters for infrastructure projects. The formation of a River Management Authority with judicial powers is also proposed.

The construction of check dams at Adukkam and Adivaram, the enforcement of seasonal water protocols to manage check dam operations and the elevation of roads in low-lying areas are among the other major initiatives. The use of modern technologies for early warning of floods is also highlighted.

To ensure broader public participation, Kerala Congress (M) will hold follow-up discussions at the regional level. Upcoming symposiums are scheduled for Pala on June 30 and for Erattupetta and Kanjirappally in the first week of July. The public is also invited to send suggestions via email at [email protected].

Kerala Congress (M) Kottayam district president Lopez Mathew said that the final set of proposals, incorporating feedback from these public consultations, will be submitted in July to the high level committee chaired by the Chief Minister.

As the state heads into local body elections, environmental concerns are becoming central to political discourse. In addition to KC(M)’s initiative focused on the Meenachil basin, its rival faction led by P.J. Joseph is also stepping up campaigns, focusing on the deteriorating condition of the Vembanad Lake.