New contract awarded for Mullassery Canal reconstruction, Ernakulam collector tells HC

Kochi: Ernakulam district collector has informed high court, through a report, that as part of flood mitigation measures in Kochi city, a new contract has been awarded for the reconstruction of the Mullassery Canal using precast technology.

The work covers the remaining 175-metre stretch from Chittoor Road to MG Road, as well as certain portions near PT Usha Road and TD Road.The report was submitted in compliance with an earlier HC direction to file a comprehensive report on the status of the ongoing works, the requirements to be addressed in future, and the measures being taken to tackle flood-related issues in Kochi. During the previous hearing, HC was informed that the restoration work on Mullassery Canal had remained incomplete due to issues with the previous contractor, whose contract had since been terminated.The collector, who heads the monitoring committee constituted by HC, further reported that administrative sanction of Rs 5.37 crore has been accorded for the construction of the remaining 175-metre stretch of the Mullassery Canal. Funds for utility shifting in the area have also been sanctioned to KWA, KSEB and BSNL. Preparatory work for precast casting has already commenced, and site execution will begin after taking into account the prevailing monsoon conditions.

Concerning the desilting of the Thevara-Perandoor Canal, the collector reported that operations are being carried out by the Kochi corporation and are currently in progress in the stretches from Thevara Mouth and from Kaloor Junction to Chittoor River. To mitigate flooding in Indira Nagar caused by tidal influx, the minor irrigation department has constructed a sluice with FRP shutters at Pandarachira. The shutters have been handed over to the corporation for operation and maintenance.

An estimate of Rs 1.49 crore has been prepared for laying tiles on by-lane roads M1, M2, M3, M4, M5 and M6, as well as Cross Roads C3 and C5 in Kadavanthra Indira Nagar, besides raising and reconstructing the drains. The estimate has been submitted to the corporation council for administrative sanction.Similarly, jetting work has been completed in 22 of the 23 culverts between Atlantis and Vaduthala, and the railway culvert at the Ernakulam KSRTC-Mullassery Canal junction has also been cleaned to improve drainage. However, plastic waste continues to pose a risk of recurring waterlogging, prompting Kochi corporation to direct its health department to carry out regular cleaning operations. The collector further informed HC that desilting of Vivekananda Canal has been completed, but plastic waste continues to obstruct the free flow of water.

Kochi corporation has begun fortnightly waste-removal operations through its health squad, while 85% of desilting work within the corporation area has been completed.