KOCHI: The rejuvenation work of Mullassery canal started after much argument over the rehabilitation of street vendors in the area and the intervention of the high court. The workers started the work by dismantling the slabs on the canal near KSRTC depot on Saturday. The work, worth Rs 10 crore, will widen and deepen the canal by 4m. Minor irrigation department is doing this work as part of Operation Breakthrough.
The obstruction in water flow leads to waterlogging at KSRTC depot, Karikkamuri Road, MG Road, Kammattipadam and Ernakulam Jn railway station every monsoon. Fire force personnel were then using high powered motors to pump out the water. Waterlogging forced railways to raise the tracks at the station.
“There are some cable lines, including the ones of telecom companies, passing through the area. We informed them about the work and they will check their lines. Dismantling slabs and other concrete structures on the banks of the canal will start in full swing in two days. We started work at one end of the canal on Saturday morning,” said a minor irrigation official.
At some points the width of the canal is around 6-8m. “The minimum width of the canal at some points is 4m. So we can rejuvenate the canal with a minimum width. It will take three months to complete the works and it will resolve waterlogging issues in the area,” he said.
A survey carried out by revenue officials had found massive encroachments in the area. Division councillor Sudha Dileep Kumar said the delay in taking a decision on the rehabilitation of street vendors delayed the entire work.
As many as 72 street vendors will be rehabilitated to facilitate the work. Once the work is completed they will return to their old spots. “Street vendors and shopkeepers near the canal are against the cleaning of the canal claiming it will affect their livelihood. But when waters enter their shops and affect their business, the same people call us to clean the canal. Once the rejuvenation work is completed, we have to ensure that the flow of water is not disrupted. There should be a mechanism to prevent the dumping of waste into the canal,” she said.
