Kochi Canal Desilting Efforts Advance Ahead of Monsoon Season

The Ernakulam District Collector has reported to the Kerala High Court that 85% of desilting work on city canals in Kochi is complete. This update follows a judicial directive to ensure effective flood management in areas including the Thevara-Perandoor and Mullassery canals. Work on the Mullassery canal, specifically the remaining 175-meter stretch, has received an allocation of ₹5.37 crore, with utility relocation planned for the post-monsoon period.

To address flood-prone areas like Indira Nagar, the Minor Irrigation department has installed a new sluice gate at Pandarachira to mitigate the impact of tidal influx. Additionally, the Kochi Corporation has successfully cleared 22 of 23 railway culverts, enhancing water flow capacity through key transit routes. While these measures address long-standing drainage bottlenecks, authorities continue to face challenges from plastic waste accumulation, necessitating bi-weekly waste removal efforts by local health squads.

The High Court has emphasized the need for consistent accountability in canal maintenance to prevent annual waterlogging. Despite the significant progress reported, officials noted that future efficacy depends on sustained efforts to keep drainage systems free of debris. Kochi's municipal authorities are coordinating with various departments to ensure that water management infrastructure, including culverts and sluices, remains functional to protect the city from the monsoon-related flooding that has historically impacted urban life.