KOCHI: Even after getting a nod from the State government, the canal cleaning drive initiated by the district administration has come to an abrupt halt owing to the inadequacy of funds. The drive, which was handed over to the irrigation department by the Kochi Corporation, came to a standstill as the former informed the Corporation that they have not received enough funds from the government to carry out the canal cleaning project. Besides, the project is yet to acquire both administrative and technical sanctions.Earlier, at a meeting convened by the water resources minister it was decided to hand over the canals to the irrigation department. Accordingly, the irrigation department agreed to desilt the seven major canals and to strengthen the boundary walls. The seven canals are - Thevara-Perandur, Edappally, Karanakodam, Pandarachal, Pashnithodu, Pallichal and Changadampokku. “This is an initiative which demands huge amount of money. So far, no measures have been taken by any of the authorities to find such a bulk amount,” said Hari Narayanan, assistant executive engineer, major irrigation department. “We have already prepared a rough estimate for five major canals - Perandoor Canal, Edappally Canal, Changadampokku Canal, Karanakodam Canal and Pashnithodu - and it is coming around Rs 25 crore for all the canals,” he said.He also said that they have submitted the estimates for five major canals to the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). “Though we submitted the report, the time limit for this year’s allotment by NABARD is already over. Hence, it cannot help,” he said.The most significant feature of this canal cleaning drive is that as Kochi lies at the sea level, the tidal waves can easily enter the city through these cleaned canals. The canals will have shutters. During rainy reason, these shutters will be closed and water entering the city will be pushed back using an efficient pump system. It will also curb the issue of water logging. Whereas, during summer season, the shutters will be opened to let the tidal waves gush to the city as it will help in curbing the mosquito menace.Though, lack of financial assistance can be cited as one of the stumbling blocks, the irrigation department official said that most of these canals were encroached in every possible way. “It is the revenue department that has to demarcate the boundaries where the work is to be carried out. We have already written to the revenue department but to no avail. It is a long pending request, of about eight years,” Hari Narayanan said.He said that though this venture is one of the best alternative to free Kochi from the long pending issue of water logging, the irrigation department cannot solely shoulder the responsibility of taking this project.ahead as they need assistance. When asked about the inadequacy of funds, major irrigation department chief engineer Unnikrishnan said that they are looking for various ways to acquire fund to materialize the project. “We are trying our best to implement the project by the next financial year,” Unnikrishnan said.
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