The Kochi Metro Rail Limited awarded a project with a total cost of Rs. 2.62 crore for cleaning of the Thevara-Perandoor canal to the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC), according to The Hindu.
The work will include dredging of the 10 km-long canal to a depth of one metre and removal of plants, weed and waste. Also the sides of the canal will be cleared of bushes and shrubs.
Tom Jose, the KMRL’s MD, said: “ The KMRL is taking up the canal’s cleaning as part of our social-responsibility initiative. It will make Kochi a better place to live, by preventing water-logging and accumulation of waste and dirt .”
About 49,000 cubic metres of silt and dirt will be dredged and moved to Brahmapuram or some other place in the suburbs.
Tony Chammany, Kochi Mayor , said: “ The cleaning of Thevara-Perandoor canal is crucial to ensure free flow of water through the city, which will eventually help avoid water- logging. We requested the KMRL to take up this work as they completed the works that they undertook (like resurfacing alternative roads to divert traffic when preliminary work on the Kochi Metro Rail was on) in a time-bound and professional manner. ”
The project will involve both mechanized and manual work and is expected to be completed in 45 days starting from Monday.
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Dredging Today Staff, April 11, 2012;