Rs 27 crore to rid the city of waterlogging

THIRUVANANTHAPUAM: The State Cabinet on Wednesday gave its nod for sanctioning Rs 27 crore for the first phase works of a major programme to rid the city of waterlogging. Construction of a retaining wall and bunds on the Killiyar, clearing the sandbanks and vegetation in the Killi and Karamana rivers and desiltation of the Ulloor, Amayizhanjan, Thekkanikkara and Pattom canals are the major works in Phase I.  An amount of Rs 2 crore will be spent on PWD road works in this phase, the Chief Minister said here after the weekly Cabinet meeting. ‘’The Government has approved the scheme and funds have been allocated. Tenders will be floated soon,’’ Chandy said. The State Government plans to spend Rs 98.51 crore for the second phase works, Chandy said. Rs 50 crore will be spent on schemes to prevent flooding the Karimadom, Yamuna Nagar and Kaveri Nagar regions in this phase. ` 48.51 crore will be spent on preventing flooding in the Karamana and Killi rivers. ‘’The money for the Phase II works will be allocated in the next budget. This is a rough cost estimate, which has to be finalised by RITES,’’ the Chief Minister said. Environmental aspects and pollution mitigation measures in the Killi and the Karamana rivers are to be taken up in the third phase. The State Government has sought a Rs  505-crore Central assistance for this phase, the Chief Minister said. ‘’The Water Resources Department has already submitted a proposal to the Centre,’’ he said. Widespread flooding due to rain in December had once again caught the city on the wrong foot.  The Chief Minister had also convened a special Cabinet to discuss the issue at the time.