Mullassery Canal desilting to be over in 10 days, says Sreedharan

In a declaration of a war of sorts against mosquitos, the pilot project initiated by the Foundation for Restoration of National Values (FRNV) to desilt and clean Mullassery Canal will be completed in 10 days, Metroman E. Sreedharan, who is also president of the foundation, has said.

The first high-powered pump to flush out water from the canal will be installed this month and the second (both funded by the Cochin Shipyard) by mid-June. The foundation will also help the Kochi Corporation manage the pumping for a year.

“It is a giant step to keep moquitos at bay. On their part, residents, merchants, hotels, and hospitals must do their part to ensure clean drains by letting out only treated water and avoiding dumping bottles and other solid waste. Steps must also be taken to prevent septic tanks from becoming breeding grounds for mosquitos. Each Kochiite is a co-owner of the initiative,” he said at the launch of an awareness programme to eradicate mosquitos from the city, on Friday.

“If Singapore that has similar climatic conditions as Kochi can stay free of mosquitos, why not Kochi,” Mr. Sreedharan wondered. The drive to eradicate mosquitos will go hand-in-hand with efforts to prevent waterlogging in the city. The twin initiatives are being taken up using the expertise available with DMRC’s Kochi unit. FRNV will rate each ward on the basis of efforts taken.

An intensive awareness programme will be launched with help of residents’ associations and merchants to reach out to every resident. For the record, Kochouseph Chitilappilly Foundation had donated ₹10 lakh for FRNV initiatives.

Health fallout

Mayor Soumini Jain said prevention of waterlogging would in itself end mosquito menace. “Both pose a threat to people’s health. Many drains and canals are not built scientifically, while unscrupulous people are dumping bottles and plastic bags in them within days of they being cleaned. Everyone, including those from other areas who have settled in the city, must have a ‘we feeling’ for Kochi,” Ms. Jain said.

Community Medicine expert K.N. Panicker, who worked with a host of organisations, including the WHO, said he had submitted a report on mosquito menace to the Mayor. “The report throws light on how mosquitos drink 30 litres of blood each day from Kochiites,” he said in a lighter vein.

A question and answer session that followed saw office-bearers of residents’ associations and NGOs demand deeper drains in the backdrop of the rise in sea-water level. They also sought a mobile unit to monitor septic tanks and other breeding grounds of mosquito larvae.