Cleaning of the sewage-laden and hyacinth-smothered Andhakarathodu, which links the Muvattupuzha river with the Champakkara canal, has commenced.
While measuring and related activities began two weeks ago, a floating JCB was pressed into action on the stretch of the canal passing through Thoppil ward of Thripunithura on Thursday to remove water hyacinth and other weeds.
Trees to be removed
As part of the clean-up exercise, several trees, including vatta (Macaranga peltata), will also be removed with the concurrence of the Forest Department, said Chandrika Devi, chairperson, Thripunithura municipality.
“Major clearing work can be carried out only after the trees are removed,” she added.
The ₹10-crore State government project for reviving the grimy waterbody will involve getting rid of plastic and sewage and building retaining walls on both banks.
Walkway project
Under the project, the road on one side of the canal will be rebuilt, while a two-metre-wide walkway will be carved out on the other side. Besides, the banks will be beautified and protected with chain link fencing to prevent dumping of waste. As part of the project implemented by the Minor Irrigation Department and funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), the once-navigable canal will be deepened to make it navigable again.
“The entire 2.17-km-long canal will now be revived with the ongoing project,” said M. Swaraj, MLA, Thripunithura.
“The canal was used for transport before. The aim is to restore its former glory so that not just boating, even the Water Metro could use it as a route in the future,” he added.
“At present, a box-type culvert on the Champakkara canal side prevents the canal from being used for transport. This will be replaced with another model that is more boat-friendly,” he added.