The Irrigation Department has started renovation of canals in Alappuzha district. As the first phase of the project, nine major canals and 19 sub-canals will be cleaned and deepened.
Earlier, the State government had sanctioned ₹108 crore under the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) for the project, which will be completed in four phases. A sum of ₹39 crore will be utilised in the initial phase.
Major canals
The major canals being renovated and deepened in the first phase are Vade Canal, Commercial Canal, West Junction Canal, East Junction Canal, Uppootti Canal, Murinjapuzha Thodu, Kottaram Thodu, Alappuzha-Sherthala (AS) Canal, and the Alappuzha-Ambalapuzha canal. “The depth of the canals will be increased by around 70 cm. This will help operate small boats through the canals. After cleaning and deepening, measures will be taken to protect the canals,” said an official.
As part of the renovation of AS Canal, 14 earthen bunds across the canal will be removed and replaced with bridges to ensure smooth flow of water. The silt removed from the canals will be used to construct outer bunds of the Rani, Chithira, R Block, D Block, and other paddy polders in Kuttanad. Recently, the Alappuzha municipality launched a project for the scientific cleaning of waste choked canals in its limits. As part of it, 141 small canals will be revived and protected. The canals will be deepened after removing silt and waste. All encroachments on the banks of the canals will be cleared. The project is being funded under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformationscheme.