Flood threat force residents to switch to protest gear

T’puram: A consortium of five residents’ associations based in Gowreesapattom, Pattoor, Kunnukuzhy, Kannamoola and Cosmopolitan Hospital launched a public protest on Thursday, as they are under threat of flood this monsoon season.
The region experienced flooding during rainfall last August. Canals from Ulloor, Pazhavangadi, Gowreesapattom and Kunnukuzhi merge here to become the Amayizhinjan canal and then flow through Anamugham to merge with Akkulam lake and thus act as a key path for storm water flowing out from the city.
Senior Congress leader V M Sudheeran inaugurated the dharna held in front of the office of chief engineer, irrigation, here. Around 200 residents took part in the protest. Their only demand was scientific management of water flow through canals.
Members of the consortium believe that lack of periodic clearing of the canal and unscientific construction of the bridge at Anamugham have resulted in waterlogging in the area during monsoon.
Chairman of the consortium Mohan Varghese said, “During the summer showers last week, sewage water seeped into around 20 houses. The city corporation’s pre-monsoon cleaning drive is yet to reach our area covering five residence associations and nearly 2,000 houses,” he said.
According to convener Satheesh Gopi, the decision to protest was made after other efforts failed. “The soft approach taken by authorities gave us no other choice. Even the newly proposed Rs 126 crore project to rejuvenate Akkulam lake have not included our region,” he said.