Ministers, greens to take part in 2nd phase of Killiyar cleaning drive

Thiruvananthapuram: Over 30,000 people will participate in a massive cleaning drive at Killiyar on Friday. Organized by Killiyar Mission Samithi, the second phase of the cleaning drive ‘Karakaviyathe Killiyar’ for rejuvenation of the river will begin at 7.30am and will go on till afternoon.
In addition to the 22-km long stretch of Killiyar from Karinjathimoola to Vazhayila bridge, 31 streams flowing into the river will be cleaned. Hence, the total area to be cleaned as part of the drive is around 500km.
Ministers, MLAs, other people’s representatives, employment guarantee scheme workers, Kudumbashree workers and students will participate in the drive.The first phase of Killiyar cleaning drive was held in April 2018.
“After first phase, the committee conducted a series of follow-up activities, including closing down of 1,200-odd waste pipeline connected to the river and cleared encroachment in 6.2acres. These activities improved the quality of the water. We expect more people to join the drive,” said MLA D K Murali.
Minister for water resources K Krishnankutty will be present at Karinjathimoola, finance minister T M Thomas Isaac at Kallampara in Nedumangad, tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran at Vazhayila in Karakulam panchayat, agriculture minister V S Sunilkumar at Moozhi in Anad panchayat, forest minister K Raju in Azhikode Aruvikkara panchayat, DGP Loknath Behera at Kuttappara in Karakulam and district collector Gopalakrishnan will be present at Pazhakutty.
The district committee of CPM has urged party members to volunteer for the cleaning drive. “The large-scale participation of people in the cleaning and anti-encroachment campaigns so far is a major factor behind the success of Killiyar mission. We need to continue giving that support,” CPM district secretary Anavoor Nagappan said in a statement.
The representatives of the Killiyar Mission committee have planned to complete the survey to demarcate the encroachments on the river. In the next stage, they will take steps to clear these encroachments.