25 crores for renovations gone like garbage thrown in Amayizhanchan Thodu

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Amayizhanchan Thodu is 12 km long and originates from the Observatory Hill at the water treatment plant of the Kerala Water Department and flows through Kannammoola to Akkulam backwater. However, there is more waste including plastic in the canal than water itself. Amayizhanchan Thodu has been in this situation for years. Last year, more than seven loads of garbage were removed from Amayizhanchan Thodu in three days. Apart from plastic and meat waste, there are old televisions, mattresses, wire pieces, diapers, sandals, thermocols, pace boards, liquor bottles, plastic covers, etc in the canal.

Which route did 25 crore flow?

The cabinet had approved a Rs 25 crore project in 2021 for the renovation of the canal. The project was prepared by the Department of Water Resources. It was also decided to purchase a silt pusher machine at a cost of 2.8 crores for removal of silt. Funds were allocated for its operation and maintenance for two years. However, the fact remains that nothing happened. Preventive measures like surveillance cameras on the banks of the canal to catch the litterers, garbage bins and barbed wire fences were also wasted.

Permanent system needed

Amayizhanchan Thodu is the first to be made smart while making the capital a smart city. An iron fence has been lowered into the stream to prevent waste from flowing into the tunnel at Thampanoor. Garbage flows beyond because it has corroded. This problem could have been solved if there was a permanent system to remove the accumulated waste. If there had been a protective fence along the tunnel close to the bottom, Joy would not have been washed away under it.