Mayor Arya Rajendran reaches Barcelona; to discuss urban development plan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Mayor Arya Rajendran has kick-started her Barcelona sojourn to represent Kerala at the Smart City Expo World Congress. In her social media post, the mayor informed about the discussions on urban development and the Expo that are charted to take place in the cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region.

Mayor Arya raised hope about the expo being beneficial for the overall development of Kerala's capital city. She also called for the urgent need to shipshape the capital city in accordance with newer times. A team led by Minister MB Rajesh has arrived in Barcelona. Arya shared the pictures on Facebook.

To prevent the occasional waterlogging in the capital city, the mayor said she along with her team had prepared a prevention plan. The plan includes long-term projects to be completed immediately to help save the capital city from waterlogging.

The mayor wrote on Facebook that in April and May of 2023, drains were cleaned in 2340 works in all wards for Rs 1.5 crore. The most waterlogged areas were in Enthivilakam and Balanagar areas of the Vettukad ward. In these areas, water is being pumped into the sea by motor-driven tankers. In this way, water was removed from these areas in 591 trips. Another ward where waterlogging continues to be severe is Kamleswaram. Here the activities are continuing with the help of sucker tankers. The Mayor said that various activities are being carried out by the Municipal Corporation to solve the waterlogging in other places.

As of now, there are fewer options in place to warn people about the rising water levels in city suburbs. Keeping this in mind, a water level marking system is being considered so that people will be informed about the rising water levels in areas, and can prepare accordingly. Strict action is being taken against those who throw garbage in the canals. At present three squads have been appointed to check it.

It was also decided to find illegal encroachment that obstructs the natural flow of streams. The mayor clarified that the municipality has decided to install AI cameras in the ditches, and if found about waste being thrown, an alarm will be sent immediately and the person who dumped the waste will be caught and legal action taken.

In the recent rains that drizzled across the capital city, water logging was observed that made traveling tough through four main roads in the city. An estimate of 40 lakh rupees is being prepared for the damaged road in Trikanapuram ward, Rs 19 lakh, and Rs 15 lakh rupees for the 2 damaged roads in Ponnumangalam ward, and 20 lakh rupees for the damaged road in Vellar ward was allotted.