The Hindu Business Line : Kochi Corporation nudged into action

THE Kochi Corporation, as part of an effort to make the city habitable and clean, is to intensify canal and drainage cleaning works before the onset of the monsoon.

A decision to this effect was taken in the wake of a directive from the Ombudsman for Local Authorities to make the city habitable before May 31 in view of the submerging of low-lying areas in the city due to clogged canals and drains in the recent rains that lashed the State since Sunday.

The Ombudsman, while dealing with the matter, has given a deadline to the civic authorities to undertake the cleaning works on a war-footing. According to Corporation officials, tenders had already been awarded to various parties for cleaning up large drains and canals. The work is expected to be completed by the end of this month, the officials said.

There would not be any delay in completing the works, they said. The cleaning of small canals is getting completed in all divisions. The Corporation has released Rs 1 lakh for each division to undertake small-scale cleaning works, which are being undertaken by the `ayalkootams'.

The Corporation conducts pre-monsoon cleaning works every year and this time around some of the drains have been widened to check floodwaters during monsoon. According to the officials, the work on the Mullassery canal, situated in the heart of the city, is continuing and it would be completed in a time-bound manner.

The Ombudsman's order said that the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Chairperson of the Welfare Standing Committee would be held personally responsible for maladministration if the Corporation fails to comply with the directions.

In case the Corporation council fails to make the city clean, hygienic, free from mosquito menace, flooding and bereft of health hazards, the Forum will be compelled to initiate appropriate penal proceedings, the order said.