KOCHI: A major irrigation infrastructure development project to revive the Andhakarathodu canal connecting Muvattupuzha river to Champakkara canal, which has already missed many completion deadlines, is indefinitely delayed even after more than three years of the launch its work.
The project was expected to be completed by December 2019. But around 30% of development works are yet to be completed and the works are now progressing at a snail’s pace mainly due to the delay in fund release.
The canal which was polluted by waste and weeds is being revived by the irrigation department as part of a project initiated using fund from Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). Once a pristine waterway, which carries the rich and vibrant history of Tripunithura, the waterbody has now become a dumping yard as authorities miserably failed to prevent the waste disposal on its banks.
The canal development project was inaugurated by the then water resources minister Mathew T Thomas in November 2018 and the works were initiated under the supervision of the then MLA M Swaraj. The restoration project includes beautification works like construction of a 1.5m wide walkway, setting up street lamps and chairs along the canal banks. The project also includes fencing of the canal to ensure cleanliness of the waterbody.
According to the sources at the Kochi office of Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation, the delay in fund release to the contractor is one of the major reasons for the delay in completing the works. It is learnt that out of the Rs 8.7 crore fund earmarked for the major portion of development work, only about Rs 6 crore has been released to the contractor.
Chairman of the apex body of residents’ associations at Tripunithura V P Prasad said that the delay in the work will cause of huge loss money to the government, apart from other issues related to the canal development, as authorities have to remove weeds and water hyacinths from the canal once again.
