Parvathy Puthanar: Gone to weed

The government has moved a mega project for the renovation and restoration of the heavily-polluted Parvathy Puthanar.
Parvathy Puthanar
Parvathy Puthanar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: If the ongoing efforts by the Left government turns effective, Parvathy Puthanar in the city may soon get a new lease of life. The government has already moved a mega project for the renovation and restoration of the heavily-polluted Parvathy Puthanar.

Water Resources Minister Mathew T Thomas has told the Assembly that the state government has already initiated steps in this direction. The National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) has already prepared the plan for a Rs 20 crore project in the first phase.

The first phase of the project to be implemented with Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) as the Special Purpose Vehicle will be funded through Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFBI).

“Another major issue is increasing number of encroachments on both sides of the canal. The canal has almost turned out to be a dumping yard. The sewerage released into the canal also points at the need for an awareness on keeping water bodies non-polluted, especially during the time of drought. There should be a positive attitude towards the same,” the minister said.

The government has also initiated steps to carry out a detailed survey along the canal for boundary demarcation. The second phase of the renovation project will also be carried out through KIIFB.

“Renovation of the 16.1 km long canal will be carried out in two phases. The water resources department will convene a special meeting to discuss various aspects of the project,” the minister added.  

Earlier raising the issue, former health minister V S Sivakumar said reclaiming Parvathy Puthanar would be like reclaiming the history of Travancore. He also pointed at the need to conserve the river and protect various bridges on it. Many houses on both sides of Parvathy Puthanar release sewerage into the river, he said.

“There’s an urgent need to lay pipelines to transport sewerage waste from here to the plant at Muttathara. The previous Oommen Chandy government has earmarked Rs 4 crore for the renovation of Parvathy Puthanar,” Sivakumar said.

Parvathy Puthanar, once part of the state’s inland navigation system, also needs pre-monsoon cleaning. Otherwise it would pose a major threat to those living on its banks. The government has been considering various possibilities for pre-monsoon cleaning in the city.

In the backdrop of ‘Operation Anantha’, the government may look into the possibility of initiating a similar mission in the city.

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