Though lauded as a significant project in developing the water connectivity in the state, the renovation and deepening of Manjaly Canal is still on paper even after two years of starting the first phase of the development.
Manjaly Canal, which flows through Angamaly, a major waterway in the olden days through which spices, rice, bamboo and other agriculture produce were transported from Angadikadavu, an important trade centre in the bygone days, to the old port of Muziris (Kodungalloor) for export and sales.
Now part of the new National Waterway programme, Manjaly Canal has a history of a massive flood that engulfed the area in the 16th century, changing the course of Angamaly River and later giving rise to a new water body, the Chalakudy River. The river in Angamaly has been reduced to a canal today, namely the Manjaly Canal.
“The renovation work of Manjaly canal in Ernakulam district from Moonuthodu to Puthathuruthu was done around two years ago by Kerala Land Development Corporation Ltd (KLDC). The work was done only till the Motor Shed at Chambannoor on a length of 4.5 km. The entire canal is 17-km long and work of around 12-km stretch still remains on paper,” said C K Varghese, councillor and former chairman, Angamaly Municipality.
He added that the initial phase of the project was not completed as work is pending in some areas owing to shortage of funds.
The nearby areas by Manjaly Canal are Puthenvelikkara and Varapuzha (Paravur) and Chalakudy.
The second stretch of the canal to be developed is from Motor Shed in Chambannoor to Mathirappuram bridge.
It is learnt that the fund for the development of the region has not been allotted so far.
Elsy Antony, councillor, Chambannoor, Angamaly municipality, said that the renovation of Manjaly Canal is important for the development of rural areas in the municipality.
“Apart from providing better water connectivity in the state, the travelling time of people in the rural areas will be reduced considerably with the completion of the project,” she said.
KLDC officials said that they were in the process of giving final touches to the project.