KOCHI: In a virtual shove in the face to the Corporation over its claims regarding the pre-monsoon cleaning drive undertaken in the city, the Kerala High Court directed the District Collector to initiate steps to remove the weed and plastic waste from the Thevera-Perandoor (TP) canal on a war footing to prevent further flooding.
The Single Bench order came on a writ petition from Treesa K J and Vijaya Kumar B of Gandhi Nagar. “ The Collector is directed to ensure weeds and refuse from the TP Canal are removed on a war footing to avoid further flooding within the city limits,” the order said.
Besides, the civic body has been asked to take effective steps to clean up all other canals. “The Corporation should initiate effective steps to remove weed and waste from all the other canals and sewers to ensure the free flow of water through the drains to avoid inconvenience and difficulties to the general public,” the HC said.
The Collector and the Corporation have also been asked to submit a report in this regard before July 24. The Corporation’s submission before the court stating the work on cleaning up the canals and sewers got under way on Wedneday was indeed recorded by the HC.
The petitioners moved the High Court after the Kammattipadam, Karithala, Udhaya and P&T Colony were inundated in the flooding caused by the incessant rain. According to them, the civic body had failed to undertake the pre-monsoon cleaning drive and the ensuing accumulation of waste and weeds in the canal triggered the flooding.