KOCHI: A few months after the irrigation department completed its desilting and cleaning, the Thevara-Perandoor canal (TP canal) is back to its unclean self, and this time it’s even worse. One of the major canals in the city, the waterbody currently lies in severely polluted condition, filled with plastic waste, bottles and aquatic weeds.
“The cleaning and maintenance of the canal was completed just eight months ago. However, from Kaloor to RBI quarters, the canal remains unclean. Even wastewater from the slaughterhouse in Kaloor is being discharged into the canal. Though several complaints were raised and the High Court intervened, no solution has been found,” alleged T Balachandran, an activist and resident of Kaloor.
Considering the poor condition of the canal, the High Court had in June 2025 directed the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and the Kochi corporation to issue notices to individuals and organisations responsible for polluting it. Balachandran alleged that despite the HC directive, sewage water discharge into the canal continues.
Kaloor South councillor M G Aristottil said steps have been taken to clean the canal. “The work will be carried out partially, as the irrigation department completed it recently. The corporation is issuing notices to residents’ associations and individuals polluting the canal. A fine is also imposed on those violating the rules,” he said.
The irrigation department had carried out the work after dividing the 12-km-long canal into four reaches.
Corporation officials said the tender process for desilting and cleaning the canal has been completed, and the work is set to begin. “We have decided to clean the canal. The project estimate was prepared, and tender process initiated. The waste and silt will be removed, and tree branches will be cleared to facilitate water flow and prevent chances of waterlogging. We aim to complete the cleaning work before the monsoon season,” said T K Ashraf, the public works standing committee chairman.