Govt to Sanction ` 125.5 Crore

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Government on Tuesday said it will sanction ` 125.5 crore in two phases for solving the city’s waterlogging problem.  This was decided at a meeting con

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Government on Tuesday said it will sanction ` 125.5 crore in two phases for solving the city’s waterlogging problem.

 This was decided at a meeting convened by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy here. The money will be spent on implementing the recommendations made by RITES, which has been entrusted with the job of chalking out a project. RITES is yet to submit its proposals.

 An amount of ` 27 crore will be sanctioned for the Phase I works after the RITES study is approved by the Cabinet. In the second phase, the Government will sanction ` 98.5 crore more, the Chief Minister’s Office said.

 Torrential rains during December-end had inundated low-lying areas and congested residential colonies, leaving in its wake large-scale destruction and an angry public. The fact that regions that are relatively unharmed even during the monsoon months were hit by the December downpour had prompted the State Government to get its act together.

 As it coincided with the garbage crisis, the rain also left the city worrying about the possible spread of diseases. Sensing the public mood, the State Government had urgently convened a special cabinet meeting where it was decided to entrust RITES with the job of providing a solution.

 Meanwhile, geologists and other experts have pointed out that the solution lay primarily in clearing the choked Amayizhanjan Canal. Other unhealthy construction practices such as ‘plastering’ yards, encroachments upon  rains and canals also have added to the city’s problems.

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