For city residents, rain and water-logging come as a package. Sunday’s intense rainfall brought enough trouble to commuters at Thampanoor and nearby areas. Meanwhile, a Rs 9-crore project of KSUDP, touted as the solution to water-logging at Thampanoor, is still in its initial stage.
Originally begun almost three years ago, the work to improve the storm water drain, starting from Observatory to Kannammoola, took off three months ago, according to officials of the Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Programme (KSUDP). The work was awarded to one Thoppil Constructions in July.
“The work is to clear sedimentation and other blocks in the storm water drain from Observatory to Kannammoola. It also includes construction of side walls and retaining walls. It would take almost 18 months to be completed,” said KSUDP project manager B Muralidharan.
The work includes removing blocks in the storm water drain connecting Observatory, Chenkalchoola, Thampanoor, Thakaraparambu, Uppidamoodu, Vanchiyoor and Kannammoola.
The work has been awarded with 40-per cent excess over the estimated amount.
“The work was delayed to get Cabinet nod for awarding the excess amount,” Muralidharan said.
According to KSUDP officials, the work would clear the clogging. “There will not be any water-logging for the next 20 years,’’ he said.
“Currently, workers are engaged in clearing the sedimentation from Chenkalchoola area. In some areas, the deposit of sediments is 1-2 metres thick,” said Muralidharan.
Since the presence of the railway station at Thampanoor is one of the reasons for the blockage, a revised plan excluding the railway station has been submitted for approval, the KSUDP official said.
According to KSUDP officials, the water-logging problem will be solved before next monsoon. The south-west monsoon was weak in the state and the north-east monsoon too was in a weak phase so far. However, it has picked up this week.