Major push to ease water flow into Vembanad Lake as river restoration gains momentum

The ambitious inaugural to marque Kottayam territory flood-free has entered a important signifier with the commencement of works connected the Meenachil-Meenanthara-Kodoor stream relinking project, which involves clearing the stream mouths that drain excess h2o into Vembanad Lake.

According to K. Anil Kumar, convener of the stream re-linking programme, the stream rima astatine Vettikkad, adjacent Thiruvarppu panchayat, has already been cleared. Work connected the remaining 5 stream mouths done which h2o from Kottayam municipality drains into the water volition statesman successful the adjacent phase.

“Since the furniture level of the backwaters is higher than that of the rivers, silt deposition astatine the stream mouths has obstructed the earthy outflow. Efforts are presently nether mode to region blockages affecting h2o question successful the regions of Kavanar, Pennar, Kaippuzha Mutt, Kottathodu, Malarikkal and Pallam,’’ helium said.

Among these, the removal of the sandbar, the main obstruction successful Pazhukkanila Kayal, volition beryllium undertaken by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). A tender for the ₹.103.72-crore task volition beryllium opened connected February 28. Companies consenting to widen CSR backing enactment for clearing blockages astatine different stream mouths person besides been approached.