Thiruvananthapuram: As the southwest monsoon approaches, the city corporation faces criticism over waste management, and delays in cleaning and upgrading the Amayizhanjan canal have come under sharp scrutiny. The irrigation department has yet to begin the much-anticipated dome fencing of the canal, which runs through critical parts of the city including Thampanoor.
Although the corporation has launched a pre-monsoon cleaning drive using robotic equipment, the primary responsibility for canal sanitation rests with the irrigation department. The canal, a major drainage artery designed to channel stormwater and prevent urban flooding, has become heavily polluted due to rampant waste dumping. Residents and civic activists have repeatedly warned that a choked canal worsens waterlogging in low-lying areas during heavy rains.
The irrigation department attributes the delay to procedural hurdles around tree cutting along the canal's banks. An official stated, "We require prior approval from the tree committee before cutting trees on either side. Unfortunately, the committee has not met regularly and no decision has been taken." Sources indicate that the irregular scheduling of tree committee meetings has stalled several infrastructure projects linked to pre-monsoon preparedness across the city. Despite the delay, a senior irrigation department official said work would be fast-tracked once approvals come through. "The dome installation is planned along a 4km stretch. Once clearances are received, work will be taken up on a war footing and completed by end of May, ahead of the monsoon," the official said.
The issue has also sparked a blame game between departments. Corporation health standing committee chairman MR Gopan pushed back against criticism directed solely at the civic body. "The maintenance and cleaning of the Amayizhanjan canal also falls under the irrigation department. Holding the corporation alone responsible for waste accumulation is not justified," he said.
The canal has been under public spotlight since the tragic death of sanitation worker N Joy during cleaning operations, which intensified demands for structural solutions, including the dome covering, to permanently prevent waste dumping. The corporation has also installed CCTV cameras near the canal to identify and act against those illegally dumping waste.
