Kerala High Court Mandates Urgent Restoration of Kochi's Mullassery Canal Before Monsoon
The Kerala High Court has issued a firm directive for the long-pending restoration of the Mullassery Canal in Kochi to be completed at least before the onset of the next monsoon season. The court cautioned that any further delays would subject residents to severe hardship, as experienced over the past two to three monsoons due to inadequate drainage and waterlogging issues.
Judicial Intervention in Monsoon Preparedness
Justice Devan Ramachandran made these observations while considering petitions seeking judicial intervention to address the recurring problem of monsoon-related waterlogging in Kochi. The court noted that the restoration of the Mullassery Canal has remained unresolved for a considerable period, emphasizing that all efforts in this regard must be presented and examined by the high-level committee constituted by the court.
The government pleader was directed to obtain instructions on the matter by the next posting date. The bench highlighted that barely three months remain before the monsoon arrives, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Committee and Corporation Actions
The court observed that the committee has already initiated monsoon preparedness measures, including the cleaning of drainage systems and canals. It further noted that the newly elected council of the Kochi Corporation must take proactive steps to support these efforts. Additionally, the High Court sought instructions from the state government regarding the cleaning of the Thevara-Perandoor Canal (TP Canal) and adjourned the petitions to next week for further review.
Addressing Road Safety and Rash Driving
In a related development, the court on Friday addressed concerns over road safety in Kochi. It asked the Kochi City Police Commissioner to ensure that rash driving by buses is reined in and that city traffic is made safer for all residents. This directive came while considering a petition highlighting the deplorable condition of roads in the city.
During the hearing, the High Court referred to a recent WhatsApp video showing a child having a close shave with an accident. The child was seen running towards a moving bus on the road before turning back, illustrating the perilous road conditions.
The court observed that road conditions in Kochi are such that accidents can occur at any moment. It noted the absence of pedestrian pathways in many areas and damage to existing pathways due to ongoing construction projects. In such circumstances, the authorities, including the police, must take stringent action against rash driving by private buses to enhance public safety.
The High Court's directives aim to mitigate both environmental and traffic-related challenges in Kochi, ensuring a safer and more resilient urban infrastructure ahead of the monsoon season.
