In a decisive move to accelerate Kochi's flood mitigation efforts, District Collector Priyanka G has issued a strict five-month deadline for completing the long-pending renovation of the Mullassery Canal. The directive came during a crucial project review meeting held on Saturday, focusing on the city's flagship Operation Breakthrough initiative.
Fast-Tracking the Crucial Canal Work
The pending work involves a 175-meter section of the Mullassery Canal, which is strategically divided into three key stretches: from Chittoor Road to MG Road, the MG Road crossing itself, and the section at TD Road. The collector has mandated that all this work must be finished by May this year. To ensure this ambitious timeline is met, authorities will abandon traditional construction methods in favor of precast technology, which significantly speeds up the process.
Priyanka G provided clear instructions to streamline the procedure. She ordered that tender processes be finalized without delay and that the shifting of utilities—a common bottleneck—proceed simultaneously. Furthermore, she emphasized that all obstructions on the site must be cleared before the land is formally handed over to the construction agency. To address potential hurdles, officials from major utility providers including BSNL, KWA, and KSEB were present at the meeting and were instructed to cooperate fully in removing any obstacles.
Broader Review of Operation Breakthrough
The Saturday meeting was not limited to the Mullassery Canal. It served as a comprehensive review of multiple projects under the Operation Breakthrough umbrella, aimed at solving Kochi's chronic waterlogging issues. Progress on several other fronts was examined in detail.
The review covered a wide array of ongoing and planned interventions:
- Renovation works on the TP Canal.
- Identification and removal of illegal waste deposits blocking waterways.
- Pinpointing specific obstruction points across the drainage network.
- Construction of line drainage at Kadavil.
- Culvert works near Oberon Mall-Vadathode and Kammattipadam.
- Addressing persistent waterlogging complaints in residential areas like Indira Nagar and P&T Colony.
- Issues related to Panampilly Nagar Road.
A Race Against Time and Weather
The imposition of a strict, five-month deadline underscores the administration's urgency to make tangible progress before the onset of the next monsoon season. Operation Breakthrough was launched as a holistic project to overhaul Kochi's drainage and canal system after severe floods highlighted the city's infrastructure vulnerabilities. The Mullassery Canal, a crucial channel for stormwater, has been a focal point due to its incomplete segments which hinder the free flow of water.
By mandating precast technology and parallel processing of tenders and utility shifts, the district administration is aiming to cut through bureaucratic and logistical delays. The success of this push will be critical in preventing a repeat of waterlogging in the low-lying areas of the city, bringing much-needed relief to residents and businesses alike.
