Waterlogging: Drained by delays

KOCHI: Waterlogging is one of the worst issues faced by Kochi. Once it rains, all the roads will be flooded. Though there are 18 projects to construct adequate drainages in Kochi, only four have been completed so far. The lack of coordination among various agencies like the Kochi Corporation, PWD, KSEB, KWA and BSNL are affecting such projects adversely.“We have started the work of some of the main drainage projects. But to complete these projects we require the co-operation of various agencies,” said Soumini Jain, chairperson, Works Standing Committee, Kochi Corporation.The KWA pipelines intersect the drains at many points. “In such cases we have to remove the pipes. But the KWA is finding it difficult to replace them with new ones due to various reasons,” Soumini said.Shortage of funds is the main problem. “But even if we offer funds, the KWA cites the unavailability of pipes and accessories for not taking up the work,” Soumini said. The KWA uses cast iron pipes for high pressure pumping. “These pipes are made as per order. So it will take some time.”Even if all these hurdles are cleared, there will be delay in securing the sanction from the departments concerned. Another problem connected with the work of drains is traffic snarls on main roads like MG Road and Chittoor Road. Most of the inroads in the city are narrow. So the vehicles, mainly buses, cannot be diverted through these roads.The Corporation is finding it difficult to carry out the work of the drain to avoid waterlogging on SA Road due to traffic congestion owing to the digging up of MG Road.“We have dug up half of MG Road at Pallimukku for constructing the drain,” Soumini said. Now it will take at least 15 months to repair that portion. The authorities will have to wait till then to start the work of the remaining portion.