Kochi witnessed massive waterlogging and traffic jams earlier this week after heavy rains.
Two days after Monday’s downpour caused waterlogging and traffic jams, the Kochi Corporation has been pulled up by the Kerala High Court for the inconvenience these problems cause the public. Holding Kochi Corporation accountable for the massive waterlogging in the city, the court, on Wednesday, directed that a task force, presided by Ernakulam District Collector, should be formed to curb the issue of flooding in the city. The court was hearing a petition pertaining to cleaning the Thevara –Peranadoor canal in Kochi on Tuesday. Responding to the court’s severe criticism on the failure of the local body to curb flooding in the city, the Kochi Corporation, on Wednesday, said that they have been taking necessary measures to keep inundation at bay. Calling the Thevara-Perandoor canal 'the lifeline of the city of Kochi, the court on Tuesday had said that it was unfortunate that the canal is turning into a rancid, putrid sewage canal, causing danger to all the residents, contaminating groundwater and drinking water sources, and a 'disaster waiting to happen'. Justice Devan noted that the primary cause of floods in the city was the blockage of the canal. However, the Corporation argued that the waterlogging on Monday was the result of high tide in the sea, which the court rejected. Justice Devan Ramachandran had also orally asked the state government why it was not taking action to dissolve the local body. The court made the observation when Sunil Jacob Jose, the amicus curiae appointed in the case, pointed out the plight of the people of Kochi. “When the Corporation fails to deliver, the state should step in. You need not transform the city into Singapore, but ensure the basic amenities are provided to its people,” the New Indian Express has quoted the court as saying. Justice Devan said that the government should take action against the Corporation per the provisions of the Kerala Municipality Act. The court also asked the local body what would have happened to the city if the Chief Minister and District Administration had not intervened on Monday, when Ernakulam district received heavy rainfall, and as a result, the city was massively inundated. Coordinating with various departments, the district administration, under the aegis of Chief Minister, carried out ‘Operation Breakthrough’ on Monday night on a war footing, to clear the drains in the city, after which the stagnant rainwater finally receded. The court also issued certain directives to maintain the canal: Illegal pipes that drain sewage into the canal should be blocked and the dumping of waste by residents in the area should be immediately stopped. Those found dumping waste will be held liable for prosecution under the municipal and penal laws. The Corporation can take assistance from the police in this regard. The Corporation should remove the garbage and maintain it on a daily basis and not an ‘annual ritual’ basis. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had called for a meeting on Friday with Ernakulam District Collector S Suhas and Kochi Mayor Soumini Jain. Read: Kochi makes it to Lonely Planet’s top 10 cities for 2020 list 'Nobody came to help us': Small-scale traders hit by Kochi rains allege govt apathy Maradu, Moolampilly and Brahmapuram: The fate of evictees from three places in Ernakulam
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