Latest news with #IntegratedUrbanRegenerationandWaterTransportSystem
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Kochi corp designs Rs 100-cr project to renovate Pandarachira Canal
Kochi: Kochi corporation designed a Rs 100 crore project to rejuvenate Pandarachira Canal in West Kochi. The project is funded by Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA), an international agency that works to build resilience in coastal communities and ecosystems. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Project to rejuvenate the canal, which passes through several divisions, will help address waterlogging in West Kochi area. "Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS) project to rejuvenate six major canals in Kochi city is being implemented under the leadership of state govt. The plan involves removing silt from canals, constructing walls, implementing sewage system to avoid dumping of faecal waste into these waterbodies, purifying water, improving side roads and installing lights to enhance beauty of the area," mayor M Anilkumar said. "Canals in West Kochi are not included in this project. In this context, the idea of rejuvenating Pandarachira Canal, one of the main canals in West Kochi region, was proposed and it was decided to implement the project in collaboration with international agencies such as ICLEI South Asia, Bechtel and Swiss Re," Anilkumar said. The project includes a treatment plant to process polluted water currently flowing into Pandarachira Canal. Bridges and culverts will be renovated to maintain proper water flow during high and low tides. A permanent system will be established to ensure unobstructed flow of water, free from solid waste and water hyacinth. Sustainable desilting, pollution control and construction of new walls are key components of the project. Construction of a walkway along the canal and development of modern public spaces and playgrounds are also included. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Phase I will cover a 2.3-km stretch of the canal, which borders Kochi and Palluruthy. This project will aid in the future rejuvenation of other canals, including Pashnithodu in Palluruthy. Detailed DPR preparation activities have commenced. "DPR will also address connecting Pandarachira Canal with water transport routes and its maintenance with community participation. Matter Lab, a sister organization of Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS), is preparing the DPR with a budget of Rs 50 lakh. DPR will be completed within four months," mayor said. A meeting chaired by mayor was attended by Monalisa Sen from ICLEI, Tara S Pillai from Bechtel and Jayakumar from Matter Lab. Pandarachira Canal, once a major cargo waterway to old Kochi city, lost its significance with the construction of modern roads and urbanization.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Pandarachira canal in West Kochi to be restored with international funding
The Kochi Corporation has drawn up a ₹100-crore project backed by international funding to restore the Pandarachira canal in West Kochi. The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) South Asia and Swiss Re will jointly implement the project. The Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance has agreed to fund the project through grants. The move comes close on the heels of criticism that canals in West Kochi were overlooked under the Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS), a project to restore six critical canals in Kochi. A plant to treat wastewater draining into the Pandarachira canal has also been included in the project. Bridges and culverts will be altered to avoid flooding and facilitate the smooth flow of water during high and low tides. A permanent system will also be set up to facilitate smooth flow by preventing solid waste and hyacinth from obstructing the flow. Sustained clearance of silt, controlling pollution, strengthening the sidewalls of the canal, and construction of other necessary structures on stretches without sidewalls are also part of the project. A walkway alongside the canal, an open space, and a play area have also been envisaged. The first phase will cover 2.30-km stretch of the canal. The canal also serves as the border of Kochi and Palluruthy. The project is expected to benefit future projects like the restoration of the Pashni canal in Palluruthy. 'Steps have been taken to prepare a detailed project report [DPR]. Linking the Pandarachira canal with water transport networks and community participation in the maintenance of the canal are also part of the DPR,' said Mayor M. Anilkumar while presiding over a meeting of company representatives and officials. Matter Lab, a sister concern of Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society, has been entrusted with preparing the DPR for ₹50 lakh. The DPR will be ready within four months. The Pandarachira canal was one of the main cargo routes to Kochi. However, the canal lost its significance with the development of road networks and the overall fall in the popularity of water transport. The stagnant canal has now become a source of pollution and waterlogging.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Nod for additional land acquisition for Chilavannoor Bund Road bridge
Kochi: Expediting land acquisition procedures for reconstruction of Chilavannoor Bund Road bridge, revenue department issued an order approving recommendation of expert committee report for additional land for the project in old bridge area. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now An additional 0.1127 hectares in Poonithura village will be acquired for construction work of approach road and bridge. The project is being implemented as part of Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS) project of Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL), and state govt has already accorded sanction for the revised tender of Rs 38.77 crore for the bridge. Earlier, KIIFB accorded sanction for the reconstruction at an estimated cost of Rs 32.58 crore. Following this, KMRL published tender and work was awarded to ULCCS. Although initial construction work, including piling, commenced, the project required additional land, prompting the latest decision to acquire more land to ensure the project's completion. The narrow bridge is one of the major causes of stagnation and flooding in and around the city. New bridge will be an iconic 90m span bridge, which is expected to reduce flooding in the city.
The Hindu
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Canal rejuvenation under IURWTS likely to ease waterlogging in Kochi
The State government's move to accord in-principle approval for the implementation of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB)-funded Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS) will benefit six canals in Kochi and is expected to bring a lasting solution to the perennial issue of waterlogging faced by the city. Edappally canal, Perandoor canal, Chilavannoor canal, Thevara canal, Market canal, and Konthuruthy canal will be rejuvenated under the project. Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) is the special purpose vehicle for the project. While administrative sanction was accorded for an estimated ₹1,528.27 crore initially, it was revised to ₹3,716.10 crore based on a revised proposal submitted by the KMRL project director. The KIIFB will carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the estimate proposal of KMRL. The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has issued wildlife clearance for the IURWTS, subject to the condition that the sub-canal passing through the Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary shall be taken up for cleaning during the implementation of the project. Accordingly, the government order gave in-principle approval for including the cleaning of the sub-canal passing through the sanctuary as well in the project. 'The implementation of the project will put an end to Kochi's perennial problems of waterlogging, mosquito menace, and other issues. It will also alter the face of the city in terms of infrastructure, industry, and tourism potential,' said Mayor M. Anilkumar. According to the revised estimates, ₹532.09 crore has been allocated for canal-oriented development, ₹41.33 crore for the canal-oriented development of Konthuruthy canal, ₹5 crore for the development of Mangalavanam canal, ₹1,386.68 crore for sewage treatment plants and sewer network, and ₹37.05 crore for sanitation and solid waste management. A significant allocation of ₹1,235.70 crore has been made towards land acquisition, which is critical to the project. Further allocation of ₹28.27 crore has been made for rehabilitation and resettlement, ₹36.47 crore for utility shifting, ₹41.94 crore for specialised works and survey, ₹353.81 crore for establishment charges related to land acquisition, and ₹17.76 crore for project expenses towards capitalisation.
The Hindu
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Mayor contests Behra's claim on launching boat services through rejuvenated canals in Kochi
Mayor M. Anilkumar said that Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) managing director Lokanath Behera's claim that boat services will be launched along six canals in the city, which are to be rejuvenated under the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB)-funded Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS) project, was impractical and made unilaterally without consulting stakeholders. Mr. Anilkumar urged Mr. Behera to communicate more with the people's representatives instead of making unilateral statements, which was not befitting of a democracy. KMRL is the special purpose vehicle for the IURWTS project, under which Edappally Canal, Perandoor Canal, Chilavannoor Canal, Thevara Canal, Market Canal, and Konthuruthy Canal will be rejuvenated. 'Boat services were not discussed at any point during the canal rejuvenation project. The service may be possible through Edappally Canal and Chilavannoor Canal, considering their relatively greater width. The Thevara-Perandoor Canal was wide enough until the Pottakkuzhi stretch, facilitating a potential boat service linking Chittoor River to Pottakkuzhi. At best, pedal boats may be possible in the other canals,' he said. Mr. Behera, on his part, clarified that he had meant only Edappally Canal in the context of boat service, as it was not possible in other canals owing to the lack of vertical clearance caused by railway overbridges. 'The priority now is the completion of the bridge along Bund Road, while we remain hopeful of receiving approval for the rejuvenation of Market Canal. We may also undertake dredging of Edappally Canal to restore at least the water flow, subject to sanction from the KIIFB. We are also trying to fast-track land acquisition in consultation with the government and the district administration,' he said. Mr. Anilkumar said that a minimum width would be ensured for all canals, which would be flanked by walkways with seating arrangements to ensure access for future cleaning. Sewage lines and dedicated sewage treatment plants would be installed along the sides of the canals. He called for speedy decision-making to avoid inordinate delays that lead to cost escalations. The cost has already risen from ₹2,000 crore to over ₹3,000 crore. 'I am confident that the project will be launched this year and completed within the next two to three years. Just as solid waste management changed during this council's term, the canals will witness a similar transformation during the next council,' he said.
