A five-member expert team appointed by the Central government recently visited the proposed sites for sewage treatment plants and the underground sewerage pipeline network in Kochi, as part of the Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS). The team’s visit is expected to give a boost to the comprehensive sewage treatment project, which has been awaiting financial sanction from the State government.
According to a Kerala Water Authority (KWA) source, the team observed that all the city’s canals were highly polluted, with blackish water and an obnoxious odour. The source stated that the living conditions in the area are challenging due to the current level of pollution, and that renovating and cleaning the canals is urgently needed. The official emphasized that providing an underground sewerage pipeline to manage sewage generated by households and commercial establishments is crucial to cleaning the canals.
The team visited some of the polluted canals and localities in the city that lack proper sewage management systems. For instance, some households in Panampilly Nagar lack proper sewage management systems, with septic tanks overflowing and discharging into the canals. The official noted that once the project is implemented, the canals can also be cleaned and made navigable.
The KWA had earlier submitted a detailed project report (DPR) to the Central government seeking funds. As this is a jointly funded project, the Centre will provide a portion of the funding, while the remaining amount will have to be borne by the State government through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). Although KIIFB is undergoing restructuring, this is not expected to affect the project, as it remains on the high-priority list.
The project, managed by Kochi Metro Rail Limited, aims to build multiple sewage treatment plants to prevent canal pollution. The project was accorded administrative sanction in May last year but had to be resubmitted after its estimated cost was revised from ₹1,386 crore to ₹1,700 crore. Apart from Kochi Corporation, the sewage scheme will also cover neighbouring local bodies, including the Kalamassery, Thripunithura and Thrikkakara municipalities.
