The State government will consider the proposal for using the silt and debris accumulated in the Vembanad Lake for the construction of the national highway, and for the construction of an artificial beach near the newly installed tetrapod-based seawall at Chellanam in Kochi.
Replying to a calling attention motion in the Assembly here on Wednesday, Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine said a large quantity of silt and debris come into the lake from major rivers including Periyar, Meenachil, Manimala, Achankovil, and Pampa, which flow into the Vembanad Lake.
The 2018 floods had reduced the water-holding capacity of the lake. As a result, the Vembanad Lake and its inland lakes are unable to handle the excessive water flow associated with the monsoon. This has led to uncontrolled flooding and health issues among the local residents. The accumulation of silt in various areas also created obstacles to the flow of water that flows in during high tide and flows out with the ebb tide. In addition, uncontrolled land reclamation and encroachment on the lakeshores have also reduced the width of the waterways, said the minister.
To provide a permanent solution to the severe waterlogging and related issues that have been experienced in areas like Edakochi, Perumpadappu, Kumbalangi, and Kumbalam, which are part of the Thripunithura constituency, it is necessary to construct protective walls for the upstream backwaters and to prevent the ingress of water into the coastal areas, funds have been earmarked for various projects under Operation Vahini, 2022.
Further, the State government is also examining the possibility of implementing two proposals received from the Vypeen constituency. An estimate of ₹16.84 crore has been prepared based on the complaints received in the Nava Kerala Sadas and Theera Sadas for deepening and constructing side walls to protect the rivers and small streams in various panchayats in the Vypeen. The government has also received a detailed project report of ₹6.13 crore for the construction of a protective wall and removal of silt and mud from the RMP stream in Elamkunnapuzha panchayat, said the Minister.
Published – March 19, 2025 08:06 pm IST
