9/7/2017 Parvathy Puthanar canal to get a new lease of life - Times of India

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Parvathy Puthanar canal to get a new lease of life

TNN | May 25, 2014, 11.32 AM IST

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: City is yet to forget the tragic accident at Karikkakom that killed six nursery students and a
caretaker in 2011. The incident has a living victim, seven-year-old Irfan. It was the highly polluted water in Parvathy Puthanar
that infected his lungs and left him in a vegetative state. The Kerala water authority, using Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban
Renewal Mission (JNNURM) programme, is on a mission to improve the condition of Puthanar.

Identifying diversion of sewage from houses on banks of Puthanar as the major reason for pollution, KWA has decided to lay
sewer lines along the banks of the canal. Tender has been invited to conduct survey in 21 hectares along 3km stretch of the
river. Detailed topographic survey will be conducted for laying sewer system from Moonnattumukku junction to Vallakadavu.

"We have identified urban settlement along the banks of Puthanar and found that in some areas the sewage is diverted into the
canal. However, since the location is a low lying area, laying of sewer line is not easy. In order to ensure gravity flow of sewage,
lines must be kept in a low level. So a detail survey has to be conducted. In some cases, a pumping station need to be set up at
the location," said a JNNRUM official.

The survey will cost around Rs 1.5 lakh. "The bid will be opened by May 30. The survey is expected to be completed in a
month. After that one month will be given to prepare detail project report," the official added.

KWA officials feel that there was a major change in pollution content in Puthanar after sewage treatment plant began
functioning at Muttathara. Earlier, large quantity of sewage has been diverted to the water body.

In addition to this work, works to remove sludge and water hyacinth from the canal must be conducted, said JNNURM officials.

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9/7/2017 Parvathy Puthanar canal to get a new lease of life - Times of India

KWA officials hope that once the canal is cleaned, it could be used for tourism projects as waterway linking airport and
Kovalam.

"The project will not be a success without public cooperation. People must be aware that dumping liquid and solid waste into
water bodies is a crime," the official said.

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