A breath of fresh air is coming to West Kochi’s vital waterways! A brand-new project has been launched to rejuvenate, restore, and beautify the region’s canals. This exciting initiative stands apart from the broader Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB)-backed Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS), which is already working on six other canals in Ernakulam district.
The ambitious restoration efforts are kicking off with the Pandarachira canal, a project estimated to cost ₹100 crore. The Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS) is diligently working on the detailed project report (DPR), expected to be finalized soon.
Initially, the idea of issuing “Blue Bonds” was explored to fund this massive undertaking. However, due to various technical hurdles, including the Kochi Corporation’s credit rating, this approach was set aside. Instead, officials are now actively seeking grants, and the upcoming DPR is crucial to securing this vital financial support, as confirmed by Mayor M. Anilkumar. The Bechtel Foundation is reportedly assisting in the search for these crucial grants.
The successful revitalization of the Pandarachira canal is anticipated to be a game-changer. It’s expected to significantly boost confidence among investors for similar future projects, potentially paving the way for the restoration of many other key canals throughout West Kochi.
A Distinct Path to Renewal
It’s important to note that this specific canal rejuvenation program operates independently from the ongoing IURWTS project. That larger initiative is currently focused on revitalizing the Edappally, Perandoor, Chilavannoor, Thevara, Market, and Konthuruthy canals, with Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) acting as the special purpose vehicle. While the initial approval for the IURWTS project was ₹1,528.27 crore, a revised proposal from the KMRL project director has pushed the estimated cost to ₹3,716.10 crore.
Currently, desilting work is actively progressing on the Chilavannoor canal. Once this critical phase is complete, it’s expected to significantly alleviate the persistent waterlogging issues around the Kaloor International Stadium. Following the upcoming elections, plans are in place to reconstruct the Chettichira bridge on Subhash Chandra Bose road – a critical point where a narrow culvert connects several canals to the Chilavannoor canal – along with numerous other connecting bridges.
The revitalization of the Market canal and Edappally canal is next on the agenda, projected to take another two to three years. Mayor Anilkumar emphasized, “Just as the last five years were dedicated to tackling solid waste management, Kochi will now devote the next five years to the rejuvenation and restoration of its precious canals. This monumental effort will primarily rely on securing grants, as the government alone may not be able to fully fund the estimated ₹4,000 crore required.”