Due to waterlogging after recent showers, Mayor VK Minimol, Deputy Mayor Deepak Joy and Public Works Standing Committee Chairman TK Asharaf conducted an inspection along the MG Road stretch on Thursday. | Photo credit: H. VIBHU
The Kochi Corporation will begin desilting the drains along the stretch of MG Road between Madhava Pharmacy and South Junction after the recent rains left several shops and establishments inundated.
The decision was taken after an inspection of the section by Public Works Standing Committee Chairman TK Asharaf, officials of the Corporation’s Engineering Wing and representatives of the Public Works Department (PWD) on Wednesday (February 25, 2026).
“The drains were not desilted and many outlets in them were sealed by the PWD when the stretch was paved as part of beautification. Only four outlets could be placed between Madhava Pharmacy Junction and Padma Junction while the rest were sealed,” Mayor VK Minimol said.
PWD officials said the desilting was not done due to lack of funds, which the corporation felt should have been given to it, in which case it would have provided assistance. Currently, the downpipes have a depth of only 1.80 meters, while it could be increased to 2.50 meters by desilting, noted Ms. Minimolová.
In a meeting called by the district collector on Thursday (February 26, 2026), the corporation insisted that OZP should carry out desilting or issue a no-objection certificate allowing the corporation to do so as it will be held liable in case of flooding. “The District Collector has directed us to start the work and has ensured that the PWD’s approval will follow soon. The contractors have been instructed to start desilting as soon as possible,” Ms Minimol said.
Link Road Stadium has also been identified as another section at risk of flooding and Mr Asharaf will inspect this section on Friday (February 27, 2026).
“We have established a special committee to respond to emergency flood situations. The committee will be headed by the corporation secretary, while the superintendent will oversee the mitigation works,” Ms. Minimol added.
The company further decided to channelize the ₹10 crore budget allocation for ‘Operation Breakthrough’ into innovative flood control measures rather than relying solely on the recommendations of the Irrigation Department.
Published – 26 Feb 2026 19:54 IST
