The Times of India              24.05.2013

Drainage cleaning work begins in Nadakkavu

KOZHIKODE: The residents of Kattuvayal Colony in Nadakkavu finally breathed a sigh of relief with Kozhikode Corporation starting the work to clear the 400m waste-clogged drainage passing through the colony.

The civic body started the clearing after the ombudsman for local self government bodies gave the directions to do so on May 15. This was after K S Jayasree, general secretary of Sthreechetana filed a petition before the ombudsman on the plight of the residents of the colony.

Jayasree filed the petition on May 17, 2012. There are about 57 families residing in the colony. Some 54 families received domestic water connection following the intervention of the ombudsman.

The civic body is carrying out the work under special fund. The ombudsman had asked to carry out the work using 300 labourers. The drainage passing through the colony had not been cleared for the past many years. All the waste including the septic tank waste flows into the drainage. The drain overflows during monsoon resulting in water logging in the area.

Corporation secretary B K Balaraj said that the civic body started the work on May 17. "The drainage will be cleared that will avoid water logging in monsoon. The civic body has allotted around Rs 72,000 for the work following the direction of ombudsman,'' said the secretary. "The work will be completed at the earliest,'' he said.

Jayasree said the local residents here used to lead a miserable life due to the issue. "The well water is polluted and around 300 people are depended on four public taps. Kerala Water Authority used to supply water on irregular days. The removal of waste from the clogged drainage would help to avoid overflow of filth and waste water during the monsoon,'' she added.