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Kochi Corporation has started a large-scale desilting drive across major canals as part of its pre-monsoon preparation. While most minor drains have already been cleared, the focus has now shifted to key canals that carry stormwater across the city. The work includes removal of silt, waste and water hyacinth, with coordination across multiple agencies. Authorities aim to complete the work before heavy rains begin, as delays could increase waterlogging risks. The exercise also builds on earlier flood management efforts such as Operation Breakthrough.
Kochi Corporation has initiated an extensive desilting exercise across major canals in the city to improve water flow and reduce the risk of flooding during the upcoming monsoon. The civic body has already completed close to 80% of cleaning work in smaller drains and minor canals, and is now focusing on larger and more critical canal networks that handle a significant share of stormwater. Advertisement
The current phase of work covers key canals such as Thevara-Perandoor, Karanakodam and Chilavannoor. These canals have been facing issues of heavy silt accumulation, solid waste dumping and thick growth of water hyacinth, all of which restrict the natural flow of water. Officials indicated that preparatory work, including tendering and contractor allocation, had already been completed, and field-level execution has now begun across multiple stretches.
The corporation is carrying out the work using a combination of manual labour and machinery, depending on the width and accessibility of the canals. In several narrow stretches, manual cleaning is being used, while excavators are deployed in wider sections to speed up the process. Regular monitoring meetings are being conducted to review progress and address bottlenecks, especially in densely populated areas where access remains a challenge.
Authorities have set an internal target to complete the desilting work before the monsoon intensifies. However, given the scale of the canal network and the extent of encroachments and waste buildup in certain areas, there are concerns about meeting deadlines. Any delay in completion could lead to waterlogging in low-lying parts of the city, which have historically been prone to flooding during heavy rains.
The removed silt is being temporarily placed along canal banks to allow it to dry before transportation and disposal. Officials noted that improper handling at this stage could lead to silt washing back into the canals during rains or spilling onto nearby roads, which would reduce the effectiveness of the operation. Measures are being planned to ensure timely lifting and safe disposal of the dredged material.
To ensure smoother execution, Kochi Corporation is coordinating with multiple agencies, including the Public Works Department and the Greater Cochin Development Authority, as several canals run parallel to roads or fall under overlapping jurisdictions. This coordination is aimed at avoiding duplication of work and ensuring that connected drainage systems are cleaned simultaneously.
The desilting drive is part of the city’s broader flood mitigation efforts. Kochi has been facing recurring waterlogging issues due to clogged drainage systems, rapid urbanisation and its low-lying geography. Under earlier initiatives such as Operation Breakthrough, the administration has been working on improving canal connectivity, increasing drainage capacity and removing long-standing blockages. However, past efforts have often faced delays due to administrative and operational challenges.
Urban planners have pointed out that while such annual desilting drives are necessary, they offer only short-term relief. Long-term improvement will depend on consistent maintenance of canals, stricter control on waste dumping and better integration of stormwater drainage planning with urban development.
For more similar or related stories, you can check the links below.
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