KOCHI: At a time when encroachments on public property are dealt with an iron hand, the Kochi Corporation has been sitting on an official intimation on an alleged canal encroachment. More than a month after Rear Admiral B R Menon, chairman of the Kerala State Inland Navigation Corporation, filed a complaint with the Corporation regarding an encroachment on Edappally canal, no action has been taken.“There is no way that anybody can give permission to encroach or carry out construction activities on a canal which is a public property. The Corporation should ensure that there are no encroachments as these are waterways which need to be revived,” Admiral Menon said. With the monsoon only days away it’s time for the Corporation to start activities for canal cleaning to prevent clogging.When contacted, Corporation Secretary Patil Ajit Bhagwat Rao confirmed that a complaint has been received from Admiral Menon. Corporation Town Planning officer K S Subhash too confirmed about it. “We have received the complaint and we have taken it up seriously. I was informed by the Tahsildar of Edappally region that there were no such encroachments in this regard. We have intimated B R Menon on this,” said Subhash. But Menon denies having received any communication in this regard. “No communication of any kind has reached me regarding the complaint. The Corporation is turning a blind eye to the encroachment,” he alleged.Meanwhile Town Planning Committee chairman K J Sohan said that encroachments of any nature, whether by a person or an entity, won’t be allowed. “Regarding this issue, I have personally visited and checked the disputed place. Though I did not find any encroachment, the present situation could disrupt the free flow of the water. It should be checked at the earliest. The private entity concerned in the issue has informed that they would soon take steps to clear out the prevailing confusion,” he said.
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