KOCHI: In a major step to revive the canal system in the city by making them navigable, a new project—'Water Metro'—has been suggested by the state government. Talking on the sidelines of the meeting held here on Friday, Water Resources Minister P J Joseph said that if the Kochi Corporation is willing to handover the major canals under it to the Irrigation Department, the state will take necessary steps to implement the project."The canal system in the city is a part of its heritage. It is well connected and can serve all the major needs of society, including transportation, communication, irrigation and drainage. As per the Water Metro project, five major canals, including Thevara-Perandoor Canal and Tripunithura-Edappally Canal, will be renovated so as to make them navigable. I have already suggested this to the Mayor and he told me that the issue needs to be discussed in the Corporation Council meeting," said Joseph. He said that if the Corporation Council decides to handover the canals to the Irrigation Department, a feasibility study will be conducted to analyse the practical side of the Water Metro project.Apart from the Water Metro project, the department would also commence the work of the Seaport-Airport waterway within 100 days, the Minister said. "As the channel of transport for the Seaport-Airport waterway project includes potable water sources, a detailed analysis has already been done on the environmental impact. The project was initiated only after ensuring that it is eco-friendly," he said.
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