Corporation cracks whip against illegal structures on canals obstructing flow of rainwater

Tirunelveli Corporation has intensified its drive against illegal structures obstructing the flow of rainwater to the nearby storm water canals or irrigation channels as these structures were the prime reason behind the flooding of residential areas during the 2023 flooding.

One such structure – a commercial complex on the South Bypass Road – is facing eviction.

Sources in the Corporation said the rainwater from Teachers’ Colony, Government Engineering College, Government Engineering College Women’s Hostel, Highways Colony and the adjoining areas would be flowing to the Vaeinthankulam via Xavier Colony. When an individual in Xavier Colony built the bathroom of his house on the storm water channel obstructing the flow of rainwater into Vaeinthankulam, it was removed after this residential area housing middle and upper middle class families experienced severe flooding a decade ago.

“In the meanwhile, this commercial complex has been built on the other side of the storm water canal which caused flooding of Xavier Colony in 2023 again. When the Corporation officials inspected the spot, the encroachment came to light. Now, notice has been issued to the owner of the building to prove that it was not an encroachment. Else, it will be removed,” said the sources.

On receiving complaint about a commercial complex allegedly built on a storm water canal near the west entrance of Vaeinthankulam new bus-stand, Corporation Commissioner Monika Rana, after issuing the eviction notice, inspected the spot.

During this inspection, the Commissioner asked her subordinates to remove the bushes in the rainwater canal near Happy Colony, Reliance Fuel Station, Robin Cars and behind Velavan Stores to ensure flow of water into the Palayam Channel. She remained there until the earthmovers arrived at the spot to start removing the bushes. She also inspected the bushes grown the storm water canal on the eastern side of the Vaeinthaankulam bus-stand to drain the rainwater from Pioneer Kumarasamy Nagar into the water body and an encroachment made on it by an individual.

Dr. Monika, who asked Superintending Engineer Ashok Kumar to remove the bushes and the illegal structure, visited the spot again in the evening to review the work completed in this area.

After inspecting the desilting of rainwater canal in Old Pettai that drains water in Nedunkulam, Dr. Monika said almost all rainwater canals in all the four zones of the Corporation had been desilted so that there would be no major rainwater stagnation in any part of the city. A few illegal structures on the rainwater canals obstructing the flow of water were being removed.

“We’ll ensure that all illegal structures built on the storm water canals are removed permanently,” Dr. Monika said.