The Kerala High Court directed a district-level committee to submit a report by June 18 on declogging canals and drains in Kochi to prevent flooding and ensure road safety during the monsoon.
On June 11 a bench led by Justice Devan Ramachandran issued the order while reviewing conditions in the city. The court stated that Kochi must uphold its smart city standards and criticised poor maintenance of roads and waterways by multiple agencies including the Kochi Corporation, Public Works Department and National Highways Authority of India.
The panel highlighted specific problems such as a large pothole on a national highway and blocked drains at Madhava Pharmacy Junction. It called for non-corrosive meshes at canal outlets to stop debris and urged immediate work on the Perandoor and Mullassery canals as well as the canal near the KSRTC bus stand.
Railway authorities informed the court that they had cleared culverts under their jurisdiction. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on June 18 when the committee report is due.