Kochi Prepares Detailed Project Report for TP Canal Regeneration
Kochi is set to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the comprehensive regeneration, restoration, and beautification of the Thevara-Perandoor (TP) Canal. The project will primarily rely on grants and smaller-scale funding to ensure feasibility and avoid fiscal strain. The initiative forms part of a broader plan to rejuvenate six canals in the Ernakulam district, with TP Canal slated as the final and most complex phase of the programme.
The regeneration plan includes preparing a biodiversity action plan, restoring endemic flora and fauna, installing safety fencing, and implementing measures to improve public engagement. Officials indicated that earlier initiatives, such as Operation Breakthrough, successfully desilted 10.2 km of the canal at a cost of ₹9.87 crore, but the new project aims for a transformative ecological and aesthetic impact. Unlike previous efforts where the Kochi City Corporation executed the work directly, the civic body will now take a supervisory role while contractors implement the project.
Funding considerations were pivotal in scaling down the project. Large-scale proposals exceeding ₹1,000 crore require Union Cabinet approval and could strain state finances if structured as loans. Therefore, officials are exploring a combination of grants, smaller loans, and support from the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). This approach is designed to ensure financial sustainability while enabling ambitious urban ecological projects.Urban sustainability experts emphasised that such initiatives contribute to climate-resilient, eco-friendly urban infrastructure. Regenerating the TP Canal aligns with Kochi’s vision of equitable, low-carbon urban development while creating public spaces that encourage community engagement and ecological stewardship. Officials also noted that a few families residing along the canal may require rehabilitation, highlighting the social considerations embedded in the project’s planning.
With the DPR underway, Kochi aims to set a benchmark for urban waterway regeneration in India. Officials expect the project to catalyse similar initiatives across other urban waterways, combining ecological restoration, public engagement, and sustainable infrastructure development. The city is positioning itself as a model for integrating urban planning with environmental stewardship, ensuring long-term benefits for residents and biodiversity alike.
