Kochi’s ambitious urban infrastructure initiative, Operation Breakthrough, has faced a setback with the onset of the monsoon season, disrupting critical structural works aimed at resolving flooding issues in the city.
Currently, only cleaning operations, part of Operation Vahini, are actively progressing while all structural activities under Operation Breakthrough have been suspended until the monsoon subsides, expected in September. Key segments of Operation Breakthrough, including works at Mullassery Canal and Kammattipadam, have been significantly impacted by heavy rains. The reconstruction of an 829-meter stretch of Mullassery Canal, intended to alleviate waterlogging, has been put on hold due to logistical challenges, particularly delays in relocating pipelines owned by the Kerala Water Authority.
“At Kammattipadam, the construction of a new culvert has been delayed since the demolition of the old rail track culvert in May due to adverse weather conditions,” explained an official involved in the project. Efforts to mitigate waterlogging at High Court Junction through enhanced drainage inlets have also been postponed. The Kochi Corporation continues with cleaning operations across major thoroughfares like M G Road, focusing on silt removal and drain cleaning using advanced vacuum-cum-sucking machines.
Operation Breakthrough, initiated four years ago, comprises two phases aimed at tackling Kochi’s perennial flooding challenges. Phase I encompassed 35 projects with an initial outlay of INR 10 crore, while Phase II, which includes critical works at Mullassery Canal, remains incomplete despite ongoing efforts. The project, akin to Operation Anantha in Thiruvananthapuram, was launched under state government directives to enhance urban flood resilience. However, the persistent delays due to weather and logistical complexities displays the formidable task of urban infrastructure development in a monsoon-prone region like Kochi.
