After a delay of almost two years, authorities have managed to get the expert appraisal committee to recommend environmental impact assessment (EIA) clearance for the integrated urban regeneration & water transport system (IURWTS) project. Still, the project should get approval from theNational Board of Wildlife(NBWL) to get theEIAclearance.
It was in last month that theKerala Coastal Zone Management Authority(KCZMA) gave coastal management zone clearance for the project. The Mangalavanam bird sanctuary, which is considered as the lungs of the city, is just 670m away from the nearest project location. So, the approval from NBWL is mandatory. Once the nod from NBWL is received, the project would get the final EIA approval. As part of the project, around 5,000 trees will have to be cut down.Kochi Metro Rail Ltd(KMRL) in its report submitted before the expert appraisal committee for EIA approval states that 10 times the number of saplings would be planted to make good the loss of trees.
Around 22,000 saplings will be planted on the banks of canals and around the project facilities such as jetties. A 200kW solar plant will be constructed for meeting energy requirements for the project. The project aims at making the canals navigable besides desilting and beautifying the waterbodies. Boats will operate through the canals thereby providing cheaper and green transportation system for the public. The clean canals will help avoid many Health issues now stemming out of the canals which are highly polluted. Flood mitigation is one of the objectives of the project. Using the canal waterfront for social and economic activities for locals as well as tourists is another benefit proposed in the project.
The four sewage treatment Plants being set up as part of the project will address the waste treatment issues to a certain extent.