Thiruvananthapuram: Clogged Canal Poses Severe Health and Flood Threat

The Pazhavangadi canal, a crucial waterway in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is currently in a deplorable state, heavily clogged with various forms of waste, including slaughter refuse, plastic, and general garbage. This severe pollution and blockage pose significant health and flood risks to the residents, particularly those in the Vallakadavu and Sreevaraham areas. The article from The New Indian Express, published on March 22, 2026, highlights that the stretch of the canal between Kothalam and Sreevaraham bridges is particularly affected by slaughter waste, creating serious health concerns. This situation has led to an alarming increase in mosquito menace, contributing to the spread of contagious diseases such as dengue and chikungunya among the local population. Residents like Manoj L confirm that many are already suffering from fever and dengue due to the unhygienic conditions. Beyond health hazards, the clogged canal is a major contributor to urban flooding. The article reports that in recent rains, especially after the Attukal Pongala festival, many houses in the affected areas were inundated with polluted water and garbage overflowing from the canal. This is not an isolated incident; Thiruvananthapuram has a documented history of urban flooding due to choked drains and canals, as evidenced by reports from The Hindu in May 2024 and September 2025, which mention the Amayizhanchan Thodu (another name for Pazhavangadi canal) and other waterways contributing to waterlogging. A flood risk assessment study for Thiruvananthapuram city also identifies Pazhavangadi among the areas frequently experiencing severe flooding. The primary blame for the canal's current state and the lack of resolution falls on the alleged inaction and poor coordination between the city corporation and the major irrigation department, the two bodies primarily responsible for cleaning and maintenance activities. Vallakadavu ward councillor Shajida Nazar explicitly states that the issue has been raised with authorities multiple times, even after recent flooding, but no concrete action has been taken. This reflects a recurring administrative challenge in Thiruvananthapuram, where inadequate funds for pre-monsoon cleaning drives and a blame game between departments have been reported in previous years as well. Legally, the maintenance of minor irrigation works and urban waterways falls under the purview of local authorities, including municipal corporations, according to the Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation Act, 2003, and the Kerala Municipality Act. These acts mandate local self-governments to manage solid waste, storm water drainage, and maintain environmental hygiene, including canals. However, the ground reality often shows a disconnect, with responsibilities seemingly shuffled between the corporation and the irrigation department. The problem is exacerbated by the continuous illegal dumping of waste into the canal by residents and businesses, despite previous attempts to install fencing to deter such activities. Reports indicate that even when fencing was put in place eight years prior, it failed due to lack of maintenance, making it ineffective in preventing further accumulation of garbage. The canal is known to carry the entire city's garbage to the Parvathy Puthanar, highlighting its critical role in the city's drainage network. Compounding the issue, cleaning activities initiated by one department are often undermined by the neglect of others. For instance, the coastal shipping and inland navigation department recently launched cleaning operations for the Parvathy Puthanar near Vallakadavu. Still, officials from this department acknowledge the futility of their efforts if upstream canals like Pazhavangadi remain choked with waste, as the entire refuse flows into the Puthanar. This points to a systemic failure in adopting a holistic approach to urban water body management. The history of the Pazhavangadi canal's pollution and blockages is well-documented. An article from July 2025 recalled the tragic death of a cleaning worker named Joy who drowned in July 2024 while removing plastic waste from the Pazhavangadi/Amayizhanchan canal, underscoring the hazardous conditions and the grave consequences of neglect. Even after such a tragic incident, and despite directives for fencing systems and cleaning projects, bureaucratic delays and lack of sustained vigilance have allowed the canal to revert to its polluted state. Previous initiatives, such as 'Operation Anantha' in 2016, aimed at clearing the Pazhavangadi canal and other critical waterways. During that operation, significant amounts of sand and plastic waste were removed, improving water flow. However, even then, officials emphasized the need for better civic sense and waste management, acknowledging that periodic cleaning would be necessary due to ongoing dumping. The current situation suggests that these long-term solutions and behavioral changes have not been effectively sustained or enforced, leaving the canal, and consequently the residents, vulnerable once again. In conclusion, the clogged Pazhavangadi canal is a chronic civic and environmental crisis in Thiruvananthapuram, posing immediate health threats and exacerbating flood risks. The failure to address illegal waste dumping, coupled with alleged departmental apathy and lack of coordinated action, perpetuates a cycle of pollution and public health hazards, demanding urgent and sustainable intervention from local authorities.

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