Thiruvananthapuram: As part of pre-monsoon cleaning efforts to tackle monsoon-related flooding, 40 high-capacity pump sets are being readied by the corporation to remove stagnant water from vulnerable areas. The move comes as the civic body officially launched its pre-monsoon sanitation drive across city on Monday. The pumps, capable of clearing not only water but also sludge and debris, will be stationed in wards that regularly experience waterlogging.Corporation officials said the remaining units will be deployed in other locations based on need, ensuring a rapid response during heavy rainfall. The sanitation campaign was planned in advance, with the council approving financial assistance for ward-level cleaning before the enforcement of the model code of conduct. However, progress was slowed as key infrastructure, including canals and roads, falls under multiple departments such as minor irrigation, major irrigation, PWD, Smart City and railways. With the model code of conduct currently in force, several departments have yet to complete their preparatory work. Despite these constraints, the corporation has decided to go ahead using its own funds instead of waiting for inter-departmental allocations. The priority, officials said, is to ensure that drainage channels and canals are cleared ahead of the peak monsoon season. Mayor V V Rajesh said the corporation is also leveraging the expertise of retired officials who previously worked on projects such as Operation Anantha. Their experience, he said, is helping streamline the ongoing efforts. To strengthen operations, damaged machinery owned by the corporation, including excavators such as Hitachi equipment, has been repaired and made fully functional. Enforcement squads have also been intensified to curb the dumping of waste into canals and drains, a major contributor to urban flooding. In addition, two new vehicles have been procured for the health squad to improve field-level coordination and response time. The mayor added that discussions will be held with district collector to enhance coordination among departments. A separate meeting with the railway authorities is also planned to ensure proper cleaning of areas under their control.
