The Hindu

Mangalore, May 24: The Mangalore City Corporation has launched a drive to remove silt from the open stormwater drains, particularly the ones leading to rivers, with excavators.

Sources in the corporation said that at least five excavators were being used for the purpose. The work was taken up in Kodial Guttu, Jappinamogaru, Baikampady, Kuloor, and Hoige Bazar, simultaneously.

The civic body expects the work of removing the silt from the major drains to be completed within a week so that no artificial floods are caused during the rains.

An official said that if the drain in Kodial Guttu were to be choked, it would cause floods on the most important Mahatma Gandhi Road here. Choking of drains in Kottara area could cause similar problems on the national highway that linked the city with Udupi. Last year, many houses in the area were flooded during monsoon, he said.

Three packages

The official said that there was delay in awarding the Rs. 25-lakh work of removing the silt from major drains in three packages owing to the election code of conduct that was in force till May 16.

There were about 60 major drains in the city. Of them, about 10 drains led directly into rivers, he said.

He said the work could not be hurried through as the excavators faced the danger of getting stuck in the silt. One excavator that got stuck in a drain in Kottara on Friday had to be pulled out with a crane.