Expedite Operation Breakthrough: Collector

Kochi: District collector G Priyanka asked various agencies to expedite the measures to avoid waterlogging in the city under Operation Breakthrough. Priyanka, who visited some of the areas where projects under the Operation Breakthrough were going on, conducted a review on Thursday.The district collector stated that direct inspections to monitor the progress will continue in the coming days. She told the officials associated with projects that the work should be completed before the onset of monsoon. They should take all necessary steps to ensure that no waterlogging occurs in the city during monsoon, she said. As the model code of conduct as part of the elections is in force, elected members and people's representatives of Kochi corporation have limitations in initiating fresh work to contain waterlogging. Though corporation started works to desilt major canals and drains in the city, the progress is yet to gain momentum. As per the normal schedule, the corporation should have started the pre-monsoon work in March. Otherwise, it will not be completed before monsoon. With most of the corporation officials deployed for election duties, there isn't adequate staff to monitor and supervise the desilting works.