The agreement for restoring the remaining 175-metre stretch of the Mullassery Canal under Operation Breakthrough, at an estimated cost of ₹4.80 crore, is expected shortly.

The Minor Irrigation department may have to complete the work in six to eight months using pre-cast technology, depending on the weather. Despite the forecast of the onset of the monsoon later this month, work will begin once the agreement is signed, whenever conditions permit.

Of the canal’s 829-metre length, the stretch up to Chittoor Road was restored last September using the cast-in-situ method, where concrete structures are cast at the site. With delays already dogging the project, the department has opted for pre-cast technology to avoid further setbacks and prolonged road closures. Under this system, structures will be cast off-site and installed immediately, eliminating extended excavation.

The remaining stretch will be restored in three phases: from Chittoor Road to M.G. Road, M.G. Road crossing along the metro pillar, and the final 34 metres along A.K. Seshadri Road. Road blockages will be minimal, and the excavated stretch will be restored with interlocking tiles, department sources said.

Since completion is unlikely before the monsoon, waterlogging is expected on stretches including near the KSRTC bus stand. Efforts will be made to minimise impact by pumping out water.

A review meeting on Operation Breakthrough works ahead of the monsoon allocated funds for shifting underground cables and facilitating restoration. Chaired by the District Collector, the meeting directed officials to ensure relief camps with basic facilities, cut dangerous tree branches, and remove unauthorised boards.

Local bodies were asked to ensure that tahsildars have ready access to equipment such as earthmovers, cranes, and ambulances, and to update resource and relief camp data in Google Sheets by May 25. Timely warnings must be given to fishermen in sea surge-prone areas, and the Fisheries department has been asked to keep rescue boats ready. The Public Works department was directed to take precautions against waterlogging on highways and other roads.

Meanwhile, the Kochi Corporation has begun cleaning major canals, including the Thevara-Perandoor Canal. After last year’s experiment of entrusting major canal cleaning to the Minor Irrigation department, the Corporation has resumed responsibility this year. “Cleaning of smaller canals is almost 90% complete. Work on bigger canals is under way, though challenging due to heavy sedimentation in the Vembanad lake,” said T.K. Asharaf, chairperson of the Corporation’s works standing committee.