The ambitious project to clean and desilt the heavily polluted Thettiyar stream in Thiruvananthapuram has encountered a significant obstacle, as authorities struggle to remove widespread encroachments along the waterbody. Minor irrigation department officials have reported that several stretches of the stream have virtually disappeared due to illegal constructions, concrete slabs, and unchecked waste dumping, severely hampering the proposed rejuvenation work.
Origin and Impact of Thettiyar Stream
Thettiyar stream originates from Kaniyapuram and merges with Akkulam Lake, passing through major urban stretches including Kulathoor, Kazhakkoottam, Technopark Phase I and II, and parts of the VSSC campus. During monsoon, low-lying areas such as Kulathoor, Thampuranmukku, and Kazhakkoottam experience severe waterlogging due to the clogged stream.
Encroachments: A Major Challenge
A senior minor irrigation department official stated that the first step towards rejuvenation is the removal of encroachments. "In many areas, the original width of the stream has reduced drastically. There are buildings constructed close to the banks, and on some stretches, the stream is covered with slabs. Without clearing these obstructions, large-scale desilting cannot be carried out," he explained. He further added that a proposal seeking Rs 1.5 crore from the National Disaster Management Authority for cleaning and desilting works is still pending. "The department alone cannot execute the project as coordinated action is needed from the district administration, city corporation, and revenue authorities to remove encroachments," he noted.
Operational Limitations
The irrigation department faces limitations in monitoring stretches passing through VSSC and Technopark campuses. Sources indicated that inspections and maintenance activities inside these campuses require separate permissions, delaying coordinated restoration efforts.
Residents' Plight
Residents living near the stream have described flooding as a recurring nightmare. "Even a few hours of heavy rain is enough to flood our homes and roads. Dirty water mixed with waste enters residential areas and remains stagnant for days," said P Suresh Kumar, a resident of Thampuranmukku. S Chitralekha, a resident of Kulathoor, added that the foul smell from the stagnant stream has become unbearable. "The stream used to flow freely years ago. Now waste is dumped everywhere, and many stretches have narrowed due to encroachments. Authorities wake up only during floods," she lamented.
Corporation's Response
A senior corporation official commented, "The corporation has been conducting periodic waste removal drives, but a permanent solution requires joint action involving multiple departments. Encroachments and sewage discharge are the biggest challenges." Officials have warned that unless urgent restoration measures are implemented before the peak monsoon, flooding in the Kazhakkoottam-Technopark corridor could worsen further this year.
Previous Flooding and Technological Interventions
After massive flooding during the 2023 monsoon in Technopark and nearby residential areas, authorities acknowledged that overflow of Thettiyar stream was a key reason. Technopark subsequently introduced an IoT-based flood monitoring system with automated sensors along the stream to track water levels and rainfall. Earlier, Technopark initiated embankment protection works and measures to prevent waste dumping into the stream. However, experts and activists have pointed out that isolated cleaning inside the campus would not solve the issue unless sewage inflow and upstream encroachments are addressed.
About the Author: Krishnachand K is a Special Digital Media Content Creator with The Times of India in Thiruvananthapuram, where he has been working for the past 1.5 years. He brings 11.5 years of journalistic experience, having previously worked with The New Indian Express. In his free time, he enjoys listening to music and watching movies.
