Canals beautification on the anvil

Vijayawada: The Chinese companies are drawing up plans for the city canals beautification project which are being finalised by the local authorities by taking support from them.

• Chinese companies drawing up plans to give a facelift to the canals in the city
• According to officials, the plans are being made in three modes. Mainly, development of greenery on canal bunds for avoiding drainage water entering the canals by setting up of an alternative channel or pipeline system 
• Providing various facilities, including food courts and entertainment games, in the beautification project  
• The three canals-Bandar Canal, Eluru Canal and Rivas Canal-are passing from the middle of the city. Hundreds of villages and towns like Machilipatnam, Eluru, Gudivada and Hanuman Junction depend on the canals for drinking water 

Mainly, the setting up of the new drainage channels or pipeline system parallel to the city canals is under consideration to prevent the water in the canals getting polluted. The Amaravati capital city constructions forced the government to take up the project for attracting tourists and investors. 

According to officials, the plans are being made in three modes. Mainly, development of greenery on canal bunds for avoiding drainage water entering the canals by setting up of an alternative channel or pipeline system and providing various facilities, including food courts and entertainment games, in the beautification project.  

The three canals-Bandar Canal, Eluru Canal and Rivas Canal-are passing from the middle of the city. Hundreds of villages and towns like Machilipatnam, Eluru, Gudivada and Hanuman Junction depend on the canals for drinking water.

But the water is getting contaminated from drainage connections given to the residents on the side of the canal and also due to encroachments. Nearly, two lakh encroachments, including business establishments and houses, are on canal bunds in the city limits. The release of wastage and drainage water is totally contaminating the canal waters. The canals also lost their original shape and size from encroachments. 

In this backdrop, the state government has taken a decision to develop canal bunds as tourism spots and supply drinking water through canals by stopping pollution under the beautification project. The project works have been awarded to Chinese Companies.

But whether they give only designs or take up BOT system yet to be finalised, said Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) assistant director Pradeep Kumar. Speaking to The Hans India here on Friday, he said that the establishment of new pipeline system for diverting drainage water, instead of the regular practice of releasing water into canals is under consideration. 

He said that already the beautification works have been done at various stretches in the city. Mainly avoiding pollution and creation of entertainment are the main issues. Boating will also be introduced in city canals and the water would be stored in particular stretches in the canals with locks support, he added.  

By Patibandla Srinivas