Steps being taken to remove encroachments along Konothupuzha

Building permit of residential, commercial units discharging sewage into river to be cancelled

The district administration has initiated steps to remove encroachments along the Konothupuzha as part of efforts to restore the river to its original condition. District Collector Jafar Malik has asked the Survey Department and the local bodies to jointly ascertain the boundary of the river and report on the encroachments on both sides of the waterbody within a week. The violators will be served a week’s notice before clearing the encroachments. The river rejuvenation work would be completed in two phases, he said. The building permit of households and commercial establishments discharging sewage into the river will be cancelled. The action will be taken as per the provisions of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. The long-term projects for rejuvenating the river will be completed in six months.