Kochi: The state government has issued revised administrative sanction (AS) to the tune of ₹3,716 crore for the Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS) project to develop canals in Kochi. Initially, sanction was given for ₹1,365.16 crore by availing of funds under KIIFB with Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) as the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). This amount was then revised to ₹1,528.27 crore.

Edapally Canal, Perandoor Canal, Chilavannur Canal, Thevara Canal, Market Canal and Konthuruthy Canal are selected for rejuvenation. The other project components include establishing sewage treatment plants (STPs), sewer network, sanitation facilities and solid waste management. Establishment of four STPs — at Vennala, Muttar, Perandoor and Elamkulam — and the connected sewer lines catering to the minimum requirements of the canals were also part of the project. An amount of ₹393.13 crore was earmarked for the scheme.

Since the project required a huge financial outlay, other funding sources and suitable financial models had to be explored. KMRL submitted two STP proposals (Elamkulam and Perandoor) to the National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD), Ministry of Jal Shakthi, to avail central funds under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) on the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) (60 per cent central assistance: 40 per cent state share). The NRCD has sanctioned Elamkulam and Perandoor STPs for ₹47.53 crore and ₹49.7848 crore, respectively.

The STPs and the sewerage network were then redesigned to a greater capacity by incorporating the sewerage master plan of the Kerala Water Authority to cater to the entire load of Kochi city. The Project Director, KMRL, submitted a revised proposal for an amount of ₹3716.10 crore prepared jointly by KMRL and KWA and requested to accord revised administrative sanction for the project.

The sewerage component of the IURWTS Project has been redesigned as two centralised STPs with a combined capacity of 105 MLD instead of the four decentralised STPs with a combined capacity of 77 MLD.