Reclaiming canals

It is a vital necessity that the natural drainage system of the city is revived through clearing the canals of illegal occupation. It is the only way to deal with the ever increasing problem of water-logging in the city. The problem has reached a stage where many of the city roads and lanes remain submerged for days together during the rains.

Needless to say, occupation of canals is a clear violation of the law. The encroachers have not only taken possession of these but have also erected concrete structures in many places. The city is deprived of natural water flows which are needed to prevent environmental pollution. But the government's plan to recover the canals has apparently run aground; because the occupants being influential, are trying to thwart the move to dislodge them through various machinations. So, the decision-makers have to make some determined efforts to neutralise the clout of the encroachers. And the issue has to be handled on a priority basis since the rainy season is not far away.

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The government's move to reclaim the derelict or illegally occupied canals strikes a responsive chord in us. This is because, from time to time, we have advocated stern action against the illegal occupiers. Now that the move has been made, a high premium is put on its success. Failure will prove extremely costly and thoroughly counter-productive which the government can clearly ill-afford.