Kerala: How CM's 'Room For The River' Project, A Non-Starter, Could Be A Solution To State's Floods Crisis

The 'Room for the River' project which was planned to implement by the Pinarayi Vijayan government in 2018 could have subdued the impact of the catastrophe.

Kerala floods

Chennai: Kerala is battling one of the worst floods which reportedly killed 41 people leaving several families displaced. In such a grim situation, the 'Room for the River' project which was planned to implement by the Pinarayi Vijayan government in 2018 could have subdued the impact of the catastrophe, according to a report in Matrubhumi. The 'Room for the River' programme was first implemented by The Dutch and eventually received applause from across the globe for developing a good water management technique. 

Cut to 2018, After a severe flood crisis hit Kerala which killed nearly 500 people and wiped out many houses, CM Vijayan made a visit to the Netherlands to get the know-how of the 'Room for the River' programme, which the Dutch government has implemented back in 2007 to prevent the flood-prone regions from being submerged.

The Dutch government was lauded for their expert water management techniques despite most parts of the country lying below sea level. The basic concept of the 'Room for the River' project is to create more space for water bodies to handle the rise of water levels during floods. Vijayan being impressed with the idea planned to replicate the programme in Kerala in 2018 as parts of the state lie below sea level alike the Netherlands.

The pilot project was expected to be implemented in the Pamba river to prevent Kuttanad from flooding during the monsoon. However, there is no significant progress in the project according to a Matrubhumi report. Allegedly corruption in appointing the consulting agencies further delayed the project to start, the report further explained.

After much reconciliation, finally, the consultancy was handed over to IIT Madras in March 2021 and an interim report is expected to be submitted by later this year by December.