River–Lake Restoration

TMC – Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation can prepare a comprehensive River–Lake Restoration Master Plan covering all rivers, canals, lakes, and wetlands inside the corporation area. The aim is ecological restoration, flood control, drinking water protection, and urban tourism development. Below is a structured planning framework (no photos) for all major rivers, lakes, and canals connected with the TMC urban water system.

1. Major Rivers in TMC Region

1. Karamana River

  • Origin: Western Ghats near Agastyarkoodam

  • Length: about 66 km

  • Mouth: Arabian Sea near Kovalam / Panathura

Restoration Actions

  1. Sewage interception and treatment plants.

  2. Riverbank protection and erosion control.

  3. Removal of encroachments along riverbanks.

  4. Plastic and solid waste removal.

  5. Riparian forest restoration.

  6. Creation of river buffer zones.

  7. Flood management channels.

  8. Riverfront eco-walkways.

  9. Wetland creation along floodplains.

  10. Continuous water quality monitoring.

2. Killi River (Tributary of Karamana)

Major tributary carrying urban drainage.

Restoration Actions

  1. Desilting and dredging.

  2. Elimination of sewage outlets.

  3. Drain diversion to STPs.

  4. Riverbank bio-engineering.

  5. Flood mitigation structures.

  6. Water hyacinth removal.

  7. Community river guardians program.

  8. Urban biodiversity restoration.

  9. Public river access points.

  10. Monitoring stations.

2. Major Lakes within / connected to TMC

1. Vellayani Lake

Largest freshwater lake in the district and important ecosystem.

Restoration Plan

  1. Freshwater ecosystem protection.

  2. Catchment area management.

  3. Agricultural runoff control.

  4. Wetland biodiversity conservation.

  5. Buffer vegetation zone.

  6. Eco-tourism boating zones.

  7. Lake water purification wetlands.

  8. Ban on plastic dumping.

  9. Bird conservation habitat.

  10. Lake water monitoring.

2. Akkulam Lake

Backwater lake close to the city and tourism zone.

Restoration Plan

  1. Removal of invasive aquatic plants.

  2. Desilting lake bed.

  3. Sewage inflow prevention.

  4. Tourism infrastructure upgrade.

  5. Floating wetlands for filtration.

  6. Biodiversity park development.

  7. Stormwater filtration ponds.

  8. Walkways and cycling tracks.

  9. Lakefront green zones.

  10. Water recreation regulation.

3. Veli Lake / Lagoon

Backwater system connected to Akkulam and Arabian Sea.

Restoration Plan

  1. Lagoon water circulation improvement.

  2. Mangrove restoration.

  3. Pollution control barriers.

  4. Eco-tourism boating.

  5. Sediment dredging.

  6. Coastal erosion protection.

  7. Marine biodiversity protection.

  8. Bird habitat zones.

  9. Floating solar lighting.

  10. Waterfront recreation areas.

3. Backwaters and Estuaries

Thiruvallam Backwaters

Important confluence of river and sea.

Restoration Plan

  1. Water quality restoration.

  2. Boat navigation channels.

  3. Mangrove conservation.

  4. Estuary fish breeding zones.

  5. Eco-tourism river cruises.

  6. Waste disposal control.

  7. Wetland restoration.

  8. Flood buffer zone.

  9. Heritage tourism development.

  10. Environmental education centre.

4. Major Canals & Urban Drainage Channels

1. Parvathy Puthanar Canal

Historic canal linking rivers and lakes.

Restoration Plan

  1. Canal widening and dredging.

  2. Retaining walls.

  3. Solid waste traps.

  4. Waterway transport routes.

  5. Pedestrian canal corridors.

  6. Canal biodiversity strips.

  7. Sewage diversion pipelines.

  8. Floodwater drainage upgrade.

  9. Water transport jetties.

  10. Canal lighting and surveillance.

2. TS Canal (Thiruvananthapuram–Shoranur Canal)

Part of Kerala’s inland waterway system.

Restoration Plan

  1. Canal navigation restoration.

  2. Desilting and depth restoration.

  3. Water transport corridors.

  4. Canal-side greenways.

  5. Tourism boat routes.

  6. Waste barriers installation.

  7. Canal heritage conservation.

  8. Bridge modernization.

  9. Flood management.

  10. Water quality monitoring.

5. Integrated Urban Water Network Plan

Citywide Restoration Strategy

  1. River–Lake–Canal Integrated Map

  2. Smart flood monitoring system

  3. Citywide sewage treatment coverage

  4. Rainwater harvesting network

  5. Urban wetland parks

  6. Climate resilience planning

  7. Urban biodiversity corridors

  8. Community river protection committees

  9. Eco-tourism water transport

  10. Continuous environmental monitoring

6. Expected Outcomes for TMC

  • Reduced urban flooding

  • Clean rivers and lakes

  • Improved drinking water security

  • Urban biodiversity restoration

  • Tourism and recreation development

  • Climate-resilient city infrastructure