Kochi Corporation in Kerala to hand over Konthuruthy river puramboke to KMRL for beautification
The Kochi Corporation is transferring cleared riverfront land to the Kochi Metro Rail Limited for a beautification and water tourism project. This follows the successful eviction and rehabilitation of 126 families who had encroached on the Konthuruthy riverbank.
Why it matters
The project represents a significant urban renewal effort involving complex legal, social, and environmental challenges in Kerala.
The Kochi Corporation will shortly hand over the Konthuruthy river puramboke, cleared of encroachments to restore the river to its original width of 38 metres as directed by the Kerala High Court, to Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) for beautification.
The eviction of 126 families, pending since 2012, was among the major challenges faced by the United Democratic Front council upon assuming office. In an interim order dated December 16, 2025, the High Court directed eviction and rehabilitation of the affected families within four months. Compensation for rehabilitation was later fixed at ₹14 lakh per family, with the Corporation bearing nearly ₹18 crore of the cost. The State government’s contribution under the Life Mission was restricted to a meagre ₹1.26 crore.
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