Solution for salty Periyar river water

KOCHI: The perennial issue of intrusion of salinity into  Periyar, the major drinking water source of  greater Kochi area, is to be finally resolved with the construction of a regulator-cum-bridge at Purappillikkavu.

The Rs. 100- crore bridge will help the irrigation department  save a huge amount of money spent for temporary bund construction every year. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy inaugurated the bund construction on Sunday.

The regulator-cum-bridge from Purappillikkavu in Karumalloor panchayat to Kunnukara will resolve the drinking water scarcity in several panchayats and municipalities.

The project will also help irrigation in vast areas of agriculture land in the district.

Though the PWD earmarked only Rs. 68 lakh for the project, an additional fund of Rs. 32 lakh was given from the water resources department and NABARD.

The intrusion of saline water into the upstream of Periyar poses serious threat to agriculture, supply of drinking water and functioning of industries in this part of the district. Every year, the Kerala Water Authority has to stop pumping from its Aluva and Muppathadam pump houses hitting drinking water supply to the city and suburban areas.

The practice was to construct temporary sand bunds at Pathalam and Purappillikkavu.  

The construction of the permanent bund at Pathalam is fast progressing and it is expected to be commissioned by the year-end.