No end to West Kochi water scarcity
Absence of pipelines hinders supply of water to residents
Kochi: Even as additional drinking water from Muvattupuzha river has started reaching the Maradu treatment plant of the Piravom project, the absence of a well-laid pipeline network has thwarted the full utilisation of the multi-crore scheme.
As a result, the West Kochi areas, the main beneficiary of the project, are still reeling under acute water scarcity.
There have been widespread protests against the shortsighted planning of Kerala Water Authority as the agency has failed to take up the '3 crore project to replace the old and broken pipelines and joints.
In view of frequent bursts in the distribution network, especially in areas like Maradu and Kundannoor, Excise Minister K. Babu had recently convened a meeting and allocated Rs 2 crore as emergency funds for replacing the broken pipelines. Now, the KWA has to invite tenders for the pipeline replacement.
The KWA has made little headway in the Rs 3-crore project announced in 2011 to replace the broken pipelines and joints in the 32-km distribution network with high density polyethylene (HDPE) and PVC pipes which are stronger and more durable.
Tendering of the project was delayed on the ground that a tender for such a huge amount could not be approved. Though the project had been split into smaller works, it failed to make any impact.
“Though additional water is being pumped from Muvattupuzha river, the leaking pipelines and absence of interconnections affect the distribution. The Maradu plant has been producing more than 25 MLD which is being pumped to Maradu, Kumbalam, Kumbalangi and Chellanam,” said a senior KWA official.
The full benefit out of the project will be received only if the leak points are rectified and the interconnections are carried out.
The leaking pipelines pose serious health hazards as in many areas the pipelines are passing through drains and canals.
Dirty water will enter the entire distribution network if the pipeline has leaks. The KWA took almost 10 years to complete the pipe- laying works on the 22-km stretch from Pazhoor near Muvattupuzha to Maradu.