KIIFB clears Rs 209 crore Masala Bonds for water

Thiruvananthapuram: Before the din settles on the Masala bonds, the capital city has become the first in line for the sub-sovereign external funding of Rs 209.50 crore to finance its long-pending Neyyar alternative water supply project.

This was approved on Tuesday at the meeting of Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), presided over by Chief Minister Pinarayi. Kerala Water Authority will implement the project, for which a special purpose vehicle is in the offing.    

The project has two components — a State budgeted provision of `60 crore for the 120 million litres per day (MLD) water treatment plant (WTP) at Neyyar Dam near the Lion Safari Park, which has gone through the tendering process.

The `209.50-crore new pipeline to carry water from Neyyar WTP to PTP Nagar, passing 26.5 km along the road, will be funded by KIIFB. The project is designed to meet drinking water needs of a projected at 10.70 lakh population, up to 2036. Both components are expected to be completed simultaneously in three years.

The old piped water supply for the city was commissioned in 1933. The breakup of the current drinking water supply to the capital city is 86 MLD, 74 MLD and & 72 MLD plants at Aruvikkara and 36 MLD WTP at Vellayambalam. That tots up to 268 MLD, leaving a yawning deficit, which is ought to be covered by bringing in another 120 MLD from Neyyar Dam, the other major perennial source.

This will quench the parched coastal zones, elevated areas and the periphery. 81 per cent people in the Corporation limits depend on KWA.

The design ensures smooth gravity flow as the maximum level of the proposed WTP at Neyyar is 115 m above mean sea level and level of reservoirs at PTP Nagar is 69 MS.

Water will be ferried through 1,422-mm spirally welded MS pipes of 12.5 mm thickness with inside and outside lining. MS pipes are extremely strong and because of low carbon content they can be easily welded.

The alignment is through the main road from Neyyar Dam to PTP Nagar, passing through Kallikadu, Kattakada, Aanthiyoorkonam, Moongadu, Bhajanamadam, Peyad, Kundamankadavu,Elipode and reservoir at PTP Nagar.

The initial route proposed was through the Bund Road at the starting portion and Neyyar Dam to Thiruvananthapuram Road but it was revised since the pipeline might damage the stability of the canal embankment.

An official report mentions that there is a defect liability period of one year during which the contractor will be responsible for any operative preventive maintenance. After the guarantee, the line will be handed over to the respective decision for maintenance.

The water supply in Thiruvananthapuram is proposed to be divided into eight zones — New Peroorkada, Vattiyoorkavu, New Thirumala, New Central Low Level, Paudikonam, Manvila and Southern High Level Zone. Each zone consists of two supply subzones.