Pipe laying for Piravom drinking water project to be taken up
Health Committee chair V.K. Minimol also pointed out anomalies in the ranking process.
Kochi: As the much awaited Piravom drinking water project has failed to enhance water supply to western Kochi areas due to the absence of proper pipeline network, Mayor Soumini Jain has agreed to complete the pending works at the earliest.
Replying to a debate on drinking water scarcity during a corporation council meeting on Wednesday she said pipe laying in three major stretches has to be completed to bring additional water there.
“The pipe laying along Perumanoor Pump House – Thevara stretch has been pending as the PWD is yet to sanction road cutting. Replacing of pipes along the Mattancherry Bridge at a cost of Rs 1.8 crore has already been awarded. A total length of 625-metres of pipeline will be replaced. Another stretch where new pipeline has to be laid is Thoppumpady – Karuvelipady which will be taken up soon,” she said.
When the distribution network is through, the city areas will get an additional 18 MLD water from Muvattupuzha River.
Replying to the Opposition’s criticism against the city’s lower ranking in the Swachh Bharat Mission’s recent survey, Ms Jain said it had several contradictions and can’t be accepted. Health Committee chair V.K. Minimol also pointed out anomalies in the ranking process.
The corporation council has also decided to seek the support of Kochi Metro Rail Ltd to carry out pre-monsoon drain cleaning works.
“The matter will be taken up with KMRL MD Elias George soon. Since, the entire drainage system, from Edappally to KPCC Junction on MG Road has been damaged due to metro works, the city areas will be flooded if extensive cleaning work is not carried out,” she observed.
Participating in the debate, Welfare Committee chair A.B. Sabu said the civic body was in the process of disbursing old-age pension, and 7,366 pension cheques were received.
“As of now, 2,812 beneficiaries have been given the cheques, and the process is on,” he said.
Meanwhile, CPM councillor V.P. Chandran has heavily criticised the treasury benches for poor financial management and lack of proper auditing of income and expenditure. He also demanded a white paper on finances.