Rights panel cracks whip on Kerala Water Authority over pipe bursts

Kochi: Frequent drinking water pipe bursts in the one km stretch from Bank Junction to Town Hall on the busy Aluva-Munnar route has become a nightmare for road users and the local people leading to regular traffic blocks on the route. The Kerala Water Authority (KWA) which manages the pipeline that passes underground is unable to find a permanent solution to the issue with the result that the people have taken it up with the State Human Rights Commission. It is also alleged that the local MLA Anwar Sadath has not been able to effectively intervene to solve the issue. “The people are fed up with pipe bursts almost at regular intervals at different points creating craters on the road and the KWA has not been able to put a full stop to it after several incidents over months,” said Aluva Municipal councilor Seby V. Bastin.

KSHRC acting chairman P. Mohanadas has now ordered the KWA executive engineer to be present before the commission on September 22 and report about whatever actions were taken to solve the issue. It is said that drinking water is carried through 60-year-old asbestos pipes, which are harmful to health and even could cause cancer. “The frequent pipe bursts has also led to drinking water shortages in the area and disgruntled people under the banner of various residents associations gheraoed the KWA assistant executive engineer the other day. After persistent protests, KWA authorities have now assured that the estimates for laying a new pipeline will be drawn up soon,” said Seby.