Vellayani water project fails to benefit

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Water Authority’s (KWA) 22.9 MLD water project at Vellayani Lake started functioning last summer. However, the water is yet to reach beneficiaries in water-scarce areas between Venganoor and Vizhinjam.  The scheme was also supposed to cater to the drinking water needs of localities around Vizhinam port project.  As per Venganoor panchayat vice president Venganoor Satheesh, the Vellayani scheme was yet to show results. “The older connections given by KWA still exist. However, water supply frequency was as poor as it was before. KWA claims they will need more people to operate the valves,” he said.

At Vizhinjam-Pulluvila area, the water still comes once in a week. Officials maintain that the existing pipelines will be enough. However, many beneficiaries complain of pipelines being broken or blocked due to erratic supply for years.  “Our neighbours downhill at Vandithadam, have been receiving water after the Vellayani scheme. However, water supply has not reached our house and nearby ones despite having a connection,” said Nibil Nair.   Six new massive overhead tanks were constructed to cater to the consumers.

 “Even when the capital city was reeling under a drought, we had excess water produced at Vellayani plant this summer. The pumping at Vellayani cannot be stopped because the water will turn murky. It will take some time before we finetune the smaller connection networks that reach houses,” a KWA official said.
 Areas such as Vandithadam, Vizhinjam, Kovalam, Kalliyoor and Karamama were to be benefitted by the scheme.