‘₹523-crore project cleared to tackle Kochi’s water shortage’
The Department of Water Resources has approved a ₹523-crore project as a “perennial solution” to Kochi’s drinking water supply problems, and it is awaiting final
The Department of Water Resources has approved a ₹523-crore project as a “perennial solution” to Kochi’s drinking water supply problems, and it is awaiting final administrative sanction from the Finance department, Minister for Water Resources Mons Joseph said in the Kerala Assembly on Tuesday (June 30). Replying to a Calling Attention motion moved by T.J. Vinod, MLA, highlighting the acute water shortage in Kochi, Mr. Joseph said that the project envisages setting up a 190 MLD drinking water treatment and storage plant, along with a pump house and pump set, on the banks of the Periyar in Aluva. The project, which will serve Kochi Corporation, the adjoining five municipalities, and 13 panchayats, has been planned with a projection of the water consumption pattern up to 2050.
He said that the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) was also constructing a 25-lakh-litre water storage tank and sump on its own land as a permanent solution to the disruption in water supply following the collapse of one of the storage compartments at the 135 MLD Thammanam plant. An estimate of ₹30 crore has been prepared for the project. The Minister said steps had been taken to address the damage to the tank and make temporary arrangements to ensure water supply. Vinod called for urgent measures to ensure adequate water supply for domestic and commercial purposes, as well as for Jal Jeevan Mission projects. He noted that the city was facing a daily water shortage of around 50 MLD based on the current demand.
Although Kochi receives 225 MLD of water from the Aluva Water Treatment Plant, of which 121.5 MLD is supplied to the city, and 100 MLD from the Maradu Water Treatment Plant, of which 53.5 MLD is supplied to the city, it continues to face a severe water shortage as supply losses have increased to 40-50%, he said. He also pointed out that the deterioration of a compartment of the 135 MLD water tank at Thammanam due to age had further aggravated the drinking water shortage. Besides supplying water to around 1.5 lakh domestic connections and nearly 28,000 non-domestic and industrial connections in Kochi, the system also has to cater to major establishments such as the Kochi Port, the Naval Headquarters, Cochin Shipyard, railway stations, hospitals, educational institutions, and hotels, Mr. Vinod said in a communication.
The Minister said the Jal Jeevan Mission was also being expedited, under which water connections would be provided to all households in panchayats. The AMRUT scheme for water supply distribution within Kochi Corporation was also progressing rapidly, he added.
The BriefWire