Monday, Sep 20, 2004
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Kochi
By Our Staff Reporter
KOCHI, SEPT. 19. Much water has flowed under the Venduruthy Bridge since 2002, when environmentalists took up cudgels against "selling of the Periyar" to private interests by the Government through the Cochin Industrial Water Supply Scheme (CIWSS). The Rs. 250-crore project, as was then planned, envisaged pumping out 200 million litres of water per day from the Periyar, treating it and supplying it to industrial and domestic users in and around Kochi.
Protests
In the face of strong protests, the Government had backed out of the project even after inviting expression of interest for promoting the project on a build-own-operate and transfer basis. The scenario has changed. With a slew of new projects in Kochi on its hand, the State Government is likely to revive the CIWSS.
Mega projects
The latest developments include clearance, in quick succession, of two mega projects - International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) and the Cochin Special Economic Zone. These are part of a more than Rs. 7,000-crore integrated development of the port-owned area around Ernakulam. CIWSS was envisaged with the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) as the implementing agency. Accordingly, the water would have been pumped from a spot near Mahilalayam, near Aluva, and treated at an eight-hectare facility in Kalamassery. According to reports on the project, the water would have been supplied at Rs. 14 per kilolitres, inclusive of a water cess of Rs. 2 per kilolitre. The State Government was to hold 11 per cent equity in the project and it was envisaged on a lease period of 20 years. Ten per cent of the water from the scheme was to go for domestic supply. This would have augmented the supply situation in Kochi.
Shortage
The Kerala Water Authority is able to supply about 225 million litres of water per day whereas the actual need is for about 290 million litres per day. The project was seen as a solution to the shortage of water for industrial houses that are located in and around Kochi. Besides, the seafood industry too is facing shortage of quality water.
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