KOCHI: Acute water shortage has affected the lives of people in West Kochi.

The Kerala Water Authority (KWA) says the new storage tank coming up at Modi Bathroom junction would solve the water shortage. However, residents of West Kochi seem sceptical, as there has been undue delay in the commissioning of new tanks.

The delay in commissioning is owing to the conversion of supply network. Out of the existing network, those that can be converted to the new one are absorbed and new ones are created.

This is a laborious process, causing the delay, said a KWA official.

Also, the construction of the new tank was completed only two weeks back. It is yet to be tested after full charge, the official said.

The tank has total capacity of 2.2 million litres.

"The real issue here is not establishing a new network for supply of water, but to increase the amount of water coming to West Kochi," said K.J. Sohan, Kochi Corporation councillor. "The existing network is capable of supplying water to residents. What we need is augmentation of water supplied from the source."

There are many like him calling for modernisation of the water distribution system.

"A computerised system to monitor the system is common now, but the KWA continues to dig up roads to check pipelines," said Mr. Sohan.

Regions like Edakochi and Palluruthy have been the worst affected after one of the pumps at Karuvelipady was damaged.

Instead of replacing the damaged pump, the KWA took time to repair it, thereby reducing the volume of water supplied to the affected regions.

The damaged pump was repaired and the system was brought to its original capacity by Tuesday, said the KWA official.

Industries affected

Shortage in water supply is affecting marine industries, which are mostly concentrated around Edakochi region.

"Due to the shortage in water supply, these marine industries are struggling to meet standards stipulated by the EU. Now, many export units are moving to neighbouring Kuthiyathodu and Cherthala," said Joseph Xavier Kalapurackal, general secretary of Kerala State Boat Operators' Association.

All the organisations concerned will discuss the issue at their next meeting scheduled to be held at the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) hall on December 28.

GCDA project

While the issue is still being discussed, the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) is waiting for approval of its proposal to set up a desalination plant in West Kochi.

"We need just over a month to establish the plant after the State Government gives approval. This can be done at a cost of Rs. 1.5 crore," said Antony Isaac, chairman, GCDA.

The Authority's earlier attempt to establish a desalination plant at Chellanam had to be shelved following opposition from the KWA.

The proposed plant at Mattanchery is part of the GCDA proposal to establish a chain of desalination plants along the entire coastal belt of areas coming under the Authority.

For establishing the plant, the Authority will require the State Government's exemption from Customs duty for importing machinery.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail