KOCHI: The interconnection work linking the two pipelines of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) at Thammanam for improving the water supply to Elamakkara region is expected to be done by this week-end.

The interconnection work, linking the Palarivattom-Edappally pipeline with the 42-inch line from Thammanam towards the city, via Kathrikkadavu, is expected to boost the pumping pressure on the former line. The Palarivattom-Edappally line, branching off from the main line, is now supplying water towards Elamakkara, Perandur and other neighbouring areas.

All these areas have been continuously suffering an acute shortage of drinking water in the recent past. Much hue and cry had been raised by the public and the Corporation council members from these areas over the water shortage.

The main reason for the shortage is said to be the lack of pressure in the distribution line towards Elamakkara.

As the line supplying Elamakkara branches off from the main line coming from Aluva, the pressure in this line comes down considerably. With the line not connected to the Thammanam pump house, increasing the power using the motors at the pump house was also impossible so far.

The residents of water-starved Elamakkara and Perandur regions have been raising demands for increasing the pumping pressure in their supply lines.

Once the two Palarivattom-Edappally lines are linked with the Thammanam pump house, the pressure towards Elamakkara can be increased from the pump house.

The interconnection work is expected to take up at least a day and a half and the water supply will have to be shut down during the work. Though the KWA was planning to club the interconnection at Thammanam with another interconnection work at Kalamassery, this may not be possible due to the delays at Kalamassery. In that case, a complete shutdown will not be necessary, according to the KWA officials. However, the supply towards the city will be affected during the work. Distribution towards other areas, including Tripunithura, will not be affected.

The KWA is planning to conduct the work during the weekend so as to cause minimum inconvenience to the shops at Thammanam Junction.

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