KOLLAM: Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran has said that it is time that Kollam city stopped depending solely on Sasthamcotta Lake as the source of its drinking water supply.

He told The Hindu on Wednesday that it was time that the city started looking for an alternative source for its drinking water needs. Sasthamcotta Lake had limitations in meeting the present demands of the city, he said.

Mr. Premachandran suggested the Kallada river as the best possible alternative. It had the potential to meet the drinking water needs of the city. He wanted the Kollam Corporation to come out with a long-term scheme in this direction. The Water Resources Department would extend all possible help for the early implementation of the scheme.

On the part of the Water Resources Department, an action plan for the Kallada river was being prepared.

Desilting

It would go to a great extent in replenishing the river. It would include desilting of the catchment area of the Thenmala dam. The dam was built across the Kallada river as part of the Kallada irrigation project. Studies had shown that a huge quantity of sand had accumulated in the catchment area, resulting in the storage level of the dam considerably getting reduced.

The desilting of the dam could augment the water storage capacity of the catchment area.

Mr. Premachandran said a separate line from Sasthamcotta Lake would be drawn for meeting some of the industrial needs for water in Kollam and the surrounding areas.

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