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Plea to ensure potable water supply

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: The Ernakulam District Residents Association Apex Council (EDRAAC) is planning to raise the issue of supply of drinking water, following the crisis caused by the turbidity of the Periyar waters.

"We are meeting the District Collector on Wednesday and this will be one of the issues to be discussed," said P. Rangadasa Prabhu, president of EDRAAC.

The council also approached the Corporation, but the civic body was facing paucity of funds. Hence, efforts were being made to release funds available with the local legislators, he said.

However, the district administration has expressed helplessness in catering to this big a crowd. No one was ready to contribute financially towards arranging supply of water using tanker lorries, said A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish, District Collector.

The drought relief fund of the State Government could be released only by March. So the worst-hit areas due to the increased turbidity of water sources were put under a special package and daily allowance of Rs.5,000 was being made to supply water to the areas, he said.

Discussions would be held with representatives of residential associations for effective utilisation of water, he said.

The Apex Council had earlier demanded formation of a monitoring committee to review monthly progress of the ongoing major water distribution projects like the HUDCO-aided scheme.

"Just like transporting of garbage, the issue boils down to transportation because big money is involved in it," said S. Balakrishnan, former president of EDRAAC.

"K.V. Thomas, MLA, had raised a question on the completion of projects in the Assembly and got a reply that it could be completed by June 2007. This was communicated to us. But no review meeting has been made to ensure that the deadline would be met," said Mr. Balakrishnan.

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