Kerala - Kochi   

VS to inaugurate water scheme for Kochi today

KOCHI: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan will inaugurate the Kerala Water Authority’s drinking water augmentation scheme for Kochi on Friday. The scheme, executed at a cost of Rs.105.5 crores, would add 60 million litres per day of water to the distribution network in Kochi, said Minister for Water Resources N.K. Premachandran.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, he said the project was completed with the loans from Housing and Urban Development Corporation and Federal Bank.

The project, launched in 1995, was delayed due to various reasons. The dispute over land acquisition had gone to court. Though the initial outlay was Rs.58.5 crores, it had to be revised at Rs.136.16 crores later.

The scheme envisages pumping of additional 108 mld of water to Kochi and adjoining areas, but that can be achieved only if the capacity of filtration plants are enhanced.

The Minister admitted that this project would not be adequate to meet the requirements of the city which was developing at a fast pace. KWA was planning to take up a bigger project to meet the demand for water up to 2036. The project would be executed under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission and other schemes.

Two schemes, one based at Maradu and another at Kalamassery, with 100 mld and 225 mld capacity respectively, were being planned.

The Minister said the pipes laid under the earlier schemes were smaller and those with bigger diameter would be required for capacity utilisation under the new schemes. The Government would prepare a calendar to undertake the water supply projects.

The KWA offices would be modernised in a phased manner. Structural changes in management and IT initiatives would be taken up.

An amount of Rs.35 crores has been set apart for the project being undertaken under the JBIC (Japan bank for International Cooperation) scheme.

A wide area network for linking the main office to the section offices would be set up and e-tendering facility would be made available.

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