No end in sight to water woes

PIRAVOM: It's a long wait for Kochiites to get potable water from Muvattupuzha river. After marathon discussions, the state government has appointed a committee to study the possibilities of changing the alignment of Maradu potable water project. Changing the alignment will delay the project which is scheduled to be completed by 2012. Though all other works related to the project started under the JNNURM have almost been completed, the pipe-laying work at Nadakkavu and Piravom had to be stopped due to the protests from the locals. It was at a meeting attended by the officials of various departments, ministers and MLAs that the decision to conduct the study was taken. The Rs 201-crore-project is to pump 100 mld water from Muvattupuzha river at Pazhoor to the treatment plant at Maradu to provide potable water to the people in West Kochi. "Using the JNNURM funds, the KWA has almost completed the work of the treatment plant at Maradu. The KWA has also completed the construction of sump at Ramamangalam," former Deputy Mayor C K Manisankar said. There are protests from the locals against digging up the road. A few days ago, the Kochi Corporation and the local bodies concerned, including the Piravom panchayat, had held a meeting to sort out the issues. Now, the committee appointed by the government will explore the possibilities of alternative routes for laying pipes. The possibilities of diverting the pipelines through the Vettickal route will be examined by the committee. "A few years ago, the KWA had conducted feasibility studies. After the controversy erupted over the cutting of road, the possibilities of alternative routes were also explored. But it was found that the alternative route will escalate the cost and take much time," Manisankar said.  The committee consists of KWA technical member Susan Jacob, KSUDP director K Ajith, PWD chief engineer T Babu Raj, KWA Central Region chief engineer Baby Stephan, PWD Ernakulam Division executive engineer T I Jose and Kochi Corporation engineer Jolly Varghese.