In a last-ditch attempt to reach more water to a parched capital city, the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) has decided to stop rationing of water supply and effect full-scale pumping from Aruvikkara from Friday.
The decision has been taken in view of the commencement of the pumping from Kaappukad reservoir near Neyyar dam to Aruvikkara reservoir from Thursday night, Minister for Water Resources Mathew T. Thomas said.
Operations reviewed
The Minister accompanied by Secretary, Water Resources, Tinku Biswal, Managing Director, KWA, A. Shynamol and forest officials visited the Kaappukad reservoir to oversee the pumping operations on Friday morning.
The plan is to resume all-out pumping from Aruvikkara to try and reach water even to the elevated areas in the capital city that had been hit by the 25% reduction in pumping enforced by the KWA. The Minister said the restrictions on pumping would be introduced in the capital after three days.
In three days, however, the two pumps designed for operations from the Neyyar dam — the machines are being brought by road from Gujarat — would reach Kaappukad. The pumps are being tested for operational readiness.
Already one dredger requisitioned from the Irrigation Department is functioning full throttle at Kaapukad. This dredger can pump out 10 million litres daily. The increased flow of water at the KWA’s Kuttichal pumphouse is a sign that the Neyyar dam plan is working. Another dredger of the Travancore Cements is to arrive in Kaapukad soon and the pipeline for the pumping has already been laid.
The KWA’s two 100 HP centrifugal pumps will be installed soon. Two submersible pumps will also reach the Kaappukad reservoir soon.
The KWA authorities are hopeful of ensuring water supply in the first week of May itself. Summer rains in between will also bring relief.
Water kiosks
Meanwhile, the KWA supplied more than 100 tankers of water on Friday. This is in addition to the filling of 51 water kiosks twice a day.
The filling of the kiosks was done by the Revenue Department with the support of the KWA.
Despite all this, the KWA helpline continued to receive calls; while 10 complaints were logged from the Pattom-Kesavadasapuram area, there were 11 calls from Vazhuthacaud, 10 from Peroorkada and 17 from Kudappanakunnu.
