Alternative route for water scheme unviable

Opposition to initial route of Piravam project

The second alternative route suggested for laying the water supply pipes for the Piravam water supply scheme has been found unviable.

The project, which is expected to increase the drinking water supply to Kochi and neighbouring local bodies, is hanging fire due to the dispute over the route for laying the pipelines. The local bodies of Piravam, Mulanthuruthy and Edakattuvayal had earlier objected to cutting open the main road connecting Piravam and Ernakulam for laying the supply pipelines. They had also suggested an alternative route for laying the pipes. The proposal to cut open the road had also ignited widespread protests.

An expert committee, which inspected the route, had reported that laying of the pipelines along the route would incur additional expenses besides upsetting the work schedule.

Following the rejection of the first alternative route, the civic representatives of Piravam came up with a fresh proposal last week, which too was found untenable. The second alternative route was suggested at a sitting of the eight-member expert committee constituted by the government to solve the crisis.

The Piravam water supply scheme was planned in 2008 with an estimate of Rs. 201 crore. The project was allotted to the Kochi Corporation by the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. The Kerala Water Authority was selected as the implementing agency. The project cost may reach Rs. 250 crore considering the recent revision of rates for the works by the Public Works Department, a committee member said.

The committee will submit its report to the government during the first week of October, a committee member said.