Most development projects proposed by political parties in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections for the Ernakulam constituency still remain on paper.
Addressing water scarcity was one of the key promises then made by the LDF, UDF, and the BJP. The candidates had then promised to identify new drinking water sources, besides tapping alternative sources to meet the rising water needs of the district.
Five years down the lane, Kochiites continue to depend on the Periyar to meet their water needs. Studies have shown that ground water storage has been fast depleting. The daily requirement of water has also shot up. A comprehensive water policy to address the long-term water needs of the city is yet to be evolved. Candidates of the three prominent parties had accorded top priority to finding a solution to the absence of an effective waste management in Kochi in their poll-promises made in 2014. They had also spoken in favour of a comprehensive waste management system.
However, the situation has hit an abysmal low with the government, Kochi Corporation, and the district administration failing to resolve the deadlock at the Brahmapuram dumping yard.
Plastic menace too has added to the existing woes with no immediate solution in sight. Tackling mosquito menace has also remained an unkept promise. The density of mosquito population in the city has been found particularly high with a high index of Culex mosquitoes.
