KWA begins major pipeline works

The Kerala Water Authority (KWA) has finally taken up the work of replacing worn out pipes at several areas in the city.

The repair of pipelines damaged during the metro work is yet to be completed, said KWA superintending engineer Babu Thomas.

The areas where pipe replacement works have got the administrative sanction include places near the Shipyard, West Kochi, Kaloor-Kathrikadavu area and Kundannoor junction, where there had been many pipe bursts. People had to go without water for more than two days in some of the areas.

The old pipes near the Shipyard have been most vulnerable. These include supply lines from Perumannur to West Kochi. The large asbestos cement pipes will be replaced with ductile iron pipes at an estimated cost of Rs.3 crore. The work is on from Mattanchery bridge to Thoppumpady and up to Karuvelipady. The work covering 4-5 kilometres is again in the range of Rs.3 crore. The KWA had already completed the pipe replacement from Thevara bridge to Mattanchery.

The Kaloor-Kathrikadavu area, where a number of pipe bursts had occurred over the years, has also been brought under the project of replacement of old pipes. Costing Rs.7 crore, the work on pipelines covering a total of 4 km will be undertaken as soon as there is a respite from rain, said Mr. Thomas. The tender has been awarded and pipes have been supplied, he said.

Kundannoor junction had been another vulnerable point where pipes had burst quite frequently. A total of 750 metres of the large supply pipe will be replaced here.

At Maradu, where the old network had been snapping because of the increased pressure from the new water treatment plant, 4.5 km of pipelines will be replaced at a cost of Rs.2.75 crore.