New governments may come every five years, but the water woes of Kochiites remain unresolved, forcing them to raise their voice against the policy makers.
The lack of equitable distribution of water, age-old pipelines and poor distribution mechanism continue to affect the water scenario in Ernakulam district. “Water crisis has now spread to areas that were not affected earlier. For instance, take the situation in Thrikkakara. The demand has soared, especially after the mushrooming of hundreds of apartments in the region. Water is being diverted illegally to many places affecting its equitable distribution,” said C.R. Neelakantan, social activist and environmentalist.
Suggesting that the only way to resolve the worsening water crisis is to conserve wetlands and protect water sources, Mr. Neelakantan said that many projects were announced in the last five years. “But many regions are yet to receive proper water supply. Water is being supplied in tanker lorries in many areas even after the laying of several pipelines in the district. The quality of drinking water has also deteriorated,” he said.
Distribution system
Charles George, trade unionist and a leader of Kudivella Samara Samithi, attributed the crisis to the lack of a scientific distribution system in the district. “Development is now city-oriented. The poor is yet to get enough water to meet their daily needs. People in places like Nayarambalam, and interiors of Njarakkal are reeling under water shortage,” he said.
Pointing to the poor condition of overhead tanks and pipelines, Mr. George said that the authorities had failed to remove the obsolete pipes, which were established several years back. “These pipes burst the moment pressure goes up in the water lines. The availability of water has also dipped considerably,” he said.
C.A. Vijayachandran, executive director of Jala Saksharatha Mission, said that the authorities still lacked any clue on the distribution lines in the Greater Kochi region.
“The plumbers engaged by the Kerala Water Authority take money from the rich and give unauthorised connections. Otherwise, how come several apartments in Kochi enjoy several lines? Even those apartments, which lacked permits issued by the local bodies, have water connections” he said.
Referring to the shortcomings in the water schemes under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), Mr. Vijayachandran said that confusion in the inter-connections remains and work on overhead tanks is still pending.
“Places like Kannamaly, Chellanam, Maradu, which were supposed to have benefited from the 100 mld project, are yet to receive adequate water,” he said.
