Anand Haridas

& Renu Ramanath

KOCHI: The proposal for a desalination plant by Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) for Chellanam panchayat as part of its tsunami relief works has run into rough weather, with the Kerala Water Authority citing technical objections.

A delegation of GCDA officials met Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, Minister for Water Resources, and top KWA officials on Wednesday to discuss the project. "The Managing Director and Finance Manager of KWA have been asked to study the proposal and submit a report within a week. A decision will be taken only after the report is submitted," said the Minister.

The GCDA had proposed to build the plant, based on the Reverse Osmosis (RO) treatment process, at a cost of Rs. 1.10 crores. "The Authority had volunteered to contribute Rs.40 lakhs and the remaining amount was to be provided by the Government. The plant can be installed on a Build-Operate-Transfer basis," said Antony Isaac, Chairman, GCDA. But, KWA officials point out production of drinking water through the desalination plant will incur huge costs.

Undeterred by the KWA objections, the GCDA is planning to move ahead. "The Elakunnapuzha panchayat officials had contacted the Collector for a plant. The panchayat has submitted a request. With Kochi Refineries ready to sponsor the project, it would materialise soon," said Prof. Isaac.

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