Date:29/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/29/stories/2008092959570300.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Thammanam-Palarivattom pipeline to be replaced soon

Staff Reporter

Rs. 2.5 crore to be made available soon

The old pipelines that were laid some 40 years ago, had been giving frequent trouble

KOCHI: Minister for Water Resources N. K. Premachandran has directed that the 700 mm drinking water pipeline through Thammanam-Palarivattom be changed soon.

At a review meeting held here in this connection, the Water Resources Minister said that immediate steps will be taken to arrange the funds for the work that amounts to Rs. 2.5 crore.

Mr. Premachandran said he will make a move to arrange it either through the special demand for grant or have the funds included in the Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Programme, an Asian Development Bank project of Rs. 40 crore.

While the bad condition of the pipeline was known to the Water Authority officials, there were no funds to take up the huge work.

The old pipelines that were laid some 40 years ago, had been giving frequent trouble. Pipes in the area had burst at least five times in the recent past, creating a crater on the roads leading to traffic blocks.

Youth killed

The protest of the residents in the area reached a flash point after a young man died in an accident on the severely damaged road.

The angry residents had blocked the road demanding immediate action.

Pipeline bursts

On Thiruonam, the major pipeline burst, resulting in residents in the area going without water on the day.

According to Water Authority officials, increase in traffic on the road has also put pressure on the old and damaged pipes.

The meeting was attended by MLAs K. Babu, C.M. Dinesh Mani; Mayor Mercy Williams; Deputy Mayor C. K. Manisankar; representatives of the Action Council of the residents in the area and officials of the Kerala Water Authority.