KOLLAM: The first sewerage network project for Kollam city remains in limbo because of a combination of laxity of the authorities and the apprehensions raised by the residents regarding sanitation.
The sewerage project was initiated about 35 years ago and was abandoned midway. Stoneware pipes which was claimed to be durable for over 100 years were installed for the project before it came to a halt. The project was later revived in 2012 under the Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Project (KSUDP) with Asian Devel-opment Bank (ADB) funding.
“The Kerala Water Authority (KWA) is appointed with the execution of the project. The installation work was tendered to a private firm in Muvattupuzha in 2012 with a time of completion of one year. The estimated cost was Rs 60 crore with the implementation to be carried out in 2 packages. However, it was delayed. The public is against the project due to lack of awareness as they think that the drinking water will get mixed with the sewage,” a higher official from KWA told DC on condition of anonymity.
The sewerage network has six pumping stations out of which four are with the KWA and two on Corporation-owned land. The construction of a plant on the Corporation land was earlier prevented by Kollam Development Authority claiming ownership of the land, which was later resolved.
The network spreads across Thangasseri, Asramam, Thevally, Pallathottam, and Kureepuzha, where the sewage treatment plant is proposed to be installed. Rectifying the concerns raised by the city residents of Kollam, the authorities have ensured a safe drinking water network adjacent to the sewerage network.
