Thiruvananthapuram: The Attipra ward holds within its boundaries two extremes-the pond called Kottoor-Kallayi which, according to residents, does not dry up in the worst of summers, and areas of severe water shortage. However, soon the irony will end as it is the first ward where a mini drinking water project will be implemented, according to officials. The project was announced in 2017-2018, but it never took off. Neither corporation officials nor ward councillor Suni Chandran could tell DC why it got stuck.
"I have learnt that it will receive the approval of district planning committee. I think the mini-drinking water project might benefit four or five wards. No one knows how much water Kottoor-Kallayi pond holds," he says. Some areas in the ward depend on tankers almost daily as there are no KWA lines in these areas. According to the councillor, Thrippadapuram and Kerala University Karivattom campus quarters, which are in his area, have severe drinking water shortage. The project can benefit nearby wards as well.
Laying distribution pipelines can take time. The project will take several years to complete. The technical details have not been prepared, though the idea was floated a year ago. The proposal submitted to district planning committee has set the budget to be Rs 1 crore. However, only a detailed investigation will help reveal the actual estimated cost, say officials. The corporation will have to seek the cooperation of Kerala Water Authority, which has more technical expertise in setting up water treatment facilities.
