Thiruvananthapuram: This is the third time that the tender for laying a pipeline at Parassu Pilla Lane at Mettukkada is being floated. Kerala Water Authority officials are not hopeful that a contractor will bite the bait, as the project is too small to lure them. Though, there is no water shortage at the moment, when there is a dry spell in Thiruvananthapuram, Mettukkada gets affected. Parassu Pilla lane is the worst hit, during this time. Unlike many other city areas, the narrow lane is not easily accessible for water tankers.
Before the Assembly elections, tender applications were invited from contractors for the Parassu Pilla Lane pipeline. “A project to lay a pipeline at both the Church Lane and Parassu Pilla Lane were mooted. However, I am told that contractors are not ready to take up such a small project,” says Vidya Mohan Thycaud councillor.
Water in Mettukkada area is supplied through two pipelines from the Observatory. The water pressure in one of the pipelines, which supplies water to houses in Parassu Pilla lane, is less. In addition, many houses have opted for individual pipelines. “There will be a loss due to friction, as well as a lack of pressure. As the lane slopes upward, the area is prone to water shortage. To rectify this, individual connections with a single line draw water from the pipeline which has more pressure,” says an official at KWA.
However, no contractor is ready to take up the project. KWA Executive Engineer Thomas Issac says, “The project for laying a pipeline in Parassu Pilla lane costs a little above '1 lakhs. If it does not get through this time as well, we will consider clubbing it with other projects, so that contractors would be interested.”
