KOCHI: Some 500 tankers are supplying water in the city and on its outskirts, facing an acute shortage, syphoning off water from major irrigation projects in the district and neighbouring areas. A source at the Muvattupuzha Valley Irrigation Project (MVIP) told DC that tankers are taking water without any authorization from irrigation projects. Apart from MVIP, the other major sources of illegal supply are Periyar Valley Irrigation and Chalakudy River Diversion Scheme (CRDS). “The Periyar Valley Irrigation Project is the main target for water theft,” said the source.
The irrigation department has no system of scientific monitoring of the water resources under control. According to Sunny George, director of Water Institute, School of Communication and Management Studies (SCMS), it is time for the irrigation department to implement a scientific management system of its water resources. The pilferage of water resources will add to the overall shortage experienced due to the unprecedented drought situation. “Everybody is aware that the next 30-40 days will be crucial and all possible steps should be taken to use the resources in the most judicious manner,” he pointed out.
An irrigation official, however, expressed helplessness in checking the water pilferage. A 10,000-litre capacity tanker can be filled up in 20 minutes using a diesel motor, and it is not humanly possible to keep a vigil on persons engaged in such activities. “Our canals are in isolated spots, and the department is not having any logistic to check the pilferage taking place at night,” he said. These tankers are supplying around three crore litres of drinking water to customers in Kochi city areas. Those having a capacity of 3,000 litres to 35,000 litres provide 3,000 loads of water every day. The Kerala Water Authority is supplying 17,000 lakh litres of water from Aluva to tankers at '60 per 1,000 litres.
