The Times of India                  11.05.2013

Contractors agree to take up drought mitigation work

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ending the stalemate, Kerala Water Authority has floated tender for various drought mitigation works in the PH division, Thiruvananthapuram. The tenders were floated after striking contractors under the PH division agreed to take up the drought mitigation works, the funds for some of which would have lapsed by this month end. The contractors are on a strike to end e-tendering in running contract system for more than a week. The contractors will continue abstaining from pipe maintenance work.

The government has released Rs 3.8 crore for the drought mitigation programme the deadline of which was set as June end. The first list of work, worth Rs 2.26 crore, has to be completed by May 31. The amount would have been lapsed if the contractors continued with the strike. The decision came after KWA officials held meeting with the members of All Kerala Water Authority Contractors Association (AKWACA) on Tuesday.

"A major problem has been solved. Now, we floated tender on Thursday. Works will be awarded by Monday. In order to expedite work, one contractor will be awarded only one work," said KWA executive engineer Prakash Idicula.

One of the major works under drought mitigation programme is to lay distribution pipes in areas which are affected by drinking water crisis. "There are 77 works to lay distribution lines in various parts of the city. Pipes will be laid in 100-2000-metre length. Work is expected to complete in two weeks," said Idicula.

KWA has already begun other drought mitigation programmes such as cracking down on water theft and maintenance of valves to divert water to areas facing water crisis. "We managed to begin these works with the support of our daily wage labourers and 'Janakeeya samithis'," he said.

"We are planning to intensify the strike in the coming days. If there is no decision on May 14, the strike will be extended to other parts of the state too. We will convene district-wise meetings in the coming days," secretary of AKWACA N Siddharthan said.