The Hindu 16.06.2010
Rs.2,100-crore water conservation scheme
Staff Reporter
KOLLAM: Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran has said the State government will soon launch a scheme for the conservation of water during the monsoon.
The scheme, estimated at Rs.2,100 crore, would be implemented by the Water Resources Department in association with local bodies, Mr. Premachandran said while addressing an ‘Ask Your Minister' programme organised jointly by the Kollam Press Club and the Information and Public Relations Department as part of the fourth anniversary celebrations of the State government here on Tuesday.
The Minister said the issue of water conservation was not something that had to be taken up during summer, but an issue that warranted attention during the monsoon. At present, drinking water schemes for Rs.6,000 crore were under implementation stages in the State.
In the four-year time, the government had commissioned 50 drinking water schemes to cover 20 lakh people. In the next one year, 50 lakh people would be covered by drinking water schemes. He said 36 such schemes for Rs.870 crore were nearing completion.
Scheme for capital
The Japan-aided drinking water scheme for Thiruvananthauram had already been commissioned. Similar schemes in Meenad, Cherthala and Kannur would be commissioned by the end of this government's term. The scheme in Kozhikode would be commissioned by December 2011. During the past four years, 30,000 hectares in the State was newly covered by irrigation schemes. The thrust was on small irrigation projects. During the period, Rs.320 crore was spent for projects to prevent sea erosion. New sea walls were laid for 22 km stretch and reinforcement work done along 71 km of sea wall.
He said the Kavapuzha irrigation project in Wayanad would be inaugurated by Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan on June 20. The Muvattupuzha irrigation project would be commissioned before the end of the government's term.
