Though pumping of water is carried out with more than 10 to 15 percent capacity, the distribution system has failed. As of now the entire supply to the city is from Aluva which caters to 40 percent of the total requirement.

It would take at least two years to complete the project under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme which envisages carrying 200 mld of water from Muvattupuzha river at Pazhoor to the city. The tender work of the project is almost complete.

Worst hit

It is an irony that shortage of potable water is at its worst in Vypeen, an area surrounded by water. A pipeline leakage at Vadulthala has aggravated the problem in the last five days.

The pipelines were damaged during land levelling work for the Vallarpadam rail connectivity.

Another main area that is reeling under water shortage is West Kochi. Water scarcity could have been solved to some extent if all the zones mentioned in the Rs 35 crore water supply scheme under the Department for International Development (DFID) were fully commissioned.

The authorities have completed only two zones, zone 1 and 3. There is water scarcity in Saint Agnes, Pandikkudy, Koovappadam, Santhi Nagar and Panayappally areas which fall under zone 2 of the project.

Kumbalam, Kumbalangi and Chellanam areas under Palluruthy Assembly segment are suffering from acute shortage of potable water.

Elamakkara, Vallarpadam, Mulavukad, Girinagar and Panampilly Nagar too are reeling under water shortage.

The way out

Only the completion of 200 mld JNNURM project at Kundanoor will offer a permanent solution. According to the Kerala Water Authority (KWA), the repair work of the pipeline from Vaduthala which supplies water to Vypeen is going on and water supply will be resumed by Monday.

“A new pipe with less diametre will be inserted through the damaged pipe along the 50 metre stretch,’’ said Sreekumaran Nair, superintendent, KWA. Though the authorities pressed some tanker lorries into action to distribute potable water in the area, they could meet the demand only to a certain extent. The District Development Council (DDC) which met on Saturday had decided to streamline water supply using tanker lorries to all parts of the district including Vypeen. With the commissioning of HUDCO and Choondy projects, there will be enough potable water to meet the demand.

But the distribution system has failed completely.

In Ernakulam the Rs 90-lakh augmentation project for Elamkulam pump house and laying of direct pipeline at a cost of Rs 1.25 crore will bring relief to some extent. Water shortage is acute in Elamkunnapuzha and Njarackal areas.

JNNURM to the rescue

If the JNNURM project is completed it will give another 200 mld water to the city.

The project envisages pumping of water from Muvattupuzha river. This coupled with water from the existing pump house at Aluva will be enough to meet the city’s demand.

“The tender work of the project is almost complete. We are hopeful that the project can be commissioned within a few years,’’ said Baby Stephen, project co-ordinator, JNNURM.

Water thieves

Water theft is said to be yet another reason for the shortage. The KWA anti-theft squad will conduct special checking from March 5 to 20 to check water theft, officials said. The public can avail the service of the Blue Brigade which has been floated by the KWA for checking water theft and water leakage. Call 155313, 9249120200.

Meet foiled

Though the Water Resources Minister had convened a meeting of peoples representatives and officials in the district to find a solution to the water woes, it didn’t materialise as the Minister failed to turn up.

People protest

The agitated residents of Vypeen laid siege to the Vypeen-Munambam Road on Saturday. On Sunday they took to the streets.

Thousands of people, including housewives and children, were in the forefront of the agitation.