The Hindu 18.10.2010
‘Do not discontinue Siruvani scheme for suburbs'
Special Correspondent
| Bhavani scheme meant for augmentation of supply to Vadavalli |
Reports say Siruvani supply to Vadavalli and Kavundampalayam will be withdrawn
Their quota to be diverted to city that is struggling to meet the demand
COIMBATORE: The supply of drinking water to Vadavalli Town Panchayat and other areas under the Bhavani scheme should not lead to the discontinuation of supply under the Siruvani scheme. The Bhavani scheme is meant for augmentation of supply (in addition to Siruvani water) and not an alternative scheme, as is made out to be, secretary of the Coimbatore Consumer Cause K. Kathirmathiyon has said in a letter to the Chief Engineer of the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board.
Referring to reports and statements that the Siruvani scheme would be withdrawn for Vadavalli Town Panchayat and other local bodies west of the city once fully Bhavani supply was achieved, he said only both the scheme would be able to meet the demand for proper supply.
Together, the schemes were expected to provide daily supply to the town panchayat. But, the frequency of supply was way below this target. If Siruvani water alone was supplied, it could be done only once in 15 days because of the scarce resource.
Mr. Kathirmathiyon's letter came in the wake of reports quoting officials that Siruvani supply to Vadavalli and Kavundampalayam would be withdrawn and their quota diverted to the city that was struggling to meet the demand for drinking water.
Under the new combined water supply scheme, Vadavalli Town Panchayat should be supplied 5.6 million litres a day.
As per the project it should take care of the population till 2031. If water required for the population of 2031 was available now, the people should get 24 hours water supply. But, this was not the case. The scheme was still under trial and there were problems in the distribution system. Therefore, the Siruvani supply should continue for the suburb.
At present, water was being supplied to Veerakeralam Town Panchayat once in 24 days. Some more town panchayats were experiencing severe drinking water shortage.
A combined water scheme had been proposed for Veerakerlam, Perur, Vedappatti, Thondamuthur, Alandurai and Pooluvampatti with River Bhavani as the source.
A Rs.300-crore project is being examined by the Government. Recently, the Government issued orders to expand the Coimbatore Corporation area, covering Veerakerlam, Perur and Vadavalli town panchayats. Norms said the Corporation area should get a supply of 140 litres per capita per day (lpcd) and 90 lpcd for town panchayats.
Mr. Kathirmathiyon pointed out that the town panchayats would have to be supplied 140 lpcd if they were merged with the Corporation. Hence the quantity of supply proposed under the new water scheme should be reworked accordingly.
Mr. Kathirmathiyon also suggested that the Siruvani supply could be retained for areas closer to the main supply line than taking them out of the scheme and restricting the supply only to the city. The water had to cross these areas to reach the city, he pointed out.
Besides, these areas were going to be part of the city. Therefore, it would be wiser to have the scheme serve these areas first.
Siruvani water flowed through gravity and required no pumping. Water from River Bhavani had to be pumped. Retaining supply under the first scheme would help avoid costs incurred on pumping.
