If everything goes as planned, there will be enough drinking water
supply in the city and suburbs in the near future. In a major
development,  the state government has allotted Rs 238.53 crore for the
‘Interim Augmentation of Water Supply Scheme to Kochi City (Part 1-Phase
1)’ project.  The scheme is intended to benefit the residents of Kochi
Corporation, adjoining four municipalities and 10 panchayats in
Ernakulam district. The scheme is expected to complete by the end of
2016.

“The new project is expected to quench the thirst of many
areas where water supply had been short in the past. We are making all
efforts to complete the laying of new pipelines in the city and suburbs.
Once these are also in place, water shortage will be the thing of
past,” Kerala Water Authority (KWA) sources said.

The project has
two phases,  first part consists of intake well at Aluva raw water
pumping station, treatment plant at Kalamassery, master tank at
Kalamassery, connectivity upto Toshiba Junction in Kalamassery and 
interconnection with the existing supply to Ernakulam. On
implementation,  about 135 million litre per day (mld) water can be
supplied additionally to the Kochi Corporation and adjoining areas,
thereby improving the water supply level in these areas.

The
amount for the plant at Kalamassery was allotted as part of the state’s
share under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. The
project is estimated to cost Rs 485 crore in total and expected to roll
out in three years.

“Upon completion, the Interim Augmentation of
Water Supply Scheme will be able to supply 180mld water to the city and
premises. This will mainly cater to the demand in most of the northern
parts of the city,” sources said.

Earlier, KWA managing director
has submitted a Detailed Project Report for the project and based on the
project the fund now been allotted. The government has allotted Rs
37.50 cr for procuring 15 acres of land at Kalamassery for setting up
the treatment plant there. The cost for setting up the 135 mld treatment
plant is estimated at Rs 75.18 cr.