The Kollam Corporation is all set to provide free water connection to economically backward households under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme in association with the Kerala Water Authority. Corporation authorities are planning to sanction 22,500 pipe connections as part of the project in two phases.
Minister for Ports Kadannappally Ramachandran will inaugurate 10,000 connections in the first phase on Saturday at a function to be held at the Kadappakada Sports Club.
“It’s for the first time in the State that a Corporation is implementing such a project under the AMRUT scheme,” said Mayor V. Rajendrababu at a press meet here on Thursday.
₹14.98-cr. project
The project is being implemented with the Centre contributing 50% of the fund while the State (30%) and the Corporation (20%) chip in the rest. The ₹14.98-crore project, which targets socially and economically backward sections, will be providing 12,500 connections in the second phase.
“With this, all public taps in the city will be closed, which means we can also avoid the monthly water tariff of ₹25 lakh,” said Deputy Mayor Vijaya Francis.
Currently Kollam city has 3,356 public taps. “And with the completion of the Njankadavu drinking water project in 2020 there will be 24-hour water supply without any interruption,” the Mayor said.
The Mayor will hold a grievance redressal adalat at the Corporation office every Wednesday. Complaints should reach the office before Monday.