New pipeline, road to boost water supply & ease traffic

T'puram: Kerala Water Authority (KWA) sent a proposal to the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) seeking administrative sanction of Rs 90 crore for land acquisition. This is to build an eight kilometres road from Kattakada to PTP Nagar for installing the transmission line to bring Neyyar water to the city.
The new road will be built at an eight-metres width from Kattakada to PTP Nagar via Malayinkeezhu, Peyad and Kundamankadavu. The distance between Neyyar and PTP Nagar is 23.8km and in the remaining 15.8km from Neyyar to Kattakada, KWA will lay a pipeline beside the existing Neyyar-Choondupalaka road.
"Rail India Technical and Economic Service conducted a rough survey to identify the lands to be acquired for the road, and based on this, the proposed land acquisition cost was calculated. However, the survey done was not precise, as a detailed survey will be conducted once it receives administrative sanction. The total cost of the project is Rs 600 crore, which includes the construction of the transmission line, plant, pumping station, etc.," said a KWA official.
A detailed report will be submitted before the district collector to initiate acquisition proceedings once it is approved. "The new road will have double benefits as it will remain an alternative route for people using Kattakada-PTP Nagar roads. During peak hours, these roads witness heavy traffic snarls and the new road will bring a relief to this problem. After all, the new transmission line will be a permanent solution to the water shortage being faced by city dwellers," the official added.
Water scarcity is a cause for concern in many parts of the city such as Vizhinjam, Venganoor, Manavila, Technopark, Powdikonam, etc. The five existing plants, four at Aruvikkara and one at Vellayambalam, produce only 325 million litres of water per day (MLD) against the actual need of 400 MLD.
Once the transmission line is ready, KWA will be able to bring 120 MLD to the city. Of this, 100 MLD will be used for meeting the city needs and 20 MLD for the four neighbouring panchayats. KWA has a project to install a 120 MLD plant at Neyyar as well and it will be done only after the proposed transmission line is ready.
"We can soon start the land acquisition process. Once it is done, we can invite tenders and in 18 months, the project can be completed. Simultaneously, pipe laying works in the 15.8km stretch can also be finished. In six months, the proposed plant can also be commissioned and by 2027 Neyyar water will reach the city directly," the official added.