 |
|
Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, recently experienced a severe water crisis, with residents enduring a four-day disruption in supply. This crisis has brought renewed attention to the long-delayed Neyyar water supply project, designed to provide the city with a crucial second drinking water source. The project, envisioned to deliver 120 million liters of water daily from the Neyyar reservoir, has been plagued by delays and setbacks despite exceeding its original 2021 completion deadline.
The Neyyar project was conceived following a severe water shortage in 2017, when the Peppara dam, the city's sole water source, saw its water levels alarmingly decline. The project aims to supply 100 million liters per day to Thiruvananthapuram Corporation limits, with the remaining 20 million liters to be distributed across nearby panchayats. The project's implementation has been hampered by disagreements between the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) and the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) over the pipeline alignment and land acquisition challenges. These disputes have resulted in significant delays, forcing the KWA to revise cost estimates for both the water treatment plant and the pipeline.
Despite the setbacks, KWA officials are determined to proceed with the project and have decided to implement the two essential components—a 120 mld water treatment plant at Neyyar and the laying of a 1,422 mm transmission main—in a single package. An alternative pipeline alignment has been proposed by the agency RITES, minimizing public inconvenience and shortening the pipeline distance to approximately 22 km. The KWA is currently preparing a land acquisition plan for this revised alignment. The project's delay has also led to a revision of the initial cost estimate. The water treatment plant, initially sanctioned at a cost of ₹60 crore, now requires a reevaluation. The contract for the pipeline construction, awarded to an Erode-based firm for ₹137.70 crore, was later withdrawn due to the ongoing delays and changes. The technical specifications of the water treatment plant remain unchanged, incorporating advanced technology like plate settler technology and a SCADA system.
A detailed engineering report prepared in 2022 highlighted the increasing water demand of Thiruvananthapuram city, particularly during summer months. The report concluded that the Neyyar reservoir offers the only feasible solution to meet the growing water needs, as increasing the capacity of the Peppara dam is environmentally prohibited. With the Peppara dam's limited storage capacity and insufficient inflow during drought seasons, the city urgently requires an additional water source. The Neyyar project remains the most viable option, offering a long-term solution to the city's water security concerns. Its successful implementation is crucial for ensuring a stable and adequate water supply for the residents of Thiruvananthapuram.
Source: Water supply crisis in Thiruvananthapuram puts spotlight back on delayed Neyyar water supply project