Delay in repair works aggravates water woes in Fort Kochi and Mattancherry

Kochi: People in Fort Kochi and Mattancherry are facing acute water shortage following damage to an old concrete pipe, supplying water from Perumanoor pumphouse to Mattancherry, four days ago. The delay in repair works is aggravating the water woes in these areas.According to locals, authorities are not making efforts to complete the repair works. "It was the pipeline that passes through Cochin Shipyard that burst. It is an old pipeline that was laid during the British period. The repair work is progressing," said T K Asharaf, works standing committee chairman and councillor from Mattancherry. "However, agency that carries out repair work didn't inform us when the work will be completed," he added. Though TOI contacted senior KWA officials to know about the work progress, they didn't respond. At the same time, sources with KWA said that it is up to the private agency to carry out repair works. "Govt has entrusted the operation and maintenance of KWA's utilities in the city to a private firm. They are supposed to carry out the repair works within 24 hours," KWA sources said. According to corporation authorities, the pipe bursts can be avoided only if the old, dilapidated pipes are replaced with new pipes. "There is a proposal for replacing the old pipes with new ones. Govt allotted Rs 7 crore for the same and Rs 1.5 crore for relaying roads. The work is yet to start," Asharaf said. Meanwhile, as KWA is planning to relocate the 900-diameter pipeline to facilitate the work of the railway overbridge at Purayar near Aluva, the supply from the water treatment plant at Chowara will be disrupted on Friday and Saturday. The supply to Paravur municipality, Chendamangalam, Kottuvally, Ezhikkara, Chittattukara, Vadakkekara, Njarackal, Kuzhuppilly, Pallippuram, Nayarambalam and Edavanakkad will be disrupted, KWA officials said.