• Investment World
• eWorld
• Catalyst
• Mentor
• Life
• Canvas
• Praxis
• Urban Pulse
• Brand Quest

G.K. Nair

KOCHI, June 16

KUTTANAD, Kerala's granary which lies below sea level and is surrounded by water throughout the year, is facing acute shortage of potable water.

Water supply projects implemented under Central programmes such as Kuttanad Water Supply Scheme have failed to reach the inhabitants of the area since much of the water treated and stored in tanks in Tiruvalla and Changanassery was supplied to the people in these two municipalities.

The increase in population in these towns had raised the demand of drinking water and as a result, supply to Kuttanad has reduced, Kerala Water Authority (KWA) sources said.

However, the region had been included in the water supply schemes planned for the coastal region of the State and which is to be implemented through panchayats, they added.

Acute drinking water shortage is being experienced in certain parts of Kavalam, Neelamperoor, Chempukulam, Venattukadu and Thakazhi and many other areas in the lower Kuttanad region, Mr K.C. Joseph, a farmer and social worker of Kavalam, told Business Line.

He said that unlike in the past, drinking water has become a major problem in the region during the summer as well as the monsoon.

Until a few years back, the majority of the inhabitants of the region depended on the ponds maintained by each household for potable water, and the canals passing before the households for washing and bathing. "Now the situation has changed," Mr Joseph said.

Criss-cross roads and reclamation of paddy fields for construction purposes have blocked several canals, which in turn arrested the water flow.

In fact, the stagnant water in the canals in Thakazhi and certain other panchayats is so polluted that it was not suitable for any human use at all, Mr Nandakumar, an inhabitant of Thakazhi, said.

According to him, ever since the water supply taps began appearing in the panchayat, the residents have either ignored or abandoned the ponds hoping that water would be available from the taps throughout the year.

In certain areas, the canals had even become dumping grounds for garbage, besides being recipients of sewage pipes.

On the other hand, toilets of many households were set up on the banks of the river or canals with direct outlet into the water.

In the absence of flow of water except during the monsoon, the rivers and the canals remain highly polluted almost throughout the year, Mr G. Krishnakumar, an inhabitant of Kuttanad, said.

According to him, if the Government sets up water treatment or purification projects, the drinking water problem could be solved for good.

"Besides, the local bodies and the State Government departments should jointly launch a campaign to clean all the canals in the region so as to allow the water to flow uninterruptedly into the rivers and lakes."

Also, all the households need to be assisted in keeping the ponds clean as was being done in the past, he added.

During the monsoon, when drinking water was abundantly available in other parts of the State, acute shortage is experienced here.

All the rainwater from the midland and highlands flow down into the region, transforming it into a vast expanse of muddy water.

During this season, the public has to bring drinking water in boats from the highlands.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section
Gujarat Plan fixed at Rs 7,600 cr

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu Business Line. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu Business Line