Official sources said that by 2050, water demand for Kochi Corporation, five nearby municipalities and 13 Panchayats will be 600 MLDs, including 300 MLDs for Kochi Corporation only. They said the deficit would be 190 MLD, and therefore, the concept of new factory.
According to the Asian Development Bank estimates that Kochi’s non-income water is 51%, including water consumed from public faucets. This function alone estimates that it takes up about 12% of the water. Sources said the actual amount of non-yield water will be about 39%.
Maintaining that the claim of over 50% as non-revenue water is dubious, Ernakulam District Congress Committee (DCC) president Mohammed Shiyas said the assets of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) worth over ₹3,000 crore would be handed over to other entities if the ADB-funded project was implemented in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kozhikode.
This is far from maintenance costs, even if there is no new investment. In this case, he said the government must take steps to implement the project of 190 Congresses, which was recognized when Oommen Chandy was chief minister.
Steps must also be taken to get Kinfra Park’s estimated 49 MLD water from Kadambrayar instead of Periyar. Mr Shiyas added that in addition to handing over public infrastructure to others, there were concerns about the subsequent increase in water tariffs.
“We oppose the prerequisites, not the ADB loan itself,” said P. Unnikrishnan, secretary general of the KWA Employees Union (CITU). The Employees Union made it clear that the KWA lacked funds and the government would have to repay the loan. In addition, the current tax concessions for vulnerable groups in society must continue to be carried out.
Mr Unnikrishnan also calls the claim that non-income water hovers over 50%.
He added: “The detailed project report also refers to the quality issues provided by Kwawa, which is far from facts. If our requirements are not met, employees will be forced to incite.”
publishing – April 13, 2025 01:14 AM IST
