The push for a new water tank in Thammanam,Kochi,has intensified following the partial collapse of the existing facility, which has left the city grappling with a temporary drinking water crisis. Local MLA T.J. Vinod has urged government to prioritize construction of a new 35-lakh-litre tank as part of an Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded initiative aimed at alleviating water scarcity.
Vinod's call to action comes as the city struggles with its water supply,exacerbated by the failure of the 1.35-crore-litre tank. In a recent social media post,he emphasized the need for accountability from the French firm SUEZ,which manages the Kerala Water Authority's (KWA) assets. He argued that merely laying new pipelines would not resolve the ongoing drinking water issues,insisting on urgent need for additional storage capacity.
“If there is no other way to raise funds,the ADB loan should first be used to construct the water storage tank. The remaining loan amount can then be utilized for other works,including the pipeline,” Vinod stated. The design and proposal for the new tank were submitted last November,yet administrative approval remains pending.
A KWA official indicated that once the necessary administrative sanction is obtained, subsequent procedures would be straightforward . The proposed tank is set to be built on KWA land,eliminating potential delays related to land acquisition.
Despite the urgency,the contract with SUEZ, signed in 2017,does not include provisions for constructing new water reservoirs. A senior official from SUEZ noted that while the firm has been responsible for the operation and maintenance of the water system, the contract does not cover the construction of new storage facilities. Areas such as Pachalam,Vaduthala, Kaloor, and parts of Karuvelippadi have consistently faced water shortages,highlighting the pressing need for additional infrastructure.
“The general consensus is that savings from the replacement of ageing pipelines could be redirected towards construction of the new water storage tank,” another KWA official remarked. The estimated cost for the proposed tank is under ₹30 crore, making it feasible to include within the ADB-funded project.
The situation remains critical as Kochi continues to face challenges in securing a reliable water supply. The call for a new tank reflects broader concerns about the city’s water management and infrastructure,underscoring the need for timely action to prevent further crises.
