Latest news with #KWA
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
No hydrants in Thiruvananthapuram city: Fire dept's alarming RTI reply
Thiruvananthapuram: A Right to Information (RTI) query filed by a city resident has revealed alarming lapses in Thiruvananthapuram city's fire safety infrastructure. In a written reply dated July 19, the fire and rescue services said that no fire hydrants have been installed anywhere in the city, and therefore, none are operational. More surprisingly, when asked who is responsible for maintaining fire hydrants, the department passed the buck to the Kerala Water Authority (KWA), stating that installation and upkeep do not fall under its purview. However, it turns out that many residential apartments in the city do have fire hydrants installed, as the city corporation mandates their presence before issuing a No Objection Certificate. In fact, fire officials themselves are often involved in inspecting these installations as part of the NOC process. The fact that the department's RTI response claimed there were no hydrants at all points to either a complete lack of internal coordination or a disturbingly casual approach to critical public safety infrastructure. However, there are no fire hydrants in public places, with the single exception of the one near the Secretariat. "Their reply shows a complete disconnect and apathy from those responsible for our safety," said KS Hemaraj, a resident of Kaimanam, who filed the RTI query. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo He had asked nine questions about hydrants in the city—including their number, locations, functionality, maintenance and any future plans—but received vague or inadequate responses. A senior Fire and Rescue Services officer, speaking anonymously, admitted the issue was serious. "Technically, hydrants are part of civic water infrastructure under the KWA. But during emergencies, we rely on them for immediate water access. The fact that there is only one operational public hydrant is a real concern. I will also verify why the fire and rescue officers gave such an irresponsible answer," he said. When contacted for clarification, a KWA official said: "We install fire hydrants only when requested by the fire and rescue services or the local body. In most cases, there is no formal communication or demand. Also, hydrants must be connected to adequate pipeline pressure, which needs planning and budget allocation," the official said.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kerala government constitutes 7-member panel for preparing ‘State Water Security Plan'
The Kerala government is moving ahead with plans to create a 'State Water Security Plan', a requirement under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), the Centrally-assisted functional household tap connectivity (FHTC) scheme for rural areas. Given the multi-dimensional nature of water security, the government has constituted a committee with members from the Local Self-Governments, Irrigation, Ground Water, Revenue and Forest departments; and the Kerala Water Authority (KWA), and the Kerala Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (Jalanidhi). The character of the water security plan will be decided through deliberations, Jeevan Babu, managing director, KWA and mission director, JJM, said. KWA is the main implementation agency of JJM in Kerala. Deliberations will have to be held because of the involvement of multiple stakeholder agencies in surface and ground water resources and the diverse demands on these resources ranging from drinking water to irrigation and power generation. The panel has been formed on a recommendation made by the State Water and Sanitation Mission (SWSM), a committee chaired by the Chief Secretary which was constituted in 2020 to oversee the implementation of JJM. While Kerala is not a water-scarce State, it has been struggling to keep up with other States in the implementation of JJM. The Union Budget 2025-26 announcement extending the scheme till 2028 has brought relief to the State. With implementation at 54.66%, Kerala is at the bottom of the national-level list, indicate Union Jal Shakti Ministry data. Three blocks, 73 panchayats and 95 panchayats in Kerala have been certified as having 'Har Ghar Jal' status. Among the districts, Wayanad (37.90%), Idukki (36.93%) and Kasaragod (32.62%) are lagging behind in the implementation.
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Desilting and Restoration of Chilavannoor, Market canals to begin shortly
The desilting and restoration work on the Chilavannoor Canal, worth ₹8.40 crore, is set to get under way shortly under the Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS). The restoration of the Market Canal is also likely to begin shortly. The work has already been tendered and will be executed using ₹28.77 crore allotted by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). The State Cabinet, in May, gave its nod for implementing the IURWTS in Kochi, aimed at reviving six canals, at a revised estimate of ₹3,716.10 crore. The project is intended to make the canals navigable and provide a lasting solution to flooding in the city during the rainy season. Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) will continue as the special-purpose vehicle for the initiative, while the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) has been appointed as the implementation agency for the sewerage components. Funding for the project will be ensured through the KIIFB and the National River Conservation Directorate. Mayor M. Anilkumar said the works launched under the canal rejuvenation programme were making rapid progress. 'The Kochi Corporation and KMRL will jointly organise a review meeting of the project, which will also be attended by Industries Minister P. Rajeeve. The main objectives of the project include strengthening the water transport system, landscaping and constructing walkways along the canal banks, removing accumulated silt to improve water quality, and restoring water flow and the aquatic ecosystem,' he added. The construction of a higher-capacity sewage treatment plant at Elamkulam is set to get under way shortly. The KWA is the executing agency for the project, which is estimated at ₹341.97 crore. 'A proposal for the beautification of the Chilavannoor Canal banks — including a walkway and seating arrangements — had been submitted to the KIIFB for approval,' said Mr. Anilkumar. Runoff from around the Kaloor International Stadium eventually reaches the Chilavannoor Canal. The bridge along Subhash Chandra Bose Road is narrow, and ₹4.71 crore has been allocated for its reconstruction. The work has been re-tendered as the amount quoted in the initial tender was higher than estimated. The construction of Bund Road has been completed at a cost of ₹38.17 crore. 'Works worth around ₹100 crore are likely to be completed this year, and the rest of the project estimated at ₹3,716 crore could be completed in a couple of years,' said Mr. Anilkumar. 'Sewage outlets draining into canals will be completely sealed helping to prevent the accumulation of silt and reducing the need for frequent desilting. Waterlogging will be addressed to a great extent sparing the city from mosquito infestations. Canal tourism projects are also expected to become a reality. Canal rejuvenation is the second biggest project in Kochi after the resolution of the waste management issue at Brahmapuram,' he added.
The Hindu
07-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
P&T Apartment residents threaten protest over delayed maintenance work
The residents of the P&T Apartment complex in Mundamveli are preparing to launch a strong protest unless maintenance works, based on the recommendations of IIT Madras—the appointed project consultant—begin next week. After much delay, the State Government approved granting consultancy to IIT Madras to detect structural and design flaws and recommend solutions for the apartment complex built by the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) to rehabilitate families evicted from the erstwhile P&T Colony. More than a month later, in June, GCDA and IIT Madras signed an agreement appointing the latter as the consultant. The signing of the agreement was seen as paving the way for the premier institute to issue a building stability certificate—a prerequisite for starting the truss work sanctioned by the district administration and to be executed by the Kochi Corporation. The truss work is considered an immediate, temporary fix for the leaking. However, even that has not started, despite the monsoon having set in. 'IIT Madras has committed to providing the stability assessment report and the truss work design by Friday (July 11), as per the Chief Minister's review meeting held last week. Once these are received, the truss work can begin. The report on the larger maintenance of the apartment complex is expected shortly thereafter,' said GCDA sources. As many as 77 families from the former P&T Colony near the Perandoor canal in Kadavanthra moved into the apartment complex built by GCDA in January 2024. However, some apartments began leaking during the first showers in February of that year, and soon nearly all were affected by the continuous rain. Residents also point out that a promise made during the taluk-level adalat in December 2024—to ensure free drinking water supply to the apartment complex—has not been fulfilled, even though most families relocated under the Life Mission scheme are below the poverty line (BPL). The Kerala Water Authority (KWA) provides free water supply to BPL families. 'At present, the two blocks are collectively charged nearly ₹1 lakh under two separate connections. We received free water while living in the colony. Our living conditions have not improved since relocation, yet our expenses have increased, including water charges. Our letters to KWA authorities, including the managing director, have received little response,' said Abhilash P. Parameswaran, president of the P&T Apartment Owners Association.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Nettoor reels under water crisis as KWA fails to act
Kochi: Despite continuous monsoon showers, residents of Nettoor are facing an acute shortage of drinking water due to multiple leaks in pipelines maintained by the Kerala Water Authority (KWA). Though local councillors have staged protests demanding urgent repairs, the situation remains unresolved. Residents say the water shortage has persisted for several weeks, severely disrupting daily life. Sheeba Jayan, a Nettoor resident working at a printing press in Kaloor, said families are now forced to rely on private water suppliers. "I live with my daughter and a large share of my income is spent on buying water. We've been struggling to survive for weeks," she said. She added that despite lodging complaints with KWA, no action has been taken. Saliny Anilraj, councillor of Nettoor North, said the crisis is especially severe for households with elderly patients, menstruating women and children. "People are forced to use bottled water even for basic needs. We've staged several protests, but officials appear indifferent," Anilraj said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Искате да научите повече за новото BMW 2 Gran Coupe? BMW Научете повече Undo CR Shanavas, opposition leader of Maradu municipality alleged that adding to the residents' woes, roads dug up for utility works were left unrepaired after excavation. "The road leading to Thirunettoor temple—visited by hundreds for the Karkidaka Vavubali ritual—has been left unfinished, with leaking pipes exposed. Many roads remain dug up and abandoned," he said. With protests failing to yield results, residents now plan to approach the state govt seeking immediate intervention to restore water supply and repair damaged roads.
