The Hindu        06.01.201   

Sewerage network: uncertainty over funds

Uncertainty over funds under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) has put a spanner on Kerala Water Authority’s efforts to provide sewerage connectivity to all households in the city. The water utility was planning to get more than Rs.500 crore under phase –II of JNNURM to provide sewerage connectivity to so far uncovered areas.

A senior KWA official said the uncertainty over continuation of JNNURM scheme had become a cause of concern as 60 per cent of the works were to be taken up in the second phase of the project. Officials said external funding was essential for completing the project. Now, only 30 per cent of the city is covered by the sewerage network. The network that exists now is for Block A (covering most parts of the Secretariat, Palayam, Thampanoor, Vazhuthacaud, Thycaud etc.); Block B (mostly parts of Kuravankonam, Nanthancode, Kannammoola, Pettah, Vanchiyoor, Chala, Kuriyathy etc.); Block C (parts of Fort, Manacaud, Sreevarahom, Attukal, Ambalathara, Chakka etc.); Block D (Pattom, Goureesapattom, Kesavadasapuram, Muttada etc.); and Block E (parts of Poojappura, Mudavanmugal, Sasthamangalam, Pangode, Kowdiar etc.).

The 107-mld capacity Sewage Treatment Plant at Muttathara is treating only 37 mld sewage now.