Rs 1200 crore drinking water schemes planned in Kerala

Around 1220 drinking water schemes costing Rs 1200 crore would be implemented in Kerala this year, State Minister for Water Resources T M Jacob said here on Friday.

Addressing a `meet-the-minister' programme arranged by the press club here, he said the `Swajaldhara' drinking water scheme would be implemented by autonomous bodies in all districts.

Steps had been taken to commission four major irrigation schemes in the state. The Moovattupuzha and Banasurasagar schemes would be commissioned in 2004 and Karappuzha and Idamalyar projects between 2005-2007.

The first project of Rs 1800 crore Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC) drinking water project would start at Cherthala in June.

The state government would soon form a groundwater authority and the rules for this were being finalised. A proposal to collect drainage cess based on the quantity of being consumed would be implemented in cities. Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi corporations had already expressed willingness towards the proposal, the minister said.

Transport facilities would be arranged along the 1687 km-long waterways in the state. A waterways directorate would be formed for the purpose.

The construction work of five check dams in Alappuzha district would be inaugurated soon. The minister said the projects of the water resource department in future would be `multi-purpose' catering to the needs of drinking water, electricity and irrigation.