ALUVA: At a time when abysmal water scarcity looms large, the KWA’s apathy to fix a water pipeline leak here has left the local residents seething with rage.
Residents and environmental activists in Thottumugham in Keezhmadu panchayat here have been complaining about a huge leak in one of the pipes that supply potable water to the entire area. The leak has been detected in the pipe passing under the bridge in Thottumugham.
“For over five years, the pipe has been lying in a poor condition. After receiving repeated complaints, the KWA officials did some patch work on the steel pipe a few years ago, but failed to stop the water leakage,” environmental activist Seetharaman said.
“Everyday, over 25,000 litres of water is wasted. This is a criminal offence considering the fact that we are facing acute potable water scarcity,” he said. The residents have made repeated complaints to KWA executive engineer, panchayat officials, the District Collector and the local MLA. But no one has responded or made any effort to address this grave issue, resident and activist Kareem Kallungal has said.
KWA executive engineer E Nandakumar told ‘Express’ that KWA is aware of the situation.“There is a leak in one of the pipes. We have been trying to repair it. But we are yet to complete the work. The repair work would require around `10 lakh. But our approved estimate only amounts to `6 lakh. We had invited open tender, but contractors refuse to take up the work for this amount,” he said.