KOCHI: With the review of the alternate route for laying the pipes for the Maradu Water Treatment Plant still going on, experts are of the opinion that further delay in the project may result in a steep increase in the project cost. The project,allotted to Kochi under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), commenced in 2008 and was expected to be completed by 2010 end at an estimated cost of Rs 201 crore. But the project came to standstill a year ago. And considering the revision of rates for the works and increase in the cost of the work materials, the latest estimate is that the project cost may touch Rs 250 crore. As per the project , water will be drawn from Pazhoorkkadavu in Moovattuppuzha river and will be brought to the Water Treatment Plant with a capacity to recycle 100 million litres of water a day (mld) at Maradu. The recycled water will be supplied mainly to Kochi and neighbouring local bodies which are reeling under acute potable water shortage. However, the residents of the Piravom area are protesting against the digging of Nadakkavu-Koothattukulam Road for laying the pipes. Though the Piravam local body members have come up with an alternate route, the Kerala Water Authority (KWA), which is the implementing agency, said that it was not a feasible one. “The time limit of the first phase of the JNNURM projects is set to expire by 2012, and the project is to be completed in a war footing. Any change in the sanctioned alignment and route will further delay the project and we fear the funds may get lapsed,” said Kochi Corporation Town Planning Committee chairman K J Sohan. He said that since it is a project funded by the Central Government, any changes in the original plan would have to obtain sanction from the technical committee of the JNNURM “This process is time consuming and may not help in completing the project in a time bound manner,” he added.Sohan said that though the existing contractor had been given an extension period to complete the work by March 12, it would be difficult for the him to complete the project within the stipulated time. “The delay also has adversely affected the estimated cost of the project,” he added. Meanwhile, the expert committee is expected to submit its report on alternate route to the government by October first week.
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