Residents of Kochi anticipating a major boost to their water supply will have to wait longer, as a critical project remains stuck in procedural delays. Despite receiving government approval over half a year ago, the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) has not yet initiated the tender process for a new, large-capacity water treatment plant in Aluva.
Administrative Hurdle Causes Major Setback
The core reason for the delay lies in the need for a revised administrative sanction. According to officials from the KWA in Kochi, the initial approval for the 190 million litres per day (MLD) water treatment plant was bundled with a separate initiative, the Kerala Urban Water Services Improvement (KUWSI) project. The KUWSI project is itself being implemented with financial backing from the Asian Development Bank.
However, the government later decided to decouple the two projects. This decision necessitates a fresh, standalone administrative sanction specifically for the 190 MLD plant. "We will begin floating tenders once the government issues a fresh administrative sanction," a KWA official from Kochi confirmed. The authority expects this new sanction to be issued soon, but the wait has already cost the project more than six months of progress.
Project Details and Proposed Location
The planned facility is a significant piece of infrastructure aimed at bolstering Kochi's water security. The plant is slated to be constructed on KWA-owned land situated near the Matha-Madhurya Theatre at Pump Junction in Aluva. For its raw water intake, a dedicated pumphouse will be established in proximity to the authority's existing 225 MLD treatment plant.
This strategic location is intended to optimize the use of existing infrastructure and streamline the new plant's integration into the city's water distribution network. Once operational, the 190 MLD plant will substantially increase the treated water supply available to the Greater Kochi region.
Path Forward and Implications
The current impasse highlights the procedural challenges that can slow down vital public utility projects. The delay in floating tenders inevitably pushes back the entire project timeline, including construction and eventual commissioning. For citizens and businesses dependent on a reliable water supply, this means an extended wait for the promised enhancement.
All eyes are now on the state government to expedite the issuance of the exclusive administrative sanction. Once that formal hurdle is cleared, the KWA can finally commence the tender process, setting the stage for contractors to bid and for physical work on the ground to begin. The project's progress is crucial for addressing the growing water demands of Kochi and its surrounding areas.
