In a significant move, the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) has released the remaining Rs 41 crore from the total mobilisation advance of Rs 114 crore to Suez Projects Pvt Ltd. This final payment clears all procedural hurdles for the multinational firm to officially assume control of the operation and maintenance of the public water utility's assets in Kochi.
Timeline for Takeover and Initial Work
A senior KWA official stated that the firm has been asked to confirm its takeover schedule. The authority hopes for an official handover by January 6. However, the company's substantive operational work is expected to commence only after a two-month preparatory period.
During these initial sixty days, Suez Projects will conduct extensive field studies. This includes a detailed topographical survey and comprehensive GIS mapping of all households and commercial establishments within the Kochi corporation limits. Officials believe this exercise will create a crucial database for both KWA and the private partner, detailing customer connections and helping project future water demand patterns.
Addressing Kochi's Ageing Water Infrastructure
Suez Projects has already established its operational office in Kochi and begun mobilising its technical staff. According to the agreement, the firm will be responsible for all repair and maintenance works, including addressing the frequent issue of pipe bursts that plague the city.
A major part of its mandate will be to replace dilapidated pipelines, most of which are over four decades old. KWA officials highlighted that a large portion of the existing supply network consists of asbestos-cement pipes, which are prone to frequent failures.
"Leaks in pipes, especially those buried deep underground or passing through water bodies, are a primary cause of transmission loss. Identifying these hidden leaks is extremely challenging with our current system," explained a KWA official. The new management is expected to bring in advanced technology for leak detection and pipeline management.
Employee Unions Voice Strong Opposition
The move has not been without controversy. A section of KWA employees, led by the All Kerala Water Authority Employees Union (AITUC), has launched protests against the privatisation of utility operations.
George M M, the state working president of the union, accused the government of going back on its word. "During discussions last year, ministers assured us that the private firm's role would be restricted to constructing new assets or augmenting existing ones. We were given a clear promise that operation and maintenance would not be handed over. The current takeover is a clear step towards privatising the essential water sector," he stated.
The release of the full advance marks a point of no return in this public-private partnership, setting the stage for a transformed water management system in Kerala's commercial capital, amid ongoing debates about the role of private entities in public utility management.
