If Ernakulam can get water, then why cant we?

KOCHI: Governments have come and gone but West Kochi’s water crisis remains the same.The Councillors of these areas said that the inequitable distribution of water coupled with bureaucratic hitches have landed West Kochi in deep trouble.“If Ernakulam can get uninterrupted water supply, why can’t we?,” asked Antony Kureethara, Councillor, Fort Kochi.Edakochi residents said that they have been thriving on tanker water for the past 23 years.“The tanker lorries come to Edakochi thrice a week and it serves one area at a time, which means we get water only once a week,” said Sukumaran, a local.“Also, the three public taps in the area have been defunct for the past six years and borewells give only salt water,” he added.Ithikara Colony, Master Shipyard, Pampai Moola, Kanjangattu and St Jacob’s Road are among the areas reeling under water shortage.Edakochi Councillor Carmeli Antony said that they have approached Kerala Water Authority (KWA) but to no avail.“Mayor Tony Chammany had once promised to take necessary action but failed.This time, he has again assured a visit along with Deputy Mayor and Chief Engineer.We hope this time he’ll keep his word,” she said.Fort Kochi Councillor Antony Kureethara said, “The government has allotted a 140-metre pipe to distribute water in such a wide area.Also, the pipes are in bad shape.No measures have been taken to remove the worn out pipes.” Interestingly, people are being regularly charged for the water supply.“In spite of not getting a single drop of water through these pipes, we are billed every month,” he added.According to M H M Ashraf, Councillor, Mattanchery, the drinking water crisis could have been solved if any one of the sanctioned projects were put to use.