The state government had no plans to wind up the World Bank-aided drinking water project 'Jalanidhi' and Japan Bank for International Cooperation-aided water schemes, state minister for water resources N K Premachandran said. | |
| However, he added that the government would review the implementation of the schemes and look into complaints. The 'Jalanidhi' project had insisted on at least 15 per cent people's participation. |
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| Addressing mediapersons after attending a review meeting on water supply projects in the region, he said the government would speed up work on drinking water projects including the 'Cheekkodu' project in Chaliyar river. |
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| He also informed that all existing drinking water projects that were facing financial and technical hindrances would be looked into and commissioned this year. |
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| These include the Ezhimala Naval Academy, Mahe, and the Chovvara drinking water scheme. Nearly 100 small and big projects in the state would also be commissioned this year. |
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| Though the state had immense water resources including 44 rivers, it experienced a water scarcity during the summer. The Cheekkodu drinking water scheme envisaged for 10 village panchayats in Malappuram district in 1996-1997 is yet to be commissioned. |
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| The minister said he held discussion with the revenue department regarding the revival of Cheekkodu project as part of the efforts to solve the drinking water problem in the state. |
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| Steps would also be taken to protect the water resources and check encroachments along the banks of Ashtamudi and Vembanad lakes, he said, adding the government planned to bring in a legislation to protect these resources. |
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