'No plans to wind up Jalanidhi project'

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.

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.

He also informed that all existing drinking water projects that were facing financial and technical hindrances would be looked into and commissioned this year.

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.

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.

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.

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.