Vazhuthacaud residents stage protest in front of KWA office

Thiruvananthapuram: Demanding a permanent solution to the drinking water shortage issue, the residents of Vazhuthacaud took out a protest march to the Kerala water authority (KWA) office on Friday.
As many as 12 residents' associations, including AP Appan Nagar Residents Association, Vazhuthacaud Residents Association, Forest Lane, Althara, Gandhi Nagar, and CSM Nagar, took part in the protest.Antony Raju MLA inaugurated the protest march that started from Keltron Junction in the presence of councillor Rakhi Ravikumar.
Ever since the work of the Smart City project started in the area, more than 3,000 families in and around Vazhuthacaud have been struggling for more than eight months due to water scarcity. As part of the Smart City works, KWA laid new pipes to supply water by abandoning the old pipes. However, KWA failed to ensure an uninterrupted water supply through the same, for which officials cite several reasons.
"After the new pipes were laid, supply from PTP Nagar was cut due to some leaks in the old pipes. Laying new pipes from Vellayambalam to Althara was the solution before us, but it was delayed due to a shortage of pipes and other materials. Abandoned utility ducts and BSNL cables also hindered the works. Now works are progressing fast and supply can be resumed in seven days," said a KWA official. However, the residents said they were forced to take out a protest march as the KWA authorities failed to address their complaints, despite repeated pleas.
Meanwhile, the state human rights commission chairperson, Justice Alexander Thomas, directed KWA to form a panel to resolve the issue by including the chief engineer and other engineers concerned. The commission also sought a report on the action taken and the exact cause of the issue from KWA in three weeks.