Two firms bid for Neyyar water scheme

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two firms have expressed interest in the Neyyar scheme, a 120mld (million litres per day) water treatment project.
When technical bid was opened, Chicago Constructions International Private Limited and Lakshmi Engineering were found to be qualified for the project. The financial bid will be opened this week to finalize the contractor for design, construction and commissioning of the Neyyar plant.
The project, which will bring additional 100mld water to the city, got a major boost last week with the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) approving Rs 206 crore for laying pipeline from Neyyar to the city for the project.
The contractor will be responsible for construction of the treatment plant with plate settler technology. The firm is also responsible for installing floating pump for sourcing water from Neyyar dam.
The project will put an end to the overdependence on Peppara dam, which is the sole source of water for the city.
While 100mld water will be transported to the city under the Neyyar scheme, the adjoining four panchayats - Maranalloor, Malayinkeezhu, Vilappil and Vilavoorkal - will get 5mld water each.
There was huge dip in water level at Neyyar during this summer, which raised questions about the viability of the project.
However, the officials of KWA said that the floating pump was proposed for the project considering possibility of dip in water level as well as the safety of the dam.
“With the use of floating pump, the depletion in water level will not affect water availability,” KWA officials said.
While the construction of treatment plant and pump are estimated to cost Rs 60 crore, major cost for the project is for the pipe-laying work.
The fund for the plant will come from the state plan while the amount for pipe-laying works, estimated at Rs 206 crore, will be from KIIFB.
KWA officials said that the pipe will be laid along the main road from Neyyar to the city. “Most of the road is scheduled to be resurfaced using KIIFB funds,” sources said.
The water authority, which got technical sanction from KIIFB for laying pipes, is preparing a detailed estimate for administrative sanction.
Currently, city is getting around 270mld water from Peppara. Steps have been initiated to raise the water level at Peppara to full reservoir level so that it could serve upcoming projects such as 75mld plant under AMRUT and bottling water plant at Aruvikkara.