₹680 Crore Water Project Trapped in Red Tape

The ambitious Neyyar drinking water project—planned to ease Thiruvananthapuram’s persistent water shortages—remains stalled due to significant delays in the preparation of its Detailed Project Report (DPR) by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) and the Kerala Water Authority (KWA).

Although KIIFB was entrusted with DPR preparation two years ago, the report is yet to be submitted, preventing both financial and administrative approvals. The delay has left high-demand areas such as Kazhakkoottam, Vizhinjam, and Technopark struggling with inadequate supply. The city’s daily water demand exceeds 400 million litres per day (MLD), while current infrastructure delivers less than 320 MLD.

In light of the slow progress, KWA has formed a dedicated five-member team to independently prepare the DPR within two years. Compounding the delay, RITES—the agency appointed by KIIFB—has reportedly faced a lack of cooperation from KWA during its assessment.

The ₹680 crore project includes the construction of a 120 MLD water treatment plant, water storage tanks, a 23.8-km transmission pipeline, and a new road from Kattakada to PTP Nagar to facilitate pipeline installation.

Timely execution of the Neyyar project is considered critical to ensuring long-term water security for Thiruvananthapuram’s rapidly growing population and infrastructure hubs.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.