The proposal to construct a new 35-lakh-litre water tank at Thammanam remains in limbo months after the existing tank partially collapsed. The issue has resurfaced after T.J. Vinod, MLA, urged the government to include the construction of a new water tank in the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded project to address water scarcity.
The new tank at Thammanam was proposed following the partial collapse of the 1.35-crore-litre water tank, which had triggered a temporary drinking water crisis in the city.
In a social media post, the MLA called for fixing accountability on the French firm SUEZ, which is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Kerala Water Authority’s (KWA) assets. He said the city’s drinking water problems could not be resolved by laying pipelines alone and stressed the need for a new water storage tank.
“If there is no other way to raise funds, the ADB loan should first be used to construct the water storage tank. The remaining loan amount can then be utilised for the other works, including the pipeline,” he said.
According to KWA sources,the design and proposal for the new water storage tank were submitted in November last year, but administrative approval is still pending.
“Once we receive administrative sanction, the remaining procedures will be straightforward. Since the tank is proposed to be constructed on KWA land, there will be no delay owing to land acquisition,” a KWA source said.
“The contract with the French firm was signed on the basis of data available in 2017. Since then, several ageing pipelines have been replaced and may no longer require replacement. The general consensus is that the savings from these works could be used to construct the new water storage tank,” the source added.
Another KWA source said the proposal for the new tank was awaiting approval as a funding source had yet to be identified. “The estimated cost of the proposed tank is less than ₹30 crore. It can be included under the ADB-funded project,” the source added.
A senior SUEZ functionary said the construction of water reservoirs did not form part of the firm’s contract with the KWA. “Since we took over the operation and maintenance of the system, the areas that have consistently faced water shortages include Pachalam, Vaduthala, Kaloor and parts of Karuvelippadi. However, the contract does not provide for the construction of a new water storage tank,” the official said.
Published – August 02, 2026 01:39 am IST
