Keralam to announce water policy by 2027

The Keralam government will formulate a comprehensive water policy by integrating the various divisions functioning under the Water Resources department. The policy, along with a series of reforms, aims to improve the efficiency of the department and the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) and make their services more accessible to the public.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday (November 2), Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph said the policy will be announced by early 2027. As part of the process, a Kerala Water Conclave will be organised in Thiruvananthapuram during the first week of December. Renowned experts, including international disaster management specialist Murali Thummarukudy, are expected to attend the conclave.

Desalination plants

A technology-based pilot project will be launched in the capital to curb the massive loss of drinking water. Nearly half of the water pumped from Aruvikkara is lost before reaching consumers. If successful, the technology will be extended across the State. The government is also considering setting up desalination plants in coastal areas to convert seawater into potable water, the Minister said.

To tackle the proliferation of invasive aquatic weeds, particularly water hyacinth, in Kuttanad and Upper Kuttanad, the government will explore foreign technologies that convert the weeds into value-added products. An expert committee has been constituted to study the available technologies and recommend suitable projects.

Grassroots committees

Constituency-level committees will be formed in all 140 Assembly constituencies to address local drinking water and irrigation issues. The committees headed by MLAs will meet every month. District-level reviews, chaired by District Collectors, will be held once every three months, while ministerial-level reviews will be conducted every six months.

The responsibility for restoring PWD and rural roads excavated by the KWA for pipeline works will henceforth rest with the PWD and Local Self-Government Institutions. The KWA will transfer the required restoration funds to the respective departments. An agreement has been reached between the Ministers concerned, and a formal order will be issued following a high-level meeting, Mr. Joseph said.

Dam safety

The State government will file a special petition seeking implementation of the 2024 Supreme Court verdict permitting a detailed safety inspection of the Mullaperiyar Dam. Senior Advocate Mohan V. Katarki has been appointed lead counsel in the matter. Keralam will also seek the Centre’s active intervention to resolve its dispute with Tamil Nadu over the dam. Meanwhile, the State has informed the Supreme Court that it has complied with the conditions stipulated by the court regarding the Baby Dam.

A comprehensive safety assessment of 22 dams under the Irrigation department and the KWA will be completed by December 31. The government also plans to promote irrigation tourism by renovating dam sites, canals and the surroundings of water bodies. The Malampuzha Garden, which is currently closed, will be renovated on a priority basis and reopened.

An asset-mapping exercise will be completed within six months to prevent the loss of departmental land. Appropriate action will be taken against encroachments identified during the exercise.

Efforts are also under way to accelerate projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission. The State will hold discussions with the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti to secure nearly ₹8,000 crore in pending Central assistance. A substantial portion of the outstanding payments to contractors has already been cleared using a ₹7,000-crore loan secured from NABARD.

A master plan will be drawn up to find a permanent solution to the drinking water shortage in Thiruvananthapuram city and adjoining areas, including Kazhakoottam and Technocity. The project will be completed within the tenure of the present government, the Minister said.

A coastal protection project worth ₹4,000 crore will be implemented with assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Besides the ongoing projects at Chellanam and Pozhiyoor, 10 other major coastal erosion hotspots have been identified for intervention. The proposed measures will also include the restoration of Shanghumughom Beach in Thiruvananthapuram.