The Kerala Water Authority will replace around 350 metres of ageing water pipelines in Panachamoodu Lane in Pattom ward, Thiruvananthapuram, in a project aimed at reducing repeated bursts and improving supply reliability for around 500 families. The work is scheduled to be completed within three months of the work order.
The existing asbestos-cement pipelines were laid in the 1980s and have frequently developed leaks and bursts. KWA has been required to identify damaged sections and carry out repeated repairs to restore water supply in the locality. The proposed replacement will remove the old lines and install larger-diameter PVC pipes.
Under the project, existing 80mm pipelines will be replaced with 90mm PVC pipes, while 100mm pipelines will be replaced with 110mm PVC pipes, according to a KWA source. The larger lines are intended to improve distribution capacity as the number of families in the area has increased and demand for water has risen.
A KWA engineer said the age of the pipelines had contributed to frequent bursts and interruptions in supply. Replacing them with larger-diameter pipes, the engineer said, would help meet increased demand and provide a longer-term solution for families in the area.
The project will involve more than simply laying new pipes. KWA plans to modify existing water connections, install air valves and interconnect branch pipelines with the main pipeline network. These works are intended to integrate the replacement lines into the existing distribution system and support more reliable operations after commissioning.
The project also includes restoration of road sections affected by excavation. Concrete portions damaged during the pipeline-laying work will be repaired after the installation is completed, according to the report.
The replacement comes as the locality faces the operational consequences of an ageing distribution network. Repeated failures in older pipes can lead to temporary supply interruptions, emergency repair work and excavation of road surfaces. In Panachamoodu Lane, KWA has identified the recurring breakdowns and increased local demand as reasons for replacing the existing network rather than continuing with isolated repairs.
KWA has invited tenders for executing the project. The three-month completion period will begin after the work order is issued, making the tendering process the next formal milestone before construction begins.
