Construction of a new 5.5-lakh-litre overhead water tank has begun at Komban Mala in Piravom municipality, a project intended to address drinking-water shortages in elevated eastern areas of the town. The ₹8 crore project has been sanctioned under the Centre’s AMRUT 2.0 scheme and includes a new pipeline from the Kakkad water treatment plant.
The tank is being built in Division 12 of Piravom municipality. Minister Anoop Jacob inaugurated the construction at a function held at Komban Mala. Municipal chairperson K.R. Pradeep Kumar presided over the event. Municipal representatives, Kerala Water Authority officials, the AMRUT 2.0 project coordinator and representatives of political parties attended the programme.
The new overhead facility will be built next to an existing ground-level reservoir at Komban Mala. The existing reservoir has a storage capacity of only three lakh litres. Because it is located at ground level, water could not be supplied reliably to areas situated at higher elevations, according to the report.
The affected areas include Kannettumala, Komban Mala, Karamala and Periyappuram. Water shortages became particularly severe during the summer months. Kannettumala, which houses the municipality’s waste-treatment plant and public crematorium, also faced operational difficulties because of inadequate water availability.
The project will receive water from the Kakkad treatment plant, located more than five kilometres away. Along with the overhead tank, a new pipeline will be installed between the treatment plant and the storage facility. The ₹8 crore allocation also covers restoration of roads that will be cut open for laying the pipeline.
Land for the new tank was purchased next to the existing ground-level reservoir during the tenure of the previous municipal administration. Once completed, the project is expected to improve water availability in the eastern parts of Piravom, including Nirappu, Namakkuzhi, Kannettumala, Illikkamukku and Palachuvadu.
The project’s stated objective is to provide a long-term solution to shortages in areas where elevation has limited the effectiveness of the existing storage and distribution arrangement. The report did not specify the construction completion date or the planned commissioning schedule for the new reservoir and pipeline.
