Perumbavoor: The Embakod drinking water project in Koovapady panchayat has been completed, ending the long-standing drinking water scarcity in the area. The project was inaugurated by Benny Behanan MP on Sunday.

The project was built using ₹30 lakh allotted from the development fund of Panchayat President Manoj Moothedan. It is expected to benefit 40 families in the Ilavumthuruth and Panankuruthottam regions of Ward 6 in the Koovapady Panchayat.

Despite lying close to the mighty Periyar River, the area had been struggling for years due to a lack of drinking water facilities. Although the water authority’s pipeline passes through the locality near Kodanad Abhayaranyam, residents have long complained that they rarely receive drinking water. Families are often forced to purchase water delivered in tankers during the summer months.

The project includes a well constructed on land donated by panchayat member Sini Eldho, while a tank with a capacity of 10,000 litres has been built on land donated by Liju Chirayath. In the first phase, 40 houses have been given water connections. Meanwhile, Manoj Moothedan said the project has been designed to provide drinking water to up to 100 families in the area.