Much-needed fresh water project in Pathanamthitta face neglect from authorities

Perumbetti: The Athyal - Arayalunkalthadam fresh water project was envisaged to ensure water supply to 70 families in Kottanad panchayat and 180 families in Ezhumattoor panchayat by building a pond in the Athyal paddy fields as well as a reservoir at Arayalunkalthadam. However, It’s been decades since the project has been kept in the back burner by the authorities. Around 250 families have placed their hopes in the authorities, that they would finally open their eyes.

A specially formed committee had even collected money from the public and purchased land for the project. A pond and a compound wall were built using the money allotted from the MP’s infrastructure development fund. Besides, Mallappally block panchayat had also constructed smaller tanks at Arayalunkal. However, the project didn’t take off after that.

The construction of the main reservoir, installing pipelines and the motor required for pumping still remain on papers. The project also got weighed down by the disputes about the land that was supposedly assigned for it. The people in the locality rely on private drinking water suppliers for their daily requirements.

It is still possible to supply drinking water for the 250 families with ₹20 lakhs. Meanwhile, the area around the pond in the Athyal paddy fields may soon turn into a dump yard as it is covered in thickets and weeds.