Kozhikode: A massive water tank with a capacity of four lakh litres has been standing idle at the NGO Quarters in Vellimadukunnu for five years now, as not a single drop of water has ever reached it.

Despite an application being submitted to the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) years ago for a connection, the tank remains bone-dry, with a staggering pile-up of unpaid dues between government departments blocking even the basic step of securing a water connection. The Public Works Department, which constructed the tank, owes the KWA arrears amounting to over ₹1.14 crore, creating a major hurdle in granting the connection.

While the government deducts water charges promptly every month from the salaries of its employees, these amounts have not been remitted to KWA, resulting in mounting dues. The arrears under the three consumer numbers stand at ₹69.74 lakh, ₹39.49 lakh and ₹4.88 lakh, respectively.

Initially, the KWA delayed the connection citing unpaid drinking water bills. Even after ₹23 lakh was remitted last March to clear part of the arrears, the KWA pointed out that an additional ₹1.14 crore was still outstanding.

Commenting on the issue, the PWD Assistant Executive Engineer said that an application has been submitted to the Chief Engineer seeking sanction for funds to clear the dues.