The state government has decided to implement urgent measures to address the drinking water shortage in Thiruvananthapuram city and tackle a range of monsoon-related challenges, following a high-level meeting at the secretariat.
High-Level Meeting Decisions
The meeting, jointly convened by Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph, Health Minister K Muraleedharan, and Transport Minister C P John, was attended by senior departmental officials, Mayor V V Rajesh, and District Collector Anu Kumari. Ministers directed officials to take immediate steps to ensure drinking water availability in shortage-hit areas and asked the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) to prepare long-term solutions for the capital’s water supply needs.
Water Management Strategies
On water management, the government will work to reduce transmission losses by plugging leakages in the distribution network. During scarcity periods, the city corporation and the water authority will jointly coordinate supply to affected areas, with timely updates communicated through elected representatives and the media.
The government will also explore launching a special water conservation initiative in areas such as Kazhakkoottam in collaboration with IT companies, promote rainwater harvesting with IT sector support, and hold discussions on maximizing the existing capacity of Peppara Dam.
Flood Prevention and Drainage
To prevent waterlogging, urgent directions will be issued to the National Highways Authority. Since drains, canals, and flood channels fall under multiple departments, officials have been tasked with ensuring coordinated, time-bound cleaning. Inspections of the Parvathy Puthanar canal will be conducted twice a week, and a special action plan will be drawn up for the Amayizhanjan Canal.
Coastal Erosion Measures
The meeting also reviewed coastal erosion in the Pozhiyoor and Beemapally regions. Authorities will assess the extent of damage and initiate protective measures, including the placement of geobags along vulnerable stretches.
Disease Prevention and Waste Management
To check the spread of monsoon diseases, preventive guidelines and awareness messages will be disseminated through school assemblies. The police and city corporation will step up joint inspections to curb illegal waste dumping, and officials were instructed to make full use of CCTV surveillance to identify and act against offenders.
