Pilot project prior to a programme for four rivers Rs.90-crore conservation project for Vembanad Lake Rs.15 crore set apart to replaceold water pumps PATHANAMTHITTA: Water Resources Minister P.J. Joseph said here on Monday that the State government would implement a comprehensive model project to protect the Pampa and its banks in a time-bound manner. Mr. Joseph was addressing a meeting of people's representatives and officials at the Collectorate conference hall to review supply of drinking water by the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) in the district. He said the model project would be a pilot one before a major comprehensive conservation programme was launched for the Pampa, the Manimala, the Achencoil, and the Meenachil, which emptied into Vembanad Lake. The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests had cleared a Rs.90-crore conservation project for the lake, and Rs.10 crore had already been sanctioned. He said the government would explore the possibility of reviving the Centrally sponsored Pampa Action Plan before launching the proposed State-sponsored action plan. Realistic approach The Minister asked the KWA to adopt a realistic approach towards preparation of project estimates. A Rs.20-crore project would be prepared soon to replace the old waterlines of the Thiruvalla-Changanasserry water-supply scheme. A water-supply project would be launched exclusively for the panchayats of Niranom, Kadapra, and Nedumpram in Upper Kuttanad. The Kaviyur-Kunnamthanam scheme would be commissioned in August. Mr. Joseph said Rs.15 crore would be set apart for replacing the old water pumps of the Pathanamthitta water-supply scheme, and steps would be taken to complete the Mallappuzhasserry scheme by 2012. A Rs.14-crore project for seven grama panchayats, including those of Ayroor, Ezhumattoor, and Kottangal, would be submitted to the State-level scrutiny committee. The Minister said the plea for reopening the Adoor sub-divisional office of the water authority and to open new offices at Konni and Pandalom would be considered after studies. Addressing the meeting, Anto Antony, MP, urged the authorities to strive to obtain maximum Central assistance for each project. K. Sivadasan Nair, MLA, called upon the Water Resources Department to speed up the formalities for implementing a Rs.35-crore water-supply scheme for the Pathanamthitta municipality. The water authority should take immediate steps to replace the damaged motors of the Omalloor water-supply scheme.