Thiruvananthapuram: Construction of the Rs 45-crore check dam at Kollampuzha across Vamanapuram river has been stalled for more than six months, raising concerns about drinking water availability in several parts of northern Thiruvananthapuram in summer.The project, implemented by Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation (KIIDC), is aimed at regulating the flow of Vamanapuram river, storing water during summer and preventing saltwater intrusion that affects drinking water supply in coastal areas.The delay occurred after technical flaws were identified in the original design of the check dam, said KIIDC officials.A top KIIDC official said, “The project site is close to the sea and the river water turns saline during high tide. The earlier design couldn’t completely address this issue. A revised design has now been prepared to strengthen the bund structure and prevent seawater intrusion.”The revised proposal has been submitted to Jal Jeevan Mission, which is funding the project. Construction is expected to resume after receiving its approval.Sources associated with the project said delays in the release of funds had affected the progress of work. According to officials, the initial allocation was made during the first phase when a temporary bund was created, but subsequent funding was delayed while design revisions were being prepared.The project was planned in three phases. In the initial stage, coconut tree trunks were buried in the riverbed to create a temporary bund. The structure was later covered with thatch and soil to facilitate construction within the enclosed area. However, the temporary structures have begun deteriorating due to prolonged waterlogging after work was halted.The check dam is considered crucial for maintaining water availability in the Vamanapuram river during summer, as several drinking water supply schemes in the northern belt of the capital depend on the river as their primary source.More than three lakh domestic and non-domestic water connections rely on the river. During summer, the river’s flow often drops significantly and salt water enters the river during high tide, affecting drinking water supply in several coastal panchayats. The Kollampuzha check dam was conceived as a long-term measure to address the problem.
