The Hindu Business Line : `Pampa river authority need of the hour'

THOUGH the State Government has prepared a pre-feasibility report to be submitted to the Centre for implementing the Pampa Action Plan, its speedy implementation would require the setting up of a Pampa River Basin Authority, according to the Pampa Parisrakshana Samithi (Pampa Protection Council).

Speaking to Business Line, Mr N.K. Sukumaran Nair, General Secretary of the Samithi, said that an expert committee constituted by the Government with engineers from the Water Authority and the Irrigation Department has prepared the pre-feasibility study.

"But for proper and timely implementation of the project, there should be an independent authority. Therefore, we have suggested the setting up of a Pampa River Basin Authority," he added.

Since the State Government is taking up such a project for the first time, it should look at similar projects being implemented in other parts of the country.

As a pre-condition for sanctioning the project, there must be a monitoring committee, and an operation and maintenance agency apart from an assurance that 30 per cent of the cost would be made available by the State Government.

"Therefore, a comprehensive and timely approach would be easier if an independent authority is set up."

The State Government's study projected a total investment of Rs 319.7 crore with a 15 per cent provision for cost escalation.

The State's share of 30 per cent would have to be borne by the Travancore Devaswom Board and the beneficiary local self-Government bodies jointly (panchayats and municipalities) through which the Pampa flows.

The National River Conservation Programme (NRCP) would meet the 70 per cent of the project cost.

The report is expected to be submitted to the Centre before the current Parliament session ends.

The State Pollution Control Board (PCB) has already submitted a pre-feasibility report envisaging a total investment of Rs 272.19 crore to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Implementation of the action plan as suggested by the PCB would improve the water quality of the river while extending basic facilities to the Sabarimala pilgrims.

Besides, it would be beneficial to the lakhs of people residing in the Pampa river basin, including its downstream stretches, who depend on the river for their drinking, bathing and agricultural purposes.

Instead of a pre-feasibility study report, the State Government should have prepared a detailed project report based on the PCB study, Mr Nair said.

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