Dharna staged for potable water

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The water shortage in many regions in Poojappura ward would be resolved before October 30. The promise was made by the Kerala Water Authority after Poojappura councillor Maheswaran Nair led a dharna in front of the KWA office in Vellayambalam on Friday with the support of the local people. The dharna was inaugurated by Mayor K Chandrika. She said that it was the laxity of the KWA officials that often left many wards without water. Many a time, the officials do not take the pain to bring water in tanker lorries too, she said. The KWA officials said that a temporary solution would be found for the problem in Poojappura. In the long run, it would be connected to JICA and a permanent solution arrived at, the officials promised. Finally, the dharna, which was attended by residents’ association representatives belonging to the Poojappura ward and many other councillors, concluded.  However, the ward councillor said that if the KWA officials went back on their promise, a mass agitation would be planned in the first week of November. Hunger strike and other strong measures would be resorted to.  The dharna was attended by UDF leader Johnson Joseph, councillors Madhavadas, Mujeeb Rahman, George Louis, Sureshkumar, Vanaja Rajendrababu, Leelama Isaac, Murukesan and Patricia, residents’ association representatives Radhakrishnan, Harikumar, Appukuttan Kollaseri and Rajasekharan Nair and several others.