No water supply for this building

Thiruvananthapuram: Even as a four-storeyed building lies vacant, KSRTC staff find it difficult to arrange accommodation for drivers and conductors from other depots at the Thampanoor terminal. Constructed over a year ago, the administrative block situated next to the new Indian Coffee House building still awaits water connection to become operational.
The building constructed by Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation (KTDFC) under a BOT project includes administrative office, rest rooms for staff and a conference hall. The current administrative office is situated beside the Amayizhanjan canal near the garage, a place bogged by mosquitoes and unbearable stench.
Around 50 KSRTC staff members, including drivers and conductors, have to stay at the terminal every day for operating early-morning services. "Both the terminal and the administrative block do not have water connection. As the terminal has become operational, we have to make alternative arrangements for water. Around four tankers of water are pumped daily to the terminal at a total cost of Rs 1 lakh per month. We will open the administrative block as soon as the building gets water connection," said A Anwar, principal project consultant.
When KTDFC submitted an application for water connection at the terminal and administrative block last year, the KWA informed KSRTC of its bill arrears. The KSRTC then paid Rs 15 lakh to KWA in November in a one-time settlement. Nevertheless, the terminal and administrative block are yet to receive water connection.
According to a KSRTC official, the delay in timely updation of payment of arrears by KWA led to the delay in obtaining water connection.
KWA executive engineer Anitha P, however, said the water authority had taken measures to provide connection to the building. "At Thampanoor, the water connection needs to be taken from across SS Kovil Road. KWA has submitted a request to the Kerala road fund board for cutting the road and is awaiting their response. As soon as permission is received, the work for providing connection will begin," she said.