TRIVANDRUM: The Kerala government looks ready to hand over the total control of tariff collection and water distribution of both the Trivandrum and Ernakulam districts to a private company. The contract has been finalized. Both Trivandrum and Ernakulam are the most profitable ones for the Kerala water authority. The whole process of privatization is being done under the Kerala urban water supply improvement project. The government has reckoned a move to privatization will invariably down the debt piled in the KWA. Days before unrest over the hike in water tariff was palpable among all sections even within the government. A consumer according to the newly formed tariff system needs to pay Rs 14.41 for 1 kilolitre which was previously just Rs 4.40.

The contract with the private company is set for 10 years. During this period, the government is optimistic that the debt in the KWA will fall by 20%.