THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Due to age-old drilling rigs and lack of adequate pipes, the works of the state groundwater department have been hampered by not being able to construct borewells for drinking and agricultural purposes. This is when the number of applications for the construction of tube wells increases as the summer heats up. 134 applications are pending. No decision can be made on maintenance applications either.
It is indicated that the financial crisis in the state has also affected the work of the department. Taking advantage of this, private tube well manufacturers are exploiting the needy. The department is not purchasing PVC pipes for lowering into borewells and UPVC pipes for tube wells for the last three years due to the financial crisis. It is a situation where the people themselves have to buy the pipe for the filter points.
Fifteen of the 21 DTH rigs for earth drilling in rocky areas are out of order. Of the ten rotary rigs, more than half a dozen are operational but do not have the necessary pipes. Boreholes are constructed over rocky and muddy terrain using rigs mounted on huge lorries over days. Many of these vehicles are fifteen years old and break down frequently.
The department constructs tube wells at subsidized rates for agriculture and drinking water. Hence the number of applicants is high. For farmers owning land from thirty cents to five acres, if a certificate is provided in this regard from Agriculture Office, a 50 percent subsidy will be given. If no water is obtained after drilling the well, the amount will be refunded.
'It is true that there is a shortage of pipes. The reason is due to technical problems in the tender process. It will be available soon. It is not true that the functioning of the department as a whole is in crisis. The situation of non-acceptance of applications in the district offices will be checked.'
- John Samuel,
Director, Ground Water Department