THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: E-Abacus, a billing software that has left the water authority and consumers troubled, will be ditched. Instead, the contract will be awarded to purchase new software from an Uttar Pradesh-based company. Tender process is in final stage.

Due to frequent issues with e-Abacus, customers have to queue for hours at the cash counters to pay their bills.

E-Abacus software was developed in 2002 under the auspices of the National Informatics Center (NIC). In 2013, all offices in the state were connected to it. Data of 42 lakh consumers was recorded in Abacus. Now, there are 50 lakhs. With the completion of the Jaljeevan Mission project, the number of consumers will reach 70 lakhs. Abacus cannot handle this much information.

Seven companies participated in the tender. Four companies that passed the technical test made it to the final list. The lowest amount was quoted by a company from UP. They will be paid from the Jaljeevan Mission's grant. There is no change in the softwares used for other purposes.