State Human Rights Commission steps in as Cheranalloor panchayat grapples with water woes

It’s hard to imagine daily life grinding to a halt because the tap runs dry, yet that’s exactly what residents of wards 7 and 8 in the Chittoor area of Cheranalloor panchayat have been enduring for the past fortnight. The supply cut‑off, which left families scrambling for water, finally caught the eye of the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC).

Chairperson Alexander Thomas, taking note of a newspaper report, acted suo motu – that is, on his own initiative – and issued a clear set of directives. He told the Kerala Water Authority’s (KWA) Executive Engineer to appoint an assistant executive engineer to swing by the site, see what’s gone wrong, and put together a concrete plan.

But the order didn’t stop at “go look”. The commission insisted that a formal notice be sent to the Cheranalloor panchayat president and all ward members, so everyone is on the same page. Once the on‑ground inspection is complete, the assistant executive engineer – together with the panchayat secretary – must file a detailed report at the SHRC’s next sitting on October 23, scheduled to be held at the PWD Rest House in Pathadippalam.

Time is of the essence. The SHRC has asked the KWA Executive Engineer to correct any faults uncovered during the inspection and to send a follow‑up report back to the commission within five weeks. In plain language, they’re giving the water authority a very short window to get their act together.

Local political leader Ernakulam MLA T.J. Vinod, who had already raised the alarm with Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph, confirmed that the area has been suffering an “acute water crisis”. Vinod said the minister promised a swift remedy, but residents are still waiting for the promised drop of water to finally reach their homes.

While the bureaucracy gets busy with notices, inspections, and reports, families in Cheranalloor are left with bucket‑filled hopes that the tap will run again soon. The SHRC’s involvement signals that the issue is being taken seriously, and the upcoming October meeting should shed light on whether the water will flow again before the summer heat turns the problem into a full‑blown disaster.