A major water supply scheme for the state capital, initiated as part of the Japan International Co-Operation Agency funded Rs.2987 crore Kerala Water Supply Scheme, would be partially commissioned on May 18,the fourth anniversary of the CPI-M-led LDF government in Kerala.

The JPIC aided water supply scheme was being implemented at the state capital, Thiruvanathapuram, Cherthala in Alappuzha, Pattuvam in Kannur and Meenad in Kollam.The scheme would benefit 41 lakh people, State Water Resources Minister N K Premachandran told reporters here today.

With the scheme's commissioning, shortage of drinking water water in the state capital would be eased to a great extent, he said. Work of all schemes was progressing and it would be commissioned one by one during the tensure of this governemnt itself, Premachandran said.

Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan would inaugurate the 'Water treatment plant' set up at Aruvikara, the main reservoir that supplys water to Thiruvanathapuram, on May 18.