Trade unions of the Kerala Water Authority have organized protests, including a dharna on November 22 and a march on November 26, against the ADB-assisted Kerala Urban Water Services Improvement Project in Kochi. They demand that the project not lead to the privatization of the public water supply network, emphasizing the need to protect workers’ rights and maintain state control over vital services.

Kerala Water Authority is scheduled to present details about the controversial Kerala Urban Water Services Improvement Project before the Kochi Corporation council. This presentation comes in response to protests from trade unions and civic groups, which fear that the project could lead to the privatization of the city's drinking water supply. The move is seen as an effort to address public concerns and maintain public ownership of essential water services.

Kerala Water Authority is implicated in the move to privatize water supply in Kochi under an ADB-assisted project, despite strong opposition from its employees' unions. Union representatives from organizations like CITU, AITUC, and INTUC have denounced the privatization plan as deplorable, warning of far-reaching negative consequences for worker rights and public access to safe water.

Kerala Water Authority has approved the privatization of Kochi's water distribution by awarding a 10‐year performance-based contract to a foreign private firm, a decision that has sparked significant protest from pro-left unions and local residents concerned about cost escalation and loss of public control.