Mumbai: BMC starts pipeline survey to put an end to water woes

Residents wait to fill their drinking water containers at a slum area in Mumbai. File pic/AFP

The BMC, after receiving constant complaints of irregular water supply in slum and hilly areas, has started a total station survey at Chita camp in Govandi. The survey, which will cost Rs 1.35 crore, will help in better planning of pipelines and water pressure.

Though the supply is based on the population of each area, many parts complain of uneven distribution, owing various reasons like hilly area, end of network line, low pressure. The BMC's hydraulic department plans to address these issues through the survey.

"As part of the survey, design of the area as per lanes, the width of lanes, slopes, angle of slopes will be noted. And then the planning department of hydraulic engineering will make a design of water lines," said Shivshankar Agarwal, deputy engineer (construction) of the hydraulic department.

Though all these factors are already taken into consideration while laying the pipelines, this survey is needed in areas with adverse geographical conditions and get supply through tankers.

The survey will be conducted at Sectors C, D, E, J, K, H, Custom Colony road, Payli Pada, Datta Nagar MGR to Essel Studio in Chita camp. The area is around 50 hectares, and the number of people and huts will also be counted. The survey will be completed in three months.

"Based on the survey, the hydraulic department will plan a layout of pipelines and valves to improve water flow on slopes and narrow lanes. It will also help in deciding where and how many joints are needed," a BMC engineer said.

Once the survey is done, a contract will be given to lay the pipelines. A similar survey will be conducted in Ghatkopar's hilly areas and a slum in Mankhurd.

Rs 1.35 cr
Cost of the survey