Mumbai: Low pressure, air bubbles mean water woes continue

A day after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) repaired a major pipeline in the suburbs, residents were waiting for water on Tuesday, six days after the conduit was damaged in multiple spots at Andheri East due to Metro 6 work.

The BMC sent a letter to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, director of Metro (MMRDA) and contractor Eagle Infra India Ltd, directing that the contractor pay water wastage and repair charges and a penalty worth Rs 1.33 crore in total immediately. Sanjay Mukherjee, director of Metro, MMRDA, did not respond to mid-day queries by press time.

Workers carry out repairs on the pipeline at Andheri East

Though a few areas received water, albeit not at their regular time, most either did not receive any or were compelled to deal with low-pressure issues. The civic body is facing a hard time maintaining the water level at reservoirs and air bubbles in pipes due to a long gap of 50 hours of repairs.

Damage report

The main line, which was damaged near Seepz Gate No. 3 and Indian Oil Petrol Pump at Andheri East on November 30, runs from Lokhandwala in Andheri to Vikhroli. Water supply to nearby areas as well as the K East, K West, H West, N and L wards was disrupted. Lakhs of residents faced water woes, especially on Sunday, as they received water from nearby reservoirs on Friday and Saturday.

The repair work was completed by 1 pm on Monday. But even after 24 hours, many residents were waiting for water, as tanker operators were demanding up to Rs 10,000. A resident of Teli Galli in Andheri East said, "We received water at 7 am on Tuesday but the supply was stopped half an hour later."

The Dahisar pipeline repair work

Nikunj Desai, an Andheri West resident, said that his building, on S V Road, received low-pressure water at 11 am Monday night. On Tuesday, residents received their usual amount of water. But others were not as lucky. Due to low pressure, the BMC changed the regular water slots in several areas. D N Nagar and Four Bungalows receive water at 12 noon. But, the BMC changed the slot to 8 pm to 9.30 pm on Tuesday.

Amit Satam, a local MLA, messaged residents that the BMC would restore the water supply on Tuesday as it was in process of building pressure in the reservoir. A resident, Satindar Batra, said the water supply to Aram Nagar, Seven Bungalows resumed at the regular time, 6 pm. Parag Alavani, an MLA from Vile Parle sent a message to residents, saying that normally during supply hours, the water level at the reservoir should be 1.5 metres. However, on Monday it was quite low and therefore a few low-lying areas were supplied water at a low pressure.

K P Singh, a resident of Maladhari Compound in Andheri East said his neighbours received water after midnight. "The water pressure was normal and enough for the day. We generally receive water from 6 pm to 10 pm. We are waiting for it today [Tuesday]," said Singh.

Dahisar leakage

A major leakage occurred in a 300-mm-diameter pipeline while maintenance work was being carried out by Adani Energy Solutions Ltd. near Dahisar Toll Plaza on Tuesday. The pipeline was damaged around 10 am. Repair work started on war footing around 10.30 am and was completed at 3 pm. "In this area, water is supplied at night. The supply will be resumed as per the regular slots," said Nitin Amle, a water works engineer.

Adani Energy Solutions Ltd. spokesperson said, "During crucial nighttime work on a critical Mumbai Transmission Corridor, a 300mm water pipeline was accidentally damaged by contractors. Onsite teams promptly reported to BMC, who swiftly shutoff the valve, preventing water loss. Repairs have since been promptly completed, no water cut has been faced by the residents."

10 am
Time on Tues when Dahisar pipe broke