Now, Mumbai’s main water line damaged

The water woes of Mumbai could worsen further, as another main line has been damaged in Thane, for the second time within a month. Mumbaikars are already getting 15 per cent less supply due to ongoing work of a tunnel at Wagle Estate. Both these lines bring water to the city from five of the seven lakes.

Of the seven lakes that keep Mumbai's taps running, five are outside the city and 98 per cent of the city's supply comes from these. Two main pipelines transport clean water from these five lakes to the city--a 5.5-metre diameter tunnel 100 metre below the surface and a 2.5-metre diameter pipeline 8 metre underground.

The first one was damaged last year during construction of an IT park at Wagle Estate in Thane. The BMC on March 31 started the repair work, which is expected to take a month. For the duration of repairs, Mumbai's supply has been cut by 15 per cent, because the BMC is using its old, back-up lines whose capacity is low.

The second main line near the Kopri bridge was damaged on the night of March 30 while the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) was carrying out excavation work. This same pipeline was damaged on March 3.

The BMC is digging a pit to carry out repair works, at Kopri in Thane

"The work on an elevated bridge is being executed by the TMC under the Station Area Traffic Improvement Scheme (Satis). The same pipeline was damaged once before, in the same area. We wonder how this could happen. We have raised the issue at the state level, as this will impact the already affected water supply to the city," said a BMC official.

Also read: The Rs 13-cr error that punctured Mumbai's water supply for one month

An engineer who was present on the site said, "The line is 8-metre deep and needs a big pit for repair works. We started digging on Friday morning and it will take at least 24 hours before we can start fixing the pipeline." The damage to the pipeline sent a column of water up 7 metre high, the engineer said, adding, "We need isolation, but it is very difficult to stop the supply of water now."

Purushottam L Malwade, chief of hydraulic engineering department, BMC, said, "The last time, our engineers and workers completed the repairs in record time [48 hours]. They fixed the line near Mulund in neck-deep water. We cannot afford such damages again and again." Officials said they could give an estimate for completing the repair works only after the digging is done.

Thane Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar told mid-day, "After getting the information on Thursday, I immediately sent our city engineer for inspection. Prima face, it looks like a case of negligence on the part of the contractor as the second puncture occurred just 2 meters from the first. I have asked the engineer to submit a report, and we will initiate an action against the contractor."

Four damages in 30 days

March 3: The 2.5-metre line was damaged in Kopri during the TMC's bridge project. During the repair work between March 9 and 11, the water supply to eastern suburbs and the city was slashed by 10 per cent.

March 27: Mumbai-II water main line near Mulund octroi naka was damaged during MSRDC's construction work of a box culvert. The daily supply was cut by 15 per cent during the restoration period of March 27 to 29.

March 28: The 5.5-metre diameter tunnel was punctured at Wagle Estate in November while the developer of an IT park was illegally digging a bore well. The BMC is undertaking the repair work.

March 30: The 2.5-metre line was damaged for the second time in Kopri.