While Mumbai is receiving enough rains, a 20 to 30 foot-long portion of the New Tansa pipeline that burst at Five Gardens led to a water cut and will have to be replaced
Are Mumbai’s ageing pipelines breathing their last? After the recent leakage in a pipeline in June at Ghatkopar, a portion of the New Tansa (nothing new in it except the name) pipeline that supplies water to Parel and Matunga, burst early Wednesday morning, at the Five Gardens junction. A 20-feet long portion was to be replaced yesterday night, before supply was scheduled to be resumed this morning. The same pipeline had burst nearly two years ago as well.
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Also read: Tansa pipeline burst leads to traffic chaos near Matunga
Staff and officials of the BMC repair the pipeline. Pic/Suresh Karkera
The 1,200 mm New Tansa pipeline supplies water to the F/South and F/North wards that consist of Parel, Matunga, Lalbaug, Kalachowkie and King’s Circle. It is a decades old pipeline that has been serving the island city. Around 6 am on Wednesday, water started seeping out on Babasaheb Ambedkar Road near the Five Gardens junction. Hundreds of litres of water was wasted. The early morning traffic was not affected in a major way. Those going towards south Mumbai were asked to take the flyover. But the real problem started at peak hours when the officegoers came onto the road. Traffic became slow moving as the service road stayed shut.
The water supply to these areas was with low pressure in the beginning and was completely turned off within minutes. Residents were left with little water but the BMC claims to have informed local corporators to relay the message.
“The pipeline is 12-13 feet underground. Currently, excavation work is going on. Only after we reach the spot will we be able to figure out how bad the damage is. About a 20-30 feet part of the pipeline will have to be replaced. That part has been procured. Our workers will work all night to make sure supply is restored tomorrow,” informed a senior civic official.
But the repair work was hampered due to rains. “Right now, we are positive that supply will be restored in the morning. Let us wait and watch,” he said.
The same pipeline had burst near Chitra Cinema two years ago when a portion of it had to be replaced. These pipelines are ageing and are in dire need of replacement.
“There was no supply in Dadar Parsi colony, Five Gardens area today. But nobody could help it. The burst was major enough to crack a concrete road. There was so much water on the road that traffic came to a standstill. We have been assured that no matter what time work is completed tomorrow, water supply will be restored,” informed Nikhil Desai, a local activist.
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