BMC cautions MMRC of water pipeline damage

Mumbai: The ongoing Metro construction works in the city are causing havoc across the city’s water supply network. The excavation works have damaged water pipelines in the city on as many as 13 instances, resulting in wastage of thousands of litres of water. This has also led to interruption and contamination of water supply, causing inconvenience to citizens in respective areas.

Irked by this, the Brihanmumbai Muni-cipal Corporation (BMC) has cautioned officials of both the agencies —Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) — which are carrying out the Metro works to study the underground water network carefully before undertaking the digging work. It has also decided to recover the repair and water waste cost from the Metro authorities.

In a special meeting held a few days back, the civic officials have asked Metro authorities to exercise caution while carrying out project works.

“We have already provided alignment of our water network to Metro authorities. We have asked them to study it and follow precautionary measures carefully before undertaking the excavation works,” said a senior civic official.

According to civic officials, water pipeline bursts have taken place at 13 places — seven in city and six in western suburbs — in last couple of months due to Metro works. In city, Metro-III (Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ) works have caused damages to water mains near Siddharth College, whereas Metro corridors IIA (Dahisar to DN Nagar) and VII (Andheri East to Dahisar East) have affected water supply network in Borivali and Dahisar.

“We have asked them not to carry boring works till the water mains are found as at some of the places they are very deep,” the official added.

The official further said, “ We have also asked them to inform us immediately after a pipeline burst, so that excessive water wastage can be prevented by undertaking urgent repair works.”

“MMRC hasn’t received any communication on this topic so far,” said a spokesperson from the MMRC.

 “However, we are working closely with BMC to implement this underground metro project in densely populated area in close proximity of civic utilities or by shifting these utilities, as per local situations,” the official associated with the metro authority added.  

MMRDA joint project director Dilip Kawathkar said, “Though we have not received any complaint, our topmost priority will be to restore the water supply immediately if a pipeline burst happens.”