Aurangabad, March 13:
Following fluctuation in the water supply, the 700 mm water pipeline drawing water from Jayakwadi Dam to the city got burst near Isarwadi on Friday at around 6.30 pm.
The Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) executive engineer (water supply) Kiran Dhande said, " The task to overcome the damage in 700 mm pipeline was undertaken from Friday evening. The water lifting from Jayakwadi Dam was stopped immediately. We had cut the piece of damaged pipeline and is replacing it with a new pipeline of the length of 4.5 metres and 700 mm width. The work is expected to be completed today by 9 pm. We are hoping to start lifting the water and supply it to all the elevated storage reservoirs (ESRs) for further distribution in the city."
Dhande also mentioned that taking advantage of water shut down, the repair and maintenance work at Pharola Water Treatment Plant was also undertaken. The deteriorating filters in the pipelines and electrical components were replaced, apart from the mechanical works.
" The water supply officials, including engineers Ghule, Bawiskar, Gaikwad, Noor Construction, and seven AMC's personnel, undertook the task immediately. We all had passed their whole night at the site to overcome the damage as early as possible. The schedule of water supply in many parts of the city (including the old city) would be paralysed partially for 4-5 days. Some areas would receive less quantity of water, or some would receive water with low pressure in their taps, or the supply of water in some areas could be postponed by a day," said Dhande.
AMC accused of being biased in the water supply?
The residents of Younus Colony, Times Colony and surrounding localities were expecting to receive tap water on a gap of four days today. " The demand for drinking water has increased due to the rise in sultry weather in the city these days. Hence we were impatiently waiting for water in our taps. We were very disappointed in learning that our area's water supply has been postponed by one day from Shahgunj ESR. When inquired about the reason, the AMC personnel said there is damage in 700 mm pipeline near Jayakwadi Dam," said the group of angry residents.
" There is no need for delaying the supply. The water lifted from Harsul Tank is stored Shahgunj and Delhi Gate ESRs. In addition, the stock of water already exists in the Shahgunj ESR. If the situation was serious, then why the AMC water supply officials did not stop the supply of water to Gulmandi, Aurangpura and surrounding localities at 4.30 pm ?" questioned the group of residents.