Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
The new water pipeline which was laid last year to quench the thirst of the city has burst more than the old one.
It may be noted that the thirst of 18 lakh citizens of the city currently depends on three water pipelines, the lifespan of two of which is 50 years and 33 years.
As per the norms, these water pipelines are outdated. These pipelines are still carrying 90 per cent of the city's water supply.
The pipelines burst continuously. However, the 900 mm water pipeline laid last year has burst five times in the last three months. The Bombay High Court ordered an inquiry into the work of this water pipeline.
The city was previously supplied with water from Harsul Lake. During the drought of 1973, there was no water even in Harsul Lake. Shakkar Bawli (well) in Himayat Bagh quenched the thirst of the city at that time. The then Minister Dr Rafiq Zakaria laid a 700 mm water pipeline from Jayakwadi to Nakshatrawadi on a war footing.
Since the water supply through this pipeline was proving insufficient, a second pipeline of 1200 mm was laid in 1992. This means that the life of the 700 mm pipeline has been more than 50 years while the life of the 1200 mm pipeline has been more than 33 years. The pipelines have become as if they are on oxygen.
A new water supply scheme is being implemented at a cost of Rs 2,740 crore. Since the water supply of this scheme was delayed, a 900 mm water pipe was urgently laid for the city last year. It is also known that the new pipeline has burst five times in the last three months and 12 times in a year.
Box
Where did 900 water main burst in 3 months?
- On January 20, the water main pipe burst at Pharola.
- On January 21, the pipeline burst again at the same place while being repaired.
- On February 8, the pipeline was burst at Dhangaon.
- On March 10, the water main burst at Takli Phata.
- On March 22, the main pipeline burst at Pharola.
Box
Where did 700 & 1200 mm water pipes burst in 3 months
- On February 14, a 700 mm water pipe burst at Pimpalwadi.
- On March 7, the city’s water supply shut down for two days due to a technical failure at Jayakwadi
- On March 3, a 700 mm water pipeline burst near Jayakwadi.
-On March 22, a 30-hour shut down for the repair of a 1200 mm pipeline near the railway station
Box
How many times water pipe burst in the past year?
Water pipe------- number of times burst
700 mm------------------------10
900 mm-------------------------9
1200 mm-----------------------8