Mumbai:
In yet another case of major loss of water in the city, nearly a million litres went down the drain after a 24-inch pipeline burst at V N Purav Road in Chembur, yesterday morning. This led to a temporary water crisis and traffic jam in the area due to accumulation of water on the road.
"A utility company is laying cables nearby and the constant digging by them took its toll on the pipeline. Nearly a million litres of water were lost in the incident," informed an official from the water department, M East ward office.
An engineer from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) Hydraulic Engineers Department said, "BMC staff was rushed to the spot in the afternoon and the workers are trying to fix the pipeline. The burst will be repaired at the earliest and that too without inconveniencing the locals."
However, Standing Committee Chairperson Rahul Shewale, said, "Water supply in the area will surely get affected as the supply has been stopped to localities in and around Shivaji Chowk. A lot of water was lost in this burst and the utility company should be penalised for its carelessness."
When contacted, Additional Municipal Commissioner Rajiv Jalota, said, "I don't know the exact details, but the staff was rushed to the spot to fix the pipeline."
Did you know?Out of 3,350 million litres of water supplied to the city by the corporation on a daily basis, nearly 700 million litres are lost to water theft and leakages. According to experts, one of the major reasons for frequent pipeline bursts is the condition of pipes which haven't been changed for many years.