Drinking water flows through gutter

MUMBAI, JAN 1: Mumbai's main water pipeline from Tansa Lake that daily supplies 400 million litres of drinking water, is partly submerged...

MUMBAI, JAN 1: Mumbai’s main water pipeline from Tansa Lake that daily supplies 400 million litres of drinking water, is partly submerged in a stinking, clogged gutter in Chembur (east) for over six months. While the residents of Vatsalatai Naik Nagar in Chembur did raise a stink over the matter, and the point was also taken up in the deputy municipal commissioner’s meeting in October this year, the BMC has still not acted upon the complaints.

As per the original design, the two pipelines of 1.2 metres diameter each were placed well above the sewer. However, due to negligence on part of the BMC as well as the slum dwellers, the drain became clogged and the gutter water has risen to submerge the pipelines since the monsoon. “God forbid, if there is any leakage in these pipes then deadly diseases will flow through the taps in the city. We are now too tired to even complain to the `M’ ward office since no one seems to heed our requests,” said Motiram Vasudev Rane, who stays right next to the drain, on 60, DP Road.

Another resident of the area added that a few months ago they had collected money from residents to help the BMC unclog the drain. “But nothing has improved. In fact, every day more and more waste materials from the Thakkar Bappa Colony which manufactures rubber slippers is dumped here. The situation has worsened,” he informed.

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Though the Deputy Municipal Commissioner (zone 5 & 6) S R Dange was not available for comment, the concerned ward officer P K Thorat told Newsline that since the main trunkline of Tansa was in question, it was the responsibility of the Water Works Department. “However, I will certainly look into the matter as it is definitely dangerous for a main pipeline to remain submerged in gutter water for so long,” assured Thorat on Thursday. The Hydraulics Engineer, S N Turkar, however, does not see any danger of contamination. “Our pipelines are made of cast iron steel so there is no question of corrosion or leaks, unless there is a technical flaw in the joints. However, theproposal to unclog the drain has been moved by the Storm Water Drain Department,” said Turkar.

Shiv Sena corporator, Rajendra Lad, told Express Newsline: “When I raised this issue in the DMC meeting in October, the BMC had promised to repair the drain within 20 days; but since no action has been taken, I will raise the matter in the House again.”

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