JOIN USWater pipeline bursts in Mangalore city
Water entered several shops when a pipeline burst at Bendoorwell on Monday morning.
The shop owners were seen bailing out water from the shops from morning. Books and other articles in the few shops were damaged. The pipeline blast has left a huge crater on the Bendoorwell-Balmatta road, in front of the KRC Complex. The pipe burst at around 5.30 am.
The MCC officials reached the spot at 6 am and switched off the pump. The impact of the damage was such that water swept through the adjacent Kalpana Road.
“We got a message at around 6.30 am. We were shocked and rushed to the spot. The water had seeped into the shop through the gap of the shutters,” said a shop owner who along with his wife was busy draining out the water. “The incident was worst than monsoon,” he added.
The problem of pipeline damaging due to the increase in pressure of traffic has happened several times in the last few years. “This is perhaps the fourth time the pipeline has damaged,” said a shopkeeper. Plying of vehicles was restricted on the stretch, leading to traffic block in and around Bendoorwell during the morning hours. Several vehicles were diverted via Falnir road.
Assistant Executive Engineer Linge Gowda said “the incident occurred at 5.30 am. The pump was shut down immediately, so that there was no wastage of water. It was 600 mm AC pipe and was laid 15 years ago. With the increase in the traffic on the stretch, the pipe gets damaged soon. The MCC has taken all measure to restore the pipeline by evening.”
From Bendoorwell water is supplied to 10 to 12 wards of Mangalore City Corporation. Mayor Gulzar Banu and Deputy Mayor Amitha Kala visited the spot and instructed official to fix the pipeline as soon as possible.
MCC Commissioner Dr Harish said that leakage problems are being caused due to fluctuating pressure and the old pipes.
“Chief Minister in his budget speech has mentioned about 24x7 water supply programme which will ensure relaying of water supply pipelines too,” he said