Residents of Vatsalatai Naik Nagar in Kurla, which is a stone's throw away from Qureshi Nagar that was under the grip of gastroenteritis, now fear a similar fate if the pipeline stays mired in filth. It may be recalled that earlier this month, Express Newsline had reported how the two main Tansa pipelines running through Vatsalatai Naik Nagar were totally submerged in the gutter due to the clogged drains. The BMC had promised to clean it up on a ``war footing''. Not only is the drain still choked, but also several smaller pipes locally supplying water to the colony are hidden under the sewer. ``A few days back, BMC workers had come to take a look at the gutter, but they have still not managed to clean it,'' said a resident of Vatsalatai NaikNagar.

At a press conference today, Additional Municipal Commissioner Ajitkumar Jain stated that the BMC is in the process of supplying new pipelines at Qureshi Nagar . However, Jain also blamed slumdwellers for choking the drains, thereby submerging the pipes. ``Most of these slums are unauthorised, and the water supply lines given to them over the years have also not been properly designed,'' he claimed. Deputy Municipal Commissioner (zone 5 & 6) S R Dange, said, ``Gastro deaths in Qureshi Nagar have no connection with the Tansa pipeline in the drain. However, I had ordered the cleaning of the drain.''