BMC to rope in retired employees to set right island city water supply

BMC, which outsources a large number of projects for want of expertise, is planning to seek help of its retired engineers to expedite repair and replacement of old water pipelines in south Mumbai to plug leaks and prevent contamination.

"The island city has a complex and old network of water pipelines that needs years of experience and knowledge to understand," said Rajiv Jalota, additional municipal commissioner.

While the civic administration has called bids from private firms to replace pipelines in suburbs, it will form a team of retired officials who know the ward-level water supply system in the island city.

"There are some British-era water pipelines in major parts of the city, which need replacement and better connectivity," said officials.

Kumbharwada, Bhuleshwar, Dhobi Talao, Khara Talao Khetwadi, Tardeo, Walkeshwar, Mahalaxmi, parts of Byculla, Nagpada and Kamathipura are most prone to water contamination and leakages.

"These areas have old water pipelines laid more than 15-20 years ago. These corroded pipelines of galvanized iron are a major reason for water contamination and leakages," said an official.

BMC has allocated Rs 7.55 crore in the 2013-14 budget to improve the water distribution network in south Mumbai. "Through a detailed leak detection analysis and pressure and flow management studies, we plan to reduce by yearend unaccounted water losses that are currently 30 to 25 per cent," said Jalota.

BMC has also allocated Rs 97 crore for revival of leak detection units and to upgrade two civic laboratories to increase daily capacity to test water samples. The units will bet set up in each ward to detect and repair leaks.

Of the city's daily supply of 3,350 million litres, 20 per cent is lost to leaks and theft. Wear and tear of pipelines, some nearly 100 years old, and old sewer lines running parallel to these pipelines frequently reach contaminated water to homes.

... contd.

ALSO READ

Campus placements: IIT Bombay targets 100 companies in phase-II

‘Babasaheb Ambedkar a prisoner of caste politics, his relevance will grow’: Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh president Prakash Ambedkar

From anger to anguish

We deal with birth and death daily, but some deaths leave a void, say doctors