600mm pipeline leak in Bandra West causes water disruption; BMC launches urgent repairs

BMC workers are busy repairing a pipeline that burst last night around 2 am near Lucky Junction in Bandra West in Mumbai. | FPJ/Vijay Gohil

A major leak was detected in a 600 mm diameter water main at Lucky Junction in Bandra West on Tuesday. The BMC maintenance department quickly launched repair work on a war footing to contain the water loss. However, thousands of liters of water were lost in the drains due to the leak, causing a disruption in the water supply to Bandra West. Municipal authorities assured that the repair work would be completed within the day and the water supply would be fully restored by Wednesday.

According to information provided by the BMC, the leak was detected in the water main of Swami Vivekanand Road around 2 am. This pipeline supplies water to the Pali Hill Reservoir, and the leak has led to disruption of water supply to nearby areas. A team from the BMC maintenance department in Vile Parle was immediately alerted and dispatched to the site to carry out the repair work.

BMC workers are busy repairing a pipeline that burst last night around 2 am near Lucky Junction in Bandra West in Mumbai. | FPJ/Vijay Gohil

“During inspection, we identified a leak at the bottom of the pipeline. To stop the leak, an internal weld must be made. As the repair cannot be done from the outside, it is necessary to cut the pipe through the top and create a window to access the interior of the pipeline for repairs. This process requires emptying the pipeline,” said Donald Dcunha, deputy engineer of the maintenance department.

The civic team had also repaired a leak in a pipeline near the Bandra police station the previous night. After the repairs, the pipeline was recharged, creating additional pressure on another older 600mm water pipe. This increased pressure is believed to have caused the old pipeline to leak due to the added stress, an official said. During this time, water was supplied to parts of West Bandra through the Veravali reservoir.

Water Disturbance

For residents of Khar Danda Koliwada, Chuim village, Dandpada and parts of Gazdarbandh, water was supplied between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Dr Ambedkar road, Pali village, Pali Pathar and parts of Khar west received water between 11 pm and 1 am.