Pipe burst: residents avert washing away of portion of Mullassery Canal Road
Water is said to have gushed out from a crack in the joint of 6-inch-wide pipeline beneath the road
The timely intervention of residents averted what could have led to a portion of Mullassery Canal Road being washed away by the gush of water from a distribution pipeline of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) on Saturday.
The water is said to have gushed out from a crack in the joint of the sixinchwide pipeline laid beneath the road. The road was in a dilapidated condition for the past several months, following delay in completing the restoration of the canal. Flooding caused by pipe bursts was among the reasons for the delay in completing the canal restoration work since trenches dug as part of the work were getting flooded following pipe bursts, it is learnt.
Inex Michael, a resident, was among the first to witness the pipeline burst on Saturday morn
The part of Mullassery Canal Road that caved in following a pipe burst being repaired on Saturday.
ing. “This was at much the same spot where a minor leak that was detected two days ago had been plugged. I immediately contacted KWA officials who informed of the pipeline’s valve beneath a manhole nearby. I managed to close the valve that regulated the water flow since any delay could have resulted in compound walls in the vicinity coming crashing down. It could also have raised concerns about the safety of pedestrians,” he said.
Kochi Corporation councillor Sudha Dileepkumar spoke of how residents, traders, and road users had been complaining of dust from the worksites and frequent bursts of the water pipeline disrupting supply of drinking water. This is apart from water from drains of byroads entering houses and shops since the main drain is blocked for the canal work. All this can be prevented only if works related to Operation Breakthrough are completed in a timebound manner, she said.
A KWA official attributed most instances of pipe bursts to cracks developing on pipelines when the road is trenched for canal works. The latest pipe burst was repaired by Saturday evening.
But sources in the Irrigation department that has been tasked with the canal restoration work said the pipe burst could have occurred due to pressure buildup in the PVC pipeline. As for the canal work, the official said it could be completed by midApril. Half the work in the corridor leading east from MG Road and ending on Chittoor Road can be completed by Aprilend and rest of the 300metrelong stretch by Mayend. This includes laying of paver blocks on the entire road.
The works suffered delay mainly because of the absence of a dedicated duct for utility pipes and cables. Beneath the narrow road is the city’s main water and sewage lines.
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Congress’ role
He also blamed Congress for having played a significant role in the rise of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)