LUCKNOW, Feb. 28 -- The Lucknow Municipal Corporation's (LMC) water works department (Jalkal) has allocated Rs 13 crore to shift ageing and damaged water pipelines, aiming to reduce contamination and support ongoing road projects. Finally the move is expected to ease the suffering of hundreds of residents living in decades-old colonies who have struggled for months with contaminated water flowing from their taps. The civic body received approval from the executive committee meeting held on February 22. Following necessary approvals, work would begin to execute pipeline relocation and road restoration simultaneously. The first phase of repair work or changes would focus on localities such as Sadatganj, Aminabad, Lalbagh, Thakurganj and Chowk, among other old neighbourhoods in the state capital. Officials will conduct ground assessments before initiating shifting work. The officials however said that Rs 13 crore allocation will not cover the entire city but assured that the department will focus on the most critical pockets. They also admitted that several areas continue to receive muddy and foul-smelling water, especially where sewer work runs parallel to old water pipelines. In many localities, pipelines laid decades ago have either corroded or developed cracks, allowing sewage to seep into drinking water lines. The Mayor Sushma Kharkwal then instructed the department to prevent repeated digging of roads, a practice that has frequently damaged underground infrastructure and worsened water leakage and contamination. Jalkal general manager Kuldeep Singh said the department will start work soon after formal approval and signing of the minutes. "We will prioritise areas developed decades ago, where pipelines have deteriorated or run alongside sewer lines. We will separate these lines to prevent contamination," he said. Earlier reports highlighted the scale of the crisis. In a city with a population exceeding 40 lakh, nearly 5.5 lakh households out of around 7.5 lakh depend on government water supply. Residents in Indira Nagar, Alambagh, parts of Gomti Nagar and Jankipuram alleged that despite lodging complaints through official channels, authorities failed to resolve the issue.htc...