Kolkata, Nov. 9 -- A breach in a 72-inch British-era drinking water pipeline from Tala tank, buried nearly 30 feet below the railway tracks under Tala Bridge, flooded large parts of North Kolkata on Monday, disrupting daily life, affecting water supply and leaving several Kali Puja pandals inundated.
The KMC, in an official notice, said: "A leakage has been detected at a major diameter of the city water supply pipeline just beneath the Tala Railway Bridge under railway track."
Water supply in the following areas under KMC are likely to get impacted: CR Avenue, Rajabazar area, Park Circus, AJC Bose Road College Street area, Bidhan Sarani, Ballygunge and Kasba area. "Citizens are requested to bear with us as we repair and restore the same."
The pipeline burst suddenly on Monday morning, releasing a huge volume of water that submerged Bonomali Sarkar Street, Ghoshpara, parts of Bidhan Sarani, Hatkhola and adjoining localities. While water reached ankle level in some stretches, several roads were knee-deep, making it difficult for residents to reach markets, workplaces and other destinations. Water also entered homes and shops, while Puja organisers faced the additional challenge of protecting pandals and decorations from flooding. Even cars parked on roads were inundated.
The situation disrupted railway operations too, with circular railway services suspended after water inundated the tracks. Electricity supply to the affected localities was disconnected as a precautionary measure.
The damaged pipeline, which carries water from the Tala reservoir, is a crucial supply artery for several parts of North and Central Kolkata. The breach is likely to cause temporary disruption in drinking water supply in these areas.
Kolkata Municipal Corporation engineers, water supply and drainage department officials, along with railway personnel, launched emergency repair work. Machinery, including cutters, JCB excavators and mechanical shears, was deployed to access and repair the damaged stretch. Officials said efforts were underway to reduce water pressure inside the pipeline before completing repairs.
Minister of state for urban development Umesh Rai, local MLA Ritesh Tiwari and municipal commissioner Smita Pandey visited the spot to monitor the situation for speedy repair.
Rai blamed successive governments for neglecting the ageing pipeline infrastructure, saying the damaged stretch dated back to the British era. Pandey said the civic body was working on a war footing and warned that water supply to parts of North and Central Kolkata could remain temporarily affected.
Though waterlogging began to recede as repair work progressed, residents and Puja organisers remained concerned about the restoration of normalcy.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.