Looks like there is no end to south Mumbai’s water woes – first the flooding and then on Friday taps running dry across several places in the island city. In the aftermath of a landslide, cracked road and tree fall, the civic body has taken up the work of clearing up and repairing the key road on Kemps Corner damaged on a war-footing. However, several areas of south Mumbai – Kemps Corner, Altamount Road, Peddar Road, Haji Ali, Colaba and many other areas receiving water supply from the Malabar Hill reservoir are likely to face water shortage for the next two days as four water pipelines burst on Wednesday night after the landslide.
Despite repeated attempts, Ajay Rathore, BMC's chief Hydraulic engineer, was unavailable for comment.
Deputy Municipal Commissioner Harshad Kale said, “Our priority is to remove the mound from the wall and clear the road. Around 40 to 50 trees have fallen (at BG Kher Road) and they are all being removed to resume traffic. More trees are damaged. We are looking at how to salvage them. The repair work for the protective wall and road repairs will take time. The chief engineer (Roads) has appointed a consultant for the same. The consultant is expected to submit a repair scheme for the affected area, following which we will start repairing the road."
A statement from the BMC said: "The incident took place due to the erosion of the protective wall, and has caused damage to four water pipelines passing through the area.” According to BMC officials, there might be water shortage near Babulnath Temple, Peddar Road, Carmichael Road, Altamount Road, Cumballa Hill, Tardeo and some parts of Colaba until the repair work is completed. BMC said it will arrange water tankers in the most affected areas till repair works are completed and water supply is restored.
Kale added, “We are opening one lane of the road for traffic as soon as possible. The repair works for the water pipeline is being conducted on a war-footing. However only the hydraulic engineer will be able to comment on the water cut and how many more days it will take.”
