Ongoing underground Metro work has led to pipeline bursts resulting in water contamination
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) A-ward, which comprises areas like Colaba, Churchgate and Cuffe Parade, has consistently been receiving poor quality water. While in May, the highest number of contaminated water samples collected by the BMC for tests belonged to the A-ward, in June and August, the ward had the second highest number, and in July the third.
Civic officials blame the ongoing underground Metro work for the water contamination in this ward, alleging that the work damaged water lines. Ashok Tawadia, hydraulic engineer, BMC, said, "There were two incidents of water line bursts due to Metro work which not only caused water contamination but also cuts in local water supply." Meanwhile a spokesperson from MMRC said, "In both such incidents brought to our notice, our contractors promptly took remedial measures."
The monthly water quality reports for May to August, accessed by DNA, show that A-ward has consistently been among the bottom three wards in terms of pure water supply during this period. As many as 10.14 per cent of the water samples collected from the ward were declared "unfit" in June. The figure stood at 8.59 per cent in May, and 5.47 per cent of the samples were detected with E-coli bacteria. In July and August, A-ward recorded 7.09 per cent and 4.96 per cent unfit water samples respectively.
Assistant Commissioner of A-ward, Kiran Dighavkar, said, "I accept that the area tops in water contamination but there was a lapse by the officer in the manner in which the samples were collected. Strict action has been taken against him."
Robin Jaisinghani, a Cuffe Parade resident said, "In the last couple of months, a few buildings have been receiving contaminated water while in Cuffe Parade just a few days ago we were receiving impure water. In addition to noise pollution, we are now also facing water contamination due to Metro work."
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