Mumbai: Tulsi pipeline in dire need of displacement

The Tulsi pipeline near Mahim that crosses over the tracks needs immediate displacement. The Western Railway (WR) has asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to take it underground and below the rail tracks. This pipeline —  that supplies water to several parts of the city — will be the first to go underground after the Andheri Gokhale bridge collapse. 

After the collapse, it has been decided that water pipelines, which crisscross the rail lines over it, will go underground. This one at Mahim shall be the first. “We have already informed the BMC about it. Work schedule shall be decided by them,” said another WR official. 

The BMC will be taking this pipeline below the tracks. This pipeline goes elevated between Bandra and Matunga Road stations. It goes from west to east --- from Tulsi pipe road to Dharavi on the other side. 

As of now the WR authorities claim that they have not received any request to carry out mega block for dismantling or taking it below the tracks.

Proper plan will have to be made so that the water supply is not or little affected during the displacement of pipeline. Sources said that it is not just about the safety aspect of this elevated water pipeline, but also the fact that it is vital to take it underground before carrying out the remodelling of Mahim yard. 

In August 2017, four coaches of an Andheri-CSMT local train derailed near Mahim station. Since then the WR is working on making corrections in the curvature of the tracks at this location.