Team Herald
PANJIM: The bursting of a main water pipeline at Bhatlem on Sunday caused severe flooding in the area, forcing residents to scramble to save their belongings. The rupture also led to a 22-hour-long disruption in water supply, leaving residents of Taleigao and Dona Paula without water.
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A senior official from the Public Works Department (PWD) confirmed that the incident had impacted water supply for nearly a
full day.
“The pipeline has been repaired. It was fixed at around 9 am today. The water supply was affected for approximately 22 hours. However, it has now been restored,” the official told
O Heraldo.
Meanwhile, Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd (IPSCDL) has clarified that the pipeline burst was not caused by any ongoing Smart City-related works. However, local councillor and former Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) Mayor Uday Madkaikar expressed scepticism, questioning the timing and location of the incident.
“It is still not confirmed by the PWD why the pipeline got damaged. Though IPSCDL has stated there is no connection between their work and the rupturing of the pipeline, it remains a fact that they are carrying out construction work parallel to the pipeline. Many believe that the damage could have been caused by vibrations from heavy machinery used at the site,” Madkaikar said.
He further pointed out the ageing infrastructure, noting, “They are using large machines like JCBs to dig the roads. The pipeline is 40-years-old and it has suddenly been
damaged. This raises serious questions.”
The flooding in Bhatlem has highlighted concerns over the city’s water infrastructure, with many residents demanding a thorough investigation into the cause of the rupture.
