PONDA: The 750 mm main diameter cast iron pipeline supplying raw water from Opa burst at Curti-Opa a few metres away from the treatment plant on account of a power failure Thursday afternoon.
The incident took place at around 1.45 pm with Assistant Engineer Nivruthi Parsekar immediately rushing to the spot. He assured that the pipeline will be replaced late night and informed that the water supply will be restored by Friday morning or evening to Panjim and its surrounding areas.
The heavy downpour affected the restoration work of the pipeline located along the rocky hillock.
According to officials, the pipeline, which was laid in 1996, developed a longitudinal crack on account of a power failure due to which the water supply got affected.
Over 25 workers were engaged in replacing the pipeline, which is a tedious task as the excavation involves making pathway, removing and replacing the pipeline and laying of a concrete slab for safety.
However, the work commenced and is most likely to be ready by Friday afternoon if the weather is clear.
At present, Opa treatment plant depends on overhead electric lines for power supply. The Electricity Department at Curti said the laying of 33 KV cable to the plant is on and when complete, will minimise all problems occurring on account of power failures resulting in pipeline breakdown at Opa.
Ponda locals are facing hardship due to frequent power failures. Two days ago, at a press conference, local MLA Ravi Naik speaking on the power problems faced by Ponda locals had blamed the government for not showing interest to replace old conductors and transformers.
He had demanded mobile transformers during such power crisis to carry out restoration work and regretted that the government has kept these demands are under consideration.
The OPA treatment plant has the capacity of treating 140 MLD water daily of which 60 MLD is supplied to Tiswadi, 40 MLD to Ponda and rest to other parts including Dharbandora.
