While several parts of the city face scarcity of piped drinking water supply, a major leak in the pipeline near the overhead tank at the Government Homoeopathic Medical College at Iranimuttam remains unattended for the last one week.
The pipeline carrying water from a 76-lakh litre capacity overhead tank built under Japan International Cooperation Agency scheme had developed cracks on Monday, apparently after a huge container lorry came to the area to unload tiles.
Residents complain that water is wasted through the day, flooding the entire area at night. “I personally informed the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) on the helpline number, but no steps have been taken to plug the leak. This comes at a time when several areas in the city face water shortage,” said Anil Kumar, whose house is opposite the homoeopathic medical college.
The KWA has not given a proper reply as to when the leak would be plugged, he said adding that even the local councillor had failed to address the issue.
Rajesh, another resident said, the burst was the second in the last two months and it happened after the container lorry come to unload tiles at a godown near Iranimuttam. Apart from the loss of water, the burst also damaged the road, he said. “A big crater has been formed and at night it’s difficult for two-wheeler riders to spot the crack. Two days ago, a motorcyclist fell and suffered injuries.”
The leak remains unplugged at a time when the KWA is making toll claims of bringing down the non-revenue water to the national average of 20 per cent from the present 40 per cent. A KWA official said the leak was not attended as the road had to be blocked for repairs. “Being Ramadan, the work was delayed. We got permission on Tuesday. Work to plug the leak will start on Wednesday.”
