Pipe burst disrupts water supply in Tiruchi

The 50-year-old pipe had become rusty and worn out

May 06, 2015 12:00 am | Updated 08:37 am IST - TIRUCHI:

TIRUCHI, TAMIL NADU, 05/05/2015: Drinking water main pipeline burst at Bharathidasan Road near Mutharaiyar statue in Tiruchi on May 05, 2015. 
Photo: B. Velankanni Raj

TIRUCHI, TAMIL NADU, 05/05/2015: Drinking water main pipeline burst at Bharathidasan Road near Mutharaiyar statue in Tiruchi on May 05, 2015. Photo: B. Velankanni Raj

Water supply to several areas in the city was affected because of the burst of a main pipeline at Othakadai on Tuesday.

The 18-inch galvanised iron pipeline, carrying Cauvery water from Kambarasampettai pumping station, developed cracks and burst at 3.30 a.m. As the pressure mounted, the water from the pipeline gushed out on to the middle of Bharathidasan Road near Mutherayar statue. By the time the officials and staff members of the Tiruchirapalli City Corporation reached the spot, the area was flooded. The road developed cracks, forcing the authorities to divert traffic.

The pipeline had been laid more than 50 years ago and had become rusty and worn out. It was carrying water to several wards of K. Abhishekapuram, Ariyamangalam, and Golden Rock zones.

The corporation began the repair work immediately by pooling its resources. The workers dug up a deep crater to disconnect the damaged portion of the pipe and replace it with a new one.

N. Balagurunathan, Executive Engineer, Tiruchirapalli City Corporation, told The Hindu that repair work had been taken up on a war-footing and the pipeline would be replaced to an optimum stretch. Most work had been completed.

He said that bursting of pipe was an isolated incident. It had occurred because of the aging factor of the pipe. Similar incident had occurred 11 years ago in the city.

Meanwhile, corporation commissioner M. Vijayalakshmi said all steps had been taken to set right the pipeline burst as quickly as possible. To facilitate the works, water supply would remain suspended for a day on Wednesday in areas such as Thillai Nagar, Thennur, Anna Nagar, Puthur, Khajapettai, Cantonment, Uyyakondan Thirumalai, Vayalur Road, Ramanagalinga Nagar, Fathima Nagar, Junction, Ponnagar, Kallangadu, Karumandapam and Alpha Nagar. Regular supply would resume on Thursday, she said.

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