After Govandi case, BMC to map pipes
Startled with the Govandi pipeline burst incident, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has woken up from its long slumber and has decided to expedite its project of GIS-based digital mapping of water pipelines in the city.
On Monday, one person drowned and 14 others suffered suffocation and injuries, when an underground water main burst and flooded their homes at Govandi (east). The bizarre incident brought to fore problems related with the network of underground utilities in the city. “The exact details of water distribution system will be known only after its GIS mapping is completed,” said additional municipal commissioner Rajiv Jalota. “The tenders for carrying out the Water Distribution Improvement Programme (WDIP), of which GIS mapping is a part, will be invited in 15 to 20 days,” he added. Due to its high cost, the BMC had decided to leave out underground utilities in its project of GIS-based digital mapping of the city’s properties. The absence of a complex underground utility network had often resulted in workers damaging pipelines while digging roads. An area-wise map of underground utilities would have helped the BMC undertake excavation for development projects or carry out repair work without fear of damaging the mains. The civic body has also decided to carry out survey of properties, which are likely to have come up above the underground pipelines. “These structures must have been built on the land, which was earlier vacant or used for road widening projects. A survey will be undertaken to find such structures in the city,” said Mr Jalota.
In addition to this, the BMC has formed a four-member committee headed by chief hydraulic engineer to probe the Govandi pipeline burst. Reasons behind the mishap will be looked into and action will also be taken against the offenders, said an official.
Post new comment