Kolkata’s water crisis has spread across northern, central and parts of southern neighbourhoods after a crack in an underground pipeline near Tala Bridge disrupted supplies, while the Kolkata Municipal Corporation works on a temporary diversion expected to restore distribution before Friday.
The affected pipeline, located beneath Tala Bridge, is believed to date back to the British period. The damage has sharply reduced water pressure in several areas and stopped supply entirely in others. Residents in parts of north Kolkata have faced shortages since Monday, with the disruption continuing on Wednesday.
The civic body has begun connecting a 1,200-millimetre pipeline located about 500 metres from the damaged section to the main 1,800-millimetre pipeline through an alternative route. Officials said the interim connection is intended to restart water distribution while allowing the damaged pipeline to be emptied and inspected properly.
Identifying the precise point of failure has been difficult because the damaged section is submerged, according to municipal workers cited in the report. Once the alternative line is completed, the affected pipeline can be drained, making it easier to locate and repair the break.
The disruption has been particularly severe in areas including Sonagachi Lane, Durgacharan Mitra Street, Imam Baksh Lane, Natherbagan and Sheikhpara in wards 18 and 19. Residents in Tala, Shobhabazar, Kumartuli, Bagbazar, Maniktala, Bagmari, Entally, Girish Park, Ahiritola and Sealdah have also reported problems. In south Kolkata, supply has been affected in parts of AJC Bose Road, Ballygunge and Kasba.
The corporation’s water-supply department has temporarily stopped supply in Belgachia, Tarashankar Sarani and adjoining areas to facilitate the work. The civic authority said supply would be restored within six to seven hours after the repair operation in the affected section is completed. It has advised residents to store drinking water in advance, use water carefully and avoid wastage.
The corporation has also said that tankers are being sent to affected neighbourhoods in north, central and south Kolkata, and that residents can contact the designated civic helpline for urgent requirements. Residents, however, told Anandabazar that tankers arrived in some locations after calls but failed to reach several other areas. The civic body said it was not possible to send tankers everywhere at the same time.
The report also linked the difficulty in coordinating emergency relief to the absence of elected councillors in the affected areas. BJP north Kolkata district president Tamoghna Ghosh alleged that the old pipelines had received inadequate maintenance and had previously been repaired through temporary patchwork. His comments were political allegations and were not independently established in the report.
Municipal sources said the alternative connection is being pursued as an interim measure and that full normalisation of Kolkata’s water supply is unlikely before Friday. The immediate next step is completion of the diversion, followed by draining and repairing the damaged pipeline.
