The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to commission a new water pipeline of 750 mm diameter between Ramdas Naik Marg and Patkar Marg in Mumbai, replacing an ageing water channel installed in 1969.
This development will temporarily affect the water supply in several areas within the H/West ward, including Bandra and Khar, on Friday. The decision to replace the old pipeline stems from its deterioration over the decades, which has led to numerous leakages and frequent disruptions in water supply across the H/West ward. The BMC initiated the replacement project in October 2023, focusing on the pipeline connected to the Pali Hill reservoir, a critical water supply source for these localities.
On Thursday, the BMC announced plans to undertake the removal of the old, dilapidated water channel and to commission the newly laid pipeline on Friday between 10 a.m. and 12 a.m. This action is part of a broader effort to improve water distribution infrastructure and ensure a more reliable supply to residents. However, the commissioning of the new pipeline is expected to cause temporary water supply cuts in several parts of Mumbai. Affected areas include parts of Bandra West, Varoda Marg, Hill Road, Manual Gonsalves Marg, Pali Gavthan, Kantwadi, and Sherli Rajan Marg, where water supply will be shut between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Additionally, areas such as Khar Danda Koliwada, Dandpada, Chuim Gavthan, parts of Khar West, and sections of the Ghazdarbandh slum will experience water cuts from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, localities adjacent to Babasaheb Ambedkar Marg, Paes Pali Village, Pali Plateau, and certain parts of Khar West will face water disruptions from 9 p.m. to midnight. Residents have been advised by the BMC to boil and filter the water supplied through the new pipeline for the next four to five days to ensure safety and hygiene. The project had earlier drawn attention from local representatives, including a former corporator, who had called upon senior civic officials to expedite the commissioning of the new inlet to the Pali Hill reservoir. The inlet had remained non-operational until now, prompting concerns over its impact on local water supply reliability.
The commissioning of the new pipeline marks a significant step towards upgrading Mumbai’s water infrastructure. The BMC’s proactive approach in addressing the pipeline’s wear and tear and investing in improved infrastructure reflects its commitment to ensuring a more consistent water supply to one of Mumbai’s vital residential and commercial hubs. However, residents in the affected areas will need to brace for temporary inconvenience as the city undertakes this crucial infrastructure upgrade.
