Sambhajinagar:New water pipeline’s capacity testing still to take more time

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: While the partial testing of nearly 38 km-long 2,500mm diameter main water pipeline of the new water supply project for Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is in progress, the full-fledged testing of the key infrastructure is expected to take more time, authorities concerned said.Designed for a total 600 MLD capacity, the main pipeline is currently being tested for 100 MLD."While two pumps having 100 MLD pumping capacity each at the jackwell were expected to operate for testing purposes, only one is put into operation. Citizens must not misconstrue that the ongoing testing is a final and full-fledged testing until testing takes for 600 MLD," a senior official from Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP) said.Expressing dissatisfaction over the manner of working of the project contractor, authorities said the contractor was expected to complete all the works on Raw Water Rising Main, but has not completed works of fixing scour valves and extending it."No timeline can be specified on the full testing of the main pipeline and ultimately commissioning of the entire project considering slow works on different fronts," MJP authorities said.According to the MJP, an unexpected leakage was noticed during the partial testing of the pipeline near Dhorkin, where the water has reached after testing on a 12.5km length."While leakages in joints and valves are normal during the testings, leakage in the pipeline is a hurdle. It has occured due to defective welding for only 100 MLD pressure. The fixing of the leakage could require a certain number of days," said MJP authorities.Notably, the Rs 2,740 crore water supply project has already missed the March 2024 deadline and is expected to take a huge time further till final commissioning. Citizens, especially those from no-network areas, have demanded action against the contractor for allegedly slowing down the project.