Water pipeline leaks, IMC says can’t repair as it will shut supply & affect traffic

Indore: A leakage in an underground water pipeline in Navlakha area will affect water supply to at least 34 overhead tanks, but Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) is unclear whether it should repair it as that would lead to major traffic diversion on AB Road and supply being cut-off to the target colonies for several days.

IMC assistant engineer (Zone 18) Praveen Sharma said that during a review, a major technical dilemma was highlighted at Navlakha Square. A significant leakage has developed in a 1700mm diameter Mild Steel (MS) rising main pipeline. While water loss is minimal during the day, high pressure during nighttime reservoir filling was causing massive water wastage.

Sharma explained that repairing the pipeline that is deep in the ground would necessitate a complete traffic diversion on the road connecting Navlakha Square to Bhawarkua.

“A total system shutdown would be needed if a major fault is uncovered during excavation,” he said, adding that because a shutdown of this pipeline would completely disrupt water supply to 34 overhead tanks across the city, the IMC deemed a full repair unfeasible given the current peak demand.

He subsequently ordered engineers to find alternative, localized patch-repair solutions to stop the leakage without cutting off supplies.

While IMC was contemplating on plugging the leakage, public anger over the severe water crisis in Indore escalated on Wednesday as residents organized street protests and confronted local representatives.

A large group of affected citizens blocked traffic at busy Robot Square, accusing their local corporator of ignoring the ongoing crisis. Police had to intervene to clear the intersection, promising to relay the residents’ grievances to senior IMC officials.

In Labriyabheru area (Ward 70), residents released footage showing neighbours arguing over distribution of limited municipal water. Long queues of plastic drums lined the streets as citizens spent hours waiting for an IMC water tanker to arrive.

To oversee the crisis management, IMC Commissioner Kshitij Singhal conducted an inspection of Bijalpur Narmada Control Room at 7 AM on Wednesday. Singhal contacted all zonal assistant engineers via telephone to audit reservoir levels, tanker dispatch schedules, and hydrant filling operations.

IMC attributed the widespread failure of local borewells to consecutive years of groundwater depletion. At an emergency review meeting, Singhal urged citizens to adopt rooftop rainwater harvesting to recharge the drying water table before the monsoon.

IMC announced that it would provide water filters free of charge to residents implementing harvesting systems. Citizens can apply for these installations through the Mayor 311 helpline portal or at their nearest zonal offices.