Frequent pipe bursts lead to water woes, traffic snarls along Killipalam–Attakkulangara Road

Thiruvananthapuram: Repeated pipeline bursts along the 1.6-km Killipalam–Attakkulangara Bypass have left residents grappling with irregular water supply and prolonged traffic congestion.The latest incident marks the third major pipeline burst within four months after the stretch was upgraded into a Smart Road last year by Kerala Road Fund Board at a cost of around Rs13 crore. Each rupture has required fresh excavation work and traffic diversion, adding to the frustration of residents and commuters.
People living in Chalai and nearby areas said water supply has become unpredictable, with little prior notice about supply cuts. Several families have been forced to rely on stored water or private tanker services to meet daily needs. "We don't know when the water supply will stop or be restored, or when the road will be retarred. Water and roads are basic requirements of human life. If these are not provided adequately, how can people live a healthy life?" said Mohanan A, a trader at Chalai market. Commuters travelling towards the city centre and East Fort complained that the single-lane diversion has led to hours of traffic congestion during peak times. The movement of buses and heavy vehicles through the narrow bypass has further worsened traffic snarls, they said. Residents also criticised the authorities for failing to address the recurring issue. "The water problem is not new for people living in Chalai or along the Killipalam–Attakkulangara Bypass. Neither the councillor nor the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) has taken action to resolve the crisis. After the smart road work, the pipeline burst has become frequent," said Krishna Kumar, a resident. KWA officials acknowledged that several pipelines in the region were more than seven decades old and in urgent need of replacement. "The issue can only be resolved after the old pipelines are replaced. We have informed the state govt about the matter. Until a major project is sanctioned, only minor repairs can be carried out," a senior official said, requesting anonymity.