Residents across large parts of Surat faced a day-long water shortage on Saturday after a crucial main pipeline was damaged during construction work for a new flyover. The disruption stemmed from repair work on the damaged pipeline located on Ring Road near Falsawadi, which continued through the evening.
Construction Activity Causes Repeated Damage
The root cause of the problem was construction activity for the Multi Modal Transport Hub (MMTH) project on Ring Road. The pipeline was damaged a few days ago during foundation and piling work for the flyover bridge. While a temporary fix was applied initially, it proved inadequate. A significant water leak was subsequently reported, forcing the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) to undertake fresh, extensive repairs.
This incident marks the second time the same pipeline has been compromised due to the MMTH project work. An official from the Surat Integrated Transportation Development Corporation Limited (SITCO), the agency developing the MMTH, explained the challenge. "The water supply pipeline is barely a foot away from the piling site. Due to the close proximity, it was damaged during excavation," the official said.
Cascading Effect Leads to Widespread Disruption
Anticipating the scale of the repair, the civic body's hydraulic department had planned a controlled, day-long shutdown of water supply specifically for the central zone. Residents in this zone were informed in advance. However, the disruption spread beyond the intended area due to the interconnected nature of the city's water network.
A hydraulic department official clarified that despite stopping supply in the central zone, water continued to flow towards the damaged section from other connected pipelines. To prevent further wastage and leakage, the supply had to be halted in additional areas, affecting several parts of Surat. While some localities experienced a complete cutoff, others received water at low pressure or for limited durations.
Repairs Completed, Restoration in Progress
The repair work on the damaged main pipeline continued through Saturday and was completed by the evening. Following this, SMC officials announced that the water supply was being gradually restored in a phased manner. The corporation is working to normalize the supply to all affected neighborhoods after the necessary repairs to the critical infrastructure.
The incident highlights the infrastructural challenges faced by growing cities like Surat, where new development projects sometimes clash with existing civic utilities. It underscores the need for meticulous planning and coordination between different agencies executing such large-scale projects.
