People cross flooded railway tracks
Sources in Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) said more than 150 water tankers were sent to affected areas that include Shyambazar, Paikpara, Bhupen Bose Avenue, parts of Sovabazar, Amherst Street, Keshab Chandra Sen Street, Kumartuli Street, Beltala, Thackeray Road and Garcha Road. State urban development and municipal affairs minister Agnimitra Paul said residents could contact 9831127522 if water pressure was low, supply was unavailable, or if tankers were yet to arrive. Kolkata: KMC will try to divert potable water supply through alternative pipelines by Friday so that the damaged water pipeline beneath Tala Bridge can be shut down for repairs, civic officials said on Tuesday as large parts of the city continued to grapple with water shortages following the leakage.
KMC sources said the damaged line was about 20ft underground. We are now trying to divert water that used to be supplied through the damaged line through other pipelines, including a 1200mm diameter water main that runs alongside the deck of Tala Bridge,” a KMC official said. “The damaged line is still supplying potable water because it cannot be completely shut down without commissioning alternative supply lines,” said an official. Officials said the actual repairs could take at least a week from when it begins. Residents in areas immediately around Tala water tank said their water supply was not completely cut off, though the flow had decreased. Sarala Paik, who stays near Tala Post Office, said, “Water entered our house as the water pressure was slightly increased for a short while. The situation is under control now, but the water pressure is very low,” she said.
“Our priority right now is to restore water supply to normal levels. Water supply had been completely cut off in some pockets around Hatibagan and some areas off Bidhan Sarani. The situation improved by evening.
Locals near the leakage spot said several households were flooded again on Tuesday morning as water gushed into their homes. Mangala Das, another resident from Sashi Bhushan Street, said, “Yesterday we were marooned until evening as water entered our house. On Monday, the supply was suspended for some time, but today it returned to normal, though the water pressure remains very low.