Kanpur: The drinking water crisis affecting nearly 2.5 lakh residents in the city shows no signs of abating, with the delay in repair work of the main water pipeline under the Rawatpur Metro Station prolonging the ordeal. According to officials from the Jal Nigam, the repair will take considerable time as it requires halting traffic at the busy GT Road, pending permission from the traffic police.
The crisis began on the afternoon of the 25th when an 1800 mm drinking water pipeline of the Jal Nigam burst beneath the Rawatpur Metro Station, leading to severe water scarcity in the surrounding localities. Upon identifying the leakage, officials promptly shut off the valve from Company Bagh to Rawatpur to prevent further water loss.
Delay in Repairs Due to Traffic Clearance Issues
Despite the leak being identified, repair work has yet to commence three days after the incident. The delay is primarily due to the absence of necessary traffic permissions, as the leakage site lies directly under one of the city’s busiest roads—the GT Road. Jal Nigam officials are now preparing to approach the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) to expedite the permission process so that repairs can begin without further delay.
Traffic Police Assures Immediate Permission
Ravindra Kumar, DCP Traffic, assured that once an application is submitted, immediate permission would be granted for the repair work. He mentioned that the Jal Nigam had not yet submitted a formal request, but he emphasized the urgency and readiness to approve the necessary clearance to resolve the water crisis promptly.
Technical Challenges and Repair Timeline
Yogendra Singh, Junior Engineer at Jal Nigam, highlighted the technical complexities involved in the repair work.
“Once we receive permission from the traffic department, repair work will commence under the Rawatpur Metro Station. If we are allowed to work during nighttime, the repairs will require at least three nights to complete,” Singh stated.
The repair process is estimated to take around 21 hours of active work. This includes approximately six hours dedicated solely to draining the pipeline. Additionally, a pit measuring 15 feet deep and 10 feet wide will need to be excavated to access and repair the damaged section.
Urgent Need for Swift Action
While the DCP Traffic has assured immediate permission upon application, the delay in submission from the Jal Nigam has exacerbated the crisis. Residents continue to struggle with the lack of drinking water, highlighting the need for faster administrative coordination between departments.
As the city waits for the necessary permissions and the commencement of repair activities, the water crisis remains a pressing concern for the affected population. The hope is that with swift inter-departmental cooperation, the issue will be resolved within the next few days, restoring normalcy for the residents of Rawatpur and surrounding areas.
