The Times of India            11.12.2013

Replaced water pipe brings relief to citizens

LUCKNOW: Residents of old Lucknow, comprising areas of Chowk, Aminabad, Rajajipuram, Aishbagh, Charbagh, Mashakganj and others endured poor water supply for two days since Sunday as Jal Nigam laboured to complete replacement and interconnection of an old raw water pipeline of Gaughat pumping station with a new one.

According to official at Jal Nagam, "Water supply would be normalised completely on Wednesday morning to the areas affected, although there will be at least two hours of water supply on Tuesday evening too."

"We were not affected much, as we were informed beforehand about the repair plan through news reports," said Afiyah Sayeed, a homemaker from Rajajipuram.

But not everyone was happy, as in the case of Vivek Kumar, resident of Lalbagh. He said, "for the last two days we have been receiving water for only half an hour and the pressure is weak." There were no water tankers in the area from Jal Nigam, he added.

Similar predicament was related by Umesh Yadav resident of Charbagh. Reports of poor water supply came also from Wazirganj, Aryanagar, Mashakganj, Rajendra Nagar, Mawaiya and other areas.

But as per senior officials of Jal Nigam, "there was not much demand of water during interconnection process due to winter season, but we did send water tankers to places like Aliganj, New Hyderabad, Aishbagh and Babuganj when demanded."

Earlier, it was reported that at least 60 water tankers would be used in several parts of the city to fulfill the demand created by water shortage.

Although residents of several places, such as Mohammad Arif of Akbari Gate, praised the department for its prompt effort in finishing the work in given time.

Replacement and interconnection of pipeline, refilling of trench and reinstatement of the dug-up area were completed by 5pm and water supply was restored by 6:30pm in Old Lucknow.

Gaughat pumping station which has a capacity of 250 MLD supplies water to population of more than 6 lakh in Cis-Gomti area every day. Seven kilometer raw pipeline of 1200mm capacity had worn out and was prone to major leakages, therefore its new pipeline of 1300mm was laid and interconnected with the station.

New pipeline is supposed to increase the capacity which is a part of infrastructure enhancement under JNNURM (Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission) work.