Mumbai: Water pipeline a hurdle in revival of Hancock Bridge

It is around two months that construction work of Hancock Bridge near Sandhrust Road railway station has been halted. And, it is not going to start soon because the 1200 mm water pipeline that supplies water to J J Hospital and adjoining areas is coming in the abutment area of the bridge.

The bridge department of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had to stop construction of the much delayed Hancock bridge after it came across a water pipeline while digging to lay pillar. The 1200 mm pipeline supplies water to J J Hospital and adjoining areas in South Mumbai and if it gets damaged, the water supply will be severely affected.

Now, the Hydraulic engineering department of BMC is looking for an alternative to supply water in case the pipelines get damaged. The underground pipeline crosses the railway track and supplies water in several areas.

Ashok Tawadiya, chief engineer, Hydraulic Engineering department of BMC said that they have suggested alternatives to use another parallel pipeline. "Another pipeline of 900 mm crosses parallel along 1200 mm pipeline. We can use another pipeline to supply water in case the 1200 mm pipeline gets damages," said Tawadiya.

Interestingly, there was no prior information on the pipeline in the abutment area and it was only discovered while digging to lay the pillar. S O Kori, chief engineer, Bridge department of BMC said that there is a fear that water supply may affect if the pipeline gets damaged while carrying out the construction of the bridge.

Now, the civic administration is working to make a cross connection between two parallel pipelines. "A cross-connection will be made between two pipelines," said Kori, adding that this will be done simultaneously with the bridge.

However, the fact is that the bridge work is currently stopped and the Hydraulic department needs at least two to three weeks to create a new connection between two pipelines. "The cross-connection will need to set up of three valves and this will take time," said an assistant engineer from Hydraulic Engineering department.

TO GO THIRSTY?

The 1200 mm pipeline supplies water to JJ Hospital and adjoining areas in South Mumbai. If damaged, the water supply will be severely affected.