Staff Reporter
Panaji
A major water pipeline burst in Bhatlem locality of Panaji on Sunday, leading to a flood-like situation in the low-lying area. Nearby houses were flooded with water level rising up to one foot inside some homes.
Locals alleged that the ongoing Panaji Smart City project work led to the pipeline to be damaged.
CCP councillor Uday Madkaikar said at least six houses were flooded, damaging household items such as refrigerators, sofas, etc.
The pipeline was damaged around 10 am, and the damage was plugged by noon after the intervention from the local MLA and an assistant engineer.
Madkaikar said the incident caused a lot of disruption, as the main pipeline supplying water to the other area’s water tank was damaged, leaving the entire Taleigao village
without water.
“At first it was believed that a sewage pipeline had burst, but it was later confirmed that the problem was with the main water pipeline,” he said.
Smart City authorities denied any connection to the incident, saying that the pipeline burst was a result of an internal issue.
Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd (IPSCDL) clarified that the pipeline burst was not caused by any Smart City-related works.
“The issue originated due to an internal pipeline end cap breakage inside Dhanlaxmi Colony, an entirely unrelated matter. IPSCDL has not undertaken any activities in the affected zone that could have led to this incident,” the firm maintained.
Madkaikar said the repair work began around 1 pm and continued till evening.
He demanded compensation for the losses the residents have incurred.
