MCC water supply system has no back up or systematic regulatory checks in place

MCC water supply system has no back up or systematic regulatory checks in place

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Aug 7, 2015  :  A meeting of elected representatives and officials of the MCC - Mangaluru City Corporation,  MLA  J.R. Lobo,  Mangaluru City South, instructed the officials to clear debris and soil dumped on top of the two main pipelines along 1.5 km in Kannur and Adyar areas, within two days.

Five  days after the city went without water, elected representatives Aug 6,   Thursday thrashed out the issue to save the main water supply lines between Thumbe vented dam and the city from encroachment, damage and  misuse.

Officials at the meeting stated  that the two pipelines, one of 1,000 mm diameter and another of 1,100 mm diameter, were now submerged in about six metres-deep debris and soil, due to land-filling activities near Kannur and Adyar areas.

 MLA Lobo wondered why the civic body was delaying the identification of the persons responsible for dumping the debris and soil on top of pipelines.   At one point the MLA said that he did not understand why the officials should hesitate to file the complaint.

Whoever it may be, identify them and file the complaint,  the MLA reiterated. The officials promised that it would be done but they did not give a time. The MLA asked officials why they did not take any action when land-filling was going on around the two vital pipelines  that had a  total capacity to supply 160 MLD (million litres a day) of water to the city from the dam.

MLA  Lobo said that if an inquiry was conducted on the issue the engineers concerned should have been under suspension. There should be regular check of the two pipelines for leaks, cracks or other signs of wear and tear, he said and instructed them to have an alternative plan with them to face any such eventualities in future.

The plan should have built in  services of organisations such as New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT), Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers, Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd. (MRPL), including their machinery, to meet any such emegencies  in future.

The MCC officials should have the latest phone numbers of all private tanker owners and those from organisations such as Karnataka Milk Federation and MRPL which can be utilised to distribute water in case of emergency. 

It is gathered that the MCC has no organisation or plan of action to meet any  untoward situation and  that it has no systematic maintenance plan for vital services. It is high time a clear action plan is in place soon, which is also available to concerned citizens of Kudla.