Water restored in Shibpur & central Hwh, north still suffers
Times of India | 23 March 2025
12 Howrah: Even as water supply resumed in Belgachhia, Dasnagar, Baltikuri and parts of central Howrah on Friday night, work started on installing an alternative pipeline to tackle the water crisis in north Howrah and Liluah that have been without piped water supply since Thursday morning.
Civic officials said efforts were on to restore supply to the localities by Sunday evening.
The govt has ordered an inquiry into the mishap—a landslide at the Belgachhia dumping ground on Thursday, which led to multiple breaches in the 1,200-mm diameter main water supply pipeline, causing widespread water crisis. Officials said plans were afoot to shift the dumping ground.
On Friday night, a 70m pipeline was linked to KMDA's existing pipeline. HMC board of administrators chairman Sujay Chakraborty and minister Arup Roy conducted an inspection on Saturday morning. The installation process faced continuous disruption from landslides, caused by massive garbage accumulation at the Belgachhia dumping ground. KMDA and HMC engineers reported significant delays in clearing landslides and pipeline excavation work. The adjacent F Road's soil has weakened due to recurring landslides, causing cracks in nearby houses and roads. Recent rainfall increased the risk, with engineers cautioning against possible accidents. The landslides are occurring due to methane gas explosions beneath the waste heaps. Chakraborty said despite initiating bio-mining for gas release and pile levelling, an unexpected landslide created this emergency. Roy said the govt planned to establish a dumping site elsewhere. Authorities are considering relocating affected residents and undertaking house repairs.
As the crisis persists, north Howrah residents are being forced to buy water as well as food to ensure minimum use of water. Debkumar Agarwal, a resident of a Salakya Arvind Road high-rise, said they were using water to the minimum. Rekha Roy from Benares Road mentioned hiring help to carry water from tankers. Mohammad Afroz of Pilkhana 3rd Lane highlighted difficulties during Ramadan. Disputes broke out over tanker water distribution in Tendel Bagan and Salakya School Road areas.
Ambuj Sharma, former Howrah BJP president, criticised HMC's management of the dumping ground, saying the incident affected more than 3 lakh people. Residents staged a protest on Saturday, demanding compensation.