Civic body ignores illegal structures on pipelines
In Borivli’s Ganesh Nagar, illegal commercial structures built on a water pipeline had been ignored by civic authorities for several years, allege activists, Vaishnavi Vasudevan reports.
In Borivli’s Ganesh Nagar, illegal commercial structures built on a water pipeline had been ignored by civic authorities for several years, allege activists. Currently, there are seven to eight commercial structures such as restaurants, shops and garages built on a pipeline.
The 20-inch pipeline supplies water to most parts of Borivli east.
The pipeline burst two months ago due to which the residents in the area did not receive water for three days.
“Several nearby societies were facing problems due to regular pipeline burst and leakages. After frequent complaints, the repair work of the pipeline was undertaken but those structures still exist,” said a local activist.
Last Monday, one resident was killed in Govandi after a water pipeline burst and flooded the ground floor of a building that was built on it.
Despite several calls and text messages, SC Gone, assistant engineer, building and factories department, R-Central Ward, who is responsible for the demolition of the illegal structure, refused to comment.
M Shewale, assistant engineer, water works department, said: “The structures are illegal and they have been in existence for many years. I have no idea why action has not been initiated. It (the pipeline) can pose a threat in future.” “After the recent incident in Govandi, it is frightening to witness any more water wastage or loss of lives,” said a nearby resident.