LUCKNOW The Lucknow Jal Sansthan is grappling with numerous challenges -- ranging from corroded pipes to insufficient water -- in its efforts to provide round-the-clock water supply to city residents.
As per Jal Sansthan officials, Lucknow necessitates an investment of at least ₹500 crore to replace its outdated pipelines servicing regions in zones 1, 3, and 5.
Last year, instances of diarrhoea were extensively documented in Aliganj, Faizullahganj, and Balu Adda areas due to breaches in old pipelines. Recently, inhabitants of the upscale Park Road area lodged complaints of sewage contamination in the water supply due to corrosion in their pipelines. The Aishbagh Water reservoir, over a century old, feeds water lines to the area that are similarly aged.
When queried about the problem of corroded pipelines, Ram Kailash, the general manager of Jal Sansthan, said, “Approximately 45% of the city still receives water through British-era pipelines crafted from cast iron. In these areas, ensuring water supply has consistently presented a major challenge, given that most of the houses were constructed in narrow lanes. They possess piped water supply systems from a time predating the construction of these houses. Moreover, some of the pipelines traverse between houses or sewers, rendering them susceptible to damage over time.”
While the typical lifespan of cast iron pipes is 50 years, they can continue to supply water if buried in the ground. Rust accumulates only when they sustain damage or fracture during construction activities.
{{/usCountry}}While the typical lifespan of cast iron pipes is 50 years, they can continue to supply water if buried in the ground. Rust accumulates only when they sustain damage or fracture during construction activities.
{{/usCountry}}In some cases, residents breach the Jal Sansthan pipeline to establish connections, redirecting them through the sewer. Ideally, pipes should be positioned six inches above drains or sewers to prevent the passage of pollutants like sewage, sludge, and soil.
Ram Kailash added, “Sometimes residents breach the Jal Sansthan pipeline in order to establish a connection, and instead of laying the pipeline six inches above the sewer, they direct it through the sewer. This allows pollutants like sewage, sludge, and soil to contaminate the water supply.”
Addressing the civic concern, Sayyed Yawar Hussain Reshu, a six-time corporator from the JC Bose ward, remarked, “Nearly all areas in my ward receive water through century-old pipelines, with many of them passing through sewer lines and drains. Ideally, these pipelines should be inspected by authorities every six years and replaced after their designated lifespan expires. Unfortunately, these measures have not been undertaken by the authorities, which is why cases of diarrhoea resurface almost every alternate year in the older parts of the city.”
He further commented, “When you are aware that the pipelines are corroded and have multiple breaches, why not replace them? We have heard that funding has been allocated for replacing old pipelines in the city under the Amrut mission but corporators are never informed about the expenditures incurred by the LMC or the state government. There is a clear lack of transparency in this matter.”