Gurgaon: Huda’s main water pipeline bursts, fresh crisis looms

A senior NHAI official said that necessary action will be taken against the contractor for taking adequate measures to safeguard the pipeline.

The Haryana urban development corporation’s (Huda’s) master water pipeline burst yet again near Rajiv Chowk early on Saturday affecting supply in areas on the left of the National Highway (NH-8) such as Sector 39, 47, 46, 32 and others. The pipeline was believed to have burst during the ongoing construction of the underpass at Rajiv Chowk.

The pipeline is believed to have burst during the ongoing construction of the underpass at Rajiv Chowk. (HT PHOTO)

A Huda official said a police complaint will be filed against the contractor engaged by the NHAI (National Highways Authority of India).

The Huda stopped water supply from the plant as word of the leak reached them.

“The water pipeline was damaged during digging, in a manner similar to the ruptures earlier South City I and Sector 17-C. After we got word of the damage to the pipeline, we immediately warned the operator at plant to stop supply. We understand that sectors such as 37, 39, 47, 49 and others have been badly hit by the disruption in water supply. We will double up efforts and try to restore normal supply at the earliest,” Virender Singh Malik, sub-divisional officer (SDO), Huda, said.

Gawar Construction, the contractor, did not respond to calls and text messages.

Meanwhile, a senior NHAI official said that necessary action will be taken against the contractor for taking adequate measures to safeguard the pipeline.

Read I Gurgaon: Senior citizens in Block E affected by poor water supply to Sector 21

Dinesh Yadav, general manager, Gurgaon range, NHAI, said, “We have not received any such complaint, but will take necessary action (against the contractor) if we do.”

Sudhir Yadav, a resident of Sector 47, said, “We are already dealing with slow and erratic water supply problem. We have no idea about the extent of damage to the pipeline and if it is, indeed, significant, then we fear the supply situation only getting worse. With the groundwater supply slow and erratic, we have to depend on private tanker operators to meet our day-to-day needs.”

Many parts of the city has been battling acute water supply crisis over the past couple of weeks.

Earlier, on April 6, Gawar Construction damaged the water line of Unitech near Signature Tower affecting supply to South City-I.

The NHAI is widening the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway and constructing underpasses at Rajiv Chowk, Iffco Chowk and Signature Tower as well as a flyover at Hero Honda Chowk.