Water Pipeline Damage Disrupts Supply to Khordha Press Club ;Leakage Persists for Two Days Following Roadwork; Repair and Restoration of Water Supply Sought.

DILLIP KUMAR PATTNAIK

KHORDHA, OCTOBER 10:- Damage to an underground drinking water pipeline during ongoing road construction work on the TLC road in Khordha town has disrupted water supply to the Khordha District Press Club for the past two days, even as water continues to flow onto the road, raising concerns over wastage and public inconvenience.

The pipeline, which supplies drinking water to the Press Club through the Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO), was reportedly damaged during excavation work undertaken with a JCB machine. The resulting leakage has led to a continuous discharge of water onto the road, while the Press Club has been facing difficulties due to the disruption of its drinking water supply. The failure to repair the damaged pipeline over the past two days has raised questions about the response of the agency engaged in road construction and the coordination between the construction contractor and the concerned water supply authorities.

The leakage has compounded the difficulties caused by the ongoing roadwork. Excavated soil and construction materials have been piled up along one side of the road, while water from the damaged pipeline continues to flow and accumulate on the other. The resulting combination of debris and water has further affected the condition of the road, potentially inconveniencing commuters and pedestrians using the stretch. The situation has also raised concerns about road safety, particularly during night hours, when accumulated water, loose soil and construction debris may make movement difficult. Continued leakage from the pipeline could also result in avoidable loss of treated drinking water, underscoring the need for prompt intervention.

Members of the Khordha District Press Club have expressed concern over the disruption of an essential service and the apparent delay in addressing the problem. They said that while drinking water was being wasted on the road, the institution dependent on the same pipeline was struggling to meet its basic water requirements.
According to complaints, the employees of the agency engaged in the road construction work had been informed about the damage. However, the leakage had reportedly continued without repair at the time of reporting.
The incident has brought into focus the need for greater caution during excavation and road construction, particularly in areas where underground public utility lines are present. Damage to water supply infrastructure during such work can disrupt essential services, waste valuable resources and create additional problems for road users.
The Press Club has urged the contractor concerned to arrange for the immediate repair of the damaged pipeline and ensure the restoration of normal drinking water supply. It has also sought the removal of accumulated water and appropriate measures to prevent further inconvenience to commuters and pedestrians.
The district administration and the concerned water supply authorities have been urged to intervene and ensure that the leakage is stopped without further delay. Prompt repairs, the Press Club members stressed, are necessary both to restore drinking water supply and to prevent the continued wastage of a vital public resource.