The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has shown strong stance on damage to water pipelines due to construction. The civic body has warned contractors that they can face severe legal action if they are careless.
Two contractors are in the BMC's sights. One is for Metro Line 6. The other is a builder from Thane. The Metro Line 6 contractor has been fined INR 1.3 crore. The Thane builder faces legal action for unpaid fines of INR 75 crore.
The Metro Line 6 contractor leaked the Veravali main pipeline at SEEPZ, Andheri (East), on November 30. This caused a water supply cut to majority of Andheri East for four days. The BMC sent a notice to the contractor on December 5. The contractor now has a week to pay the fine
The BMC used tankers to supply water to Andheri East during the pipeline repair. About 50 lakh litres water were supplied by the BMC. Private tankers supplied about 100 lakh litres water.
According to sources, after Metro 6 is completed, the BMC might not add a new water connection to it. This is if the contractor does not pay his dues. This is according to a clause in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888.
The Thane builder burst a water tunnel while excavating a borewell. This was at a planned IT park. The water tunnel was 100 metres below the surface. The breach in the tunnel caused a wastage of 650 million litres water. The builder was fined INR 75 crore by the city council in June. They have not yet paid the fine. The BMC is starting legal proceedings against the builder.
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