Water supply to several areas in Mangaluru has been disrupted due to damage to a pipeline from Thumbe to Padil. A delegation from Congress, led by leader of opposition in the council Praveen Chandra Alva, inspected the site. The damage, allegedly caused by GAIL, has disrupted water supply to 20 wards. Affected areas include Mangaladevi-Pandeshwara, Kannur, Padil, Bikarankatte, Kudupu, Vamanjoor, Valencia, Kankanady, Hoigebazar, Bolar, Jeppinamogaru, Jeppu, Attavara, Nagori, Chilimbi, Ladyhill, Bejai, Bajal, Shaktinagara, Kunjathbail, Bondel, and Ullal.
Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) commissioner Anand C L stated that a notice has been issued to GAIL, which will be responsible for the restoration costs. A fine of Rs 5.5 lakh has been imposed on the company due to the loss of about 80 MLD of water. Former mayor Shashidhar Hegde estimated that at least 3-4 days will be required to repair the pipeline.
The disruption has caused significant inconvenience to residents, who are currently relying on alternative water sources. The MCC has assured the public that efforts are underway to expedite the repair process and restore normal water supply as soon as possible.
Praveen Chandra Alva emphasized the need for accountability and preventive measures to avoid such incidents in the future. He urged authorities to ensure stricter regulations and oversight on infrastructure projects that could impact essential services.
The incident highlights the critical need for robust infrastructure management and quick response mechanisms to minimize the impact of such disruptions on daily life.