Gurgaon Faces Water Supply Disruption Due to Major Pipeline Leak
A significant leakage in a master water pipeline near Sector 88 has severely disrupted water supply to multiple residential societies along the Dwarka Expressway in Gurgaon. The damaged pipeline, which originates from the Chandu Budhera water treatment plant, is responsible for supplying water to residential areas across sectors 81 to 99, as well as Sector 37.
Detection and Cause of the Leakage
According to officials from the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), the leakage was first detected on Monday evening. The incident occurred when a joint in the pipeline came apart due to temperature-related shrinkage, a recurring issue with the infrastructure.
"The leakage occurred due to shrinkage in the 1,600mm-diameter master pipeline caused by temperature variation," explained a GMDA official. "These large-diameter mild steel pipelines are laid in horizontal stretches and connected through joints. Temperature variations cause contraction, which puts stress on the joints and can sometimes lead to leakage."
Repair Efforts Hampered by Weather Conditions
Repair work at the site commenced around 4 PM on Monday and was initially expected to be completed by 4 AM on Tuesday. However, unexpected rainfall in the morning led to water accumulation at the excavation site, significantly delaying the repairs.
"Although manpower was deployed on Monday, rain resulted in waterlogging at the site, which hampered the repair work," the GMDA official stated. Dewatering operations were subsequently initiated to clear the accumulated water and ensure safe access to the damaged section.
The pipeline is now anticipated to be repaired by Tuesday night, after which water supply to the affected sectors will be gradually restored.
Impact on Residents and Recurring Issues
Residents in the affected areas reported being forced to depend on groundwater to meet their daily requirements. "There was no water supply on Tuesday, forcing us to rely on borewells to meet daily requirements. However, the groundwater has a high TDS level and is not suitable for regular use," said the RWA president of Rising Homes.
He further expressed concern over the frequency of such disruptions, highlighting inadequate pipeline maintenance. "If this is the situation in winter, when water demand is relatively low, one can only imagine the scenario during the summer months," he added, pointing to potential future crises.
Recent History of Pipeline Failures
This incident marks the third instance of damage to a master water pipeline in recent weeks. Last week, a similar shrinkage in a 1,600mm pipeline caused a joint to come apart near Subhash Chowk, disrupting traffic on Sohna Road. That leak was repaired within 11 hours.
Earlier this month, another leak in a master pipeline at the Chandu Budhera water treatment plant disrupted water supply in several parts of the city, with repairs taking nearly five days to complete. These repeated failures underscore systemic issues in the water infrastructure management.
The ongoing challenges with Gurgaon's water supply system raise critical questions about the durability of existing pipelines and the effectiveness of maintenance protocols, especially as the city continues to expand rapidly.
