KMRL to pause piling work; KWA to relocate pipes to solve frequent pipe bursts

Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) will pause its piling works in the Padamugal, Vazhakkala regions for ten days to give time for the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) to finish its pipeline relocation work.

The decision comes in the wake of frequent pipe bursts in the region and water supply pipes going dry in Thrikkakara municipality.

The KWA will carry out the pipeline relocation work from Kunnumpuram to Kumaranasan Road during the period. The KMRL will begin the piling work only after the pipeline relocation and the testing of the relocated pipeline is complete.

The decision was taken at a meeting between KMRL and KWA to resolve the constant pipeline bursting scenario in the municipality. KWA announced in the meeting that the pipe replacement work would be completed within ten days. Once the pipe relocation in the Kunnupuram to Kumaranasan road is complete and the relocated pipeline tested, the piling works will start, a KMRL official said. 

A KWA official said that the pipeline relocation will bring a permanent solution to the pipe bursting issue. “A lot of cables belonging to various agencies are hindering the commissioning of the already laid PVC line of KWA through the utility duct. The duct is packed with cables although the utility corridor was provided completely for KWA alone,” the official added. 

KMRL has invested ₹5 crore in the replacement of old pipes. As part of the project, the Ductile Iron and PVC pipes are being installed to replace the old pipes.

Frequent pipe bursts had created much trouble for the residents in the area with drinking water supply getting disrupted on a regular basis. Thrikkakara municipal chairperson Radhamani Pillai said that residents have been struggling with acute water crisis because of the frequent pipe bursts.

An official from KWA said that the KMRL started piling work before the pipeline could be shifted. “The shifting of the pipelines couldn’t be carried out because of the rains. Further, the issue worsened because we weren’t alerted about these pipe bursts. With the whole area getting barricaded, there was no way we could know about the pipe bursts,” the official added.