A breach in a 72‑inch British‑era drinking water pipeline from the Tala tank, buried nearly 30 feet below the railway tracks under Tala Bridge, caused flooding in large parts of North Kolkata on Monday, disrupting daily life, water supply and leaving several Kali Puja pandals inundated.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) issued an official notice stating that a leakage had been detected at a major diameter of the city water supply pipeline just beneath the Tala Railway Bridge. Areas likely to be affected include CR Avenue, Rajabazar, Park Circus, AJC Bose Road, College Street, Bidhan Sarani, Ballygunge and Kasba.
The burst released a huge volume of water that submerged Bonomali Sarkar Street, Ghoshpara, parts of Bidhan Sarani, Hatkhola and adjoining localities. Water reached ankle level in some stretches and knee‑deep in others, making it difficult for residents to reach markets, workplaces and other destinations. Homes, shops and even parked cars were inundated. Puja organisers had to protect pandals and decorations from the flood.
Railway operations were also disrupted; circular railway services were suspended after water inundated the tracks, and electricity supply to the affected localities was disconnected as a precaution. The damaged pipeline is a crucial supply artery for North and Central Kolkata.
KMC engineers, water supply and drainage officials, and railway personnel launched emergency repair work. Cutters, JCB excavators and mechanical shears were deployed to access and repair the damaged stretch, with efforts underway to reduce water pressure before completing repairs.
Minister of State for Urban Development Umesh Rai, MLA Ritesh Tiwari and municipal commissioner Smita Pandey visited the site to monitor the situation and expedite repairs. Rai blamed successive governments for neglecting the ageing pipeline infrastructure, noting that the damaged stretch dated back to the British era. Pandey said the civic body was taking steps to address the issue.
