Kolhapur, Water supply across significant parts of Kolhapur city remained disrupted on Wednesday and Thursday after the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) carried out repair work on major leaks in the main distribution pipeline linking Balinga and Chambukhadi.
Repairs on 700mm pipeline halted regular supply
The KMC said the work addressed leaks in the 700mm-diameter main pipeline. Repair activity on Wednesday and Thursday led to suspension of the daily piped supply in the city’s A, B, C, D and E wards and adjoining suburbs for two days, municipal officials reported. To reduce immediate hardship, the corporation deployed water tankers to several localities, with priority given to slum areas.
- Affected administrative areas: A, B, C, D and E wards and adjoining suburbs.
- Pipeline size: 700mm diameter main between Balinga and Chambukhadi.
- Relief measure: KMC deployed water tankers; repair work scheduled to finish late on Thursday.
The Leader of Opposition in the KMC, Rajesh Latkar, visited the repair site on Thursday and urged rapid completion of the works so residents would not face inconvenience during the festive period, the party office reported. Latkar said officials were directed to speed up the repair works.
"Water supply was shut for the last two days due to the repair works undertaken by the water supply department... we do not want inconvenience for the residents citizens in the festive period," Rajesh Latkar said.
Residents warn of protest as Ganeshotsav nears
Residents in several localities expressed frustration at the timing of the shutdown, with some threatening public action if normal supply was not restored by Friday night. Usha Jadhav, a resident of Mangalwar Peth, recalled a protest last year and said locals were prepared to stage a march to the KMC office if supply did not resume.
"Last year, we had to carry out a rasta-roko protest on the second day of Ganapati festival due to water cuts. This year, too, the KMC has started water cuts ahead of the festive season. If the supply is not resumed by Friday night, residents from Mangalwar Peth have decided to take out a protest march to the KMC office on Saturday," Usha Jadhav said.
Kolhapur residents and traders often rely on uninterrupted water supply during Ganeshotsav for household needs and for mandal preparations; interruptions at this time heighten tensions in densely populated areas such as Mangalwar Peth and Shahupuri.
KMC response and likely restoration
An official from the KMC’s water supply department said the repair works were expected to be completed late on Thursday and that most parts of the city would receive smooth water supply from Friday noon. The official cautioned that a few areas might receive supply at lower pressure initially.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pipeline | 700mm diameter, between Balinga and Chambukhadi |
| Duration of works | Wednesday–Thursday |
| Affected areas | Wards A–E and adjoining suburbs |
| Immediate relief | Water tankers deployed; priority to slum areas |
Officials did not provide a detailed list of neighbourhoods scheduled for tanker deliveries or a timetable for pressure restoration. Residents said communication from the KMC about specific timings had been limited, fuelling anxiety as festivities approach.
Local civic groups and political representatives have urged the KMC to plan major maintenance outside peak demand periods and to publish advance schedules so citizens can make contingency arrangements. With Ganeshotsav imminent, consumer expectations for uninterrupted supply are high, and the municipality faces public pressure to ensure swift completion of the emergency repairs while improving communication about service interruptions.
Municipal engineers and water department staff remained on site into Thursday evening to complete the repairs, the KMC official said, adding that any residual low-pressure pockets would be monitored and addressed.
