Mangalore, March 26: Scores of shops in Bendorwell in Mangalore were inundated with water on Monday morning after the underground pipeline in front of the KRC complex burst and the about 10 square feet road caved in.
The shops and business establishment at KRC Complex, Heera complex and Shah Complex had to bear the brunt of the sudden deluge with a bookshop being the worst affected. The books and other articles at Mangala Book and Stationery were completely washed away in the deluge. The pipeline blast has left a huge crater on the Bendoorwell-Balmatta road just in front of the KRC Complex.
“The pipeline burst at around 5 am with a thud. I was at my shop sorting out papers. On hearing the sound I rushed to the spot and the water started gushing out like a flood,” said Prasad of Renuka News Agency.
“We got a message at around 6.30. We were completely shocked and rushed to the spot. To our utter dismay the water had seeped into the shop through the gap of the shutter. I just don't know how to handle my customers now,” said Saleem of Stitchpoint, who along with his wife was busy draining out the water.
“This is worst than monsoon. At least we will have an idea about the impending danger. But this was a complete shocker,” he says.
“I came at around 6 pm as usual. But I was taken aback by the crowd milling the road. But luckily my shop was spared as I had the outlet at the other end,” said Chandrashekar, who owns a tea-stall at the area.
The problem of pipeline bursting due to the weight of the traffic has recurred several times over the last few years. “This is perhaps the fourth time the pipeline has burst,” added Prasad.
Entry of vehicles have been restricted on the stretch, leading to traffic snarl in and around Bendoorwell area during the monring rush hour.
Assistant Executive Engineer Lingegowda, who visited the spot, felt that the pipe should have been replaced while relaying the road. “I reckon the pipe could not withstand the pressure of the increasing vehicular traffic,” he observed.
The shop-owners, with local residents were able to flush out water using all possible means. The situation was brought to control at around 7.30 am. Local residents also came out and helped the stricken shop-owners. The impact of deluge was such that water swept through the adjacent Kalpana Road.
Although the MCC staff rushed to the spot without much delay, they were not equipped properly. The pump they brought did not function due to some technical snag.
Mayor Gulzar Banu and Deputy Mayor Amitha Kala visited the spot and instructed official to fix the pipeline as soon as possible
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