More than 5 lakh residents of Jharia are facing an acute water crisis for the last four days due to a leak in the main water supply pipeline of Mineral Area Development Authority (Mada) in Jamadoba.

The crisis is the second of its kind in less than 45 days.

A similar leak in the main pipeline had developed at Patharbangla on November 8, cutting off water supply for five days.

Amit Kumar Sahu, president of Jharia Chamber of Commerce, said: “The residents of Jharia have been facing this kind of water crisis for the last four years. However, the people’s representatives and Mada didn’t pay heed to demands for replacement of the old pipeline that was laid during the British era. Only a new pipeline can provide a permanent solution to the repeated leaks disrupting water supply.”

Manoj Keshri, a resident of Hetli Bandh locality, said he had to walk 100 metres from his home to fetch water from a private well.

“I work with a private decorator and have been reaching late for work for the last four days because fetching water takes me an hour daily. I can’t understand the reason behind the recurrent disruption in water supply. If the existing pipeline needs to be replaced, why did the authorities not do it in four years?” Keshri said.

Technical member-cum-executive engineer of Mada, Indresh Shukla, said, “Work is under progress for repairing the leak. We will also install a new joint in the pipe at Jamadoaba water treatment plant. The work is likely to be completed by tonight (Sunday) and water supply will begin from tomorrow (Monday).”

He said the existing pipeline was made of cast iron and they were finding it very difficult to cut the pipe to carry out repairs.

On the replacement of old pipeline with a new one, Shukla said: “The survey for the Rs 310-crore project is under progress. We have already selected JMC Projects (India) Limited for the pipeline replacement work following a tendering process. Work is likely to begin by the end of February.”