Date:19/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/19/stories/2008021957300100.htm

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Devadula pipeline damage sparks row

Staff Reporter

WARANGAL: A technical snag encountered during the trial run of the prestigious Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme near the project site late Sunday night led to a major controversy with leaders of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and the Communists flaying the State Government for negligence.

The lid of a manhole that facilitates technical personnel to enter the huge pipes blew off due to the pressure following which the gap between two pipes got widened.

“The welding was not done properly and the water gushed out from the pipes throwing off the lid.

It will take some time to dewater the area and study the exact cause of the problem,” said Superintending Engineer Surender Reddy. There are several manholes along the distribution line, he said. The accident took place very near the intake well where the pressure was more and as flow continues through pipelines, the pressure comes down, he said.