Water pipe choice sparks row

Geetanjali Gayatri

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 7

Six years after the use of asbestos cement (AC) water distribution pipes was discontinued for high-maintenance and health reasons, Haryana’s BJP government has given its nod to fit these in rural areas.

The government, it is learnt, has cited “budgetary constraints and low cost” to opt for AC pipes over Ductile Iron (DI) pipes by opening tenders last month. The High Powered Purchase Committee is to decide on the procurement at its next meeting.

The move has raised eyebrows since the use of AC pipes was discontinued in 2010 during the previous Congress regime after a committee of Chief Engineers of various departments, headed by Engineer-in-Chief of the Public Health Department, concluded that DI pipes scored over AC pipes despite higher costs.

Last year, the Manohar Lal Khattar government constituted a committee of Superintending Engineers to examine the performance of AC pipes procured in the past. This committee, too, is learnt to have given its verdict in favour of DI pipes.

Sources claim that the report, based on comments from the field staff, mentioned that the AC pipes were more prone to leakages, were high-maintenance and more crucial, the leakage resulted in contamination of drinking water.

The government, however, has decided to go ahead and procure AC pipes of 100, 150 and 200-mm diameter manufactured through Mazza process for use in rural areas.

Though the government is well within its powers to procure pipes of 150 mm and above in diameter manufactured by Mazza process, it cannot overrule the decision of the Haryana Sanitary Board that 100-mm pipes can be manufactured through either Magnani or Mazza process.

What’s more, the government already has stocks of AC pipes lying unutilised since procurement was stopped in 2010.

A complaint against the move has been sent to the Chief Minister, the cabinet ministers and the Leader of the Opposition, following which the procurement could be stalled.

“The decision to revert to AC pipes was taken in view of their lower costs. However, after the complaint, we are looking into the allegations,” a senior officer of the Public Health Department said.

Minister of State for Public Health (independent charge) Ghanshyam Saraf was not available for comment.