World · South & Central Asia · 2 hrs ago
Kolkata pipeline leak leaves thousands without water and disrupts trains
Thousands in Kolkata’s Tala area have been without water for three days after a major supply pipeline leaked.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation says more than five million gallons spilled when the 72-inch pipe was damaged on November 9.
The leak disrupted water supplies to several neighbourhoods and caused flooding on railway tracks, affecting train services.
The pipe is linked to the Tala reservoir, which can hold up to 44 million gallons and supplies five booster pumping stations.
The corporation says repairs may take two to three days to restore the full water system.
Railway officials say Mail, Express and suburban trains will run on their normal routes from the following day, while new drainage measures are intended to reduce future flooding.
A major leak in a 72-inch water pipeline under the Tala bridge in Kolkata left thousands of residents without water.
The leak began on the morning of November 9, 2026, and more than 5 million gallons of water spilled out, according to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
Waterlogging affected railway tracks and disrupted train services, including Circular Railway passenger services.
The KMC said repairs could take two to three days to restore the entire water system.
Railway officials said Mail, Express and suburban trains would return to their normal routes from November 12.
- Who
- Thousands of Kolkata residents and rail passengers were affected.
- What
- A major pipeline leak disrupted water supplies and train services.
- When
- The pipeline was damaged on the morning of November 9, 2026.
- Where
- The leak was under the Tala bridge in Kolkata.
- Why
- The 72-inch water supply pipeline was damaged; the cause was not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The 72-inch pipeline under the Tala bridge was damaged and began leaking.
Circular Railway passenger services remained regulated because of waterlogging and its impact on the signalling system.
The KMC said repairs could take two to three days to restore the entire system.
Mail, Express and suburban train services were due to operate on their normal routes.
- Pipeline size
- 72 inches
- Water released
- More than 5 million gallons
- Repair estimate
- Two to three days to restore the entire system
- Affected area
- Tala, Kolkata
- Water system capacity
- The Tala reservoir can store up to 44 million gallons
What people are saying
I am pleased to inform passengers that, from tomorrow onwards, all Mail/Express and suburban train services will operate on their normal routes.