What are the guidelines specified by the PWD while laying sewerage lines and water supply lines to prevent breakage of lines? In case of lapses, is there any provision of penal measures to be taken against those found guilty?

Recently in a city in Goa, a rupture in both the sewage and water supply lines was detected leading to suspected contamination of drinking water.  As a couple of manholes were also found filled with contaminated water, the water probably seeped into the ground water leading to contamination of a nearby well. The rupture is thought to have occurred owing to the digging of the road by a telecom company. The information regarding the rules, regulations and responsibility will enable me as a citizen to take up the matter with the concerned regulatory bodies.

Govind Kamat
govindkamat1@rediffmail.com