The pipe located under a cement concretised road burst at 1.30 pm, said hydraulic engineer S N Turkar, adding that four water tankers were pressed into service to provide water to the residents.

The cause of the burst has not been identified. ``It could be because the pipe was over 40 years old,'' informed Turkar, adding that a block of the concretised road was blown off due to the burst. The pipe is located seven to eight feet below the ground.

Meanwhile, the department has undertaken a drive to cut off illegally acquired water connections. Turkar informed that the department could even arrest people in this connection. Between October and December, thedepartment severed 305 illegal water connections. ``Those staying prior to January 1, 1995 can get a new connection by providing proof of residence by meeting the assistant engineer in their respective wards and paying the costs of installing the connection,'' informed Turkar. Five or more persons can get a water connection within a month after applying for the connection with the civic corporation.

The department is also shifting water pipes located below cement concretised roads. The department has to shift a total of 2.80 lakh water connections, of which 50,000 have been completed at a cost of Rs four crore.