Pune: PCMC Residents Anticipate Regular Water Supply With Aqueduct Progress
Pimpri, 12th October 2023: The ambitious aqueduct project aimed at delivering sanctioned water from Bhama Askhed and Andra Dam to the city is now in full throttle. The focus is on the simultaneous completion of the water channel and water treatment plant to ensure the works are finalized by the year 2025. As a result, citizens, who have grappled with sporadic water supply for the past three and a half years, can expect daily water only after 2025.
In anticipation of the city’s population growth rate and future demographic needs up to 2045, the municipal authorities have planned to bring in 267 MLD of water from Andra and Bhama Askhed dams. An eight-hectare water purification center, managed by the municipal corporation in Chikhali, is geared up to treat this water. Water from Andra Dam is currently sourced from Nighoje Dam and supplied to affected areas. However, due to the escalating population, water scarcity complaints have been on the rise.
The aqueduct project involving water transfer from Bhama Askhed Dam has faced challenges due to the involvement of multiple authorities, including the Public Works Department, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), Forest Department, and the Department of Water Resources. To overcome these space-related difficulties, the project has been expedited. Currently, eight kilometers of water channels within municipal limits have been successfully completed, with monthly reviews to ensure project progress. Commissioner Shekhar Singh confirmed the project’s targeted completion by 2025.
Water supply to the city currently relies on sources such as Pavana and Andra dams, providing a daily supply of 593 MLD. This consists of 510 MLD from Pavana Dam, 70 MLD from Chikhli Water Treatment Plant, and 13 MLD from the Industrial Development Corporation.
Additionally, the government has lifted the moratorium on the Pavana closed water channel project. Negotiations are ongoing with the previous contractor to resume work, with a final decision pending technical assessments, as stated by Commissioner Shekhar Singh.
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