Pune’s Water Supply Boost: Khadakwasla-Phursungi Tunnel Proposal Awaits Final Approval
Pune, 11th June 2024:The proposal to construct a tunnel between Khadakwasla Dam and Phursungi village, aimed at increasing water supply to Pune City and addressing agricultural needs, has been pending before the Government of Maharashtra for six months. With the expiration of the code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections, the cabinet meeting scheduled for next week is expected to address this high-anticipation proposal.
The Water Resources Department of the State Government has meticulously drafted a plan to establish a 28 km long tunnel between Khadakwasla Dam and Phursungi. The department has prepared a detailed project report, which has received approval from the Chief Engineer of the Water Resources Department and subsequently from the Technical Advisory Committee of Maharashtra. The estimated expenditure for this scheme is around one and a half thousand crore rupees. This project is expected to conserve approximately two and a half TMC (billion cubic feet) of water.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has expressed willingness to provide a loan for this project. Accordingly, a proposal of Rs 2,200 crore has been submitted to the bank by the Water Resources Department. Additionally, the Water Resources Department intends to close the canal, rendering the area vacant. A proposal has been submitted suggesting that this space be transferred to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) in exchange for Transferable Development Rights (TDR). With all necessary approvals in place, the proposal is currently before the Cabinet awaiting final approval, a process that has been ongoing for more than six months.
The delay in approving the proposal was attributed to the recently held Lok Sabha elections. However, now that the code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections has concluded, the cabinet meeting is slated for next week. If the proposal garners approval during that meeting, work on the project can commence. Realistically, it will take at least three years to complete the project once the groundwork is initiated. Officials from the Irrigation Department have indicated that it is likely the code of conduct for the assembly elections will be enforced in four months. Thus, the proposal is anticipated to receive final approval before that time.
As for the project itself, the Water Resources Department aims to transport water from Khadakwasla to Phursungi through a ‘D’ shaped tunnel measuring 7.80 meters wide, 3.90 meters high, and with a circular height of 1.950 meters. This 28 km long tunnel will augment the canal’s capacity to 1510 cusecs, facilitating the gravity-driven conveyance of water to Phursungi. This initiative will save approximately two and a half TMC of water, mitigating issues such as pollution, leakage, and evaporation.
