The  Indian Express              17.12.2013

Drawing water from Bhama Askhed dam: Civic panel appoints contractor

Putting on track the ambitious project of drawing water from Bhama Askhed dam to meet the increased demand of the city, the standing committee of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Monday appointed a contractor to lay 26-km pipeline — of the total 42-km long stretch — in the first phase of the project.

The project being implemented under JNNURM is estimated to cost Rs 380 crore with the Centre pooling in Rs 190 crore, state government Rs 76 crore and PMC 114 crore. The PMC has already received the first installment of Rs 47 crore from the Centre.

The city will get 2.6 TMC water every year from the Bhama Askhed dam that will cater to water demands of Kalas, Dhanori, Lohegaon, Vadgaonsheri and adjoining area. The project has been planned keeping in mind the need of projected population of 14 lakh by 2045. "The contract of laying pipeline of 1600 mm diameter on 26-km stretch has been given to to Larsen & Toubro (L&T). The work pegged at Rs 127 crore has to be completed in 21 months," said Vishal Tambe, Chairperson, standing committee.

He said the civic administration has completed the procedure of land acquisition for starting the project. The Public Works Department of the state government and the Pune Zilla Parishad have given their no objection certificates, while the same is expected from MIDC. The PCMC will too give its nod to PMC to lay pipeline through its land, he added.

Tambe said the civic body would also start the work on constructing new water treatment plant at Parvati and Vadgaon Budhruk.

Meanwhile, the standing committee also gave its nod to implement the e-governance project proposed by civic administration. The MNS opposed the proposal saying the civic administration did not invite bids for the project.