Indian Express 31.12.2009
Pimpri blooms with Rs 1,000-cr projects
Despite the gloomy scenario caused by recession, a slew of development projects worth a staggering Rs 1,000 crore came up in the twin industrial township of Pimpri-Chinchwad in 2009. A majority of developments projects — housing for poor, sewerage treatment plants and water distribution network — have either gained momentum or are nearing completion.
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) administration has described it as a major achievement considering that the octroi earnings — a major source of revenue for the civic body — had dipped considerably in the early part of 2009.
In one of the biggest projects, aimed at making Pimpri-Chinchwad a slum-free city, as many as 400 flats, each measuring 270 square feet, were handed over to slum-dwellers in Nigdi area. Now, the PCMC plans to construct 18,032 more flats in the project worth Rs 558 crore and for this, the civic body is investing over Rs 200 crore while centre and state will pay their share under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) on 50-30 ratio.
Sudhir Joshi, who was heading the PCMC project till last month and is now with the state PWD department, said, “The project got rolling this year and has gained good momentum.”
The sewage treatment plant (STP) project, worth over Rs 260 crore, will ensure that untreated domestic waste does not flow into Pavana, Mula and Indrayani rivers, also saw a major turnaround.
Municipal Commissioner Asheesh Sharma said three STPs were completed and commissioned. PCMC’s JNNURM officer Neelkanth Poman said STPs at Ravet, Chinchwad and Pimple Nilakh were completed this year
Sharma said a major part of the water supply network was also completed. The work on installation of water meters is also nearing completion, he said. The water project, divided into two phases, is worth Rs 400 crore.Sharma rubbished allegations that his administration was not transparent and citizen-oriented. “From April 1, we started the e-tendering project which has made the entire tender process fair and transparent,” he said. The SMS complaint system and garbage vehicle tracking system show that we are at the beck and call of citizens, he said. Sharma said his administration was able to control expenditure and push development projects at a faster rate.
However, corporator Maruti Bhapkar said the PCMC administration was misleading citizens. “If they have spend Rs 1,000 crore, then why are citizens agitating for amenties? he asked.
His administration also came under fire over the City Centre plan. Sharma said there was no truth in the allegations that the project was to benefit certain people. “It will only enhance the prestige of the industrial town,” he said
