IndianExpress 22.04.2010
Water: 30-40 per cent distribution losses common in cities, says civic chief
Express News Service Tags : corporation, water Posted: Thursday , Apr 22, 2010 at 0400 hrs
Pune: Even as the Pune Municipal Corporation has been drawing flak from all quarters for failing to minimise the losses during water distribution, municipal commissioner Mahesh Zagade on Wednesday tried to defend the water distribution losses saying that 30 to 40 per cent of losses can be found in any city.To make equitable water distribution a reality, Zagade said, the process to appoint a consultant to study the water distribution system has been initiated.
Last month, during a general body meeting, Zagade had expressed helplessness when he said that the city was using double the amount of water required.
“The state irrigation department has sanctioned 11 TMC (thousand million cubic metres) water for Pune. Last year, we received 14 TMC water. Even if we consider that city has a population of 35 lakh and 135-150 litre water is provided per head on daily basis, city’s need comes to about 7.8 TMC. This means, the city is using double quota of water than required,” Zagade had said.
However, on Wednesday, he said, “I must admit that Pune witnesses a lot of water loss. Not only in Pune, but also in other cities, 30 to 40 per cent of water distribution losses could be found.”
Later, he explained various measures undertaken by the civic administration to improve the situation. “There is a need to revamp the existing water distribution system as some areas of the city receives more water than others.
Our target is to provide 150 litres of water per capita. Therefore, for an equitable water distribution system, a consultant will be appointed.”
City’s water crisis is becoming acute. Therefore, we have divided the city into three sections to facilitate distribution and appointed three special officers. We will also create a new post of hydraulic engineer,” he said.
Earlier, corporators, cutting across party lines, launched a verbal attack on the civic administration for failing to provide sufficient water to citizens. Several corporators pointed out that the administration had failed to find any solution despite discussions in the general body meetings for years.
MNS flays PMC for sponsoring Baisakhi fest
THE Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Tuesday staged a protest in the general body against the Pune Municipal Corporation’s decision to be the co-sponsor of Baisakhi festival and allotting Rs 30 lakh for the same.
The civic body sanctioned Rs 30 lakh for cultural programmes and the organisers also charged entry fee,” said MNS corporator Rajendra Wagaskar. He said it was learnt that the civic staff was made to sell tickets to citizens for the programme. The programme was organised by a non-registered organisation, he alleged.
Mayor Mohansingh Rajpal said he would clarify all the doubts on the issue and the civic body has done nothing wrong by conducting the programme
