The Times of India               22.01.2014

No increase in water tax for metered supply

PUNE: The standing committee of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) rejected a proposal to increase water tax on Tuesday.

The civic administration had tabled a proposal to increase water tax by 15% for metered water supply. There are around 37,000 metered water connections in the city, which include commercial as well as residential consumers.

"The decision was taken unanimously. There has been no increase in the tax for the last five years. This year, too, we have decided not to implement any hike," standing committee chairman Vishal Tambe told reporters.

According to Tambe, nearly Rs 245 crore is spent on supplying water to these metered connections. However, the income from these connections is less. The administration faces a loss of around Rs 46 crore from these connections.

The Times of India               22.01.2014

Three new ways to keep roads intact in monsoon

PUNE: The civic body has given some serious thought to resurfacing the city's roads. Since many thoroughfares in the city crumble during the monsoon and angry citizens vent their ire against the civic body, the Pune Municipal Corporation, to maintain and enhance the quality of roads, has turned to several methods.

The civic body has completed work on roads in Gokhalenagar, Wakdewadi, Sahakarnagar, Bhusari Colony, Ideal Colony, Aundh-Baner, Ruturaj Society, Gultekdi and Parvati Darshan using the overlay method. It also plans to use a thin white topping method for another 77 km of roads by March 31.

"The civic body has to resurface tar roads every three to five years. Compared to the expenses incurred on resurfacing, the overlay method is more viable," said municipal commissioner Mahesh Pathak in his annual draft budget for 2014-15.

The PMC has two ways to concrete roads. In the overlay method, where the base is strong, concrete layers are directly laid over it. Where the base is weak, it is torn up, grouted and surfaced and then concretised.

Work on the 30-meter development plan road parallel to Baner-Balewadi highway and a 30-meter road in Kharadi have also begun. "The PMC has completed the road survey and identified roads which need immediate repair. The estimated cost for these repairs is Rs 38 crore. Roads in the city will be intact during monsoon if resurfacing and concreting work is completed before the rains," said Pathak.

The civic body has proposed the use of micro surfacing technology in 2015 to strengthen roads. "This technology helps maintain the quality of roads for five years after construction," said Pathak in his budget speech.

White topping

Micro surfacing