The Indian Express 03.07.2013
Rs 380 crore Bhama Askhed plan gets Centre’s nod
capacity to meet the rising demand of drinking water, the Union
government has given its nod to the implementation of a Rs 380 crore
project to draw water from Bhama Askhed dam and a Rs 118 crore project
to expand the water works at Vadgaon Budhruk.
The meeting of Central Sanctioning and Monitoring
Committee (CSMC) of the Union Urban Ministry was held in Delhi on
Tuesday and the two proposals of PMC were taken up for discussion. “The
two projects have been given the nod for implementation under JNNURM,”
said Municipal Commissioner Mahesh Pathak.
He said that the third proposal of increasing the water supply
capacity at Parvati, the main water works of the city, would be taken up
in the next meeting.
The civic administration had planned the project to enable
it to meet the increased demand of the city, which is undergoing rapid
urbanisation. However, the huge costs involved had delayed
implementation of the project. It was later proposed to be implemented
through JNNURM funds.
“The projects will now gain pace and meet the JNNURM deadline,” said superintendent engineer V G Kulkarni.
In its proposals collectively pegged at Rs 1,282 crore,
the PMC had sought approval to Bhama Askhed project while estimating its
cost at Rs 447 crore. The project has been planned to meet the water
supply needs of the eastern part of the city that includes the entire
Nagar road, Yerawada, Kharadi, Lohegaon and Vadgaonsheri areas.
Similarly, the estimated cost of expanding the water work
project at Vadgaon Budhruk was pegged at Rs 147 crore. The PMC plans to
construct a water purification plant of 250 MLD at Vadgaon Budhruk which
would cater to the water demands of fringe areas on Sinhagad Road,
Satara Road and Solapur Road alongwith new villages is likely to be
merged in civic jurisdiction.
The other two proposals pending with the CSMC relate to increasing
the water supply capacity of Parvati Water Works by 500 MLD at an
estimated cost of Rs 198 crore and constructing storm water drains and
nullah channelisation at a cost of Rs 490 crore.
PMC has also started work on the 24×7 water supply project
with equitable distribution. It has taken up five areas for the pilot
project and would soon instal water meters and revamp the water supply
network in the city.
