PIMPRI: The state government has taken back its orders issued in 2011 of maintaining the status quo on the project of laying a direct pipeline from Pavana dam to sector 23 at Nigdi, considering the economic and industrial progress of Pimpri Chinchwad and the increasing population. Hence, the way is cleared for starting the work of the water pipeline project after 12 years. The Deputy Secretary of the government, Priyanka Kulkarni-Chapwale, has sent a letter to the municipal commissioner.
The work of bringing water from the Pavana dam to Pimpri Chinchwad by a closed pipeline had been started in 2008. The villagers opposed the project and organised an agitation. The police had opened fire on demonstrators which had led to the death of three farmers. In 2011, the erstwhile state government had stayed the project by issuing an order of maintaining the status quo.
There was a possibility that the PCMC may have suffered a loss of ₹170 crore. MLA Mahesh Landge had said that if this project is completed, the needs of drinking water of Pimpri Chinchwad would be met till 20250. When Deputy CM Ajit Pawar was on a tour of the city, he had also hinted at lifting the stay orders. Accordingly, the state government has lifted the stay orders on September 8.
MLA Mahesh Landge said that in 2011, the state government had stopped the project by issuing an order of maintaining the status quo. Hence, the state government and the Centre should allocate funds for completing the remaining work. “Considering the pollution and saving of water, the project will be important. Local farmers and people’s representatives should be consulted before starting the project work. The state government should immediately start the work of the Pavana closed water pipeline project and permanently solve the water problems of residents of Pimpri Chinchwad,” Landge added.
