Pimpri: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has taken no action to implement the laying of water pipeline from Pavana Dam in Maval up to Nigdi, though the stay on the plan was lifted nine months ago.
It is likely to be delayed till the State Assembly elections due to political opposition. Therefore, the water issue is going to worsen. The civic administration clarified that the current alternate day water supply is likely to continue till 2026.
The PCMC prepared a plan to bring water from the Pavana Dam in a closed water pipeline till the Water Purification Centre in Nigdi to address growing demand due to the rising population of the twin towns. It was planned under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). A work order was issued to NCC-SMC-Indu (JV) contractual firm on April 30, 2008. The project was supposed to be completed by April 28, 2010 (in two years).
However, the project was opposed by Maval residents. Land acquisition started on August 9, 2011 amidst police security. The Maval residents protested, during which the police allegedly resorted to gun-firing to control an agitating mob. Three farmers lost lives in the incident. Later, people’s temper ran high. The State Government then stayed the plan on August 10, 2011. An underground water pipeline of 4.40 km out of 34.71 km was laid.
It was an ambitious project of the then Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar. He joined the ruling combine in July 2023. The minister took the lead to lift the stay on the project on September 8, 2023. Nine months are over but the work has not resumed. The civic body has appointed a new consultant to draft a new plan on the basis of current circumstances. However, no new tender has been floated or work has not resumed.
All parties in the industrial township welcomed the lifting of stay. The NCP (AP) and the BJP haggled over claiming credit for the decision. However, some leaders from Maval from these parties have opposed the project. NCP (AP) MLA Sunil Shelke and BJP MLA Bala Bhegde are against the plan. Therefore, work has not started. It is not likely to resume till the state polls are over. Pimpri-Chinchwad residents are deprived of adequate, potable water till then.
Rs 8 crore spent on rent and security
As many as 2,169 pipes of 1.80-m diameter, of 8-10-m thickness and of 12-m length are lying at private places in Kamshet, Kanhe Phata, Borhadewadi, Vadgaon Maval, Brahmanwadi, Kiwale and Gahunje. Electrical material is stored in a godown. The civic body has appointed security guards at these places. Space owners are being paid a rent. The PCMC has paid bills towards rent and salaries of guards from May 1, 2019 to June 30, 2024 amounting to over Rs 8.61 crore.
