On Saturday morning, more than 50,000 residents residing in areas including Aundh Road, Bhau Patil Road, Chikalwadi, Manaji Bugh, Khadki Station, Pune University, and their adjacent localities experienced water supply disruptions. The interruption was a consequence of damage to the water pipeline that serves these regions. The pipeline sustained damage near Modern School while the ongoing Metro line construction between Shivajinagar and Hinjewadi was in progress. Prompt action by Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials helped restore water supply by the afternoon of the same day.
However, PMC officials have voiced concerns regarding the recurrent damage to public utilities during Metro construction activities. They allege that those responsible for the work are not exercising adequate caution. Such incidents necessitate PMC personnel to undertake repair work, causing disruptions and inconvenience to residents. As a response, the civic body has decided to impose fines on the authorities overseeing Metro construction in the area for the harm caused to utility lines. Additionally, the water supply department plans to send a letter to the relevant authorities addressing these issues.
It is noteworthy that a similar incident occurred last year when the water pipeline in the Aundh area was damaged during Metro construction, resulting in a three-day disruption of water supply. During this period, residents relied on water tankers for their daily needs.
The Shivajinagar to Hinjewadi Metro line project is under the development of the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. It aims to provide enhanced connectivity and transportation options for the residents of Pune and its neighboring areas. However, the recurring damage to utility lines underscores the importance of ensuring that construction activities are carried out with the utmost care and consideration for the existing infrastructure to minimize disruptions to essential services.
