Pune: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday inaugurated nine overhead tanks in the Undri-Mohammadwadi areas under the 24x7 equitable water supply scheme, stating it would resolve water problems in Pune if implemented properly.
He said the scheme was first envisaged in 2015 to address water distribution challenges in the city. Continuous follow-ups are being conducted to ensure timely completion. The administration should expedite the remaining work, and a review will be conducted after two months.
Fadnavis highlighted that water wastage is a major impediment to availability, with around 40% to 50% of water lost due to distribution leaks. The 24x7 scheme aims to strengthen the distribution network and ensure every drop is accounted for, he added.
The inauguration of these water tanks marks a significant milestone and is expected to reduce distribution issues in areas like NIBM Road and Undri. Local citizens and forums had long demanded that the overhead tanks be made operational.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister noted that Pune is rapidly emerging as a key hub for Global Capacity Centres (GCCs). Around 25% of the country's GCCs are developing in Pune. To sustain this growth, high-quality civic infrastructure is essential. The city must become more liveable, and the government is making efforts to achieve this. Public projects proposed for Pune will improve infrastructure over the next three to four years, he said.
Fadnavis also inaugurated the first cancer hospital built through a public-private partnership in Pune. Constructed by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and a private organization on civic land, the hospital offers cancer treatments at subsidized rates under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS).
During the hospital's inauguration, Fadnavis said the state government is developing a cancer grid across Maharashtra to organize primary, secondary, and tertiary care. The PPP model used by PMC is a good option for providing quality healthcare and could be replicated for similar medical centers in the future.
Fadnavis noted a rapid increase in cancer cases in India. Early treatment is ideal, as the disease becomes expensive and prolonged if untreated. The central and state governments have included cancer in healthcare schemes.
In another event, Fadnavis unveiled a statue of Chhatrapati Shri Sambhaji Maharaj at the Sambhaji Maharaj Park on JM Road. The district information office said it is the world's and Maharashtra's first 10-foot-tall full-length bronze statue of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj composing the Budhbhushan scripture, built at a cost of Rs 5 crore.
The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for a flyover near Mundhwa and chaired the agri hackathon prize distribution function in the city.
