Pune Civic Officials Conduct Site Visit to Address Water Supply Delays
Civic officials from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) accompanied residents of Mohammadwadi and Undri on Wednesday to inspect the site of overhead water storage tanks in the locality. The joint visit focused on discussing the status of pending works related to transmission and distribution lines, which are critical for operationalizing water supply in these areas.
Transmission Line Work Targeted for Mid-May Completion
During the visit, officials announced plans to complete the remaining work on the transmission line in the Katraj-Kondhwa Road area by mid-May. This transmission line is essential for fetching water from the Wadgaon water works to the overhead tanks. Once finished, trials of the distribution network will commence, paving the way for improved water supply to residents.
Currently, a significant portion of Mohammadwadi, NIBM Road, Undri, and Kondhwa areas is not receiving adequate water supply. Approximately 15 overhead tanks are ready in the region, but water supply has not begun due to the incomplete transmission line. The work has been delayed in a stretch of about 150 meters due to technical challenges cited by PMC.
Officials Outline Steps to Accelerate Project
Virendra Kelkar, in-charge of the Cantonment water works at PMC, who was present at the joint visit, stated that the administration is taking all necessary steps to complete the transmission line works at the earliest. "Most of the pipeline has been laid, but the work along Katraj-Kondhwa Road is unfinished. We are trying to apply various methods to lay the line. Once ready, PMC will immediately start washing of the transmission and distribution lines, followed by trials. Successful completion of trials will pave the way to supply water from the overhead tanks to the local distribution network," Kelkar explained.
He added that there is a plan to cover maximum areas, noting that while the overhead tanks are ready, the distribution network in some areas is still incomplete. "We will be finishing pending work so that supply can be augmented," he assured.
Residents Urge Swift Action to Reduce Dependency on Tankers
Residents of Mohammadwadi, Undri, and NIBM Road have long been urging the completion of this pending work to operationalize water supply to the overhead tanks. This would help reduce their dependency on water tankers, which has led to significant expenses. Nandkishor Jagtap, head of PMC's water supply department, acknowledged the project's roadblocks but expressed optimism. "The project has gone through many roadblocks, but water will finally come. However, the supply will not be 24x7," he told TOI, aiming to provide water in the overhead tanks by mid-May.
PMC Suspends Planned Water Closure Amidst Strike Resolution
In a related development, PMC announced on Wednesday evening the suspension of a scheduled water closure across the city for Thursday. All areas will receive water as per the usual schedule, according to the civic water supply department. This decision was made against the backdrop of a strike by water tanker operators, which ended late on Wednesday night. Officials cited technical reasons for withdrawing the closure and stated that a revised closure date would be announced shortly, with water supply continuing as usual in the interim.
