Pune: Maval MP Shrirang Barne has written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, calling for an all-party meeting to resolve the long-standing deadlock over the Pavana closed water pipeline project. The project has remained stalled since 2011 following violent protests by farmers.
Quality Concerns Raised
In his letter, Barne highlighted serious concerns about the quality of drinking water currently supplied to Pimpri Chinchwad from the Pavana river. He alleged that the river, a primary water source for the city, is heavily polluted by untreated sewage, industrial chemical waste, and even animal remains. “Laboratory reports have confirmed that the river water is highly contaminated and unfit for human consumption,” Barne claimed. He emphasized that the state government must initiate fresh dialogues with farmers and local stakeholders to resolve compensation-related issues that have fueled opposition to the project for years.
Project Background
The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) launched the project in 2009. The plan involved laying a 34-km closed pipeline from the Pavana dam directly to the civic body’s water treatment plant at Ravet to prevent contamination and evaporation. However, after only 4 km of work was completed, the project was halted in 2011 after three people died in police firing during a protest. While the state government later lifted the stay on the project, work has yet to resume. Financial delays have also mounted; the project, originally estimated at Rs 398 crore in 2009, is now expected to cost over Rs 1,000 crore according to a revised detailed project report prepared last year.
Necessity for Growing City
Civic officials stated that the pipeline is essential not only for ensuring cleaner water but also for increasing the city’s water allocation by nearly 100 million litres per day (MLD). Barne noted that with Pimpri Chinchwad’s population now exceeding 32 lakh, the city’s burgeoning demand makes the project a necessity. Currently, the PCMC lifts approximately 550 MLD from the Ravet bund on the Pavana river. “Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde have assured me that a solution will be reached through detailed discussions with all stakeholders,” Barne said.
Implementation Hurdles
A senior PCMC official noted that while the civic body has made budgetary provisions for the work, implementation remains stalled due to pending state funds, land acquisition hurdles, and unresolved farmer grievances. As it stands, the city receives 530 MLD from the Pavana dam and an additional 100 MLD from the Andra dam. While another 167 MLD has been sanctioned from the Bhama Askhed project, the pipeline work is still underway, with supply expected to start next year. In the meantime, residents continue to receive water on an alternate-day basis, as the administration struggles to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population.
