Centre approves Rs 890 cr for water supply project in GBS-hit villages
Pune city has been witnessing incessant floods over the last few years, with incidents of loss of life.
The funding aims to secure sustainable water access for nearly 8 lakh residents by 2052. (Image generated using AI) In a major push to towards the city’s development, the Union Government on Monday approved two civic projects of Rs 1,290 crore, including Rs 890 crore for a water supply project for 12 villages affected by Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and Rs 400 crore for flood control measures, to meet the challenges of rapid urbanisation in Pune.
Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram presented the projects proposed by the civic body in the first apex committee meeting for the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) scheme of the union government.
Additional Municipal Commissioner Pavneet Kaur said the approval of the two major projects will accelerate urban development.
Kaur said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has been giving special attention to Pune city, thereby accelerating the city’s overall development and strengthening its infrastructure.
The 12 villages affected by GBS last year saw many people falling seriously ill.
The Indian Express in its extensive coverage had reported that untreated water lifted from the well was being supplied to citizens through the civic water supply system. The well was receiving polluted water from Khadakwasla dam due to sewage and waste entering the water from the localities in the backwaters of the dam.
In Pune city, the PMC is implementing the Equal Water Supply scheme and the civic administration claimed around 85 percent work on it in the old limits of Pune city has been completed. The entire project is planned to be operational by August 2026 following many extensions.
At present, water supply works are in progress in seven villages, while Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for 25 villages are ready, said Kaur adding, “Additionally, a Rs 890 crore project has been proposed for the 12 villages affected by Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). This will be for Khadakwasla, Nanded, Nandoshi, Sansanagar, Kirkitwadi, Dhayari, Narhe, Jambhulwadi, Kolhewadi, Mangadewadi, Nimbalkarwadi, and Bhilarwadi.”
Under this project, around 7.78 lakh citizens estimated to be the population of the area by 2052 will get clean drinking water. The project includes a 200 MLD water treatment plant, 71 km transmission main line, 390 km distribution network, and smart metering system.
The SCADA-based smart water management and control systems will help reduce water leakage and strengthen Pune’s sustainable and modern urban water infrastructure by 2052, she said.
Rs 400 crore for floods
Pune city has been witnessing incessant floods over the last few years, with incidents of loss of life. The PMC has planned storm water drainage and flood mitigation measures to be implemented at 335 major flood-prone locations across Pune city under the Rs 400 crore provision.
These comprehensive initiatives will help safeguard citizens and their properties while also improving public health conditions, said Kaur.
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