Crucial projects wait for push as election whispers start in Pune Cantonment Board

Among the most crucial projects is the storm water drainage for which funds are being sought under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). The project that has been in the pipeline for over two years is expected to remodel and improve the 1960 sewerage system of Pune Camp. Another project is the laying of water pipelines in the cantonment area. The same,however,has remained on paper as the Board is expecting Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to do the job as the water supply is primarily civic body’s responsibility and has been charging the Board for it through Octroi.

“If PMC is supplying water to the cantonment area,isn’t it the duty of the civic body to undertake the water pipeline project too? The old water supply system is resulting in water loss and during summers residents in Pune Camp have to depend on water tankers,” said Arti Mahajan,Vice-President,PCB.

Mahajan said the project was approved by the Board five years ago but there has been delay due to PMC’s approach.

The solid waste management project pegged around Rs 7-8 crore is another crucial project that was in limbo for nearly three years. “This project has been streamlined now. Earlier,there was no consensus on how to manage the project but now the project is in tendering stage,” said Mahajan

She added,“Irrespective of the outcome of elections,these are the projects that need push. The Board has been deprived of funds and it is high time the Centre approves funds for these projects.”

Other projects such as flyovers,construction of commercial complex at court building,sports stadium at Golibar maidan too are stuck at various stages. “As far as the sports complex is concerned,the army has advised the Board to do away with commercialisation of the complex and instead focus on sports aspects. The other projects have also been approved,but there is fund crunch. It has almost been four months since Octroi was done away with,but we have yet not got approval for imposing local body tax,” said Karan Makwani,member and former vice-president of PCB.