Irrigation department demands Rs 162 crore for water from dam

The civic administration had started work on the project to draw water from Bhama Askhed by laying a pipeline and constructing a pumping station. The civic body crossed hurdles including land acquisition and resistance from residents of villages through which the pipeline passes.

The irrigation department has now written to PMC demanding Rs 162 crore to compensate for loss of irrigation water to be diverted to the civic body for supply of drinking water.

“The irrigation department has been citing rules to demand compensation. PMC conveyed to them that the water has not been used for irrigation purposes till date,” said V G Kulkarni, Executive Engineer, PMC.

The state government’s plan to construct a canal for irrigation has been held up for various reasons, he said, “The PMC has urged the state government to exempt it from paying compensation as the water from the dam is not being used for irrigation.”

“The civic body is facing a financial crunch. There is a drop in revenue collection. If the irrigation department was so firm on compensation they should have made it clear before the project was started by PMC,” said a civic officer.

The PMC had prepared a plan to draw water from the dam to tide over water shortage.

The project is to draw water from Bhama Askhed dam and ensure supply to Kalas, Sangamwadi, Yerawada, Lohegaon, Dhanori, Vadgaonsheri and Kharadi on Nagar Road. As per the civic administration, the population of the area is 4.99 lakh in the 2011 census and is expected to be 14.43 lakh by 2041. The water needed would be 231 MLD. The project would ensure 200 MLD from Bhama Askhed.

The PMC is implementing the project through JNNURM and had prepared a proposal with an estimated project cost of Rs 447.60 crore but approval was granted for a project of Rs 380 crore.

Of the Rs 190 crore of its share, the union government sanctioned Rs 47.52 crore to PMC while the state government contributed Rs 19 crore so far.