Munde assures Pune of long-term power plan

Munde made announcements and observations over the city’s projected need for power supply, water supply and traffic regulations while laying the foundation stone of the 1,200 millimeter diameter water pipeline project between Parvati water works and SNDT water tank here today.

The project, undertaken by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), is expected to boost the water supply to Shivajinagar, Kothrud, Karvenagar, Varje, Paud road, Aundh, Baner, Dapodi, Bopodi and other areas being supplied water from the SNDT and the Chaturshrungi water tank.

Munde, who is also the Energy Minister, admitted that the power supply network in Pune needs to be strengthened, considering the rapid growth of its suburban areas. “The plan will be designed in such a manner that the requirement of power supply for the next 30 years will be taken in to account,” he said.

He also announced that the State was willing to issue 50 per cent grant if PMC undertakes a plan for establishing a modern traffic control system. Pointing out that the traffic situation in Pune was worsening day by day, Munde felt that PMC should take lead in establishing a system, on the lines of the system in Mumbai.

He congratulated the civic administration for making heavy allocations in the budget draft for augmentation of city’s water supply, besides proposing a mega plan for long term planning of the water distribution network and sewage system. He, however, suggested that instead of preparing plans that will cater to the needs of projected population in the next 15 years every corporation in the state should go for long term plans, catering to the projected population in the next 30 years.

Earlier, in her welcome address, mayor Chavan had appealed to Munde to press on the State government to issue additional grants to Pune to cope up with its rapid growth. In his presiding address, chairman of the State legislative council Jayantrao Tilak too pointed out that the boundaries of the city will soon be extended to their maximum limits, the mountains. It is essential that the State should assist Pune, he said.

Munde assured that the State would consider these demands and assured that scheme for drinking water supply will not get stalled for the want of funds. The State plans to raise the funds for these water supply schemes by launching special small scale saving scheme titled “Suvarna Jayanti Alpabachat Yojana” from August 9 this year, he said.