The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has completed the most crucial part of laying the main water pipelines network under the equitable and regular 24x7 water supply project in the heart of city areas during the second wave of Covid. However, minor works will take some time to complete to actual execution of the project.
PMC initiated the 24x7 water supply project at the cost of ₹2,550 crore to solve the water problem of the city. It raised ₹200 crore through bonds and also levied water charges. It has set a deadline of five years to complete the project. It was approved in February 2018 and work started in December 2018. The PMC allotted work to L&T and Jain irrigation.
However, the project was affected very badly in the first wave of Covid-19 as workers returned to their hometown. During the unlocking of the first wave, workers returned to work but, suddenly the second wave started in the month of March. PMC once again faced a workers’ shortage problem, but it was not so severe as compared to the first wave.
Nandkumar Jagtap, superintendent engineer who is handling the project of 24x7 water supply project said, “The water supply department and drainage department took to replacing 40-year-old pipelines in the heart of the city area due to lockdown in the second wave. We took the decision to lay down a water pipeline network along with these works. It helped us a lot and we have completed a 25-kilometre network of laying main water pipelines in the heart of the city road like Laxmi road, Bajirao road and Tilak road. In the congested part of the main city, we have to lay down a total of 125 kilometres of pipeline for 24x7 water work. Of that, we have completed major work on the busiest roads of the city. Shivaji and Nehru road are working in the pipe in the next stage.”
{{/usCountry}}Nandkumar Jagtap, superintendent engineer who is handling the project of 24x7 water supply project said, “The water supply department and drainage department took to replacing 40-year-old pipelines in the heart of the city area due to lockdown in the second wave. We took the decision to lay down a water pipeline network along with these works. It helped us a lot and we have completed a 25-kilometre network of laying main water pipelines in the heart of the city road like Laxmi road, Bajirao road and Tilak road. In the congested part of the main city, we have to lay down a total of 125 kilometres of pipeline for 24x7 water work. Of that, we have completed major work on the busiest roads of the city. Shivaji and Nehru road are working in the pipe in the next stage.”
{{/usCountry}}He further said, “Due to busy and narrow roads, it would have not been possible to complete during the normal situation. Now, secondary pipeline lay work remains in the by lanes which we will complete smoothly in the coming days.”
Sushmita Shirke, superintending engineer, sewerage, maintenance and repair department said, “The water supply department laid down a 24x7 work water pipeline along with the drainage work. It saved time and duplication of road digging work. We replaced 40 years old China clay drainage lines from the heart of the city area. It happened due to the lockdown, otherwise, because of narrow roads and heavy traffic, it would have taken a lot of time and energy of the administration to replace it.”