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Bhama Askhed project: Chief minister directs civic bodies to give Rs 15 lakh to affected farmers
CM Devendra Fadnavis asked to submit the cash compensation to district collector and the collectororate would distribute the amount
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday cleared way to lift water from Bhama Askhed dam for Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad by asking both the civic bodies to give Rs 15 lakh compensation to affected farmers.
Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has taken up the water pipeline work from Bhama Askhed dam to the city, but has been unable to complete the project for the past three years due to opposition from farmers who are unwilling to give up their lands for the plan. The civic body could carry out only 80 per cent of the project under police protection. Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is also demanding water from the dam and plans to lay pipeline.
The water coming from the dam would be utilised for eastern part of the city, mainly Ahmednagar road, Vadgaonsheri and Kharadi area. The CM conducted a meeting with PMC, PCMC and irrigation department officials and farmer representatives. Farmers claimed that they had given lands for the project at low prices and are not getting water from the dam as there is no canal for it.
Farmers demand Rs15 lakh compensation
Pravin Gedam, PMC officer incharge of Bhama Askhed project, said, “The CM asked PMC and PCMC to bear the financial burden in the proportion they are lifting water from the dam and give Rs 15 lakh compensation to each farmer. There is a total of 400 affected farmers. The CM asked to submit the cash compensation to district collector and the collectororate would distribute the amount.”
The civic official said that as the farmers have agreed to the solution put forth by the chief minister, PMC would be able to finish the pipeline work by December 2019.
