E-Paper
Pune’s Bhama Askhed project takes off under police cover
Pune city police deployed two squads of State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) and cordoned off the Bhama Askhed dam on Friday
The work on stalled Bhama Askhed dam pipeline project resumed on Friday in presence of heavy police protection.
Pune city police deployed two squads of State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) and cordoned off the Bhama Askhed dam on Friday, and the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) began the work on pipeline project. The action comes after villagers threatened to commit suicide by jumping into the dam water if the civic body started work on the stalled project.
The PMC had planned to restart the pipeline work on May 10. However, as the Pune police were not able to give police protection, the work did not take off. Saurabh Rao, Pune municipal commissioner, demanded immediate deployment of police force on Thursday, and the work began on Friday.
Sunil Pawar, police sub-inspector from Chakan, said, “We have provided heavy police protection so that the PMC can begin the work. As a precautionary measure, ten people from the area have also been arrested. Despite the civic body meeting most of their demands, villagers continue the protest.”
According to Rao, the laying of the pipeline was halted for around a month since April owing to objection from affected farmers. However, the PMC has decided to take a stand and complete the project.
Rao said, “The cost of water pipeline project is Rs 400 crore. At least 80 per cent work is completed and the rest is held up because of repeated agitations by farmers. With police protection being provided, we will complete the project soon.”
The state government and PMC are positive to reach an amicable solution. Even the ₹15 lakh per hectare compensation demanded by farmers was met, before they keep changing their demands.
Rao said, “The divisional commissioner’s office and the collectorate are working on the issue. The issue will be resolved soon. District collector and rural police are also keeping a close watch on the work.”
WHY THE DELAY?
Instead of the monetary compensation offered by the civic body, the protesting villagers have been demanding equal area of land in return for the property that they have given for the project. They have also demanded water supply for their villages from the pipeline constructed for the project.
